Dear Benefactors —

Johnny Boy and Mr. Beans have fallen on hard times.

I want to let you know about: (1) a new dog that the Birmingham Boston Terrier Rescue (BhamBTR) has taken in with a very serious injury, (2) about one I had told you about recently, and (3) about the amazing clinic that has helped us save these two boys. And, of course, to see if you can help out, as we are in need of $$$ to do what we do!

BhamBTR took in another hard-luck pup last week after being contacted by Susan Pniewski, Esquire, in the Jacksonville, Florida, area, who found Mr. Beans along the side of the highway after being hit by a vehicle and left to suffer a painfully slow death. We owe many thanks to Susan Pniewski for taking him to a local veternarian and subsequently contacting BhamBTR. Mr. Beans's pelvis was fractured; his front was leg shattered; his skin received major road rash; and his tongue hung out to one side. The veternarian who saw him in Jacksonville could not treat his extensive injuries, and so BhamBTR quickly organized a transport from Jacksonville, Florida, to Birmingham, Alabama, and back—942 miles of hard driving. Keith Krawczynski, Allen Warren, and Austin Cooper made this transport happen, and it was a whopper!

When Mr. Beans arrived in Birmingham, he went straight away to the Surgery Center, where he was checked out thoroughly. His pelvis is expected to heal and mend on its own, but the front leg required extensive surgery including the placement of a permanent steel plate. (I guess he will not make it through airport security now!) It was a specialized, orthopedic procedure, and it was a great success! This means his leg does not have to be amputated and that he will walk again! Given that he is a young dog, this means a lot!

But this wasn’t cheap!

Johnny Boy continues to improve. His fanny now looks like a normal dog’s after hours of abdominal and colorectal surgery to correct a prolapsed rectum. He still is having an issue with loose stools, but this is something that should resolve itself in the very near future. His wonderful personality is blossoming more and more each day and it is that of a sweet, little clown!

Pre-surgical photos of Johnny Boy

Expenses to date for Mr. Beans and Johnny Boy are in excess of $2,500. Any donation you can make is greatly appreciated. Volunteer foster homes and adoptions are also always needed. Plus, BhamBTR would love it if you just visited our website regularly to learn about our events, see our boutique items we sell to raise money, and read about our dog "tails!" As always, thank you for your kindness to these dogs who have had so little love in their lives!

(1) You can sponsor Johnny Boy and Mr. Beans through our Sponsorship Program.

(2) You can buy merchandise from our Boston Boutique.

(3) You can mail or drop off a contribution directly at our veterinarian's office:

Dr. James L. Milton, DVM MS
Veterinary Surgery of Birmingham
2864 Acton Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35243
(205) 967-7389

(4) You can mail or drop off a contribution at:

Regions Bank - Any Branch Office
Account Name: Birmingham Boston Terrier Rescue, Inc.
Account Number: 3010071725

(5) You can make an on-line donation through PayPal by clicking the Donate button:

(6) You can let us know that you would like to send a check or make a contribution using MasterCard, VISA, American Express, or Discover by sending an email to boston@bhambtr.org with your contact information so that we may reach you.

We will send you a signed letter to document your donation for your 2008 tax filing.

Here is some information about our wonderful organization.

BhamBTR leaves no stone unturned in assuring the best possible future for the adopting family and, most importantly, for the Boston Terrier being placed. A lengthy screening and education process is done before an application is approved. An adoption contract is completed, and post-placement follow-up is done. An adoption fee is charged to cover the tremendous veterinary expenses incurred by BhamBTR.

All members of BhamBTR are volunteers who are Boston Terrier owners themselves and are deeply dedicated to the welfare and safety of the breed. Every member of our team undergoes the same screening process that is applied to all potential adopters. Over the course of the past year, our volunteers have driven hundreds of miles across the Southeast to rescue Boston Terriers and Boston-Terrier mixes in need. BhamBTR volunteers have participated in screening potential adopters and have educated each other in the best ways to care for and train a Boston Terrier. BhamBTR volunteers have worked dog fairs and fund raisers to generate donations to help with expenses. Most importantly, though, is that each member has opened his/her home and heart to assist BhamBTR in caring for rescued Boston Terriers while they are in foster care.

All medical-care decisions are made by one or more of BhamBTR's four board members: Donna Farmer, President; Amy Sanford, Vice President; Meredith Warren, Secretary; and Austin Cooper, Treasurer and Web—all of whom have worked with various other rescue organizations prior to the establishment of BhamBTR. We have several excellent veterinarians across Alabama from which we receive counseling and guidance. In addition, we work closely with sister rescues, Southern Cross Boston Terrier Rescue and Boston Terrier Rescue of East Tennessee, among others. To date, we have individually rescued and re-homed well over 200 Boston Terriers and Boston-Terrier mixes. Our rescue efforts have been exponentially successful; and in 2008, we will likely double the number of dogs rescued just during the previous year.

We sincerely hope that you will consider becoming a member of our team.

Thank you for your generosity! We appreciate your help and so do these dogs!

Respectfully,

Donna Farmer, President
Birmingham Boston Terrier Rescue, Inc.
A 501(C)3 Non-profit Organization
www.BhamBTR.org

..."He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

Author Unknown