Bean (AKA Coco)

After waiting a year after losing our beloved beagle, my step mom and I decided to take the initiative to start a search for a new addition to the family. After visiting Boston to see family in the summer and meeting so many wonderful Bostons and their owners I knew that a BT would be the perfect edition to our family. We've always had rescue dogs and other animals, and stumbled upon MWBTR. Bean (formerly known as Coco) stuck out to us immediately with the adorable little dot on top of her head! Within a week we arranged a home visit and met the sweetest Boston and could not wait to meet our little Bean!

When my family and I first arrived at Bean's foster home we immediately picked her out of the four other Bostons competing for our attention. Bean was by far the spazziest dog we had ever met, especially for being nine years old! She ran around the house and wiped out when she attempted to turn a corner to bring us a toy. We instantly knew we were in love.

However, on the long car ride back to Columbus from Lima we were amazed to find that she had settled down and curled up into a tiny 'Boston ball' on my lap. Bean blended in perfectly to our family almost immediately. Our house is a revolving door for friends, family and foster kittens but no matter who she meets she always greets them with her favorite rope toy and precious little piggy noises!

Bean had an operation before her adoption to remove a stage 1 mass on her back left leg, this mass resurfaced last year but we're happy to report that she's been doing just fine ever since!

I'm currently going to school to become a Veterinary Technician due to my love for animals, and Bean has been a constant reminder of the unconditional love and friendship animals give us. She is truly my best friend and goes wherever I go- whether it's hanging out on the couch, walking around downtown or hitting the dog park, Bean loves to go everywhere and meet everyone! My family and I cannot thank MWBTR enough for all of the hard work that they do for these dogs, Bean is such a huge part of our family and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for my best friend!

Vinny aka Rudy aka Vinny aka Rudolph aka MWBTR #OH395

Vinny aka Rudolph had a tough & confusing life before MWBTR. Vinny was rescued at about age 5 from his former life as a puppy mill stud in 2009(?). Vinny is so cute with a great disposition, brindle coat & physique that they kept and bred him for years, neglecting all the things puppies need early in life to be confident happy beings. Those years were rough giving him deformed front outer claws and broken teeth, but life is much happier and relaxing now in his forever home.

Vinny started out in somewhere in SW Ohio and ended up in Columbus with a very nice MWBTR foster named Megan. She helped him early when he was very unsure and scared. Probably because he's so darned cute & polite, she aimed to adopt Vinny.... until unexpected changes moved Vinny out and into a new foster's home in Indy. Since he was already an adult dog and never really learn his name well, Vinny's name became Rudy again and he spent his time playing & napping with his buddy Cooper and his new foster Max.

Then finally in 2011, MWBTR found a home for him back in Columbus OH with Neil.
Vinny left Indy on Jan 9th and began his new life in his forever home. He whimpered once in the car then curled up & napped all the way home. It was a few weeks before Vinny became accustom to flooring & stairs without carpet and all the changes of a new home, but now Vinny is a happy & healthy Boston.

Vinny loves his neck & cheeks massaged, pork-based snacks and a good belly rub. Each night, Vinny sleeps with his best friend in a king sized bed. Vinny loves to scent drift on walks and has a remarkably sharp nose, loves steamed broccoli with his kibble and goes to the leash free dog parks & on long walks on weekends. Mid-day naps in the sunshine is where Vinny finds peaceful nirvana.

In spite of his bad experiences before MWBTR, the enduring Boston Terrier personality shines through in Vinny. He epitomizes the breed as 'a true American Gentleman with and excellent disposition'. Vinny continues to have exceptional manners and his new Dad is convinced that he is the best dog ever & tells him so very often.

Vinny still fears thunderstorms, doesn't like loud noises & has some separation anxiety so depending on the weather forecast and/or his state of mind, he goes to an open doggie day care (no crates) a few times a week and stays ungated at home by himself the remaining weekdays. Vinny is no longer a broken dog, but he's still just a little bit bent. There is a good chance that he will ultimately find his own confidence and independence. He continues to improve but at his age, it just taking a little longer to get there. Given how hard his life began, he'll might always need some extra love to get through the day but he's found a new home where he will always be loved and cared for.

Duke Manny VonFenway

'Manny' (a.k.a. Duke Manfred Von Fenway) was rescued from a puppy mill after almost nine months of being trapped helpless in a small cage day and night. Manny was taken into the MWBTR foster home of the wonderfully kind, caring and generous Pat & Day Parker.

After adopting an unwanted, very ill Boston Terrier puppy named Prince (a.k.a. Little Travelin' Prince Edward Jules) from a breeder, we immediately fell in love with the breed and soon decided we wanted another Boston. Refusing to ever buy a dog from a pet store and having very few Boston breeders in our area, we turned to the internet hoping to find a miracle.

We found it in the form of the Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue site. We searched through the available dogs for adoption and immediately fell in love with Manny's sad face and even sadder story. When Manny was rescued he was so afraid of everything and everyone, especially men. Apparently the man in charge of the puppy mill was not a nice one!

Manny had been diagnosed with a bad case of mange, a very bad case on his ears in particular. Knowing full well that adopting a dog like Manny would not be easy or instantly gratifying, we started our adoption campaign.

We first met Manny when Pat brought him over to our apartment. He cowered at even the sight of our eyes meeting him, and was very shy around our rambunctious Prince Edward, who is very tenacious and full of vigor (to say the least).

We both fell instantly in love with him and absolutely had to have him. Soon we finally were granted the amazing honor and privilege to be Manny's new daddy and mommy.

We adopted Manny on a Monday, brought him home, and tried our best to make him comfortable. Prince was, of course, jumping all over him and so energetically ecstatic to play with him; Manny was definitely overwhelmed. Day after day Manny has gotten more and more outgoing, friendly and playful. Manny and Prince are the best of friends as well as brothers; they are inseparable.

Manny sleeps in bed every night, under 1,000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and jacquard satin bedding. Manny, no longer needing to eat his food while frightened in his cage, eats out in the open next to Prince. Manny and Prince dine on organic holistic dog food.

Manny has no doubt overcome many of his fears and challenges. He is much more outgoing, affectionate and playful. Our vet has confirmed that Manny is in perfect health, his mange cleared up and he is seemingly very content. He used to excrete anal gland fluid whenever he felt in danger which was most of the time. Since moving to our new home, Manny has yet to display any outward signs of that extreme reaction.

Still somewhat skittish and wary of strangers, Manny will probably always retain some special needs and attention. We are very fortunate and blessed to have Manny in our lives. It took a lot of faith and trust for the Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue to entrust Manny's future and well being with us and we are forever indebted and grateful.

Joe DiMaggio & Lori Prenkert, Three Oaks, MI

My baby girl!!

I really dont know how things in life just happen but when and if they do there always is areason for everything. In this case, it was the best thing that could of happened to our little family.

August of 2010, my Stella beanie baby whos original name was Shotzie came into my life kinda quickly and unplanned. I work with Cheryl, one of the MWBTR devoted volenteers and sweetest foster mommy any boston could want. I love dogs all kinds and am always asking cheryl whats going on with the rescue and what they had brought into the rescue and if she was getting any fosters. Oddly enough last August, Cheryl was telling me about a sad case about a female dog named shotzie about 8 years old who was terribly abused and was surrendered to the rescue with an eyesocket wide open with no eye and no explanation and no medical attention to it. The owners wanted to trade this poor baby for a new younger boston. Without thought I looked at cheryl and said " I want her" I had not even talked to my boyfriend to see if it was ok to bring another dog into the house (LOL). But knowing that my 80lb loveable bulldog would have no problem I was determined. Cherly went right to the rescue about her and me adopting her, but I had to wait a little while, My little Stella Bean had to go through eye surgery and have some of her wounds on her neck cleared up.

About 2 weeks after all that and filling out adoption paperwork, I recieved notice that Stella was mine and that I was able to pick her up before her stiches came out or if I wanted to wait till she was healed. I wanted her right then and there and picked her up. I did not care that I was going to have to nurse this poor sweetheart back to good health. When I pulled up and Stella and Cherly were waiting for me, I just started to cry so hard. I was crying happy tears and tears of sadness for what this poor baby had been through but when I approched her she was the sweetest most gentle liovable little thing, that you would never know had any harm ever done to her other then her appearence. I think I cried the rest of the night that day into the next. Bringing her home was no problem. She was nervous and confused but my bully whos name is Cheese was so excited to have a sister and someone he could be with while we went to work. They were perfect for each other and are best of friends. They never are more then a foot away from one another. The first thing I did was change Shotzies name to Stella..and Beanie baby just came later as her nick name..She answers to stella and bean all the time. She does not remember her old name, I wanted her to not remember anything about her past. From that day on and forward Stella was only going to know what a good life is and what love is all about.

I have to say, I really didnt know how hard the next couple months were going to be. Stella had terrible eating and drinking water issues. I had to sit and hand feed her and try everything in the world to get her to have water. I thought raising a puppy was hard, but that seriously is nothing compared to trying to make an older dog who only feared her life before she met us, understand that we would never hurt her.

Now, it is April of 2011 we have had stella for 7 months , and she is such a sweet loveable little baby. She lives for us. Alwasy cuddles with us and lives the life she deserves. To date, we have finally got dinner down to a science and her and her brother enjoy dinner together and Stella drinks water out of her bowl whenever she wants without any fear. Stella had to undergo another surgery on her eye, but having it redone was a good thing because it looks alot better and I was able to have her teeth cleaned while she was put under. She is beautiful and to be honest, you can not tell she has only one eye. I forget all the time she has one eye. Im so happy with her and just love her so much. Adopting her was the BEST thing I have ever done and the most rewarding. I since then become a volenteer myself, and want to do what ever I can as far as donations with the rescue and other rescues because they do such a great thing everyday. Thank you MWBTR for bringing my little stella into my life. She really makes us smile everyday. And her brother cheese wouldnt know life without her anymore and she knows that.

:)

My little Sassy girl

It is funny how things turn out. I visited the MWBTR booth at the Arlington Family Pet show with the hopes of adopting a totally different little girl. When I got there and submitted my application they told me that the girl I wanted was spoken for.

I went to the Web site frequently and saw another 2 dogs I was interested in. My niece and nephew looked with me. I saw one girl Lizzie and another Sassy. I visited Lizzie and Sassy both days apart and Sassy melted my heart!

She had been hit by a car as a puppy and was missing her left eye and so was I. It was love at first sight!

She has bonded with her Pug buddies and helps us at various rescue functions. She shows people that even big dogs need homes. She's put her name on the house. It's her's and she's not going anywhere.
Life has had its ups and downs. She loves to travel with her mom. We love to go to the pet store and have even gone to Minnesota. She loves to ride in the car. But, I had no idea my little girl had so many allergies. The vet and I tried so many things before doing a blood test. Thank God we did, because now we both know what to avoid and Sassy's not itchy anymore.

We have taken pictures at each holiday and birthday. One picture here is her second Christmas with me. She was not too excited to be with the snow man but allowed me to take the picture. Tonight we will be celebrating her 8th birthday, complete with doggie birthday cake!

At home, she owns the couch. No matter where mom sits, that is where Sassy needs to be. She has her favorite pillows, her favorite shows on tv and she keeps me laughing all the time.

I love this little girl. She has made my life complete. In the 2 years she has been with me, I have been the luckiest mommy in the whole world!

A New Person in the Family

I adopted Sam in 2010. A few months before I got Sam, I decided that I didn't want to get a puppy. As nice and cute as puppies are, I was of the mindset that puppies stand a much, much higher chance of getting bought by people as opposed to a rescue dog. I also liked the idea of getting a pet that already had some training, and more importantly, needed a second chance in this world.

Since I was a kid, my family has had Boston Terriers as we have always loved their adorable looks, playful and intelligent nature, and sweet temperament. I randomly typed in "Boston Terrier rescue dogs" online one day, and eventually made my way into the Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue. While looking at heartbreaking after heartbreaking story on this website, I found it very hard to narrow down which one to get, (If I had the money, time, and resources I would honestly adopt them all at once!).

After quite a lot of research, debate, and discussion with those closest to me, I decided to move forward with Sam. And what a choice it was! I honestly couldn't have imagined him turning out any better. He actually turned out better than what his description stated, and is an amazing little guy. He is everything I could have hoped for, in that he is smart, energetic, polite, and very good natured. His favorite activities involve cuddling, going for long walks, and playing with his tennis ball, (a Boston Terrier favorite it would seem).

Thanks to the MWBTR, I don't ever plan on getting any other type of dog, except a rescue dog. Some of my friends have already started looking into rescue dogs of their own after seeing how well my experience with Sam has turned out. I admit I was a little apprehensive when I first started this process, but I can say with complete confidence that it was one of the best and most rewarding decisions I have ever made. I'm glad I took this chance last year, and it was definitely the right choice to make. Sam has come into my life and really has made a huge, positive impact, and that's more than I could have asked for :)

Meatball! Almost Edible Adorable!

It was during the winter of 2008, we decided that we had enough time, space, funding and love to share with an unfortunate adoptable pet. After six month long family meeting and many "what ifs" in April of 2009, we adopted Meatball, FKA "Widget" from MWBTR.

We might not have many glorious accomplishments but he certainly gives us one. We hear stories about difficult dogs. Meatball is a perfect gentleman who even leaves our couch for our house guests to sit. He is very smart and learned many tricks including silly ones.

When we wonder how we could make him happier, he is good as long as he has his tennis ball, small stuffed animal and occasional cookies. We are extremely proud of him and cannot stop saying how wonderful he is. Our grandma was not sure about our getting a dog but who loves him so much, can't stop giving him some cheese every time he visits her and even talk to him on the phone? She does!

Thank you, Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue and his foster family! Without your work, we wouldn't have met him.

Thank you, Meatball! Life can be full of mess at times but you make us smile, very proud and our hearts melt without failing.

(As a side note, our house became very creative since he joined. As you can see in pictures, he now owns handmade food bowl stand, bed and sweaters.)

Aki, Julie, Kaylee and Sean in Royal Oak, Michigan

Murphy's a hit

A year ago, my family grew in number by one, but in seemingly every other way, by so much more.

Despite not living in the Midwest, I'd set my heart on getting a Boston. My parents and my girlfriend, Haeli, said it would be my Christmas present and so we looked to MWBTR. The chance to cap a trip back home to Kansas City by adding a new member to my family was too good to pass up and at first, it looked like it was too goo to be true, but fortunately, everything came together quickly at the last moment. I spent an hour on the phone with my coordinator, Erica, on New Year's Eve setting up home visits on the 3rd.

Our first stop, my girlfriend and I met an energetic little Boston, but decided to meet the others. The second stop was a nice older Boston, and we were told he wasn't a cat fan, so we just didn't match-up perfectly. Our third and final stop, I met Romeo. He was perfect - aside from the name.

After calling him Southie for a day and a half and get stuck in a blizzard just shy of the Pennsylvania border, we finally made it home to Cooperstown, N.Y. with Murphy - named after the Boston-based band the Dropkick Murphy's.

Life with Murphy has been great. He goes everywhere with me. Each trip I've taken to Boston to see Haeli at school or even just to grab milk at the store. There are so many amazing stories I have to tell, but I'd need to write a whole Web site to tell them all.

He's a total hit. He's the perfect dog, content to cuddle and watch KU basketball or Royals baseball with me anytime I'm sitting on the couch or excited to play in my landlord's backyard and chase a laser pointer up and down the hallway. Everything about this dog is cute, hilarious or sweet. He's so much ingrained in the family I've created with my girlfriend and our cat, that we couldn't imagine life without him. He's so expressive, it's like having a little kid running around.

My Maggie 'N Me

We all think our own dog is the most beautiful. I know that mine is. It's all in the definition of the word beautiful. The most thoughtful description of beautiful that I've read was from Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit. The Rabbit asked the Skin Horse, "What is REAL? Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick out handle?" to which the old Skin Horse answered, "REAL isn't how you are made, it's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become REAL. It doesn't happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time. Generally, by the time you are REAL, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are REAL you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." REAL and beautiful are one and the same.

My Maggie is REALLY Beautiful. She becomes more so each day that passes, with each new gray hair on her lovely face, with the slight sag in her spine and the limp that has shown up. It's the dignity with which, each morning, she quietly waits on the edge of the bed for me to lift her down; because first thing in the morning it's a long way down. It's the patience she shows the younger dog in the household and the tolerance for the fosters. It's the joy she finds in sleeping on my pillow, breakfast sausage, baby cones at the Dairy Freeze, rides in the car and her toys. It's the delighted 'Maggie spin' when she gets 'to go' anywhere, as long as it's somewhere. It's the thoughtful lick across my cheek for no apparent reason. It's the peace that seeps into my soul when I lay my hand on her while she's in that deep, senior sleep where she is young again in her mind. It's the void she filled in my heart four years ago when I lost two dogs in as many months. It's my amazement that I almost didn't meet an eight year old dog named Maggie four years ago because I couldn't see past my own grief.

Maggie is the most beautiful dog in the world and she is mine and I am hers. There is nothing that will dull her continual metamorphous into more beautiful. She will always burst with her beauty. I hope that your dog is beautiful too, in all the ways that matter

(Thank you, Gwen and MWBTR, for Maggie. She is gone now at 17, but my heart is full. 2010)

-Patty Hascall

Buster Boy

Buster AKA Popeye was a story that was meant to be. Several months before adopting him we lost our vibrant young Boston, also named Buster, to a tragic and freak anesthesia complication during routine dental care.

Needless to say he meant the world to us and we were completely and absolutely devastated; he traveled across the country with us and we experienced so much in our short time together; he was only 2 years old, he was our life. When we lost him we didn't know what to do; there was no replacing him or the hole in our hearts. We don't have children so the house was very empty and solemn.

After some time had passed, we realized how grateful and fulfilled we were to have him in our lives. It was at that very moment we decided to adopt a rescue BT. Perusing the MWBT site we came across the most handsome boy named, you guessed it, Buster.

At first we felt "Is this for real?" "Could we or should we adopt a dog with the same name as our deceased?" Family and friends gave mixed signals regarding the name but we ultimately decided: WE MUST HAVE HIM and one week later he was in our home. We are now beginning our foster family life and are ready to have a playmate around for our boy.

Our Buster is the most precious, loving, snuggly, sporty, smart, silly, handsome creature who we believe was put on this planet to be with us and us with him. It was all meant to be..
.

Three's Company

When my husband and I decided to get our first dog in 1993, it was love at first sight. A 5 month old Boston Terrier we excitedly named Comiskey.

We learned a lot from him over the next few years. Like how Bostons chew on anything within reach, burrow under any available blanket and seem to be more human than dog. After the kids came along, he became our furry vacuum, destroyer of Lego's and resident face cleaner.

As he entered his senior years and began to slow down, we thought that maybe a younger addition would inspire him to get some spring in his step. That was when we found out about MWBTR and welcomed our first addition, Maggie.

After Comiskey died, we found another lost soul who needed us in 2005, Spanky. I saw Sam on the website in 2007 (just looking, honey) and convinced my husband that he needed us too. Sadly in 2010, our Maggie died after surgery to remove a large tumor and our heartbroken family was left with two knuckle heads.

We decided to take a little breather afterwards, which lasted about 3 weeks. Our latest addition is definitely our smallest with Betty, but she's not about to be pushed around by the boys. As you can see in the picture, she's confident and full of spunk. Sammy is now 13 and nearly blind, but can find a warm lap at the drop of a hat. Our Spanky, who we always joked had a glandular problem, is currently on thyroid supplements after being tested and vindicated. He's still big boned. My kids joke that I'm going to replace them with Bostons when they go away to school. Probably so, but what's wrong with that?

Zelda Zhu

Ms. Zelda Zhu came to me in January of 2009. She was 14 years young, had some scars on her back, and was deaf.

She is such a good old girl that enjoys her couch, bed, and crawling under the covers to keep her old bones warm.

But...don't let her old age fool you, Zelda is determined. She will hop right on top of the table to get your attention and has figured out the fine art of opening the closet door.

Zelda's claim to fame was in March of 2009 when she made it into the local newspaper as the Queen of the kissing booth that Midwest Bosten Terrier Rescue had at the Pet Expo in Chicago.

Zelda is a sweet old girl that deserved that forever home, and I am so glad she is part of my dog family.

Sami - Adopted 2007

In May of 2006, my husband and I purchased our first home in northwest Indiana. We were getting settled in but realized after a year that we were a little lonely and decided to look into adopting a dog. After much research and debate, we chose to go with a Boston. A member of the rescue "team" works at the school system where I teach and guided me to the Midwest BT Rescue information. The following summer we adopted Samantha Jane, a red Boston, who was about a year old.

We have had Sami now for three and a half years. We will admit that she could be a handful at first, and we're not sure if that was because she was our first dog and we were clueless or if she had very little structure at her previous home. But, despite the challenges and our adjusting to her high energy level, she has been such a blessing to our family.

Sami has so many endearing qualities and is always a great conversation starter because of her coloring. She would win any snuggling competition out there, as well as loud snoring competition ;) She is affectionate, friendly, energetic, and most of all loves us unconditionally. We love going on our daily walks and she gets so excited to play fetch in the back yard. She has had some health scares (seizures) and throughout those times we really realized how much we have come to love her and need her in our lives.

If you are looking for a dog to call your own, I would wholeheartedly recommend using this organization. Sami has brought us, and our entire families, so much joy and laughter, and is the best companion you could ask for. Of course no one has "favorites" in the extended family, but whenever there is a family function, we get into some trouble if we don't bring Sami! Enjoy your Boston :) You won't regret it!

**The attached pictures are of Sami at Christmas time, Sami posing pretty for a close up, and Sami with my husband and I at a family lake cottage (and yes she has a life jacket, we had taken it off for the photo!)