Thursday Evening August 10, 2006

Gem of the Day: Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.
~Henry Ford~

See Vet Bills Paid So Far for August of '06 Totalling $10,942. 95

(This represents 45 checks written for just one week's worth of vetting for the Small Paws Bichons)

See Vet Bills Paid in July of '06 Totalling $ 34, 695.83

See Vet Bills Paid in June '06 Totalling $32, 194.05

See Previous Vet Bills Paid by Small Paws Rescue in 2005 Totalling $438,467.30

See our 140 listings of 146 adoptable Bichons! (Some of these listings are of bonded pairs!)

See our 140 listings of 146 adoptable Bichons by Zip Code!

Fill out an online adoption application!

How to Become a Much Needed Small Paws® Rescue Foster Parent!

Information About Our Programs

Small Paws Rescue Outreach: Puerto Vallarta Mexico

How Many Puppy Mills are in Your State?

The 2nd Annual Small Paws Rescue National Quilt!

Quilt Raffle Tickets $5.00 each
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Dear Small Pawsers,

Welcome to the newest members of our online mailing list, especially if you have seen us featured in one of our recently updated media articles , read about us in the best selling book "Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul", or if you saw Small Paws on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams!

Small Pawsers everywhere welcome you with open arms! We sincerely hope that you enjoy "Small Pawsing and reading Small Paws!"

If you are new to Small Pawsing®, this may look as if it is coming only to you but really it is going out to fellow Small Pawsers all across our country and in 20 foreign countries as well!

Adoption information is posted below. Turn up your speakers!
We have music for you!

If you missed our last newsletter, here it is. http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/august0906.html

First of all I wanted to let you know that we had no Bichons in the air today, flying to their new homes, after the problems at all of the airports due to terrorist's scheme that was thankfully foiled today.

We also didn't have anyone in the air on Sept 11 either. We have been blessed, as air delays are running in some places three hours.

All of our Bichons are on the ground today in air conditioning! (It was 108 here in Tulsa today!)

Secondly, Carrie came through her heart surgery at Texas A&M with flying colors! Patty Shearer picked her up today and drover her to her foster Mom, Sharon Hamm! Thanks to all of you who helped to save her!

Next, we have a situation that needs your prayers. One of our puppy mill rescues, little four year old Sabrina, from here in Tulsa at our clinic, was due to have 8 babies at the end of August. She came in pregnant, from the mills.

Instead, she dominoed today, with only four babies. The other four must have spontaneously aborted and she absorbed them. This happens sometimes when dogs don't have good prenatal care, as she didn't when she came form the mill.

Two of the babies look to be full term. Two of them are very tiny, and look to be premature.

Our vet techs, who are also SPR volunteers, (and one of them is an adoptive Bichon Mom TWICE) took excellent care of Mother and babies all afternoon.

Dr. Russell was at a dental seminar, and these girls handled everything with kid gloves. Bonnie and I were very impressed.

Today, Bonnie and I went up to the clinic to see the babies. I took the two smallest ones into a back room and prayed over them.

We named the tiny male, Solomon, and the tiny female, Sarah...good strong names from the old testament.

Solomon and Sarah are the two tiny ones who need our prayers


Solomon is introduced to dinner, by his Aunt Bonnie, while Aunt Kathy stands by with a warm bottle,
in case it didn't work.


The other two are twice the size of Solomon and Sarah.


Success! They are nursing!

Tonight, after the vet's office closed, Kathy, one of our techs, took Mama and all four babies over to the after hours emergency hospital, here in Tulsa. Animal Emergency Center Inc 7220 East 41st Street, Tulsa, OK 74145.

We told them to stare at them, pray over them, make sure the two little ones stay warm even if they have to incubate them, and make sure the two littlest one stay attached to a place to eat.

Right now, this is how much is in our account.

Subj: Re: I need a money number please
Date: 8/10/2006 7:57:30 PM Central Standard Time
From: dhagadorn@sbcglobal.net
To: Pup3@aol.com

$3,224.28

as of now

Dave Hagadorn>

Remember, we still owe Dr. Russell, over $5000.00 on Monday, from paying just half of his vet bill last week. He had many of our Bichons in there and he doesn't bill us until they leave, and we just did a huge transport. The next bill should be small.

We have other vet bills dues as well. I almost didn't send the babies to emergency tonight, but I knew you all would want us to do that, to have them watched and kept warm and fed. Babies this tiny can die from hypothermia if they wander away from their Mama.

We have this new challenge for you on honor of Toby, from Sue Roeglin. He was her heart dog...

Subj: donation
Date: 8/8/2006 4:42:45 PM Central Standard Time
From: roeglins@comcast.net

I am issuing a matching challenge from some lovely SPR person for $100.00. I read all the great stories about the "Heart dogs " & know that Toby was mine & he would want the challenge to go out for him .I would love to tell you how much he was loved & how he was a gentle soul who never hurt any of our four legged kids even when my cat would stalk him like John Wayne & bop his nose .I have a thousand stories in my heart but I am crying to hard to write them down ,
Sue R. >

And we still have these challenges up that haven't been met yet!

This challenge is from April Graham, for $150.00! It can be met in whole or in part! Thank you so much April!

Date: 8/8/2006 11:11:32 AM Central Standard Time
From: aingram@boultcummings.com
To: pup3@aol.com

Here is a $150 challenge to help get us through this lean time. These little sunbeams
called bichons can heal loneliness, sadness, and boredom---just ask anyone who's known
one! It's the gift that gives back tenfold, if you can help a bichon have a chance at life,
health, and affection. And these little guys are desperate.>

And from Nancy Archerd, we have a "Beloved Heart Dog Challenge"...oh Nancy...thank you so so much. I know we have so many Small Pawsers from around the globe who can relate to having had a beloved heart dog!

Subj: RE: Beloved heart dog challenge -
Date: 8/8/2006 12:48:04 PM Central Standard Time
From: archerd@mind.net

Robin and Stephanie - Thanks for reminding me that I have been truly blessed in my life to have 3 heart dogs.
So I have indeed been very blessed. I am donating $10 for each of my beloved heart dogs out of
gratefulness that they were in my life and I challenge all Small Pawsers to do the same.
Windee was the love of my life - an Aussie who was fortunate enough to have kept her tail (and boy did it wag!)
lived to be two weeks shy of her 17 1/2 birthday. She went to college with me as a puppy and
saw me through my young adulthood and into marriage.

Brie was a Golden Retriever who I bought as a puppy when Windee was 13 to help me when the
time came for Windee to go to the Rainbow Bridge - ha ha ha - Windee fooled us all by living 4 more years!
Brie was brilliant, although it took 3 years to channel her energy (after chewing a hole in the kitchen floor and
other fun activities) she became high scoring obedience dog in our area.
Brie's nephew Max was sent from heaven.
He fell in love with our adopted daughter when she came home - she slept on his tummy, dressed him in doll
clothes and when I painted her toenails, I painted his. It broke our hearts when we lost him to cancer
when he was only 8. We still can't look at a photo of him without crying.
So I have indeed been very blessed. I am donating $10 for each of my beloved heart dogs out of
gratefulness that they were in my life and I challenge all Small Pawsers to do the same.>

Then our Utah Team Leader, Sherrill Street, has this challenge for you!

Date: 8/8/2006 8:13:43 PM Central Standard Time
From: mickeystreets@netscape.net
To: pup3@aol.com

I would like to challenge folks to slow
down and see how much they can save in gas (not to mention their nerves).
If they can donate the savings to Small Paws Rescue that's even better!

I've been quite surprised at how much money I save at the pump just by slowing
down. Be sure to check your tire pressure too.

These fluffs need us all.
Love and blitzes from the little white fluffs.>

And from Dana Perez, , our Ga. Team Leader...way to go Dana and thank you!!

Subj: Re: VERY IMPORTANT SMALL PAWS INFORMATION
Date: 8/8/2006 3:41:20 PM Central Standard Time
From: SPR-GEORGIA@comcast.net
To: pup3@aol.com

Robin,
After reading your latest newsletter. I asked myself what more could I do to help? I decided to gather all of the loose change from around the house and cash it in. It was easy to take to my local grocery store where they had a machine that counts it and gives you a receipt for your coins. Well...after their percentage was taken out I had $98.27. I'm sending this money to SPR tonight! Maybe...if everyone that reads your newsletter does the same we can come up with some much needed cash.

--
Dana Perez
Small Paws Rescue
Georgia Team Leader>

Also, do you work for Safeco, or another company who does matching gifts? We have just been approved by Safeco to receive matching gifts to match their employees volunteer hours or donations!

Subj: RE: Contribution Match
Date: 8/9/2006 11:32:47 AM Central Standard Time
From: DIANAW@SAFECO.com
To: Pup3@aol.com, Omalou@aol.com

Safeco is a national insurance company, so it’s out there and available in most states.

Robin, I know that the last newsletter said that not everyone was getting their newsletters…so maybe to offset the decline in donations, you can include a blurb in the next newsletter about having people check with their employers to see if such a program is in place. I know that the big corporations have them (e.g. Citibank). Some have difference parameters….such as a minimum amount that must be contributed before the company will match…but some don’t. If they do have the programs, they can go back and look up their donations for this year 2006 and submit them. Regardless, a lot of people do not know that this is offered and awareness is the first step!>

The Mad Quilter's Quilt Shoppe is still open and she has only sold 16 quilts this time, as opposed to something like 50 quilts all of the other times. If you want a Birthday quilt, better hurry!

Subj: Birthday Quilts
Date: 7/28/2006 10:31:19 AM Central Standard Time
From: christinejohnson@alltel.net
To: Pup3@aol.com
Hey Robin,

It seems like we have so many fluff emergencies right now; so many precious little ones needing expensive vet care before they can find their forever homes. I’d like to help by offering some very special quilts for some very special bichons! Check out the new samples!





Personalized birthday quilts are here, and Bailey was MORE than glad to model for the center square. These quilts feature “Happy Birthday” fabric, multi-colored bones, a plaid, and even a doggie print with leashes, toys, and bowls. Very colorful and totally unique for that special dog of yours. They measure 32” square and are made of 100% cotton fabrics. Please note: photo transfers to fabric are not as “rugged” as regular rag quilt squares. Although they are washable, wash with care in cold water, and only when necessary. The photos may fade with repeated washings. Think what a wonderful wall hanging these would be, or as a table topper.

I’m also offering a birthday quilt with our favorite fluff puppy head in the center. Here it is:





Like quilt #1, this quilt is 100% cotton and 32” square. It features birthday fabrics and candles, and can be machine washed and dried as desired. For more pictures, please visit my “Small Paws Quilt Shop” website at: www.christinejohnson.org.


To order either quilt, just make a $50 donation on the secure Small Paws credit card website.

Or you may send a check or money order to:
Small Paws Rescue Inc.
3316 S. 72nd. W. Ave.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74107

Specify quilt #1 or #2, and if ordering #1, send me your fluff’s name and picture to BR> From: christinejohnson@alltel.net Please allow three weeks for delivery. Each quilt will be handmade for your fluff and it will take the ’42 Singer some time (not to mention the ’52 owner of said sewing machine!)


And just so you know….Bailey’s real birthday is August 16th, when I picked him up from a shelter in North Georgia as a FOSTER fluff. Don’t tell him what he’s getting for a present. J

Chris>

Stephanie Hunter is standing by to take your email donations by credit card and Janet Byrn is standing by to take your phone in credit card donations at 508-801-3106. She is on Eastern Standard Time.!

E-mail Stephanie Hunter, at dancinblvd@sc.rr.com and let her know the amount of their donation to help these Bichons. Please, at the same time, copy me at pup3@aol.com so we will know what is coming in.

You may also call your credit card donation in to Janet at 508-801-3106. She is on Eastern Standard Time.

See Vet Bills Paid So Far for August of '06 Totalling $10,942. 95

See Vet Bills Paid in July of '06 Totalling $ 34, 695.83

See Vet Bills Paid in June 2006 Totalling $31,106.85

See Vet Bills Paid in May 2006 totalling $40, 209.13

If you are new to Small Paws Rescue and have any questions about who we are, they may be answered in the following links.

Guidestar.com (You will need to register to be able see all not-for-profit's info now. Guidestar has changed this to require everyone to register now. You can get the basic Guidestar service for free!)

Small Paws Rescue Mission Statement

Before and After Pictures

Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Cards. You may use your major credit card securely, at this site. This is our own credit card server. It is secure.

Use your credit card securely here (http://www.cyberwealthautomation.com/app/netcart.asp?MerchantID=16318&ProductID=426742)

If you can't find a way to make your credit card work online, and we have your credit card on file already, please email Stephanie Hunter, at dancinblvd@sc.rr.com and let her know the amount of their donation to help these Bichons. Please, at the same time, copy me at pup3@aol.com so we will know what is coming in.

You may also call your credit card donation in to Janet at 508-801-3106. She is on Eastern Standard Time.

You may also send a check or money order to:
Small Paws Rescue Inc.
3316 S. 72nd. W. Ave.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74107

Another way you can help is to become a monthly supporter with an amount of your choosing. This is how to do that, securely, with your major credit card.
Make a recurring monthly donation here.

One of the ways you can help us is to donate your car, boat or motor home to Small Paws! We are now set up to sell these items on our Small Paws Ebay Page!

This is an article with more about donating a motor vehicle to Small Paws!

Another way you can help is to shop on our Small Paws Ebay Page! where we have a 100% Positive Feedback Score! We do need Ebay donation items!

to:	pup3@aol.com
from:	SPR Ebay	100% positive feedback rating!
subject:	EBAY UPDATE
	Hi, Robin,	Stay Cool!

Here is what is currently listed for Small Paws Ebay!

And we have added a new fundraiser for Small Paws. It's our own Cafe Press site! Come and see!

Come Visit Our Small Paws Rescue Store on CafePress!

From: dianamca@hughes.net

Hi Robin,
I've created a new section in our CafePress shop - The logo is different, lighter, and might appeal to more of our members.

You might want to mention it in the next newsletter you do - people getting ready for Summer events might enjoy some new logo wear.

Also, Buckwheat and Tina are featured on the first two SPR postage stamps, at just $19.99 a sheet.

http://www.cafepress.com/smallpawsrescue/1624245

http://www.cafepress.com/smallpawsrescue/1578193

Maybe it will help to raise some funds for when it's raining Bichons.

Diana>

Still yet another way you can help us is to Sign Up As a Small Pawser With IGIVE.COM! A portion of your purchases from major upscale retail stores will then come back to Small Paws and the Bichons! A New Store & Doubled Donations Make It Cool To Help Small Paws Rescue Inc. (July 26, 2006)

Another way you can help Small Paws AND give a Birthday or Anniversary gift, is to make a donation in that person's name or honor. Please be sure to include a note so that person or family can be sent notification via a beautiful Small Paws Rescue card!

Here's another way to help SPR....donate shares of stock! This is a win-win situation for everyone. No taxes on the donation (for either you or SPR) and no broker's fees. This is a great way to dispose of those miscellaneous shares of stock you've been holding on to and put them to good use!

And, if you can contribute to charities at work, through United Way...how about choosing Small Paws as your charity at your place of employment?

Ok, now don't worry if you won't hear from me again until next Monday. Remember, I'll be at the Bay Area Bash this weekend. Ya'll come!

Lynda and Brian DeHart donated my round trip airline tickets , and the Martin Family, in San Leandro, Ca., donate my hotel and meals, so this is a wonderful opportunity for us to reach out to people in the community who have been invited to this bash, and to try to sign up some more volunteers and Bichon lovers for Small Paws!

This is one of the reasons we have grown to be so large, because, thanks to so many of you, I've been able to travel around the country and tell people, first hand, of our passion for our magnificent obsession.

After they hear and see what we do, of course they want to be a part of this wonderful family that we call...Small Paws Rescue. All My Love, Robin

Bayn's Corner
A Summer Series of Stories, previously stored in Bayn's heart.)

By Bayn Carlson (carlsonb@friscoisd.org) of Frisco Texas

Since I'm back to work, I'll share some school stories with you this week. But first, I just have to complain a little. Working for a school district, I've had the last six weeks off. When I taught in Minnesota, I used to have a coffee cup that said, "The best things about being a teacher…June, July, and August." When I started teaching in Texas, I got a Sharpie and crossed out August. Then my vacations kept getting shorter and shorter. I finally just threw the cup in the trash. OK, enough moaning. After all, I get paid $265,000 a year. No wait, that's the CEO of American Airlines. Luckily, I do love my job.

I used to teach first grade, so there's no shortage of stories. I'll share some of my favorite ones with you. Of course the names have been changed to protect the innocent. I still remember my very first day of teaching. I'd gone through years of college courses, worked in after school programs, done my share of school observations, and done three months of student teaching. Ooooo, wait! I want to tell you one of my funnies from student teaching.

When you student teach, you usually observe a veteran teacher for a couple of weeks, then slowly start teaching the class yourself. My situation was a little different. I walked in my very first day of student teaching to find a sub. The woman who was to be my supervising teacher was gone because her mother had just passed away. The sub asked me what I wanted to do the first day, so I agreed to read the story at story time. I swear, I was sweating so badly, I could barely turn the pages of the book. The next day I walked in to have the sub tell me there was no time like the present, I was going to teach the class today. So, trial by fire, I began teaching a very well mannered second grade class on my second day of student teaching. Honestly, it was probably the best thing that could have happened to me.

Well, a couple of weeks had gone by, and my supervising teacher was back at school. She was very apologetic for being gone, but had heard things had gone well, and wanted me to continue teaching the class. She was going to observe, jump in if needed, and offer advice at the end of the day.

The day seemed to be going well…then we had social studies. Remember Alf, the TV show about an alien who looked like the cross between a dog and a cat, that lived with a family on earth? During my social studies lesson, one of the little boys, Greg, took an Alf puppet out of his desk and began to play with it. He didn't bother anyone in the class, he was just playing with this little furry puppet. I probably made eye contact with Greg, and he put Alf back in his desk. Pretty soon out came Alf again. This time I told Greg, I didn't want to see it. He obliged.

There was only one problem. Greg had put Alf away, but this time Alf went down the front of Greg's pants, and yes, his hand was still in it. I glanced over at my supervising teacher with a panicked look on my face, only to see that she was reading the pile of mail that had accumulated while she was away. I loudly cleared my throat. Greg decided and get up and go to the restroom located at the back of the room. After about what seemed like thirty minutes, Greg walked back out of the restroom…with Alf hanging out of the front of his pants. The look of shock on the face of my supervising teacher was priceless! I'm sure with his on the job training, and love of furry toys, Greg must have grown up to be puppet master, or at the very least, a character at Disney World.

OK, back to my first day of teaching. I was so young and excited. I was going to influence the world. I had eighteen little first graders who couldn't wait to begin learning. We were getting ready to start the day with the Pledge of Allegiance. I had all the kids standing next to their desk, and reminding them which hand was their right hand. One of the little boys looked up at me and asked if he could hold the flag. It was my first day, so I figured what the heck. I climbed up on a chair, got the flag down, and handed it to the little guy. He stood with the flag in one hand, held his hand to his head in full salute, and began to recite the pledge with the rest of the class joining in. The next thing I know they all started singing, "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" while marching around the room. It was at that moment, thousands of dollars and many years of college later, I realized that I had absolutely no clue what I was doing!

I need to wrap this up, but I'll share one quick story about one of my favorite kidos, Angel. Angel was one of my students a couple of years ago. This past year he was in second grade and had some family issues, which makes me look out for him that much more. One day I'd come to school and found out that Angel had been in the emergency room the night before. Needless to say, I was very concerned. When he came down for his daily meet and greet, I told him I'd heard he went to the doctor.

"What was wrong", I asked.
"Oh man," he replied. (Picture a little African American second grader with a fro.) "My stomach heart so bad."
"Why did you have such a bad stomach ache?"
"The doctor told me I don't eat enough peanuts and vegetables."
I sat there with a puzzled look on my face.
Angel continued, "Oh man, I've got to eat more popcorn. I have condemnation in me!"

Ahhh yes, the dreaded condemnation.

After many years of teaching first and second graders, I now teach teachers. Honestly they're not much different than the little ones. Actually, that's not all together true. Teachers are much whinier than first graders. AND if their students talked nearly as much as they did while the instructor was giving directions, they'd find themselves sitting in the principal's office. Can you tell I'm back at work?

Sometime I'll have to tell you about Ray and Leila. Now those are two children I'll never forget. Remember to eat lots of popcorn…You don't want to get condemnation in you. :)

For Those Broken of Heart From the Loss of a Beloved Pet

Always remember...
No matter what you have done, or where you have been, God loves you more than anyone else ever has and more than anyone else ever will.

This is a voluntary mailing list for friends of Small Paws® Rescue Inc.
Please click here if you wish to be removed.

Robin Pressnall
Executive Director
Small Paws® Rescue
Gospel CD: It's A God Thing!
Singing for Small Paws®
The Heart Murmur Repair Bichons Reunion Page
Small Paws® Rescue: Bichons Available for Adoption
Fill out an online adoption application!
Small Paws® Rescue: The Gift Shoppe
Small Paws® Rescue: Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover Card

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