Hello from Carley & Naughtya

Hi Jen,
Carley is doing fabulous! She is truly my angel. It was a tough year with my Mom, but when ever I need to laugh or take my mind off things, she's there for me! She also has a good effect on my Mom as well. When we're at her place, Carley shows my Mom lots of affection and I think it calms her some. Dementia has many side effects, and two of them are anger and depression. When Carley is hugging and kissing my Mom, she seems to be much happier and upbeat. Her dog is not a real affectionate dog, and doesn't cuddle much, but Carley will get up on the couch with her while we're watching TV and cuddle with her for hours...and of course in return, Carley gets lots of back scratching and brushing.. haha It's a win, win, win for all of us!! I guess another bonus is that Naughtya gets to go for nice long walks and runs while we're there, so she is happy too! Naughtya is very tolerant of Carley's clown antics, and shares everything with her. My Mom bought Carley a doggy bed for her place and now they even share that..well they try to! (see photo) I'm so blessed to have Carley as my companion, roommate, roadtrip partner, entertainer and pet....she is special and I know she will help me make it through this year as well. I adore her!!! ;-)
Linda

Jagger enjoying the snow

Hi Kerri:

I just wanted to send you a picture of me and Jagger and show you that he is getting used of the snow this year and that we are enjoying him so much, he didn't much like the cold snap we had but neither did I. Anyway thank you again for him.

Faye

Dear Foster Parent

To My Foster Mom (or dad)

There I sat, alone and afraid, You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do, There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

- Author Unknown

Hats off to WBBR's hardworking families!! - Keep up the good work!!

Thank you Jennifer. Brigette was spoiled, and demonstrated both a childlike lack of patience at having to wait to open her gifts, and an enthusiastic show of her ability to open her present despite lacking opposable thumbs. Teeth and paws work well together. She continues to delight us with her affection and desire to be in the middle of all that we do. We are working on the challenge that she is presenting us off her desire to be aggressive with dogs and people we meet on our walks, particularly men. Trying to find some training for socialization. we have had good luck with introducing her to family members and their dogs (cats are out of the question). She is willing to accept them into her pack once she has been properly introduced. However that is not always possible on walks. SHe seems to get anxious, hackles up, growls, and a little nippy. We're are keeping her on leash and working at reminding her that we are her alpha people and will protect her, we stay relaxed, and when she does, its worth a treat.

We are still very happy that she has joined our house and thoroughly enjoy her, minor challenges and all,
Wishing you all the best in 2012 as well,
Dirk and Mary Ann

P.S. While I like to call this picture her "you want me to what?" look, it is her practicing her very total focus on her stick ( a look I am sure you are familiar with), while we force her to wait, wait, wait, until we throw it. Her feet are a whole lot tougher now, by the way.

A Rescue Dog's Christmas Wish

A Rescue Dog’s Christmas Poem

`Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
Every shelter is full – we are lost but not found,
Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
We hope every minute that someone will care,
They’ll come to adopt us and give us the call,
“Come here, Max and Sparkie – come fetch your new ball! !”

But now we sit here and think of the days…
We were treated so fondly – we had cute, baby ways,
Once we were little, then we grew and we grew -
Now we’re no longer young and we’re no longer new.
So out the back door we were thrown like the trash,
They reacted so quickly – why were they so rash?

We “jump on the children”, “don’t come when they call”,
We “bark when they leave us”, “climb over the wall”.
We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
Now we suffer the consequence of the errors they made.
If only they’d trained us, if only we knew…
We’d have done what they asked us and worshipped them, too.

We were left in the backyard, or worse – let to roam -
Now we’re tired and lonely and out of a home.
They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye…
“Maybe someone else will give you a try.”
So now here we are, all confused and alone…
In a shelter with others who long for a home.

The kind workers come through with-a meal and a pat,
With so many to care for, they can’t stay to chat,
They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer…
We know that they wonder how long we’ll be here.
We lie down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads…
Of a home filled with love and our own cosy beds. -

Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears -
Our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.
If you can’t adopt us and there’s no room at the Inn -
Could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?
We count on your kindness each day of the year -
Can you give more than hope to everyone here?

Please make a donation to pay for the heat…
And help get us something special to eat
The shelter that cares for us wants us to live,
And more of us will, if more people will give.

Author - Unknown

To make a donation, please click here.
Thank you for your donations and support

Happy Holidays from WBBR

As another year is almost over, we say goodbye to 2011 and get ready to welcome 2012 by reflecting on the successes of 2011.

WBBR has an amazing team of volunteers who work very hard to make all the magic happen. We are grateful to have such wonderful people who help us to achieve our goals. Volunteering can be sometimes a very difficult thing to do and can be both draining mentally and physically. But the rewards are worth all the hardships that we endure. Thank you to each and every one of our volunteers for everything you do. Your dedication and love for the dogs is tremendous!

A big thank you goes out to all our supporters and donators. It truly is a team effort with a very important goal in mind. Your support is immensely appreciated. We are very lucky to have the support and generosity that you provide.

WBBR experienced many successes, including the Annual Pub Night fundraiser, and Boxer Walk. We have made many new friends along the way and have lost many close to our hearts. The footprints in our hearts will always remain and the memory of our loved ones will live on forever.

We at WBBR wish everyone a very wonderful Holiday Season and all the best of Boxer loves and snuggles to everyone in the New Year! We look forward to even more successes in 2012 with our WBBR family.

Kerri, Jennifer & Sheri
And all the Boxers of WBBR

Happy 1 year to Holly!!

Hi Marilyn & Jennifer,

As we approach Holly's one year birthday, I wanted to pass on this photo of her and her cousins Rhuby and Teddy. Hols is rather tall and lanky, but as adorable as ever. Hopefully we'll be able to meet one day at a dog walk.

Warm regards,
Sharon & Mauricio