Tale of a Tub

Here is a sad and woeful tale of a pitiful Frenchie and the day she was betrayed by the woman who claimed to care for her. A sunny day, a peaceful day, a perfectly warm and lovely day, shot to smithereens and spoiled by an unreasoning insistence on cleanliness.
Pixie asks us, plaintively: Why can't people and dogs agree to disagree on the question of what constitutes clean? Why can't we come to an understanding of the cultural differences embedded in our ways of life? Why must an innocent sleeping dog be snatched from a comfy nap and slapped into a cold and unwelcoming basin on a mere whim?
Pixie's willing to give a little on this. She might understand a dunking and a bit of a scrub and a rub-a-dub-dub if she were to encounter the stripey black stink. She might even allow that comfort levels may vary when it comes to the lovely fragrances of decaying groundhog or goose droppings.
Tastes differ. She gets that.

And yet, to be merely ordinarily soiled, to have a decent coating of oil and a nice aroma of outdoors, consisting of mud, cow-pasture, corn chips and sunshine, to have this hard-earned personal signature scent erased, washed off, scrubbed away: it's a damnable affront to the dignity and rights of canines everywhere. Look at the poor thing! Betrayal. That's what it is. Abuse of power.

Enough! Rise up, Frenchie friends and don the chinkless armor of righteousness. Do not go gentle into that cold tub! Fight, bite against the big hand and the revolting scent of geraniums and gardenia! When you hear the running of the water in the tub, creep silently into the deepest forest, take cover under the heaviest furniture, and let your sister take the bath.


Oh, the indignity and horror of it all. Oh, the inhumanity.

People. Such philistines and cretins have no appreciation for the subtleties and nuances of personal expression.

Ah, Pixie, alas! It is too true, too true. How often we have seen these humans destroy their own beloved children's beautiful accrual of grime and stickiness for the sake of some abstract ideal: "nice and clean" they call it. So ends the horrible, the unjust and infamous Tale of the Tub.

And now, once more into the great outdoors she goes to begin again to find the perfect balance of filth and fragrance, of dirt and deliciousness that will tell the world that she has lived and left her mark. It's an art, really.

We recognize your pain and sadness, Pixie. Our handmaiden has often ignored our objections and summarily soaped us and scrubbed us and scented us while we cursed the day of her birth and all her ancestors. To add insult to injury she sings and utters assinine comments all the while: "My Goodness, How did you get so dirty?" she says. And, "Isn't that better?" she says. And, "Look, Highness! I've made you an elegant shampoo hat!" and she laughs at us in the most insolent and mocking way.

These are the times we'd like to beat her with a knobby stick. A big one.

The Frog Princess

PS: If your own person is deserving of a little gift, you should visit the Holiday auction on the front page of the FBRN website. There are some items there your Frenchie lover will squeal and jump up and kiss you for. One of a kind things. And they go away tomorrow, so get your bids in today!

Saving Sadie

One of our ever-ready ready volunteers zipped over and pulled sweet Sadie from a high-kill shelter in Florida. She was apparently a breeder dog, and she has multiple c-section scars. At 6 years-old or thereabouts, she had outlived her usefulness. So she was summarily dumped at a shelter, without medical records, without a history, without a name.We are calling her Sadie. She's a funny girl! When she first came to us, she'd lost her voice and only squeaked, but she has recovered her bark, now, and joins in the doggy chorus at her foster home when the palm leaves rustle with iguanas or a gator slides into the swimming pool. Her foster mom says she has a bunch of cute little ways.
Sadie is a velcro girl, and she loves to nestle by her person on the couch. In the bed at night, Sadie keeps the boogie man away by falling asleep with her paw touching her person. When morning comes, her foster mom wakes up to find Sadie's head on her chest, big Frenchie eyes gazing into hers and a very, very gentle pat, pat, pat on her arm with a little white paw. She doesn't give kisses very often, and almost never on request, but she'll steal up on you and stealthily sneak a smoochie-smooch when it's least expected!
Sadie has a few health issues: She takes an inexpensive medication twice a week for a mild case of incontinence, and she is in the very early stages of kidney disease. Her vet says she'll live a long, full life with the help of a special diet.

Sadie sounds like the kind of girl we'd like to be best friends with! Oh, the trouble we'd find, grins
The Frog Princess

Spa Day for BabyCakes

For those of us who enjoy BabyCakes (and who doesn't?), adopted through the FBRN Outpost a few years ago, here is a pictorial essay on the hardship this poor creature endures. Her mom was good enough to send commentary."Here is how to live like a princess.

First there is the float and soak in the warm tub with lavendar. She keeps scooting her hind legs under the running spigot so she gets the full jacuzzi effect.







Next comes the relaxation under a warm towel, waiting for the masseuse...Waiting for the MASSEUSE!












Hey! Where is that darn masseuse anyway?"

Sweet BabyCakes, we understand all too well. The life of a Princess is not all that it is cracked up to be, what with being frequently photographed in what should be private circumstances and the poor quality of servants one finds in these absurdly egalitarian times!

We recommend withholding a tip, advises
The Frog Princess
PS Did you know that there are plenty of FABULOUS items available this week in our FBRN Christmas auction fundraiser ? Scroll down the front page of the FBRN website to see the goodies. You simply must check these out. Dame BabyCakes and The Frog Princess are very hopeful that these items find their way to good and deserving homes.

Ellie Goes on Vacation

You'll remember Ellie as one of the NC10 dogs rescued from a puppy mill in North Carolina last year. She and her family went on vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains this summer. With winter fast approaching in many parts of the world and already squatting over others, we thought it would be nice to think back 3 months to when the mosquitos were thick as snowflakes and the air was steamy and moist. Her mom sent us this note:
"We returned from the mountains on Friday evening. Ellie had a fantastic time- apart from the car ride, of course. We hiked a short trail in the Smokies and Ellie had the time of her life crossing brooks and navigating rocks. I have never seen her so energized or enthusiastic about walking.
Does Ellie dance? Non-stop. Roger refers to her as “Wiggle”."
14 months ago, Ellie had only known the inside of a filth encrusted chicken coop. Now she's dancing across rivulets and powering up mountainsides. If you contributed to FBRN anytime in the last year, you should high-five yourself: you made it possible for FBRN to foster and place this girl. If you haven't yet contributed, don't fret. It's a sad fact that there will be plenty of dogs to sponsor, plenty of opportunities to help, and many more Frenchies' lives to transform.

Excelsior, young Ellie! Onward and upward! exhorts
The Frog Princess

Rollo

Here is Rollo, doing what he does best. What is that, you ask? Why, beautifying the world, of course!

When Rollo came to us, he was no bigger than a gerbil, or possibly a hamster. Certainly smaller than a guinea pig. His name then was Piglet, and, like another little piglet we know of named Wilbur, Piglet was a runt, and he needed special care. His foster mom, coincidentally named Charlotte, looked after him well, and he grew and grew and then he flew to Austin, TX, where he lives now with his mom and dad, his Frenchie sister Luna, and his red-haired kewpie-doll boy brother, Ivan.

He's a dog born under a lucky star, for sure, and he's as handsome as the night is long.

The Frog Princess

Ethel Has Good Taste

Psst! Did you know Christmas is coming? Did you know you can buy your Frenchie her own gorgeous FBRN t-shirt at the CafePress store? This is Ethel, an FBRN grad, about to enjoy a bit of eggnog. She's sporting her stylish FBRN t-shirt. You'll note Maizy there, taking up the right hand side of the photo. She's a little too late to obscure Ethel, but not too late to make a point: She's chilly. She's neglected. She's naked and she's jealous and she needs a t-shirt, too! We are sure if your dog knew there was a whole selection of shirts with Frenchies on them, they would demand at least one for everyday and one for dress-up.
While you are shopping, you could pick up a calendar or two and a sweatshirt for yourself. We have some great holiday designs.

Everydoggie needs a little something under the tree, don't you agree? hints
The Frog Princess

A Rose by Any Other Name: Smeagol

A little over a year ago, the NC10 came into FBRN's care. Last month, Smeagol celebrated with a little chicken liver doggy-cake and a colorful new shirt. Handsome as ever, and now with gravy-fresh breath!

O gentle Smeagolo,
If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully!

Your Juliet,
The Frog Princess

Eloise

This beautiful girl came to us several weeks ago, when her family had to move to a place that didn't allow animals. Though she's healthy and strong, Eloise is a little backward in the social graces--she'll need a home where people will patiently work with her on learning how to react and behave around people. The first time she went to the vet's office, she had an anxiety attack and made lots of horrible sounds and caused a scene. Fortunately, the vet was experienced in treating fearful dogs, and no one lost any blood. Except Eloise, and only what was needed to test her for heartworm.
In order to desensitize her to places like the vet's, Eloise has spent time over the last little while learning about the vet's office and meeting strangers. A friend of Eloise's foster mom works in a vet's office and she volunteered to take Eloise to the office for a few days so she could hang out there and learn about what happens.
Eloise is still leery of strangers, and she likes a life that is predictable and pretty dull, really. She is a quiet girl, but she does like to play. She enjoys running around the backyard and playing with her people. She is very affectionate.
We think she'd do very well in a quiet office, and she'd be a perfect dog for a one dog only family. She'd probably do well with a male her size, but you should know that Eloise is a dominant girl, so any other dogs in the house would have to be willing to defer to her.
Deference and respect. And, from time to time, a pig ear. Is that too much to ask?

We think not, proclaims
The Frog Princess

Gretta Goes to Town

Our beautiful brindle girl, Gretta, is going to live in Austin, TX, with her new family: mom, dad and Frenchie sister, Bella. Her family reports that Gretta and Bella are a crazy pair, chasing and playing like they invented the idea of madcap romping. She has a nice big fenced yard, a wading pool for summer days and at least one person home most of the day. Judging by the grin on Gretta's face, we think she has found her happy place! Congratulations to the whole family, beams
The Frog Princess

Renault and Onjolie 4ever

Another pair of adorable Frenchies has come to FBRN to be placed in a loving home. Meet Renault and Onjolie, two little 4 year-old Russian imports with boatloads of charm. Renault is a sweetie pie who listens well, even though he had a nasty ear infection when he came to us. It's cleared up, now.

Onjolie is the more active of the two, and seeks and gets attention for herself more often than Renault. Both dogs have awful teeth, and poor Onjoli has a vaginal prolapse. Both dogs have some weakness in the back end. We'll have their teeth seen to, and they'll be spayed and tutored as the case may be. We have been fortunate to find a veterinarian willing to treat the dogs at a discount, but the fees are likely to be high, due to the extensive nature of the dogs' dental problems, and given both dogs' weakness in the back. If you can offer any donations to this couple, please visit their foster page and click on the bone.

Renault and Onjolie are being fostered in Vermont. Mmmm. Vermont in winter. Listen! We can just hear Rosemary Clooney and the gang from White Christmas singing "Snow!"

Off to rent a certain DVD,
The Frog Princess

2007 is Just around the Corner!

Lillie is so excited about the new FBRN calendars, she can hardly contain herself! She had to grab a stuffie to stifle her screams of delight!

Next year will be here sooner than you think. You need a calendar. Possibly two.

Now on sale for 20 per cent off (through Dec 3) and free shipping for orders over $50.

Why you can't beat that with a stick, says
The Frog Princess

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving, we'd like to reintroduce you to some of our foster Frenchies in some of their foster parents' favorite photos and let you know what they are thankful for, in the words of their foster parents.


Now, I know it is a strange picture for a favorite but it is the first picture after surgery where Valentine had the sparkle back in her eyes.
Val is thankful that she found an organization that has been patient enough to see her through her long healing process. She is looking forward to finding a place to call a home of her own, hopefully before Christmas. Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers with FBRN. :) She could not have made it through it all without them.




Hi, I'm "Clyde" a foster Frenchie and I'm thankful this holiday to have a warm bed to sleep in, plenty of good food, some other doggie friends to play with, and a lot of love and attention from my foster mom and dad.



joey is grateful for upholstery, and warm clothes, and a warm body to snuggle with and a safe place to snuggle down. we are grateful he is doing so well.


Gussy is grateful for a nice pillow to lie on and a foster family to love him.





Faith and Hope are thankful for good friends. They are also thankful that I have a lot of stuffies that they can tear up!! haha!!!!











Louis is thankful for the sunshine. He has spent so much time in a pet store. He just loves soaking in the rays.




I think this is one of Jack that hasn't been seen before. He's sitting in his new bed. I think Jack is most thankful for - honestly? - being fed regularly!! He's a super chow hound. Next on his list would be kind humans who pet him and play with him. He's a simple guy who enjoys simple pleasures. If he knew what Thanksgiving was, i.e. a big feast, he'd be all over it.
Happy Thanksgiving to all, humans and canines alike.



Brutty says he's thankful for love and lots of toys.





Rue says he's thankfull to have friends that look just like him and to be going to his forever home in time for Christmas. Bet he gets lots of presents!!!!!!!!





Ah, well if I had to guess what Higgins is thankful for I would have to say
it's for the plethora of nap times he enjoys...I love the way frenchies look
when they sleep.









Bugsy is thankful for: FBRN, Thanksgivings spent cruising around on his Harley in the Southern California sunshine, sleeping in, romps in the yard and on the leash, gentle hugs, a soft bed and toys, toys, toys (especially balls)! Bugsy is also looking forward to motoring up to his forever home come Saturday.


Our warmest wishes for a wonderful, delicious and happy Thanksgiving. We are profoundly grateful for all the foster families, volunteers and supporters of this rescue, and for the adoptive families who step forward to give our fosters loving, peaceful, safe and healthy homes.

The Frog Princess

Shoeless Joe Makes a Pitch

Poor Shoeless Joe. He's got it rough. The clock keeps ticking and ticking and yet there keeps on being no food in his dish. We aren't sure how this can have happened, but we are looking into it, you bet, Joe!
It's not like this pitiful wayfaring stranger couldn't use a coupla calories! You remember Joe, he's the dog who went walkabout for 6 months before somebody found him, malnourished, with his poor face all full of infected bite marks, and generally looking like a half-crazed junkyard dog.

The vet he was taken to was coincidentally the same vet his family used,
and the vet turned him over to the rightful owners. All was bliss and prodigal son partying until Joe felt the family's infant was low-dog and he started getting uppity with the old-timer dog. Joe had had just a little too much autonomy out in the world. He got himself a ticket to FBRN.

And now his face is all better, and his pockets have been picked, and he's had a little surgery to widen his nostrils and make his breathing easier. The neighbors down the street are no longer worried about earth-quaking snores they hear at night, and his foster family is getting some rest.


You know that expression, "It's a dog's life?" We think that's supposed to mean that times are tough, life's a hard road, you gotta just keep pickin' em up and puttin' em down.
Judging from this photo, we think the phrase should be redefined.
Junkyard dog? Naw, he's turned out to be a lot of hot air with hair on it, has ol' Joe. He dreams of nothing more than a couple of enormous meals a day, a chauffeur-driven convertible, an in-house disco, and a gaggle of beautiful Frenchie dancing girls to make his life complete.

But he'll settle for a forever family who loves him to distraction, who'll be available for a little Frenchie wrasslin', and who'll provide a big, blanketed bed stocked with warm-hearted, warm-blooded bipeds.

Dream big, Shoeless! urges
The Frog Princess

Bugsy

We've all had those days.

You know, the weather is beautiful, the company is pleasant, the day's work is done and it's time to relax. You climb into your favorite chair or flop onto your comfy sofa and prepare for a little well-earned zoning out.




And yet something is just not right. You shift around a little bit, you pick up a magazine, maybe you consider a little snack.
No. No. No. Just can't get comfortable. The magazine isn't really what you want. There aren't any Chee-tos and you don't really feel like walking to the store.

You get up off your comfy seat.

Maybe you'll know it when you see it.

You wanna play fetch? No.

Wanna chase your brother? Nah.

Patrol the perimeter, maybe mail a letter? Huh uh. Nope.

You wanna chew a stuffie?


That's IT!

Oh, that is what you want. The stuffie. Bliss.

Now to persuade your foster Mom that she needs some Chee-tos. Needs 'em now.

Needs 'em bad.

It's true. A stuffie a day keeps the boredom away, nods
The Frog Princess

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful Boy

As John Lennon wrote more than a generation ago, "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans," so we thought, as this holiday week begins, we'd offer you a moment to pause, take a moment, and look deeply into the eyes of a very beautiful soul.

This is our dear Carlin, currently Under Review while his foster family selects a forever home for him. We think these photos, taken on the way home from a vet visit, are very lovely. Carlin seems to be speaking volumes with his expression, here, and though he may be sending psychic commands to stop at the fast food joint for a plain burger and some fries, we prefer to think that Carlin is feeling gratitude for all the ways his life has gotten better since he came into our care.
His vision is nearly clear, his hearing has returned, and the surgery he underwent to remove a polyp was a success.

This loving, active, people-person dog will be enriching some lucky family's life, thanks to FBRN's generous and loyal supporters, and the tender and devoted care of his foster family.

"Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better."

Thank you for answering Carlin's prayer.

The Frog Princess

Sophie Has a Home

Sophie, our little cyclone in a dog, has found a forever home in a men-only household. Having taken an intense dislike to women, Sophie will be living with her adoptive dad and his dad in a lovely home with Frenchie brother, Clarke, an FBRN grad and one of the deli dozen; Frenchie sister Chloe; and Pug sister Daphne.
We believe that Sophie will be happy in her fenced yard and will never want for playmates in her home. Happy landings, Sophie! calls
The Frog Princess