And the Winners Are... The judges have completed the very tough task of selecting from over 170 photo contest entries, the winners that will grace the pages of New Rattitude’s 2010 Rat Terrier Calendar. Congratulations to: Grand Prize Winner:  Jasper, submitted by Dan Degen Other Winners: Cassie and Callie, submitted by Nancy Breedlove Josie, submitted by Carol Grady Tally, submitted by Lindy Darovic Skip, submitted by Genie Folsom Pogo, Pebbles, and Belle, submitted by Heidee Vansant Lucy, submitted by Nancy Breedlove Dottie, submitted by Lane Kemmerick Zip, submitted by Sue Painter-Thorne Delilah, submitted by Shannon Bayless The winners will each receive a free calendar, and the Grand Prize winner also receives a $25.00 PetSmart gift card! We want to send our sincerest thank you to all the contest entrants. Every one of the photo entries so clearly depicted the pride and joy felt for their beloved rat terriers by those who know them best.  New Rattitude’s 2010 Calendar will go on sale by mid-November. Be sure to watch our Web site www.newrattitude.org and the next issue of ‘Tude News for ordering information.  For a “sneak preview” of the calendar photo pages, click here.  And look closely--many of the photos not selected as winners will still be used in the calendar in collage photos! Shelter Challenge...Have You Voted Today? New Rattitude is again participating in the Shelter Challenge, sponsored by The Animal Rescue Site and Petfinder.com. Voting began on September 14 and ends on December 20. As in the past, a $1,000 grant will be awarded to the rescue organization in each state that acquires the most votes during that time. Although NR has six different Petfinder regional accounts, we need to concentrate all of our votes on just ONE of them. Previously we voted for the Georgia region. This time we've chosen the WASHINGTON STATE region. Please be sure you select "New Rattitude, WA" when you vote. Currently we are leading the Washington contest! To vote, go to http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge. In the search box, type "New Rattitude" for shelter name and choose "WA" for state. Then click the search button. When the search result comes up, click the button to vote. You must then name the animal whose picture appears to confirm your vote! Per contest rules, you may vote once a day from each computer you have access to. It only takes a minute; please help us win by voting every day and remind your family, friends and co-workers to do the same. Last Chance for 'Tude Tails! Do you like to write about ratties? Do you sketch, paint or photograph them? Share your work in our upcoming special publication, 'Tude Tails, which will feature a collection of original creative work all about rat terriers. Short stories, poems, essays, artwork, cartoons, photographs, and what-have-you will be chosen from submissions received through October 31. 'Tude Tails will be published in December, as a printable booklet in pdf format, and distributed to all 'Tude News subscribers. Everyone is welcome to participate, so put on your creative caps and send us your masterpiece! E-mail submissions to: newsletter@newrattitude.org.

					Building a Relationship Through Training By Sue Painter-Thorne Since this is my first training article for the ‘Tude News, I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am not a professional trainer, but I spend an inordinate amount of my free time reading about training, talking about training, thinking about training, and--oh yeah!--actually training my six dogs in basic manners, tricks, agility, flyball, and other dog sports. For this first article, it makes sense to start with a discussion of the various training approaches. I’ll review some general training theory that will be used in subsequent articles to describe more specific training objectives. Essentially, I approach training as a way to build and deepen our relationships with our dogs. We often hear that training is a great way to build a bond between human and dog. Through training, we help our dogs learn to work closely with people, something many rescue dogs have never experienced. In that experience, dogs learn our human “house” rules, which often make little if any sense to a canine mind (“Really, you don’t want me to roll in the dead squirrel?!”). And, more important, they learn how to interact with us--how we respond to their behavior and how we try to influence it. Through that process, they learn that we are predictable and safe and that training is fun. Because training is an important building block in creating that bond, it is not only important that we train, but how we choose to train our dogs. Because, that choice plays a key role in the type of relationship we build with our dogs. Generally, there are four different approaches to teaching a dog a particular behavior. Trainers refer to these as the “four quadrants” of operant conditioning (i.e., a process of behavior modification that encourages a dog to behave in particular way by pairing a particular behavior with a certain type of consequence). Before discussing the particular quadrants, it’s important to understand the technical meaning of “punishment” and “reinforcement.” When a trainer uses “punishment” she means anything that, when paired with a behavior, makes that behavior’s recurrence less likely. In contrast, “reinforcement” is anything that, when paired with a particular behavior, increases the likelihood of that behavior recurring. Complicating this a bit is that both punishment and reinforcement can be either negative or positive. Yes, we can have positive or negative punishment as well as positive or negative reinforcement! As the description of “positive punishment” below makes clear, the use of “positive” does not mean pleasant or good. Rather, it’s simply describing the act of adding something to the dog’s environment. Similarly, “negative” does not necessarily mean unpleasant or bad, but refers to the act of removing something from the dog’s environment. Positive punishment is when a dog’s behavior makes something the dog perceives as a bad thing happen, thereby decreasing that particular behavior. An example of this is shaking a penny can at a dog who has jumped on a counter looking to snag food that’s been left out unsupervised. The theory behind this is that the dog will decrease the undesired counter-surfing behavior because she is afraid of the sound of the rattling penny can. This type of approach relies on the use of an “aversive”--which is anything that a dog dislikes, finds scary, or wants to avoid--to punish a dog for a behavior that has already occurred. What is aversive is always defined from the point-of-view of the particular dog. It is something the dog dislikes that makes it more likely to stop the behavior. For one dog a squirt with a water bottle can be aversive, but for another it can be a reward. It’s important to keep in mind what things your dog dislikes so that you can avoid unwittingly using an aversive or positive punishment. Punishment carries with it a high risk of fallout--i.e., it can create a dog that is afraid or confused, or that seeks to avoid human contact or training, or even shuts down entirely. In contrast, negative punishment occurs when the dog's behavior makes something the dog thinks of as a good thing go away, thereby decreasing the dog’s behavior. An example of this is a time out or a withdrawal of human attention. For instance, if your dog is trying to get your attention by barking or pawing at your arm and you wish to discourage this behavior, ignore the dog and walk away. Do this every time and the dog will learn that when he barks, his human leaves the room. He will then be less likely to bark for attention. While negative punishment can be a helpful tool in training, it is important to keep in mind that what is “good” is defined entirely from the dog’s point-of-view. For instance, a dog seeking human attention obviously defines “good” to include attention. And, on this point, it’s good to remember that to an attention-seeking dog, any attention--even negative attention--is desirable! Thus, the typical response of yelling “shut up!” at a barking dog often fails, not because negative punishment does not work, but because the wrong message is being conveyed. From the dog’s perspective, when we respond to a dog’s plea for attention with attention, it is likely to increase the behavior because the dog has gotten what he was seeking. Negative reinforcement means that the dog’s behavior makes something the dog perceives as a bad thing go away, thereby increasing the particular behavior. Negative reinforcement attempts to make a behavior more likely by pairing it with the ending of something horrible. Thus, to be a negative reinforcer, it must be something the dog dislikes and that causes the dog to modify his behavior to avoid. An example of this is holding a dog up by his collar until he stops pulling on his leash. By releasing the pressure when the dog stops pulling, the handler has removed something the dog found aversive. While often the dog’s response is viewed as having “given in” or “accepting his submissive position,” really it’s nothing more dramatic than operant conditioning at work, albeit in a rather brutal way. Moreover, while considered separate from punishment, negative reinforcement actually relies on punishment. In the example above, the dog’s behavior of pulling on the leash was punished by jerking him by the collar. Thus, before he was negatively reinforced, he was punished for pulling on the leash. That punishment only stopped when he modified his behavior, which negatively reinforced his not pulling. Because punishment is part of negative reinforcement, it carries the same fallout potential as positive punishment. In contrast, positive reinforcement means that the dog’s behavior makes something the dog perceives as a good thing happen, thereby increasing the dog’s behavior. The theory behind this approach is that when the dog’s behavior results in something good, the dog is more likely to repeat the behavior. It is this quadrant where we can build the surest bonds with our dogs, where we can make them willing training partners ready to learn. For this reason, positive trainers primarily use positive reinforcement, and to a lesser extent negative punishment, in training dogs. I choose to stay in positive reinforcement because it reflects the relationship I want with my dogs. It would be incorrect to say the other methods don’t work since they are all based on operant conditioning. But, for me, the point of training is to enhance my bond with my dogs. My approach to training is how I help shape the relationship we have. I want a thinking dog who is a happy training partner, one who trusts me and is excited to learn new things. Life is short; I want time spent training to be fun, not stressful or full of dread. And for my dogs’ sake, I don’t want them to comply with my requests simply because they are afraid to do otherwise. A life of fear is good for no one. I want them to comply because it makes them happy. Their lives are even shorter; they deserve to have as much happiness as we can give them for the brief time they grace our lives. In the simplest terms, positive reinforcement training can be stated as “reinforce what you like, ignore what you don’t.” Just like people, dogs do what works. This means that when they get rewarded for a particular behavior, they are more likely to replicate that behavior in the future. In rewarding your dog, timing is essential. It’s often said that dogs “live in the moment.” For training, this means you must pair the reward with the specific behavior at the moment it occurs. The easiest way to do that is to “mark” the behavior, which means nothing more than pairing the behavior with a particular word or sound that tells the dog “that’s exactly what I was looking for!” Many people use a clicker for this because it is a unique sound we are unlikely to mistakenly make when we’re not training. However, you can just as easily use a word such as “yes!” or “great!” or “potato!” to mark the behavior. Really any word will work, but it’s best to pick one you don’t say a lot to avoid unintentionally marking a behavior. Once the behavior is marked, follow that with a reward. A reward can be anything the dog finds pleasurable that makes it more likely she’ll repeat the behavior. The most obvious choice is food. Typically, dogs love food. But food isn’t a reward to a dog who is not hungry! Toys can make great rewards and some dogs even prefer them over treats. You can also use “life rewards” such as going outside, jumping into mom’s or dad’s arms, getting petted...the list is endless. The critical part is that "reward" is defined by the dog. In addition to rewarding what you do like, you generally ignore what you don’t like. That brings us back to our barking dog. If you have a dog barking for attention, ignore her. Because dogs do what works, she is likely to soon realize it’s a bad strategy for getting attention (if indeed that is the reason for the barking). However, you should only ignore it if it is safe to do so. A dog running toward the street cannot be ignored. Thus, part of training is management, meaning limiting opportunities for the dog to engage in undesired behavior. Leashes, crates, and fences are all management tools we use daily to keep our dogs from running the streets. The goal is to set the dog up for success by minimizing the opportunities for the dog to be wrong. Finally, positive reinforcement depends on teaching the dog what you want him to do, rather than punishing him for doing what you did not. Punishment might stop a particular behavior, but it teaches the dog nothing about its future conduct. Reinforcement is what teaches and that creates more predictable future behavior. To deal with unwanted behaviors, you have to consider incompatible behaviors and train for those instead of against the unwanted behavior. For example, if you have a dog who jumps up on strangers, instead of punishing him for doing that, teach him what you want him to do instead--e.g., sitting when greeting a new person. If your puppy is chewing on your shoes, redirect her to an appropriate toy instead (and, put your shoes away!). If you have a dog who begs for food at the dinner table, teach her to lie on a mat during meal times. Each of these things is fairly simple to teach and reinforce and will be discussed in future columns. For more information on the fundamentals of dog training, I recommend Karen Pryor’s book Don’t Shoot the Dog! The New Art of Teaching and Training.

					Best Friends Fleece Supports New Rattitude Best Friends Fleece offers hand sewn fleece clothing for dogs. Coats and 'jamz' are sewn from Woofy Wear by Wendy(TM) Simplicity patterns with minor modifications for embellishments, customized fit, and fabric. All BFF are sewn from soft fleece, providing a warm, comfortable stretchy outfit for your dog. 50% of proceeds from each Best Friends Fleece order will go to New Rattitude. Check out the great selection of colors and patterns at the BFF Web site and place your orders now! Lower Your Taxes! New Rattitude is now one of the charitable organizations participating in the Charity Motors, Inc. Car Donation Program. People in the Dallas and Detroit areas can donate a car they no longer want/need, receive a tax deduction, and designate New Rattitude to receive the proceeds from the sale of their car.  If you are interested in participating in this program, please call Charity Motors, Inc. at (888) 908-CARS or donate online at www.charitymotors.org and designate New Rattitude as your charity. New NR Logo Apparel and Other Items The ReTail Shop now offers a variety of New Rattitude apparel, as well as coffee cups and tote bags in our "branch store," newrattitude.logosoftwear.com. This store includes T-shirts in both men's and ladies' styles, long-sleeved tee's, hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, and embroidered golf shirts. Youth sizes are also available. These make great Christmas gifts, and NR receives a 15% commission on all sales.

					Frodo's Product Review: Sojos Grain-free Fruit and Veggie Mix By Janell Brown and Frodo I am forced to write this review in hiding, for it tells the tale of Franny, a brutish female, who still resides in my home. Her dominance would strike fear in the heart of a Rottweiler, so I am not less of a male for admitting my fear of her. As you may have noticed in photos of me, I have a slim, handsome physique for I am blessed with the type A rat terrier genetics. My fast metabolism quickly burns those calories away. Franny, on the other hand, is a type B rat terrier, or what I like to refer to as a “low rider.” Her stocky body rests on short little legs and when she arrived here to be fostered, she reminded me a bit of a sausage. (Do NOT repeat this to her if you value my life.) My human knew just the thing to deceive Franny into eating a low-cal diet. Not a tasteless, low-fat kibble, but a mixture of delicious fruits and veggies that fills up her bowl, yet has fewer calories and less fat than the kibble we normally eat. This mix is called Sojos Grain-Free Fruit and Veggie Dog Food Mix (previously Sojos Europa) and comes in dehydrated form. My human simply mixes one part Sojos with two parts water and then keeps it in the refrigerator. For my sister Tilly and me, she mixes raw meat with the Sojos and a tiny bit of kibble to add crunch, and I have to say it is DELICIOUS! Broccoli, apples, sweet potato, celery, flax meal, ginger root...the list of delicious ingredients goes on. My human is much trickier when preparing Franny’s meal. She reduces the amount of kibble she would typically feed a foster dog by about a third and replaces it with rehydrated Sojos. The juicy produce mixes with the kibble and Franny would swear she is eating the meal of a queen. Little does she know that she has been put on a diet. Now, almost 3 weeks since she arrived, I am beginning to notice that the sausage girl has a waist. She is also a little quicker and I have to be much faster to avoid her when she decides that she wants one of my toys. She plays with the foster puppy and keeps him from chewing on my tail, for which I am very grateful. She is still a brutish female, but she is healthier, quicker, and more energetic. If you are a human interested in purchasing this delicacy for your rat terrier, you can find it at independent natural pet food stores or order it online at www.sojos.com. The mix comes in either two pound bags (which when mixed with water and meat makes 18 pounds of a raw complete diet) or eight pound bags. It’s a bit more expensive online, however the shipping for food is free, so it’s really not too bad of a deal.

					Furever Home We are proud to announce that 20 more NR ratties have found their furever homes. CongRATulations to all, and to the new adopters, WELCOME to the New Rattitude family! Lulu - Fostered by Kim Markham & Donovan Conrad, adopted by Jody Nus Glory - Fostered by Connie Hendsbee, adopted by Carolina King Caite - Fostered by Noreen Seeders, adopted by Dana Weir Duchess - Fostered by Crystal Vostad, adopted by Judy Thompson Dew Drop - Fostered by Linda Kuiper, adopted by Ruth Hoskins Perry - Fostered by Terry Beale, adopted by Jerry & Rosemary Willis Lovey - Fostered by KellyLea Clarke-Johnson, adopted by Allan Haslam Kloey - Fostered by Paula Swan, adopted by Barbara Fahrer Sunset - Fostered by Linda Kuiper, adopted by Julie Andrukates Ozone - Fostered by Linda Kuiper, adopted by Julie Andrukates Obe - Fostered by Kathy Young, adopted by Renee Beck Rainbow - Fostered by Linda Kuiper, adopted by Beth Barrows Buzz - Fostered by Kathleen Wood, adopted by Jennifer Lang Nutmeg - Fostered by Kim Markham & Donovan Conrad, adopted by Charles Weir Crasta - Fostered by Paula Nowak, adopted by Mark & Maryann Bradford Ruby Red - Fostered by Jillian Willenbacher, adopted by Sharon Lyda L.G.- Fostered by Kelia Hamilton, adopted by Gloria Simmerlein Cinnamon - Fostered Peggy Roberson, adopted by Judy Armstrong Elvis - Fostered by Nadia Chiodini, adopted by Brittany Wright Priscilla - Fostered by Kathy Young, adopted by Joani McGowen In The Clinic Currently New Rattitude has six dogs in our Canine Clinic: Macon, with an undiagnosed liver disease; Dancie, with multiple health problems including heartworms; Claire who is struggling to overcome severe neglect complicated by diabetes and pancreatic issues; Eddie Blue who has had two separate surgeries to repair a badly broken leg; and Grammy, a senior female who was treated for stage 4 peridontal disease. 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.

					Dried Sweet Potato Chips Submitted by Debbie Collins Easy to prepare in a dehydrator or oven, dried sweet potato chips are a delicious sweet snack that your dog will love. These chips are healthful, low-fat treats that are a great source of fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium, and beta-carotene. They can be easily broken into smaller pieces for use as training treats. Directions: Wash sweet potatoes and pat dry. Leaving the skin on, cut each potato into 1/8- to 1/4-inch slices. You can slice either lengthwise for “slabs,” or across the potato for round “chips.” Place in single layers on your dehydrator trays, or onto large cookie sheets for oven-drying. If using a dehydrator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Drying time depends on the thickness of the slices, air humidity, and moisture content of the potatoes. It may take 12 or more hours to completely dry the chips. To test for doneness, let one cool and bend it--the chip will “snap” if dry. To dry in the oven: Place chips on cookie sheets and bake for 2 hours in a preheated 250-degree oven. Then turn off the oven, but leave the chips in to continue drying for 5 or so more hours. Store your dried chips in a plastic food bag or airtight container. Refrigerate if storing longer than three days.

					Volunteer Spotlight - Crystal Vostad By Sherri Chatterton Crystal Vostad was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She grew up with one brother and a great compassion for animals. Crystal's story unfolds ... "When I was ten years old, I decided I wanted to be around dogs, so I talked a lady (who owned kennels) into hiring me to help take care of both the kennels and her dogs. One day a breeder brought in two puppies that she had bred. They were, in her words, too old to be sold as puppies. The lady I worked for took them in, then put them up for sale. The next time I went in to work, one of the puppies was already gone, and the other one, a little black and white tuxedo rat terrier, was still there. All that day I thought about that puppy, I played with that puppy, and when it was time for me to head home, I knew I wanted that puppy." Crystal asked her boss how much he was and was told $25. They worked out a deal. Crystal gave her $10 and worked off the rest. "I named that puppy Casey Jones, and he was my best friend when I was growing up. He lived a wonderful life and made it all the way to 22 years. Casey was my heart dog, and the beginning of my love of rat terriers." An older Crystal was working part time at a bar, when one evening a good-looking young man came in. There was a sudden and intense attraction between Crystal and David, and not too long afterwards there was a wedding, followed by years of happiness. David and Crystal have two lovely daughters, Trina and Audrey, and five grandchildren. David is the Captain on a frigate ship that hauls gypsum from Nova Scotia to Florida and back. At times there are other destinations and when David has to layover, Crystal sometimes flies out to spend time with him. She has visited the countries of Portugal, Brazil, Scotland, and Spain, among others. Crystal says it's really great to visit other countries, but she sure misses her David when he's gone, and she looks forward to when he retires and can be home all the time. Now that her children are grown, Crystal has returned to one of her passions--rescuing and finding homes for wounded and sorrowing dogs. With her help, many have found the loving homes they deserved. One, a rare Argentinian breed called a Dogo, was even flown back to an adoptive family in Argentina. Others like "Mini," a 13-year-old chihuahua who was rescued from a puppy mill in terrible condition with multiple health problems, have found that loving home with Crystal. Crystal and David's other pets include Sparky, a six-year-old part Decker rat terrier; rescued labs Molly and Rain; Val, an abused dog that had been shot; Tootles, a pom/chi mix that also came from an abusive home; and Angel, a type B rat terrier that had been crated her whole life. The creative side of Crystal enjoys doing any type of needlework, especially quilting, and she shares her handiwork with those she loves and those in need. She once made a lap quilt for her veterinarian who had breast cancer. One side had materials about breast cancer awareness and the other side was all dog related. It pleased her friend so much that she took it to show her support group. Crystal made about 13 more quilts for that group. She is currently working on a very special handmade folder and birthday card to send with her foster Duchess when she goes to her new home with adopter, Dani. What a big heart our Crystal has, and how very lucky New Rattitude is to have such a caring and compassionate woman. Thank you so much, Crystal Vostad!

					Inside a Rescuer's  Heart Cathy Conrad and Grammy By Nadia Chiodini and the Pack Let me introduce you to Cathy Conrad and her senior foster, Grammy. Cathy has been fostering with New Rattitude since May of this year and says she very much loves the rewarding experience of helping the dogs. When she was told about a poor little girl, thought to be about 8 years old and slated to be euthanized, Cathy agreed to take her sight unseen. In Cathy's words, "We were just happy to safe a life!" So Grammy was pulled, just in time, and temporarily fostered by NR member Amy Flores, who kept Grammy until another of Cathy's fosters had recovered from surgery to avoid the risk of any contagious illness Grammy may have been exposed to at the shelter. It often takes many people pulling together to save a dog and Amy's help was key to saving Grammy. When Grammy first arrived at Cathy's she was withdrawn and snappy, and had earned the nickname "Cranky Pants." Amy had warned that Grammy's breath was deadly and it was thought that she had some serious dental issues. A visit to the veterinarian confirmed stage 4 periodontal disease, the most advanced stage, and the vet said she had never seen such a bad case. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to other serious health problems so surgery was necessary. Bloodwork indicated that Grammy was otherwise exceptionally healthy for an older dog and the surgery went well with no complications. She had a total of seven teeth extracted and Cathy believed that Grammy felt better immediately, but it was nearly two weeks before the pain went away and she was completely recovered. Cathy is amazed at what a different dog Grammy has become now that she is disease free and no longer in pain. Her disposition has become much sweeter with her foster siblings and family, and she has more energy. She is playful now and likes to wrestle with her toys. She enjoys eating again and is now able eat a normal diet. Most of her teeth were pulled on the right side, so she chews on her left when eating hard food or treats.   I asked Cathy if she would hesitate to help an older dog in Grammy's condition again. She told me, "Absolutely not! It was a little unsettling and nerve-racking this first time though. We have never had a dog with dental problems before. But now that we have been through it once, we know what to expect and would not be as unsure about things." She went on to say, "It has been so rewarding to take a dog that was not in great health, certainly in pain, and about to be put to death, and give her a new lease on life! I truly believe rescued dogs know you have saved their lives and appreciate the second chance at a happy life filled with love. New Rattitude folks are an endless source of knowledge and support, making what could be an overwhelming task a very positive and satisfying experience." Thank you, Cathy and Mark, for opening your home and your hearts to Grammy! Grammy would still be considered a low energy girl and does not need a lot of exercise. She loves to cuddle up and sit in your lap. She really enjoys going for car rides and going places with Cathy's family. She is very tolerant of her higher energy foster siblings and goes with the flow of activity around the house. Grammy is going to make some lucky person or family a wonderful, loyal and loving companion. She is very sweet and quite irresistible!   Grammy is currently listed in the Canine Clinic, in need of sponsors to help cover her surgery bills. If you are interested in learning more about sweet little Grammy or applying to adopt, please visit her photo album and the New Rattitude Web site for adoption information.

					Where Are They Now? Chico By Norma Downing It is said that, "Good things come to those who wait," and this phrase surely applies to the adoption of CHICO, whose new and furever dad is Razvan Bancos of Illinois. Chico had been waiting for his "just perfect match for him" adopters since he was brought into rescue back in December, 2006. Chico came to rescue with the dreaded heartworms and received treatment right away. His first foster parents, Jessica and Chris Mannon, noted that Chico was a great dog--fun, playful, and affectionate. He also was a bit unique in that he preferred laying on the top of his crate to the inside, had an amazing habit of turning the lights on and off, was their alarm for strange treasures in the yard, and most curiously, would stare at the ceiling, as if waiting for something to happen. Chico's first adoption resulted in a return to rescue, due to a new baby in the home and an on-going friction between their other dogs and Chico. When he came back to the Mannons, Chico was just not the same dog. He was spoiled rotten, overweight, and fearful. He became strangely aggressive with some of his foster siblings and was quite a handful for his foster parents. His health also deteriorated due to intestinal parasites which caused him to drink excessively and to lose a substantial amount of weight. Chico was blessed beyond measure with two sets of foster parents who nurtured him and patiently worked with him to become a grand companion rattie. Both foster parents described Chico as being very, very smart. Within a day of moving to his second foster home with Terry Beale in Atlanta, he mastered the doggy door and aced a number of agility skills. Chico began to "make a hard right turn to success in his life." He thrived with long daily walks and agility training, relaxed with his foster siblings, learned obedience commands, and became very affectionate with his people. Finally Chico was ready for the "rest of his life story" to begin. Enter into the picture Razvan Bancos of Illinois, who was searching for a spunky rattie to bring his family and Dino, their cocker spaniel, some JOY. Last June, Razvan, his brother-in-law, and Dino made a long trip from Illinois to Georgia to pick up Chico, and take him home. They spent the hours on the road getting acquainted, and by the time they arrived back in Chicago, Chico had buried his way right into their hearts. During NR's post adoption follow-up call, Razvan described Chico as very energetic, full of life, and happy. "We're happy with him, too," said Razvan, words formed around a smile. Chico is happiest when he is going and doing. And since Chico loves to ride, Razvan and family are usually more than willing to take him along. Remember how Chico used to stare at the ceiling? The Beales had told Razvan about Chico's fondness for tracking and chasing light reflections on walls and ceilings, so Razvan now serves as Chico's personal laser pointer operator, and he bought Chico his very own plastic flashlight, which he totes around in his mouth, following the light circles. How's that for making a very active and smart rattie fellow happy? Razvan was surely beaming with pride when he told the follow-up caller, Shannon Bayless, that "Chico is a great dog! We're so happy to have him." Chico has been through some trials, has felt confusion in being abandoned, has been stressed by living in an animal shelter, endured several medical treatments, adjusted over and over to new people and environments, has realized his potential peace and contentment when learning agility skills, and finally, has found his way home to his loving furever family with Razvan Bancos. We celebrate right along with you, Chico! I am sure all of the volunteers of New Rattitude are cheering for you and Razvan and family! We 'Tuders absolutely love it when a plan comes together!

					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 are 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% of your donation goes to care for the dogs. To donate, send check or money order to: New Rattitude, 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 that 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 and 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, Norma Downing, Barbara Hill, Patti Jeffries, Sue Kangas, Jessica Mannon, Sue Painter-Thorne, Sharon Smith, and Heidee Vansant Webmaster/Archives: Bethany Adams 'Tude News is published monthly. Freelance submissions are welcome. To submit a story or story idea, please contact the Managing Editor at newsletter@newrattitude.org. Visit our archives to view previous issues of 'Tude News.