

	'Tude News July/August 2009

Happy Birthday to Us!

Today, August 4, is the first anniversary of New Rattitude's incorporation, and as we take a look back at this past year, we find there is much to celebrate. From a small group of dedicated individuals with a vision almost too large to dare imagine, New Rattitude has grown into a respected, successful national rescue organization, currently 76 members strong.

For some, back in those early days, joining New Rattitude required quite a leap of faith. After all, many of us were severing ties we knew could never be rejoined. Those doubts were short-lived, however. As we gathered in our virtual "Den," the energy was positively contagious. Ideas flowed, and members eagerly stepped up to put them in action. When a particular need was identified, there was always someone raising a hand to say, "I can do that." Individual talents began to emerge, teams were formed, and tasks were accomplished. New Rattitude was up and running!

All we needed now were dogs, and of course that need was quickly filled. Foster parents in the beginning took another leap of faith when they brought their first fosters home. There was no money to reimburse vet bills until after a dog was adopted, and with no Web site yet to promote our ratties, no one could be sure how long that would take. Our generous members, however, shrugged off these concerns, and NR got down to the business of saving dogs.

Those first few months were an exciting time. By the end of 2008, in just five months, we had saved 117 rat terriers with 48 of those already placed in adoptive homes. Now, at the end of our first year, those numbers have risen to an amazing total of 286 dogs saved, and 203 adopted.

Memorable dates and milestones include:

July 2008 Founding board of directors established: Terry Beale, Debbie Collins, Connie Hendsbee, Sue Kangas, Mira Melien, Patience Miller, Robin Woods, and Kathy Young.
August 02, 2008 Intake of NR's first dog, Adam, fostered by Debbie Collins (AL).
August 04, 2008 New Rattitude, Inc. is incorporated in the state of Georgia.
August 14, 2008 First adoption: Phoenix, fostered by Patti Jeffries (GA).
September 22, 2008 Georgia State Shelter license granted.
September 15, 2008 First fundraiser (Uncommon Garden) launched.
September 19, 2008 First issue of 'Tude News published.
September 26, 2008 New Rattitude Web site goes live.
October 31, 2008 501(c)(3) status granted by IRS.
November 28, 2008 Intake of 100th dog, Dexter, fostered by Nadia Chiodini (MO).
December 22, 2008 New Rattitude wins the Animal Rescue Site's Shelter+ Challenge for the state of Georgia ($1,000 grant).
January 14, 2009 Rattie Idol fundraiser begins.
February 02, 2009 New Rattitude wins $500 in the "A New Year of Hope for Animals" contest, sponsored by Care2 and Adopt-a-Pet.com.
March 18, 2009 First election held for board of directors..
April 04, 2009 Intake of 200th dog, Gracie, fostered by Diane McClane (WI).
April 06, 2009 Flight Fund established.
April 24-25, 2009 SE Rat Terrier Jamboree.

Thank you, Team New Rattitude...members, adopters, and supporters, for your time, your talents, your heart, and your financial contributions which have made our first year such a resounding success.

New Members

We'd like to welcome our most recent new members. Thanks for joining our team!

Kate Clarkson, South Carolina
Amy Flores, California
Kathleen and Frank Wood, Washington
Susan Murkland, Washington
Lisa Steiner, California

NR Receives Grant From Build-A-Bear Workshop

Thanks to the efforts of NR grant writer Janell Brown, Build-A-Bear Workshop's Bearemy's Kennel Pals grant program chose New Rattitude to receive a $1,000 grant. The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is committed to making life more bearable for children, families, and pets in need of a helping paw. With the sale of each full-sized Bearemy’s Kennel Pals friend--a collection of Build-A-Bear Workshop plush dogs--one dollar is donated to domestic pet programs including local animal shelters, stray pet rescue and rehabilitation organizations, and pet education programs around the country. These funds are available to qualified nonprofit organizations in the United States and Canada through a quarterly grant process. Visit www..buildabear.com for more information.

Flight to Freedom

By Janell Wood

Since New Rattitude was founded in August of 2008, more than 50 dogs have been rescued and adopted out from foster homes in Washington state, but did you know that only three of those dogs actually originated in Washington? Why doesn't Washington just save its own dogs, you ask? To answer that, we need to look deeper into factors that have created a sad supply and demand imbalance that results in much loss of life.

In several regions of the United States, especially the Midwest and South, dog breeding has become big business, fueled by an increased demand for small dogs and the ease of selling animals over the Internet. Massive commercial kennels churn out puppies, which are then sold in local pet stores, at flea markets, and online. Many of these dogs end up in shelters when their owners tire of them or when they grow too old to have sales value. The shelters fill at an unmanageable rate, resulting in shelter kill rates that often top 50 percent. Of course, none of this is news to those of you involved in rescue.

Here's the news: In much of the Pacific Northwest, especially west of the Cascade Mountains, this is not the case. Yes, there are still shelters, dogs are still abandoned and neglected, and rescue is necessary. However, large commercial breeders and puppy mills aren't nearly as common, and the sale of animals in retail settings is virtually nonexistent. Most of the shelters are not kill shelters; or if they are, their kill rate is fairly low. And happily, there are numerous well-established local rescue groups which help to keep the kill rates even lower.

With the Pacific Northwest lacking large commercial breeders, the supply of small dogs is much lower than the demand. This imbalance leads to high adoption rates of small-breed dogs in the shelters. In fact, many shelters set much higher adoption fees for small dogs in order to subsidize the care of the larger dogs and give them more time to be adopted. In Tacoma, a shelter dog under 20 pounds has an adoption fee of $350, yet it is rare for a small dog to remain unadopted in the shelter for more than a few days.

Because rat terriers are rare in the Northwest and highly adoptable, New Rattitude has chosen to fill its Washington foster homes with dogs which are urgently awaiting rescue in other parts of the country. The 3-year-old with patellar luxation and just one day before being euthanized, the litter of pups in the overcrowded Southern shelter that struggles with an outbreak of parvovirus…these are the dogs that are sent to Washington. In some instances, dogs have been pulled off the euthanasia table when the word comes through that there is an open foster home in Washington. It is a form of triage. We are choosing to rescue the ones that need help most desperately.

How does New Rattitude get these dogs all the way up to the northwest corner of the country? For the most part, they are flown to their freedom, pulled by volunteers who temporarily foster them until arrangements can be made to place them on a plane. Some people might argue that it is too frightening for dogs to have to fly in cargo and that we should keep them in local foster homes. Unfortunately, those foster homes are usually already at their capacity, filled by the abundant supply of dogs needing rescue. Flying dogs to safety gives more dogs a chance to escape their likely fate in a gassing shelter.

It can be costly to fly dogs across the country--on average about $100 per dog--but aren't they worth that? And there are ways to lower the costs of air transport. Airline employees are asked to fly the dogs for us using their employee discount, often 75 percent off the general public’s cost. When dogs are pregnant or very young, we look for airline employees who are willing to give up their day off and use their free flight benefits to fly out to pick up the dogs. Sometimes we use friends and family who will be traveling through a certain airport and are willing to carry a dog aboard with them or fly one in cargo in lieu of that extra bag of luggage. In fact, if you know any airline employees working out of Washington or any of the airline hubs in the South or Midwest, ask them if they would be willing to help us out.

To make this rescue venture possible, a generous donor gave money to set up a flight fund. When a dog is deemed urgent and has no option for a local foster home, an application is made to the fund manager; and if approval is given, the dog is flown using these monies. On average, four dogs in urgent need of rescue are being saved by being flown to Washington every month. As a result, the fund is quickly being depleted, and there is only enough money left to fly two or three more dogs.

Flying To Freedom Fundraiser

Take a look at the photos to the left. These are all of the dogs New Rattitude has flown to Washington in the past year. None would be alive today if we had not been able to do that.

To replenish the flight fund and give more desperately needy dogs a chance at life, New Rattitude is kicking off the Flying to Freedom Fundraiser. Our initial goal is to raise $500 by September 4 so that this very important air transport rescue venture can continue. Can you help? Even just a few dollars will make a big difference in a needy dog's life.

Please visit the Flying to Freedom Fundraiser page on our Web site to find out how you can contribute.

News and Events

By Heidee Vansant

Dine to Donate!
There is still time to get on board and win bragging rights for your state. The Applebee’s Summer Challenge fundraiser runs through August 31. Do you know anyone who eats out? Who doesn't, right? Then you can help raise much-needed funds for New Rattitude. Just visit your local Applebee's and tell them you would like to host a fundraiser for your nonprofit rescue. They will ask you to pick a date. They e-mail you a flyer. You invite people. You eat and New Rattitude makes 15 percent of sales (minus tip and tax) from qualified purchases. If you have questions or want more details, visit the Applebee's Web site to download their flyer or contact the fundraising team at: fundraising@newrattitude.org

Washington team members Janell Brown and Kathy Young, along with family members and friends, gathered at the Federal Way Applebee's on July 30. The event raised $56.47.

Flying to Freedom
A new fundraiser to support the NR flight fund, takes off today! (See story above.) Often New Rattitude must transport dogs in urgent need of rescue to open foster homes in other parts of the country. When this happens the needy dogs are flown to the open foster homes using funds from the New Rattitude Flight Fund. Because of the added expense of a flight, only dogs listed to be euthanized or with extreme medical conditions necessitating rescue are flown. In New Rattitude’s first year nearly 50 dogs who would have been put to sleep were able to be rescued, thanks to this program..

Currently our flight fund is dangerously low and we will only be able to rescue 2-3 more dogs before the fund is empty.. Would you help us replenish it? A donation of $20 or more will get your name listed on the donor board, but any amount will help. Our goal is to raise $500 by September 4. Please visit the Flying to Freedom Web page to donate. As money is raised, you can watch the flying rattie move across the country to its foster home. Thank you in advance for your help with flying rat terriers to freedom.

Fourth Annual Purina Rally to Rescue
Peggy and Suzanna Roberson participated in this event in New Albany, Ind., on July 18. It was a great success with approximately 600 people attending. Two dogs and a guinea pig found their "furever" homes.

Woofstock '09
The Washington team will be participating in Woofstock '09 in Tacoma, Wash., on August 9. It is a music/animal-welfare festival held at the University of Puget Sound on Todd Field. Admission is free. The Dugan Foundation, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to making life better for all animals and ending the euthanasia of adoptable pets, sponsors the event. Woofstock '09 is for all adoptable companion animals, from dogs and cats to bunnies and ferrets. Money raised benefits area rescue/spay/neuter programs.

Welcome Home!
On July 31, Jessica and Chris Mannon along with their fur kids welcomed home Jacob (9) and Tyler (7). The Mannons hope to file for adoption by the end of January and give these sweet boys a forever home and family.

A Year of Fundraising in Review
By Heidee Vansant

As I revisited New Rattitude’s first year of fundraising efforts, I thought, “WOW! This is such a creative, imaginative, and dedicated group. We really know how to put the FUN in FUNdraising!”

New Rattitude launched its first fundraiser, organized by Levecke Mas, on September 15, 2008. We invited supporters to purchase scented candles, personalized note cards, and personalized dog towels from The Uncommon Garden, a Web business with a boutique located in Hermitage, Tennessee. A percentage of all sales went to NR. It was a huge success, raising a total of $558!

Levecke didn’t stop there. She and her daughters went to work creating one-of-a-kind rat terrier earrings to sell. The Mas family’s jewelry along with Bethany Adams’ earrings and watches, brought in more than $500.

A gorgeous collection of rat terrier holiday and note cards created by Janell Brown soon made its debut in the ReTail Shop. To date, these have brought in nearly $330.

On October 25, Jessica Mannon and her mom hosted a bowl-a-thon in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Jessica not only offered friends and family a fun evening of bowling, but she also included a 50/50 “Name-A-Rattie” raffle, a prize raffle, and children’s coloring contest. Proceeds from the event totaled $259.

Just in time for cool weather and holiday gift giving, Kim Markham introduced rat terrier socks to the ReTail Shop. So far, the sale of these oh-so-cute accessories has brought in nearly $150.

In November, Marla Knight offered her pet-themed handbags and shoulder bags from Selah’s Shop, pledging to contribute $2 from the sale of each. Sales from the bags raised $133 for NR. Other talented and generous members have pledged to NR portions of the proceeds from the sales of their handiwork--Karen Stewart of Atlanta sells "BabySue Beads," beautiful handmade jewelry made of glass and precious and semiprecious metals and stones, and Debbie Collins offers custom-made doggy "Coats and Jamz" from her Best Friends Fleece Web site. For more information about BabySue Beads and Best Friends Fleece, visit the special fundraiser page of our ReTail Shop.

December brought “Santa Claws” photo sales and many other holiday gifts and treats. NR volunteers collaborated with local PetSmart stores to raise money by taking pet photos with Santa. Participants got the opportunity to brush up on their photography skills and wiggly-animal-holding techniques and to experience what it is like to be one of Santa’s official stand-ins. Debbie and Rick Collins greeted many pets and their people in Alabama. Jessica and Chris Mannon and friends set up in Indiana, while Kathy Young and her team covered Washington. For every photo purchased, NR made $5. In spite of the slow economy, conflicting parades, football games, and a weekend snowstorm in Washington, the volunteers brought home a total of $1,305 to fund the vetting of rescued rat terriers!

The ReTail Shop added NR baseball caps, T-shirts, and dog toys, plus rescue-themed pewter collar charms, car magnets, and stickers from Big Paw Designs. Profits to date total around $300.

On January 14, New Rattitude kicked off the first fundraiser of 2009: Funniest Rattie Idol. It also proved to be our most successful, bringing in over $2,014! Contestants were given a week to enter their funniest canine companion photos at $5 per entry, and the “audience” had two weeks to vote for their favorites at $1.50 per vote. Friends, neighbors, relatives, and complete strangers cast an amazing 1,129 votes in a very close competition. The first-place winner was "The Three Sopranos," submitted by Debbie Collins of Helena, Alabama. "Emily," submitted by Alyson Quinn of Decatur, Ala., took second place; and "Chico," submitted by Susan Wichman of Martin, Mich., took third place.

The 4th Annual Southeast Rat Terrier Jamboree was held in Sweetwater, Tenn., on Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25. A terrific weekend with a Friday-night cookout, competitive events, and games was enjoyed by more than 100 people from all over the country and at least as many canines. New Rattitude sponsored several fundraising activities, including a barbecue lunch on Saturday with delicious pulled pork donated by Connie and Bob Hendsbee, contests such as Jaime and Neil Restorff’s Tennessee Tennis Ball Trial, a variety of merchandise for sale, and a microchip clinic. The Jamboree hosts held a raffle with the items that attendees brought to gain admittance and donated all the proceeds (over $1,000) to New Rattitude. When the sun had set on Tennessee and the final count was in, New Rattitude was $2,269 richer!

The first annual National Garage Sale was held in May and raised a total of $353. Volunteers in Indiana, Michigan, Montana, and Washington held sales and donated a portion of the proceeds to NR.

Fundraising team members Janell Brown (Washington) and Sue Wichman (Michigan) have both had great success collecting money using donation canisters. To date, Janell has collected $385, and Sue, $1,369.90.

Ongoing use of Goodsearch.com and IGive.com has earned $43.66 and $17.88 respectively, and donations of Coke Rewards points have been redeemed for gift cards for the winners of our first two fundraisers.

Whew! What a year! I can hardly wait to see what the fundraising team has in store for us next.

Furever Home

We are proud to announce that 18 more New Rattitude ratties have found their furever homes. CongRATulations to all, and to the new adopters, WELCOME to the NR family!

Fiesta - Fostered by Connie Hendsbee, adopted by Lana Patterson
Kalli - Fostered by Sue Wichman, adopted by Julia Coon
Lilah - Fostered by Nadia Chiodini, adopted by Kimberly Pate
Spock - Fostered by Janell Brown, adopted by Amy Underwood
Isla - Fostered by Bethany Adams, adopted by Jeanne Schabath
Banda - Fostered by Bethany Adams, adopted by Britton Foreman
Baxter - Fostered by Kelly Cazer, adopted by Kristine Kamil
Annie - Fostered by Di Cosentini, adopted by Lisa Bado
Nika - Fostered by Amy Huber, adopted by Steve and Susan Booth
Hudson - Fostered by Bethany Adams, adopted by Fay Sewell
Squeek - ReHome program, adopted by Nina Lee
Cherry - Fostered by Di Cosentini, adopted by Pamela Farquhar
Arizona - Fostered by Terry Beale, adopted by Barbara Sharpless
Leda - Fostered by Janell Brown, adopted by Carol Gilberson
Paula Red - Fostered by KellyLea Clarke-Johnson, adopted by Connie McDonald
Pink Lady - Fostered by Michelle Harris, adopted by Sylvie Doerksen
Smokey - Fostered by Terry Beale, adopted by Pearl Snow
Petals - Fostered by Karen Stewart, adopted by Molly and Joey Miller

In The Clinic

At just 2 weeks old, Jackie became gravely ill with an aggressive strain of bordetella and developed aspiration pneumonia. Her mother had been so emaciated and sick from the same bordetella that she was unable to continue nursing her pups, so Jackie and her siblings were denied essential immunities. Jackie was also treated for two types of intestinal parasites. She is recuperating at home now and doing very well, but her vet bills for care, X-rays, life-saving medicines, and nebulization treatments are more than $600. Can you help?

Dogs in the Canine Clinic have incurred vet bills that adoption fees don't cover. If you can help, please visit the link above to read about these dogs and consider a donation to help us cover these costs. Canine Clinic donors are listed on our Donor Recognition board. We appreciate every dollar...without the help of our supporters, we would not be able to rescue these ratties with medical needs.

Whisker Lickin' Good
Dog Biscuits Submitted by Barbara Hill

In 1991, I was going to Weight Watchers meetings, and all we talked about was food. Sometimes after a meeting, I would be so ravenous that I would "fall off the wagon" in a major way. I have always liked to bake, and I have a husband who loves cookies.. In an "aha moment," I realized that I would have to bake something that I would not eat ...Voila, doggy biscuits! They turned out to be so good that one of my best customers, who doesn't even have a dog, says that she enjoys them dipped in red wine and also with cream cheese and my jalapeno jelly. I must confess, they aren't half bad, and they are good for you AND your dog!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup of hot water
1/3 cup of margarine (I use a mixture of butter, canola oil or meat drippings, and sometimes Smart Balance 50/50)
1/2 cup powdered milk
3 cups of hard whole wheat flour ( I use 2 cups of Wheat Montana Bronze Chief flour or any top-quality hard wheat flour and 1 cup of rye flour, usually organic or Bob's Red Mill)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 egg, beaten (free-range or organic)

I also add Bragg's amino acids and sometimes Worcestershire sauce or a little barbecue sauce. Other options are brewers yeast, oat bran, wheat germ, peanut butter, etc.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Put the hot water in a mixing bowl, add the fat, and mix.. Then add the powdered milk, sugar, spices, and egg and mix well. Add the flour 1/2 cup at a time and mix well. Then put the dough hook on the mixer and knead for five minutes. Roll out on lightly floured board to desired thickness. I make mine about 1/8 inch or thicker. Cut out and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

Volunteer Spotlight -
Nancy Breedlove

By Jessica Mannon

Nancy Breedlove, of Carmel, Ind., has been involved with rat terrier rescue for nearly three years. After adopting Lucy, her first rat terrier, Nancy felt that rescuing rat terriers was "the thing to do," and so she volunteered for a rescue group as an application coordinator. After she joined New Rattitude in January 2009, Nancy quickly took on more responsibilities, assisting with NR’s adoption events at PetSmart in Lafayette, Ind., and working on its fundraising team--a natural fit for Nancy, a tax accountant by profession.

Nancy says that she enjoys the feeling "of helping a dog that wouldn't have been helped if it wasn't for me." And she must have really been enjoying herself in the early spring of this year, when she and Denny, her husband of eleven years, welcomed their first fosters, a group of three puppies, into their canine household of four personal dogs, all rescues: Molbert, Rico, Newman, and Lucy. Soon thereafter, she began helping with transports and accepted the position of Indiana state coordinator. After seeing her first three fosters into their new forever homes, Nancy was ready to welcome her fourth and current foster, an adorable and energetic toy rattie named Mitch.

So what does Nancy do when she’s not busy rescuing rat terriers? She enjoys spending time in the summers with her husband at their lake house on Lake Freeman in Monticello, Indiana. Nancy laughs at her neighbors’ reaction to the dogs. They “think we're nuts. Last summer, we had three dogs with us. Now when we show up, we have five!"

Nancy and Denny also like to run in races and marathons. In May, Nancy ran her seventeenth OneAmerica (Indianapolis) 500 Mini-Marathon. With more than 35,000 runners, it’s the largest half-marathon--that’s 13.1 miles, folks--in the U.S. The couple also started running a marathon every year and this year ran their tenth! No doubt they are finding that these competitions have served as excellent practice for keeping up with all those ratties!

Thank you, Nancy, for all your hard work and efforts to save rat terriers in need!

Product Review: VIP Tuffy Rings

By Janell Brown and Frodo

Hi, it's Frodo the rat terrier toy-and-treat tester here to tell you about the latest squeaky I've destroyed...um, I mean, tested for the 'Tude News. This month I'm going to tell you about VIP Product's Tuffy Rings. VIP dubs their Tuffy toys as the "World's 'Tuff'est Soft Dog Toys," and yes, they are pretty strong. While they’re not strong enough to escape my terrier-tough scissor jaws, compared to every other soft chew toy I've had the pleasure of ripping into, this one was the most challenging, I have to say.

The Tuffy toys are rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being a weenie Yorkshire terrier toy and 10 being something strong enough for a rat terrier, or like their example, a tiger. In fact, their level 10 ring, the Mega Ring, was supposedly tested by tigers. This Mega Ring is 14 inches in diameter, has seven layers of material (three layers of industrial-grade luggage material, three layers of PVC and finally, one layer of soft fleece), seven rows of stitching, and is edge-bound in luggage material. The Ultimate Ring is the version that I tested. It has a “tuff level” of 9, with four layers of material and four rows of stitching.

When I first saw this toy, I barked in delight because I had been craving fiber-fill stuffing for a while, and my mom has been keeping me on a stuffing-free diet. Typically I can de-squeak and de-stuff a toy in a matter of minutes. Imagine my surprise when it took me days to get a hole worked open on this one. I was able to get one of the three squeakers and half the stuffing out, but the others are firmly sewn into the other side, so I am going to have to start working there if I want to kill this thing once and for all.

For dogs who are content to sit and gently squeak on it, this toy is going to last forever. For a hunter like me, who believes the word "squeak" translates to "you must kill me" in dog language, these will last around a month or so--truly an epic achievement as far as soft squeaky toys go. There are also other Tuffy toys rated at levels of 6, 7, or 8 on the VIP "Tuffness Scale." These are made for wussies--you know, like a Cavalier King Charles spaniel or a teacup Chihuahua. Trust me, for a true challenge, you must stick to a level 9 or 10 of toughness.

The 10-inch Ultimate Ring will cost you about $15 and the 14-inch Mega Ring with its extra layers of material will run about $28. Find them at vipproducts.com or at your local independent pet store.

Pawsitive Strokes Benefits of Canine Massage

By Nadia Chiodini

Massage is something that many of us associate with a pampering spa experience, but have you ever considered giving your rat terrier a massage? I became interested in using massage after hearing about Daisy, a client’s cocker spaniel. When Daisy became paralyzed in her hind legs, her owner was advised to try massage. From that day on, he worked with her, giving her massage, and after about a year, Daisy was walking again. Later, when my Elias started limping on his back left leg, I decided to try massage, too. With a combination of massage, dietary supplements, and time--about six months of it--he regained full use of his legs. Massage should never replace vet care, but you can use it to assess aspects of your dog’s health, to ease stiffness or pain, or to help your anxious or rowdy dog to relax.

Regularly massaging your dog allows you to “keep in touch" with your dog’s body. As your fingers rub and smooth your dog’s coat, you’ll begin to learn what’s normal about its body. Then you will be alert to any changes, such as a lump or pain from rubbing a certain area, that may need attention from your vet.

Massage can also be used to ease pain or stiffness in your dog. Just as it is thought to work in humans, massage can help to improve circulation, regulate breathing, and improve muscle tone--all of which can help your dog feel better. Whether your rattie is a senior with the usual aches, an athletic type who overdid it, or a couch potato who made an awkward landing on the floor, a good massage may help.

Certain types of massage, such as the trademarked TTouch method developed by Linda Tellington-Jones, are said to alleviate problems such as leash pulling, jumping up, and excessive barking. However, you don’t need to be a registered canine massage therapist to help your dog reap the benefits of relaxation through massage. It’s like peaceful petting, really.. Instead of rapidly scratching the dog, calmly and slowly stroke from the neck down to the chest. As your dog begins to relax, add your own soft words of praise.

Not sure how to get started? There are wonderful videos and Web sites to show you the basics. Check out the Bodywork for Dogs video or the demo of the Tellington TTouch method. Pick a quiet setting, play some soft music, and call your rattie over for a delightful bonding experience. Remember, it’s all in the touch.

Where Are They Now?
Follow-up Reports for Two of NR's Favorites

By Norma Downing

Since New Rattitude's inception, we have placed more than 185 rescued rat terriers in carefully matched, fully approved, and loving adoptive homes. Beginning with our first adoptee, Phoenix, the follow-up team has compiled nearly as many follow-up, or "pawgress,” reports. The follow-up team makes virtual visits with the adopters either by phone or by an e-mailed questionnaire to ascertain how our ratties have adjusted to their new families, new environments, and new routines.

As we reviewed the past year, we wanted to share with our readers two typical examples of these always heart-touching reports.

BLESSED
Rescued in October 2008, fostered by Janell Brown, Federal Way, Washington.
Adopted December 2008, by Jeni, Rocky, Mary, Sally, Cody, and Devin Martinez, Federal Way, Washington.

In October 2008, a young female rat terrier-Jack Russell mix seemed to be pleading for her life as she pressed her pretty nose tightly through the wire of a kennel located on death row of a high-kill animal shelter in Arlington, Texas. A caring shelter volunteer stopped to snap a photo of the girl with her brown eyes big as saucers, her nose jammed into the wire, and paws clinging desperately to the fence. That rat terrier was begging for a chance to love someone, to be loved by someone, and to live!

Fast forward to her foster home in Washington state, where newly named Blessed underwent serious heartworm treatment, as well as surgery. On her first day to go with her foster mom to work, a family met Blessed and was smitten by her story, her courageous spirit, and her beautiful rattie self. The Martinez family, which includes 11-year-old twin boys plus two doting grandmas, patiently waited nearly three months for the little dog to heal and be ready to come home to them.

During our follow-up phone call to the Martinez household, mom Jeni exclaimed that their Blessed, newly named Suki (which means beloved), "is an absolute delight. She has captured all of our hearts in a most wonderful manner." She credits high-energy and athletic Suki with helping the whole family become more active. In a day's time, Suki accompanies Jeni on jogs, grandma Mary on easy strolls about the neighborhood with canine sister Puffin, a 14-year-old shar-pei, and then the boys on fast-paced runs after school. In addition, Suki has a bevy of fur friends who regularly stop by for a race around the yard.

Rescued just hours before her scheduled euthanasia, Blessed, now Suki, clearly had a grand purpose in this life to fulfill: to love and be loved devotedly by her new family, to bring joy and laughter to all who meet her, and to be a strong and courageous example of why people should adopt a rescued rat terrier. How is she accomplishing this last mission? Well, at the bottom of the home page on New Rattitude's Web site and at the end of every one of our newsletters, you can see that snapshot taken by the shelter worker in Texas. Yes, those are Blessed's beautiful but desperate brown eyes searching through the shelter cage! She has become New Rattitude's "poster rattie," and her story will be long remembered by all New Rattitude volunteers and by people interested in rescue, just like you!

POPCORN
Rescued in October 2008, fostered by Jessica and Chris Mannon, Indiana
Adopted December 2008 by Mary and Tom Clements, Wheatland, Missouri.

When you think of a dog named Popcorn, what comes to mind is a dog that is energetic, athletic, a bit of a character, pure white, and happy--all of which is true of this beautiful rat terrier and Jack Russell mix. Popcorn also happens to be deaf.

Popcorn came to rescue because her former owners dumped her in a shelter when they found out she was deaf, after buying her from a pet store. They didn't even bother to attempt any training with her, so she was quite a handful when she arrived at her foster home. Her mischievous nature led her to play with and swallow a disposable razor. After two resulting surgeries, Popcorn was ready to move to a “just perfect for her” adoptive home with Tom and Mary Clements.

The Clements own Ultimate Canine Productions, a traveling performing dog show made up of rescues of all breeds. They were looking for a new recruit and found that Popcorn was just the girl for them. Their show is built on educating their audiences about adopting and training rescued dogs, especially those with disabilities.

Mary and Tom told us, "Popcorn is in the right place with us. We want people to understand that having a dog with a disability doesn't prevent them from being trained. By watching Popcorn and our other challenged dogs perform, people will know that disabilities can be overcome."

Popcorn is being trained for the sports section of their show and has mastered agility and the flying disc. Tom describes Popcorn as “awesome and marvelous” and “in her glory.” Mary and Tom have already taught her a myriad of tricks and commands using hand signals. Mary declared that Popcorn was “born to be a star.”

Popcorn had one other destiny within the doggy troupe. The Clements have a Great Pyrenees/standard poodle mix named Winston, a 110-pound giant of a dog, who was a bit lonely since the other dogs wouldn't play with him. Enter little Popcorn, who entices Winston every day into canine “World Wrestling.” Popcorn and Winston are best fur buddies, and the big guy isn't lonely anymore.

Popcorn has morphed from a discarded dog to a future star in a troupe of very special canines, who bring dog disability education, joy, hope, laughter, and fun to groups of all ages across the country. This chance for new life opportunities for once abandoned rat terriers is what rescue is all about!

Want to Get Involved?

Join The Pack!
Volunteer participation is critical to our success and our ability to save dogs. New Rattitude has many volunteer opportunities and ways that you can participate that involve as little or as much time as you wish to contribute: Fostering, transporting, adoption screening, fundraising, organizational tasks, shelter monitoring, public relations, newsletter, special events, and more. As a member of our team, you will always be treated with respect and your contributions appreciated. Volunteer education and training is ongoing, and support and advice willingly shared. If you are interested in joining our team, please fill out our online Volunteer Application!

Donate
Cash donations go directly to pay for veterinary expenses for our rescued dogs, including vaccinations, heartworm testing and treatment, spay/neuters, antibiotics, etc. Since we are an all-volunteer organization with virtually no overhead, 100 percent of your donation goes to care for the dogs. To donate, send check or money order to: NewRattitude, PO Box 14064, Lansing, MI 48901. Or donate via Paypal by sending a payment to: treasurer@newrattitude.org

GoodSearch/GoodShop
GoodSearch.com is a Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up! Go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter New Rattitude as the charity you want to support.

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, eBay, Macy's, and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop. Every time you place an order, you'll be supporting New Rattitude as your chosen cause.

'Tude News Team

Managing Editor: Susan Beard
Copy Editor: Kathy Puckett
Staff Writers: Janell Brown, Sherri Chatterton, Nadia Chiodini, Debbie Collins, Jodi Cotner, Norma Downing, Barbara Hill, Patti Jeffries, Sue Kangas, Jessica Mannon, Sharon Smith, and Heidee Vansant
Webmaster/Archives: Bethany Adams

'TudeNews is published monthly. Freelance submissions are welcome. To submit a story or story idea, please contact the Managing Editor at newsletter@newrattitude.org.

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