As 2008 draws to a close, FBRN is closing in on our 300th foster dog for the year. We've placed about 200 dogs in new homes. While that seems like a great many dogs (and it is!) it's even more remarkable considering that in our first year, seven years ago, we placed just 25 dogs.

French bulldogs have become remarkably popular in the last few years, and while many people are waiting months for well-bred, healthy puppies from reputable breeders here and overseas , despicable puppymillers and backyard breeders are continuing to import, breed and sell French bulldogs and deliberately crossbred mixes, hoping to literally cash in on the fashionable frog, with little eye to improving the breed's health or temperament.

One of the decidedly mixed blessings of a poor economy may be that all those folks who have not researched French bulldogs or who are willing to plunk down 3,000 dollars or more for an impulse buy at a pet shop may be fewer and farther between. One of the sad facts of the economy's long, slow slide into the Slough of Despond is that more people who bought French bulldogs without knowledge of their common health problems are having trouble paying for their pets' medical care. We are seeing some of these dogs in FBRN. We have spent an astounding $200,000 dollars in veterinary care this year on our fosters. Since some of our volunteers cover all or part of their foster dogs' veterinary care, that number doesn't even tell the whole story.

We get some very, very sick dogs, like Slava, Gabriel, Sinna, Breezie, Posie, Cypress and Normie. We get dogs like the TX 12, puppy mill dogs who nearly all had heartworm. We also take in dogs with spinal damage who require physical therapy and long term rehabilitation: Brook, Gui, Haricot, Twila, Wasabi. We took in dogs from puppy mills, from shelters, from Good Samaritans and from owners. Some of our foster dogs come to us in excellent shape - most don't. And even though our adoption fees may seem high compared to the fees you might be charged at your local shelter or pound, our adoption fees don't even begin to pay FBRN's vet bills.

We can take in all of these dogs because of our volunteers' willingness to open their doors to French bulldogs in need. Filthy, emaciated, sick or disabled or healthy, hale and happy, these dogs are just impossible to say no to. Some volunteers have 2 or 3 fosters at a time! We are truly proud to say that we have no paid staff, except for our long-suffering webmaster, who charges far less than the market rate and constantly surprises and delights us with her talents and generous gifts of her time.

And we can continue to take in these dogs because we are very fortunate in having loyal, generous, unstinting supporters and friends who continue to help us help Frenchies in need. To all of our adopters, our supporters, our friends and our Frenchies, we wish a bright and hope-filled New Year.