MABTR August Boston Times Issue

August 2021

How Do I Love Thee?

8 Ways to Say "I Love You" in Dog Language

1. Don’t be embarrassed to use your dog voice

Studies using MRI technology show dogs understand human language better than previously thought. So holding that one-way conversation with your dog isn’t as crazy as you might think.

The news gets better: that high-pitched tone you use to talk to your dog (better known as baby-talk)? Dogs actually like it. Medical News Today also points out that your dog wants to hear words specific to the dog lexicon: treat, walk, good. You know the words.

Also, reading to dogs has been shown to calm anxious and high-energy dogs in shelters, and brings shy dogs out of their shells.

2. Be a good listener

Not sure if you’re getting the message of love across? Your dog’s body language will tell you. Look for all of the dog body languages of love:

a wagging tail
eye contact
a raised eyebrow (see more below)

Conversely, keep an eye out for the warning signs of and anxious dog:

a tucked tail
lip licking
your dog’s eyes are popping out or averted

3. Loving gazes

Your dog’s eyes do much of their talking. You can communicate back to them using the same language of eye contact.

When a dog gives you long, lingering eye contact, it’s a way of saying “I love you.” A recent study shows that oxytocin, the ‘love chemical,’ goes up in both dogs and humans when they share a kind gaze.

Watch your approach, though. Staring down a dog in a forceful manner can be a sign of aggression for your dog.

4. Facial expressions of love

No matter how we may wish to hide our feelings, even from our dogs, most pet owners know that animals are sensitive to our emotional states. Scientific studies have shown that dogs can read human emotions through our facial expressions.

You can be intentional about what your face is telling your dog. Japanese behavioral scientists have shown that when a dog feels connected to someone, they often raise their eyebrows—the left one more than the right. So greeting your dog with raised eyebrows and a relaxed smile tells your dog how happy you are to see them.

5. The lean of love

Did you know that a dog will lean against you as a sign of love and trust? Unless the lean seems to be an anxious behavior or a not-so-subtle push toward the door, this body posture from your dog can be mimicked or reciprocated to show affection.

So go ahead, lean in to show a little love.

6. Cuddles and naps

Part of your dog’s aforementioned residual pack behavior is playing hard and then resting together. Even if you don’t care to let your dog in bed with you, an afternoon nap together on the couch or in the grass will deepen your dog’s feeling of a pack connection.

And like humans, dogs thrive on physical contact. So while your dog may not enjoy a hug, a nice cuddle session offers the connection they crave.

7. Strolling

Dogs thrive on routine and schedule, so a daily walk with training mixed in will help your dog understand how much you love and care for them.

Walks and adventures give plenty of opportunities to work on skills like loose leash walking and recall. These shared experiences and training sessions build trust, communication, and that pack connection.

8. The touch of love

Just touching your dog releases oxytocin in you and your dog, so a soothing massage, gentle grooming session, or extended petting time will tell your dog in no uncertain terms how much you love them. In particular, rubbing your dog’s ears works to release oxytocin in their body. Those adorable, soft ears are also packed with feeling receptors.

15 years of service AND

4000+ lives saved!

July Fundraiser Results

Auction and Buy It Now $1,400.50

Photo sessions

$220

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Employer Match Programs

Did you know that many employers will match your donation to a 501(c)3 organization? Some even pay a flat fee to the organization in exchange for your volunteer hours!

Check with your human resource department for details and opportunities on how your donation and time can go further!

Just to name a few companies we know offer such programs:

8z Real Estate
Allstate
AT&T
Benevity: Apple, Google, ADP
CenturyLink
CNA Surety
CSG
Dish Network
First National Bank
Great Western
Johnson and Johnson
Lockhead Martin Corporation
Microsoft
MidAmerica Energy Holding Comp.
Pfizer
Pinnacol Assurance
SalesForce
Thrivent Financial
United Healthcare
United Way
Verizon
VMLY&R
Walmart
Wells Fargo
Western Union

Spread the Word

We want to encourage our followers that should you come across a Boston or Boston mix in a local animal shelter or posted for sale or free on craigslist or Facebook to please share the ad and details with MABTR. Our mission will be to reach out and make them aware of our existence and services when it comes to finding new home. Though we have been in service for 15 years some organizations and individuals still do not know about us. We just may be the perfect outlet for the dog, ensuring they land in a safe and happy forever home.

Our contact info is

402-510-1346 or midamericabostonrescue

@gmail.com

Thank you for spreading the word about us!

2021 Auctions!!

CLICK HERE

for bid links and descriptions

August: Art

*auction 1: artwork

*auction 2: prints

September: Housewares items

*auction 1: blankets/towels

*auction 2: uniquely large items (will be transported via car due to size. Only certain states will be able to bid.)

October: TBD

FOSTER HOMES NEEDED

MABTR is in great need of foster homes especially in the NE, KS, MO, SD, IA, and CO. Our intakes 25/mth and I do not want to burn our existing foster parents out. Thank you for getting the word out

Click Here to Learn More

ARE YOU TRAVELING THIS SUMMER?

MABTR covers 13 states. 75% of our adoptions occur between foster homes and adopters in different states, requiring MABTR to set up a transport by car.

Many of us travel for business or pleasure by car so we ask that you share with us your travel plan should you have room for a Boston to hitch a ride.

Share with us your travel plans - even those scheduled in the future.

It is simple. CLICK HERE to hare your travel plans with us. We will file the travel schedule shared and if the need approaches we will contact you with details.

The doggies thank you for allowing them to hitch a ride!!!!! Without drivers we would struggle moving our dogs closer to their forever homes.

Remember that you can write off at tax time your gas or mileage when transporting our Bostons.

Tips for keeping cool through the dog days of summer

If you see the mercury rising, here are some tips to keep your canine cool:

Offer an ice pack or wet towel to lay on.
Add ice cubes to the water dish.
Offer access to a wading pool with shallow, cool water.
Offer access to cool shade by stringing up a tarp, cloth, or use a shade screen.
Bring a collapsible water dish on your walks.
Replace a portion of their regular diet with canned food.
Avoid walking on hot pavement, and consider booties to insulate their toes.
Early morning or evening playtimes, exercise, and walks are best.
Give your dog some homemade frozen treats.

MABTR Alumni - Boo

We adopted Boo, previously known as "Luna," on November 2, 2019. The volunteers at MABTR knew the type of home Boo would be more comfortable with - which impressed my husband and myself because they pretty much nailed what she would be like. She had previously been adopted then returned. She had also been to several volunteers' homes.

We felt the first obstacle we faced with Boo was trust. She didn't know how to walk on a leash, she was terrified of the outdoors, she wasn't house broken, she feared lights coming on and off, and she feared shadows on the walls. She wouldn't interact with us in play. She feared others coming into the home and she was very submissive.

Today, Boo is 5 pounds heavier. She has learned to stand by the door to be let out to do her business. I would say she is completely housebroken. When it comes to the outdoors she once feared ? Now, I can barely get her to come in from outside. Once upon a time she would fear the harness and leash. But now she looks forward to it. She enjoys her walks with us. She still looks at the lights on the ceilings and doesn't like shadows at night, but instead of shaking in fear, she occasionally barks at them. She loves to play tug of war with mom, and having company over no longer sends her into hiding.

We could not love her more. We must credit our Pug Reagan with helping Boo overcome many of her issues. Reagan and Boo have been almost inseparable since day one. -- Jodi J.

Will you be our hero???

MABTR is seeing our number of intakes by owners and shelters start to increase. With that said, we are looking to add families to our foster base.

Would you like to foster a Boston and help find him/her a new forever home?

Another great need is foster homes with no other pets. Wouldn't it be nice to have a four legged friend for a short period of time?

~~~Learn more about our foster program at~~~

https://www.adoptaboston.com/help/foster/

Request a foster app. Once returned you will receive a call to discuss the program.

Thanks in advance for your consideration!

Medical Corner:

Cataracts

A dog's nose often guides his actions and movements, but his eyes are just as important. Maintaining dog eye health is critical to having a happy and healthy pet.

Cataracts, therefore, are something dog owners should be able to spot and understand.

There are four categories for cataracts that we experience in Bostons:

1. Genetic - cataracts are evident at a young age but tend to stay immature for most of the dog's life with the potential of increased impact of blindness in their adult to senior years. Cataract surgery is NOT recommended in these cases.

2. Juvenile - very common in Bostons. The dog will start having impaired vision by the age of 2 years and in a majority of cases are blind by the age of 4 years. In these cases MABTR consults with their vet and considers cataract surgery.

3. Cataracts brought on by age. Evidence of cataracts by your vet will appear around the age of 8-9 years old. Maturity will continue and in most cases the dog will be blind in his senior years. In these cases MABTR does NOT consider cataract surgery.

4. Cataracts brought on by health issues such as diabetes.

What warrants cataract surgery?

First, one needs to know that Bostons are in the top five most difficult breeds when it comes to cataract surgery. So it is important that you understand all the risks to considering the surgery as they are high, and recovery is horrendous for both you and the dog.

MABTR only considers a Boston a candidate if they arrive in our care with juvenile cataracts. However, not all of these cases qualify for the surgery.

Unless the eye is perfect we will not even attempt surgery. You need to have a thorough exam done by your ophthalmologist.

We also suggest you have the Boston's thyroid tested. A low thyroid is common in Bostons and if low requires medication. However even more common to be low in dogs with juvenile cataracts. If the thyroid is not regular prior to surgery this will negatively affect the recovery.

The risks taken with cataract surgery are as follows and all can lead up to the removal of the eye that just underwent surgery.

- glaucoma

- infection

- trauma

If you decide not to proceed with surgery, you need to address any inflammation of the eye which can be controlled through medication. Anti-inflammatory drops may need to be used throughout the dog's life.

Pressures should be checked every six months. Not all vets have a pressure tool, so find one who does and build a relationship with them.

Do Cataracts Hurt Dogs?

The cataract itself does not hurt. However inflammation can be painful or at least uncomfortable. If not treated can lead up to glaucoma, which is very, very painful. In human terms: walking around with a migraine 24/7 and can lead up to the rupture of the eye resulting in removal.

There is currently no eye drop on the market that will resolve a mature cataract.

Cataracts in Dogs: Treatment and Prevention

Cataracts won't go away on their own; surgery is the only way to correct it. If you see or suspect that your dog has a cataract, consult your vet or a veterinary ophthalmologist to discuss whether surgery is right for your dog. Again putting an adult/senior through this surgery is NOT recommended by MABTR.

Dogs with cataracts presented later in life can adjust just fine to their environment, especially once their vision is gone.

Because so many canine cataracts are hereditary, there's not much an owner can do to prevent them.

If you find yourself questioning cataract surgery for your dog and you would like to talk, please do not hesitate to call MABTR, 402-510-1346, as we have lots of experience in this area unfortunately.