Welcome Mami

Hi All--Here's a picture of an awesome sweet old girl pulled from the ASPCA in PHL (this ASPCA is a wonderful partner with us). Lisa V. drove down in the nasty weather to grab her and Tammy T. will be fostering her. She's at LEAST 10 y/o and completely blind. Her nails were growing into her pads. Lisa has already gotten her a much needed mani/pedi. Welcome, Mami!! We promise you will never be scared, cold, hungry, hurting or alone again. Ever

Zack Hill on Dog Walking

Tucker Plays the Piano

Tucker, a one and a half year old Schnoodle, plays the piano and sings along 3 or 4 times every day. In spite of all of his practicing, he really isn't getting any better.

Artie the Blind Pup Finds Forever Love

 

Artie just left our house with his new family, JulieAnne and Michael Cross, and their son Gavin. They drove all the way up from Delaware to Wharton NJ to meet the little guy, and it was love at first sight. Artie licked them all over, jumped in their laps, and practically bowled Gavin over with all of his kisses. They were so excited to meet Artie, and I know they're going to spoil him rotten. Artie was very special to me - my little blind guy and I was protective of him because I didn't want him going to a home that didn't understand his special needs. Gavin was super gentle with him, never reaching out to him, waiting for Artie to go to him. I know the Cross's are a perfect match for him and are going to love him like crazy!  He is a special little boy going to a special family.

Artie is a one year old, 25 lb, sweetheart of a Boston! Artie is blind, but don't tell him that. He has no idea that it's not 'normal' to have sight. We're pretty sure he was born blind because he compensates so amazingly. Within in a day, he'll have his entire house and yard mapped out. He's learned that when we say 'stairs' he's to be careful and go up or down and when we say 'door' he knows to step over the threshold. Because he can't see, Artie needs to be walked using a harness only. He doesn't understand that a leash is being held by his owner, so when he feels a tug at it, he panics and tries to get away. A leash hooked to a collar only escalates this. When his foster mom picks up his leash she now says, 'It's just me' and he knows that the tug will be okay.

Artie is a total cuddle bug. He will lie for hours on the couch with you, snuggling but when he's had enough of that, he's still very much a puppy and loves to play. He'll wrestle by himself on the ground, but is just as happy to have you wrestle around with him. He's not sure what toys are, but every now and again will chew on a stuffed animal.

-- Heather Coursen

Truck and Bomber

My Tootsie's pups (that I kept) were Truck, Dolly, Angel & Sara. The other two Junior & Bomber were sold. I'm a bad breeder (lol). Well Bomber went to a couple in PA. Bomber knew about 50 words by the time he was two, and they raised him so well I was almost embarrassed that he was smarter than all mine together.

They kept the portable house phone on a low table. When the phone rang, Bomber's dad said "please get daddy the phone Bomber". He gently took the phone off the cradle and brought it to his dad. After a hard day of work, he would sit in his recliner chair and tell Bomber "please take off my boots and socks". Bomber meticulously unlaced his boots, pulled them off and then pulled his socks off. Then "please go get daddy his slippers". Bomber not only got the slippers but put them on his feet!

He also ran out every morning, unleashed and got the newspaper. My absolute favorite was mother and dad ran notes between them in Bomber's mouth. Dad would write a note on a piece of paper give it Bomber in his mouth and say "Bomber, bring this to mom". Bomber would run to where ever she was and drop it on the floor in front of her. She would write back something (anything), put the note back in Bomber's mouth and say "Bomber, bring this to daddy". And he would.

I laughed when I heard all these stories and teased that they made Bomber a slave. He was so intelligent and well rounded. Bomber died a few years ago, after Truck and Dolly. They now own another Boston named Truck. When I got the letter from them I cried that they named him after my Truck. Truck and Bomber were the big 30 lb. boys that looked like twins. The other four looked nothing alike and all were about 20 lbs.

I will never forget my beautiful pups and the nice people I have met from them and my fosters. I still talk to Bomber's owners about their new boy Truck. They are so wonderful and of course, he is just as smart as Bomber.

Attached is a pic of Truck & Bomber when they were 9 months old. I drove 5 hours to go visit them for a weekend. Truck is on the left - Bomber on the right.

Linda Antonelli

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