 BBR Canine Chronicles and MewsAugust 2023 |
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NEWSLETTER UPDATE |
WE'RE BACK! |
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If you were a previous subscriber to our monthly newsletter you may have notice it has been on hiatus for a few months. Our previous service for sending our newsletter changed abruptly leaving us without a way to easily reach all our supporters. But don’t fear, our website gurus came to our rescue and we’re back! Our newsletter is a great way to stay up to date on the latest happenings here at BBR. You’ll find adoption events, fundraisers, meet some of our foster families and coordinators and of course see some of the sad (but usually happy endings!) stories of the dogs and cats we help. We continue to grow as a rescue and cannot thank our supporters, adopters, friends and families enough to helping us get there so please be sure to have everyone you know, far and wide, join our newsletter mailing list! |
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TAKE TWO? |
ADOPTING KITTENS, WHY TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE! |
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We often get asked why we encourage kittens be adopted in pairs and the answer is pretty easy: They just do better! We like to explain it like this, what is really adorable and cute when a kitten is three pounds is not usually cute when they are 13 pounds. How to prevent bad kitten behaviors is to have another cat or kitten in the home to set boundaries. Sadly, we as humans cannot speak in cat terms to explain what hurts and what doesn’t, but other cats and kittens can. This is just one aspect of why we encourage pairs. Here are some others:
Pictured above is Papaya, a BBR alum, and her foster kitten Finn. Part of the reason our cats and kittens do so amazing in their new homes is because they have been in raised in homes with other pets and children. They start learning boundaries this way and gain great socialization to a variety of situations. We have found over the years, adopters report much better experience when they adopt in pairs, because of this, we review applications for pairs first, and then homes with other cats second. Most, if not all, behavior returns to the rescue are adults that were adopted as single kittens, because of this we try to avoid adopting kittens under six months age into only single cat homes. This doesn’t mean you’re not a great candidate for adopting but we will guide you to a better suited feline companion such as a young adult or older kitten. And when adopting an adult, you’ll have much better feel for what their personality will be. |
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FOSTER OF THE MONTH |
Amanda H. |
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In March of this year it was time to say goodbye to our family’s 18 year old dog. I had adopted her when she was about a year old from a shelter in Illinois where my husband and I were living at the time. I had grown up with cats and never owned a dog so it seemed sensible to chose something on the smaller side. Penny was a 10 pound mutt, likely a mix of dachshund and chihuahua. She was an easy little companion for us and adapted well to our kids when they came along. For her that meant being fine with their presence and it was good enough for us. Over the years I became more interested in dogs, but as Penny got older it seemed like it would be best for her to be a one dog household. Out in public I am totally the, “can I pet your dog?” person. And then I became friends with someone who fosterers with Bottle Babies. I got to see the dogs that came and went as well as hear great stories. They were happy, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking. Even though I was very interested in dogs I didn’t have much experience at all. My dog was the only one I had ever lived with. I knew that eventually we’d want another family dog. But I had no idea what kind. Or how to choose. I viewed fostering as a wonderful opportunity to spend time with different dogs and learn what we as a family would want in another dog someday. Kinda like dog dating. So after saying goodbye to our dog, I applied to be a foster. The really cool part about fostering with Bottle Babies is that it is what you want it to be. The dogs that need foster homes come in a variety of sizes, ages, and personalities. You can “dog date” a variety, or if you already know your type you can stick with it. And yes, to answer the question all fosterers get, it can be hard to let them go sometimes. It’s also extremely rewarding. Each time a dog finds their family that means there is another spot available for one who is looking. Recently after coming home from an adoption event my youngest son asked if I had brought home our foster puppies. I told them no, they had gotten adopted and went home with their forever families. He got a big smile on his face and immediately asked when we’d be getting our next “doggy who is visiting.” While Amanda is much newer to our team of fosters she has been amazing at helping and supporting other fosters at adoption events and within our group chats. She has stepped up to do vacation holds and has been friendly and outgoing. We appreciate everything she and her family has been able to bring to the table here at BBR. |
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Darla and Alfalfa |
Neurologic concerns in kittens |
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If you’ve follwed BBR for any amount of time you know we have a great interest in those less fortunate animals that need assistance. Darla and Alfalfa were no different. Darla and Alfalfa came to us by way of a wonderful TNR group that had been doing a mission to sterilize cats in a nearby trailer park. A trailer park we had already assisted with the placement of over 20 cats and kittens from. So when two sad and sick kittens were presented to them, they started networking immediately to find placement. One of the people they reached out to was our feline director who took immediate action to get them some place safe. While away she coordinate their intake with another coordinator to attempt stabilization until she could get to them. The kittens arrived in a critical state and were essentially non-responsive. With directions to start warming them and getting fluids into them we all jumped into action. They presented with neurologic abnormalities that we did not know if they were congenital, environmental or just plain neglect related. Within a few hours of arriving they were starting to come around and were responsive but still could not stand or eat. We continued with tube feedings, fluid support and heat support. Within 12 hours they were up and moving around a bit and starting to eat some on their own. A few days later they were transferred back to the original intake coordinator for fostering where they continued to get stronger and become amazing, well rounded kittens. The only lasting effect is Darla has a wonky leg that will never been normal. However, she doesnt let it slow her down, while she may use it more as a paddle than a leg she runs, jumps and wrestles just like every other kitten. Darla and Alfalfa are currently available for adoption. |
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August adoptable dog |
Beatrix |
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Meet Beatrix, a 2.5 year old Bulldog looking for her forever home! Beatrix is a sweet laid back girl, but needs a little time to warm up to new people. Once she does you will be her best friend and she will snuggle up on the couch with you, or lay under your feet. She loves soft blankets and pillows, and when she’s ready for bed she will head to her bed herself. Beatrix gets along with other dogs, and adores the cat she shares her foster home with. If the cat is willing to be friends, so is she! She gets along with all of the people in her foster home as well, including the two kids who are 8 and 13. Beatrix knows basics commands, is a good passenger in the car, is crate trained, and with regular reminders does well with potty training. She likes to go for walks and does good on the leash, but she likes to be the one to set the pace and take short breaks along the way. Beatrix did have Xrays on her hips and it showed that her hips are primarily free floating and there are no sockets. She currently takes joint supplements and NSAIDS as needed. Because of her hips she would do best in a home with no more than a few stairs for her to climb regularly. Beatrix also has a interdigital cyst between her toes on her front paw that needs to be cleaned with antiseptic wipes weekly, but sometimes flares up and requires daily cleaning during the flare up. She also has a mass on her thorax – it does not cause her any discomfort and it is not growing. The vet determined surgery was not needed at this time, but if it does start to grow and/or cause her discomfort in the future it might become necessary. She also needs daily eye drops. Beatrix’s foster family has loved having her as part of the pack while she waits to find her forever family and know she will make a wonderful addition to her new family! The adoption fee is $260.00. All animals are up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, and spayed/neutered. You can find more photos and adoption application here: |
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August adoptable cat |
Miso |
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Miso is a one year old Domestic Shorthair. She is as sweet as they come! She loves to be pet and to get treats (she’s very food motivated). When Miso is not begging for more love she also enjoys playing with toys. She climbs up on people’s laps for attention, but she doesn’t like being picked up/held as much. She is friendly and good with kids. She is a perfect kitty and would love to become a part of your family. You can find more photos and adoption application here:Miso’s Link |
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Weekly adoption events |
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Follow us on FaceBook to find out where we will be with our adoptable animals every week. Be sure to follow the event pages in the days leading up to the events to see who will be there! |
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