Greetings!

Letter from Jack

 


MEET A TBBR VOLUNTEER


Volunteer Spotlight-Neal Provost

            I got involved in fostering dogs in October of 2008.  I would like to say that it was through introspection or a search for deeper meaning in my life but like a lot of things, it was more of a confluence of circumstance. I was introduced to the local all volunteer-based rescue group for a small town in southern Indiana because a coworker was seeking donations to help a puppy who had broken its hip after being thrown against a wall.  The transition from donor to volunteer to foster was pretty quick and I don't recall hesitating much.  Someone simply had to ask.

            When I tell people that I am a foster parent for animal rescue groups, the response is usually some variation of, "I don't think I could do that. It would be so hard to let them go."  I've had a couple years now to craft my response.  The truth is it is hard.  My first foster, a beagle named Casey, was the hardest.  There were tears shed and very real doubts that letting him go was the right thing to do. A deep breath and deep conversation between me and my girlfriend at the time came to the conclusion that Casey finding a great new family was exactly the point of fostering. The fact that it hurt was the point, we felt, as well.

Once you demonstrate to yourself that you can open your heart and then say goodbye, you begin to understand that you are part of something bigger; one link in a long chain.  Making new friends, establishing new relationships, reaching out to help other people in some way - all of these things expose us to the potential pain of the void left behind when those relationships are no longer a part of our everyday.  However, I haven't heard too many people articulate so succinctly and confidently that they couldn't possibly socialize on the weekend or volunteer at the homeless shelter because the connections they made may not be permanent.

Being a foster dog parent is the most successful investment I have ever made.  The tangible costs are very low - an increase in the amount of dog food I buy and the occasional extra roll of paper towels or can of carpet cleaner. The returns are immeasurably large: the tears of joy and firm embrace of a close friend who welcomed my first foster with TBBR into her home; the knowledge that Punkin, an impossibly cute little thing with heartworms, kennel cough, and needing to be spayed would never have made it out of the shelter alive because of those conditions beyond her control; the daily satisfaction I get when I see my dog Clark successfully walking on all four legs after rehabilitating him for months through the Indiana winter from reconstructive surgery on his hip. That's right - my best friend now was once my foster dog.  I'm not perfect at goodbyes.  Clark filled an impossibly huge chasm in my heart that existed when my beagle of 7 years, Lucky, passed away.  It scares me to think he would not be a part of my life if I had allowed my love and affection for Lucky to prevent me from helping Clark when someone asked.

The holiday season is often the busiest time for households.  It is also one of the most challenging for rescue groups. Older dogs are traded in to the shelter to make room for the new puppy; people take their dogs to animal control rather than pay for arrangements at the kennel; kennels that generously donate their space to groups like ours need to make room for the inflow of paying customers traveling for the holidays.  Won't you please consider becoming a critical link in the chain of rescue?  The foster network not only supports the dogs, but each other.  We work to make sure the right dogs are in the right place and that the goodbyes are as easy as the hellos.

 
A BEAGLE'S  NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

 

Dec2010BeagleWrapPaper
- I will stop trying to find the few remaining clean pieces of carpet in the house when I am about to throw up.

- I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc.

- I will not chew my human's toothbrush and not tell them

- The garbage is not a free buffet

- When in the car, I will not insist on having the window rolled down when it's raining outside.

- I will not bark each time I hear a door bell ring on TV.

-The sofa is not a face towel.  Neither are Mom & Dad's laps.

- My head does not belong in the refrigerator.

- The garbage collector is NOT stealing our stuff.

- I must shake the rainwater out of my fur BEFORE entering the house.

- I will no longer dig holes in the backyard just because it's fun.
 
 

  BEAGLE OF THE MONTH

 

Caesar is a very endearing guy. With his big eyes and long ears he is hard to resist when he looks at you and cocks his head. Caesar gets along well with his foster brothers and sisters and loves our cat. We often find them sleeping together. He sleeps happily in his crate at night and when we're at work. Even when we are home he will sometimes go to his bed. But there is nothing he likes better than sitting with his people and getting attention. If he sees you coming his way he lifts his front leg up so you can reach his belly.

 

He loves to play in the yard and lie in the sun. Caesar does not bark at neighbor people or dogs. Even when he is being encouraged to bark by his foster brothers he politely minds his own business.

 

Caesar does have a playful spirit and loves to play with toys and play tug of war with our guys. He enjoys his walks and is very good on his lead. You do need to have his lead on him or the gates locked before you open the door as he does get excited to go outside. A couple of times he got ahead of us but by the time he got to the next door neighbors house he was looking around to see where we were. If you feel like a drive Caesar is your guy. He loves to go for a car ride and will sit happily on the seat next to you with the wind in his snout.

 

 He is used to getting baths and stands quietly in the tub while he gets washed up. He has no trouble jumping out of the tub but you do have to lift him in much the tub. His favorite part is getting dried off.

 

 Caesar came to TBBR heartworm positive and with severe bilateral ear infections. The day we walked him up our driveway he was in bad shape and very stinky. We had to give him two baths and the first of many ear cleanings before he could even come in the house. Through all the treatment, which had to be painful, he was patient and calm and still gave us a kiss when we were done.

 

We are happy to report that Caesar's big beautiful ears seem to be healed. After several different medications this last treatment seems to have done the job. Any family would be very blessed to have such a big hearted guy as part of their family.

- Bob Price, Foster Dad 

  


TOP NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR YOUR PETS (AND YOU)  
Dec2010New Years Hats

1. I will take my pet to a veterinarian for a yearly examination.  Maintaining their health will not only save me money in the long run, but my pet will live a longer and happier life as well.

2. I most certainly will keep my pet's vaccinations up-to-date.  A lot of ailments can be avoided and my pet deserves to be treated with the resources available today.

3. I will not feed my pet people food.  Their digestive system is not meant to handle it and they will become "lurkers" around my kitchen and dining room table.

4. Feeding my pet good quality food in appropriately designated amounts will keep them healthy.  They like routine feeding times and habits and will come to count on my discipline.

5. I will take my pets to training classes and use the techniques suggested so that they are welll behaved animals.  They will come to know what's expected from them and this will make both of our lives less chaotic.

6. I will keep my pet groomed, which includes brushing, clipping, or whatever else is necessary to keep them and my household more comfortable.  This will reduce the amount of dander and hair that lingers, and keep longer haired animals cooler in the summer.
                                                                                            
7.  I will not ignore my pets.  They need exercise just as much as I do.
Dec2010NewYearDog

8.  I will be consistent when relating to my pet what is expected of them concerning their behavior with appropriate awards and punishment.  I will not harm my animals when they misbehave, but rather my tone of voice will inform them of wrong doings.

9.  I will say no to exotic pets and animals, they're called wildlife for a reason.

10. I will take care to remove all dangerous objects, hazards, and chemicals from within the reach of my animal in my home.  I might even keep a pet first aid kit handy in case they get hurt.

11. I will make a go-kit for each of my pets and a disaster plan ready in case of emergencies.

12. BONUS: I will love my pet! After all it is I who decided to have them in the first place and they depend upon me for their well being.
 

IT IS TIME TO ORDER YOUR 2011 TBBR CALENDAR!

 

What a bargin!  You can have your very own TBBR 2011 Calendar for only $15.00, which includes postage.  That way you can look at cute Beagles every day of the year and support TBBR in our work to save more Beagles.  And what a great gift idea for your family, friends and fellow Beagle lovers.

All you have to do is click on www.tbbrcalendar.com to order your 2011 TBBR Calendar.

 

We are just waiting for the printer to call and tell us they are ready to be picked up so we can mail them out to you. 

Can we help you ?  I ask you to keep in mind that the Calendar Project is a labor of love by several TBBR volunteers.  Compliments can be sent to me at [email protected].  Problems or complaints please send direct to April at [email protected] !



Don't forget our GREAT Holiday Gift Idea!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nov2010GiftBeagle  

Looking for something to get the person who has everything?

 

We have the answer! Send that special Beagle Lover or Animal Friend a personalized gift card signed by one of our beagles.  It's a unique way to show someone how much you care.

It's simple and worry free!  All you have to do is send a donation and we do all the rest.

 

 To make a donation via PayPal click here Donate and put the amount of your donation in the QUANTITY box. No "$" is required.  Send us a short email at [email protected] telling us to whom we should address the gift card and if we should return the card to you or mail it direct to the recipient.


-OR-

Mail your check and a note telling us to whom we should address the gift card and if we should return the card to you or mail it direct to the recipient to:
Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue 
PO Box 271772
Tampa, FL 33688-1772

Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us at 813-446-WOOF (9663) or via email at [email protected].
The volunteers, the board and especially the Beagles of the Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

GOT 5 BUCKS ?


Christmas, or any major holiday, is not at all a good time to be a an unwanted or abandoned animal in a shelter.  Most county shelters are closed for several days in a row and too many times animals are euthanized in anticipation of the space that will be needed for new animals that will be intaken over the holiday weekend.  TBBR has been working hard to save the lives of as many Beagles as possible from these shelters.  We received two cute female Beagles from Walton County on Saturday.  Tomorrow I will be heading to Bainbridge Georgia to get Bell and we are trying to arrange transportation for Missy from Louisiana as soon as possible.

 

It would only take a $5 donation to cover the cost of 1 day's boarding for one of these sweet Beagles.  Wouldn't that be a great way to Give Thanks on Thanksgiving Day!

 

            

                                             

At Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue we may not be able to save every Beagle but we are determined to save every Beagle we can!

You can easily donate via any of the PayPal buttons in this Newsletter, Facebook or our web site, www.tampabaybeaglerescue.org.  Or you can mail your donation to TBBR
PO Box 271772
Tampa, FL 33688-1772
 
Thank you in advance for your support !
 

Donate 

 "A COPY OF OUR REGISTRATION CH22991 AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA."


pcoming Events 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

* January 8, 2011: Adoption Event and Beagle Meetup at Al Lopez Off Leash Dog Park in Tampa

* January 22, 2011: Adoption Event and Beagle Meetup at Al Lopez Off Leash Dog Park in Tampa

* February 5, 2011: Adoption Event and Beagle Meetup at Al Lopez Off Leash Dog Park in Tampa
 
If you are interested in adopting a TBBR Beagle, please go to our web site and complete an Adoption Application.

If you think you may be interested in becoming a TBBR volunteer and/or foster please come visit us at one of our adoption events or just contact us.  We would be please to put you in touch with one of our active volunteers and/or fosters who can address any questions or concerns you may have.



PLEASE JOIN US ON FACEBOOK 

To become a FAN of Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue please click on the Facebook Button:

 Find us on Facebook


Join Our Mailing List

Contact Us

web site:    www.tampabaybeaglerescue.org

phone:        (813) 446-WOOF (9663)

email:         [email protected]
 
mail:          Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue
                 PO Box 271772
                 Tampa, FL 33688-1772 

Mission Statement 

The Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue is an all volunteer, foster based, 501(c)(3),not-for-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of abused, neglected and at risk Beagles and Beagle mix dogs. We endeavor to reduce pet overpopulation by educating the public and spaying/neutering all of our Beagles prior to adoption. We shall be a continuing source of information to the community on the behavior and special qualities of the Beagle breed.