Frosty

Dear Angela, Thanks for the opportunity to share our success story. Barney/Frosty (a 3-something year old) came to me in late February 2009 and I became a mom to Bogie/Laredo (also a 3-something year old) in mid-September 2009. Although the furbabies from my past were “rescued,” they came from families that could no longer care for them. My beagle babies are different. Their pasts are not known and we can only imagine what their experiences have been. My desire to love Barney and Bogie was instant but the feeling of love can only happen over time. Each day that feeling grows, so much so that it’s unthinkable to imagine life without them. I have a car magnet that says “Who Rescued Who” and the phrase perfectly describes my sentiment. Barney was a little bit of a wild child at first. Although he’s a very mellow fellow, he was somewhat lacking in the social graces. The Barn had some challenges in the beginning. He was found wandering the streets of Polk County in early January. Unaware of these events, I can still recall the first few weeks of that month were especially cold. His animal services mug shot reveal a face full of questions and a body that had endured neglect. He has deep scars on his forelegs, chunks missing from his ears, and broken teeth… a glimpse of the tough road he had traveled. Time has shown that he was not accustomed to health care. Vet visits and administering medications were a real challenge in the beginning. The intake paperwork noted that he was a “rescue” which meant he would not be destroyed. This is a testament to phenomenal work of TBBR. His health exam determined he was heartworm positive and treatment was given in mid-March. While many doggies fare well, Barney had a difficult time for the first few weeks. It was heartbreaking to witness his struggle but I’m happy to report that he is fully recovered. Vet visits and medications are much easier now. His has also grown in his socially acceptable knowledge having become a stellar graduate of basic training school. Barney has settled into his 4-ever life beautifully. The unconditional love he gives so freely greets me every day and is a treasured gift. His face is no longer questioning except to say “when is dinner?” It has been pure joy to see him grow into a happy and secure boy. He is very much adored. When I adopted Barney I already had a wonderful furbaby, Matt, a mixed breed. Over time, Barney and Matt became good friends. Matt taught Barney everything he knew about life on the Watson farm. Sadly, soon after Barney’s arrival, Matt became terminally ill and we lost him in late-July. I always considered Matt the most perfect doggie in the world and I now see that he passed that baton to Barney. Barney was confused and sad, not being able to understand what had happened to his friend. As soon as our hearts were able, we found Bogie (or did he find us?). Enter Bogie. What can I say about Bogie except that he is the most precious creature to walk the planet. He came from Lake County and that is all I know. He is petite which gives him the appearance of eternal puppydom, yet he has a few years under his belt. I smile broadly each time he looks up to me with his upper lip curled under. Bogie doesn’t know what mellow means and I suspect he is a reincarnated Jack Russell terrier. He doesn’t really walk, but instead dances about the house. Sometimes his backyard laps will make even the most experienced race car driver envious. He and Barney became instant brothers and to watch them together keeps me laughing, sometimes quite hysterically! It’s a real blessing, too, because Barney has the potential to be a real couch potato. Together, they explore everything in their little backyard paradise and have become VERY accomplished wrestlers. It took a bit of time, but Bogie has mastered the doggie door and thrives in the freedom that offers. Thunderstorms are a bit of a scare but hopefully by the next rainy season he’ll feel safer. I was very proud how he handled New Year’s fireworks! I’m impressed with Bogie’s social graces which indicate he must have been an inside doggie at some point. He must have loved his before family because he becomes quite anxious when I leave home, as if he’s afraid I will not return. We’re currently dealing with separation anxiety so he takes medicine that is helping us to resolve this. We also just became aware that he is heartworm positive even though he tested negative in August. He received his first treatment two days ago and final treatment will follow in 30 days. I am grateful to have access to the TBBR veterinary doctors who provide that treatment at a much lower cost. We have a bit of a difficult road for the next several months but I am encouraged by his response to treatment thus far and hopeful that we are on our way to a full recovery. In a nutshell, Bogie is pure joy and pure love and he grows more secure with each day. And I am positive he is happy to be here, almost as happy as we are to have him. Thanks again for the opportunity to write about my beagle brigade. I now consider myself a seasoned beagle rescue mom. We have become a close-knit threesome and look forward to many happy, fun years ahead! Cathy Watson