Please Help This Little Dog with a Big Heart!

Orie Lee


Organized by Friends of Homeless Animals, Inc.

Please help Orie Lee get better!

Orie Lee is a sweet 9-year-old Boston Terrier who had a rough life! She has an oozing wart on her neck and to make matters worse, at a recent vet checkup it was discovered that she has firm, irregular masses in 3 out of 4 of her left mammary glands, and in one of her right mammary glands. These are suspicious of malignant mammary cancer, although benign mammary tumors can occur. The vet has recommended we investigate this further and to do so we need at least $500. Would you please consider helping Orie Lee so that she can find her forever home?

I met Orie Lee at one of our Meet and Greet Days at Petsmart in NH.  She has to be the most loving little Boston!  She gave me kisses just as long as I would hold still for her..what a character, she is so loving.

She deserves everything we can do for her! Thank you in advance for your help!


To go to Orie Lee's Donation page, please click here:  Orie Lee
To see Orie Lee's Petfinder profile page:   My profile

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Top 3 Rescue Dog Myths

Even though I've just started fostering, though my research I think I have heard it all now..and the more I hear, the more I don't want to be associated with the human race!  There are so many many myths circulating about rescue dogs that just are not true.  These myths actually keep great family dogs from securing a loving, secure forever home life.

Myth #1 - It is dangerous to adopt a rescue dog. Most are dangerous, that's why people dumped them.

In today's society, this myth should never be uttered again.  More and more today, most shelter dogs are owner surrenders due to 'cannot afford anymore', 'cannot pay vet bill', etc.  These dogs range in age from 1yr to 15yrs.

Now, imagine your family pet.  You've had him for 15yrs and really love this dog but suddenly find yourself without a job and children to feed.  This is a situation I would hope you have family that could help you out, or neighbors, your church, etc.  Some people do not have those options.  They are forced to give their beloved pet up in order to make sure their children can eat. These people have no choice.

Then, there are the other people who just grow tired of the dog...its old, doesn't play anymore, we want a puppy. The new fad is another breed, etc.  These people take their dogs to the shelter to be euthanized because they just don't care.

Are these dogs dangerous? Absolutely not.  They are the victims of our times, bad choices and judgement by people who have no right owning animals.

There are a few who are strays and have not been domesticated.  These animals have no future in rescue. The rescue actually meets the dogs, sizes them up, asks questions about the dogs to learn more and if they displayed agression in the shelter, they probably will not be rescued.

Myth #2 - Most rescue dogs have hidden illnesses and you take them home and later face huge vet bills.

Most rescue dogs before even going into foster care are taken to the vet and have a very rigorous exam. They have all shots, are neutered or spay, if injured, mange, etc. are cured and if need special diets the vet will prescribe for them.  The rescue dogs are probably the best and most well cared for dogs I know!  They are kept on their heartguard, flea and tick medicine, dental appt.'s, etc.   They also are given the best dog food to keep them healthy. We would not take all this care for the dog and then feed them food scraps.

Myth #3 - Rescue groups do not tell you about all the negatives of the dog, they just want you to take the dog without disclosing all the 'bad' along with the adoption.

This is the one that probably really bothers me the most!  We foster these animals in our homes.  If you love animals, you know how bonded you can get to an animal.  My animals become members of my family.  I would never 'push' my animals off on anyone. 

First of all, all adopters go through a very rigorous adoption process.  This is to make sure they are seriously interested in the animal.  We also want to make sure and tell the potential adopter everything we can to make sure the dog is a 'perfect fit' for their home.  It does us no good to place a dog with an adopter only to have them call us back and say the 'dog just isn't what I thought they would be'.  Now, the dog has been uprooted from his foster home, went to another home where he might have picked up bad habits or worse than that...been abused, and try to work him back into the system.

No, the best way is to make sure everyone knows exactly what temperment, physical limitations (if any), training the dog has BEFORE the adoption. We also make sure the household the dog goes into is a match for the dog.  We would not take a high energy dog and put it into a home with an elderly woman in a condo.

I fully believe these myths are circulated by people who do not fully understand the Rescue dog adoption process.  It may be kept alive by puppy mill owners who hope the majority of people will still want to buy that cute little doggie in the window at the pet store.

Being a foster, I do hear people who give me compliments for helping these animals.  I really don't understand because I don't see myself doing anything out of the ordinary. I basically am at the right time and place.  But without my adopters,  I would not be able to help as many dogs as I have in my short time as a foster mom!  I truly love and cherish my adopters as they are very unique people who really care and choose to give these dogs a second chance at life!

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Meet Justice a Golden Retriever Spaniel Mix, Who Has Not Seen Too Much Justice in His Short Lifetime!

Meet Justice..he is my new foster from TN.  He appears to be a Golden Retriever Spaniel Mix.  I want to say he may even have Afghan in his background due to his wide, feathery black ears.  Justice came to me as a twice jailed reject.  Poor Guy!

Justice was originally adopted in Tennessee by a family. They took him home and due to him wanting to come inside the house, (think about the cold weather during March!!), the new owners took him back to the high kill shelter and said they did not want him any longer, he kept wanting in the house!

He is a young dog, believed to be about 2yrs young, he stills chews on your hands and has sharp teeth. He is very easy to train but you have to be consistant with him, he is like a rebellious younster.  He loves to play, play and more play! His favorite pasttime is running in circles at top speed around my .5 acre front yard.  He loves long walks after breakfast, and tennis balls.

He does not like school buses (he barks), I think he was with a family and maybe the child went to school on athe school bus.  He does not get along with cats. He chases cats. I am working on a 'leave it' command with him now to stop the behaviour.  He does not get along well with smaller dogs. He tends to use his size to his advantage.

It is very apparent Justice has had abuse in his past. People who did not know how to cope with a dog probably locked him in garages, outside, etc.  He is very mistrustful of people. It is taking awhile but I feel as soon as he learns that not all humans are going to try and hurt him, he will become a very loving, loyal and great dog!

Any high energy family with lots of room for Justice to run would find him a loving family member.  He really is a sweet dog.  I would not suggest him around little children but having older children would be a plus! He needs someone to throw frisbees and tennis balls as fast as they can and all day..his energy is endless!

To see Justice's profile on Petfinder.com, go to:  Friends of Homeless Animals

UPDATE: May 15, 2010 - Justice met with a potential adopter in Rhode Island.  This family had 2 boys, ages 9 and 7, just right to play with this huge puppy!  They also have a former rescue dog, a Great Pyrenees who has lived with them for awhile.  The Great Pyrenees breed is a laid back, mountain type dog who does well in solitude...not necessarily needing the pampered, family way of life.  The family found they really wanted a pet to come in the house and cuddle and play with the family.

Well from Justice's write up, we all know the only thing Justice was looking for was a family to invite him inside and cuddle and play! What better match could be found?!

We took Justice to his potential new 'furever' home and he and their dog had a great time. It was almost no time before the two dogs began playing and having fun.  This is not easy for such a large dog as the Pyrenees!  Everything was all set for Justice and his new home.

Justice finally has found the justice he needed. He is now a part of a loving family and has a new brother he can play with and he will never have to worry about his cuddling again!

I am getting a new foster in this weekend, he is being fostered due to Justice's new parents. They are the heroes in my life.  The adopters who adopt our dogs, don't even know how many dogs they help when they find their special dog!  I always like to tell them the name of the new dog I will be sponsering due to their love and understanding of these wonderful dogs!

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'The Back Up Plan' starring Jennifer Lopez and 3 very talented Boston Terrier Rescue Dogs!

I had heard about this new movie but really didn't know the plot. Then when cruising the Internet today, I ran across this post, "The Back Up Plan" stars Rescue Dogs. Wow, a beautiful picture of a Boston Terrier was with the story.

It seems, three rescue Boston Terriers used in the movie, 'Hotel for Dogs', (great movie! I hope you saw this one!), are starring with J-Lo in this new movie, coming out, April 24, 2010.

I really think this is great idea to spotlight on my favorite breed and show how intelligent they are! I truly hope it sparks interest in the breed but does not create a fad such as the poor Chihuahua or Dalmation craze. Please remember there are plenty of Boston Terriers that need good homes, not just for a temporary craze but for responsible owners. Whatever happens, I hope we do not see more temporary Boston Terrier breeders.

To read the story please click here to go to: Zoom Room

Looks like a wonderful story line along the same plot lines as 'Hotel for Pets'. We really do need to get information out to the public...Please don't Buy, Adopt.

Too many beautiful dogs are being put down daily while puppies are being bred in the most horrible conditions in Puppy Mills. Please do not buy puppies from a pet store. We may not be able to catch all the people running Puppy Mills, but we can try to educate people about where they come from and the misery these dogs come from...

Please go to: United Against Puppy Mills to learn more about where those cute little puppies come from. Most have hidden health issues because mothers are bred to sons, etc. and the puppies are not kept in sanitary conditions.

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Cocktail Shaker - or Shaker as his Friends call him!

Shaker is my youngster! While the other dogs in my household are 10yrs and over, little Shaker is only 2yrs old. He is the youngster that keeps all of us on our toes! He is so loving and playful, we all get a kick watching him play. He is also a Boston Terrier.

He is so happy to be alive and he shows it everyday. He gets up in the morning, looks for Squirty. They each touch noses, give a little kiss of assurance and then the games begin, time for a friendly little tussle before breakfast.

Then it is time for a great outside run around the house. Then its inside to harass a cat or two, find his ball or stuffed toy, then just as suddenly as all this began, his head goes down and he's asleep again! I keep joking I think he has narcolepsy...but according to his breed this is not unusual. He just runs out of gas and has to recharge!

Shaker also likes to love and kiss...A Lot! He really gives the big, wet sloppy kisses. He really is a character. Shaker would do great in a household with children, preferably older children that can throw a frisbee or ball.

Shaker and Squirty both have taught me a lot in the short time they've been here. Dogs are funny that way. They take so little and give so much.

Find out if a Boston Terrier is right for you, read all about the breed: Boston Terriers

UPDATE: Shaker now 'Domino' was adopted this past weekend by the most perfect adopter I could have ever imagined. Her friend described her as a 'Dr Doolittle'! She has worked with animals and been a part of the Humane Society for over 30yrs. She is now a dog trainer and has various other animals to include a 23yr old cat and cuckatoo!

Domino was reported with a back leg that was smaller than the other. I believe he must have learned to walk on it that way because he made full use of his leg. If you did not know, you would not notice unless you were looking for it. Well, Domino's new Mom wanted to be sure he would be able to walk with her and her other dog on a 2mi walk, 2x daily. I am proud to report he did and handled it well with no problems. He is adjusting into his new home by giving everyone his famous, sloppy, Boston Terrier kisses. I am so proud my precious found such a great home!

Just this one adoption has allowed me to pick up a new dog from a high kill shelter and rescue him. He is a terrier mix and is shivering and nervous inside the shelter. This dog was a owner surrender and you can see the confusion in the dog's eyes. He probably can't understand why he is laying down on cold cement to sleep when he had a perfectly good home. HE did nothing wrong. Usually cases like this are due to a new baby, moving, owners are just tired of the dog, etc.

Squirty - Friendly, Loving, Boston Terrior Mix

I am so blessed to have my first foster dog to be Squirty! He is a dog from Missouri that ended up in a shelter when his elderly owner passed away. He is a mixed Boston Terrier and Beagle mix. You would think a mix like that would be really a hyper dog! To the contrary, Squirty is one of the best behaved dogs I've ever known.

Squirty, 10yrs. old, came to us from another foster who had to give him up. Squirty at first was a little nervous about his new arrangements. I have two dogs of my own. A Shih-Tzu/Dachshund mix and a Rat Terrier. Both are older dogs, over the age of 12yrs.

Squirty has actually helped my dogs to mind their manners! They had gotten a little lax about begging for food, etc. When Squirty came in and did not, they started following him and not beg as often.

Squirty knows all his commands, and follows them well. He likes to please. He loves to run and play with his toys. He is definitely not ready for a rocking chair yet! His coat is brindle and white. He has the cutest white tip of his tail!

He has never met a person, dog or cat for that matter he didn't like! He enjoys going on walks, meeting other dogs and people. He is really good with smaller children. He is not one to knock little ones down.

Please take a look at his pictures and get in touch with Friends of Homeless Animals, Providence, RI, if you are interested in adopting Squirty or any of the other dogs up for adoption. Perhaps you've been wanting to foster for awhile and just didn't know where, who or how to contact. You can fill out an application to foster on this site as well!

UPDATE: Squirty was adopted shortly after being put up on this blog. He was with us not too long, but long enough for my husband to really bond with him. Squirty went everywhere with him in his truck! They also took long walks in the woods down to see the beavers at the dam. We will both miss him terribly but know he is now in the best Forever Home he could've ever gotten!

He was adopted by a woman who loves Senior dogs. She is single and her home is very low key for a low energy dog like Squirty. He now has a younger Shih-Tzu sister for company during the day and his new Mom is spoiling him silly!

As a foster we get a lot of thanks, but without our dear adopters..we would not be able to help more dogs. Our precious Adopters rock! The adopters see what we do in our dogs and love the dogs just as much as we do!

Friends of Homeless Animals, Providence, RI

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