Unfortunately, we cannot take in any more dogs until the funding is set to take care of the girls. Plus, the girls cannot be adopted until they have been "fixed,"

These are the words that every rescue at one time or another must tell someone who is asking for help.

Christine Flowers Coulter from Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue told us recently, "I cannot begin to tell anyone how horrible it feels to tell someone that wants help that we can't help. Four dogs with various degrees of aggression issues need a place to go and we have room for one."

Rescues have three great challenges according to Guidestar an organization that rates nonprofits.

Although these are nonprofits, across all the spectrums, they are probably the same for our nonprofit dog rescues; and in our area of particular interest, Boston Terrier rescues.

According to their research finding money to accomplish the mission accounts for 46%.

"All other challenges pale in comparison to the need for funding to keep our doors open and accomplish our mission," wrote Dr. Roshani Shay of the Hawaii Wellness Institute. Barbara Wetzler of the SPCA of Central Florida, Inc. agreed: "We never lack for vision, ideas or enthusiasm. The challenge is always finding sufficient funds today to safeguard the agency's financial vitality while working toward a progressive and stable future."

Another area of great concern for nonprofits, according to the same research by Guidestar, was filling every board position. That seems to be only half the battle, however. DeeVon Quirolo of Reef Relief stated, "It is especially difficult to enlist board members to help raise funds, despite their commitment to do so, for our organization as part of their 'job description', which they pledged to uphold upon joining the board."

Also mentioned as a challenge was lack of expertise. That prevents nonprofits from publicizing its efforts:

"I have found that because we are a very small volunteer animal rescue group with limited knowledge in what kinds of resources are available to help us, we continue to stagnate on a certain level of what we actually can accomplish. If we could find ways to get exposure (free)—I am sure we would be able to procure proficient volunteers to help in areas of this organization that, as of right now, are simply not being addressed, i.e., organizing fundraisers, getting corporate donations, grant writing, graphic designing for our web page, writing newsletters, etc."

So the next time you are asked to give money or donate or want to really help your favorite dog rescue, also ask if they need someone to help on their Board of Directors or help raise funds, or help in other ways. So many of our favorite rescues would love to have you volunteer to help on their webpages, write or publish their newsletters, transport their dogs, do home visits, respond to mail, make crafts to sell and don't forget... writing grants. You name it, you are needed. If you have skills and cannot find a slot to fill, just ask Boston Terrier Network, we will try to help find you a volunteer position to match your skills….

Photo provided by Desiree Shearer Schellinger, 
Ella is a NEBTR forever foster

Northeast Boston Terrier Rescue (NEBTR)
http://nebostonrescue.com/

Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue (ODBTR)
http://www.odbtr.org/

Edited by: Julie Bradford, Jan Mitchell

Almost daily we receive a request for some advice. Although Boston Terrier Network and friends, only provide insight and suggestions and personal experiences. We still have a lot of readers asking for basic information. We believe there are no dumb questions

.

Here is an example worth sharing again.

"Advice PLEASE. I took this guy to the vet Friday for an impacted anal gland. He is on antibiotics and pain/anti-inflammatory meds. We soak it in warm water. Well, it burst anyway. What can I do for him tonight? Calling vet in morning. "

We reached out and asked our readers and friends for their experiences and suggestions.

 

Location and function of the anal glands:

As the dog or cat is viewed from behind, anal glands (also called anal sacs) are located on each side of and slightly below the anal opening, at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions. A tiny duct or tube leads from the gland under the skin to an opening directly beside the anus. Sometimes only one gland may be full. This could be a sign that the glands were functioning normally, but that one had become infected or impacted. Call your vet before attempting to express the sac.

All predators, whether they are canines or felines in the wild or skunks in your backyard, have anal glands. They just use them differently. Skunks discharge the secretion from these glands as a form of defense, while dogs use it primarily for territorial marking or as a form of communication. In dogs and cats, every time a stool is passed it should put enough pressure on the anal glands that some of the secretion is deposited on the surface of the stool. Other dogs and cats are then able to tell who has been in the neighborhood, just by sniffing the stools they find. Additionally, dogs and cats recognize each other by smelling each other in the general area of the anus, since each animal's anal glands produce a unique scent. Source: peteducation.com

Here is just a small sample of some of the comments that our friends responded with when this question came up.

Christine Brobeck: If it bursts outside, just keep soaking with warm water to draw the infection (pus) out.

Ann Woodside Kistler: My female had one that burst before I could get her to the vet, and the vet just gave antibiotics and said to put warm compresses on it.

Debbie Coleman: I have had this happen. Keep putting compresses on it. Let the stuff flow out that's good lots of puss and blood. Apply just the slightest of pressure to help in flow. The longer it stays open the better, so it can empty the junk out. When you think it has stopped use a triple antibiotic salve. After it opens up you can flush it with simple saline really well then continue with warm compresses

Kimberly Williams-Rodriguez: It will be fine. Keep it clean and the warm compresses still help draw circulation and draining. They [the vet clinics] don't usually do anything unless it persists. But it should resolve soon.

The added value of this sort of informal exchange is, we all learn something new or get a great review if the problem or concern is something we have not dealt with in awhile. We also are reminded of areas we should be talking to our veterinarians about.

We have some wonderful readers and friends from all walks of life and from around the world. From everything I have read and checked out as a follow-up we get in our responses, some are wonderful advice. Straight to the point and this can be so helpful when you are looking for information on current concerns, or running out of ideas. It is great to reach out and get some direct answers and insight to common problems. Many times when one is searching for new ideas one of our friends are able to make a suggestion that really can save time and even money.

While we always recommend to backup anything read on our pages with your veterinarian and other professionals, you can learn a lot of things you may not have thought about before and know when it is serious and worth asking your vet about ahead of time.

Edited by: Julie Bradford, Jan Mitchell

 Rain cut short this morning’s dog walk.

I only took the two little dogs out for very short walks, because it was already starting to drizzle.
I believe it was Milton's first walk–one of his first walks anyway. He's just six months old and usually puppies that young are not allowed out to walk, but I was careful to keep him away from where others normally walk.

He was so excited, sniffing everything, running in circles when I didn’t walk fast enough for him then stopping to sniff and explore some more and constantly coming back to me for a pat of reassurance!

The other dog that I walk, is eight-month-old cuddly Molly. I was out with her when it started to thunder and the clouds got really black. When I squatted down to untangle her leash she just climbed onto my lap.  I had to carry her back!

If you don’t like being pelted with rain, why should your dog be any different? After years of domesticated living with plush doggie beds and dinner served at precisely six o’clock, it’s no surprise that some pups prefer not to get their paws wet.

If your dog isn’t showing signs of storm anxiety, it’s perfectly alright to get him out in the rain to do his business. However, leaving him outside until he goes is not only cruel, but it will probably backfire on you.

Here are a few tips to help him get his paws wet:
Share your umbrella or find spaces between buildings and bushes that are more protected from the wind and rain.
Purchase canine rain gear. Many dogs do well with doggie raincoats and some will even tolerate wearing boots.

Bonus:
Q: Can bees fly in the rain?
A: Not without their yellow jackets

 Edited by: Julie Bradford, Jan Mitchell

Photos provided by: Nole Jenny, Sandra Hutto Faria, Hiedi Pierson