Heartworm: You Should Probably Get Some Preventative This Weekend

A Good Samaritan acquired Aiyana through a Craigslist ad.  You can see photos of this poor dog's condition when the Good Samaritan took her home--emaciated and heartworm positive.  Aiyana's kind friend bought her plenty of healthy groceries and prepared her for her move to FBRN and continuing veterinary care for her overall condition and specifically the heartworm.

Aiyana has continued to gain weight in our care and is looking and feeling much better!  In a recent update, her foster mom said:

"Aiyana is doing great. She continues to put on weight and is up to 30lbs now. She loves her foster bro and gets along with him so well. They play all the time and do great on walks together. She will be going back to the vet in a week or so to see if she is healthy enough to start on her heartworm meds. There have been no potty accidents at all in the last few weeks so she is doing great with that. She continues to be the sweetest thing ever and loves to give kisses and hugs!!"

Heartworm treatment is difficult and a long haul.  At the moment, Aiyana, Alabaster (photo, right), Jelly, Elphie and Goji are all receiving heartworm treatment in foster care.  Many of you will remember some of our tough heartworm cases like Gris-Gris Benoit and Muffin and Thalia.  Smeagol also has heartworm but he isn't strong enough to undergo the treatment to get rid of them, so he is living with them.  Some of the hospice kids--like Pixie--have it or did have it.  Bart and Lisa, Harvey, Spangles, Mr. Big, Twila, Violet, Iris, Mouse, Beau, Miz Biz, Crockett, Jolie, and Chumley all came to us with heartworm.

Heartworm used to be something only people in the southern US really worried about.  Not anymore.  Even areas where heartworm was virtually unheard of, like the Pacific Northwest, are now reporting cases in significant numbers, thanks to the increase and ease of travel, among other things. 

Heartworm treatment has changed over the years, and we are very fortunate that even dogs with advanced cases of heartworm, like Muffin and Thalia, have successfully endured their treatment.  But treatment is still painful and can be dangerous, and requires an extended period of rest and special care.

Elphie offers a royal raspberry to the pernicious heartworm as she spends her weeks in crate rest while undergoing treatment.

It's important to provide your dogs and cats with heartworm preventative.  For some people, heartworm preventative is a year-round obligation, and for others it's more seasonal.  For much of the country, now is the time to start your spring/summer preventative treatments--if the robin and the Easter bunny come, can the mosquito be far behind?  Sadly, no.  And some of those little suckers are going to be toting microfilaria that could kill your unprotected Fido if the larva they deposit into your dog develop into heartworms.

You don't want that.

We'd hate to see it.

                                  Goji gets some cuddles from a friend following his initial dose of heartworm treatment.

Talk to your vet and see about getting a prescription for a heartworm preventative.  Somewhere in your area, it's very likely that there's a hungry skeeter looking for a meal.  Maybe in your neighborhood.  Maybe in your backyard.  Maybe buzzing in your Frenchie's ear right this very minute!

(We never hesitate to use fear as a motivator here in the Frog P's kingdom.  If it gets the job done, the ends justify the means, that's our feeling.)

Off to be sure the screens are in,

The Frog Princess

Seventh Annual New England Social!

More Frenchies than you can shake a stick at!

Might as well shake the stick at 'em; heaven knows they won't fetch it, mutters

The Frog Princess

A Little Bit of Hamlet

 

Why do you think we call them frog dogs? asks

The Frog Princess

Wallis Uber Alles!

This adorable young frog has plopped in among our fosters and is making himself right at home.  Though he is working through some stranger fear, he's learning the ropes and making progress.
His foster mom had this to say about him:

"There is a new man on the block. Wallis is a family surrender here in Michigan. He is a sweet little charmer who just needs to come out of his shell. Wallis is not ready to look for a family yet because of his aggression toward strangers. Every day he gets a little more accepting of unconditional love and lots of petting.

In the week he has been with us he has already become totally accepting of his crate as a rest and sleep area. He is not at all aggressive toward the other Frenchies or the cats. He does not play yet, but it will not be long until he lets his guard down and joins in the fun, I just know it. He has a little respiratory infection and needs to be neutered. Until that is done we are not putting any pressure on him to drop the aggression. We are hoping it will happen naturally and everything will just be easier when he is fixed.

He does not give my husband and me any trouble but we learned all of the warning signs very quickly. If you are careful with him there is no need to worry. We are also finding that one behavior that looks like aggression is just him lunging at your hand to try to get a scratch. He takes treats like a perfect gentleman-- even green beans.

So far he has been to work a few times and behaves very well. He loves the car ride and visiting everyone. Our office is very fur friendly and everyone knows to go slow with Wallis.  He is making more and more friends all the time."

Well, sure he is!  He's got the kind of  face that makes people stop and stare and want to get to know him.  He's the kind of frog that men want to be like and women want to snuggle with.  Look at him!  Once he learns the world's a fine place, he'll be out there rolling down the avenues with a song in his heart and a twinkle in his wee dark eye. 

Feeling a bit woozy and snuggle-deprived all of a sudden,

The Frog Princess

Oh-Dessa!

Dessa is on the available page this week, and though she needs a little more time with the ins and outs of potty training (no pun intended), she is ready to be a wonderful companion to a fortunate family.  Here's what her foster mom said in her April update to our volunteers:

"Sweet Dessa is ready to go to the available page!  Oh, we miss her already!!

 Her allergies are almost all gone.  She will roll on carpet every once in a while, but the constant urge to lick or scratch is gone. 

The hair on her almost bald hind end has grown back and in general is thicker all around. 

The potty training still needs a bit of help.  She is comfortable peeing outside but rarely poops outside - that's usually reserved for the pee pee pads.  Also, one of her bad habits is to go up to the edge of the pee pee pad and pee off the side of it.  With a face like hers, it's hard to be mad. 

Other than all that, she is sweet and loving.  Whoever ends up with her is going to feel like they won the lottery!"

She's a very appealing little amphibian, in the opinion of

The Frog Princess

Raffle Winners!

Congratulations to all of our Spring Raffle winners!

Southeast "Electronics Meets Elegance!" #555

Midwest "Doggie Days of Summer" #248

Northeast "Spring Clean-Up" #237

West "Royal Frenchie Wedding" #118

"Wagging Western Tails" #177

Mid-Atlantic "Wine and Cheese Garden Party" #73

CA/ NV "Frenchie Family on the Go" #122

CA/ NV "Comfort and Joy" #217

Thank you to all who purchased raffle tickets!
Your support is so very much appreciated!

Interview with FBRN President

Ruth Chiger, FBRN President, gave an interview to the PackPeople website.

The Raffle Is ON!

Oh, my heavens!  iPad! Flip Video camera! Dyson Animal vacuum! Couture doggy gown!  Garmin GPS! Hundreds in giftcards for wine and cheese and Home Depot! Martha Stewarts' Frenchie sheet set!
And these are just the tip of the iceberg, friends.  Go. Now.  Support FBRN and buy some tickets to help us make this year's raffle the best year's raffle ever!  It's our biggest single fundraiser, and so many of our volunteers contributed--really, it's over the top and clean down the other side and halfway up the next hill, that's what it is!
And you don't have to be a Frenchie person to appreciate most of the merchandise here--though it doesn't hurt. 
We are using our tax refund to support homeless frogdogs.  Take a chance!  You could win!
And please spread the word. 
The Frog Princess

Porkchop Plays Nice

Porkchop is settling into her foster home, and after treatment for various ailments and disorders, she is feeling much perkier!
Here's what her foster family had to say about her, with links to video:

"I've been meaning to provide a Porkchop update.  It has been a little over 2 weeks, as of Saturday.  We waited until this past weekend to begin introductions.  As we expected, things went very well.  I'm actually very surprised (pleased) by the level of playfulness that Porkchop is showing - she is much more playful than I expected, based upon our initial walks.  She is clearly feeling better and loves to play with our two.  PeaNUT is very happy to have another wrastling buddy...I can't say this strongly enough.  Attached are a few photos of the recent activities around our place.  For those who prefer movies, I have uploaded a couple to YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11aVE4D2SVY  and   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L31WntQWNLQ

Regarding her health:

1st, I'm now a little more concerned about her breathing - especially after hearing her during/after the play.  She is very noisy.  Her tongue really sticks out during/after the play.  This also happens on our walks - and we are going pretty slow (and not very far - and it's in the evenings when it's cool).  

2nd, I believe she is feeling much better now that she is out of heat, probably over her UTI, ear infection, and her skin is improving - somewhat.  I see her everyday, so it is tough to say exactly how much her skin has improved, but I believe that I can feel a difference in the coarseness of her coat (the part that exists) and I think her skin is less red.  She is still on antibiotics and I have her on Benadryl, a grain free diet, and Duoxo calming shampoo & spray.  We need to go in for a re-check to confirm urinalysis, fecal, ears - then we will start thinking about vaccinations and eventually her spay.    

She continues to be an extremely sweet girl.  She is very funny on our walks.  Sometimes she walks at a decent pace, sometimes she REALLY takes her time.  The funniest is when we walk by the restaurants in our neighborhoods - she 100% knows about patio tables...she has to stop at every single one to beg for food or attention.  It is pretty funny, fairly quickly we have the entire restaurant looking at us and laughing at the bulldog who insists on stopping at every single table.  One day I'll get a video of these antics.  We have met a few people and spread the word about FBRN this way." 

 

Could you resist a pair of big, dark eyes, a couple of perky ears, a wagging nubbin, and a wide and toothy grin if you were having a little dinner al fresco?  No, neither could

The Frog Princess

NYT Goes to Dogs!

Two separate and individual readers sent us links this morning to two different articles from the Gray Lady herself.


Alena, Meika and Tucker taking a morning constitutional! 

The first article is about another reason adopting a dog might be good for you, on top of lowering blood pressure and keeping depression at bay. Keep in mind that Frenchies are not good choices for jogging companions, but most frogdogs are up for a walk and, like Ernie and his family to the right, and Max on the left, enjoy getting out into the greenspaces.

The second article discusses some of the potential consequences of differing ideologies about companion animals within a family. 

Both worth a read, suggests

The Frog Princess

Wilma, the Wonder Frog!

Wilma's foster mom has been worried that everyone will be applying for the new puppy on the available page and no one will see the glory that is Wilma.  So she wrote us a note about her:

 

"Wilma has held the title of Wonder Girl since the first day she landed in our home.

 

It's not feats of bravery or daring that have earned her the name but rather that I am in wonder of her.

 

Wonder, how much did she suffer during her life as a puppy producer? Was she kept warm and clean? Was she hungry often?

How much pain did she endure when her ears were hurting and not treated? How long did she exist without a loving touch or word?

 

Wonder, at how accepting she has been of all the new faces and places she has been taken since being rescued. Ladies giving car rides, a pilot flying her great distances...and what is this person called a Vet ? 

 

Wonder at her sweetness and her tenacity. Her non confrontational nature but her her ability to stand her ground.

 

Wonder at what her future holds when she goes to her forever home and if they will cherish her as I do.

 

Wonder, if the pain will be permanently erased from her memory as a new life unfolds before her.

 

----

 

Wilma is truly a joy. Named for her vet's grandmother, she is like her namesake, a grand lady that is loved beyond compare.

 

Wilma surprises us each an every day with a new silly antic. She is forever hauling a nylabone with her. 

She has one in her mouth most of the time. She even takes one with her when she goes out to potty!  

 

Recently one of the resident frenchies was trying to run her off from her food bowl. Instead of being confrontational, she picks up her heavy pottery bowl in her mouth and walks away with her meal to go. No drama with this girl.

 

Don't let her looks fool you, she is getting more and more active and playful. She gives it her all, but it is shortlived and then a good nap is in store.

 

She never barks unless she's dreaming and will wake herself up with a short little WOOF.

 

Wilma is a Wonder Girl.  The cape proves it!"

 

Someone will be very fortunate to fly away with this wonderful frog.  Maybe it will be you, suggests

The Frog Princess

 

Outrageous Product Placement

Chaya, our favorite googly-eyed pied,  got a treat earlier this week. She's so active and full of the bounce and boing, she needs a little extra protein between her meals.

Here's a video of Chaya.  You know, we can't believe this adorable doll hasn't got a single sponsor. 

How can that be? wonders
The Frog Princess

Alena, Post-Op

Alena underwent a mastectomy this week.  Though she has overcome a lot of problems brought on by neglect, including near baldness, blindness and pyometra, she has had a recurrence of breast cancer.  Her positive and happy outlook on life persuaded us that she'd be an excellent candidate for surgery, and she is doing well post-op. 

She got to go to work with her foster mom to be watched in the first day or two following her surgery.  Here's a note from her foster mom about her condition:

Alena is enjoying some sunshine while she heals.

"Alena is recovering really well. She seems completely unruffled by her ordeal. She is sleeping well, eating well, and has her signature Alena Sparkle. We get results of the cytology report in a few days. Fingers crossed!

Peppermint Patty in Georgia and her gang send  Alena some love!

Alena came to work with me so I could keep a watchful eye over her. She usually sleeps in her bed all day, so it didn't seem like too much for her to manage. She did great, and even managed her potty walks without any trouble. She found sun to lounge in as we had a gorgeous (but 22 degree!) day.

Alena wore her pink sweater along with all her fans :)"

Vienna is sending healing vibes to Alena.



Many of our volunteers sent in photos of their Frenchies wearing pink on the day of Alena's surgery.  We made a donation to Alena's surgical costs in loving memory of our mother, who died of breast cancer.  If you have a friend or family member who has had surgery for breast cancer, perhaps you'll consider donating to the cost of Alena's care, too?  No amount is too small.   
 




We don't know what it is about this silly girl, but she is just grabbing people's hearts all over the world.  We are no exception, admits

The Frog Princess


Lucy didn't have a pretty dress to wear, but she didn't want to miss out on the chance to participate in "Think Pink for Alena!" day.  Her mom found a little pink sticky note.  It's the thought that counts!

Sad News

One of our favorite foster dogs, Twila, has passed away following surgery to repair a perforated bowel.  Twila was one of the happiest Frenchies we've had with us, and her spinal problems never got in the way of her determination to live a joyful life.  Our hearts go out to her foster family and her adoptive family today.

Here is the note from her adoptive mom:

" After a valiant fight, I am heartbroken to report that Twila passed away today. Her perforated bowel was caused by a long ago event that had been festering for several years. The surgeon said that he's seen similar conditions in puppy mill dogs who eat their ropes. The ropes don't puncture the bowel right away, but stay in the GI tract and make little tears over time. By the time the injury manifests itself, the intestine is in tatters. She fought up until the very end, and then went peacefully in the arms of the people who loved her.

We are all devastated at losing this precious girl so suddenly. She was the happiest dog I've ever known. She greeted each day with total joy and made everyone who met her smile. Here's a cute picture of her.

Godspeed, Sweet T. You won't be forgotten."





This is a loss we all feel.  May she rest in peace.


The Frog Princess

Variety is the Spice of Frogs

Here at FBRN, we like to make sure that our foster dogs enjoy a variety of experiences.  Foster families often take their dogs to ballroom dancing classes, for the sake of improving their minuets in case the Dauphin is ever returned to power in the homeland and they are invited to attend a ball at Versailles.

Also, many Frenchies are taught requests (we don't use the vulgar term "commands" here), in Mandarin, Greek, Portuguese, and Latin, in case they are invited to an embassy event.



In this photo, you see Rhett Butler being introduced to the uncommon sport enjoyed by several Texas dog-owners.  It involves hefting a Frenchie up and toting him around for several hours, interspersed with periods where the Frenchie is placed in a sling across the athlete's back as the athlete fires a blowpipe loaded with a paralytic South American toxin at armadillos, rattle snakes, and vegans from Vermont.  Points are assigned by level of difficulty and weight of the Frenchie. Truly accomplished practitioners of this activity are able to balance a cup of scalding tea on their heads while playing, "I Didn't Know the Gun Was Loaded" on a Dollar Store kazoo.  We hear this sport is up for possible introduction to the next Olympics, so watch for it!

And in the final photo, you see Rhett engaging in a wilderness adventure camp.  Alone with only three Frenchie friends to help him, a compass, 3 matches, a box of wine and a GPS device, Rhett and his cohorts must find their way from the bottom of their yard back to their patio in only 2 days. 

Our foster families are responsible not only for the care and safety of their foster dogs, but as you can see, many of our foster families are devoted to ensuring that the Frenchies adopted through FBRN are the ne plus ultra of civilized animals, mens sana in corpore sano, and fully rounded in a variety of life experience.

Some of our foster families go a little further than others, it must be said, but we are proud of them all! boasts

The Frog Princess

Hope You Had a Wonderful St. Valentine's Day!

Pudge did!

He's a little cookie, yes, he is, hums

The Frog Princess

Quigley: Handsome Devil

From time to time a Frenchie comes into FBRN who is so handsome, so appealing, so irresistible that we wonder if we are going to have to beat people off with big sticks.  Quigley is such a dog.









He has already earned a pending banner, and we are hoping that he'll make his match shortly. While we are waiting, we wanted to share some photos of this boy and his fabulous phiz, which is just one of those faces that really registers every emotion, including "Who, me?" and generalized disgruntlement.
















Here he is demonstrating pride of ownership--both of his toy and his person's lap. 

And here is a photo of the devil-may-care attitude that reels in the ladies and makes him a bad boy and hot property.  In case you were unclear, he will not hesitate to grind a grapefruit in the face of any broad foolish enough to put a finger on his nylabone toy.  Don't try it, baby.  He ain't no pushover. 

A final photo captures his essential good looks and explains his universal appeal.



What can we say?  The frog's got elan, he's got eclat, he's got je ne sais quois that just won't quit.  Quigley!  You are breaking our heart, swoons

The Frog Princess

Junior Volunteer Coloring Contest

If you have a child interested in participating in this year's coloring contest, check out the Junior Volunteer's page on the FBRN website.

C'est la Brie!

Here's FBRN's newest and most appetizing little morsel, Brie en Croute!  She's been passed around for a little while between friends and family--through no fault of her own--and she will soon be offered up for the delectation of some very lucky adopter!




Cobby, petite and with a very appealing personality, Mlle. Brie is making friends among her foster family and the vet's office.  Her foster mom spent 3 hours at the vet's with her yesterday and learned that she has two icky kinds of bacteria blooming all through her poor ears.

We expect the infection will clear up toute de suite with antibiotics, drops and a home-cooked hypoallergenic diet: no grains, no chicken, no beef or dairy.  Served with an enormous side dish of ell oh vee ee, love!

We'll be spending time working on her potty-training and preparing her for la vie en rose with a family she'll stay with forever.

Brie will be on next week's website update, but we wanted to introduce you to her fabulous wee entirety.  Enjoy yourselves, and pass the photos around to anyone with an appetite for cuteness!

Feeling a mite peckish herself,

The Frog Princess

Fanci, Autumn, and Taffy

We got some new photos of 3 of our foster girls and wanted to share them with you.

Here's our new girl, Fanci, who is looking for a toy.  She'll be on the foster page's new faces section later this week.

And this is Autumn, sleeping away a wintery afternoon.

And this is Taffy, who is on the available page and looking for a family, but who will settle for a sunbeam.

All ladies of a certain age, retired from puppy production and enjoying the toys and treats and soft beds and sunshine that life as a pet holds.

It's a dog's life, indeed, and it's pretty comfy at that, believes

The Frog Princess

Nadine Drops By

Nadine's foster mom reports that Nadine's new family was out and about with her over the weekend.  They dropped by the shop where Nadine's foster mom works, and she got a fresh photo of the happy family!  We are continually exclaiming about the good looks of our adopters, and these two are no exception.  Who is the cutest of the three?  Impossible to say.

It's a love match! proclaims

The Frog Princess

FBRN on the Radio!

Trainer Renee Premeza hosts a radio show on WNJC 1360 AM every Thursday from 10:00 to 10:30 AM Eastern standard time. On January 20th, she has invited FBRN volunteer Velma Weitz for an interview to speak on behalf of FBRN to promote awareness and the work that FBRN does for our dogs in need.

Everyone can listen in using the link below:

Click here: DuxPond.com Presents WNJC 1360 Live Webcast

Alena, Alena...

Where you been so long? 

OK, so her name is Alena, not Corinna, but the sentiment is the same.  And when Alena moved across the country to start her long-term rehab and her foster mom sent us this record of where she's been and how far she's come, we couldn't resist making the connection to that great old song.

Here's a video of Alena at her foster mom's work.



Alena arrives at the airport with a volunteer.

 Alena models a lovely soft collar made from fleece that won't irritate Alena's poor skin.  It was donated by Holly from Spoiled Bratzwear.

Here's what Alena's foster mom put together so Alena's new vet could get an idea of what she's been through:

"Alena has a vet appointment tomorrow to check on her abscess (that was drained on Jan 1st) and get her Seattle Wellness Plan in the works. As I prepared for the visit, I put together a timeline of events to show the vet (I figure it must be confusing to have a dog walk in with such a drawn out history across several states in such a short time) and a before and after photo to show the vet. After putting it together, I was shocked to see all she has been thru in just three months. Check the difference!

Nov 5^th, 2010 – surrendered to FBRN by owner/breeder in Wisconsin. Owner claims that Alena was vaccinated at age 2, and this caused a severe reaction. No treatment sought. Alena was unaltered.

                           Alena gets a scrubby dub dub in her foster mom's tub!  Spa days agree with her!

Nov 6^th  -  first vet visit in rescue. Severe alopecia, pyometria, mammary tumors, yeast and bacterial ear infections, severe corneal scarring/hyperpigmentation, dental disease, dry eye and mixed otitis externa. Vet gives Cycolosporine, malotic ointment, ear cleansing solution, Heartguard plus and Clavamox – recommends dental. Thyroid panel done. Fecal results negative. Heartworm negative. Skin scraping negative for mites.

Nov 9^th – Alena had surgery to remove a mammary mass, and a second lump on her shoulder, as well as to spay (uterine infection). Given Metacam, Clavamox and Ketoconazole (for skin infection). Pathology results for the tumor on her shoulder – benign, for the mammary tumor – adenocarcinoma of the ductal cyst. Tumor removed with clean margins. Recovery good.

"I would gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today!"

Nov 29^th – Alena is having bloody diarrhea. Vet thinks it’s a reaction to the Ketonazole for her fungal infection. Gives her Flagyl and stops the Ketonazole. Issue resolves.

Dec 8^th – Alena has full dental. 9 teeth extracted, 14 missing. Good recovery

Dec 29^th - Alena is transported to Chicago with an FBRN volunteer, aiming to continue to Seattle. Flight is full, Alena spends the week in Chicago with B.

Jan 1^st – B. notices an abscess on Alena’s hip. She is taken to the emergency vet – abscess drained – Baytril given, but Alena’s was very difficult to get pills down, so she was given an injection of Convenia.

Jan 8^th – Alena arrives in Seattle from Chicago to stay with R. for long term foster care. Alena was bathed on Jan 10^th and her ears cleaned. Applied calendula cream to her skin and ointment to her eyes. I have applied ointment daily."

This old girl has been through the mill, for sure, but it's clear that nothing gets her down.  Look at those bright, blind eyes!  Her ears have perked up, her expression is curious and alive, her eyes are clear, and she has a little smile for you.  

Our volunteers perform miracles everyday, and if this doesn't persuade you that love and care and good food and medicine and your good thoughts and sponsorship donations really make a difference in the lives of these dogs, nothing will.  

Thank you for giving Alena back her life and putting her on the road to health and joy again.  She's got a long way to go, but we'll see her home together, promises

The Frog Princess

Dill

There's a new boy in Florida this week, and he's busily putting on the Ritz for all his new friends.  He had a big first week, according to his foster mom, who says he's free of worms and heartworm.  Sure, he bears a passing resemblance to Jeebs from Men in Black, but we think that just makes him all the more lovable.

"Well, Dillinger is Officially an FBRN dog!  He was a gentleman at Pets-mart charming all the ladies, and he got a new bed, new leash, and some new toys. He is in LOVE with my french girl through the baby gate and is behaving himself so far.

He is reported to be potty trained and has been a good boy, going potty in the yard. 

He has pretty teeth that appear clean and tartar free so he hopefully is closer to 3-4yrs. We are going to the vet tomorrow, and i will get the chip # to be registered, start his bloodwork, and get him his Rabies shot, then he'll get neutered this week! 

Hopefully, this boy will go straight to the available page! He has nice skin and is all black. The only thing is his eyes seem to be crossed.. both eyes look out...  My Doctor is very good with eyes and that will be checked out tomorrow, too! 

Well, it's been a busy day in south Florida... everyone have a great night!"

We are exhausted just thinking about all that activity! It's fortunate that Dillinger is a youngster of only 3 years, and he can manage that level of outandaboutation.  We, however, feel the draw of our comfy royal bed, and we will be shortly retiring for an early morning nap, confides

The Frog Princess