My Fire Hydrant

Little Tommy started life in a puppy mill, and had quite an adventure when he moved into his foster home. Here’s an update on Tommy today:

Tommy Small Paws and his brother, Chewy

Here are some pictures of “Tennessee” Tommy & “bro”. Tommy is a rescue Bichon from Small Paws. In the cold of December 2003, Tommy escaped from his foster home here in Ohio and was lost for several days. To make a long story short, Robin Pressnall (Executive Director of Small Paws) came to Ohio from Oklahoma to help find him (and did!)

Tommy and Chewy

Tommy was adopted by me in January of 2004. He had an excellent socializing doggie teacher, Billy Bob. Unfortunately for all of us, Billy Bob passed away two years ago. At the time, Tommy also had another companion, Jeter. Poor Tommy, because last year little rescue Jeter passed away. In February of 2011 I adopted Chewy (yes, a rescue). He is pictured here with Tommy. Tommy is doing fine and most delighted to have another friend. And… Tommy is now the “teacher”!!!

Sweet friends!

 

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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Here is an update from Maxine and Ron–with two new fosters-into-forever dogs! Maxine has had some health issues since last March,  and her dogs–her pack!–have helped her in her battle.

Well here we are this year and we have failed foster 101 again, not once but twice! Now we have two girls 4 years old and totally different.

Missy Small Paws

Missy was the first one to come, she and her mom were taped in a box and put under a bridge, she came to us thru Puerto Villarta, Mexico and she is terrified of everything that makes any kind of a noise, paper, wood going into the stove, picking up a broom. It’s obvious that she was abused, so when it was time to put her on Petfinder we just adopted her.  She came to us with the name Cloud but that really didn’t fit so she is Missy and she loves to dress up and will choose what she wants to wear. She has dresses and coats and its really fun to dress up a dog that loves it. When we get ready to go she goes where her clothes are so she can choose

Sadie Small Paws

The other new girl on the other hand has a fit if you try to dress her up or put a sweater on her She says not on your life! Her name is Sadie. Her owners’ health went down hill. One had two stokes and the other was waiting for a heart transplant. When we picked Sadie up to foster she was trimmed like a Bedlington Terrier. We fixed that right away. She had gone to a vet in the Tacoma area who had put her on an antibiotic for a bladder infection but also said she had crystals. So having had a foster dog previously with stones we at once took her to our vet, Dr. Larry G.  He didn’t even have to take an x-ray. He just felt under her tummy and said she was full of stones and we needed to operate immediately–which he did. When we explained she was a foster girl he did the surgery free of charge. She had over 75 stones some as big as a quarter, so now she is on special food for the rest of her life. We decided to adopt her and not take a chance on someone not giving her what she needs. She had not had permission to get on the bed previously but our other guys taught her to do that. I bought her a dress that matched one of Missy’s but she had a fit and would not let me put it on her. She does the Bichon wave to get treats,  or when you tell her she’s pretty.

This year since we are trying to feed all the kids healthy treats. The vets suggested chicken hearts and chicken livers so we cook those up for them. If you have a dog that takes meds, the hearts are awesome because of the valves–you can just tuck the meds right in.

Missy is the one in the raincoat, she is not happy cause its pouring down rain and she does not want to go out in it at all.

Sadie is all comfy in a doggie bed and says no way she wants to go out either.

I have been doing a battle with breast cancer since October and these kids are so very comforting to me. I am in the cleanup stage now with 6 more weeks of chemo and then I will be cancer free.

It’s never a foster failure when Fluffs find furever homes!

 

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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I have ofter heard Small Paws Rescue leader Robin Pressnall say that Small Paws rescues Bichons, and (if necessary) any animal who has had even a passion association with a Bichon! Trace is a Coton de Tulear, and like the Bichon, this breed was once the favorite dog of royalty. In the Conton’s case, it was known as the “Royal Dog of Madagascar.”

Here’s a pic of our 6 yr old Coton de Tulear, Trace. We adopted him through SPR in October 2010 and have enjoyed him every moment. He has one unique personality oddity though… He walked in the house and became instantly the alpha dog – the other two are 6 and 8 yr old labs!!

Trace, the Coton, walks right over to our black lab Genius, (formerly the alpha) and grooms him for 5-10 minutes at a time. Inside each of Genius’ ears, his eyes, licks up under his chops and cleans Genius’ MOUTH even! Trace doesn’t do this to any other visiting dog or our other lab, Cocoa-Bean, just to Genius. We have some hilarious footage on my cell phone. So funny and no behaviorist can explain it. Trace was used as a stud for 5 yrs by his former owner in Sulphur, Louisianna, so we have no idea whether this behavior is just special for Genius and Trace or what-not!

Would LOVE to hear from anyone who has any theories about this. It’s darling, and ‘yes’ they’re both healthy, proper-weight, happy neutered males.

 

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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Some of you may remember Bonnie’s story of Adoption Conversion (“I Flunked Fostering 101–Twice“) from last year. Here is a bittersweet update on Rosie and Gabriel.

Sweet Rosie Small Paws

I took this photo of my beautiful Rosie on the back deck in July. On December 26th, one week after her 14th birthday, she went to The Rainbow Bridge. I got Rosie as a foster from Small Paws Rescue when she was 6 1/2 yrs. old to keep my late Sammy MOE company. She was very patient with me. She had a way of looking me in the eyes and studying me and then giving me her very special Rosie nose kisses. Not a moment goes by that I don’t miss her…but I am very grateful for the privilege of having known her. Mommy loves you Rosie forever and always.

 

Cutie-Pie Gabriel

Gabriel turned 9 in December and has been with me almost 5 yrs. If it were not for him, I do not know how I could face each day. I know he also misses Rosie and am trying harder to make his life a bit fuller where I can. Yesterday he went with me to a house party and was admired by everyone there for his cute smile and friendliness.

A few days after Bonnie sent me the above story, I got another email from her:

Molly Small Paws

I have taken in Sandy renamed now Molly who is a MO mill rescue mamma.

Have to help her curb some aggressive tendencies towards Gabriel. I believe Rosie sent her to comfort my broken heart.

 

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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The first time I read this story–frankly, every time I read this story–it brings tears to my eyes because it reminds of how much my dogs mean and have meant to me. If you love a dog (or any pet), read this because it will confirm your own feelings for your furbaby.

Buster was a lucky Fluff to have found Trish, who became his furever mom!

Buster Small Paws and his mom, Trish

Once Upon a Time , a Long Long Time Ago , My Husband and I accidentally wondered onto a web site called “Pet Finders.”  I had seen these Fluffy Dogs on TV and so I decided to put Bichon Frise  in the space that asked for the Breed Name. There it was “Small Paws! ” I told my husband, hurry,  come and see all of these cute fluffy white dogs!!!

So we contacted Lynda D.H. from Small Paws and she said, “I have this little boy name ‘Buster’  but he comes with issues and  has been brought back to us after being Adopted because the New Adoptive Parents could not live with the Marking all over there house and then he was adopted again and this family’s Teenagers were very very mean to Buster.”

We knew in that moment , that this little guy needed us and we could give him all the love he deserved , so we adopted him , not caring how old he was or what he looked like. Lynda made all the arrangements and we picked him up at the Sacramento International Airport in California. It was Love at First Sight. He was so Beautiful and he came out of that crate and he leaped into my arms and we loved him forever until he crossed over that Rainbow Bridge 6 months ago. You see, “Buster did Mark Everywhere” but we had more love for him then we did about the corner of a bedspread being pee ‘ed on. Buster wore a Belly Band most of the time and he had a Fluffy White Coat that was soft as Cotton. We had him groomed every week of his life until he died.

Buster died at the age of 18, he was almost 5 years old when God loaned him to us for his Earthly life. We had Our Buster for almost 13 years. He became sick about a year and a half ago.  He had a very large Tumor on his side, it was not cancerous but after that Surgery it seemed as if he just didn’t feel very well anymore. He and I were inseparable. Buster and I slept together we ate together and we went on the same day to have our hair done together. When my mom died he would come and lay against me while I would cry and when I was finished crying he would get down off the bed and look at me with that look that only Buster had as if to say, ” It’s ok now Mom.”

Trish and Buster

And it was, because Buster Loved me so much that he helped me to begin to Heal after mom’s death. Buster left a hole in my heart the day he left us, you see Buster and I agreed that when his time came we would both know it and when it did I promised him I would let him go. The night we both knew it was time , he came to  me and we both agreed we would sleep on the sofa together for one last time. The next morning on Sunday and on Father’s Day we took the last ride we would ever take together again. I had made Funeral Arrangements for him prior to his death because I wanted everything perfect for him. Our Vet has a beautiful room with a Fire Place a soft Brown Love seat with a small brown Velvet bed with a beautiful velvet cover. I loved him good bye, put my face down on his back in all that beautiful white fluff and the doctor sent him on his way to God so he could cross over the rainbow bridge. The Pet Mortuary was called just before the Doctor came into the room ( just like I had made arrangements previously with the Mortuary) once Buster was gone I held him for a long time then the beautiful white french doors opened and in walked Rick from the Mortuary just like I had asked. It was important to me that Buster not be left at the Vet (even though it is beautiful at our Vet’s ) and that he be treated like the Son he was to me. Buster was wrapped in  Beautiful White Velvet Blanket with “Love ” written on it and was taken away from us, we watched as the Van pulled away and my heart went with it. His ashes now rest in a beautiful white picket fence with living plants of flowers around him because Buster lives on in my heart Forever and his ashes right by door so every time I leave my house he’s there to watch me, knowing some day I will be with him again.

I needed to write this so my Buster knows I never forgot him …. I Love You Buster .

Thanks to Trish for sharing Buster’s story.

 

Small Paws saves dogs! You can help–donate some bucks, save some Fluffs!

 

 

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One of my favorite people (and a personal hero) Robin Presnell, who leads Small Paws Rescue, has failed Foster 101.

Robin, and husband Dale, already have two Small Paws Rescue dogs: Chipper (her first rescue who came from a puppy mill) and Spunky Monkey. In the past 13 years, Robin has helped find furever homes for over 8,000 Bichons. Robin has fostered many times in the past. There have been a couple of times when she almost couldn’t give up her foster Fluff. But each time, she happily sent the Fluff off to a new, furever home—probably with tears of gladness in her eyes.

“There was magic in the air the first time I met him, when I reached down and picked him up, pulling him from a kill shelter a few weeks ago. He was trembling, and was in a run with a large dog who was scaring him. The minute I held him to my chest, and told him it was ok, that I was a Bichon Mom and he was safe now, he took a big sigh.”

Of course, Robin’s fate was sealed.

Reagan was originally fostered in Tulsa with a Small Paw volunteer who needed to make a business trip to New York City, so she asked Robin if Reagan could bunk with her for a few days. Reagan worked his magic, and found his furever home with Robin!

The rest of the family—especially the four-legged members—are very happy with the arrangement. Reagan joins 14-year old Spunky Monkey in blitzing through the house. And he loves to wrestle with his other brother, 13-year old Chipper. Youngster Reagan has made his older brothers feel like puppies again!

Reagan has also become an ambassador for Small Paws. As Robin says,” I take lots of business cards when Reagan is with us. He’s a people magnet.”

He accompanies Robin to the local middle school where she teaches an after school class about dogs. “He loves everybody and everything,” says Robin. “He LOVES to go and is a perfect gentleman when we are out.”

Last weekend, Reagan accompanied Robin and husband Dale as they did shopping errands (Chipper and Spunky Monkey prefer to remain at home instead of meeting and greeting the crowds). Their last stop was lunch at a popular burger restaurant that has an outside patio, so Reagan could sit with them. It was a beautiful, sunny day. Robin finishes the story:

“Dale had a burger, I had a chicken salad, and Reagan had a piece of grilled chicken.

So during dinner I told him, “Baby Reagan, now we don’t want to hurt Spunky Monkey and Chipper’s feelings, do we?”

“No, Mama.”

“So, when we get back home, we don’t need to announce that we went out for dinner, ok?”

“Yes Mama.”

After letting all of the other outside diners come over and pet him, we made a last quick shopping stop and then returned home.

The SECOND he got home and in the door he screams at the top of his little lungs, “WE WENT TO MASH BURGER!! WE WENT TO MASH BURGER!!”

Spunky ran up to him and started to sniff him.

“I SMELL MASH BURGER ON HIS BREAF! I SMELL MASH BURGER!!

And the blitz was on. Round and round they went, Tails up, motors running.

Whenever I take Reagan to the eye dogtor, Spunky and Chipper mope around, waiting by the door for us, so says their Dad. They are not moping for me. They want their BROTHER back and NOW!

We have a baby in our house again.

And it will never, ever be the same.”

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I love happy endings! Don’t you?

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Want to help? Make a donation to Small Paws Rescue!

This is a sweet story! Small Paws member Michelle tragically lost Chumpie, one of her beloved dogs. Her heart was healed by little Blossom, who entered her home as a foster and stayed on as a new family member.

Last summer both of my dogs got attacked by a German Shepard. Unfortunately, I lost my 13 yr old and was still grieving but was desperately looking for another Bichon to fill the family gap. I was frustrated with trips to the shelter and came across the Small Paws Rescue website. Could this be for real? I filled out a foster application after viewing all the dogs that needed homes. I thought, why don’t I start there because at least I could see if the dog would be a good match for my survivor, Cracker. It seemed like forever, but three weeks later I got “the phone call” from Small Paws Rescue telling me that they had a puppy pair that needed a foster. What a huge task for a first time foster! Then they ended up going with a foster mom in their area. I cried. I was disappointed but didn’t really want a puppy I just wanted my senior dog back. Please Lord, just send me a dog like Chumpie. A day later, on the way to pick up my dog’s ashes I received another call. Small Paws Rescue rescued a stray dog and they were looking for a foster home for her. Everyone wanted her, but everyone had too many dogs. Absolutely! I was thrilled. So my healing process began, and even though I didn’t get pics of this dog until after I agreed I felt like it was meant to be. Blossy (Blossom) made it to my door step, into my heart and within one week joined my family. She ran right into my home and Cracker leaped off the couch and they have been wrestling ever since. Did I happen to mention that God has a wonderful way of revealing himself? Blossy looks just like my other dog, but a female puppy version. She also happens to have the same little trot, and what are the odds I would get another dog that stuffs socks in their mouth and prances around the house? This girl quickly became my little princess and got her very own rhinestone collar. She is spunky and always wants a “pawdicure” while riding in the car. She gets a plate of homemade food every day (being a stray you would think she would eat anything but that is not the case. This Diva will not touch any kind of dog food) I even sing a little jingle every time I feed or greet her. (Don’t act like I am the only one that does this. If you own a Diva Bichon you know they have at least four nicknames and own pink snowsuits). I couldn’t have gotten a better dog. She was able to be potty trained and learned tricks very easily. I love my Boo Bear so much! She has enabled me to heal and puts a smile on my face everyday. Plus, she is super cute!I feel comforted knowing my Chumpie died so Blossy could live. Heaven and Small Paws Rescue has sent me a wonderful gift!

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Tyler says, Small Paws is helping little doggies every day. Even me! They found me, kept me alive when I was full of parvo, and found me my furever home! Do you have a few dollars you can give?

Sandra found a little Small Paws angel to help heal the hurt of loosing a long-time fluffy friend.

She was Annie2, now she's Katie

I lost my little angel fluff (Little Sandy) after 19 years. She gave me a lot of love and I miss her so very much. She died in my arms and my whole world turned upside down. After a couple of months my love Don gave me a Christmas card, which said I’ll buy you anything you want for Christmas. Well I had been online with Small Paws Rescue for some time by then–yes, you guessed it. There is where I found little Annie2, a three year old little Fluff that needed a forever home. I requested an interview and was accepted. She was in Texas and we were going through there in January in our 5th wheel. We picked her up and I held her in my arms and knew right away she was the one for me–all 7 pounds of her. I now have had my little angel ever since January 8th, 2011. She is the smartest and sweetest little girl and I love her with all my heart for the rest of her life. Thank God for Small Paws Rescue and Robin. Oh, by the way, I did change her name to Katie. She loves it. Love and all my prayers go out to all the other little Fluffs that still need a forever home.

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Tyler says, Small Paws is helping little doggies every day. Even me! They found me, kept me alive when I was full of parvo, and found me my furever home! Do you have a few dollars you can give?

Anne is a very enthusiastic support of Small Paws Rescue–as you can tell by her story!

Lupina, Jeter, & Giana

HI , I WOULD LOVE TO SUBMIT A PICTURE AND PHOTO OF MY 3 SIMPLY SPOILED AND LOVED TO THE MOON AND BACK. I HAVE 3 LUPINI, JETER (AS IN DEREK JETER, ON BEST & CUTEST SHORTSTOP ON THE YANKEE’0and that is why my mommy, especially named me after him…she is crazy in love with him…BUT LOVES ME MORE….I AM REALLY A SEXY BICHON!!! OH AND THEN THERE IS MY LITTLE SISTER GIANA. SHE THINKS OF HERSELF AS THE PRINCESS, A DIVA…SHE IS SUCH A GIRL, SHE WIGGLES HER CUTE LITTLE BUTT, AND PRANCHES AROUND, AND EVERYONE THINKS SHE IS SO SWEET…DON’T GET ME WRONG, SHE IS MY SISTER AND I LOVE HER AND PROTECT HER..BUT I THINK SHE HAS PMS AT TIMES, BECAUSE SHE CAN BE SWEET AS AN APPLE PIE..AND THE NEXT MINUTE SHE WILL MAKE THIS HUGE GROWLING NOISE, THAT CAN”T POSSIBLY COME FROM THIS LITTLE ONE…BUT IT IS HER, AND THEN SHE SCARES ME AND MY BROTHER…MAYBE SHE IS POSSESED….I AM NOT SURE, BUT SHE SCARES ME SO SOME TIMES, THAT I PEE IN MY PANTS…LOL…HER DADDY, ALSO THINKS SHE IS THE PRETTIEST FACE HE HAS EVER SEEN…& LITTLE DOES HE KNOW SHE HAS HIM WRAPPED AROUND HER PRETTY LITTLE TOE NAILS….I DON’T WANT TO SEEM JEALOUS, BECAUSE WE LIVE IN NISAYUNA, IN UPSTATE NY, AND WE DON’T WANT TO TELL ON OUR MOMMY & DADDY….BUT BOY ARE WE SPOILED….WE ARE SOOOO LOVED, AND MOMMY & DADDY DO SUCH FUN THINGS FOR US..OUR DADDY, GRILLS US THE BEST HEALTHY & YUMMY MEALS …EVEN WHEN WE HAD 3 FEET OF SNOW, HE WENT OUT & FINALLY LOCATED THE GRILL AND MADE US LEAN , MEAN SIRLOIN…..OH AND OUR MOMMY HAS MADE THE MOST YUMMMMY  YUM HOMEMADE TREATS …SHE BAKES THEM IN THE OVEN, AS WE DROOL, AND WAIT FOR THE FRESH BAKED TREATS TO COOL DOWN…..
EVERYDAY, WE SIT IN THE FRONT DOOR, AND WHEN PEOPLE GO BUY , THEY STOP AND SAY,,OH HOW ADORABLE…AND MANY STOP AND TAKE OUR PICTURES, BECAUSE I THINK WE ARE PRETTY DARN ADORABLE….WE ARE TOLD THAT WE ARE THE MOST FAMOUS POOCHES IN OUR TOWN…!!!!!
WE GET TO WATCH SO MANY PEOPLE WLKING ALL DIFFERENT COLORS & SIZES OF POOCHES ALL DAY, IT’S LIKE A PARADE….SOME BARK AT US BUT WE BARK REALLY REALLY LOUD…WE 3 RULE…WE ONLY WISH THAT EVERY WHITE FLUFF COULD BE AS SPOILED AND LOVED AS WE ARE….AND WE ARE SO VERY GRATEFUL TO ROBIN…BECAUSE IF SHE DIDN’T START SMALL PAWS, WE WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE ADOPTED, BY OUR LOVING DOTTING MOMMY & DADDY…OH WHEN WE WERE JUST WEEKS OLD, WE GOT TO FLY FROM TULSA TO NEW YORK, AND THE CAPTAIN WANTED US UP IN THE COCKPIT WITH HIM….WOW, ARE WE LUCKY OR WHAT….THANK YOU SMALL PAWS…LUPINI, JETER & LITTLE GIANA

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Tyler says, Small Paws is helping little doggies every day. Even me! They found me, kept me alive when I was full of parvo, and found me my furever home! Do you have a few dollars you can give?

Here is the story of another Small Paws member who failed Fostering 101.

My name is Linda, and I am a new volunteer for Small Paws Rescue.  I picked up Miles to foster on January 9th, 2011 in Indianapolis.  I had been told he was approximately 7 years old, had seizures and was on pheno twice a day.  He had been picked up at a shelter by Sara, our Team Leader for Indiana and Illinois.  He was going to be euthanized the day Sara picked him up.  She found someone to adopt him originally in December of 2010 but they returned him back to Sara saying that it wasn’t working out due to the seizures.  Well, to make a long story short, I failed fostering 101!  My Husband and I adopted him in February.  He is still having seizures…but that doesn’t matter to us.  He is such a sweet boy and since we have three other rescues with an unknown background, what’s one more?  He is adjusting well to his life here and seems to be very happy.  I have attached a couple of pictures… he looks more like a Poodle than a Bichon in these pictures.  Sara had informed me when she had him groomed they cut him like a Poodle!

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Tyler says, Small Paws is helping little doggies every day. Even me! They found me, kept me alive when I was full of parvo, and found me my furever home! Do you have a few dollars you can give?