Hudson Loves Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama.....

BOSTON TERRIER RESCUE OF ALABAMA’S THOMAS JEFFERSONNEEDS YOUR FINANCIAL HELP   THOMAS JEFFERSON'S EMERGENCY SURGERY   Dear Friends and Benefactors -                      On Tuesday, April 9, 2013, Thomas awakened me violently retching.  I cleaned everything up, and as soon as I did, he would retch again.  This went on a good thirty (30) minutes.  He would drink water and immediately throw it up.  I picked Thomas up to take him outside to see if maybe that would help but he started screaming, and when I put him down on the floor he could not stand up.  I knew then that something very serious was happening.  I thought that Thomas was having a heart attack.        All of this was taking place about 5:00 AM in the morning and our regular vet’s office was not open but I knew he had to get immediate help.  I took Thomas to the emergency veterinary hospital.  The staff on duty immediately took him in and began a series of tests--EKG, blood panel and x-rays.  The doctor came to the examining room where I was waiting and told me that he needed to do immediate exploratory surgery.  He felt that Thomas had a strangulation of the gut or a blockage of some type.  The doctor explained to me that Thomas was in critical condition and immediate action needed to be taken to save him.          For three (3) hours Thomas was in surgery.  I was just a nervous wreck waiting, but a vet tech did come tell me that the problem was the strangulation of the gut and that the surgeon would come talk to me when he was finished with the surgery and Thomas was in recovery.        Thankfully, Thomas survived this ordeal.  From what the surgeon told me, he had to remove part of the intestines and that Thomas also had a tumor that was removed.  This tumor has been sent for a histopathological report.  He said that Thomas would have to stay at the hospital for at least two (2) weeks.  He cannot eat or drink  as the gut expands and contracts whenever food or water enters and that his tract could not tolerate these movements at this time.        Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama was not expecting such an expensive operation.  Of course, no one expects emergencies.  BTRA did not have any other choice but to go forward with the surgery or Thomas would have died.  There are times when an immediate decision has to be made and this was one of those times.        Thomas’ surgery alone costs $1,600.00.  At this time I do not know the exact cost of his two week stay, IVs, anitbotics, pain medication and whatever else may be needed.  Based on past experience with veterinary surgeries, I would estimate the total cost to be between $4,000.00 and $4,500.00.  Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama and Thomas need your financial help to pay these costs.  BTRA cannot pay this expense without YOU.          Thomas came to rescue in 2010 from a breeder seizure.  He was among ten (10) Boston terriers from West Memphis, Arkansas.  This was my first puppy mill rescue experience since incorporating Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama.  There were one hundred and four dogs seized that day but only ten Bostons.        Thomas was in such terrible physical shape that he looked like he had been a prisoner of war for a long time.  He weighed 16 lbs and was so weak that he could not stand.  I held this sweet boy for four and a half hours during the drive back to Alabama.  On that trip back to Alabama, I made Thomas a promise.  I promised him that he would never suffer such abuse and neglect again and that I would show him what it was to be loved.        Thomas and the rest of the Boston terriers went immediately to the vet for evaluation and medical care.  The attending vet discovered that Thomas’ jaw was fractured in three different places.  Thomas had been kicked in the head area causing these fractures.          Thomas was given a bath, vaccinations, rabies shot, neutered and his jaw was wired in the hope that it would heal properly.  It took several months but his jaw did heal and he began to put on weight.  He slowly began to trust the human touch.          The love and gratitude that Thomas has shown during the past three years has been amazing.  To watch his trust grow each day has been a true blessing to my heart.  Miracles do still happen and his forgiveness of the human race is a testament to the resilience of a dog.        BTRA’s financial partners are our only source of funding.  We receive no governmental assistance since we are not a shelter.  Every donation is tax deductible, and BTRA sends all our donors a tax verification letter for their IRS purposes.          PLEASE consider making a donation today for Thomas’ vetting and surgery care.  When I pick him up I must be able to pay his costs in full.  I wish each and every one of you could meet this sweet humble boy.  Thomas brings happiness in to this world on a daily basis.          All donations will go directly toward Thomas’ surgery.  BTRA has no paid staff or overhead costs-all of the rescue work is done by loving and devoted volunteers who donate their time and effort free of charge because they too love the breed as much as you do.           Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama is blessed to have friends and benefactors that are as caring and giving as you are.  I appreciate each and every one of you.  We never ask for your contributions unless there is a true need.  You make it possible for us to continue to save Bostons.                                                    Sincerely,                                                   Jo-Ellyn Vincent, President                                                   Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama P.S. - On behalf of Thomas, I want to thank each of you for caring and helping him.  As I said in the video, I made Thomas a promise in 2010 to never hurt him, to take care of him and most of all to love him.  Please know that I have kept my promise to him and will continue to do so.  When you make your donation you will know that you have helped a wonderful Boston boy continue to thrive.  When Thomas is feeling better, he will send each of you “bostie kisses”.   Jo-Ellyn G. Vincent, President Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama  Please visit our website. In advance, thank you all for your support. Click here to forward this email to friends. To make a tax deductible donation, please click on the donate button, Thomas Jefferson's Emergency Surgery    or you can mail a check to: Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama346 Willow Glen DriveAlabaster, Alabama  35007 All donations go toward the care of the Bostons, as we have no paid staff but only dedicated volunteers who love the breed and want to help stop the abuse one dog at a time.

Some additional information about our organization . . .  Boston Terrier Rescue of Alabama (BTRA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of the Boston Terrier dog breed. BTRA takes any Boston terrier regardless of age, temperament, and/or medical condition, and welcomes the re-homing of these dogs. Boston terrier mixes are also an important part of our rescue. All Boston terrier and Boston terrier mixes are spayed/neutered before placement, vaccinated, and all known medical conditions are addressed and treated as appropriate. Boston terriers are placed in the loving homes of volunteers where they are assessed for personality, and then they are  carefully matched to a home that will provide only the very best.  BTRA makes every effort possible in assuring the best possible future for the adopting family and, most importantly, for the Boston terrier being placed. A lengthy screening and education process is done before an application is approved. An adoption contract is completed, and post-placement follow-up is done. An adoption fee is charged to cover the tremendous veterinary expenses incurred by BTRA. All members of BTRA are volunteers who are Boston terrier owners themselves and are deeply dedicated to the welfare and safety of the breed. Every member of our team undergoes the same screening process that is applied to all potential adopters. Over the course of the past few years, our volunteers have driven hundreds of miles across the Southeast to rescue Boston terriers and Boston terrier mixes in need. BTRA volunteers have participated in screening potential adopters and have educated each other in the best ways to care for and train a Boston terrier. BTRA volunteers have worked dog fairs and fund raisers to generate donations to help with expenses. Most importantly, though, is that each member has opened his/her home and heart to assist BTRA in caring for rescued Boston terriers while they are in foster care.  All medical-care decisions are made by one or more of BTRA’s board members, all of whom have worked with various other rescue organizations prior to the establishment of BTRA. We have several excellent veterinarians across Alabama from which we receive counseling and guidance. In addition, we work closely with other rescue organizations. Prior to our inception, we have individually rescued and re-homed many Boston terriers and Boston terrier mixes. Our collaborative rescue efforts in 2011 will likely be double the number of dogs rescued during 2010. We are a growing organization with dedicated, fiscally responsible, and goal-focused members who appreciate the tremendous generosity of our many contributors in offering financial assistance to support our labor of love.