SANTA PAWS 2009

I am an animal rescuer and a lover of just about anything with 4 legs and fur (except maybe possums but that's another story). Having said that, I have never been one to buy Christmas presents for the animals nor have I had birthday parties for any of mine over the years. I guess I always thought that every day was Christmas for our spoiled, warm, safe fur babies. They get toys and treats throughout the year, right? Why add one more pressure to the holiday list - got to get the dog and cat something....

Then came the tradition of Santa Paws at BTRNC. Apparently I was incorrect in thinking that dogs did not know it was Christmas. The pictures started coming in of our foster babies in front of packages wrapped up all for them. Their faces were sheer delight. Blankets seem to be a big favorite. I have written many times that these special kids know that they are in a temporary phase and have not yet found their forever homes and that they also know when they go home for good. Obviously these special little ones also know when something is just for them. They may not have a home yet, but they have a foster family for the holidays and they also get a package just for them!

For those of you new to the blog, Santa Paws is a program that pairs volunteers up with foster dogs to be their Santa Paws. Volunteers cannot be Santa Paws to their own fosters but instead are matched with a dog they will probably never meet unless a transport brings them together. Santa Paws shops and creates a package and send it to the foster dog care of their foster family. Gifts include toys, treats, blankets and other goodies. The packages are often given to the foster baby with supervision as they open, inspect, devour, cuddle or play with their gift! This also gives the foster moms and dads a break from buying for them as well as their forever dogs. BTRNC covers medical expenses but daily needs are paid for by the foster families.

Their expressions have convinced me that our foster kids deserve and love presents just like we humans. As far as my forever kids.... well, maybe just one or two Christmas themed toys and a new blanket.

Here are just a few pictures of our 2009 recipients:

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

- MAY THEY ALL FIND HOMES IN 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Snow has blanketed most of the areas covered by BTRNC. Virginia has between 16 and 24 inches depending on the area. Most of North Carolina is a white wonderland as well. We are almost guaranteed a white Christmas this year. Melting will be a very slow process with temperatures in the 20s and teens for coming week.

The snow in many places is over the heads of our boston forever, foster and sanctuary babies. Most of us were out digging path ways in our yards this morning and trying to convince our furry friends that we could not take them walking and that they really could do their business in the designated path!

The holiday season reminds us of our blessings and the hardships we have survived. BTRNC has been blessed with the recovery of a lost dog this week and to most of our volunteers, this was the best Christmas present ever!

The Christmas tree on our home page has many ornaments and packages symbolizing the generosity of our members and supporters.

Suki, Franklin and Lily have found their forever homes just to name a few.

We enjoy the lights on our trees, or our favorite holiday symbol, we enjoy the quiet that only a major snow can deliver and we gaze at the bostons in our lives and are so thankful that they are warm, safe and dry. We say a prayer for all the animals who may be lost or abandoned and ask for a happy ending for them this holiday season.

Merry Christmas everyone! May you all be surrounded by all the things you love!

The Boastful Boston

STARTING AGAIN AND GETTING IT RIGHT

When BTRNC rescued Franklin 9 months ago, the shelter told us that the owner had dropped him off saying euthanize him - he's crippled! The shelter decided to contact us instead - thank the doggie Gods and saints! Especially, thanks to Franklin's shelter and so many others that work with rescues!

The volunteer who pulled Franklin and transported him to his foster Mom said she would never forget the first photo she saw of this young man. His legs were folded under him like he was trying to sit on the ground side saddle and drool was coming out of his mouth. Such a sad and misunderstood little one.

Franklin suffered from a not so uncommon condition known as luxating patella. This very shortly means that Franklin's knee caps did not stay where they are supposed to be. It is correctable by surgery and although the recuperation period can be long frustrating, the end result is good or sometimes better than new. The biggest challenge is trying to keep a young boston terrier still for so many weeks. Franklin had a wonderful foster Mom who stuck with him through 3 surgeries and nursed his legs and his heart back to life.

Look at him now, he is actually over sized and can walk and run and play and enjoy all the things that he deserves.

We are so grateful to Franklin's wonderful foster Mom who after 9 months found the strength to say goodbye so this beautiful baby could go to his forever home that was carefully screened and selected just for Franklin. Nine months is a long time and it was hard to let him go but she knows he is going to a wonderful home and she will soon get back to the business of saving another soul in need of loving.

Franklin's foster Mom asks everyone to:

"wish him the best as he finally is able to START his new life. I have the utmost hope for him as the beginning of his life was far from easy and he deserve to be happy, healthy, and loved!"

It is my honor to pass her wish on to our readers.