My Fire Hydrant

…AN ONLINE BICHON BASH
FOR SMALL PAWS!
Though Bailey was not a rescue Bichon, Small Paws Rescue has long held a special place in our hearts. I am deeply moved and greatly appreciate that Romeo the Cat and his staff are devoting their March FURPOWER Fundraiser to Small Paws, as a memorial to Bailey!

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SMALL PAWS BICHONS ARE LOOKING FOR FUREVER HOMES!
Are you looking for a sweet, fluffy, charming companion? These little dogs are looking for people who will love them and a family they can join!

This is Ross, who was rescued from a commercial kennel and needs a forever home with a socialized dog already living there. He is a sweet boy just waiting for the right family that will help him find his inner Bichon!

Candy and Clark are a bonded pair--two for the price of one! They know how to use a doggie door and want to find a home with another doggie brother or sister.

In memory of Bailey, join our online Bichon Bash by clicking and donating to Small Paws Rescue. No donation is too small, and every donation will make a difference in a dog’s life.

SMALL PAWS BICHONS ARE LOOKING FOR FUREVER HOMES!
Are you looking for a sweet, fluffy, charming companion? These little dogs are looking for people who will love them and a family they can join!

Sarah Jane comes from a commercial kennel. She needs extra patience and a home with a socialized dog already living there. She loves to snuggle with her foster brother.

If you're looking for a sweet little lap dog, Simba is your girl!

In memory of Bailey, join our online Bichon Bash by clicking and donating to Small Paws Rescue. No donation is too small, and every donation will make a difference in a dog’s life.

SMALL PAWS BICHONS ARE LOOKING FOR FUREVER HOMES!
Are you looking for a sweet, fluffy, charming companion? These little dogs are looking for people who will love them and a family they can join!

Chandler recently came to Small Paws from a commercial kennel. He needs a home with a socialized dog already living there. He needs a patient person to unlock his sweet Bichon soul.

Holly is a sweet tiny Bichon-Poodle mix with some special needs. Small Paws found her at a high-kill shelter--she was matted from head to paw!

In memory of Bailey, join our online Bichon Bash by clicking and donating to Small Paws Rescue. No donation is too small, and every donation will make a difference in a dog’s life.

Bailey was born on March 11, 1996.

We did this birthday video last year. I think, in my heart, I suspected it would be the last time we celebrated Bailey’s birthday. I have very fond memories of the day we shot this. It’s pretty silly.

In memory of Bailey, join our online Bichon Bash by clicking and donating to Small Paws Rescue. No donation is too small, and every donation will make a difference in a dog’s life.

Jen and Louie-King-of-the-Cats

My friend Jen wrote about our online Bichon Bash for Small Paws and Bailey! Check it out! Thanks Jen!

SMALL PAWS BICHONS ARE LOOKING FOR FUREVER HOMES!
Are you looking for a sweet, fluffy, charming companion? These little dogs are looking for people who will love them and a family they can join!

Bailey (a great Bichon name!) is a senior boy who has some speical needs. He is crate and house trained.

Billy Boo is a special boy who was rescued from a commercial kennel. He is working on his potty skills and prefers a fenced in yard. He loves to play fetch with his toys.

In memory of Bailey, join our online Bichon Bash by clicking and donating to Small Paws Rescue. No donation is too small, and every donation will make a difference in a dog’s life.

SMALL PAWS BICHONS ARE LOOKING FOR FUREVER HOMES!
Are you looking for a sweet, fluffy, charming companion? These little dogs are looking for people who will love them and a family they can join!

This is Tuffy and Lil Joe--a bonded pair so you get 2 for the price of 1!

This is Boo Bear. He's housebroken, loves to give kisses, but he's nervous with cats.

In memory of Bailey, join our online Bichon Bash by clicking and donating to Small Paws Rescue. No donation is too small, and every donation will make a difference in a dog’s life.

SMALL PAWS BICHONS ARE LOOKING FOR FUREVER HOMES!
Are you looking for a sweet, fluffy, charming companion? These little dogs are looking for people who will love them and a family they can join!

This is Cody, a senior Fluff who is a happy, gentle, quiet boy. He is housebroken and crate trained.

This is Button (as in "cute as a"). She might be a Bichon mix. Because she came into rescue from a bad situation, she had to be shaved. We know she will be very pretty once her hair has grown back.

In memory of Bailey, join our online Bichon Bash by clicking and donating to Small Paws Rescue. No donation is too small, and every donation will make a difference in a dog’s life.

Our First Bichon Bash--Bailey and I are on the left, in the first row.

BICHON BASH?

A Bichon Bash is when you get a bunch of little white fluffy dogs together and have a party. Just imagine a sea of white pooches! OK, if you’re into Labrador Retrievers you might not appreciate the cuteness factor. But if you like little dogs, it’s an overdose of cute!

Bailey, attending her first Bichon bash, is annoyed when she discovers that she is not the only cute white dog at the party.

Over the years, Bailey and I attended several Bichon Bashes here in Dayton. And that’s where we first learned about Small Paws Rescue.

This month, I’m working with my friend Romeo and we’re having an online Bichon Bash to raise money for Small Paws Rescue.

WHAT’S SMALL PAWS RESCUE?

Small Paws Rescue was started by Susan Sebring and Robin Pressnall (Executive Director) eleven years ago when they were turned down by an already existing Bichon rescue group because they were “not been suitable for rescue work.” Robin and Susan decided they would form their own Bichon rescue and Small Paws was born.

Higgins begins his Small Paws journey!

SOME NUMBERS

• Over 800 volunteers, over 6,000 members in 20 countries: Small Paws is the largest Bichon Frise rescue in the U.S.
• Available to take in Bichons in need 24/7/365
• Since September 1998, has rescued, vetted and re-homed over 7,500 Bichons
• 18 experienced Team Leaders oversee rescued Bichons and volunteers regionally
• Typically, 150 to 200 Small Paws Bichons fostered all over the U.S., are available on Petfinder every day
• Typically, 50 to 100 Small Paws Bichons are in various stages of quarantine, heartworm treatment, surgeries, or permanent hospice care every day
• Over 5,000 Small Paws Bichons have been flown to their forever homes without incident
• 25 adoption processors to thoroughly screen each applicant
• Typically between $25,000.00 and $50,000.00 per month is paid out in vet bills (posted publicly on the site)

HOW DOES SMALL PAWS RESCUE BICHONS?

Small Paws is entirely supported by donations and fund raisers. Donations are generated mostly from the membership though a newsletter. Small Paws also raises money through an eStore and on eBay–both great places to shop if you’re looking for Bichon-oriented clothes and accessories.

Small Paws is totally volunteer-driven. It is virtually an army of  foster parents, pooch transporters, shelter-watchers, prayer circle participants, blanket-makers, eBay suppliers, auction attenders, financiers, and emotional supporters. Every member is connected to the group through the newsletter, emails, phone calls, and a shared urgency to help Bichons.

A SIMPLIFIED VIEW OF THE SMALL PAWS PROCESS

Robin Pressnall, Executive Director, holds some rescued Bichon babies who will soon have furever homes.

• A Bichon–or “Fluff”–enters Small Paws through owner surrender, from commercial kennel auctions, from shelters, or any other avenue that results in a homeless Fluff.
• Each dog’s health is evaluated by a veterinarian, and a medical plan is made.
• For major medical expenses (for instance, surgery), a call goes out to the membership for donations.
• Once the Bichon’s health issues are taken care of (also spay/neuter if needed), the Fluff is placed in a foster home with a Small Paws member
• Often, the foster home is a learning and socialization environment for the orphan Fluff
• Photos are taken, and posted on Petfinder
• A prospective pet parent fills out the application form on the Small Paws site
• Each applicant goes through an extensive and proven screening process that includes an interview with the applicant’s veterinarian.

Small Paws takes lifetime responsibility for the Bichons who enter the Rescue. If an adopted Fluff is ever orphaned, it is returned to Small Paws and a new home is found. The Small Paws Bichon is carefully matched to his or her new home–at a high rate of success. And there are followups done on every adoption.

Scarlett and Rhett, a bonded pair with a questionable heritage, just arrived from a shelter. They will be placed in the same furever home.

Sometimes a Bichon will enter Small Paws as half of a bonded pair–two dogs who have bonded emotionally (and often they’re not both Bichons). Bonded pairs are never separated, but are offered at the adoption fee of a single dog. Senior dogs’ adoption fees are always reduced. And puppies are reserved first for people who are grieving for a lost loved one. A home is found for all–no matter what the special needs.

The volunteers of Small Paws operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They are tireless and creative in their missionto help orphaned Bichons find furever homes. At first, they appear to be a loose  gathering of do-gooders. But on further examination, they are a refined organization motivated and motivating people to work together to make this world a better place.

That’s why I love them!