Starsky

Canada is not a hotbed of Frenchie activity, so last week we were delighted to hear that one of our Alberta volunteers had been called on to foster a slim young frog.

His name is Starsky, and he was surrendered because he seemed resistant to house training, and he often wet his crate at night. 


His owner admitted that finding time to devote to Starsky was an issue, so it may well be that Starsky's house training will improve in foster care.  So far, he hasn't had an indoors accident, and he's gotten the hang of the doggy door very quickly. 

As you can see, Starsky has some great coloring--very unusual.  At just 22 pounds, he is a smallish Frenchie. 



Starsky is getting along wonderfully with the dogs in his foster home, but his foster mom is keeping a close eye on him when he's around the family cat.  Starsky seems a wee bit too interested in the kitty, but so far he hasn't made any attempts to chase her.




Starsky is a healthy boy, he has a good temperament, and he plays well with other dogs.  This is a great chance for some of our Canadian friends to apply for a dog in the western region--doesn't happen often.  Starsky should be on the available page soon.  Watch for him!

The Frog Princess

A Newcomer to the Parish: Maxfield

With more energy than a quarter pound of sugar and a jar of freeze-dried coffee, Maxfield came bounding into his foster family's lives!

Here's what his foster mom wrote about the healthy, robust beast:

" I picked up Maxfield tonight here in Arizona, and let me just tell you he is a BIG boy! At 1.5 years old he is already 31 + pounds, and none of that is fat. He is very very tall, and I am sure if he wanted to he could jump over the expen that he is now in, but so far he is just relaxing at taking it all in. He is a little nervous and thereforea little drooly, but he seems to be taking most of it in stride. Maxfield is a sweet, sweet boy  and just wants to be loved. His family is making a quick move  to Hawaii and are unable to take thier big boy with them. Their loss is our gain, and this big submissive guy will make a wonderful addition for the right family! He is all Frenchie smiles when ever I walk by him, and although he looks a little like a BT in the face he is a Frenchie! 

As a joke I think he may be part greyhound!  Maxfield  was picking up tons of speed doing zoomies around my back yard! He came from condo life, so now my back yard is his personal doggie park , and he seems pretty happy about that. I will keep you updated on our newest FBRN member in AZ but for now we are going to let him decompress for a little while!"

Well, lounging on that purple throw, we can see he's definitely getting the royal treatment, observes

The Frog Princess

Joli

Thirty seconds of happy Frenchie time, brought to you by the adorable Joli and

The Frog Princess

Pork Chop Is Feeling Great!

Pork Chop came to us with some serious skin problems.  Recently she was spayed, and she came through it with flying colors!  Herewith, a note and some photos from her foster dad:

"1.      She is doing great since her spay.  Like nothing happened.  We are now 100% focused on her coat.  We have her on a serious course of Interceptor and regular Pyoben baths. I’m hopeful that this combination will help to knock out the mange, fix her skin and help her to re-grow her coat for her furever home. 

2.      Porkchop has a prey drive.  I wish I had photos/videos of her last week at the dermatology vets office.  They had some kittens in a cat condo in waiting room…Porkchop was watching it INTENSELY. 

I renamed it “cat TV”.  Only problem became…she started throwing herself against the glass trying to get to them.  Everyone in the vets office thought it was hilarious, luckily.

3.      Regarding her prey drive, in some of these photos (staring up at the trees hunting squirrels / watching through the gate for any animal to pass by) it’s pretty obvious. 

"We hope that very soon Porkchop will be on the hunt for her furever home.  Based upon our time with her, we think the key aspects will be:  (i) cats - NO; (ii) dogs – maybe, submissive; (iii) yard – not necessary."

There you have it!  A tasty summer treat is making her way to FBRN's menu of tempting offerings.  Keep an eye peeled for this juicy Pork Chop, recommends your server

The Frog Princess

Photos from the Frenchie Social!

A good time was had by all, judging by the photographic evidence!
Thanks to all our volunteers for working to put on this very popular annual event.

Until next year, keep your Frenchies dry! admonishes

The Frog Princess

How to Help FBRN Win $2,500

Here are instructions for setting up an account for voting for Clyde with a Y for King of the Web.  He has just about lost his first place standing.  Please only set up one account.  Please vote every day through the end of the contest.

Here's where to start.

 And then:

 It's a little time-consuming, but hey!  $2,500!
 Then do this:

 

 Almost done!

There you go!  And you can get another 10 votes just for leaving an encouraging word on Clyde's page under "Say Something."

You don't have to do another thing with your "campaign," but you get a fresh new 10 votes every day for Clyde with a Y.  He's a former foster, living with gusto in the free world.  Help him win this one for us, pleads

The Frog Princess

What's it All About, Ralphie?

Apparently, it's all about schmoozing the crowds on a springtime morning stroll!

Here's what his foster mom said about a recent out and abouting with Ralphie, the wheeled wonder:

"Ralph continues on as King of the World. He's been getting a lot of attention, both positive (yay!!) and weird negative (I think people continue to be afraid of what they are unfamiliar with). Today, Mother's Day, he got gobs of attention on our am walk. People stopping us to discuss and show me pics of their Frenchies. He came home with his head smelling of hand lotions and perfumes. Big player.

He's eating like a champ (are there any Frenchies that don't?). Zipping around inside and keeping himself busy, busy, busy by nosing through the recycling and keeping a keen eye on what the cats are up to and where they're running off to. They've been napping closer to each other as well. Yesterday he got a new black Kong--his new bff-- and a Nylabone Gallileo which he has already made major tooth marks in!

That's pretty much it. Oh, I've been taking lots of pics (which he hates) because I'm determined to get him into the fbrn calendar (full page) this year!"

Oo la la, Ralphie Beefcake!  We can hardly wait to see the photos, leers

The Frog Princess

Obi-Wan Might See Again

We got this encouraging email from a volunteer whose mom had to step in to look after her dogs and FBRN foster when the vol had to undergo an appendectomy.  Like most appendectomies, it wasn't planned for or scheduled beforehand, so we owe her mom a big, "Thank you!" for being there for our foster boy, Obi.

This is a long update, but the news is really good!  We think you will enjoy reading about Obi-Wan's adventures in what we hope are the last days of his blindness:

"First of all, thanks for the well-wishes after my appendix fiasco. The Frenchies suffered the most because they had to go 10 FULL DAYS without a car ride!!! I swear they all moped, but they survived. 

Obi had his visit with the eye doctor yesterday, and she is pretty optimistic that he could regain at least some of his sight with cataract surgery. I loved her, and she charges half-price for rescues, which takes the cost for one eye from $1400 to around $700. She said that a lot of times people can only afford one eye so she chooses the best one after they've been anesthetized and she can really evaluate them in-depth. 

The good news is the ultrasound (they hold a little ultrasound wand directly on his eyeballs, and he was such a good boy!) showed that both of his retinas are still attached, which is not always the case in dogs that have had bad cataracts for years, and his cataracts are really bad. He has no sight at all, but his pupils did eventually constrict with very bright light, so that is another good sign. 

She said he may not get full sight in the eye after surgery because the retina is often damaged to some extent, but that he would most likely be able have significant enough sight to help him get around much better than he does now. 

It would be a huge help for him because the poor boy is REALLY bad at remembering where anything is! He manages to pretty much run into every single wall and piece of furniture every single time he walks anywhere, regardless of the fact that we follow the same routine every single day! His method is to just walk very slowly and use his face as a bumper. 

He also can't seem to follow the sound of a voice; it actually tends to confuse him more, but if you reach your hand down, walk backwards and snap continuously, he is much better at following that. It looks a little silly, but it saves his face a few bumps. Someone suggested that I put some perfume on the furniture at his face level to help him identify where things are. It didn't help, but the furniture and his face smell good. 

Aside from his sight, his health seems very good. I haven't seen any sign at all of seizures, and I actually forget that he was supposed to have had one or two. He is just a very good, sweet happy boy! He LOVES meeting people and gets all excited and wiggly when they pet him. He gets so worked up that when they stop petting him he starts spinning around and barking, trying to get them to keep petting him, he just can't understand why they would stop! 

He really would love to run around and play, it's only his blindness that makes him too hesitant. He hates being left alone and he has the world's most mournful howl to tell you all about it! Luckily he only howls for a short time, he doesn't seem to keep it up the whole time you're out of the room. I keep telling him crying like a little baby girl is not something that a big beefy middle aged man-frog should do, but he doesn't care!  

I haven't gotten any good pictures of him lately, so I included one from the first night he was here. This is the look he gave me after I told him there was no more room on the bed, it made me laugh because he looks positively demonic! This is part of the reason he sleeps on the bed now. (I don't think this particular picture should go on the website, it's not his most flattering look!) I'll take some more after he gets his bath, these white dogs are hard to keep clean in the country."

We included the demonic, "What? No room on the bed?!" photo because we can do as we please, and it pleases us to share that funny photo.  But we also wanted you to see some less outraged pics of this handsome boy.  A very big thank you to everyone who has sponsored Obi-Wan; we thought you'd be happy to learn that he is not going to be pinballing between the furniture and doorframes for much longer, and that's thanks to you!  You always come through for our needy beasts.  We love you for that, gushes

The Frog Princess

A Special Guest--On Martha Stewart's Website!

FBRN grad Angus (formerly Pooter) appears on Martha Stewart's Weddings website!  Ain't he a handsome devil?  Here he is when he was a wee pup in foster care. 

We'll get our rescue featured on Martha somehow or other, vows

The Frog Princess

Alena Needs Some Good Thoughts--Again

We were sorry to hear this from Alena's foster mom the other day:

"
Well, our dear Alena has made such great progress. Her skin no longer itches and her fur is growing back. Her energy level is great and she is very happy ... but today we suffered a setback. I discovered another mass on the original mammary chain - this side was where the very large tumor was first removed when she came to FBRN in November last year. The didn't take the whole chain at the time because her health was so poor, and she needed an emergency spay as well. When I found the tumor on her in January, it was on the opposite side, and they took the whole chain.

So, today, she had the other side taken out. She has been a bit despondent since coming home, and I think she may be confused as to why I left her at the vet to be cut up again. The vet said she did well, and he found a second tumor, so it's a good thing we acted quickly. Alena is such a fireball ... I know she has many years of good life to live yet. She won't let cancer get her down.

Please think healing "pink" vibes for our girl this week while she recovers."

But the photos and news we got in the following days helped us feel a bit better. 

"Yesterday Alena got a HUGE package in the mail from Stephanie and Louie L! What perfect timing! She got a beautiful Fido Fleece jacket, a soft blankie and a boat load of treats that are all grain free. She also got a lovely letter from Louie ...Alena was so happy, and the timing was perfect, since she is recovering from yet another surgery. 

Alena is doing GREAT! She has her signature sparkle back, and I have to remind her to take it easy. We patiently wait for biopsy results! She is actually even more energetic than ever!

Thank you so much Stephanie and Louie ... you are so kind!"

Alena is bouncing back!  Take that, cancer!  You can't keep a good frog down!  We are sending our most intense and healing vibes in Alena's direction. 

Thank you to all who have donated to help Alena over the past few months.  FBRN couldn't do what we do without you, acknowledges

The Frog Princess

Ernie has lost his lead!

Please be sure to vote for Ernie for King of the Web!  We have a donor willing to match the $1,000 prize money if we win, but Ernie's lead is slipping.

If you'd like to help, you can go to the King of the Web site and create a campaign.  Uploading an image and creating a poster will earn you 35 points to assign to Ernie, and you'll also get 10 points for commenting on the "Say Something" section of his page.  Plus, every day you get 10 votes.
Our lead over the next competitor has slipped to less than 500 votes.  We need your help and the help of your family and friends to win this contest.  Please help us!
$2000 could do a lot of homeless Frenchies a lot of good!

The Frog Princess

PS  Please remember that people are only entitled to one account per person--don't try to set up multiple accounts!

Vote for Ernie!

Vote for Ernie for King of the Web!  Register and you can vote 10x a day.

If Ernie wins, FBRN will receive $1,000.  We can do a lot of good with that!

Come on! 

The Frog Princess

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