Friday, October 29

It's Smeagol's BIRTHDAY!

Happy birthday to our beloved Smeagol:  puppy mill survivor, boulevardier, raconteur and world's most eligible bachelor!  We adore you, Smeagol!

You make our aged heart go pitterpat.  Your handsome face and suave and groovy ways have won the hearts of millions.  Every good and happy thing you want and wish for is yours today, by the will of the people and by royal decree of

The Frog Princess

Monday, October 25

Dakota Home

After more than a year in foster care, Dakota has found a family.





















He's come so far from the days when he lived in the kitchen, terrorizing his people.  He had even convinced a trainer he should be euthanized.

But after a great deal of time, understanding and patient, painstaking training on the part of his foster family, Dakota is ready to live with his new family.

Join us in celebrating this proof that dogs can be reclaimed.  Given the right degree of commitment and good support from knowledgeable trainers, and given knowledgeable families willing to continue the good work begun by our foster homes, even rotten dogs like Dakota can have a future.

We are so proud of him and so proud of our foster families. 

Some people may say that in the larger scheme of things, saving one dog's life is of little importance.  Maybe so.  But we prefer to see it as a sign that there is hope for people.

Whenever a person or family looks beyond their own needs and concerns and gives their effort, time and love--without expectation of personal enrichment--to something or someone who needs it, it can inspire others to do the same.  It makes us better people and it makes the world a better world.

Does that sound a little sappy and naive?  Probably.  But in miserable times like these, when it appears that selfishness, rudeness and bad behavior are winning strategies,  many of us need evidence of humanity's generosity of spirit and capacity for kindness, and that includes

The Frog Princess

Thursday, October 21

Patton

Patton came into FBRN with a whole gang of Frenchies whose owner had been a car wreck and was so disabled she could no longer care for her dogs.  We called them the Gulf Coast 10.

Patton is one of the older dogs, and although many of his confreres have been snapped up and are already settled into their new homes, Patton is still languishing on the Island of Unwanted Frogs.  His foster family gives him all the affection and attention he could need or want, but it's just not the same as being somebody's baby.

At eight years old or so, Patton deserves to have a home of his own.  He's a great dog, has no temperament or health problems, and gets along with pretty much everybody.  Well, maybe not cats.  This is a note his foster mom sent this week:

"Patton is doing well.  He is a total sweetheart and I just love his stickey-out tongue…and he purrs, too!!
Yesterday he got his very own crate – thanks to my mom!  He had been using an extra that was large enough for a Boxer, but he kept trying to get in the tiny crate for the kitty.  Not sure why I even had the kitty’s crate out, but my mom thought maybe Patton would like his very own Frenchie-sized crate and so she got him one.  Patton loves it; he went right in and made himself at home. He is such a good boy!!
If you know anyone with a soft spot for the older guys please tell them about Patton!!"

OK, so he's not so much "Ol' Blood and Guts," as he is "Ol' Snore and Snuffle," but before this old soldier fades away, we are hoping someone will give Patton a home of his own to retire in.  A home of his own and someone to love is the fervent wish of

The Frog Princess

Wednesday, October 20

Did you hear?

Etsy store Locale Vintage is having another fundraiser for FBRN!  Between now and the end of December,  just in time for the holiday season, 15% of all proceeds will be donated to the French Bulldog Rescue Network!
Know anyone who likes handmade jewelry, vintage clothes and doodads?  Send them along to: www.localevintage.etsy.com

Tuesday, October 19

Frankfurt

We got a note over the weekend from 2009 FBRN grad Frankfurt, now known as Frank da Tank. 

"Good evening...
Just wanted to drop you guys a line to let you know that Frankfurt, now known as "Frank da Tank" is thriving and a WONDERFUL addition to our family.
We have added another dog to the mix, and he and Frankie are getting along really well.
I've attached a couple pics of the handsome man.
 
 
 
 
 
Our family consists of Lilly, the matriarch cream Frenchie who will be 11 on 11/11 (party is planned for 11/13).Frank, the black/brindle man of the
house who is now 5.
Asta, the Pug, who we refer to as "Asta the disasta," who is 9 months.
 
In one picture, it is Left to Right - Frank, Asta, Lilly
In the other picture, it is Frank in his triathlon uniform!"

We believe this is a portrait of canine smooshy-faced pulchritude! 

What's all this about a triathlon?  Is Frank a participant or a supporter?  

Either way, it's wonderful to hear from our old boys, affirms the headmaster of the FBRN school for homeless frogs,

The Frog Princess

Friday, October 15

FBRN Fundraiser in Philadelphia Today!
























If you are in the neighborhood, make an effort to get to the FBRN fundraiser today in Philadelphia at Liberties Walk between Poplar and Girard, 1040 N. 2nd Street from 11 am to 2 pm.  We have seen photos of the baked goods and handmade items, and you will be very sorry to miss out!  Meet some Frenchies, meet some volunteers, win a prize for best canine costume.

Come down and support FBRN in person!

Wednesday, October 13

Snuggled Snoozin' Smeags!

Someone pointed out that it has been faaaar too long since the magnificent mug of Smeagol has graced these pages.

So it has.

Herewith:  Our darling Smeagol.















Shhh!  He's asleep.

Just as handsome and lovable asleep as awake, in the opinion of

The Frog Princesss

Tuesday, October 12

Camden

Camden is a great example of how FBRN volunteers work together to make a way for a frog to come into rescue.

A Good Samaritan called to surrender this puppy, and the wheels started turning.  He was surrendered in Camden, NJ, and there followed an afternoon of transportation, with volunteers meeting up along the eastern coastline down to Virginia every 75 miles or so.

It was a long day, but Camden got to spend a little of it unwinding in a backyard.  He got to relax and eat some dinner, and then a gorgeous mastiff named Mick showed him around the joint, including a visit to the giant bowl on the deck.


 After his layover in Maryland, Camden's journey continued, and he is now enjoying his days in foster care while getting his skin cleared up.

Volunteering for FBRN isn't just about fostering dogs.  You can transport, fundraise, help us with home visits, answer questions, work on the website or any number of other helpful jobs within the organization. 

We are growing quickly--right now we have over 180 dogs in our care! --and we can use all the help we can get.  If you have skills and talents that could use some exercise, please consider putting them to work for us and our frogs.

To volunteer, get in touch with Kathi Luljak at frenchiehelper at aol. com.

We really do need your help, wheedles

The Frog Princess

Monday, October 11

Lovelier!

Here are two more photos of Lovely, who is undergoing treatment for skin infections secondary to a raging case of demodex.  Though many people object to putting dogs in clothes, in Lovely's case it really helps to minimize the scratching and keeps her from opening old wounds and risking further infection.
Here's the note from Lovely's foster mom:
"Just wanted to drop a quick email to let you know that Lovely is doing terrific...she is so very sweet and loves to play with the other dogs.  When she is tired she will go into her crate and lie down on her own so no one bothers her.  I give her a Benedryl 2 x daily to help with the itchiness so I think that makes her a little tired.
I am keeping a shirt on her at all times as it helps to keep her from itching and her skin is healing better.  I left it off one night and the next morning she had it raw again.

I have attached a couple of new photos with her two new outfits...the one says Total Flirt and the other says Cute as can be by the Sea.  She is not too happy when I am in the process of putting them on, but she is fine once they are on...I do think she is more comfortable with them on."

 If you have an itchy dog, you can get good and inexpensive shirts at Goodwill or St. Vincent's.  Children's polo shirts are especially useful, because of the bigger opening for the head and neck.

Once that girl gets her skin smooth and her coat all shiny again, she is going to be the cynosure of every eye!

Off to look up the definition of cynosure,

The Frog Princess

Saturday, October 9

Box Car Kailey

Kailey's foster mom sent this photo in with a little note.



"Okay, so we were on our way to a soccer game last night.  Kailey, Kammie, & Peejay all went along.  Well Kailey decided to climb into the back of the car & proceeded to get into a box of uniforms.  She is so darn cute, I just had to share the picture with everyone.  She makes us smile daily."

Making people smile?  That's job one for Frenchies everywhere, affirms

The Frog Princess

Friday, October 8

About an Old Dog

One of our volunteers was moved to write this about her FBRN graduate Gris-Gris:

1)  Just because a dog is an old, arthritic, with rotten teeth, heartworm, and stinky-breathed stray it doesn't mean he can't be trained.  Gris-boy is house broken and I trained him to sit and come to the call of his squeaky ( I had to figure a way to stop him from acting like Son of Rambo when he saw strange dogs)  So you can teach an old dog new tricks you just have to find his motivator.
2)  Just because a dog is an old, arthritic, with rotten teeth, heartworm, and stinky-breathed stray it doesn't mean he won't be affectionate or bond with you like a puppy.  Gris-Gris follows me pretty much everywhere with a goofy grin on his face and when he, Eva, and I are on the couch together he is the one plastered against me.

The scariest thing for me is knowing he won't be able to stay with me as long as a younger dog, so I thank him every day for coming to live with me.  Which brings me to number 3.

3)  Just because a dog is an old, arthritic, with rotten teeth, heartworm, and stinky-breathed stray it doesn't mean he won't be a positive addition to your family.  Rescuing a dog in need is by far a more rewarding experience than raising a cute cuddlebug of a puppy, in my opinion because you are truly saving a life.   

If you are thinking about adopting a dog, consider one of our aged frogs.  We've got half a dozen or so that are soft and worn around the edges and make very comfy armrests in the evening.

Gris-Gris also does his person the favor of enjoying sno-cones, so she has an excuse for indulging as well.  Here he is with his Sponge-Bob Squarepants Sno-Cone maker.  Chicken flavor for Gris-Gris, mint julep flavor for his mom! Mmm, an apple-cider sno-cone would hit the spot right about now, dreams

The Frog Princess

Wednesday, October 6

Vern at Home

Eleven year-old Vern surveying his lands and assigns in his new kingdom.

The Frog Princess

Saturday, October 2

Lovely Day

Lovely is a great little dog with a great big problem.  She has a terrible, terrible case of demodex mange, and her condition is made worse by secondary skin infections. 
























Though you can only see her back in this photo, her shoulders are absolutely raw from scratching, and the rest of her is cracked and flaky and itchy and mostly bald. She's also undernourished.  Her previous owners just couldn't get the demodex under control, so they elected to drop her off at a shelter.  We are so grateful the shelter called us!

She is such a pretty girl.






Her foster mom took a video of her the first day Lovely was with her.  You can see how Lovely's tongue sticks out a little bit.

Keep a good thought for this girl  as she recovers.  Those sores have to be quite painful!  But meanwhile, she's going to have a great time putting on some weight, believes


The Frog Princess