Get a Bat Signal Pin!

- The first 140 supporters to donate $25 to Lenny the Lentil will receive a special Bat Signal pin-back button! 100% of the donation goes to FBRN's foster Frenchies in need.
- Email a copy of your Paypal donation receipt along with your correct shipping address to letitia.wallace[at]fbrn[dot]net with "Bat Signal" in the subject line.
- Follow Lentil's foster adventure at http://mynameislentil.blogspot.com
The pin design was specially commissioned from Jill Krawczak / Barrel of Monkeys for the 2012 French Bulldog National Specialty welcome bags by Meli Bowersox. With Meli's generous approval, she has allowed FBRN to commission a limited edition set of these pins, exclusively for supporting FBRN!

If you missed the French Bulldog national specialty event in October, here's a chance to get a special pin to show everyone you support rescue frogs!  A $25 donation to Lenny for his upcoming surgery will put you in a select group of Frenchie fanciers who can wear their hearts on their sleeves.  Or lapel.  Or decolletage or handbag or backpack or even attached to a barrette or a hat!  We still have a few dozen left, but they are moving quickly!


The Frog Princess

Get a Look at These Stars!

Maybe you watched the Oscars yesterday?  Pfft.  All those beautiful people got nuthin' on these fabulous mugs!

And though you  are unlikely to get a chance to get to be best friends with any of the stars in Hollywood, you have a chance to bring one of these adorable available pooches home to hang out and maybe share a bowl of popcorn while you snuggle up to watch some Best Picture nominees.  Take a look at the video one of our volunteers put together of this week's frogs. 

Then check out their bios on our available dogs page.  Could be you'll find a perfect supporting player for your biopic.

Mr. Demille!  Mr. Demille!  Guess who's ready for her close-up?

The Frog Princess

Bringing Home a Baby

From the FBRN homepage, 2/22/13

Bringing Home Baby

(Kim Barnett is an FBRN volunteer, a dog trainer, and owner of Follow My Lead USA. She wrote this article for Adopt A Boxer Rescue. We are grateful for her permission to republish it here. Recently, we have taken in quite a few Frenchies whose owners decided to have children, but could not make the pairing of dog and kids work. We hope that prospective parents will educate themselves on how to successfully introduce a baby to the family, and how to raise their kids with a dog in the house so more Frenchies can live out their lives with the people they know and love.)
Several of my clients have asked for help in the preparation of their dogs for the arrival of a baby or when problems have arisen after bringing a new baby home from the hospital. Identifying any problem areas or behavior issues and addressing them well ahead of time can make for a stress free environment once the big day arrives. The main consideration is that new babies bring home new smells, sounds and a constant supply of visitors. Here are some key points to consider about our dogs.
1. Are they basically obedient; will they come, sit ( down is a bonus), stay and leave on command?
2. Are they well behaved when visitors arrive or become over excited, is there any guarding or protective behavior?
3. How does my dog react in general to babies and young children, and to what degree is that a concern?
Once identified, any issues can be worked on in good time with the help of a trainer if needed. Think about basic routines that a new baby will need and decide how your dogs will fit into this. If they can't fit in, decide on a simple plan. For example, when you are feeding, changing diapers, or bathing a baby, where will your dogs be and how will they know how to behave appropriately? Training a dog to go into their crate or bed to enjoy a treat or toy while these duties are carried out will make for a much easier and stress-free time for all.
That said, a dog shouldn't be routinely shut away when challenges occur or they cannot learn how to behave. Teach your dogs that they cannot enter the baby's room without permission and that waiting on the other side of the threshold with an open door is a way for them to feel connected while everyone remains safe. Dogs that react to cries and screams can be desensitized using training CDs.
Once baby is born it's a good idea to bring home a blanket or diaper with their scent on it and introduce those smells to the dogs, insisting that they leave the items. Dogs should never be allowed to pick up and play with any item that has a baby's scent on and should be encouraged to respect a baby's personal space. Inviting your dog to sit or lie beside your baby should only take place if you feel that you have complete control, your dog is comfortable in all situations around the baby, and you are holding the baby at all times. Finally make sure that there is a plan to continue your dog's daily exercise routine. Having someone help with this for the first few weeks can keep your dog feeling fulfilled and not suffering from pent up energy. Many new parents call on friends to supply meals for the first few weeks; consider asking friends to drop by to exercise the dog. Professional dog-walkers or neighborhood kids can be hired to walk your dog until you are able to work out the schedule that works best for you.
A little basic training and establishing a routine for the whole family while creating positive associations between our dogs and new family members can set the foundation for the wonderful relationship they'll share in the future.
In the coming months, we'll write about managing toddlers and dogs; when babies become mobile, there are different concerns to be negotiated .

Shorty

Shorty came to us a week or two ago with a surprise.  His size.

We've seen some big lugs in FBRN before.  35 pounders, 38 pounders...Big dogs, big hearts, good boys.

Shorty is in a class of just 2 or 3 dogs in our history.  He came in at about 50 pounds.

He's lost a couple of pounds since he first stopped in, and it's not like he's out of shape or dragging his tummy on the ground.  He's a big guy.  Barrel-chested, like Brian Keith.

Here's an update on Shorty from his foster mom.

"So we took the monster to the vet Sunday and as I suspected all is right with this boy, but of course there were whispers about his weight. Heehee. He's 48 pounds and I believe has lost a pound or two. His harness slips off, but he still appears to be a big boy. We run up and down the stairs for all his potty breaks, we've decreased his food intake and he gets few little cookies. He had an ear infection that had recently been cleared right before he came to FBRN so the doctor did an ear cytology. There is evidence that the ear fungus is probably something that was an ongoing issue but it looks good now. He suggested we clean his ears weekly as a preventive. Other than that he is A-OK!

"So this guy is great, a total snuggle bug and all around gentleman. But he's no loafer-- he'll play for as long as anyone in the house will, and when it's time for a walk, he bolts down the hallway! Honestly, his owner raised a really well-behaved man. He listens really well, and when it's time for him to go in to his little area for bed he goes in with no problem and doesn't make a peep for the rest of the night. And believe it or not, as heavy as he is, and as winded as he gets when he's excited, there is no snoring at all! He eats really well too, but doesn't beg.

"Shorty is your classic case of don't judge a book by its cover. He may look like a chubby loafer, but he's active and not that into food which was a big surprise. Sometimes I give him the tiniest treat for sitting and sometimes he eats and other times he spits it out. He drinks a lot of water and because of that he's had a couple accidents. But if I stick to the routine there is never an issue.

"He tolerates a lot too, my old man Boston is always humping him, and he just hangs out and smiles. He's really good with my pups and pups on the street while on leash, but when he went to dog park I found that with so many dogs Shorty got really excited, ran all around, and then the excitement turned aggressive so we promptly left. Shorty can be in a house with other dogs for sure, but dog parks aren't his flavor.  I think with medium to slow intros, which is what we did he would get along with any pooch. He and my two dogs get along just perfectly. Any first day signs of dominance are gone and I can't say enough good about him."

Shorty will be available for adoption soon.  If you've got a soft spot in your heart for a big guy and you've got the experience to manage Shorty's little idiosyncrasies where strange dogs are concerned, keep an eye open for him.  He's a good boy.  You can tell just by looking at him, claims

The Frog Princess 

New Jersey! Join FBRN vols, grads, and maybe a foster or two

On Sunday, Feb 10, in Magnolia, NJ, at Bill's Wonderland of Pets!
It's the annual meet-up and fundraiser for FBRN.  There will be baked goods, hand-made items, lots of Frenchies to meet and squee! over, and opportunities to ask questions about volunteering, French bulldogs, and how to care for the breed.
Did we mention there'll be a store full of Frenchies?
Everyone is welcome!

Celebrate St. Valentine's Day with a Frenchie kiss--or two!

Tell them you were sent by

The Frog Princess

Happening now!  Here's Meeps manning the kissing booth.  Hurry!

Bowie Blows a Disk

Last weekend, brand-new foster dog Bowie started to knuckle under one rear paw.  Our experienced foster mom immediately took him in to her vet where they diagnosed a blown disk in his spine.  Unfortunately, Iowa is one of the few states in the country where there is not a single MRI machine available for veterinary use.  We decided we'd have to trust the vets' diagnosis because as a young dog who still had deep pain sensation, bowel and bladder control, and with only one involved rear leg, the prognosis was excellent for a full recovery.

While at the vet's, Bowie did very well.  Though he was surrendered for getting snarky with one of the children in his home, Bowie withstood all the pokes and prods without a murmur.  Ok, maybe there was some minor growling.  Nothing serious.  The vet removed a lot of gunk from the area of the herniated disk, and he was pleased to note that there was no calcification, so this was a very fresh injury and the odds of complete recovery are even better.

Just 2 days after surgery Bowie emerged from the hospital on his own four feet.  Of course, spinal surgery is no walk in the park and it takes a surgeon and a whole team to get it done, so our coffers took quite a hit.

If you'd like to sponsor Bowie, you can do that and get yourself a little something, too.  Our St. Valentine's Day fundraiser starts on Feb 1.  Sponsor a dog for $50 or more, and you can get a Dogtoon of your own precious mutt's precious mug.  See the home page of the website for details.

Here's Bowie, not exactly dancing, but up and about on his way out of the clinic.

Let's dance! suggests

The Frog Princess