Spring flower!

Say hello to Tulip, who has a big grin for you!

Now how is your Tuesday? wonders

The Frog Princess

Winning Ticket Numbers!

The winning ticket numbers are:

SE Roma - #104

Southwest - #168

Mid-Atlantic - #421

Northeast - #770

Canada - #134

SE Champagne & Ice - #258

Tennessee - #219

Midwest - #181

Thank you to everyone for making this year's basket raffle a success and most importantly thank you for supporting FBRN!

Last Day to Buy Tickets, Win Fabulous Baskets!

Easter bunnies wait for the signal to start the egg hunt!



It's time once again to buy tickets for the annual Easter Basket Fundraiser!

Your eyes will pop when you see these masterpieces of ingenuity, generosity and excess, all waiting for the likes of l'il ol' YOU!

Don't be a lout, don't lose out, and when you win, don't jump and shout!




Poetically yours,

The Frog Princess

An Easter Mousie looking for a pink or yellow Peeps chick!

Yonita would like to know

...just who you think you are lookin' at?






She's a tough girl, she is. Just like Ida Lupino.





When you are as beautiful as Yonita in a man's world like this is, you learn to be tough.


Ain't that right, girls? asks

The Frog Princess

Nightline, ABC, 11.:30 p.m.

We received this letter announcing that ABC's newsprogram, Nightline, would be investigating Lancaster County, PA, puppymills on Friday night:


Well friends, once again, the cat is out of the bag - or should we say the dog out of the hutch! This Friday night, March 27, ABC's Nightline will be investigating puppy mills!



ABC Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi and investigators from Nightline travel the byways and back roads of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - visiting numerous puppy mills and filming Main Line Animal Rescue's volunteers as they rescue breeding dogs and puppies from Lancaster County's notorious Amish commercial breeding facilities.



This promises to be a very special program. If you are involved in rescue, advocate on behalf of the millions of puppy mill dogs interned in our nation's commercial dog breeding facilities, or if you just simply love animals, you will not want to miss this.



Sharyn Alfonsi interviewed, on camera, an Amish breeder while touring his facility - a first for network television. With approximately 500 dogs housed on his property, this commercial breeder speaks openly about an industry cloaked in secrecy and suspicion - the cruel factory farming of man's best friend.



PLEASE tell your friends, your family, your coworkers - ABC Nightline investigates puppy mills - this Friday at 11:35 pm (Eastern Standard Time). Please take the time to forward this to all the rescues, shelters, and legislators in your area.



It has been almost one year since Oprah's puppy mill show aired. That program received the highest viewer response of any Oprah Show in years. Now we need to spread the word about this very special Nightline. Only by educating as many people as we can, will we be able to help these animals. And after you watch the program, please don't hesitate to contact ABC and Nightline to thank them for casting such a strong light on the plight of our nation's puppy mill dogs.



Bill Smith

Main Line Animal Rescue



Friday's airing of Nightline's investigation of puppy mills is subject to breaking news. If for any reason it is not shown, it will air the beginning of next week. Please check listings for your time zone.

Ramsey Wants YOUR Vote!

Vote for FBRN Grad Ramsey!

Farley, a Frenchie

Here's a note we received from this fabulous pied boy's foster mom. For those of us who don't live in the snowbelt, the photos provide us with more evidence of our good sense.

"Farley is doing great, I will post him available soon. It's really funny the things that still amaze him about being a house dog.

Like the opening of the refrigerator door, ooooh all the food and colors, or inside the cupboards. I think I buy him too much stuff because he gets very excited when I bring a sack or package into the house! He MUST see what's inside.

He is still very active which is to be expected at his age. He loves toys and loves to play. He can only have "hard" or rubber toys as he is a super toy destroyer. I have to put him on a leash to walk past the toy box for my other dogs. It's gated in a room he doesn't usually go in, but he KNOWS it's there. He will pace in front of the gate where they are, planning. He is very smart.

He loves going for walks now that the weather is getting a little better around here. We try to go every night even if it's just a couple blocks. He is learning to accept that he has to get his feet wiped off when coming in from the muddy yard. He no longer minds getting baths, he doesn't like it, but he cooperates and doesn't fuss. He still will not go outside alone. Unless you count just outside the door on the deck while you are on the other side of the doorway watching through the window.

I guess I can't blame him, since his previous owner turned him out on the street. He still has occasional accidents in the house, always when I least expect it, like 5 min. after we just came from outside. I'm not sure he gets it? Even though he's active, he is very loving. He has to have some lap time everyday, and quite often when I'm working on something he will just stand and stare at me. He's a great boy with a lot of personality!"

Frankly, if we had the choice of traveling deep into the wintry depths of snowy yard or piddling on the warmish porch, we are pretty sure we'd be selecting the latter, ourselves, confides

The Frog Princess

Winter is on the Way OUT!

Poor Brandie! She was suffering so much with the Canadian chill, one of our volunteers took pity on her and sent her a winter wardrobe!



There's a beautiful, cozy sweater for indoor wamth:










A gorgeous hooded coat for days when the temp is so low it's likely to turn one's ears into crispy little chips!








And a fashionable pink belted trench coat for liasons with mysterious strangers with foreign accents under the chilly light of a corner streetlamp. What international secrets will be exchanged?




Who is she waiting to share them with?








And what has she got in her pockets?


These questions are likely to remain unanswered, now that spring is here. The ice and snow that hide so much are retreating, yes, but we doubt that Brandie's secrets will be exposed when the snowdrops and crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths push up through the earth.

Let's just be grateful that the snow and ice are memories, and let the dead past bury its dead suggests

The Frog Princess

Scary Numbers

On March 18, we realized that we had taken in 63 dogs since the first of the year. One of our math whizzes did the higher math involved and reckoned that amounted to 1.2 dogs a day surrendered to our care. At this rate of surrender, it appears that we'll have rescued 438 dogs by the end of the year.

Watch this space for upcoming scary numbers: the average cost of veterinary care per dog prior to placement.

We are afraid to ask, murmurs

The Frog Princess

Higgs

We acquired a little frogdog who was a bit too big for his britches last week. His names is Higgs, and we think the boy is suffering from a common Frenchie ailment: eupulcharisimus.

It translates to "too damned cute for his own good" and the result is a bit of a bad boy complex. Here's what his foster mom had to say about young Higgs' first few days in her home:

"He behaves like a big, hyper, bad mannered puppy.

He's still pretty much in solitary confinement so I don't yet have many stories to share.

Here are a few tid bits...

He was a nightmare on a leash, but we've been doing a lot of leash work with him, and we're pleased to say that dislocating a shoulder is no longer a concern for us. We can walk the length of our driveway without him tugging and we've just started going for real walks.

This boy's a thief...he will steal and chew on anything that is left within his reach, especially shoes. I have found him with things that I KNOW I did not leave out. I'm starting to think he opens and closes drawers when we leave the room or maybe hides stuff in his crate that he can pull out when nobody is watching. He's discovered the extra rolls of toilet paper that I keep in a basket under our bathroom sink. He's checked them out a few times and I just know he has plans for one of those rolls should he get the opportunity to steal one. Sneaky...very sneaky.

We've almost put a stop to his constant jumping at us and trying to nip at our hands and feet whenever we enter the room. He's quickly learning that's not acceptable.

Cameras set him off...it's near impossible to get a picture of him once he sees the camera. I was able to get a pic of him standing. I've never seen a dog who can stay in this upright position as long as he can.

He loves to play with toys...any toys! He's not picky and unappreciative like the other spoiled dogs that live in our house.

This guy needs a lot of work but he's very trainable. I don't think it's going to take long for him to become adoptable. :)"

We hope that this handsome young devil does find a home where the people are on to his little ways and have the energy and time and smarts to keep the laddie occupied. This is a dog who will require output on his family's part, that seems certain.

Oh, were we but 3 doggy years younger and unspayed, we might be tempted to a delightful dalliance with this rake and rambling boy, confesses

The Frog Princess


P.S. Giving credit where it is due, the term eupulcharisimus was offered by our younger sister: she who ruined our life by being born and displacing us from the single spotlight on the stage of our parents' lives. Though we must share the bill now, we do admit it is handy having a sibling who knows a bit of Latin and can rustle something up for us, a la minute and tout de suite, by stringing together some roots to create a very useful, if completely nonsensical, neologism.

We do hope no one was listening when we shouted to the heavens last week, "Will no one rid us of this pesky sibling?!" We weren't really serious. She's a rather good egg, all in all.

Sweet Bee Buzzes Along

Those of our readers who follow the website will remember Sweet Bee's very sad story. She is an elderly girl of twelve years and she lived the life of a much adored and beloved pet for all that time. Even when her dad had to find an assisted living situation, he made sure to find a home that would allow him to bring his best girl.

Sweet Bee's dad developed a debilitating and disabling condition that made it increasingly difficult to care for Sweet Bee or to be sure her potty needs were met. The facility demanded that he move out or rehome Sweet Bee, and so he very sadly decided to allow friends to contact FBRN.

Sweet Bee has been with us for some months, now, and she is a Queen Bee, too! Though she adores her people and is a laugh riot, she likes to put the big, amiable boxers in their places.
Here is a note from her foster mom about Sweet Bee:
"She is a sweet, older gal (she'll be 12 this year). For those that love the sticky-outy tongues, this girl will charm you.

She's been diagnosed with renal failure, so we just want to keep her happy and comfortable as long as possible. I've only had her a couple of hours, but she's already stolen our hearts and is currently snoring on my bed.

She refuses to be crated, so we'll try x-pens or baby gates as needed, because she's not completely housetrained and is reportedly dog-aggressive. Can't blame a girl for not wanting to share her humans.

No potty accidents yet, and we'll try and keep her on a frequent potty break schedule, due to the kidney issues. She's ignored my 2 cats so far and we'll do a slow intro to the resident dog much later."

We were distressed to learn that Sweet Bee is suffering renal failure. She is not likely to go to the available page for adoption, and instead will live out her days with one of our volunteers as a hospice case. FBRN will care for her and give her a loving home until she crosses the bridge, where she can wait for her best friend to join her.

Meanwhile, Sweet Bee is getting to play dress-up, including a lovely coat with an ermine-y collar!

Oo la la! whispers an envious

Frog Princess

Renault's Gotcha Day

Here's a note and a photo about French Bulldog Rescue Network grad Renault. It sounds to us like a very, very good day all around.

"Hi all,

Since we don't know when Renault's real birthday is (or even exactly how old he is), I made an executive decision that we would celebrate his birthday on February 5, the anniversary of the day he and I 'rescued' one another. He doesn't like other animals, so the party consisted of just of the two of us, along with some special treat cookies, a yummy marrow bone, a ride in the car with the heat on HIGH, and an extra long snuggle session. He only had to wear his party hat for about three minutes (long enough for me to take a couple photos), and I believe he thought it was a good bargain. Boo didn't have lots of patience with his hat, however; thus you will see ribbons that were supposed to adorn the hat swirled around him and tangled up in his little comma of a tail. Oh, well, we do the best we can, and it was a celebration after all ;-)

So, happy 1st anniversary to us; happy 7th birthday to Rennie-the-Boo!

Jane and
Renault
(FBRN grad 2/5/08)"

We are mad for a googly eyed man! thrills
The Frog Princess

Sophia

Beautiful Sophia, bringer of wisdom. Here's an update from her foster mom, who tells us that Sophia is teaching her resident Frenchie all about the pleasures of play! We hope Sophia will soon be settled in a home of her own and spreading some of that happy energy around!

"Sophia is doing great. Her eye surgery went well. She no longer has eyelashes irritating her eyes. She has had no seizures and is in the best of health.

Sophia is the most playful Frenchie I have ever had. She has been so good for my own frenchie Ellie May in helping her to become more playful and enjoy herself.

She deserves the very best home, and I am looking for Frenchie playmates since she enjoys playing so very much. She is the sweetest most lovable baby and I will miss her so badly but I know that she will be great in a new home when the decision is made."

Some dogs, especially wrinkly dogs, have a condition called entropion. The eyelashes are turned inward, against the eye, causing constant irritation and, if untreated, potential blindness. We were glad to have the means to provide the surgery Sophia needed to save what remains of her vision. Thank you so much to our supporters!

Hating the thought of inside out lashes,
The Frog Princess

Vote for KC!

Vote for our FBRN grad KC on Bissell's Most Valuable Pet Contest, Week 10.

Moving?

We are always so sad to hear from families who must move and seem unable to find housing that will allow them to take their pets along. We personally find it difficult to imagine a mindset that regards pets as being any more disposable than children; can you imagine calling Family and Children's Services and saying, "My husband and I are moving to North Nowhere and we just can't find a nice apartment that will take our kids, so we are going to have to let them go"? But rehoming the dogs because the apartment you like doesn't allow them seems to be a thinkable thought for lots of folks.

That being the case, we were delighted to find a website that provides links to apartments and rentals that will allow critters. Here it is.

If you know anyone who has been or will be displaced by the economic disaster that continues to cast a shadow over the globe, please share this information with them. We hate to see family members cast off when some effort and research could allow a family to stay together.

The Frog Princess

He is Revo!

We received two updates this week on a new foster named Revo. The first update is from his foster sister, Bella, who has found little to admire in this young frogdog.

"Dear FBRN volunteers, this is Princess Bella, I am probably six or seven years old, a beautiful brindle, and am looking into surrendering myself to FBRN because my mom brought in ANOTHER foster dog, this time with his--you know, his--his THINGS intact!! Please, cover yourself up at least; I am a lady!

I am sure you will agree that a distinguished elder such as myself should NOT be exposed to such tomfoolery and monkey business as there is in this Revo! (harumph) I try my best to sandwich myself during any playtime between Revo and my younger servant, I mean my brother Humphries, but they usually ignore me and keep on playing!

Whose kingdom is this? Am I not the eldest and wisest in a French Bulldog matriarchy? If you don't have permission from me to play, then phooey on your
playtime! And when you invite me to play, you should understand that my ears going back means, "Go away!" It does not mean, "Play bow and jump around!"

Furthermore, this Revo has a problem with marking. I have an image that I am submitting to you as evidence of this bad behavior. When we walk together, he stops every three feet or so to mark, mark, mark! My street (yes, that's MY street, MY lamppost, MY sidewalk!) does not need Revo's smell! He even tried to mark my brother Humphries when we were outside! I could not understand WHY my mom was laughing and not flagging down a police car to take this Revo to the station and book him for public nuisance!

Yours Truly,
Bella"


It sounds to us as though Princess Bella
should take a chill pill. Or perhaps a laxative. The second note is from our volunteer, Revo's foster mom. She has some nicer things to say about Revo! "Hello from one of Bella's mamas: Yes, it's true, Revo does mark and loves to play! He is a wonderful boy, about a year old. He was surrendered because dogs were not allowed in his building. [The daughter of a volunteer was pressed into service and she] jumped in her car with a moment's notice, and rescued Revo before he was dropped at a shelter.
... Revo will be getting neutered soon... Revo gets along very well with Humphries and other dogs we have met. We haven't met any children on our walks yet, but I expect he'll do just fine. He also crawls on the ground--it's so funny to watch--it's like he's trying to swim across the floor or something. He is a sweet sweet boy, and besides the marking problem he is almost perfect. He looooves to play, but also was fine getting pulled on my lap and was happy to sit there until he heard Humphries in the other room, and had to explore what was going on!

Revo has been eating raw since yesterday morning, and his pooh has firmed up and his gas is almost gone!

I can't emphasize enough what a sweet sweet boy this is. He even goes into his crate when he is told!

Cheers!


p.s. Here are the pictures, and per Bella's request you can see how Revo loves to mark the sidewalk! I also couldn't help but snap a shot of Bella's disapproving face. Cheer up, Bella! He won't be here forever :)"

The resident frogs in our volunteers' homes are the unsung heroes of FBRN. They share their families' love, they share their toys, they share their beds and even share their treats. For Bella and all our resident frogs we have these two little words: "Thank you!"

Sincerely,
The Frog Princess