Marty Crackers Works Out

Last month, we received a note and some photos about Marty Crackers, an FBRN grad who went to his forever home earlier this year. Marty Crackers was having seizures several times a week, but has recently been successfully treated with medication and his seizures are now under control. Marty is the happy, easy going dog he was meant to be.


When his family learned that moderate exercise is good for Frenchies and helps keep weight down and mood up, they took to a training regimen for Marty Crackers. He gets a calisthenics workout first, with lots of sitting, downing, staying and rolling over. Then it's time for some roadwork, but before the champ gets on the machine, he's got to be looking good and keeping those muscles nice and warm. On goes the jogging suit.

Then, a nice cardiovascular session on the treadmill, since real roadwork would be a little dangerous out in the countryside where Marty Crackers lives. After his workout, Marty Crackers hangs out in the juice bar and gets a big glass of carrot juice with a shot of wheatgrass and a raw egg. Ah! That hits the spot. Marty Crackers, you are one solid hunk of Frenchie beefcake!

We just love a dog who takes care of himself, moons
The Frog Princess

PS Speaking of hunks of Frenchie beefcake, we are still taking submissions for the 2007 French Bulldog Rescue Network Calendar. If you'd like to know more, visit the rules page on the FBRN website.

'Dorable

Some girls have a reputation they didn't earn. Some girls should have a worse reputation than they have. And some girls have earned every bit of the reputation they wear like a badge of honor on a Girl Scout uniform.Dora has earned her reputation. She's a tough girl. She's a bit of a handfull. Dora's theme song is, "I'll Be Hard to Handle" and she swings it like Ella.
Dora was surrendered by her family when she took to bossing around the elderly dog in her home. The girl cain't hep it. She likes to be in charge. A world run by Dora is a happy world, in Dora's opinion.
What Dora needs is someone to come along who'll help her to know how much fun life can be when someone else drives.

Like most dominant dogs, Dora requires consistency and a clear message about who is in charge. Dora will probably try to test her people every day, trying to learn whether today is the day she finally gets to be in charge. Her new family has got to understand that she can never have a day when she's in charge, because like the camel, if you let Dora's nose into the tent, pretty soon the tent is full of Dora, and you are sleeping under the wide, starry sky.
Dominant girls are generally very intelligent, and Dora is quite smart. She's active and she's playful and she wants to spend time with her people. If you have the time to really devote to a dog, and if you have the experience with tough, smart, go-getter dogs like Dora, or at least the willingness to learn how to live with a girl like her, fill out an application.
Dora is a dog for someone who wants to really make a dog a part of their daily life. She's not going to be an ottoman dog who sleeps in the corner while her people go about their business. She'll require stimulation and exercise to be happy, and the payoff for her people is a cheerful, engaging girl who'll enlarge and improve their lives. If you can provide a stable, loving home for a reform-school girl, we'd love to hear from you. Check out Dora's available page, here. Some of us feel the bad girls are the best girls, cracks
The Frog Princess

Max and Lulu

Max and Lulu were surrendered when their family realized that a toddler in hand and a baby on the way meant too little time for two little Frenchies.




Max was an FBRN grad from 2003. He and Lulu are very close, as you can see in the photos here. Lulu spends a good deal of time trying to keep him cleaned up and acting right, but Max is a wild thing. Here is an update from Max and Lulu's foster Mom:

"Max and Lulu are doing great, they are by far the most well behaved foster dogs I have ever had. We were out in the suburbs this past weekend - the land of green grass and fenced in yards aka puppy paradise. This weekend was especially busy, my cousin and her two daughters (ages 4 and 10 weeks), my friend from out of town, my older sister, myself, and Max & Lulu were all visiting my mother and her two large Golden Retrievers in her not so big house! It is safe to say that Max and Lulu get along with people of all shapes and sizes.
Lulu was a little skittish around Rilee (my cousin's 4yr. old daughter) at first but warmed up after a couple hours. Max relished any and all attention that was remotely directed toward him. Once, he took it a step too far and took a flying leap onto the couch where Grace (10 weeks) was lying on her back sleeping. Luckily, my cousin caught him mid-air and averted disaster. I guess he thought Grace might be getting an unfair share of the attention! Lulu was a bit more gentle with Grace, she sniffed her while she was sleeping in her car seat and then proceeded to sit next to her for a little while, they looked so cute!"

Here is a completely unrepentant Max, grinning like a Jack O' Lantern. Anytime young children and dogs are together, vigilance is the watchword, and we're glad to know that Max's extended foster family is fully aware of the complications that can arise when Frenchies join the fun!

We'd like to have seen young Max being snagged mid-flight by the baby's mamma, but we must settle for an imagined visual.

Poor Lulu watched, appalled, then had several medicinal brandies to calm her nerves. Big sister to a wild thing is a tough gig. As we have mentioned, the antics of our own younger sisters frequently cause us alarm and aggravation and have tempted us to take a glass or two of revivifying refreshment at the end of a long day of princess sitting.
Max and Lulu, we are gratified to learn that you are, by and large, well-behaved. Keep up the good work, Lulu, and sit on the boy as often as needed, counsels
The Frog Princess

PS Please keep a good thought for Mad Max as he undergoes dental surgery next week to remove a cracked and decaying molar. If you've got any nice, soft chicken liver pate just lying around and going to waste we know a certain swollen-jawed Frenchie who'll know what to do with it! Mmm. Pate and Ice cream.

Shoeless Joe Scuffs In

Joe looks like he's gone a couple dozen rounds in a boxing ring, doesn't he? Poor guy. He has a story to tell. This crazy mutt went wandering one day and showed up again 6 months later at a vet's office for treatment of some ugly looking owies. In the "Small World" files, the vet recognized him and helped him get home again, where Joe promptly made himself so obnoxious to the toddler in the household, the family decided he'd be better off in another home. So our rambling boy packed up his little hobo stick with the bandana on it and moved along to FBRN.
The family thinks that sometime during Joe's rambling days he might have been hit by a car, and he's certainly got some explaining to do about how those nasty wounds got on his head. Maybe a fight with a Nebraska groundhog or prairie dog. Maybe he got kicked in the face by a set of cleets on the fleet feet of a rugby player. Possibly he was involved in a bar-fight over a lady or got caught cheating at cards. Those are all stories that are floating around.

But what we heard was Joe was an undercover operative for the Canine Investigative Agency and he got ratted out, took an awful beating and got dropped off in the elephant eye-high cornfields of Nebraska wherefrom he staggered back to the town he once knew. Alas, Joe was too changed to live among ordinary people. He's seen too much, now. He needs a quiet place to deal with his memories and his regrets. Regrets that include a certain fancy chihuahua gal living on the wrong side of the Platte river.

He needs a place to rest up and recuperate from all he's seen and known. He needs a bit of snippage and a real good spa day to clean him up and soothe the road rash and the infections and the scabs on his weary feet.
He's a dead ringer for Wallace Beery, and we wanted to name him Wallace, but Joe's the name he came with, and Joe it's gonna be. He's had enough of living life under an assumed moniker.
He's moved from Nebraska down to Colorado, where there's a foster family with the means to keep him quiet and separate from other dogs while he gets a chance to recuperate. Once he's ready, we are hoping that this boy can find a room in some peaceful home where he can overcome the memories of his undercover days and of his unrequited love for a slender, big-eyed beauty. In the meantime, we'll try to get him off the sauce: you can see here that he's, well, he's dived headfirst into a bowl of au jus, and it's gonna be tough to get him out, but if it takes cold showers, tabasco, or bitter apple, we'll get him off the stuff.
And when he's fit and healthy, we'll be looking for a patient, trustworthy family who know the truth of what Dinah Shore used to sing: "Happiness is Just a Dog Named Joe." We know his new people are out there, looking for a Joe to make their lives complete. Shoeless Joe is willing to wait for them.
Chin up, Joe! exhorts
The Frog Princess

Hank Joins Our Ranks

This week, we welcome young Hank to the ranks of FBRN's handsome and beautiful foster dogs.

This little guy was picked up on the mean streets of Knoxville, Tennessee. And we do mean the mean streets! Silly Hank was playing in traffic when he was snabbled up by a good Samaritan, who put an end to his game of traffic tag. A few more minutes of that little game might have made a real impression on him, if you catch our drift.



Happily for Hank, his savior came along to rescue this doggy with a death wish and though she advertised and zealously sought for an owner, no one ever stepped forward. She even discovered that Hank has a chip, but there is no record of anyone ever registering a name with the device. People! If you go to the trouble of putting a microchip in your dog, follow up by registering your name and address with the company.


Meanwhile, Hank is enjoying his new foster home in Georgia, playing with the two resident canines and his foster family people and growing accustomed to a yummy new diet. Following his neuter surgery and a dental cleaning, he'll be ready to go home with a forever family and live happily ever after, and, we hope, have no further truck with traffic!

We close with a special thank you to all the good Samaritans of the world, from a grateful
Frog Princess

Blessing of the Animals

This weekend, many churches across the country are celebrating St. Francis of Assisi's feast day (Oct. 4) with a Blessing of the Animals. Parishioners and congregants gather with their animals to receive a blessing from their pastor or priest. Sometimes held inside and often outside, the celebration is often very moving, deeply spiritually uplifting and sometimes has moments of unexpected humor.
Members of the congregation have a chance to meet each others' companions and to establish even greater connections through their shared love of animals.

Here is Clyde, an FBRN foster, with the other dogs in his foster home, preparing for the service and passing the peace with some young passersby. And here is FBRN grad Mattie receiving a blessing with her mom from Monsignor Curci at Mother of Sorrows Church in Murrysville PA.

It's a nice time to take a moment and ask each other or a higher power for the strength, wisdom, compassion, courage, patience and commitment to continue our work rescuing and rehabilitating the creatures in our care.

So be it, says
The Frog Princess

Cosmo: Personal Ad

Cosmo came to us from Long Island, NY. He's in foster care in New Jersey. His foster mom has written up a personals ad for Cosmo! We think he sounds dreamy, and we are considering making an appointment for a cocktail. Cosmopolitans, of course! Make mine pomegranate, heavy on the lime juice, easy on the vodka.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, are you still searching for that perfect someone? The perfect complement to your life? Then look no further - I have the guy for you! I am pleased to introduce.... Cosmo, the Magnificent!! Stats: Age: 2.5 years (approximately), weight: 29 pounds.

Cosmo is an easy going guy who likes to live life to the fullest with no regrets. His interests include long walks on the beach, romantic candlelight dinners, and cuddling in front of a warm fire in the winter. He is laid back, intelligent, and shy at times, but loves to have fun. In his free time, he enjoys music, movies, travel, and playing with his plastic ring.

And don't forget - Cosmo is short for Cosmopolitan! He's a modern man with traditional values. A man who will happily get his paws manicured while debating current play toys and sampling fine kibble, but a guy who still holds the baby gate open for a lady.



Cosmo is looking for a partner who knows how to have fun but is financially and emotionally responsible. Although he loves to meet new people, he's really searching for a life partner. He would prefer to not share his partner with other dogs, but is willing to negotiate that point with the right family, under the right circumstances. Kids are no problem - he loves everyone equally regardless of age or height.



If you're looking for the perfect guy to complement your life, Cosmo is the right one for you!"

If you'd like to
sponsor Cosmo just click on the bone to the left of his photo on the foster page. No question: Cosmo is a cutie, sighs
The Frog Princess

Meet Elita!

We are so glad to welcome Elita to FBRN!Shortly after coming into our care last week, Elita went down in the hindquarters and in the photos, you can see that she is walking with the help of a sling under her tummy. She's responding well to meds, but as Frenchie owners know, recovering from a back injury is often a long and careful process, and when the dog is young, it's a process liable to setbacks and re-injuries if the dog gets too active too soon.

Often, recovering from a spinal or back injury requires weeks of crate rest. That can be hard on the family caring for the Frenchie and hard on the Frenchie herself! But strict adherence to the rules of recovery and treatment really does pay off in most cases, and though the Frenchie may need to take special care and may be susceptible to re-injury, the likelihood of paralysis is greatly reduced when instructions are followed to the letter during the recovery period. Remember--don't let Frenchies jump off your bed or the furniture, and try to prevent them from jumping off raised decks. We've heard of Frenchies injuring themselves leaping off a set of stairs!

Elita is wearing a diaper in one of the photos, and that's because she lost control of her bladder and bowels during the early days of her injury. We are delighted to report that she is now pottying outside and has recovered sensation in her legs and back end. She was turned over to us from a breeding facility, and she is wallowing in the human companionship she is getting at her foster home, even taking comfort from having people just sitting near her crate.

Elita will be staying in foster care for a little while as her back mends and she learns about life as a housedog. If you'd care to sponsor the costs of helping Elita recover, please click here. Get well, soon, Elita, so you can come to tea at the castle! invites
The Frog Princess

Heeeere's Higgins!

For the last few years, Texas has been a reliable source of rescue Frenchies. It appears that the people of Texas are especially susceptible to our little rascals. We are delighted that when sad or bad things happen to the folks who share their lives with these clowns, they are often responsible enough to seek out the help of FBRN in rehoming their beloved pets. This is Higgins, surrendered to us recently in the great state of Texas. The following is a note we received from his smitten foster mom, who is aware that as foster babies go, Higgins is a peach!


"We picked up Higgins today. He's a perfect example of what a frenchie's temperament should be. He's a happy-go-lucky guy that loves people and gets along great with loud little kids and obnoxious big dogs (my male gets a bit uptight with other dogs). He's fit right in with the household; no problems so far. It's gone so well that I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like he's going to have demon flames shooting from his butt in the middle of the night or something.

He just turned 2 and is known for having allergies. According to his previous owner (who sent him with an enormous amount of stuff, including outfits, medicine, his next heartguard and Frontline treatment, etc) his skin is better now than it ever has been. He's got a few bald spots and the tell tale thinning hair around the eyes, but other than that he looks great. I've seen a lot worse and I'm assuming the stress of the move may throw him into another skin fit, but you never know.

He's a lovely dark brindle pied, about 25lbs and in great shape. He frolics at high speed in the backyard with my big boy who's a good 90 lbs and very long of leg. Really, for a first foster, we lucked out.
I've been trying to convince my husband that we should get a frenchie as a third dog and he's been balking at the thought. It took him maybe 10 seconds for him to fall in love with Higgins, and he was just floored when he got on so well with our big boy.

I suspect getting us our own frenchie will no longer be an uphill fight, though I suspect we'll have some tears from him when we place Higgins! Oh, and did I mention that Higgins seems to be fully house trained? Gotta love those pre-trained ones...."

Oh, we understand the foster dad’s response to Higgins. Who hasn’t fallen instantly in love with a dog at some point? We’d better get this little darling into his forever home before too much longer. Letting go of the first foster is the toughest, but getting notes and photos from the new family really helps. If you are interested in adopting young Higgins, keep an eye on the available page. Applications will probably be accepted within the next two weeks or so.

Join us in welcoming Higgins to FBRN! Commands
The Frog Princess

FBRN on TV

One of our volunteers made an appearance on a local television program earlier this month. She and her Frenchie, Ally, were guests on Pug Vito Corleone's program.
Ally and Vito are well-acquainted, and this appearance was actually Ally's second visit to TV land. On this second visit, Ally's mom got a chance to discuss FBRN and breed rescue.
Alas, Vito has fallen for the enchanting and fashionable Ally, but Ally's heart is still her own. Twas ever thus, sweet Vito. We hope in time to see a rapprochement on Ally's part, but until then, we will be on the lookout for another charming smooshie-faced girl for you. There are plenty of frogs in the pond, wisely counsels
The Frog Princess

Bubba!

Our post today is meant to show off a recent grad's humble beauty. This is Bubba, placed earlier this year with a lovely couple and their Frenchie girl. He is soooooo good-lookin'! as Jerry Seinfeld might say. More than one FBRN volunteer lost her heart to him when he was in foster care. We had to keep his location a secret to prevent volunteers from spiriting him away to their own homes! Not surprising.
Just look at these adorable head tilts from way back when. Did you evah? Is there a more photogenic little Frenchie boy? We couldn't be happier that this pulchritudinous and gallant critter has found such a happy home. He even lets his sister sleep in the cushy bed. He's a noble beast, he is. Noble.

We are very pleased to see that young Bubba just keeps getting more darling, and he is looking very fit and sleek and healthy. It's all those walks around the lake by his new place.

He's a good boy, and he's a nice boy, and he's a handsome boy. He is just like the son we never had, cries
The Frog Princess

Farewell to a Friend

Earlier this month, an FBRN grad went to the bridge. Her name was Chloe. Her life with her dad was too brief, and after a struggle with Cushing's disease that lasted over a year, she crossed from her owner's arms to her maker's. Here are some photos of Chloe taken before she became ill. Spare a thought for her grieving dad, and be extra sweet to your own furry friends tonight.
Requiescat in pace, Chloe.
The Frog Princess

Zappa

The trend in international adoptions has spread to FBRN! Zappa, the zippy deaf Frenchie named for a late, lamented iconoclastic musician, has flown by private plane from Toronto to New York state, where he will be enjoying life with a Frenchie sister and a completely smitten mamma.
It was especially tough for Zappa's foster mom to let him go, but that's what foster families do. They volunteer to get their hearts broken. We couldn't do what we do without our foster families. Spare a thought for a foster mom's grief today, but don't fret too long. The sadness is easier to bear when the forever family sends photos, updates, news and Christmas cards featuring the happy grad. Maybe the family sends a photo and wins their Frenchie a spot on the Frenchie calendar, and the proud foster family gets to see a big photo of their baby every day for a month!
And then one day there comes a knock on the door and the welcome distraction of another needy Frenchie on the doorstep.
We send our regards to Zappa and wish him well in his new home. A regal command to "Sheik Yerbouti" in celebration accompanies the signature of
The Frog Princess

Stella la Bella!

Hey! We've got a Stella and a Stanley! All we need now is a Blanche and a little tiny streetcar, and we can put on a play! This is bella Stella, a surrender from northern California. Her foster mom sent us this note. "I'd like to introduce everyone to two year old Stella! She was surrendered last week by a family that didn't have enough time for her. She's super high energy and gets along well with our submissive female boxer cross, though I think she might get into trouble with more dominant dogs.
She's a queen bee. This girl has severe allergies and is heartbreakingly itchy. She'll definitely need a forever home that is ready to deal with lifelong skin management.

On the plus side, Stella has a really fun personality. She loves to snuggle with people and doggie friends and takes great pleasure in stealing our Busy's toys. She's sweet and gentle with our 3 month old son, and also did well with our friend's two year old."

Poor Busy is right to look worried about sharing her bed. We know a little something about life with a Queen Bee Frenchie. We are one. Stella, we welcome you to FBRN, and we send you honeyed greetings from
The Frog Princess

Babycakes Attends a Party!

We received a request for news about Babycakes, an FBRN outpost adoptee who frequently graces these pages. Her foster mom sent us an album of photos from a Frenchie get-together in Denver earlier this summer, and we thought we'd share some of them with you. Here's Babycakes begging one of the attendees for another race up and down the yard. We are pretty sure Babycakes is responsible for the look of exhaustion on his face.And here's Babycakes engaged in conversation with two unidentified Frenchies. We feel sure they are talking about topics of high intellectual caliber, and not merely gossiping about the Frenchies on the other side of the yard.

And who is this? Yes, sharp eyed readers will recognize this handsome devil as Gus-Gus, the dog who likes to sit in his water dish. Unfortunately, this is not his dish, but was meant to be a communal bowl. Thank heavens for the caterers! Plain, fresh, unGus-flavored water was widely available at this shindig.

Here's Babycakes again, off to keep order amongst the too-much-funners. There's always some clown who spikes the punch, isn't there? And then look what happens! A perfectly nice clam bake turns into an unsanctioned WWF match. Thank heavens some Frenchies keep their heads. We still aren't sure who was responsible for the punch-spiking. Gus assures us it wasn't him.

And here's Babycakes helping a shy little wallflower Frenchie enjoy the party. Babycakes just has that precious gift of making everyone feel at home and welcome. We've all known someone like Babycakes, and they make the world a better, sweeter place. Dame Babycakes, for your efforts toward Frenchie unity and for your all-around adorability, we are proud to award you the title Esteemed Dame of the Realm, with all the rights and privileges thereunto pertaining, including a very warm place in the heart of
The Frog Princess

Carlin and 'Cakes Stop By

Carlin and Pancake's foster mom sent us some photos of these darling boys. Carlin is the eyebrow Frenchie, and for some reason, he got the lion's share of photo opportunities.
Here he is in his comfy bed, raising his head to ask for some peace and quiet, so that he can get some much needed rest. At night, Carlin sleeps on the pillow beside his foster mom's head, while Pancake sleeps in the middle of the bed, producing so much heat that in her sleep, his foster mom scoots to the edge of bed. She says a home with cold footed people would be ideal for Pancake!

And here is a side view of our Carlin, staring off into the distance, thinking terribly deep thoughts about the nature of life and the politics of daily struggle in the lives of dogs without access to 24 hour kitchen privileges. His mom tells us that he has become accustomed to working for what he wants, though he has managed to draw out learning "sit" over several weeks. "Down" is next. Carlin finds all this ordering and commanding very troubling. Oppression. That's what it is, really.






There is good news about Carlin's health! Following a course of antibiotics, the swelling in his ear has diminished to the point that an ear canal can be discerned, and we are hoping that there will be no need for surgery. Here we see Carlin with his friend Pogo, hoping for a treat and a bit of a chinny scratch.




And finally, we have an eloquent, speaking photo of Pancake, who has turned his back on his foster mom in a fit of pique, commenting wordlessly on the ratio of photographic artifacts submitted featuring his likeness versus the number of photos featuring that newcomer Carlin. Poor Pancake. What little nose he's got is completely out of joint.

Don't be downcast, Pancake! You certainly have fans in the world, and foremost among them is
The Frog Princess