How to Help FBRN

LMS RAISED $200 for FBRN!! This donation is from the LMS Group (Last Man Standing), football pool that is now down to less than 50 people for the $250,000 prize money. They donate $250,000 to about 50 charities and the winner gets the other half. This is a wonderful group of "Animals" themselves and often go by this nickname. The Zookeeper is in charge all monies and maintains supervision over all animals involved in the group. So I would personally like to give special thanks to him for not forgetting FBRN and helping those frenchies in need.

The PACC911’s Bowl-A-Rama for Animal Rescue raised over $400 for FBRN! Thanks to FBRN Arizona Volunteers and their families- Kelly Howell, Lynne Oglesby, Lana Howell and Muriel Townsend for bowling for dollars for our needy frenchies!

National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests people who are looking for "man's best friend" to check out the millions of dogs at local shelters across the country. However, responsible pet ownership requires more than simply agreeing to take an animal into your life; the potential adopter should be ready to make a commitment that will enhance the lives of both the human and the animal.

With nearly 10 million animals entering local shelters across the country each year the Adopt a Shelter Dog Month helps focus attention on the pet population problem we face in this country.

Renowned dog trainer Joel Silverman also says that shelter animals make good pets, and that proper training is the key. Silverman's many canine pupils have starred in commercials, television shows, and feature films and often come from shelters. According to Silverman, pet owners that train their dogs have better relationships with their pets and less problems in the home.

"Most people don't realize that training is not as difficult as they think," says Silverman. "Training should be fun for both the pet owner and the dog and, in fact, usually strengthens the bond between them."

In a recent study conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, researchers surveyed people turning animals in to 12 various shelters around the country to try to find our exactly why animals end up there. The study was published in the current issue of the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, and can be seen at The ASPCA's Web site (http://www.aspca.org). The study's researchers reviewed reasons why people gave up their dogs up for adoption, and found the following frequency of answers:

-- 29 percent surrendered their dogs due to behavior problems

-- 29 percent surrendered their dogs because of the family's housing situation

-- 25 percent surrendered their dogs citing incompatibility with the family's lifestyle

-- 15 percent surrendering their dogs due to the family's preparation and/or expectations.

According to The ASPCA, people bringing a companion animal into their lives need to thoroughly review their lifestyle and their readiness to take responsibility for the animal's care. The ASPCA advises people to consider the five questions below before they adopt a dog:

1. Am I ready to make a long-term commitment? Adopting a pet means being responsible for it's health and happiness for the rest of his or her life, which could be up to 15 years for dogs.

2. Is the animal right for my household? A strong, active pet may be too much for a young child or elderly person to handle. Small pets may be too delicate for rough play with children. Always make sure that everyone in the household agrees to adopt an animal.

3. Who will be the primary caretaker for the animal? One adult in the home should be designated as the primary caretaker so that the pet's needs do not become lost in the shuffle of busy schedules.

4. Can I afford the animal? The cost of a pet is more than just the purchase price or adoption fee; remember to include the cost of food, pet supplies, veterinarian bills and training.

5. Am I ready to commit to making this dog a good canine citizen? A well-trained dog is a pleasure and is welcome in public parks, on walks, and as a visitor. Research shows that people who take the time to train their dogs are more likely to keep them longer than people who don't.

Looking for a dog to add to your family? Consider adopting a shelter dog!

http://www.doghobbyist.com/articles/DogHobbyist/Adopt.html
© 2003 OnlineHobbyist.com, Inc.

WALKTOBERFEST
On September 22nd, 2007 the Berks County Humane Society held their 30th annual Walktoberfest for the animals at Shearers Barbecue Ranch in Sinking Springs, PA. In addition to Walktoberfest, vendors showed a variety of clothing, and physical therapists, groomers and trainers demonstrated their trade. A beer and wine garden and musicians entertained the guests. Crista Tam and her Frenchie Secret, and Marilyn Traeger and her Frenchie Newman manned the FBRN booth and did a brisk business educating the public about FBRN! Newman and Secret lured the crowd with their ever-changing costumes and bag of tricks. They raised $132.00 and signed up new volunteers. Fun was had by all!

FBRN at Puppy Mill Awareness Day 2007

Several FBRN volunteers (both human and frenchie) recently made the trip to the Puppy Mill Awareness Day, 2007 in Intercourse, Pennsylvania. This was FBRN's second year participating in the event, which was created to raise public awareness of the cruel and deplorable conditions within puppy mills. FBRN has been working closely with the Puppy Mill Awareness Day Organization to spread the word that we will find a way to stop the practice of "manufacturing" dogs for profit. This was an exceptionally special year, with a candlelight vigil on the steps of the Capitol (in Harrisburg) and with the largest crowd ever. The march through the streets of Intercourse was both exciting and inspiring! Tourists were snapping pictures as the protestors marched through the busiest tourist sections. Hopefully when they got home they shared those vacation pictures with people who did not know about Pennsylvania's dirty secret!

FBRN's participation in the Puppy Mill Awareness Day Organization was enhanced this year by two of FBRN's most committed members (Jan Frymyer and Shelby Carland) joining The Awareness Day Organization as official volunteers. Both Jan and Shelby have extensive experience with mill dogs and devote an enormous amount of time to rescue. As a rescue organization FBRN is incredibly fortunate to have the amazing volunteers that we have! French bulldogs are becoming more common in puppy mills due to their price tag. Millers will simply breed them to be larger so they can free-whelp, or cross-breed them with Boston terriers to create puppies that look like pied Frenchies. If we, as FBRN volunteers, could all commit to tell 5 people whom we are not acquainted with about puppy mills before the end of the year, our organization could reach over 1,500 people. There is strength in numbers and we have them! Maybe half of those people will tell someone else.....and half of those people will tell someone else...you get the picture. In our fight to protect the frogs, we are saving thousands of other dogs as well!

It was truly a wonderful experience to spend time with FBRN volunteers. Debbie Goodling visited with FBRN foster dog Samson (the handsome devil!) and Marilyn Traeger brought her frenchie Newman along. Yvonne Carbaugh came to help with her rat terrier Patsy. At one point we were all in a hotel suite with 7 frenchies having cocktails (the humans, not the frenchies!) They were all exhausted, and snoring could be heard from many different corners of the suite. There were frogs everywhere! Might I add that our booth was by far the best at the event, thanks to Jan! There was a steady crowd of visitors the entire day.

I would also like to point out that it was a frenchie that first "walked over the face" of Joyce Stoltzfus, the notorious Lancaster puppy-miller, at the candlelight vigil. I believe it was frenchie Philippe Frymyer (in all his brindle glory) who took the first steps. "Frogs are not going to take this anymore!", I heard him chant. For those of you who are not familiar with it, the face was created from digital footprints of the dogs that have been saved from the Stoltzfus mill. It was displayed at the "Puppies Are Biodegradable" art exhibit in Philadelphia, with a copy made for Awareness Day. We all signed the names of puppy mill dogs over Joyce's face, and displayed the final exhibit the next day as a backdrop for our guest speakers. I should also add that frenchies Newman Traeger, Luigi Frymyer and Willow Carland went along on the protest walk. It is a long walk for any frenchie, but the frogs stood strong for what they believed in (with a bit of help here and there.)

I will let the pictures tell the rest of story! -FBRN Volunteer Kim Alboum

Thank you to everyone who participated in Awareness Day 2007!

National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month

With nearly 10 million animals entering local shelters across the country each year the Adopt a Shelter Dog Month helps focus attention on the pet population problem we face in this country.

In a recent study conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, researchers surveyed people turning animals in to
12 various shelters around the country to try to find our exactly why animals end up there. The study was published in the current issue of the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, and can be seen at The ASPCA's Web site (http://www.aspca.org). The study's researchers reviewed reasons why people gave up their dogs up for adoption, and found the following frequency of answers:

# 29 percent surrendered their dogs due to behavior problems

# 29 percent surrendered their dogs because of the family's housing situation

# 25 percent surrendered their dogs citing incompatibility with the family's lifestyle

# 15 percent surrendering their dogs due to the family's preparation and/or expectations.

1. Am I ready to make a long-term commitment? Adopting a pet means being responsible for it's health and happiness for the rest of his or her life, which could be up to 15 years for dogs.

3. Who will be the primary caretaker for the animal? One adult in the home should be designated as the primary caretaker so that the pet's needs do not become lost in the shuffle of busy schedules.

4. Can I afford the animal? The cost of a pet is more than just the purchase price or adoption fee; remember to include the cost of food, pet supplies, veterinarian bills and training.

Looking for a dog to add to your family? Consider adopting a shelter dog!

Pittsburgh Pet Adoption Fair!

FBRN was pleased and proud to learn that the inimitable Pig and Cow of Southern California were celebrating their second birthdays earlier this month, and FBRN was to receive the presents! Pig and Cow declared that in lieu of doggy presents and treats for themselves, they were asking their guests to break out their pokes and pony up some gold dust for the cause of poor but honest orphans in need: FBRN's Frenchies.

The theme was Western, the guests were beautiful, and Pig and Cow got all the attention and grub they could get. We are happy to learn that none of the neighbors called the Sheriff on our revelers, and all the bargirls, cowhands, farmers, rustlers, dudes and gamblers, along with a posse of pooches and a passel of half-pints, enjoyed the day.

"Why didn't *we* think of this?" we ask ourselves! This is a fabulous idea. We hereby sanction and encourage those in the French bulldog community who sponsor birthday parties for their pups to do as Pig and Cow did and make our froggy friends in FBRN the recipients of their generous guests' gifting! Perhaps you have you been holding back and resisting the idea of throwing a fete for your favorite Frenchie, fearful that your friends would think you'd been in the sun without a Stetson too durned long? Well, hesitate no more! Invite everyone you know and have a blast. We'd love to see your photos and celebrate your celebration on the website! And you *know* your Frenchie would love it!"

Awareness Day was awesome! 200 hundred people Marched through the tourist section of Intercourse, PA, yelling "NO MORE PUPPY MILLS!!" People were driving by beeping and waving. There was a good deal of support.

At one point a guy drove by in an SUV with a big lab hanging out the window that started barking as we were yelling. It was funny...as if he knew what we were there for. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to do a protest for the animals to grab the experience! You meet the most dedicated and kind people.

This event made me want to work harder in rescue. It made me realize each and every one of us can make a difference. There were times that I found myself overwhelmed with the cruelty of puppy mills...a bit hopeless if you will. After experiencing the support of Awareness Day participants and hearing the stories of all the mill dogs that attended with their families, I have come to understand that there are so many people out there that support rescue. People just like us that want to make life better for animals. Sometimes I get lost in the anger and forget to see the good. I hope that this is a reminder for all of you.

What we do is amazing! FBRN placed 10 dogs last month and took in 8 last weekend! Talk about making a difference......

Please go to www.awarenessday.org
and look at the pictures posted for 2006.

The speakers were fabulous. Tammy Grimes is such an inspiration. For those of you that have not heard of her she is the one that has been arrested for saving a dying dog from someone's back yard. Her story and the footage is on the Awareness Day site.

It is hard to watch but you should. I walked next to her for a while during the march. She really inspired me. Everyone is always telling me "One dog at a time, you can only save one at a time." She is the first person that said what I have felt all along, we can't just take it one at a time. We have to change laws, take down the mills and shoot for the big stuff. One dog at time does not cut it when the millers have 400 stuffed in a barn ranging from poodles to labs. We have to make it simply not acceptable.

Anyway, I am attaching pictures of Hudson and Greer at their very first protest. They were taken at the vigil the night before. I joke and say that it is the start of Hudson's FBI file. He was very serious....more because he smelled the Waffle House across the street but let's pretend it is because he wanted to shut down puppy mills.