Bostons Gone Coastal

Tis the Second Season

2014-01-19T10:17:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again when we get super busy with all the FUNdraisers and events. We get to meet new people and see new places and we all act like puppies at the park for the first time.

I'm so excited that our first event is the

for Monty's Home, this group does a lot of great things and it's something fun to be part of.

Feb 16, 2014 11-4

Coastline Convention Center

533 Nutt Street, Wilmington, NC

This will be CCBTR’s 2^nd year at the pet expo and we do hope you will join us. We need volunteers to make this event a huge success for the dogs!

Barbara Raab is one of those people who turned a heartbreaking experience, the death of her beloved dog Monty, into a positive experience for hundreds of people and dogs. Barbara opened Monty’s home which provides service to human and canine alike.

For pet owners losing a dog is losing a family member, dogs provide love and comfort that can’t be equaled. Volunteers with the Rainbow Bridge Journey services help people through pet illness, end of life issues and the grieving process.

In 2008 Monty’s home started Pawsitive Partners Prison Program the first companion dog prison training program in Southeastern North Carolina. Prisoners and shelter dogs alike are screened for the program, through different screening methods I assure you. The prisoners are not evaluated for food and toy aggression. The dogs then live at the prison and receive training daily using only positive reinforcement. This program has proven many times over to be hugely beneficial to both human and canine alike who may have felt that they were thrown away. After graduation the dogs are available for adoption.

How dogs prepare you for parenthood

2013-10-07T19:25:00.001-04:00

I once saw in a movie how people in 12-step programs are told to get a plant, keep it alive for 6 months, then get a dog; after another 6 months they can start dating. Why, because dogs prepare you for parenthood the way no other creature can.

The typical day in the life of a pet parent starts early: let the dog out to go pee. If they happen to be puppies or a new dog, this can also involve following them around waiting for them to do their business in the wee hours of the morning so that you can give them praise in the hopes they won’t perform the same act in the house.

Then you make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, or some other caffeinated beverage to jump-start your brain. While you fix your cup, you wonder why you didn’t do this before you went outside with the dog.

You manage to feed the dog while not spilling your coffee into their food bowl, because heaven knows the dog has enough energy first thing in the morning and should be sharing it with you.

You attempt to dress for work and let dog outside to run one more time before attempting to crate it and bolting out the door.

Remember to buy lots of lint removers, or like one friend does, buy clothes the color of your dog; she wears a lot of beige to match her golden retrievers hair.

Where are the dog treats?

Who would take the dog treats off the counter? What is the box doing in the bathroom? Oh yeah, that’s right, you had to bathe it last night after a run-in with something smelly.

The box is empty, but that was a brand new box, as you feel eyes upon you and see a droopy head and guilty expression. Yes, you know what I’m talking about, those sad eyes that promise with so much emotion to never do “that” again.

Cursing all the way to the kitchen, you throw the box in the trash and reach for lunchmeat or a cheese slice to tempt the guilty dog into crate. Finally, you lock the crate, grab your keys, and run for the door. STOP, you forgot to turn on the TV so he’ll have something to listen to while you are gone. Okay, now you head for the car. WAIT! You forgot your lunch and more coffee.

Finally out of the driveway and on to work… Yeah! You made it through another morning.

When you return home after a long day, you take a deep breath as you walk to your door. Did he escape? Is there a mess? What will you find behind that door? You slowly open the door, He is still in his crate and very happy to see you.No mess to clean up today.

As your puppy follows your every step in the kitchen, waiting for anything to fall to the floor, you go through the list of what you’re cooking so you know what he can have when it hits the floor and what you have to stop him from grabbing.

Dinner time. There are two schools of thought on this: one is to feed your dog while you are eating and the other is to feed your dog after. The reasons vary, but if you eat first then feed your dog, that establishes the pack order that dogs need. This is one philosophy I buy into wholeheartedly. I have seen many foster puppies do wonderfully as soon as they realize where they fit in the pack order. But while your dog waits to be fed, he will once again give you those sad eyes and stare at every bite you take or lie under the table hoping you forget he is there so he can grab anything that falls. All that staring and drooling is really tough work.

Walking is a great way to bond and relax with your dog. Plus it has the added benefit of exercise for both of you. Walking is also a great to teach your puppy, just remember, you are in charge, not the dog.

Ahhh, the dog has been fed, walked, gone outside, rewarded, and now you’re ready to relax. Now you can curl up on the couch and watch TV while your pooch plays with a toy. Nope, you are the toy. The next thing you know you’ve missed your favorite show crawling around on the floor to get the toy out from under the table or couch, playing tug or fetch, giving belly rubs, cleaning ears, clipping toenails, or putting the stuffing back into his favorite toy.

Think a shower will be relaxing? Not with him scratching at the door. He wants in. He doesn’t want a bath, he’s just wondering what you’re doing and why you aren’t paying attention to him. And it’s not just when you are taking a shower.

Finally, you hit the couch for some TV for real this time and he curls up next to you in a ball and falls asleep. And you realize there is nothing better than a sleeping dog. How could you not love the little guy? And then he farts.

Binx

2013-08-19T19:03:00.000-04:00

Meet Binx, a senior dog that seems to have been through it all. Now, the only thing this sweet senior guy wants is a forever home to call his own.

Binx was picked up as a stray in Eastern North Carolina. When the shelter called CCBTR they told us that this guy seemed to be in pretty rough shape. He had a hole in his ear the size of a pencil hole. His teeth were ground down close to his gums. His face and head were covered in injuries that appeared to be from fighting. His right eye had been surgically removed and he doesn’t seem to see very well out of the left eye.

Everyone assumed that he would also have a “bad” attitude. Not so. Binx is a loving, sweet dog that really wants to please his people. He is fine with female dogs but is apprehensive about male dogs. These attributes make us think that, at some time in his life, Binx lived with people who loved him and cared for him.

So what happened to this boy? We just don’t know. Was he a bait dog? His fear or apprehension with male dogs makes this seem likely. Did he get lost from his people? Did he get stolen from his people? We just don’t know.

What we do know about Binx is that he is a good, good boy. He has adjusted well to foster care. His foster Mom says that he has learned his routine very well and even “puts himself to bed” (in his crate) at the same time each evening.

Binx is house trained but still requires guidance. He keeps his bed dry all night, he knows how to use the doggie door in his foster home, and if taken out on a consistent basis he does not have accidents in the house.

Do you, or someone you know, have the love and compassion to give this guy a chance at happiness for the rest of his life? If you do, please fill out an adoption application for Binx. He’s waiting to hear all about you.

Bryce

2013-08-19T18:51:00.001-04:00

Bryce is a beautiful 8 yr old Boston terrier that was turned into the shelter by his family.

Did you have bacon?

Bryce loves his people and has a strong desire to please them. He is tolerant and playful with subtle, submissive dogs that do not challenge him. He prefers female dogs to males. What we have learned about Bryce while he has been in foster dog care is that he is fearful of dogs that challenge him or try to engage him. He is fearful of dogs that are excited or display dominant behaviors.

Bryce is currently undergoing professional behavior training on site at a training facility. This training will help alleviate his fear of other dogs and enable him to live peacefully in a forever home with a human that acts as his pack-leader.

Although Bryce is a normal, playful and loving BT in all other ways, he will never be the dog that does well at a dog park or enjoys shopping in Petsmart. However, Bryce IS the dog that will love his family and be loyal to them forever. Bryce would love a fenced yard where he can wander peacefully enjoying the sun knowing that his yard is his safe place.

We are looking for a very special home for Bryce. ARE YOU this home?

Ty, the adorable adoptable retriever mix.

2013-08-05T20:51:00.003-04:00

Yea he's definitely not a Boston but he needs a home and who am I to be turn down a dog in need.

Ty is a very sweet dog, came right too my friend and hopped right up into the car. He does great with other dogs, good with kids, is calm but loves to give kisses and stand on his hind legs to say hello.

He does have separation anxiety and is currently trying out meds ($32/mo) to help calm him down when his people leave. Only gets into trouble when he is left alone, then he becomes a professional escape artist. He absolutely does not like to be locked in small spaces.

He will need someone who can spend a lot of time with him. When he's around his people he has wonderful manners and is a very good boy. He will not run away off leash but he will wander when curious. He will be neutered on August 19th, is currently taking Trifexis, and was treated for round worms.

He is also being treated for ehrlichia, which is a tick born illness. If money permits, we will be doing a blood panel to make sure it hasn't affected his kidneys or other organs. Also, the vet says he's approximately two years old.

Are you ready for the storm?

2013-07-17T17:35:00.002-04:00

Yea this one is loooooong but we have seen so many cries for help after devastating weather events that I had to say something. Here on the east coast we watch the weather men make fools of themselves as soon as there's a swirl in the Atlantic, other parts of the country don't have the advance warning.
Here's a list of things that will help us all no matter where we live, we just adapt to our own unique part of the country.

PREPARE:

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
Printable Emergency Plans

• Water; one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation
• Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles and cooking utensils.

• Food; at least a three day supply of non-perishable food

• Battery-powered radio and extra batteries

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• First aid kit

• Whistle to signal for help

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

• Manual can opener for food

• Local maps

• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

To Do For Your Fur Babies as soon as you gather your emergency kits.

•Contact multiple hotels within a targeted safe zone and find out their pet policy. Be sure to ask about their policies in evacuation situations.

•Ask about any restrictions on number, size, and species.

•Inquire if the "no pet" policies would be waived in an emergency.

•Keep a list of animal-friendly places handy, and call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home.

•Online resources for pet-friendly hotels:

Doginmysuitcase.com

Pet-friendly-hotels.net

Pets-allowed-hotels.com

Petswelcome.com

Additional items to gather as storm grows closer include

• Prescription medications and glasses

•Write down your pets’ feeding schedules, medical conditions and behavior issues in case you need to board them.

•Keep your veterinarian’s name and number with you. A business card works great.

•Make sure to have photos of you and your pets, to help identify them in case of separation and to prove ownership. Microchips are still the best method of permanent identification.

• Infant formula and diapers

• Pet food and extra water for your pet

5 days worth of food for each pet, bowls and a can opener if you are using canned food.

Dry food – 1 cup per 20-25 lbs of pet is a rough estimate.

Water: (per day amounts)

Dog Cats

30 lbs ¼ gallon (4 cups), Small Cats 1 cup

60 lbs ½ gallon (8 cups), Medium Cat 2 cups

90 lbs ¾ gallon (12 cups) Large Cat 3 cups

• Cash or traveler’s checks and change

• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. I have a 3 ring binder with page protectors that stays in my safe unless I evacuate.

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

• Comfort items - blankets bed and toys if convenient, to reduce stress for each pet

• Carriers – for safe transport of pets and to prevent escape.

• Pillowcases - you should have a pillowcase for each cat and small dog to aid in capture and control.

•Leashes and harnesses – to maintain control of your pets when they are under stress.

• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes

• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant.

• Fire extinguisher

• Matches in a waterproof container

• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

• Paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils

• Paper and pencil

• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Stocking up now on emergency supplies can add to your family’s safety and comfort during and after a disaster. Store enough supplies for at least three days, preferably seven days, in one place.

If You Evacuate:

Take your emergency supplies kit.

DON’T DRIVE ON FLOODED ROADS.

TURN AROUND - DON’T DROWN!

Have a place to go, such as the home of a family member or friend, motel or shelter. When possible, evacuating within your county reduces the chance of being stranded in traffic and shortens your time to return home. Notify family or friends of your plans, when you are leaving and where your are going.

Fill your car with gas. Take only the vehicle you will need to get you and your family to safety. This helps to reduce the amount of traffic on the roads.

Bring extra cash. Banks may be closed, ATMs may not work.

Enact your pet plan.

Bring important family documents in a waterproof container.

Secure your home.

Bring toys, books and games for entertainment.

Bring pillows and blankets. Also, bring rain gear and sturdy shoes.

Map out your route. Be familiar with your area’s evacuation routes.

Don’t panic, arrive safely at your destination.

After the storm is over, listen to local officials for further instructions.

Take care even after the disaster.

• There are many dangers following a disaster, some of which are on the ground and in locations our pets are more likely to visit than us. Be sure to scout out any area your pet will be investigating.

•Don't allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your pet may be disoriented.

•While you assess the damage, keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers inside the house. If your house is damaged, your pets could escape.

•Be patient with your pets after a disaster. Try to get them back into their normal routines as soon as possible. Be ready for behavioral problems caused by the stress of the situation. If these problems persist, or if your pet seems to be having any health problems, talk to your veterinarian.

•If your community has been flooded, search your home and yard for wild animals who may have sought refuge there. Stressed wildlife can pose a threat to you and your pet.

PetMD What is it?

2013-03-21T09:56:00.000-04:00

What is Pet MD

Pet news and recall alerts

The recall section shows chronological list of pet (not just dog) food and treat recalls. If you click on any of them you get a detailed list of what was recalled, by whom, why and contact information for questions and concerns.

Blogs

The Daily Vet is a blog featuring veterinarians from all walks of life. Every week they will tackle entertaining, interesting, and sometimes difficult topics in the world of animal medicine – all in the hopes that their unique insights and personal experiences will help you to better understand your pets.

Purely Puppy featuring Dr. Lisa Radosta is the perfect blog for puppy parents.

Dog and Cat Nutrition Nuggets are the newest offshoot of petMD’s Nutrition Center, a joint venture made up of the talents behind Hill’s Pet Nutrition and the medical information authorities of PetMD.

Healthy Assurance’s mission, featuring Dr. Doug Kenney, is simple: To provide pet owners with unbiased, reliable, helpful, and timely information on pet insurance from a veterinarian’s perspective.

Symptom checkers (just like WebMD)

I did this with the symptoms of my Mollie's incident. Drooling, trouble eating and lack of appetite. I got a range of possibilities that could make the sanest pet parent a quasi hypochondriac. Not that it's a bad thing but, like with the WebMD symptom checker, use your knowledge of your dog to go with the information.

Online pet parenting classes

There are about 15 different classes listed that range from nutrition to training to exercise and socialization. These are all great for first time pet owners or as refresher courses where even experienced owners can learn new tricks.

Health Articles
On the main page is a few of the most common pet health articles on the site with a list of thousands more. You can look them up by condition or name and there are more listed than a pet parent would need to read at once.

I really like the layout and information that is available, I think pet parents will really like this site.

Dogs truly are our best friends.

2013-02-24T09:09:00.000-05:00

Even when they are bad or sick there is nothing that most of us wouldn't do for our dogs. We love them, spoil them and do our best to take care of them. However some dogs, like my Mollie are more difficult. Mollie has two habits I have never been able to break: trash and toads.

Mollie is my special girl/best friend for one reason, her always being there for me is why I am still a live functioning person and not an alcoholic or worse.
Like many of us, I came back from Iraq a different person with my own perspective on the war and my own experiences, not all pleasant. I'm not going to delve into them because the blog is about the dogs not me.
Mollie didn't care that I was different when I came back, she didn't judge she just listened and was there. She snuggled up with me on the couch, ran errands or went running with me. When I was overwhelmed she sat with me as I pet her and organized my thoughts in order to get through my day.

That is why me and so may others can function, shes not a certified service dog but she is my dog and she takes care of me.
That's why this week was hard on my heart at the thought that something was terrible wrong and I might lose my Mollie.

Last Monday I fussed at her cause I thought she ate a toad, she was drooling everywhere, listless and wouldn't eat. I got her to drink some milk but even that didn't go far. On Wednesday she could barely walk and my husband would lift her into the bed to sleep at night I made her an appointment with the vet for Fri and that day was not coming soon enough.

Friday my husband took her in and the vet said they would have to sedate her and do x-rays that it looked like arthritis or hip dysplasia. That didn't explain the eating thing but we were starting on what we could do.
He left her there since the x-rays weren't going to be done for a few more hours. That was a long 5 hours and I'm glad that Fridays are busy at work for me.

They returned home shortly after I did with good news. Mollie did not have hip dysplasia and her arthritis is very mild , for an eleven yr old dog she is doing well.

What happened was not a toad but the trash, at some point Mollie tried to eat a rubber-band of some kind and it wrapped around the base of her tongue. It cut the sides of her tongue and caused the drooling I usually associate with her snacking on a toad. It also blocked her from swallowing food leaving her hungry and weak. I have never felt like such a bad Mom in all my life. The vet found it when he tried to administer the anesthesia.

She is on soft food rest and antibiotics for a while till it heals.
This morning after two filling meals of chicken and rice she was up running and jumping much more like her old self. She is napping more today but that's just fine, she can nap all she wants as long as she's here and healthy withe me.

Because of this every year I participate in the Walk For Those Who Can't for Canines for Service who raise money for service dogs for veterans. With everything my dog gave me please help me share that with others.
Please join CCBTR in Wilmington on March 23, 2013 to help raise money for service dogs.

*Some resources for veterans, their friends and family.
Marine Corps DSTRESS 1-877-476-7734
Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255
Wounded Warrior Project

And in this corner...... Ginger!

2013-02-16T13:03:00.003-05:00

In the beginning.

Ginger arrived from a shelter in SC courtesy of foster mom Tiffin. Ginger loves to accompany her people when they are running errands and she loves, loves, loves long car rides. She was a champ on the 13 hour ride to her foster home.

She plays well with her extended family Rat Terrier, Great Dane and Golden Doodle. Ginger is a healthy, high energy, and loving girl. She loves to play with the resident BT, Doberman, and cat in her foster home. She can play for hours in the back yard with her dog friends and does very well on leash.

Resting after playing with Pork Chop

She would also love to have a fun loving, playful dog like herself and a fenced back yard. However, active people and access to a dog park would be fine with her.

A month later….

All- we have a very sick dog in the ER today-Please keep Ginger in your
thoughts.

Day 1-- Ginger received her annual vaccines when we rescued her unknown to anyone; her body was fighting very hard to metabolize the vaccines. We had no indication that she was ill until she became lethargic. Although Ginger had been under a vet's care since that morning she was not doing well. She was admitted to the ER and had to undergo a blood transfusion and a regiment of medications. The goal is to restore her red blood cell count and get her healthy enough produce and maintain an acceptable level of red blood cells on her own.

They found that Ginger has Hemolytic Anemia. In very rare instances- it is hard for the dog's body to metabolize the vaccines and Hemolytic Anemia results. This is a dangerous condition that left untreated will result in death, but there is no conclusive link between the vaccines and hemolytic anemia.

Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia

This is the most common cause of hemolysis in adult dogs. Red blood cell destruction is caused by auto-antibodies that attack antigens present on the surface of the cells, or by antigens from medications or organisms attached to the red blood cell walls.

According to WebMD for dogs, anemia is defined as a deficiency of red blood cells in the circulatory system. Adult dogs are anemic when the concentration of red cells in the whole blood is less than 37% by volume. The normal range is 39-60%. Red cells are produced by the bone marrow and have an average life span of 110 to 120 days; the old red cells are trapped by the spleen and removed from circulation. So, that’s what the spleen does! The iron they contain is recycled to make new red blood cells, who knew red blood cells were so “green”.

The purpose of red blood cells is to carry oxygen. Thus, the symptoms of anemia are caused by insufficient oxygen in the organs and muscles. Signs include lack of appetite, lethargy and weakness. The mucous membranes of the gums and tongue become pale pink to white. In dogs with severe anemia, the pulse and respiratory rate are rapid and the dog may collapse from exertion.

Day 3-- Ginger had one transfusion and is feeling better. She is eating well and it show already. Her foster family met with her primary vet that evening to find out the next step.

I love you

Ginger required a 2nd transfusion since her RBC levels had dropped. Although this is disappointing and not what we hoped for, the doc said it is very common that 2 transfusions are needed. We just hoped that #2 did the trick and she could maintain her levels after this.

Her family visited her around 9 pm while she was in the middle of transfusion #2. Her energy and appetite was still good. Ginger was one of the few dogs in ICU that did NOT have a "will bite" sticker on her nametag.

Her RBC went from 24 that morning to 17 that evening- 30 is the goal. The vet was still hopeful that she would stabilize the following day and that he would call in the morning with an update.

Oh yea, we snuck treats in with permission, she only took the treats from Turbo. Typical-he is the doggie magnet.

I got an IV and TREATS!

Day 4— That afternoon Ginger's RBC count was holding at 26% for 12 hours straight! This great news! They also said she was eating with "gusto". The vet said “They will draw blood again around 6pm and if it maintains, she may be released tonight.”

Ginger was holding her own, with a red blood count of 31 that evening, and she got to go home.

Walking out after being carried in

Late night snacks

The last bandage being removed.

The vet on duty tonight had a great name, Dr. Merlo, who told us there is no follow up necessary unless she loses color or gets lethargic again. She is still on a heavy dose of steroids, an immune suppressant and finishes her antibiotics. She may be on medication for the rest of her life.

Day 5-- Ginger was doing great; her energy, appetite and outgoing personality were restored as before.

I'm home

Day 6-- Ginger went back to the vet this morning to get her blood checked. It is holding steady between 29-30 which is normal. She was doing fine, her stomach was a little upset yesterday, so we tried some canned food and that seemed to work better

Happy in the human bed

Notes:

Our vet is optimistic that she is young and healthy and IF her RBC drops into the teens again, to try one more transfusion and have the internist take over her case to see if the internist can find the root cause of the auto-immune disorder. Some tests the internist may do is an ultrasound or a bone marrow test.

Would Ginger be at risk coming home with all the immune suppressors? NO, she is not at risk, her platelets are normal and her blood is clotting normally.

For more information on Ginger check out CCBTR.ORG

Happy Birthday (and Happy Nubs)

2013-02-04T18:37:00.000-05:00

A few months ago I changed jobs and the ratio of spare

time to productivity completely flipped. I now leave work with one or

two files still on my desk untouched till the next day. Not that I am

a procrastinator but sometimes the brain gives out before the files

do.

So now that I have the training under control I am back.

It’s been a year since CCBTR officially hit the ground and in that

year we’ve done quite a bit. We’ve attended craft shows, dog fairs,

the “Walk for those who can’t” in Wilmington and rehomed 22 dogs.

In honor of that I thought the best way to start this year is pictures

of all the things we’ve done.

Thi year will be another great year for all our fur friends and I can't wait too see everyone in March at "Walk For Those Who Can't" the "Passion For Paws Fur Ball, New Bern" and anywhere else we may pop up.

And our next contestant is...... Jackson

2012-10-07T20:17:00.000-04:00

Jackson has been with me for three months now and his personality has really come out. He has his quirks like the rest of us but his attitude and resilience are amazing. I say that because Jax (my kids shortened Jackson to Jax) came to us from a shelter after being picked up as a stray. All we knew for certain at that time was he is about 4 years old and blind in one eye. We believe that whatever his background was it was not always the best. When we first took him in at times he was wary and when you raised your voice he tried to shrink himself, this doesn't happen at home anymore.

If he was mistreated or harmed he has overcome it and wants nothing more than to love and be loved. He doesn't let it stop him form making friends and loving people.

He plays with my dogs like they grew up together.

Last weekend he played with a Dane that outweighed him by 150 lbs and two weeks before that he spent the day playing with an 8 week old blind BT puppy.

I'll boop your nose

I love you

He is house trained and crate trained, walks pretty good on a leash, but he's not much of a runner. If you give him a Nylabone while he's in his crate he's a happy little dude. Really he's a happy little dude all the time, he just wants to be with his people.

He snuggles in my bed in the morning while I get ready for work.

And if we are watching TV or in my office he finds a soft spot to curl up. He even snuggles into my office chair while I practice piano.

When he's playful he likes to jump at my dogs who happily comply and "bitey face" ensues for the next 20-30 minutes when shiny ball syndrome kicks in and they want to watch TV again.
He is a very adaptable little guy who wants a family to love and a playmate to roughhouse with.

Jax asleep on the floor of the car after a day at the park.

Shop to Save Abandoned Dogs

2012-10-03T18:01:00.002-04:00

We would like to introduce (or reintroduce) you to iGive. This is a way for you to help Coastal Carolina Boston Terrier Rescue (CCBTR) financially without it costing you one penny. This should be of interest to everyone that cares about CCBTR and the Boston Terriers that we rescue and rehome.

So get ready to help! The holidays are just around the corner and we will all be “on-line” shopping. Let’s make sure that CCBTR receives a “gift” while we are gifting ourselves and others.

What is iGive.com?
iGive.com is an organization that works with businesses so that shoppers can give to their charity of choice without any personal extra cost or effort.

How does it work?
The only thing that you have to do is sign up with iGive.com. There is no cost for you. There are no minimum shopping dollars that you have to spend. There are only 3 things that you have to do to begin giving. 1. Sign up with iGive.com (see instructions below). 2) Choose Coastal Carolina Boston Terrier Rescue (CCBTR) as your cause. 3) Choose the store that you want to shop at and “get shopping”.

Click to see the list of over 1000 stores.

If you already have an iGive account but you are supporting a different cause, you can change your cause to Coastal Carolina Boston Terrier Rescue (CCBTR).

The only requirement is that you navigate to the iGive.com website and then pick the store that you want to shop at. If Pottery Barn is your choice, go to iGive.com, choose Pottery Barn and you will automatically be taken to the website for Pottery Barn. This is the same website you would navigate to if you chose Pottery Barn.com. The only difference is that CCBTR will only get the benefit if you go to iGive.com first.

What does CCBTR gain from my shopping through iGive.com?
When you get onto the iGive.com page you will be able to see the list of stores and on line shopping venues that are a part of the iGive family. Each venue offers its own benefit. The percentage listed next to the store name is the amount of the gift that will be transferred to CCBTR once your purchase has been confirmed. This percentage is based on the “cost” of the items that you buy. It is not paid on the taxes or shipping charges.

Example: Purchase price $200.00
Tax on purchase $8.00
Shipping charge $15.00
Order total $223.00
1.5% paid to CCBTR on $200.00 is $3.00

Please sign up to help CCBTR receive a benefit from your shopping. And share this with others that will be purchasing gifts for you! But remember, if you are giving your gift list so that “others” will shop to help CCBTR, the “others” must also be registered with iGive.com.

This is how easy it is.

www.igive.com brings you to a login screen

To find our cause type in Coastal Carolina Boston Terrier Rescue *by the time you type in Boston it pops up. Then fill in the rest of the blanks

This is what you should see next.

Click install Now (The big green button)

I use chrome so I clicked the green button again and the iGive flower is added to my tool bar.

When you click the flower you get a dropdown menu to go to either your favorite stores or the entire store list you can shop from .

Click on the store where you want to shop and make your purchases, iGive automatically tracks and sends the donation.

Peek A Boo Jackson Sees You

2012-08-06T21:50:00.000-04:00

Hey I'm Jackson and I'm looking for my forever home. As you can tell I'm not shy, as a matter of fact I've never met a human or dog that I don't want to play with. I didn't know what play was until recently when I came to stay with my foster family. They have a huge yard and I love to run and play with my foster siblings.

I was found as a stray in Onslow County and after spending a bit of time at the shelter the volunteers there decided that the best place for me was with a family and Laura came and got me. 


The volunteers said I must had a rough time in my past life. He came to CCBTR heart worm positive, with a skin irritation, and a very sad looking right eye from a past injury.

I completed my heartworm treatment and skin treatment and now I'm beautiful.



I'm a big Boston at 26 pounds but that doesn't mean I'm not a cuddle bug and I can't protect you from bumps in the night and storms and scary movies.

I'm keeping the bed warm and safe for you.

I used to be guarded about sharing my toys but I learned I can chew up my toys under the bed and the big dog cant' take it form me. I share now I give him one end of the rope and he lets me chew on the other.

I dream about a home with kids that are big enough to take me for walks and we can play      fetch. I still don't quite understand the game but I do know you get loves and treats when     you bring the ball back. I just don't understand why the humans throw it if they want it back. Just put it in your pocket.

Jax and Tex sharing the rope

I am crate and house trained and now that I have fully recovered from my heart worm

treatment, I love to run the BT500 in the back yard!




I hope you can look past Jackson's eye injury and look deep into the loving personality of the   wonderful dog I am.

I am a sweet boy really I just want to be a puppy (but I won't pee on the carpet) and learn how to play.

Greetings from Cassie and Callie

2012-07-17T17:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I had my big appointment at NC State Veterinary Hospital yesterday. What a great time I had. The car ride was a blast. I also got so much attention that I am sure that I am a very important puppy.

I don’t know why but my foster moms are not very happy with the outcome. My doctors were so nice and they loved on me like you wouldn’t believe. They said that they thought I was just the cutest girl that they have seen in quite some time. That all sounded pretty good to me.

They also said that I am never going to see, there is nothing they can do to change my sweet little eyes. Although they can see a cataract in my right eye, they can’t remove it because the scarring on my cornea is very bad. And they don’t even know if there is a cataract on my left eye but even if there is they can’t make it go away. I don’t know what that all means but my “moms” don’t think it’s very good.

Oh well, I don’t know what it’s like to see so I don’t know what the big deal is!

Next week I will start playing with a trainer that knows all about dogs like me. She is going to work with my foster mom and give her instructions on how to make me even better, as if that is possible.

I just want to thank all of you guys that have “ChippedIn” to help my sister Cassie and me. Although my training will go on for quite some time, I think my doctor’s appointments are just about over. That makes me sad because I love to be petted on and told how cute I am.

My sister Cassie still has a ways to go. She is healing but the doctors still don’t know if her surgery is a success or not. She gets to go back to her doctor in two weeks and they should be able to say how much vision she will have. Her doctor is a bit concerned by the pressure in her left eye but this will be monitored. So Cassie gets to continue her doctor appointments and get loved on by all those people. They tell her that she is the cutest puppy that they have seen in quite some time, too!!!

Paws crossed and lots of BT kisses coming your way. Stay tuned for more information.

Signing out for now and getting ready to take “another” nap.

Callie

Greetings from Cassie

HEY everyone! Check out my e-collar! I am still recovering from my surgery and will see my doctor again soon. Thank you all, from me and Callie, for the loving support and sharing of our story. Your thoughtfulness and generosity have truly been overwhelming! More updates to come.

National Pet Fire Safety Day

2012-07-15T17:31:00.002-04:00

Today is National Pet Safety Day and I want to say thank you to the firefighter and volunteers who are helping those affected by the wildfires in Colorado. The fires are affecting the area where I grew up and played with my first dogs so it holds a special place in my heart.

The Colorado wildfires forced 32,00 residents to evacuate their homes and may were left homeless with their pet unable to find a shelter top take them. The Johnson family, who operate Sunrise and Woodman kennels in Colorado Springs opened their kennel doors to animals displaced by the Waldo Canyon Fire. As of last week over 50 animals had been welcomed and as the evacuation continues more are expected.

The Johnson's are not charging evacuated residents but they are stockpiling food and accepting donations.

If you want to support the Johnson's efforts donations are being accepted through Petflow and if you use the coupon code BSTNSHOW you get $10 off your order of 59 or more. The dog food will be shipped directly to the Johnson's kennels. Donations are also accepted through PayPal. Click on send money, add amount and choose "Friends and Family" When Paypal asks for the email address of the recipient use dogrtn@msn.com.

To keep your pets safe in case of emergency here are a few tips I picked up here and there.

Keep your pets near entrances when you aren't home and keep collars and leashes near the door in case firefighters need to rescue them.

Get a pet window cling for the front window of the house, these will alert rescue crews and save time. ASPCA has a pet safety pack you can order through their website. Clings are also available through www.adt.com/pets.

Know who will rescue who, choose one person in the house to be responsible for a pet in an emergency. make sure that each person knows where that pets hiding spot or "happy place" is. This is where you pet goes when they want to be left alone or are scared. Make sure that all smoke detectors are working and consider investing in carbon monoxide detectors as well.

Your dogs tags are not just to let you know where they are, keep them up to date and think about a microchip as well. Last have a bag packed with food water travel bowls and know where their medicine is to grab in an emergency.

A few minutes of preparation can pay off big in an emergency.

Two Blind Pups at CCBTR

2012-07-13T10:07:00.000-04:00

Cassie ,on the left, and Calli, belly up, are very sweet young pups who think the world is just wonderful. They eat, they poop they pee, they play a little, and then they nap.

They do not realize that they are not "just like every other puppy. "They started their lives in Georgia, as breeder pups that would surely bring a excellent price when they were ready to be weaned. When the breeder realized that there were problems with the pup's eyes, they were surrendered to the local animal shelter.

The shelter then brought them to a local animal clinic in hopes that the clinic could help them. Luckily for Cassie and Callie, the clinic contacted rescues to see if these girls could be saved. CCBTR stepped up and the girls made their way to NC and into foster care.

Laura, their foster mom said their fist day, they woke up at 10:00 pm when she went to bed and were up until 12:45 pm. They slept until 5:06 am, then played, pooped, peed, and ate... played pooped, peed, etc. until 11:30. Now it's nap time for everyone.

Cassie is a deep brown colored, calm and sweet BT puppy- a bit bigger than her sister Calli. Treatment for Cassie seems promising, she has corneal perforations in both eyes. The Dr. Gift thinks that this most likely occurred within the last 2 weeks, and a surgical procedure to graft good tissue onto one eye and an implant of a lens on the other was performed on July 10. Paws crossed, some of her sight will be restored.

She is recovering at Laura’s with a lot of meds and a cone of shame. As with any surgery, she is not out of the woods yet and the extent to which her sight will be repaired is unknown. The fact that she is a young, healthy puppy should help her heal.

Calli, the smaller, black and VERY active puppy is another story, like Dora the Explorer, always on the go.

Callie may not be as lucky s her sister but we don’t think that will slow her down, she developed corneal perforations, most likely in the first 3 to 4 weeks of life, maybe before her eyes even opened. There is a shifting of structures within the eyes, so the specialist believes that the left eye may be permanently blind, there is potentially some hope the right eye will have some light perception.

On Monday, Calli will make the trip to Cary, NC. MAYBE there is something they are working with- a new med, a laser- that can help. Although we totally trust the
Animal Eye Care specialists, we owe it to Callie to get a second opinion. We will be taking her to NC State Veterinary Hospital for additional evaluation and if Callie is destined to be blind, we will contact a trainer experienced with blind dogs. This will give her a life much closer to normal.

Laura, thank you for caring for the girls and I hope they've turned their sleep schedule around.

The costs for the care and treatment for both girls are going to be very high. We hope that you can open your hearts and your wallets to help CCBTR help Cassie and Callie. We will do everything in our power to give both girls the most "normal" and happy lives possible.

MEET SPANKY

Spankey belongs to one of our friends and is almost 85% blind and deaf. Paula says they have to be carefull not to put anything in his "run/paths" area and that he always follows the same path. When he goes to the back yard he follows the fence perimeter of the area.

My Chair, but I'll share if you have treats.

Knock Knock Disaster Calling

2012-07-05T21:41:00.000-04:00

Last week we had a heck of a storm suddenly emerged; rain, winds and the green skies indicative of tornados appeared out of nowhere. In my neighborhood we had a trampoline launched over the 6ft fence and into a car across the street. The twisting of the clouds and high winds were very similar to those of a hurricane and it is hurricane season and time to prepare for bigger and badder storms coming if the predictions for 6 hurricanes are true.

It’s not difficult to protect your pets during a storm whether you have to evacuate or not. The American Kennel Club has tips on the best way to ensure survival and safety of our furbabies.

Plan ahead; many hotels will relax their pet policy during an evacuation but hotels also fill quickly so knowing of more than one can assure you don’t end up sleeping in your car. Dog Friendly has a list of hotels by state and city which allow dogs. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina. Also KOA allows dogs in their cabins and most have dog parks onsite. American Tourister Collapsible Travel Crate

Front porch at KOA

Keep a copy of your dog’s medical records especially their rabies shots and microchip information. I have a binder that has my family’s birth certificates and other documents, I added a section for my dogs and now I don’t have to worry if we leave in a hurry.

On the subject of microchips, even if they are not, make sure that their ID tag is current and that they are wearing it with their rabies tag. This will help you in case your dog does get lost. Thunderstorms and tornados like fireworks can turn a mild mannered calm poochie into Hairy Houdini.

If the forecast calls for a hurricane you have a few days notice and that’s the time to preemptively pack a bag for your pet. In it should be bowls, extra leashes and collars, at least a weeks worth of food, a gallon of water, portable bedding and a crate. Oh yea and TOYS!

Things that have familiar scents to them will help comfort your pets in unfamiliar places. If you don’t have extra bedding or travel bedding a few towels with your scent on them can work wonders.

No matter how long you think you will be gone you should never leave your pets at home alone if an evacuation is called. During Hurricane Ivan, the 3 hour trip to my Mom’s became 14 as my family evacuated Pensacola. Take your pets and take their picture! Keep current pictures of your dog in the binder with pictures of kids and other important documents.

For more information PetsWelcome has travel tips for that are good in fair weather and foul.

July 4 The Dogs

2012-06-28T20:15:00.000-04:00

Fireworks and BBQ on July 4th are the pinnacle celebration of the summer (unless you have a summer birthday) and one of the busiest days for animal shelters. Shelters across the country take in normal, calm loving dogs who instantaneously become furry Houdini and crazed canines when the lights and sounds from the fireworks begin. I'm sure they can't understand the fascination humans have wiht explosions and loud nioses after stuffing ourselves full of grilled meat, corn, watermelon and potato salad. Most likely they wonder why we are not napping or chewing on the bones.

Giving our dogs a happy july 4th is important if we want to have a safe and happy 4th and I discovered two parts to that happiness.

First, prepare yourself and your dog for the festivities.

Are you visiting a park or party and are dogs welcome at these places? Are our dogs nervous around fireworks or large crowds? If the answer is yes or maybe then consider leaving them at home. The combination could be enough to make a mildly anxious dog an overdone bundle of nerves.

Will there be shade, water and a cool place for them? It's going to be hot and while we get shorts they are in a fur coat. If the answer to these questions isn't a resounding yes then a pet sitter or overnight boarding might be a better choice.

Second if you bring you dog to the festivities plan and prepare. Make sure that our dog's ID tag is up to date in case he runs off during the party. Give dogs time inside and outside, keeping their leash on them and supervised so they don't jump a fence or get loose while guests are coming in and out.

If your dog is inside, give them a chew toy and have music or TV on to keep them occupied. There will be a lot of human food out so place bowls or dog treats around for our canine friends. People food such as grapes or onions can be toxic and bones may splinter and injure them. Exercise them before the party to avoid over stimulation and make it a pleasant experience for everyone.

Summer is here and the temperature is great for being outside, but while we humans can cool off in the pool, shade or AC, our furry friends can't always do the same. It's up to us to look out for them.

Clyde the Quiet

2012-06-20T18:34:00.000-04:00

Meet Clyde! The friendly and fun boy that was found as a stray in Onslow county, NC. After spending a bit of time in the shelter, Clyde's medical issues were brought to the attention of CCBTR by their volunteers.

Let's go for a swim.

It looks like C;lyde had a rough time in the past. He came to CCBTR heart-worm positive, irritated skin and a bad right eye. (He doesn't know abotuthe right eye part.) He doesn't have sight in the eye but that doesn't slow him down at all.

Weighing in at 26 pounds Clyde is a gentle giant, we occasionally see resource guarding with food and toys no doubt due to his previous lifestyle. Clyde is a perfect match for a home with children or other quiet pets.

Clyde is crate and house trained and practices for the BT500 every chance he gets now that he is recovered from the heart worm treatment.

We hope that you can look past Clyde's eye injury as he does and see the lovely personality of this guy. He is waiting on that forever home where he can be the puppy he didn't get the chance to be.

Is your home the right one for this guy?
Contact CCBTR and find out.

Lazy Days At The Beach

2012-05-25T09:48:00.003-04:00

Mandie is a engaging little Boston Terrier that loves to run in the yard and chase squirrels up the fence. Once she has successfully scared them off she lays in the sun, rolls on her back in the grass and tries to get as many tummy rubs as she can. In the evenings she will lay on the couch between her foster mom and dad and chewing a Nyla bone until she falls asleep. When she sees her old friends she will jump up on her crate nd do a happy dance to greet them , and ask to be picked up. She likes her bird’s eye view of the world.

Mandie came to us in March, found by a kind spirit who believed she was being starved. After a few visits to the vet, we found out that she has Protein Loosing Enteropathy (PLE). She was given some meds and put on a low fat high protein diet and gained weight like a champ. What we thought may be a long and tough battle turned out to be something rather simple in this pretty girl’s case. The right diet and a periodic trips to see doc gives her a normal life.

Mandie loves going for walks on the beach and hanging out listening to the music, if you’re not careful she may steal your dance partner.

Dock Dogs to the Rescue

2012-05-21T20:44:00.000-04:00

While driving around Virginia Beach I heard the Dock Dogs ad and thought it would be a good way to waste a day to dreary and cold for the beach. For the uninitiated dock dogs is a competition of three events to se how far and high pet pooches can jump. Some of these dogs get high enough to duck hunt all by themselves.

All I need is the cape.

The events judge distance, height and speed plus there is the “Iron Dog”, that’s the dog who scores the highest in all three events.

“Big Air” is the long jump where the dog starts on the dock and leaps as far as they can to reach the toy bobbing in the water. I think the dogs must imagine it sitting out there moving as if to say “nah nah you can’t get me”.

For extreme vertical, a toy is hung eight feet out over the water , the height starts at four and a half feet and goes up in two inch increments . Last is speed retrieve which is just a the name suggests, how quick can poochie get to the toy and pull it from the bracket hanging at the far end of the pool.

Good thing grace is not scored.

Off to the side was a bright colored tent with a twenty foot inflated dog sitting by it.

Max The Magnificent

2012-05-21T10:15:00.001-04:00

Looking to his furever home

Max is the crazy fun playful boy who loves to run and romp with his people and other dogs. He is great with all the but prefers ones closer to his size.

After playing, Max really enjoys chewing on his bones and lying on the couch watching a movie, action movies are his favorite. He’s crate trained and enjoys his private crate time at night to dream of chasing balls and wrestling with his friends.

Max would be a great companion on a road trip and would love exploring the mountains and canyons.

Max wants to take basic obedience training with his family so that he can learn to channel his enthusiasm!

Max's medical history shows some idiopathic seizures - meaning that no cause has ever been identified for them. These could be caused by environmental factors he no longer has in his life. Max isn’t being treated for this and hasn’t had seizures while in foster care. If you’d like to read more go to Canine Epilepsy Resources.

Max would love to find a home where he can run, play, hike, and have an active life, he’s no couch potato. If you are looking for a dog to live your life with you, Max is your boy!

A Dog's Last Will

2012-04-25T13:12:00.000-04:00

I think this is so beautiful because no person or animal should ever feel unloved or unwanted.

These are some of the dogs we have fostered in the past three years, dogs who woudl not have had a chance at love again or at all if people did nto step forward to help.
To all the people who have adopted shelter/rescue dogs,
Thank You.

Sloppy Kisses, Walks in the Rain and Laughter

2012-04-24T21:27:00.000-04:00

Number four in our list of lesson is of the mistakes in improper care. I researched a little more and found that there is much work for the new dog to do.

Dogs, I know you will want to keep floor clear of food scraps so your owners don’t slip and hurt themselves, Don’t. Some foods can really upset your tummy. The bushes and grass outside are more than just a place for the birds to taunt you from, use them. Protect the house and yard from predators like birds and rabbits and people in ski masks.

You have pent-up energy that needs to be unleashed through and you can keep your owner healthy with regular exercise, but a steeplechase after the neighborhood cat is not necessary. Lack of exercise can turn into excessive barking, jumping or even hostile behavior.

Ask for something to do, like hunt for food. Your owner can place a meal or treats in spots around the house for you to sniff out, or use a food-dispensing puzzle toy instead of a bowl. Don’t forget that your owner needs play dates at the local dog park for proper socialization. Pets that aren't exposed to a variety of animals and people at a very young age can develop fears and aggressive behavior.

Parents, providing food, shelter and medical for your furry kids are easier than you think. Make sure dogs have regular checkups to prevent infectious diseases and other icky things so you can go out to play.

SPECIAL THANKS

Dr. Wright at Ideal Pet Care in Richlands, Drs Wyatt, Hayes and Denmark at Tenth Street Animal Hospital in Greenville, and Dr. Ward at 70 West Veterinary Hospital in Havelock. These clinics offer us the best and most advanced animal care available in ENC. We count on them to treat our foster dogs like their own. Whether it's for a routine examination, serious health issues, or for the treatment of an injury, we know we are in good hands and that our foster dogs will be soon on their way to good health. Our foster dogs deserve the best care and these staffs know how important our foster dogs are to us.

Veterinarians and vet staffs- thank you from the CCBTR volunteers and foster dogs.

Last is insurance. Insurance is not mandatory for pets but is can help offset the cost if you decide to fight with a porcupine or you break your leg chasing that bunny. Pet insurance is not the same from every company so compare coverage, talk to your friends and veterinarian before deciding.

Like people, dogs need food, exercise and shelter. It’s the least we can give them for all the sloppy kisses, walks in the rain and laughter they give us.

Don't Skip Sit

2012-04-18T10:27:00.000-04:00

Don’t Skip Sit

From “Marley & Me”“

He jumps up on people, steals food, digs up shrubs, tears right through the screen in screen doors, and hauls tables around at outdoor cafes. At home, thunderstorms panic him into digging and scratching through floors and doors, destroying the garage and then the laundry room.”
--Terry Miller Shannon, Book Reporter

Dogs come in all sizes and temperaments with their own tricks, one little Boston I fostered knew sit, stay, roll over, kennel and shake. He walked on a leash like a pro and never had an accident in the house. Getting a shelter or rescue dog means that the dogs may already know basic commands. If not or if you want to add to their collection obedience training is essential.

Training starts as soon as you bring them home, introduce them to other pets one at a time in a neutral location such as your front yard. Don’t do this alone but don’t be afraid either. Just think of it like a kindergarten playground, they gotta test each other a bit (sniff butts and pee on everything).

Give them a crate, it’s a bedroom to a dog, without it at best they will pace the house and at worst eat your favorite shoes. Find a place where the dog can see the family’s activity but not be in the center of it. They are like teenagers wanting to be the center of attention on their own terms.

Housetraining is the same for all dogs in the beginning. If you establish a routine of taking them outside they won’t establish a routine of leaving you presents.

Some dogs have never been leashed and they will roll over and cry like you’re killing them others will fight the harness or look at you as if you’ve turned green and grown antennae.

If they are unfamiliar with a leash, try this,

· Place the leash on dog while he eats and just let it lie at his side, he may just start carrying it himself.

· Place the leash on your dog and follow them around the house.

Go outside and let the dog to roam with the leash dragging behind, but you might have to wash it when you bring it in.
Coax the dog along by offering treats and praising the dog when he/she follows you.

With training everyday can be a walk in the park.

Dogs learn at different speeds, so be patient. Outdoor training should be done in an area that has little in the way of distractions “SHINY BALL”. If your dog is easily excitable “Squirrel”, tire them out before going for a leash walk.

Don’t forget, when training always use positive reinforcement.

http://www.ccbtr.org/ and http://www.apdt.com/ are great resources for dog training.