Pache Finds a Seat

Pied Pache, an FBRN grad, and his sister Dulcie are best friends. He's always got to be near her.

Pache, you better watch yourself, advises
The Frog Princess

Uno!

Uno was an FBRN Outpost placement a few years ago. Now, family circumstances have conspired to bring him back to rescue.

He's a goofy boy, all floppy ear and grin, and he seems to have very few temperamental twitches.




Uno's name was Bruno, but since we have had a Bruno or two come through FBRN, and record keeping gets hairy when we have to try to keep track of two or more dogs with the same name, we abbreviated his moniker to Uno. At 32 or more pounds, he's not just "the One" he is "The Big One!"







He crossed the nation's border to go and live in the Canadian urban scene of Toronto, where we hope he will learn to wear a toque and speak a second language while he is being fostered. Maybe just learn to read the street signs.



His housetraining is coming along apace, and his earnest good-nature has won him fans in two countries. He's very energetic and eager to please, he loves to hear you call his name and he gets along very well with other dogs, especially ze ladies, hong, hong, hong! (Maurice Chevalier laugh and eyebrow wiggles, there)



He's a boy who can turn a rainy afternoon into an opportunity for pleasant gnawing on a nylabone in the company of a friend. He's a very charming, companionable sort of fellow, and one who could be happy in any milieu: quiet or chaotic, single person or family, apartment or palace.

He should be ready to be posted as available any day now--if you think you can offer this happy boy a happy home, submit an application and see what happens.



Good luck! exclaims
The Frog Princess

Doc and Jacques

Meet these two little littermate refugees from misfortune, Doc (brindle) and Jacques (cream). Their owner is having personal problems and can't care for them, and no one in his family was able to give these two the consistent care and attention they needed, so we are happy to step in and help. Jacques is a funny boy, but he's had a few problems since coming into our care. He and Doc started having fights in their new home, so they were placed in separate foster homes. Jacques is a shy guy, and we are keeping an eye on him to see if his disposition changes, now that he is not competing with the more boisterous Doc. Both dogs came to us with staph infections, and each dog had an infected ear. Both seem to be suffering from food allergies, and are doing well on a special, high-quality diet. The dogs weren't reliably house-trained when they came to us, but are doing better now.
Doc has epilepsy, but hasn't had a seizure since last March, thanks to medications.
He and Jacques both came to us with elongated palates, but Doc's seems especially bad. We won't do surgery to correct the condition until we are sure that the anti-seizure meds are up to full potency in his bloodstream.
Our vet noted that his seizure in March followed a surgery and that the medication levels in his blood at the time were not up where they should be, so we must be careful not to rush the surgery, if it's determined to be necessary.
These two boys are good dogs, but they are poster kids for what can go wrong with Frenchies. Allergies, epilepsy, resistance to house-training and elongated palates are just the beginning! From there, some Frenchies go on to include in their resumes a lousy temperament, damaged spine, tender tummy, eye ulcers, ear infections, UTI's and a host of other medical and emotional points of interest. If you think you are interested in a French Bulldog, think hard about whether you are ready to take on the potential problems that come with these adorable critters. And the potential vet bills.

We don't mean to frighten anyone, or to misrepresent the Frenchie as being unhealthy generally. We only want to ensure that anyone who feels a Frenchie tugging at their heartstrings has a clear-eyed view of the rewards and risks of loving these silly nutbars.

In tolerable good health ourself, we remain your devoted
Frog Princess

Shoeless Joe Sitting Pretty

Why are Frenchies so beloved? We don't know. We have some ideas, though.

Could it be the utter, ineffable and ineluctable preciousness of da feet? And the sitting with the feet so arranged all adorably and in such a way that is...not possibly anything but Frenchie? That crazy, darling way of sitting and then, of course, that face.


Yes. The feet and the face. They drive the people wild.

The Frog Princess

Pippin Pauses

Here's Pippin, a new foster who came in with several other dogs this past December. She was surrendered following an unpleasant incident with a child visitor. Naughty Pippin.
She's spending some time in a child-free home, being fostered with a Frenchie sibling in Oregon. At just about a year old, Pippin has some growing up to do, and we believe that she can learn to play nicely with others and to reinvent herself as a very good girl who is very good all the time, rather than her current incarnation as the infamous little girl "who had a little curl." If she can't bring herself to Pollyanna-tivity, perhaps we can find her a home where her beautiful wickedness will be appreciated.

This photo was taken while Pippin was just wrapping up a yawn. It's completely unfair to capture her in a vulnerable moment like this, looking not-so-sweet, but if she were a big celebrity, the paparazzi who snapped this shot would be raking in the dough! It amused us, and we thought we'd share it with you. Power does tend to corrupt, you know. The Frog Princess is not above amusing herself at the expense of others. This is an ugly truth about ourselves.

If you'd like to sponsor young Pippin while she undergoes some therapy and training, you can click on the bone on her foster roster page.

(She's not nearly as naughty as she looks!) whispers
The Frog Princess

Why Hank Was Cranky

Hank is being fostered in Georgia. You may remember this guy, the one a Good Samaritan found playing catch-me-if-you-can in the busy streets of Knoxville? He's under review at the moment, soon to be placed with a family if all goes well.He's a goooood-lookin' hunk of animal, and he's got a wonderful disposition, to boot.

So when his foster mom noticed over the weekend that Hank's ordinarily cheery and upbeat personality had taken a downward turn, and he'd become a little crabby, a bit taciturn, somewhat standoffish and altogether unlike himself, she didn't just assume he was having a bad day. She took him to the vet.And it's a good thing she did, too! Poor Hank had a couple of infected ears, and the infection was there without any visible signs: no redness or fluid or temperature. All his excellent foster mom had to go on was a shift in Hank's behavior and personality.

So there's a tip for you. If your Mr. Hyde starts behaving like Dr. Jekyll, zippy yourself and your best pal right off to the nearest veterinarian for a little visit. Could be that bad mood is caused by inflammation, swelling, pain or infection!

Learning something new each and every day,
The Frog Princess

Miss Mouse Has a Spa Day

When a Frenchie comes into FBRN, she comes into a network of built-in aunties and uncles, interested friends she's never met and family members who may not be blood, but are nonetheless related by a kinship of love and concern

Such is the case with Miss Mouse, a fortunate and tiny FBRN grad who occasionally spends the weekend with one of our volunteers while her mum and dad are away. On this particular visit, Miss Mouse enjoyed a spa day, including the use of the resident Frenchie's lovely terrycloth robe!





When this photo appeared on the FBRN volunteers' listserv, a chorus, a tide, a cacophony of voices swelled up to ask where on earth the robe pictured here came from! Where could we find one just like it? How could such an item of fabulous fashion and fundamental function have evaded our purchase? Itchy fingers longed to fling charge card numbers at the screen and to ensure the immediate FedEx'ing of a similar accoutrement. Where? Who? How?





We had no answers, alas. Those who would like to find a robe like this for their own wee sybarite must launch a websearch and hope for the goodwill of a Google god. Or break out the sewing machine and hope the home economics class lectures of 30 years ago are retrievable from the dim recesses of memory! Meanwhile, Miss Mouse lounged in her yummy warm robe, enjoyed a pedicure and a massage and an ear-cleaning and rested with little cucumber circles on her eyelids while the cozy fragrance of aroma-therapy candles and the creamy strains of Madeleine Peyroux's latest album filled the air.

Mmmm, in our imagination we can just catch a whiff of eucalyptus and tangerine and lavender and grapefruit and gardenia and sandalwood, sniffs
The Frog Princess

Therapy Murpheee!

We got a photo of FBRN grad, Murpheee, all dressed up with some of his therapy friends. Murpheee goes to visit folks in the hospital and the hospice and retirement homes. He's a hard-workin' dog, is Murpheee, between his volunteer work and his duties as foster sibling! He might be the hardest-workin' Frenchie in California! Murph, you make us proud.
Sincerely,
The Frog Princess

Lillie's Love

At FBRN, we have wonderful, dedicated, drop-everything-when-you-call-'em volunteers. Our foster parents are second-to-none, and our whole organization is the envy of many rescue groups. And you know who else makes what we do possible?

Our rescue-friendly vets.

Here's Lillie, who has undergone a c-section, spay, two ear ablations, and a number of treatments relating to her existing problems stemming from her neglected condition upon surrender. She is looking deeply into the eyes of her favorite man: her vet. Dr. Dalo has seen her through many of her procedures, and it is a testament that Lillie is always thrilled to get to go see him.


We are very lucky to have many generous, talented veterinarians on our team. We have a partial list posted of vets who have donated time, products, medicines, talent and care to our foster dogs. We hope you'll visit there and when it's time to see a vet for your Frenchie, consider taking your friend to a vet with experience in the special needs of French bulldogs, and with a track record of supporting our work in rescuing Frenchies in need.

We wish all our vets a Happy New Year, and we extend to each of them a grateful kiss.

Sincerely,
The Frog Princess

Pumpkin for Everyone!

One thing we know about our volunteers: we can count on them. Truly count on them.

We got a call on the Wednesday of Thanksgiving week that a woman wanted to surrender her Frenchie girl right away, as soon as possible, tomorrow, even. On Thanksgiving? we asked. Yes. On Thanksgiving.
You'd think it might be hard to find a person willing to forego the holiday celebration and fetch home a young foster Frenchie. Especially one with medical issues and a history of seizures. We would have to spend hours calling around to find someone who would abandon the Thanksgiving tofurkey and mashed pots and yams and green bean casserole and the warmth and company of family and friends to pick up a foster pup. Might take some doing.
You might think so, O Ye of Little Faith, but you would be mistaken! The first home who heard about this foster girl volunteered to go and fetch her, have her vetted and would even foster her, though she had a foster, Roxanne, in the house already! So sweet Pumpkin joined in with a family at the Thanksgiving groaning board and lay around and watched football with the gang afterward! Yes, she did, and she even got a little taste of sweet potato and tofurkey.

Isn't she the prettiest thing? She's doing well with us and her seizures are growing less frequent and less intense as we slowly adjust the dosage to the proper levels. She is having fewer accidents in the house and she is having lots of fun with her foster sibs. She's become quite a vocal girl, and she goes wild for car rides. People who see her stop dead and swoon from the impact of her gorgeous face and perfect coat. Keep an eye out for Pumpkin if you think you have what it takes to keep her on a strict medication schedule and you have the time to give a young Frenchie who needs structure and consistency. She's going to make a family very happy.

The Frog Princess

Have Yourself a Merry Little Smeagol

Someone wanted to wish the people at FBRN a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year!

















Right back atcha, young Smeags!
The Frog Princess

Anna Belle

Let's check in on one of our long term fosters who is now available and looking for a family to love. She is a big fan of riding in the car, and in this photo, she's hanging out on her shotgun seat. She'll have a seatbelt on before the trip begins, not to worry!






Her name is Anna Belle, and she came to us in an appalling state of neglect. As you see, she's come a long way from the day we first took her in.





And she's still loving her lovely pink bed, a gift from her favorite auntie.



She's having a wonderful recovery and is enjoying her time in foster care. She loves her therapeutic baths and can sometimes be found in the tub waiting for someone to come along with an urgent desire to wash a dog.

If you have a place for a girl with some special needs, you don't mind serving as a shampoo girl, and you think Anna Belle might be happy with you, check out her description and see if you and she might be a good fit.

She really deserves to spend her remaining days in a loving, doting home as the center of attention. That is not too much to ask, insists
The Frog Princess

Louis Waits

Louis is back on the available page! A lucky family is living out in the world somewhere, just waiting for this happy young dog to join them.



Sweet Louis is inspecting each application as it comes in. If you think you are up to the challenge of providing this funny boy a good home, take a look at his requirements and send in your application today.

Hoping Louis' New Year dreams come true,
The Frog Princess

Merry Christmas from FBRN

Good Morning and a Merry Christmas to you from all of us at FBRN! Here is our darling Lucy Lou wearing the footie pajamas one of our volunteers made just especially to fit her special figure.

There's a video of Lucy Lou tearing up the backyard of her foster home on the FBRN website. Disability? What disability?


She's had a hard time sleeping, because she's been waiting and listening for Santa and his clattering pals to show up. Her foster brothers and sisters have told her all about the Christmas tradition, and she's pretty sure she's going to be getting a stocking full of treats and toys with the rest of the dogs.






Lucy Lou and all our fosters wish you and your friends and family a wonderful holiday and send you wishes for a sweet New Year filled with hope and comfort and joy.



And to all the volunteers, foster dogs, adoptive families and FBRN supporters of 2006, we send our grateful and affectionate greetings. We look forward to many more happy stories by the time we celebrate the holidays next year.


The Frog Princess

Merry Christmas from Marty Crackers!

Here is FBRN grad Marty Crackers, last seen on the blog keeping his youthful figure in a track suit on his personal treadmill. His new family took him to the Quakertown Santa Paws, where Marty was a big hit with the ladies. He also tried to eat Santa's beard, but the less said about that, the better. (Note to Marty: Santa is the guy who brings the presents! Don't make him mad!)

We wish you all a warm and healthy holiday!
The Frog Princess

Dewey in the land of dreamy dreams

Dewey, now Bubba, has found a comfortable place to rest his weary head and dream of sugarplums. His new Dad sent us this photo when he was considering how to find a place to sleep. In between the Frenchies? Curled around the Frenchies? On the couch? We believe the Frenchies, like Frenchies everywhere at this time of year, are being extra good and they are merely warming the bed for the founder of the Christmas feast! Frenchies know from whence their Christmas toys come!

A wonderful holiday season to all our Frenchies, past, present and future, from
The Frog Princess

Happy Birthday, Clyde!

We received this note detailing the festivities for Clyde's birthday at his foster family's home. Rebel is an FBRN grad and Mickey is a Boston terrier rescue. They all have hats on, and they all got some pie!

"It just wouldn't be a birthday without the traditional pumpkin pie (without the crust) served for the guest of honor (and all the party attendees as well!)
Today we celebrated our little foster dog, Clyde's 4th birthday (it was actually yesterday, but I thought it was today). Mickey and Rebel helped out with the treats.
Clyde just received news that his new "forever home" was approved today, so he'll be joining his new mom, a graduating veterinary student, this Friday and will celebrate the holidays with her and his new "grandparents" this year. We're going to miss Clyde who has spent about three months with us while he patiently awaited his new home, but we're happy for him to have found his own personal veterinarian to take care of his every need. Happy 4th birthday Clyde!"

Happy birthday, indeed! And what a swell gift, too: a personal physician and built-in grandparents to spoil him rotten.

Bonne anniversaire, cheri!
The Frog Princess

Gumpie

Would you please take a look at this handsome beast?We are all agog at this boy's beautiful piedness, his clear-eyed gaze, and his svelte figure.
His name is Gumpie, for Bubba Gump, and he has come to FBRN after having been stolen and recovered. Sadly, during his time away from home an earlier injury appears to have been aggravated, and he has been having problems now with bowel and bladder control.














Gumpie has seen a vet and is in the process of being evaluated for treatment. He will be going to the Oklahoma State University veterinary school, so we know that he'll have the most up-to-date veterinary medicine available. If you'd like to support the cost of treating young Gumpie's condition, you can find his sponsor page here!

Wouldn't it be nice to have a treatment program in place for the New Year? We're keeping our fingers crossed for the best possible news, and we'll let you know as soon as we hear anything, promises
The Frog Princess

A Loss

It has been a sad few months for us at FBRN. We have lost a number of graduates, and, though the sadness of each loss is shared, we know that for our adoptive families the grieving is very keen.
Last month, we got a note from an adopter, now a foster mom herself, letting us know that her FBRN grad, Amy Lou, had passed away from serious kidney disease. Here's part of her note:
"Hi everyone. Very bad news. We were giving Amy Lou her home hydration. It
didn't really seem to help, and I was so concerned, as her kidney values
didn't come up after two days of hospitalization. She actually lost her vision yesterday - was walking into things,
etc. She also couldn't even stand up long enough to go potty. I called
and made the dreaded appt and at least was fortunate enough to have the day
off from my job. My husband and I took her in late morning and she
went to the Rainbow Bridge. I know that we have to accept it, but she is
only six years old. I think we both lost a piece of our heart and we will
never get it back.

I just want to tell you about my darling little Amy Lou. We adopted her
through FBRN in August of '05. We had 15 wonderful months with our little
love and I wouldn't miss that for anything in the world. She was such a
quiet unassuming little girl. She wanted to be included, but also liked to
stay in her kennel alone. She had some staring contests with my six yr old
Boston, but within a short time they became absolute buddies. My Trixie was
very upset and protective of Amy, knowing that something was terribly wrong.

Amy didn't beg for attention, but when I finally got a chance to sit down on
the couch, she was right there, begging to get up. She was too small to get
up on the couch and chairs and had to be helped. She loved to stand in the
kitchen right under our feet, hoping that something would fall. She loved
treats and I had to be careful, as she would refuse to eat sometimes in
favor of getting a treat. She loved our backyard and loved to dig. I
always went out with her and she would look back at me to see where I was,
and then run like the wind trying to get away so she could dig and do her
thing.

[Her foster mom] told us that Amy loved
to run over to an Armadillo hole to see if the Armadillo was there. The
first sight I had of her, she was running and had to be caught and brought
back to us. When we first got her, we were traveling across the country to
see relatives. We joked that Amy thought her new home was our 5th wheel.
She had quite a time thoroughly exploring our 5th wheel.
We loved all of
her frenchie snorts and everything about her personality. I was concerned
that she drank so much and checked it out with our vet, but no one seemed
too concerned. The vet that did her care seems to feel that Amy may have
gotten a uterine infection during whelping, and if not treated, they can
affect the kidneys in a very bad way. I know that we have to accept losing her. It is so hard when she is only
six yrs old. Our oldest Boston had to be put down at 14. However, we had
nursed her through Cushing's disease, and we could at least feel that she
got a full life. We also had to put down my darling little poodle in the
past, but she was 17 almost 18 and again, had a chance to live her life. I
wanted to have Amy for years and for her to enjoy every day. I've already
given the advice that you risk great hurt and pain when you love and that is
true. I guess I just wanted her to have a full, full life and six years old
is just too soon to go to the Rainbow Bridge."

The FBRN family joins you in your grief and sorrow over Amy's loss. She was so fortunate to have known your family's love.
The Frog Princess