September 20, 2007

Gem of the Day: Today I wish a Happy 22nd Wedding Anniversary to the Love of my Life, my husband Dale Pressnall.
After 22 years, I'm still crazy in love with him. Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good.
This man not only puts up with all of THIS, he even HELPS! I love you Dale!


"Tyler Small Paws" with his new Foster Mom, Sally Montgomery, and their Bichons. From left to right, Dazzle, Zoey aka Princess, or the Queen, our first foster), Sally, George (ours) and Tyler. See update e-mail below from his new Foster Dad, Mike!

As you know Tyler escaped from Small Pawser, Marcia Perry's foster home in Winfield, Kansas. A neighbor had opened her door without knocking and out Tyler went!
After being there for the search, we were concerned that Marcia wasn't well enough to continue fostering right now and sadly, she had a heart attack on Monday morning. She is doing well in the Cardiac wing of St. Francis Hospital in Wichita KS. She has asked for your prayers for her healing! Marcia's email addy is sweetsemisweet@yahoo.com Now it may be a while before she can answer you but I know she would appreciate hearing from you all!
Get well soon, Marcia!


Subject: Follow up on Tyler
Date: 9/17/2007 10:05:26 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: Mike.Montgomery@lsi.com

As to the photo, thought you’d get a kick out of this. I took it yesterday afternoon at home. You have, from left to right, Dazzle (ours), Zoey (aka Princess, or the Queen, our first foster), Sally, George (ours) and Tyler. We typically crash on the couch periodically throughout the day and our dogs figure that’s their time for attention. Tyler has decided to join us, jumping onto the couch and tolerates a little rubbing along with the rest of the pack. He’s still pretty skittish, but is making moves to get closer to us. He is almost ready to be Sally’s friend, and is letting the kids pet him about half of the time. I’m still not his favorite, since most of our interaction has been with prying stickers and ticks from his fur. Tyler has really bonded with Dazzle, and he just follows him around the house like his favorite sidekick. Dazzle returns the affection, and we’ve spotted them spooning in Tyler’s crate at bedtime (the rest of the dogs sleep in our walk in closet, and we have the crate set up at night so that the dogs can come in and out through the side door).

When we got him back from Joy and Deb, he was pretty filthy. I think Sally’s first response was “I didn’t know Bichons came in that color”. He’s since had two baths, including one with flea and tick shampoo, an application of topical flea/tick killer/repellant, and a heartworm tablet. We were pulling live ticks off of him about 1/8 in diameter on Friday night; by Sunday what we were still finding were maybe 1/16” in diameter and very deceased. So we made progress I think. His little dog armpits were pretty red, I believe from all the stickers and burrs that had worked their selves into those areas. As a safety measure, we fumigated the area where the dogs sleep Sunday and have been checking all the others to make sure that our unwanted guests have checked out.

Take care, hope you had a great weekend!
Mike>

To donate to Small Paws Rescue you may use your major credit card securely, at this site.
This is our own credit card server. It is secure!

If you have made a past donation using your credit card, you may e-mail Stephanie Hunter, at SPRFluff@aol.com and let her know the amount of your donation to help these Bichons.

You may also call your credit card donation in to Stephanie Hunter at 516-635-1007. She is on Eastern Standard Time! (Leave a message and she will return your call!)

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

See vet bills that SPR has paid so far in 2007 totalling $ 262, 452.82

See our 118 listings of 132 adoptable Bichons! (18 of these listings are of bonded pairs!)

See our 118 listings of 132 adoptable Bichons by Zip Code!

Fill out an online adoption application!

How to Become a Much Needed Small Paws® Rescue Foster Parent! (Yes, SPR pays all vet and grooming bills!)

Information About Our Programs

Small Paws® Rescue Outreach: Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Dear Small Pawsers,

Welcome to the newest members of our online mailing list, especially if you have seen us featured in one of our 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 23 foreign countries as well! We even added Bulgaria and Romania! 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/sept1407b.html

Some of you may be missing some of our newsletters! If you are missing any of our newsletters, click on this link.
Directions for if you have not been receiving some of the SPR newsletters

Last Monday night we paid $5, 291.17 in vet bills.

In the first 17 days of September we have already paid $ 23, 637.9 in vet bills.

This is going to be MOSTLY a happy newsletter of mostly announcements and updates, although we do have some needs for over 40 Bichons that are here in Tulsa, from the puppy mills of MO. See more about happy updates and announcements about bashes below!

But first of all, one of our pregnant foster Bichons had to have an emergency C-section, and her one puppy was huge and very deformed. It was stillborn.

We do need help to pay this emergency bill for little Mischa in Ohio. There was no time to come to you all first. I guess that's why they call them EMERGENCIES.

Mischa, while she was still at the shelter. She only had one more day to live and she wanted
to go home. At this time, unknown to the shelter staff, she was a month
to delivery and she weighed 11 pounds.

From: jhunn48@aol.com
Date: September 18, 2007 3:22:42 PM EDT
To: lfausey@columbus.rr.com
Subject: Re: Mischa, No puppies :(

Mischa had emergency c-section yesterday evening. Puppy was dead in her
womb. Doc said would only have lived short time if had been born
alive. Was deformed. Was huge pup; multi colored and looked like a
beagle. Mischa was full of infection from ears, rotten mouth,etc. Doc
said vaccine given at the Bucyrus Pound probably caused the problem.
Was touch and go for awhile for Mischa, as she has significant heart
murmur. She is doing well today and is expected to do well. This was a
regular vet. Not emergency clinic. Will keep you updated, Jan

Yes, vet spayed her, pulled 3 rotten teeth when dental was
done,flushed out her ears and said they have been infected for years.
Did not say what grade murmur; just listened with stethoscope and
said, Whoa! She's got a murmur. Will call tomorrow and ask for
opinion of what number of murmur.The total for all of this is $700.00,
which I put on my VISA. I thought this was a good deal, especially
considering they took her in after hours and did not charge extra for
that. I tell you, Mischa is a little trooper. Vet said
she had to be in pain, but I could not tell. I really feel God led me
to this vet and I am so glad. Will let you know what vet thinks about
the murmur when I find out. They think she is 8 yrs old, and that's
what Bucyrus said too. >

So if you can help us with any part of this emergency room call for Mischa, we appreciate you so much!

We also have over 40 Puppy Mill Bichons at our Tulsa, Oklahoma clinic. Their medical costs meter is running, cha-CHING, cha-CHING. We just got a bill for over $7300.00 and I know that more is on the way.

I know we don't have a picture of something terrible to show to you, like one of them being very sick or having missing body parts.

But their hearts have been broken. 40 plus of them have plumb busted little hearts. They are just the normal, everyday, puppy mill rescues that we take in, and other than their place of origin, they are rather unremarkable.

Still, we need funds to pay for their vetting. I'm grateful when they don't have eyeballs hanging or heart murmurs, but I;m also concerned because I know how hard it is to raise funds for the ones that just need the normal vetting and quarantine.

Still, it's what we do. We know you want us to do this kind of rescue. We just really need some help to pay their vet bills because we have others waiting to come into rescue from the mills.

I'm happy to issue all matching challenge donations for little Mischa and for the 40 plus Bichons who have the new last name of Small Paws, that are presently at our Tulsa vet clinic!!

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 still get the basic Guidestar service for free!)

Small Paws Rescue Mission Statement

Before and After Pictures

You may use your major credit card securely, at this site. This is our own credit card server. It is secure.

If you can't find a way to make your credit card work online, and we have your credit card on file already, please e-mail Stephanie Hunter, at SPRFluff@aol.com and let her know the amount of your 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 Stephanie Hunter at 516-635-1007. She is on Eastern Standard Time!

And we have a new item to sale in our Online Gift Shoppe!

You asked for it! You got it!

Click here to purchase Humphrey's now famous 4X6 black and white photo. So many of you have asked for this to be available and Cheri arranged for this to happen, with the photographer! The purchase price is $12.50. Thank you Cheri and God bless little Humphrey, who lives with Him now!

Humphrey Sisco
Dec 26, 1993~ Aug 30, 2006

When I first saw this beautiful picture of Cheri Sisco's "Humphrey", I thought it was truly the epitome of what we do, and why we do it. I wanted to use this black and white picture of Humphrey, taken only days before his death due to congestive heart failure, to let those who may be new to Small Paws, know what we do and why we do it. Without Small Paws, Humphrey would have never known love. He would have died in a kill shelter, sick and alone. Because of Small Paws, and Cheri Sisco, he lived, he loved, and he smiled.
Godspeed Humphrey Sisco. Godspeed.

Click on the quilt to see more pictures!

The gift shop is now sold out of tickets for the 2007 Blanketeers raffle quilt. Thank you to everybody who has purchased them and helped us sell so many in such a short time.

There are still a few tickets in the hands of Blanketeers, and these will be available - first come, first served - at bashes or picnics we attend this Summer. (we will have a very few at the NW bash Aug 27 in Arlington, WA and there should be a few at Tulsa.)

The drawing will be held and the quilt awarded at the Okie Picnic in October. You need not be present to win. We'll get it to the winner if they're not at the picnic.

Printing is limited to 1000 tickets, at $5 each, and we believe they will sell out well before the drawing at the Oklahoma Picnic, October 27, 2007.
(Claudia Bilotti of Stamford, CT won the 2006 quilt! It appraised for $3400.00!)

Contact dianamca@smallpawsrescue.org for more information.

One of the ways you can help 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!

And visit our Cafe Press Shop!

PHOTO OF ROBIN & PUP 2007 CALENDAR PRINT
A great photo by Stephen Holman from the Tulsa World News article written about Small Paws Rescue.
A rare photo of Robin kissing Chic, a rescued fluff.

SPR Logo Gear and Merchandise!

And, if you want to donate stock to Small Paws, we do have a stock account set up and are able to accept it from your broker!

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! Small Paws Rescue Inc. - Be Artful, Help San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Enjoy Free Shipping (Sep. 5, 2007)

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 remember, we also have Small Paws Ebay!

To:  pup3@aol.com
From:  SPR Ebay 
100% positive feedback rating!
subject: EBAY UPDATE
Feedback score: 533 || Positive feedback: 100%

We have many new items up for bid on the Small Paws Rescue Ebay site!

COMING IN OCTOBER:  Broadway Tickets and the first of Holiday Items!

We are also registered with Mission Fish.
Ebay sellers can donate percentages of their sales to Small Paws at listing time and Ebay will keep track of the donations and payments for them.
Look for this symbol.

Click on the ebay logo or collage to see all of Small Paws' ebay items!

Click the MissionFish Logo above to go to the Small Paws Rescue Mission Fish Page.

HAVE YOU MADE SMALL PAWS RESCUE A FAVORITE EBAY SELLER YET?

You don't have to wait for newsletters to see what is offered on SPR's Ebay page.

Just follow these steps to add SPR to your Favorite Seller list. You will get email announcements once a week on new items.

1. Sign on to Ebay.

2. At the very top of the page you will see "Community", click on that.

3. On the next page enter - smallpawsrescue - where it says enter a user ID, then click on "find a member".

4. The next page will show "exact match" - click on smallpawsrescue.

5. Next page look in the left column and you will see "add to favorite sellers", click on that.

6. The next page will show "Favorite Sellers Top Pick" and the box by it will have a checkmark. Press "SAVE".

That's it!

Just do this one time and SPR will be on your Favorite Seller list and you will get email updates of new items.

We are always completely amazed at the generosity and kindness of Small Paws Supporters.  The selection of items to sell we have had over the past months has been fabulous!  We have many items in stock to list but are also always looking for new items for the next round.  Email us if you have something to list.

THANKS!

Debbie Corkindale and Patti Newlin, the Small Paws Rescue Ebay Team 

A special thanks to Small Paws Rescue for their tireless devotion to rescuing Bichons from the most unspeakable circumstances. Robin Pressnall and her army of foster parents, volunteers and supporters are amazingly generous with their time and money on behalf of some of the most loving and trusting creatures on earth. They are the embodiment of the idea of "walking the walk."

Her business is in a lull, her husband’s lost his job and her best friend is so depressed she’s talking about suicide. Cassie Grimes is sure that things can only get better as she loads her dogs in the car and heads for Florida to work things out.

Fat chance. Nothing’s ever that simple for this dog-loving woman who seems to be a crap magnet. Shortly after arriving at the condo she’ll soon be forced to sell in the name of solvency, her wealthy best friend is arrested for the disappearance of her much older husband.

What’s a woman to do? Jump into the middle of things, naturally. With the help of her Bichons, Maggie and A.J., her disgruntled hubby and a couple of gun-toting geriatric party girls, Cassie can’t resist being an amateur detective. She’s not making any friends in the local police department because she keeps turning up in the middle of crime scenes. While trying to help her trophy-wife friend, Cassie uncovers a web of fraud, murder and extortion that have the bad guys trying to beat her up or blow her up or just plain shoot her. It gets so bad that Gene even suggests she hire her former boyfriend as extra security. Yikes.

What Cassie goes through in the name of friendship will keep you on the edge of your seat. That is, of course, if you don’t fall off it while laughing out loud. Once again, Pearson proves that everyday life can be not only exciting, but hilarious.

Of course, they are signed from Maggie and A.J. to the buyer's pooch, so please put your fluff's name(s) in the Comments section of the order form!

$14.95 plus $4.05 Shipping and Handling

Add To Cart $14.95

As a special treat, we also offer a 6 1/2" Douglas Cuddle Toy stuffed bichon sporting an adorable red bow! Machine washable. Only $7.95 plus $3.50 shipping and handling or only $3.95 plus $3.50 shipping and handling with the purchase of a Family Ties or Trouble in Paradise book!

Add to Cart

See our NEW GIFT SHOPPE ITEMS THANKS TO LINDA LANGFORD OUR GIFT SHOPPE MANAGER EXTRAORDINAIRE!

DA SPR Logo MUGS are back in stock at the Small Paws Rescue Online Gift Shoppe!

1 Mug $14.99 includes shipping Add to Cart

2 Mugs shipping to same location $25.99 Add to Cart

4 Mugs shipping to same location $39.99 Add to Cart

Bichon Key Hook

Never loose your keys again!

Only $9.99 includes shipping to the USA and Canada Add To Cart


"I used to have money-now I rescue Bichons! Plaque 7x9 1/2

Don't we all know this feeling!

$29.99 Plus $4.05 shipping Add To Cart


Your photo.


Your picture turned into a pattern for you to cross stitch!
(Betsy Bunny, Annie (an SPR doggie), Ding-Ding and their Mom Debra have given me permission to use their picture.)

Do you or someone you know like to cross stitch? If so,this item might
be just the thing for you. Have your favorite photos converted into a
pattern that you can cross stitch. It can be a picture of your dog,
cat, child or anything you have a picture of that you would like to
cross stitch. You can support Small Paws Rescue and have fun at the
same time. 100% of the proceeds will go to SPR.
>
This would make a great gift for someone you know that likes to cross
stitch. You can buy the pattern or the pattern and the floss and give
it to them as a gift, or you can stitch it yourself first then give it
as a gift. When you are done, it can be framed or made into a pillow.
You will get a computer generated cross stitch pattern (not a kit). All
patterns are printed out for 16 count, but can be done in any size you
wish. The design is coded for DMC floss and will come on several
sheets of paper. All patterns are done in whole cross stitches.
Included with the pattern is an easy to read symbol key guide and a
color picture of your item. The pattern is printed in black and white
on a laser printer.

Betsy Bunny, Annie (an SPR doggie), Ding-Ding and their Mom Debra have given me permission to use their picture. Above is the digital picture of them and then how it will look after it is stitched. This pattern uses 50
colors and the finished size using 16 count canvas is 8 inches tall by
12 inches wide.

Remember 100% of the sale will go to Small Paws Rescue!
This can be yours for $15.99 includes shipping.

Custom Cross Stitch Pattern

Add to Cart

Graciously donated by Lori Berlin



Small Paws Rescue Belly Bands
Two Great New Designs

Durable silk screen on cotton/poly blend navy fabric
Lined with a coordinating soft flannel

We recommend using only with an incontinence pad
Machine wash, either machine dry on low heat, or air dry

Sm. 12-14 inches
Med. 15-17 inches
Lg. 18-20 inches

Only $14.99 Includes Shipping to the USA or Canada

Diana can do custom orders for tiny doggies, or big guys!

Please click on Add to Cart for the design that you want and you will then be given a choice of sizes.
After you choose your size hit recalculate and the item will add to your cart

Small Paws Rescue Saved my Life Belly Band Add to Cart
Support Small Paws Rescue Belly Band Add to Cart

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/1578193

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

Diana>

Ok, are you ready for the happy news now?!

The 9th Annual Small Paws Rescue Okie Bash is coming up! (I'll send a separate email about it right after this one.)

This is the Bash which takes place at "Home Base", right here in beautiful Tulsa, Oklahoma.

It's the Bichon picnic where so many of you, from all over the country, converge upon Tulsa for several days, enjoying the company of other Small Pawsers with whom you have been e-mailing, over the years!

We usually have quite a few Team Leaders and Blanketeers who come from just about everywhere! Most of our Board Members will be here as well!

It's really more of a retreat and we want you to walk away feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and with renewed love for each other and for this magnificent obsession that we call Small Paws Rescue!

This year the Okie Picnic will be held on Friday, October 26th and Saturday October 27th!

Some of you will begin arriving on Thursday, October 25. We will go to dinner together on that Thursday night. Then, Friday afternoon we have our first Okie Picnic official function. We all will have lunch at a Tulsa Restaurant. We choose a place that isn't a chain, so you can experience some of our wonderful cuisine from right here in Tulsa, Oklahoma!

Then, on Friday evening, we will have our Banquet dinner at the Hotel, with, ahem, an attempt of some entertainment for you all!

Then on Saturday we will have our picnic at beautiful Chandler Park, which is about a mile from where Dale and I live.

We have put our order in for the exact same weather that God gave us last year. Was that beautiful or what?!

Click on this link for Hotel reservations and more information! We look forward to seeing you!

Next, our Michigan Small Paws Team had a fantastic Bichon Bash where $1,190.60 was raised for Small Paws!

We thank all who participated in this Bash for the Bichons and for Small Paws Rescue! Thank you all!

Subject: The Michigan Bichon Bash Report
Date: 9/14/2007 11:04:40 P.M. Central Daylight Time
From: CLRB7029@aol.com

Dear Robin -
It is with EXTREME and distinct pleasure that I inform you our 2007 Michigan Bash raised $1,190.60 CASH for Small Paws Rescue! The breakdown is as follows:

Donations at the Door $204.00
Auctions raised $691.00
Food raised $295.60

A cashier's check for $826.60 plus four other checks totaling $364.00 from private parties, which all total $1,190.60 has been mailed to you from our Bash Accountant Dick Parsaca.

You will be getting a check from Dr. Susan Bloom of the Bloom Animal Hospital of Livonia, Michigan who has told us that she will be sending a donation check on behalf of the Michigan team direct to you.

We are SOOOOOOO thrilled to report that Patti Livernois, volunteer and owner of Uppity Puppy who has already brought in $385 in March, and $320 in April of this Year (IS SHE AMAZING OR WHAT?) is having yet another fundraiser STRICTLY for Small Paws at her Shop on September 23rd! So that will be more funds to come from the Michigan Team!!

We are so happy to report once again that Julie from Parkway Groomer was at the bash giving $5 nail cuttings of our bichons and all the money collected for her work was donated and included in our total above to Small Paws Rescue! Julie also has a jar which she keeps on her counter in the shop and tips collected are continually forwarded to Small Paws as a donation.

Susanne Fales, of Howell, Michigan, came to the Bash and presented me with two huge bags of blankets which she asked that I distribute to the foster pups when they go to their forever home - over and above the Blanketeers' blankets!

She wanted something to show that the People in Michigan and Wisconsin take extra special care of their pups when they go to their forever homes. We have some of the blankets in Michigan and some in Wisconsin. When fosters are placed they will be given to the foster parents to send with the pup as his/her very own blankie! She is handicapped and unable to foster but wanted to do something for us to help out in her own way. We call her our "honorary volunteer" because she wants to continue to make us blankets as we run out. Is that pure kindness or what?

I am so proud of this Team and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to lead a group with such vigor and overwhelming enthusiasm! We have scheduled August 23, 2008, for our next Bash with mini events in the planning stages to come up in between Bashes!

I am so thrilled -- I know this money can help with our four newly acquired
Wisconsin M&M Mill Girls' vetting and boarding!

Lynne Burke
Wisconsin/Michigan Team Leader
Small Paws Rescue www.smallpawsrescue.org
1-918-406-5131
CLRB7029@aol.com>

Next, we have this announcement about the Nevada Bash that is coming up! Ya'll come!
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/lasvegasbash.doc

Subject: Third Annual Las Vegas Picnic Flyer
Date: 9/16/2007 6:02:58 P.M. Central Daylight Time
From: jcrowl@mail2Nevada.com
To: pup3@aol.com

Robin,

Could you please insert this into an upcoming newsletter. Never know when we will have some SPR people visiting Vegas that might like to attend.

So far we have had three really great items donated to auction off. Last year we got rained out and had to reschedule the next day, hopefully that won't happen again this year.

The picnic committee is getting really excited about having a great day Bichon day.

Thanks, Jan>

Next, we have this WARNING, WARNING, WARNING WILL ROBINSON.

Smokehouse Brand Dog Treats Pulled From PetSmart Shelves

“Today the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) issued a media alert warning some treat products from China may be a potential threat to pets due to ’several complaints from pet owners and veterinarians of illness in dogs.’ No deaths have been reported at this time. The symptoms of pets reported sick were vomiting, lethargy and anorexia. To date, testing by the FDA and PetSmart Technical Services has ruled out melamine contamination that might be making pets sick. "

Next, we have this from Yvonne Otsby about an adoption event that we are attending in Plainsfield, Illinois on September, 29!

Subject: Adoptathon in Plainsfield, Illinois
Date: 9/9/2007 10:22:05 P.M. Central Daylight Time
From: iluvalvinn@earthlink.net

Hi Bonnie and Robin,

Some Illinois volunteers are representing Small Paws Rescue at an upcoming Adoption Event at Diaz Rock and Pet Supply in Plainfield, Illinois on September 29. Diaz Rock and Pet Supply is taking care of the newspaper advertising and we will also have radio announcements done for us by the (Chicago) LOOP radio station as well.

WHERE: Diaz Rock & Pet Supply Warehouse
23907 W. Industrial Drive N.
Plainfield , IL 60544
(815) 609-1821
Web Site: www.diazrock.com

WHEN: Saturday, September 29, 2007

TIME: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CONTACT: Linda at tritown1@aol.com or 708-544-6532 for more information.

The adoption event will be held outside. We have a tent if rainy weather. Diaz is going to advertise BIG TIME. We are hoping some volunteers can stop by our booth and introduce themselves and their Bichons. We need to spread the word about puppy mills and adoptions and fostering.
Thank You,
Yvonne Ostby
Small Paws Rescue
Illinois volunteer>

Next, we have these happy updates for you all! Shirley Lyall is one of our Southern California Team Leaders and one of our Post Adoption Counselors who checks back to see how our Bichons are doing in their new homes, after adoption!

<From: thekansasgirl1@cox.net
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2007 5:44 PM
Subject: Re: Small Paws Rescue

Rambo

Hi Shirley,

Things are going extremely well with Rambo and we have just loved him since I picked him up at the airport. When I saw him on the website I just knew he was the right fit for our family. He has adjusted much more quickly than I thought he would. He is just a joy to have and is such a good boy. We've only had a couple of small skirmishes - he chases the cat when he sees her but we think its because he wants to play ( we hope since his bio said he was cat friendly ) and he likes to go through the small bathroom trash cans from time to time, but other than that, he is just doing great. In today's mail we received his new blanket which was so nice. In fact, my experience with your entire rescue group has been so positive and wonderful! I have signed up for the newsletter and anything I buy from Ebay, etc I have going towards Small Paws. I'm enclosing a photo taken of Rambo about a two weeks ago after coming back from the groomer's.
Sincerely, Traci Sams>

And this one!

<From:kenandkimlawson@wowway.com
Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2007 6:17 AM
To: shirleylyall
Subject: Re: Small Paws Rescue

Hi Shirley

She is wonderful! She is our second adoption from Small Paws. We changed her name to Maggie so now we have Maggie and Martey (both girls!)

She has warmed up so nicely to our family. Our vet thinks she was very neglected in the past, but told us not to worry as with lots of love it is easy to overcome.

She is so precious and everyone in the Lawson family loves having her. She is the perfect addition and loves to play with her new big sister- Martey. They chase each other around and love doing Bichon Aerobics together!

We are constantly amazed that we were blessed with not one, but two amazing rescues. What are the chances of ending up with two completely adorable Bichons with such great personalities!

They both were meant to be with our family forever!

Thanks for checking and thank you for all you do for the wonderful organization of Small Paws!
Blessings Kim>

And look at this little mountain climber!

Subject: Mountain dog!
Date: 9/18/2007 7:57:11 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: mkadams@thejordaninstitute.org

Hello Bonnie and Robin,

I'm writing with an update about a Small Paws Rescue dog. Miles, formerly known as Charlie, climbed the highest peak in the northeast yesterday. He is turning out to be an amazing hiker. It was over 10 miles up and back, and he was still trotting around when we got back to the car. We are so delighted to have him and want you to know that he's as healthy and happy as can be. The pictures should give you a little sense of how well he's doing . Now just picture him bounding over boulders and fording streams!

Thanks for making it possible for this dog to be in our lives!

Maura
Maura Adams, LEED AP
The Jordan Institute
Concord, NH 03301>

And this is one of our little foster Bichon's before and after story!

Subject: A brand new Mugsy
Date: 9/19/2007 8:34:15 P.M. Central Daylight Time
From: thalligan2000@yahoo.com
To: pup3@aol.com

Hi Robin,
I thought you might like to put Mugsy in a newsletter to show what 4 months and Small Paws Rescue can do for one little white dog. When we got Mugsy the last week in April he had kennel cough, hookworms, a terrible ear infection, a very bad case of heartworms and was having a totally bad hair day. At the kill shelter he was rescued from his name was "Bad Hair". He faced almost certain death if he wasn't rescued. This poor guy is only 2 years old.
Mugsy was neutered, given vaccines, all the bad hair was shaved off, his kennel cough and ear infection were cleared up with medicines and he was treated for heartworms thanks to the donations given to Small Paws Rescue. Mugsy now feels better than he has in a very long time and has the cutest bounce to his step.
Mugsy went to the groomer today, probably for the first time in his life. Not only did this change his appearance dramatically but also his demeanor. This little boy KNOWS he looks good and is ready to go to a forever home where he can be the light of someone's life.
A big thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who support Small Paws Rescue and enable us to save these little dogs one life at a time.

Mugsy 1st of May


Mugsy 4 months later

Terri Halligan
Small Paws Rescue, Inc.
Georgia/Louisiana Team leader
770-683-0906>

And this one has been adopted by his foster Mama! She did not have a Bichon but had rescued many breeds before she joined us. Now she knows what we are all making over and why! HA!

Subject: Roadie - current pics
Date: 9/9/2007 10:56:37 P.M. Central Daylight Time
From: EBottiggi@aol.com

Thought you'd enjoy a few pics of Roadie, the Bichon thrown out of a car, rescued by a nice person, and then fostered by me for SPR! Of course, I adopted him when the opportunity came!

He is such a sweet precious SMART boy! He understands many words. For instance, when he visits me in the bathroom, if I say TUB, he jumps in the tub! LOL!

He understands BALL, ROPE TOY, Walk, Potty, Car, Ride, Bed, etc. He signals me when he needs to go out to potty. And he lets me know when HE is ready for bed! And he knows the difference between when I walk back down the hall towards bed versus down the hall to go outside!

He is totally healed from his injuries when he was rescued. Vet estimated his age to be 8 to 10 years old, but I have a hard time believing it! He has lots of pep and energy and loves everyone he meets. He is especially taken with a female Bichon (Lucy) who lives next door. He enjoys very much chasing his ball. Likes the plastic one best as he can bite it to carry it! But he also enjoys his rope toys. He will retrieve them and bring them to me to throw again for him!

He loves to jump in my lap when I am on the computer. When I hold him, when I am sitting up, he totally collapses against my chest, totally confident that he is safe and secure. He just becomes limp!

Tonight we took a bath together, as he kept showing an interest in the tub. After the bath and after I dried him off, he got the zoomies and ran to get his rope toy for me to throw!

He is totally housetrained and has never had an accident, no matter how long he might have to wait for me to come home! (I try not to make it a long day, and there are pee pee pads out for my other two, but he just prefers the outdoors!)

He is making friends of Audi, my blind Peekapoo. In the year and a half since rescuing Audi, I have never seen her really play! she is such a happy happy dog, but Roadie has taught her how to play! She now chases the ball she can't see when Roadie is playing, play fights with him, and "fights" over the ball! Mugsy, my Maltese, is such a fuddy duddy (loves me, but not a good pal to other dogs except Audi, who doesn't threaten Mugsy and his standing!) and has never played with Audi, although he tolerates just about anything that Audi does. Mugsy seems to understand that Audi doesn't have a mean bone in her body, and she is blind and doesn't mean harm to Mugsy if she should accidentally step on him or lie down on him!

Enough of this! Now, look at pics!

Emilie M. Bottiggi
Brentwood, TN 37027

Roadie Before: Remember how he looked when rescued?


Roadie Now!: Now he's ready to play!

If you are new o Small Paws, we hope you have gotten a small taste of what we do, and why we do it. From emergencies like the one we had with little Mischa in Ohio, to stories of how Bichons have overcome the abuse suffered in puppy mills across our country, to become loving family members who climb the highest mountains, or trot down Tennessee hallways to go to bed with their new Mama, and sleep in the big bed, with heat in the winter and air in the summer.

We couldn't do this work without the support we get from our members and volunteers. To each of you, we thank you from the very bottoms of our hearts. All My Love, robin

Prayer Requests


Subject: Emergency Prayer request for FOUR-
Date: 9/14/2007 4:38:54 P.M. Central Daylight Time
From: landsharkinnc@suddenlink.net
To: Pup3@aol.com

From my Scottie list - and I'm more worried about Mickey herself than for
her husband and his parents;
They are in His hands, but Mickey needs help. SEE SECOND PARAGRAPH
Yes, I'm writing her.
KinNC


Thu Sep 13, 2007 4:56 pm (PST)
I don't ask this often, but if you could spare a few prayers for my
mother in law and my husband Doug, I'd appreciate it. They found out
today that Paul Sr has inoperable lung cancer. They have been married
58 years and she is lost without him by her side. I really don't
expect her to last long once he is gone. She is beside herself today,
and I worry that she will have another stroke. I'm not even sure that
he will come home from the hospital.

I'm not really very good with God. He and I have not been on speaking
terms for a while. So I'm not sure he'd really listen to me. But I
have seen Scottie Moments at work, so I know he listens to you guys.
If he must go, I hope that he goes quickly and with as little pain as
possible. I truly hate to lose her. I know it is going to occur as
the natural course of time dictates it. I just don't want her to
grieve herself to death. I want her to have peace.

Mickey >

<Subject: Request for the Mighty SPR Prayer Warriors
Date: 9/15/2007 11:08:17 P.M. Central Daylight Time
From: bichonbabe@mchsi.com
To: Pup3@aol.com

Hi Robin,

I come to you tonight to ask for the Mighty SPR Prayer Warriors to pray for a dear bichon by the name of Reddi, he is about 4yrs old and went the other day to have his teeth cleaned, while under the vet examined him for an infected anal gland, the vet said he thought he felt a tumor. The vet gave him some meds to take for 2 wks and said he could possibly do surgery, but the side effect would be that he would no longer be able to control his body functions. See Reddi is a champion and has been being used for stud, no he is not a puppy mill stud, but one that lays on the couch and watches TV and lives in a very loving home. See I know this because he lives with my show bichon in MI. The vet had recommended that if this happens, the owners should put him to sleep. Well we all know the Power of Prayer and with God's help and many prayers God's Will Be Done. The nice couple that owns him are just devastated. They talked to a friend who knew of another dog that had the surgery and had no side effects. So I ask for you to pray that Reddi will be OK with the medication and no surgery will have to be performed, we have seen tumors disappear before after the SPR Prayer Warriors got to work. If anyone would like to email Donna and Dwight with any words of encouragement their email is sanshin@twmi.rr.com .

Bichon Kisses,
Wendy, Trooper, Lady B, Sammy aka SPR Ajax and Sunny the show bichon >

THE OLD MAN AND HIS DOG
Written by Catherine Moore
(Sent in by Small Pawser and dear personal friend, Pamela Bach)

"Watch out! You nearly broad-sided that car!" My father yelled at me.
"Can't you do anything right?"
Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly
man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in
my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.

"I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving." My
voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.
Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back.

At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to
collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise
of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil.
What could I do about him?

Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon. He had enjoyed
being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the
forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and
had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies
that attested to his prowess.

The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a
heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside
alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased
him about his advancing age, or

when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man.

Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An
ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to
keep blood and oxygen flowing.

At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky;
he survived.

But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He
obstinately refused to follow doctors orders. Suggestions and offers of
help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors
thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone.


My husband, Rick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small
farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him
adjust.

Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed
nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became
frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Rick.
We began to bicker and argue.

Alarmed, Rick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The
clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of
each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But
the months wore on and God was silent.

A raindrop struck my cheek. I looked up into the gray sky. Somewhere
up there was "God." Although I believe a Supreme Being had created the
universe, I had difficulty believing that God cared about the tiny human
beings on this earth.

I was tired of waiting for a God who did not answer.

Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it. The next day I
sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health
clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem in vain to
each of the sympathetic voices that answered.

Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, "I
just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article."

I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done
at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic
depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were
given responsibility for a dog.

I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a
questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of
disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each
contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs,
black dogs, spotted dogs - all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied
each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons, too big,
too small, too much hair.

As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner
struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down.

It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a
caricature of the breed. Years had etched his face and muzzle with
shades of gray. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it
was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they
beheld me unwaveringly.

I pointed to the dog. "Can you tell me about him?" The officer looked,
then shook his head in puzzlement.

"He's a funny one ~ Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the
gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim
him. That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up
tomorrow." He gestured helplessly.

As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. "You mean you're
going to kill him?"

"Ma'am," he said gently, "that's our policy. We don't have room for
every unclaimed dog."

I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision.
"I'll take him," I said.

I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached
the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the
car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch.

"Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!" I said excitedly.

Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. "If I had wanted a dog I
would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen
than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it." Dad waved his arm
scornfully and turned back toward the house.

Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and
pounded into my temples. "You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's
staying!"

Dad ignored me.

"Did you hear me, Dad?" I screamed.

At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his
eyes narrowed and blazing with hate. We stood glaring at each other
like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He
wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly,
carefully, he raised his paw.
Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion
replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad
was on his knees hugging the animal.

It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship.

Dad named the pointer Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the
community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent
reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout.
They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a
pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet.

Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years.
Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends.

Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne's cold nose
burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our
bedroom at night.

I woke Rick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in
his bed, his face serene; but his spirit had left quietly sometime
during the night.

Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne
lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he
had slept on. As Rick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I
silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's
peace of mind.

The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks
like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews
reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and
Cheyenne had made filling the church.

The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog
who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2.
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers"

"I've often thanked God for sending that angel," he said.

For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not
seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right
article ~
Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter ~ His calm
acceptance and complete devotion to my father ~ and the proximity of
their deaths.
And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers
after all.
~by Catherine Moore

Humphrey Sisco
Dec 26, 1993~ Aug 30, 2006

When I first saw this beautiful picture of Cheri Sisco's "Humphrey", I thought it was truly the epitome of what we do, and why we do it. I wanted to use this black and white picture of Humphrey, taken only days before his death due to congestive heart failure, to let those who may be new to Small Paws, know what we do and why we do it. Without Small Paws, Humphrey would have never known love. He would have died in a kill shelter, sick and alone. Because of Small Paws, and Cheri Sisco, he lived, he loved, and he smiled.
Godspeed Humphrey Sisco. Godspeed.

For Those Broken of Heart from the Loss of a Beloved Pet
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
ONLINE APPLICATION TO BE A FOSTER PARENT OR VOLUNTEER!

(All recipients of the Small Paws Rescue newsletter receive it voluntarily. Small Paws never gleans e-mail addresses from other e-mail lists. Small Paws never solicits e-mail addresses or shares them with other "lists" or organizations.)