Happy New Year!
Taking a look back at 2014
The greatest gift is a second chance
As we begin our 13th year in operation, all of us at Boston Buddies would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our adopters, donors and volunteers for all their efforts during these past 12 years. Boston Buddies has grown from a handful of caring individuals pulling dogs from shelters to an organization with worldwide supporters and an ever expanding group of local volunteers who stand ready, willing and able to come to the aid of a dog in need. Our efforts continue to focus on those dogs most in need of rescue – the sick, the old and those that need a bit of help to get back on four paws and find their forever home.
Rescue is a group effort and without the efforts of all Boston Buddies would not be able to help the number of dogs we do. We can never give enough thanks to our wonderful volunteers working tirelessly on behalf of the Buddies – from doing home visits, to making long drives to pick up dogs in shelters, to transporting dogs to and from vet appointments and fostering a dog until they are ready for their forever home. We also give thanks to our adopters who have chosen to open their hearts and homes to a rescue dog. They truly help us reach our ultimate goal for every dog to have a forever home to call their own.
Boston Buddies’ reputation for providing the best medical care to its dogs has become well known and we are frequently asked to take in special needs Bostons both in and out of our primary area of coverage – and because of our great support system and generous donors we are able to say yes! Even with the discounts provided to our rescue, vet expenses alone totaled over $130,000 in 2014. Without the extraordinary generosity of our donors we could not provide this level of care to these special dogs in need.
Boston Buddies: assisted over 105 dogs in need in 2014. We were thrilled to find a forever home for Baby Bella – our little hydrocephalus puppy who is thriving under the love and care of her family in Florida. We were ecstatic to find the perfect fit for two of our long term fosters – Harvey and Diesel were both in rescue for over 18 months before we finally found the right homes for them. Tiny Tony – a 4 week old puppy who arrived in rescue suffering seizures due to dehydration – is a normal Boston boy who is not so tiny anymore! Bronson – a dog scheduled for euthanasia in the shelter due to medical and behavioral issues is thriving in his home. Ricky, the deaf boy found lying on the side of the freeway, is fully recovered and living the high life with his awesome family. And who can forget that this past Summer we had puppies - Momma Mercy gave birth to Ted E Bear, Louie and Pebbles (nka Zoe) and took in bonus pup Penny (a day old orphan from the Baldwin Park shelter). All the pups are in fantastic homes and Momma Mercy made it clear that she was happy where she was in her foster home with our Director.
2014 also saw the launch of our new and improved website — www.bostonbuddies.org. Our online Facebook Auctions continue to be the model followed by other rescue groups and provide much needed rescue funds in a fun and exciting way. We are thrilled to report that the Boston Buddies Dog Pack raised over $14,000 in this year’s Strut Your Mutt walk. This year’s Boston Tea Party was once again a popular event with over 220 dogs and their families in attendance. There is nothing that lifts our spirits more than seeing all those Boston Terriers and their families enjoying a day together – and we LOVE seeing our alumni with their new families!
There are still a few copies left of the 2015 Boston Buddies Rescue Calendar – don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy a year of uplifting rescue stories along with adorable photos of rescued Bostons. You can purchase a copy here.
Our Facebook Fan page now has almost 10,000 Fans from all over the world. It is THE place to go for the most current information on Boston Buddies and where we post photos and information about the dogs as they come into rescue as well as other dogs in the shelters needing help. If you haven’t Found Us on Facebook we strongly encourage you to do so — www.facebook.com/BostonBuddiesInc
Donations of any amount are most appreciated and may be made by using the PayPal link at our website here.
All of us at Boston Buddies wish each and every one of you a very happy holiday season and send our best wishes for a prosperous and healthy 2015.
Meet Boston Buddies latest Charter Member:
Cherish Changala—Since 2009, I have had the wonderful joy of being able to volunteer for Boston Buddies. Every time I have been able to help with a home visit that led to a fur-ever home or transport a dog out of a bad situation or be a part of the Boston Tea Party and see all the joy on the Bostons that have been adopted; I have felt so grateful to be part of such an amazing rescue organization. To be involved with a rescue that has changed the lives of so many dogs and people has been a dream of mine. I always hoped to make a difference and an impact on dogs in need. In early 2014, I was honored to have been asked to help Kathleen Engberg with writing our thank you notes to all the generous people that donate to Boston Buddies. Then later in 2014, I became the Application Coordinator and began to interact with all the dedicated volunteers that help with home visits in ensuring we find the right homes for our dogs. When I see an application turn into a fantastic home for one of our dogs, it brings me the greatest joy! Boston Buddies also blessed me with my Boston Terriers Zorro and Lola that mean the world to me. I have been touched by so many dogs in volunteering with Boston Buddies and truly believe in the saying “Who Saved Who.”
Time for a Neck Check!
Start the New Year off right and help insure the safety of your pets by calling them over and checking their necks! Make sure their collar is properly fitted and in good condition. Check the holes and fasteners and if there is wear and tear it is time for a new one. Check the tags on the collar too – is their license up to date? Is your contact information on their identification tag current and legible? Consider putting more than one phone number on the tag – yours and that of a close friend or relative. If your pet is micro chipped, is the microchip tag on their collar and the microchip number legible? Have you registered the microchip to you with the microchip company and if so, is your information with them current? If your pet is not micro chipped consider having it done – it is a permanent piece of identification that could be instrumental in reuniting you with your pet. Don’t procrastinate or delay in fixing any problems encountered during your annual “neck check.” Your pet is counting on you to keep them safe.
Pumpkin Treats:
1 cup of canned organic pumpkin. (found at Trader Joe’s or any health food market)
1 3/4 cups whole oat flour or brown rice flour
1 cage free egg
Dash of cinnamon.
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Stir ingredients together in a large bowl, lightly flour a cooking surface. Roll the dough out onto the cooking surface to a 1/4 inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to create shape and place on cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown and let cool on a wire rack. About 30-40.
Recipe by: Hereta Cervantes
*Recipe has been tested in my own kitchen by me and dogs. Please make sure your dog is not allergic to any of the ingredients above before giving them a treat.*
More veggies less processed treats—Veggies and fruits you can feed your 4 legged buddy
The good vegetables:
Acorn Squash (all Winter Squash + Pumpkin)
Asparagus
Beets
Bell Pepper (all colors)
Broccoli
Carrots
Cabbage
Collards
Cauliflower
Green Beans (lightly cooked)
Kale
Lettuces (not iceberg hard to digest)
Spinach
Sweet potatoes
Summer Squash (yellow & Zucchini)
The good fruits:
Melons
Coconut
Cranberries
Berries (fresh and frozen): Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries Raspberries
Bananas
Apple (not seeds)
Tip: Boiled veggies like baby carrots or zucchini slices are handy to have and to substitute for regular treats. My dogs love cooked up carrots and zucchini.
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