MABTR June Boston Times Issue

June 2021

Shop the Boston Bay!

Tank Tops!

Get ready for summer!

Click here to get yours and shop much more unique items!

Flea & Tick Prevention: Why It’s Worthwhile

Summer is a time when the lure of the great outdoors calls to us and our family pets. It also rings in the full-blown season of fleas and ticks.

Unfortunately, these parasites can have a serious effect on your dog’s health.

Plethora of Products

First of all, there are flea and tick preventatives on the market today that are safer and more effective than what was available 10 years ago. It is best to work with your veterinarian to decide on the right regimen that will fit your pet’s age, health, and breed, as well as the environment you live or vacation in. Choices for flea and tick preventatives now include oral medications, topical drops, and special flea and tick collars for your dog.

Tick Bites Cause Nasty Illnesses

Ticks can cause infection, abscesses, paralysis, and even death. In addition, ticks are the host of several debilitating diseases, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and a few more. These diseases can be very difficult to recognize and are easily misdiagnosed due to varied and vague symptoms. Treatments for tick-borne illnesses are lengthy and can be very costly.

A tick bite will take about 12 hours to transmit anaplasma and 24-to-36 hours to transmit Lyme disease. So it’s very important to locate and carefully remove ticks from your dog as quickly as possible.

Flea Circus

Itching and scratching, redness, flaky skin, scabs, hot spots, hair loss. If your pet has an allergy to fleas, you may observe these uncomfortable symptoms and more if he has fleas. The bite of one flea can send your dog into a whirlwind of scratching, biting. and digging at his skin. Also, fleas are the most common cause of tapeworms. The first thing your pet will most likely do when bitten by a flea is chew at the spot where the bite is. Fleas carry the larvae of the tapeworm, and these larvae will mature into adult tapeworms inside your pet’s intestines. Fleas have also been known to cause anemia from blood loss in very infested dogs.

Homes, Humans and Other Pets

Humans are also vulnerable to many of the complications and diseases that ticks and fleas cause, and they are equally hard to get rid of. One more reason to practice flea and tick prevention with your pets is to help keep your home and family safe from an infestation.

All of the above reasons should convince you that prevention is the way to go when it comes to fleas and ticks. You certainly can’t control all of the parasites in your environment, but you can take steps to protect your dog from suffering the consequences.

Talk to your veterinarian and decide which prevention products will work best for your dog, your environment, and your budget.

2021

Online Auctions

2021 schedule

CLICK HERE for bid link and photos with descriptions

June: Statues
July: Christmas in July
August: Artwork (original and prints)
September: Blankets, towels and over sized items
October: TBD

15 years of service AND

4000+ lives saved!

May Fundraiser Results

bags auction $673

jewelry auction: $348

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!

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.

MABTR Alumni - Sam

Sam came into my life in 2017. I had 2 Bostons at the time, both previous rescues from MABTR and my oldest one Tucker had been diagnosed with Cushings at 13 and was on the decline. His brother Vinny was always open to new dogs in the house, I had been fostering quite a bit and felt like it was the right time to bring another dog into the house. Sam just seemed like he would be a good fit and he needed us.

Turned out, it was a good decision. He was from a puppy mill and had a bad life prior to coming into the rescue. He didn’t know what a dog bed was, or a toy, a lap or human love. He certainly experienced this in his foster home and it only continued once he arrived in mine.

Sam was nervous and anxious. Afraid I would not come back when I left a room or left the house, he followed me everywhere (he still does). He would take things from the house and make little piles in the yard, a toy, a pillow, a shoe. He never had anything before. I took him to a training class and he did great, got a pretty serious stomach condition under control that had never been treated with the help of my vet, socialized him with my dogs and friends dogs and showed him unconditional love. It is sad how some dogs are treated before they come into the rescue, they require a lot of patience and time to adjust, but it is a great honor to be able to help transform their lives into a positive one.

He has flourished into a very loving and happy dog. Bringing him into the house also really lifted the spirits of my older dog Tucker who lived an additional 8 months often using Sam as his favorite pillow to rest on. Sam is a big guy, 35 pounds of all Boston love, so he makes a great pillow. He now loves all dogs and humans that he meets and is affectionately known around as “Handsome Sam” to those love him. Vinny is now nearly 13.5 and often leans on Sam as his pillow too. They are the best of friends, and Sam is a very good boy! -- Angie L.

8 Fun Things to do With Your Dog in the Summer

Summer is a great time to make fun memories with your pet. Bonding with your dog is easy in this season because there are so many activities that you can participate in outdoors. From trips to the beach to park picnics here are a few things to do with your dog this summer.

1. Take a Hike

Dogs big and small are excellent hiking companions. Make sure that they are socialized among people and other dogs and that the weather is not too hot so you can have a great day exploring with them. Make sure that the hike is not too strenuous for them and they are well hydrated through the whole trek.

2. Go on a Camping Trip

Summertime means pet playtime! It’s the perfect season for camping with our friends and pets. Whether you’re a backpacker that goes on journeys for days or a casual camper, your dog can be a great addition to your summer plans. Make sure you prepare your dog, research the campsite, get the right gear, and have fun.

3. Throw a Pet BBQ

Have some friends that have four-legged best friends too? Throw a puppy party in your backyard and enjoy the nice weather with them. Pick a theme, get some dog treats and prepare to celebrate the summer.

4. Take a Photo

with Your Pet

There is nothing like capturing the memories you make with your pet in the summer for cold winter days. You can then turn that photo into a custom plush that looks just like your dog that you can take anywhere! Check it out here and make your own.

5. Play in the Pool

Swimming is not only fun, but it’s a great way to introduce another form of exercise for puppies. In addition to proper training, you must take precautionary measures before teaching your pup to swim in a pool. Most important of all, understand that some puppies love swimming but others are simply not interested.

6. Have a Dog Beach Outing

Temperatures are heating up and it’s a great time to check out some dog-friendly beaches with your four-legged friend. Your pet will love running around in the sand, jumping in the water and hanging out under the beach umbrella. They will have the best day ever! Come prepared, bring some toys, water and bowl and of course those doggy bags!

7. Pack a Picnic

With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to plan a picnic with your pet. Dining outside when the weather is nice is so fun to do with your dog. You can plan a picnic from the park to the beach to my own backyard.

8. Make Summer Treats

Making your own homemade dog treats during the summer is a fun reward for your dog. Try freezing dog toys in ice cubes so your dog stays hydrated and cool all summer long. You can also make treats with peanut butter that your dog will love.

Medical Corner:

Seizures

What To Do When a Dog is Having a Seizure

Watching your pet have a seizure is a terrifying thing to witness. One minute your dog seems perfectly normal, then suddenly he’s on his side, eyes glazed, muscles twitching frenetically. He may even lose control of his bladder or bowels. A result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, this episode may last only seconds, but when it happens, time seems to move in slow motion.

Did you know that an animal is allowed to have one seizure every 30 days without concern from the medical field? HOWEVER, two or more within a 30-day period requires a need to see your veterinarian and discuss medication needs to start along with tests. With each seizure, more nerve cells within the brain will begin to fire randomly. Per Dr. Podell, “The brain’s threshold for seizure may lower on a constant basis.” In other words, each seizure makes it more likely that another one will occur. This in turn can make the seizures progressively more difficult to manage.

What to do during a dog's seizure episode:

1. DO NOT PICK UP AND HOLD YOUR DOG. Leave them alone.

2. Keep calm; your dog needs you.

3. Ensure that the surroundings are safe.

-If he is on a couch or bed (off the floor) stand in front of the dog to ensure he does not fall off.

-If his head is hitting the floor lay your hand between the head and the floor for cushion.

-Ensure nothing is restraining the dog such as a collar or leash.

4. Look at the clock and track what time the seizure starts and ends.

ALERT: When no one is home to supervise your dog, it is important that he be crated for safety reasons. A plastic crate is preferred as his limbs cannot get stuck between the wire and break his bones if he seizes while crated. It is better to be crated than fall off the couch or bed during a seizure.

What to do once the seizure is over:

*DOCUMENT EVERYTHING*

1. What day and time the seizure happened

2. How long the seizure lasted, if you remembered to look at the clock (unfortunately we are so horrified by what is happening we do not look at the clock but this part is critical because what may only be 30 seconds to us feels like minutes).

3. What the body did during the seizure (legs tightened, facial twitches, loss of bladder, foam at the month, etc.) Be as detailed as possible.

4. What side effects occurred once the seizure was over (could not walk, went blind for 15 mins, acted normal as if nothing happened, drank a bowl of water, etc.) Again, be as detailed as possible.

5. What activities the dog experienced within the 24 hours leading up to the seizure.

6. Call your vet and report the seizure so they too have documentation.

What to expect when my dog has had two or more seizures in a 30 day period:

1. Schedule a visit with the vet, sooner than later

2. Basic bloodwork will be required prior to starting any medication. At this point medication needs to be started (phenobarbital is the most common drug in these cases).

3. Once your dog is placed on seizure medication, he will remain on the medication for the rest of his life.

-At some point, you will find that phenobarbital is not enough; this is when potassium bromide is typically added.

-Sad note: unfortunately, it will be seizures that will ultimately take your pet's life. The meds will no longer work and you will not be able to control the seizures.

Testing

Because there are so many potential underlying causes of seizures, the workup must be step wise and thorough, a comprehensive attempt to parse the possible culprits: disorders originating within the brain (tumors; viral, bacterial or parasitic infections; strokes; head trauma) from those originating outside the brain. For instance, nutritional deficiencies as well as toxins like lead, insecticides, moldy foods and some human supplements can provoke brain changes that lead to seizures. Additionally, metabolic abnormalities such as liver or kidney disease can cause seizures, and some anesthetic agents and medications may also trigger them in sensitive animals.

Bostons and seizures

Unfortunately, seizures are very common in the bred. A majority fall under the category of idiopathic (cause unknown) epilepsy. If the dog is less than one year of age, he is more likely to have a congenital abnormality, and if he’s older than five, specific disorders of the brain are more common. For Bostons, the most common is brain tumor.

SAYING GOOD-BYE

"Keep their memories close to your heart and remember in another time, in a beautiful place, you will see them again."

Chowder 3/10 - 5/21

Daphne 8/06 - 5/21

Layla 6/08 - 5/21

Reilly 10/11 - 5/21

Matilda 1/08 - 5/21

Ruby 9/03 - 5/21

Piglet 6/07 - 5/21

Zodi 11/13 - 5/21

Donations Welcomed

All donations (monetary or items)

are tax-deductible.

MABTR is 100% volunteer-driven.

Your entire donation amount goes towards rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-homing Bostons in need in foster care.

Do your part and help spread the word of MABTR's Existence!

Thank You for Your Donation!

$445 in memory of Becky Dawkins

$125 in memory of Kathy Payne

$100 in memory of Bodie

$50 in memory of Ginger

$500 Catherine C

$443 Community Shares of CO

$280 Facebook

$265 Edward E

$125 Jackson S, Karen C

$100 Sarah W, Jana W, Catherine L, Cathleen M

$75 Valerie S

$70 Raymond N, Paypal Funding

$50 Michael M, Claudia M, Kathy W, Caroline M, Teri P, Kellee S, Arlo F, Kimberly D, Candace L

$35 Duane C

$30 Lori L, Leslie M, Cynthia K, Edward D,

$25 BlackBaud Giving Fund, Sue S, Charity C, Susan W, Paul M, Stacey K

$20 Giving foundation, Meghan P, Tervis, Sarah H, Susie M, Tammie P, Matthew S, Haley S, Pam M, Sara S, Michael M, Alexandra W, Lisa B, Mountain Colors Paint & Design, Reynold P, Meghan P

$15 Leah G, Annabelle H, Target

$10 Nanette S, Amy H, Ann A, Angela C, Kelly H, Angela P, Robin B, Mart D, Cindy F, Rita B, Loni D, Robin S, Danielle K, Jim L

$5 Pat M, Andrea M, Maritza M

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