Happy Gotcha Day Belle

Happy "gotcha" day for little Belle who is Joan Stark's forever foster for NEBTR. It was one year ago that Joan drove throgh a snow storm to PA to pick up this sweet little old lady.

What a wonderful celebration and year for both Joan and Belle!

Update on Belle and Boston

This is the story of two Bostons, named Belle and Boston from Joan Stark, long time NEBTR volunteer from Julie's Klam's Blog..

(In the photo, left to right: Belle, Missy (Mast cell tumor survivor, so far) Duke, Gidget (retired therapy dog) , and Boston.

We were looking for another dog and we had heard about rescues and decided that would be the way to go.  While we were researching them, I got word from my breeder that she had taken in a couple of Bostons and was looking for home for them.  We went to see her (and them) She had a little girl and I was looking for a female.  I fell in love with her and while we were doing the paperwork, my husband was sitting in a chair.  This skinny brindle boy hopped up in his lap and sat there the whole time.  When I finished paperwork for the little girl and said we could leave, my hubby looked at me and said “What about him?  We can’t leave him here.”  So we came home with two dogs. He was a brindle and a male – neither my favorite.  His story was that he was found in an abandoned house.  It was a known “crack” house and the theory is that the owners were in jail.  It is estimated that he was there alone for at least six months. He was going in and out the doggy door, feeding himself from garbage cans and whatever the neighbors would give him, drinking out of the toilet in the house and sleeping in his crate.  When found, on top of his crate was his rabies tag and all his paperwork to register him – his name was Boston (known as Mr. B in our house) and he is a purebreed.  He was about 10 pounds, all skin and bones, full of parasites, filthy and had really bad teeth. He was two years old.  We took him home, cleaned him up, fed him and loved him.  He is no a whopping 23 pounds, and “my” dog–doesn’t leave my side when I am home, follows me even into the bathroom, has to be in the chair with me and sleeps on the bed with us.  He is the first of our Bostons to be allowed to do this.  Needless to say, the dog my husband wanted six years ago and I was not so sure about is now my faithful protector and MY own sweet boy.

The other rescue is a NEBTR and actually is a permanent foster with us.  Her name is Belle.  She is a tiny little thing.  I saw the emails about this little old lady who had been abandoned in an apartment in PA.  The owner left town and left a note on the neighbor’s door stating she would not be back and to “feed the animals”.  Belle was there with a six month old kitten. The neighbor was a college girl who did the best she could but did not have the time or resources to do this permanently.  NEBTR was working to find her a place but everyone was full.  I could not stand the thought of her going to a shelter and even though I had not planned to foster until I retired and was home more, I decided that I needed to help the approximately fourteen year old girl. So I drove three hours to PA and met another volunteer, Kym, who had driven down to pick her up and then drove up to meet me.  It was January and it was snowing.  Lovely.  When Belle came to us she weighed just 12 pounds. She has a cataract on one eye that requires drops every day.  The vision in her other eye is limited as it is blue.  She has a grade II to IV heart murmur, about six teeth left, and was bald from her shoulders back and looked as if she was having a rectal prolapse.  It was understood that she would be a permanent foster with me as due to her age and health issues. She just would not be a good candidate for adoption.  In the first two or three months we had her, she did nothing but eat, go out to do her business, and lay in her little bed.  I changed her diet and found that she is allergic to chicken.  We have fattened her up to 14 1/2 pounds, her hair has grown back.  Due to a better diet with more fiber, etc. the rectal prolapse is not an issue.  We still put drops in her eyes.  She has no trouble eating.  She has come out of her shell and shown us that she is a funny feisty little old lady.  She jumps up to sit with my husband, loves to have her back scratched.  Wants to play with my younger dogs and she quickly learned to be first in line for treats.

I love all my pups dearly.  We have three more at home besides Belle, and Mr. B.  These two have a special history, though and have earned a special place in my heart.

Mazy Says Thank You

To all of you who have helped her, Mazy says thank you!

Photos of Alicia, now Penny

Here are some pictures of Penny, formerly known as Alicia.  She is awfully camera shy though. I tell myself she is a former show dog and is 'over' the paparazzi. haha!

So photos are few are far between but I couldn't resist the ones where she thinks she's a cat lounging in the sun!

She's settled in and we cannot get enough of her!
I can't imagine anyone not loving her but of course now I am biased.  She doesn't flinch at the vet, listens well... and now I am a gushing mom!

I can't thank NEBTR enough for bringing her to us and doing everything you all do.  I am so thrilled to be part of such a great group!  I look at all the doggies that need homes and I want them all!  Hopefully after some more time with Penny we'll be able to foster!

-- Sara McLaughlin

Update on Ori and Molly Moo

We celebrated O's one year of Freedom from the puppymill on January 18th.  We can't believe how quickly time has gone by and how much she has changed.  Her coat is beautiful, she loves to play and she is the cutest little snuggler.  She and Moo have taught each other so much.  I love watching the 2 of them snuggle and relax on the couch or a bed together.  I have such a hard time even attempting to comprehend how people can do what they do to dogs in a mill...I shudder at the conditions O was in last year especially during this cold snap that we've been having.


To celebrate Ori's 1 year of freedom, I think it's appropriate to come up with a Top 10 Favorites list for both O and Moo.

Ori's Top 10 Favorites:

10- slinky across the floor on her belly looking all cute and playful
9-  dive bombing Moo while Moo's still peeing
8- playing tug of war
7- strategically resting her nubby to snuggle as close as possible
6- snuggly with her mommy!
5- standing as tall as she can to try and grab things off the kitchen table
4- Stealing Molly's kong as soon as they get out of their crates
3- staring at Molly in hopes of distracting her to grab whatever Molly is chewing on
2- sleeping in the big bed
1- Squeakie toys!!!


And dear Miss Moo's Top 10 Favorites

10- Food
9- peanut butter filled kongs
8- Cookies
7- Zuke's Z-ridges
6- trash picking
5-bully sticks
4- snuggling on the couch
3- liver
2- burying her nose under covers
1- Food!

-- Vicki Rowe,  And Tinker Makes Three

Update on Addie

The amazing story of the rescue of a puppy mill girl  from NEBTR’s Placement Coordinator and all around wonder, Jodi Groff, which was featured first on Julie Klam's Blog.

Every foster I take teaches me a new lesson but it is my first foster that opened my eyes to a world I knew existed but never understood. I anxiously awaited my first assignment. I had agreed to foster one of five dogs being tossed aside by a puppy miller. I was asked by several people in the group if I thought I was ready for such a big assignment and I kept thinking what could be so bad? Well, my no name foster came and any denial that I had about how awful dogs are treated in a mill went out the door- the terrible pictures you see are sadly accurate. When this little 14 pound peanut was put on solid ground she froze, unable to move for what seemed like half an hour because she was never on grass, outside a cage or handled gently by a people…essentially she never felt an ounce of kindness or love. She was five years old and I wondered on a daily basis if she would be able to overcome her demons from years of severe abuse and neglect. (She apparently had a litter only a few days before. Our thought was that she had a litter of still born pups because of a uterine infection which is why she was given up by the miller…only in that world is having a litter of still borns be a ticket to freedom.)

She needed a name and we decided on Addie. It took months of slow interaction and lots of patience but Addie gradually began to show small signs of improvement. Even the smallest gesture like eating her food with a person in the same room was reason to celebrate…calmly of course because you didn’t want to scare her with sudden movements). Right before Christmas an application was submitted and something was telling me that it was Addie’s new family. I cried at my computer reading it because I couldn’t believe I was going to agree to give her up but I also cried because I was happy that she was finally getting the life she deserved. The family was perfect and up for the challenge to continue what was started. On a cold December morning three days after Christmas they officially adopted Addie. Rescuing these dogs is a team effort but it is the families who are willing to open their hearts and homes to the imperfect and difficult dogs that are truly the backbone of what we do. These families have the strength to love the dogs that others will not consider and they take on the challenge with a joyful heart. They practice the true definition of rescue.

Now, just close your eyes and imagine a filthy, flea infested, frightened, continuously abused, feral dog that spent her entire five years locked in a cage breeding with no human interaction. Then see the magic of patience and love by watching Addie on the video her family sent me to celebrate her one year adoption anniversary. (She is actually coming up on her SECOND anniversary December 28th!!)  I have to give all the credit to her family because this amazing transition was the result of LOTS AND LOTS OF HARD WORK.

Update on Manley

For the month of December Julie Klam rescue stories from NEBTR on her blog.

This is the story of Manley, it comes from Jane Tirc, intake coordinator and saint.

Manley was found wandering the street on Long Island on a rainy night in October 2009. A young couple stopped and picked him up, later bringing him to a kennel where they worked. The owner of the kennel was associated with another breed rescue and knew to contact Boston Terrier rescue when no owner could be found.

Manley was suffering from severe glaucoma and was blind. His right eye was very swollen and most likely very painful so needed to be removed.  He has long since recovered and despite his blindness is a very happy and much loved little man who will never again have to worry about being alone.

Exercising with Your Dog

Imagine this: a Boston terrier that gets the royal treatment! I think you will really enjoy this video starring Peanut the BT and Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes.



You can see the video here.

Nicky's Forever Home

Former foster Nicky is bonding with his new brother Dublin.  They love to relax in the sun.  Life is good!

Pictures of Foster Mazy

Mazy's foster mother Lisa Vaughan has sent these adorable pictures of her.  You can contribute to her medical fund on the first page of the site.

And here photos of Mazy as a baby!

Dear Dogs and Cats

Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, and then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.

One more thing, staring at me while I eat to try to direct my mind to give you my food will not work (usually). I am too old and too tired. Go stare at the kids. They are younger and more susceptible to mind control... If you don't believe me, notice how they all dress alike so they can be individuals.


Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here. You don't.

(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.

(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.

(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.


Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

(1) Eat less,

(2) Don’t ask for money all the time,

(3) are easier to train,

(4) Normally come when called,

(5) Never ask to drive the car,

(6) Don’t hang out with drug-using people;

(7) Don’t smoke or drink,

(8) Don’t want to wear your clothes,

(9) Don’t have to buy the latest fashions,

(10) Don’t need a gazillion dollars for college and

(11) If they get pregnant, you can sell their children

-- Contributed by Beth McFadden

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