More Pictures of Popeye

Here's Popeye with his Mom Mara Shulman, enjoying the love and home he deserves! Thank you Mara for giving it to him!

Although not a NEBTR rescue, Spanky was recently adopted by his forever family, and he is having the time of his life after Sunday night's southern snowstorm.

He is a much-loved pooch now, but just a few months ago he was dumped at a high kill shelter by his previous humans.

-- Shela Walton

Addie's Two Year Anniversary Video

Here is a video of former NEBTR foster dog, Addie. Her adoptive family has made a tradition to send a video of her progress around her anniversary so we can see her progress. This year she learned “sit”…anyone who has adopted or fostered a puppy mill dog will understand what a HUGE step that is. It may have taken two years but she did it! She definitely hit the jackpot with the Alexis/Keegan crew.

-- Jodi Groff, Lancaster PA

It is so amazing to see how dogs are just as (if not more) helpful as we humans are in the healing and learning process. Great family and adorable brother Boston. Thanks for sharing!

Eileen in Cheshire, CT

Popeye's Story

The following uplifting story was written by Carolyn McCarthy of Kamp Kanine, and featured on Julie Klam's blog:

Last January I joined NEBTR and started fostering almost immediately. I have had 13 fosters this year and placed 10 precious souls!

I also own a kennel, training and doggie daycare facility -so it makes it easier for me as all my fosters come to work with me etc.

In early February of 2010, I get a call from Sheryl who said ”there is a woman on a farm in West Chester that wants to surrender a blind 9 year old BT named Popeye.” She also goes on to say he is not social or housebroken, etc. Never mentions how she got him, but I don’t care just get him to me.

As the owner of a kennel I can’t leave too often, so I rely on transport. Time was of the essence as a snow storm was approaching. One of the other volunteers calls me and says you should talk to her –get the info and see if you can get her to move at all with the dog meet us half way. I am a type A New Yorker or lets just say pushy. I was warned the woman goes by Princess Claire.

So dial away, the woman that answers has an English accent (guessing)and indeed she introduces herself as Princess Claire. Now remember if you want to get the dog you have to play the game or she won’t surrender. ”So Princess Claire,” I ask, “do you have time to meet someone half way or get out on the highway somewhere? Most of our volunteers work and can’t travel during the week.” This was a Monday. No absolutely not, she say, she manages a horse farm and can’t leave. She got stuck with this “little bugger” and now he needs to go! He bumps into everything in her apartment and has a “wizz” everywhere. God help me I wanted to drive up there and kick some Princess Ass. However, every volunteer knows to get the dog to safety you gotta kiss some ass or they will just hang up and game over.

With the storm coming we decide, getting transport to her Tuesday would be best so we can get this poor old man away from her. Tuesday I get a message on my voice mail from the princess herself nevermind on the surrender, Popeye has gone missing! It’s been 12 hours and she does not think he will surface. Now if you have ever been on the NEBTR Yahoo page, everyone goes ballistic. We have people willing to drive up in the beginnings of a snow storm to search for this boy. How far can a blind 9 year old go? Volunteers do go in the dark in the snow to search with no luck. One of the members of the rescue says he has a friend in a local police department and will ask him to call Princess Claire as a favor to him. Low and behold Thursday Popeye showed up at my Kennel. Princess said he escaped and someone got him to the West Chester ASPCA. We will never know.

The good news is Pops was not blind, had chronic dry eye, 2 drops a day and he can see no problems. He was also housebroken, you would just need to let him outside! During his stay with me he was wonderful laying on dogs beds, people beds and just relaxing, greeting all the customers at the kennel. Popeye also became somewhat of a celebrity, so he got many visitors!

Popeye was adopted by a wonderful woman who is a teacher and Pops is her only child. As you can see from the before and after pics he is doing super and is so happy. It never ceases to amaze me how forgiving these creatures are, all the abuse and neglect and yet ready to love over and over. We miss him every day smellin’ like corn-chips and his little piggy grunts. But his Mom gives him more love than I ever could.

Carolyn McCarthy
Kamp Kanine
Little Falls, NJ

Merry Christmas from Linda's Pups

From my furry kids to yours. Happy holidays. Linda Antonelli

Update on Bruno/Lefty

This is a Christmas message from my boy Bruno's family (aka Lefty) that was my and Sheryl's project foster from a puppy mill (he came in with my Ivy). To me, this is what it is all about.

-- Happy holidays, Linda


Merry Christmas Linda,

Just a little Christmas greeting to let you know what a perfect match you made for us. Lefty is the best gift Lynne & I ever received.


Cheers, Bob

Cute Christmas Card

Foster Joe

Recently, I got my new foster boy Joe. He is 18 lbs. and very thin, you can see his back bone. He is an all black beauty and 5 yrs. old.

Joe was rescued by Best Friends Animal Society along with 27 other dogs from a puppy mill. They were all slated to be euthanized. The Animal Rescue Fund (a shelter on Long Island) partners with Best Friends and helps them with special medical needs dogs so they had Joe shipped here along with a few others on 08/23. Joe was very dirty, had long nails and was very nervous. He was emaciated. For this reason (and after 2 months in the shelter) he wasn’t thriving and no one wanted to adopt him. They then called NEBTR and asked if we could take him.

Joe will heal slowly but surely, but I’m concerned about his eyes. Only a very special person would adopt him. I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. I’m glad I have him. He likes my dogs and although he doesn’t play or run, he fit right in. He’s ate their stool a couple of times, but we are keeping him separate from the main dog yard until it is cleaned up. He is absorbing all the activity like a child who never experienced fun. I look forward to a new challenge. He is a very sweet boy and does not bark (YET).

-- Linda Antonelli

Update on Lexington

I was just talking to Lexington and was amazed that it has been a little over a year now that I've had him. It doesn't seem like it could have been that long. This has been quite a year. In the spring I got hurt and spent July and August completely laid up. Lexington went with me to my mother's place and charmed her completely. My mother has never trusted or really loved any other dog, but you should just see her coo to him. She is one of his favorite people, and he is absolutely her favorite dog of all time. We also spent some time in MA with my Godmother, who also fell in love with him, and started to think about possibly getting a dog sometime. With all the different people walking him he acquired some less then ideal on-leash pulling, but we have been working on that since I have gotten up and walking again, and it's improving.

In news Lexington probably thinks is grand, my job got rearranged and so I lost it Sept. 1st. My unemployment insurance has been plenty for our simple needs, including, of course, Lexington's health insurance and his good (Wellness) food. I also have the time to work with training him. In fifteen minutes I taught him to jump over my cane, and to go under it too. This is a dog that was meant for the circus. :)

As I was thinking of the progress that he and I have made in the past year I wanted to also give you an update. He and I are working out really well together, and regardless of whether or not a recent resume I sent in gets accepted, we will be fine financially. I have an amazing ability to make things happen when needed. It's not always pretty, but he will always be taken care of.

GOOD NEWS & OTHER THINGS I KNOW NOW:

* He is now friends with, not only with my neighbor's dog Bertie, but also an adorable French Bulldog puppy, Sam. A couple days ago he met a tiny Boston Terrier puppy, Fig, and it was like they were long lost siblings finally reunited. I have never seen him play so much with another dog. Usually a good interaction is when he sniffs, plays a little and then walks off. With Fig, he was really getting into it and was being really tolerant of puppy behavior like face nipping. It was incredible to see. Just today he met a friendly little Pomeranian and that too was perfectly civilized, but nothing like with Fig.
* He frequently gets walked with other dogs. He also loves his walkers and when I know I have a late night I hire one of them to come hang out with him. I love this dog-walking company and the people that walk for the owner. I know that when they are watching him, it's likely that he's having the best time of his life.
* In this year he has also become extremely affectionate. Besides his adorable cuddling at night, he now will often come up to me, and others, for just affection.
* I can also hug him for extended times between ball playing sessions and he seems to be enjoying it, rather than suffering it.
* He knows Sit, Stay, Touch, Down, Paw (shake), Wave, Leave It, Bring It Closer (the ball), Game Over, and Look At Me. He can also jump over my cane as well as go under it on command. His self control to stay seated while I hide his ball for him to find has also improved a great deal. (He came with some of these, I've just firmed them up.)
* He doesn't mind when I play with or clean his paws now.
* He has developed a new habit of wanting to approach strangers for pets, while on the street. He also wants to actively approach children. This came after he played with a few toddlers and saw that they will throw him the ball a lot. To be honest, a lot of his interest in people is related to who will throw him the ball, but he seems to also be searching out affection at times when he could be harassing people to play, and this seems like a really good step.
* Putting him on the Simple Solutions Wellness Salmon food seems to have solved his allergies as well as his dry skin. It's really nice to snuggle up to a soft and happy hound. It has also made picking up after him far more pleasant.
* I have discovered that while he loves car rides more than anything, it does make his poop a bit soft right after. But at least I now know this.
* I also know that he can swim like a champ, though he does get really cold really fast.
* Wherever we go, people fall in love with him all over the place. "Cat people" love him as well as "Dog people".

THINGS TO STILL WORK ON:

* He seems to have developed further issues with big black dogs, but maybe this worsening is my imagination. It may more be that he's getting better with the smaller dogs and staying the same with the bigger dogs.
* Lately I have been working with his leash walking a little more. I think I have now tried every leash/harness option besides the head halter. Having all sorts of other people walk him while I was laid up led to all sorts of ill behavior to now get rid of.


He's so damn cute, and I am so happy that I have him. Please pass on my thanks again for NEBTR allowing me to adopt Lexington. He is currently curled up in my lap and is happy as can be, if a little chilly from our recent rainy walk.


Love, Kate

Presence More Important than Presents to Dogs

Recently, my dear friend Jess stopped by for a cup of coconut coffee and to give me a much-needed haircut. We were talking about the arrival of the coming holiday season. We’re both holiday crazies, loving the Christmas season but hating the attitude that so frequently accompanies it. This is supposed to be a season for family, sharing, loving, thankfulness, peace, togetherness, and worship.

Too frequently, it becomes a season for stress (financial and otherwise), competition (”My present’s more fabulous than yours!” “I spent more money than you did!”), cutting people off in traffic, fights over the last Holiday Barbie on the shelves, trampling fellow shoppers in search of the best deal, and griping about waiting in long lines. Sadly, it is often a time when we attempt to demonstrate how much we love our friends, family, and dogs through how much money we spend on them. Something about that is just very yucky to me. Ironically, it just seems to cheapen our relationships.

The economy is not strong. Many people are struggling financially and making difficult decisions. The one decision that doesn’t have to be nearly so difficult for the cash-strapped, hard working family, is wondering what to get the dog for Christmas. I’ll clue you in on what every dog wants for Christmas, and it won’t cost you a dime. Believe it or not, dogs don’t know December 25th is a special day (or any other celebratory day or religious event). They want the same thing on Christmas and every other day of the year – the gift of your time.

When Jess was over the other day, she said to me that “presence” is so much more important than “presents.” I think this is only too true and we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays it’s not uncommon to lose sight of this critical fact. I know that I am very busy and that Mokie would probably prefer to have more of my time in training sessions, adventures, walks, last runs at lure coursing before the snow arrives, or a play date with her friend Leila than a 15th Kong or 6th Nina Ottosson toy.

I understand that the holidays are busy. You likely have dinners to plan, guests to accommodate, decorating, cleaning, and shopping to do. If you have a moment to look at your dog’s wish list, at the top you’ll likely find, “Please spend time with me this Christmas. Let’s do something fun together!” (I know many dogs are also secretly hoping for a fenced in yard this Christmas – I hope you get your wish, puppies!)

Things have been crazy around Maison de Lomonaco recently. I’ve been working hard and averaging about four hours of sleep a day, seven days a week, for some time now. I spend lots of time writing about dogs and training other people’s dogs, and haven’t spent as much training time with my own pups as I’d like. I’ve decided that deadlines are less important than relationships, and am making an effort to reward myself for all this hard work with what is for me a very potent reinforcement – having fun with the two dogs I love best. It’s a gift to all of us.

Someday, I won’t have Mokie or Cuba in my life anymore. I know when that day comes, I would give anything in my world for one more walk, one more training session, one more riotous game of fetch, tug, or hide and seek with my dog. In those painful moments of loss, I will likely never once think, “gee, I wished I bought my dog more stuff.” This sentiment is only too real as I think of celebrating my first Christmas without my dad and without my beautiful angel boy Monte.

Toys, a new bed, expensive cookies, or a fancy collar are nice gestures and certainly will be appreciated by most dogs; but the best gift of all, at the holidays and throughout the year, is your time.

-- from Dogster.com

Christmas Eve Story

A  Nativity Scene was erected in a church yard.
During  the night the folks came across this scene.
An abandoned dog was  looking for a comfortable, protected place to sleep.
He chose baby Jesus as his comfort.  No one had the heart to send  him away so he was there all  night.

-- Contributed by Tony Ferrarese

Alicia, now Penny, in Her Fur-Ever Home

Alicia went to her forever home yesterday. And the best part is that she was adopted by one of our newest members, Sara McLaughlin and Chris Ray. In true Alicia fashion, she immediately went over and tried to pee on Chris! I guess she was ready to own her new family.

I've attached a few pictures that Sara shared with me and Sara has reported that Alicia is doing well and in addition to a new family, she has a new name (Penny).

-- Mary Liberty

Sara writes,

"Hi All!
Penny is settling in quite well! We LOVE her! She is a great listener. It is quite clear that she was loved and trained before she was found.

We are trying to keep her off the couch, unless she's invited- she listens when you say NO and when she's sneaky enough to get up there when we are out of the room she gets down (and hangs her head) when we come back and goes right to her bed. But it's hard to say no to her when she looks at me with those eyes...oy those eyes! And she's a snorter! We have lovingly given her the nickname of "little oinker"

Mojo Goes to His Forever Home

Just in time for Christmas, Mojo has gone to his forever home. His foster mom Carolyn writes, "I have to say his new parents were the nicest people ever. As all of the folks that come to see my fosters normally are and that is no accident."

Congratulations to Mojo and his new family!

Update on Oscar

Oscar was trying to get my attention while I was on the computer..here is his solution! This is the funniest dog I've ever known! I should base a cartoon character on him!




-- Patricia Baxter-Ubellacker

Belle's New Life

It’s official, Belle started her new life and went to her new forever home today! She was the little girl who had double luxating patella surgery in September. She will be the complete and total center of attention in her new home and they couldn’t be happier with her.  She will even be able to go to work with her new dad to his studio since he is a self employed photographer. Belle absolutely loves meeting new people so she will be in heaven. It was thanks to all the donations we received that we were able to give Belle this new life and pay for her surgery. Even though she is feeling great she will always have two scars on her knees that will always be a reminder of the life changing surgery that NEBTR was able to provide.

-- Jodi Groff

Trudy and Santa

--  Debbie and Trudance

Boston Finds His Forever Home

Congratulations to Boston, who has found his forever home in time for Christmas with the Nugent family! Thanks especially to Shannon, his foster mom!

Daisy Finds Her Forever Home for Christmas

Here is Daisy with her new family, the Lynch Family. From the looks on their faces,
I think its safe to say, Daisy will be loved very much and just as spoiled :-)

How lucky for Daisy to have found a fur-ever home just before Christmas!!!

And a big thanks to her foster mom, Elly!

Update on Lola

Lola is Terri's first and failed foster. Lola is thriving, earning gold stars in her training classes and generally living large these days! Having lost all 3 of her BT's this year, Lola was a Godsend and we are all so happy they found each other.

Introducing Cliff

Cliff was found wondering the streets of Philly with a Pit Bull friend. We pulled him from the Philly SPCA. He is a sweetheart! He loves cats and dogs. He is very skinny (13.8 lbs) so we will be working on fattening him up. He loves to cuddle with people. He is almost potty trained; hopefully once he is fixed his marking will stop.

Watch this site to see when Cliff will be available for adoption.

Overall he is just a great loving little guy!

-- Lisa Vaughan