HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM BTRNC

Not a lot to say today but found a special way to remember the day! 



Long time readers will remember a very popular blog we posted in August 2011 of a tiny little boy named Peetie.  I would link you there but that is beyond my abilities.  Peetie generated more comments than most any blog since we added the link in 2007. 

Peetie was born with some serious medical issues involving his little boy parts and little bottom.  He came to us at 6 weeks, so tiny and adorable.  He was fixed, adopted and renamed Andy.

Here he is today in his Halloween Costume. He won first prize at the fund raiser too!  Andy is all grown up and doing just fine.

And today, November 1st, I had to add one more.  Here is Woden's first Halloween at his forever home!

I have to tell you the story of Woden's name which happily his forever family kept.  Our volunteer was at the shelter to pick up another dog when she was made aware of this adorable little guy.  Her first reaction, was   " Whoa, Damn, I can't leave this guy here," so his name became the acceptable combination of her reaction - Woden!  Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween"

Finding Neko

Submitted by Volunteers Claudia and Jan!

Neko’s mom had originally contacted BTRNC starting in December 2011 because she said she wanted to become a foster home. However, she did not respond when our foster coordinator, tried to reach out to her. She proceeded to reemerge, only to again disappear several more times. A recent divorce had taken its toll on her, Neko, her child, and their other Boston Terrier. Neko had been with her ex-husband who had not provided proper vet care and Neko had been neglected. He was by then diagnosed with demodectic mange and a staph infection. She got Neko back and sent another frantic message on Facebook in March 2012, desperate to get him treatment. It took until July of 2012 for us to actually make arrangements to get tiny Neko.

Found at last and what a find it was. My elation at finally finding this little boy pup quickly turned to dismay. I could only hope that my efforts to keep my face impassive were not in vain. Neko’s skin was a mess – a red, hot mess. Clearly, it had taken a long time for Neko to deteriorate into his present condition. His skin was red, wrinkled, and inflamed with a thin, yellow crust all over his body from the infection and constant irritation. He had lost most of his hair.

Still, Neko’s mom was very torn about surrendering him, so we worried that she would stop responding to us altogether. With his mom becoming increasingly hesitant and his condition worsening rapidly, we decided we could wait no longer. I called Neko’s mom and offer to drive to her house to pick him up. Thankfully, Neko’s mom accepted my offer so off I went.
On that hot Sunday in July, I noted an older, neat, but very sparse condominium that had seen a lot of wear. As I stood waiting for her to gather Neko’s things, her little boy shyly offered me a can of SpaghettiOs. I smiled and told him that though I loved SpaghettiOs, he needed to keep those for supper. That explanation appeared to satisfy him and he began to play with all four dogs (including two of my own) as they romped and bounced around the condo.

Eventually, all of Neko’s things were collected and placed into my car. I then told her to take a minute to say goodbye to Neko. Mercifully, she and her little boy seemed to understand that Neko was going to a place where he could recover and get a wonderful new home. There were no tears, only calm acceptance and subdued sadness. She gave me a hug before I left. I promised that we would take very, very good care of sweet Neko. I know she did her best. She also did the right thing by giving him to those who could properly care for him. He needed immediate treatment and he was on his way to receiving it.

Comfort and recovery had begun!

Neko’s foster mom has done a wonderful job with him, as you can see in the before and after pictures! She met me at a moment’s notice that day, for which I am forever grateful. Neko is a very happy boy who has his forever home all lined up!

Here is our boy passing at kisses at a recent fund raiser for BTRNC -

We are so glad that we kept up the search and finally found Neko! 

ANYONE WANT TO DANCE WITH TANGO?

As I have said before, if I get to meet them, I will happily blog about them.  This adorable little ball of energy is supposed to be 12 but I don't think his original owner counted correctly.  He has the energy of my 4 year old boston boy, Riley.

Tango was brought to animal control because his family was moving and unable to take him. An all too familiar story lately and a sad one.  What does a 12 year old dog think when they are taken out of their home and dumped in a cold shelter with new faces, smells, and a chorus of other loud barking and whining roommates who also wonder how they got there.

My personal vet has also become my personal friend over the years - a fact for which I am eternally grateful.  She works one day at a week at this facility in the spay and neuter clinic.  She has done so many favors for me and has given me so much support over the years, how could I not react when she called me to ask me a favor - "get this little guy out of prison."  He had come trotting up to say hello when she arrived at work.

So 12 year olds don't usually get adopted so fast if all - another sad fact.  We were able to find a temporary foster home for him.  Okay, actually I begged a volunteer near me to try her hand at fostering and she reluctantly agreed.  I picked Tango up at 10 a.m. on a Sunday.  His new foster Mom works until 6 p.m. on Sundays so he got to spend the day with me.

"I don't need to take a crate," I thought.  "He will just lay quietly teathered in my car," I thought.  "He won't be up for playing with my rowdy dogs," I thought.  I need to find him a quiet place for the day, I thought.  Boy did I think wrong on all counts.

Tango is non stop motion.  I had to borrow a crate from the shelter to get him home.  We went on 3 walks while he was with me.  I had to separate him from my dogs because THEY were tired.  My next door neighbor had to keep him occupied while I did laundry at my house.  He also went to the spa for a much needed bath.  The team there told me how wonderfully gentle and sweet he was and how active he was and that he never closed his eyes while he was there. 

He is such a doll - so sweet and happy to give kisses.  He never became aggressive no matter who handled him or what they needed to do with him, including me vice gripping him in the car until I went back and got the crate.

Tango arrived at his new foster home, immediately made himself at home, learned quickly that engaging in "hump" behavior with his new foster sister was not going to be tolerated.  Poor guy only got neutered 7 days ago.  They then went visiting the same night where he met and played with a 100 pound dog. All of this was without a nap mind you and they say he is 12.....  Pshaw I say -not possible.

In less than a week, he has integrated into his foster family, does wonderfully in the crate, listens to his foster Mom and is an all around great boy.  He may have a little gray, but please consider giving this Mr. Crazy Pants as his foster Mom calls him a chance.  He so deserves it!

BIRDIE FINALLY FOUND HER NEST

Have your awww moment of the day and meet Miss Birdie. 

Unbeleivably cute right? 

Well would you believe that she came into rescue with:

heartworms (currently going through treatment)

neurological damage in her hind legs caused from a spine that that looks like a jigsaw puzzle - most likely caused by abuse

Glaucoma

Ear infections in both ears and an eye infection

Underweight and anemic

Believe it!  She is now in foster care with a volunteer who will love her back to health.  Laurie will insist on it and take nothing less.  Birdie found herself the perfect nest when she ended up with Laurie.

Birdie will celebrate her 10th birthday in December.  It would be wonderful if you could sponsor her through our seniors program as a birthday present.  Needless to say, her medical bills are not cheap but she is certainly worth it.   If you can't sponsor, thank you for reading her story and for spreading the word about BTRNC and rescue.  We are all so happy that Birdie flew our way.

HAPPY MOM, HAPPY MAX - LOOK AT THOSE SMILES

Max is grinning from ear to ear.  Congratulations Max on finding your forever Mom!

THE HAPPY BIG RIDE

Since we can only assume that dogs end up in shelters or in foster care by way of a car of bus, that is usually not the happy ride, although certainly a big ride.  The happy ride comes when it is time to ride to the forever home!  Here is Moose on his way to his forever home!  What a cutie he is! 

Where are we going?

Why yes, I am flipped upside down on my back snoozing - it was a long car ride!

Photo Op - still yawning from the trip - what's next?

RYKER IS HOME

Ryka may be a famous footwear company for women, but our Ryker is all boy and he went home this weekend to a wonderful family and their Boston Buck.  Buck is the darkest one, Ryker is on the leash beside his new dad and the third one?  Oh that's Roxie, another of Ryker's former foster Dad's fosters who insisted on being in the picture.  She's a senior princess who will not be left out.  Congratulations Ryker!