Two years ago in September I lost my almost 5 year old female Bullmastiff Maggie to lymphoma. She fought long and hard for 7 mos, enduring chemo, transfusions, endless trips to the ER, etc. before finally succumbing to the disease. Without a doubt Sept 10, 2006 was and still is the worst day of my life. I loved Maggie as if she were my own child (I don’t have kids) and it took me a long time to get over her passing--not sure if I ever will really.
A few weeks back I made the decision (after randomly surfing the net) to adopt a rescued Boston Terrier from Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue (midwestbtrescue.org/). Based on their previous experience MBTR believes that Rosie (as soon as I saw her pic on their site I knew she was going to be mine) an 8-10 year old female was a puppy mill breeding *****.
Rosie was found in a field in Amish country in Indiana a few weeks ago in VERY bad shape. She was initially taken to the humane society where they did nothing to treat her wounds, infections, or pain. In fact if a MBTR rep hadn’t seen and rescued her, she would’ve been euthanized the very next day. Rosie was found with a gash so deep in her neck you could literally stick your finger up to the first knuckle into it. It was a clean cut meaning she most likely survived an attempt at her life by a human; probably slitting her throat since she was no longer reproductively viable. She was covered in fleas to the point that her skin became infected and shed all her fur. Half the teeth in her mouth are broken from chewing on the metal cages in the puppy mill. She had multiple types of parasites. Her RBC was low which forced the vets to do a hysterectomy as they found fluid in her uterus, inside they found that she had gone through many C-sections that were evidently performed by hacks—she had lesions on various internal organs that required extra attention. She has a damaged left eye that still partially functions though it no longer produces tears so she’s on drops for the rest of her life.
As much of a fighter and survivor as Rosie is, and after all that she’s gone through, it literally amazes me that she is as sweet, kind and gentle as she is. She's only 12lbs now, I'm working on fattening her up, but she's got the heart of an elephant.

Here are some pics of Rosie at her first vet visit. Sorry they are cell phone pics taken by one of the vet techs but you can see how bad she looked:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/Fourcam330/rosie5.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/Fourcam330/rosie4.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/Fourcam330/rosie3.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/Fourcam330/rosie6.jpg

More after a few weeks under the care of an amazing Foster Mom Darbye Stewart:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/Fourcam330/rosie2.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/Fourcam330/Rosiesunning.jpg

A few pics of Rosie adapting quite well to life in her new permanent home:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/Fourcam330/0001-31.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/Fourcam330/0002-28.jpg

I almost ended up taking two Bostons home with me, the other being Blossom seen here:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r206/Fourcam330/rosie8.jpg

Blossom is a 10 year old female (acts like she’s 4-5 lol) with glaucoma and impaired vision due to her previous owner using contact cleaner in her eyes (the kind that dissolves protein) for her entire life. In order to save her eyes (as in, not have them removed) she needs prescription eye drops applied twice daily for the rest of her life. The drops are not cheap, checking in at around $80 per 20 day supply.

Hence the real reason for my thread. After seeing first hand their P/L statement I can say with absolute certainty that MBTR needs our help. I realize these are tough financial times, obviously it’s not the best time to ask for donations, but please realize that regardless of the economy (actually especially in times like these) abused/abandoned domesticated animals need our help—be it via donations of food, medicine, or funds. Any and all help would be and will continue to be greatly appreciated.

Monetary donations can be made via PayPal to: btresq@charter.net

Your donation is also tax deductible.

I cannot say enough about Darbye and the other amazing people at MBTR, I know for a fact I could never handle seeing, treating, and rehabilitating as many abused animals as they do day in and out. This world needs more people like them, and a little bit of help from the rest of us.

Please give what you can. To further help MHP will offer a sliding discount (depending on total cost of the product/tune and amount donated) to those that donate to MBTR when purchasing a tune/product from MHP.

Thanks for taking the time to read Rosie’s story.

You have my deepest respect for giving Rosie a loving home, she deserves it especially what she has previously endured. How can people treat animals that way? Conversely my cousin used to own Boston Terriers and now she owns two Bullmastiffs, the opposite way round to you!

You have my deepest respect for giving Rosie a loving home, she deserves it especially what she has previously endured. How can people treat animals that way?

+1 .

No animal deserves to be treated like that! That is awesome that you took him into be your own. I know he will live a long and wonderful life now! Thanks for sharing Andy!

I remember the days you speak of Andy(The Corral)-And I am happy everything turned for the better. Lemme get a few things closed and i'll pony up.

I loved Maggie as if she were my own child

Monetary donations can be made via PayPal to: btrescueq@charter.net

To further help MHP will offer a sliding discount (depending on total cost of the product/tune and amount donated) to those that donate to MBTR when purchasing a tune/product from MHP.

Thanks for taking the time to read Rosie’s story.

So sorry to hear about Maggie and what you guys went through. I can guarantee you Rosie appreciates every new day. That is so awesome what you have done for her. I myself adopted a dog from a rescue shelter. He was no way near in the condition of Rosie but he did have his issues. Apparently he was abused when he was a puppy and actually was left stranded in a man's home down in North Carolina. The owner packed up and left him behind!! I would do anything for him. So full of love and appreciation and just so loyal it is truly amazing. Sorry for the cliche but unconditional love is priceless. I actually feel sorry for the people in this world who do not have that connection or bond with dogs/animals. Wish Rosie the best and wow you can just tell shes being treated like a queen... thats awesome... I do donate as much as I can and actually when I retire I plan on joining a rescue team out here in NY. Nice to hear that some of the profits from the tunes etc will go towards that fund. Once I am ready for the tune etc I will give you a call or pm you and we will go from there.

Well here is a pic of my pooch who was rescued 4 years ago. He is 5 1/2 now and guards the jeep like its his own :) There never is a day where I don't say to myself "how in the world could someone leave him behind"......

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm56/rumplemenz/0523081606.jpg

I can't stand to see animals abused. You are doing a great thing Andy and it will come back around to you.

Great story Andy, I believe this is the one you were telling me about before.

I wish there were more of you guys in the world. I personally believe animal cruelty should be treated as a criminal offense. Unfortunately animals are considered property and therefore owners can get away with a lot of abuse.

I like seeing these dogs come into my clinic b/c now I know the worst is over for them and all I see is a much better life for them in the future.

Again Andy if I can help please PM me or call my cell phone.

You have my deepest respect for giving Rosie a loving home, she deserves it especially what she has previously endured. How can people treat animals that way? Conversely my cousin used to own Boston Terriers and now she owns two Bullmastiffs, the opposite way round to you!

Thanks Mike, but it's really those that work for the rescue orgs that deserve the credit, God bless them all.

No animal deserves to be treated like that! That is awesome that you took him into be your own. I know he will live a long and wonderful life now! Thanks for sharing Andy!

Agreed 100%. I think we should head to Amish country with our AR15s and take care of some business brother. :D

I remember the days you speak of Andy(The Corral)-And I am happy everything turned for the better. Lemme get a few things closed and i'll pony up.

Thanks Walter, much appreciated!

So sorry to hear about Maggie and what you guys went through. I can guarantee you Rosie appreciates every new day. That is so awesome what you have done for her. I myself adopted a dog from a rescue shelter. He was no way near in the condition of Rosie but he did have his issues. Apparently he was abused when he was a puppy and actually was left stranded in a man's home down in North Carolina. The owner packed up and left him behind!! I would do anything for him. So full of love and appreciation and just so loyal it is truly amazing. Sorry for the cliche but unconditional love is priceless. I actually feel sorry for the people in this world who do not have that connection or bond with dogs/animals. Wish Rosie the best and wow you can just tell shes being treated like a queen... thats awesome... I do donate as much as I can and actually when I retire I plan on joining a rescue team out here in NY. Nice to hear that some of the profits from the tunes etc will go towards that fund. Once I am ready for the tune etc I will give you a call or pm you and we will go from there.

Well here is a pic of my pooch who was rescued 4 years ago. He is 5 1/2 now and guards the jeep like its his own :) There never is a day where I don't say to myself "how in the world could someone leave him behind"......

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm56/rumplemenz/0523081606.jpg

Props to you as well, he's a beautiful dog! Unbelievable what some "people" can and have done to those that depend on us for care, it almost makes me sick to be human. How long did it take him to bounce back from the abuse? Rosie's made tremendous strides in the 3 days I've had her (which obviously wouldn't have happened if quality rehab wasn't provided in the weeks before I got her via MBTR). While she still cowers when I walk up to her (unless I'm on my hands and knees) she has no problem sleeping on the couch next to me, and actually curled up next to me in bed last night.

I can't stand to see animals abused. You are doing a great thing Andy and it will come back around to you.

Thanks Chris. I'd like to be the Dexter of the animal abuse world. ;)

Great story Andy, I believe this is the one you were telling me about before.

I wish there were more of you guys in the world. I personally believe animal cruelty should be treated as a criminal offense. Unfortunately animals are considered property and therefore owners can get away with a lot of abuse.

I like seeing these dogs come into my clinic b/c now I know the worst is over for them and all I see is a much better life for them in the future.

Again Andy if I can help please PM me or call my cell phone.

Mark, yes she's the one. :) I/we appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to answer my questions. Right back at you and thank you for rescuing others and doing what you do. I don't think I'd have the balls or restraint to see what you do when dealing with abused animals.

Thanks again, and sorry I couldn't hook up the ticks.

Waayyy different than the last one. Looks like a nice dog. Does the bmtr do personality testing, or was that up to you. Not that Im in position- but to those that are-it is a good bit of info. Rosie looks like she is turning out great.

On a side note my ex GF and I decided to co-adopt Blossom today. She'll live in FL with my ex and Abbie, and I'll cover the medical/living expenses. LOL, I knew we should've just taken her in the first place.

Waayyy different than the last one. Looks like a nice dog. Does the bmtr do personality testing, or was that up to you. Not that Im in position- but to those that are-it is a good bit of info. Rosie looks like she is turning out great.

Different than Maggie? LOL yeah, she's 1/12 the size:p

Not sure on the personality testing, they are very thorough and told me everything about Rosie up front so I'm thinking they probably do.
She's doing very well for her 3rd day. I'm quite proud of her and amazed that she's still as sweet as she is--after everything she's been through.

how's the pooch doing andy? hope all is well... im in a blue mood today and thought of your post with maggie b/c this am I lost my dog and he didnt have a collar on him... i totally freaked.... chances of finding a dog without a collar is very rare... i do have a chip but thats not better than a collar...

turns out an hour later i struck gold and found him about 6 blocks down... he got loose with my girls dog who did have a collar the same time and they stuck together fortunately so when the person found my girls pooch she kept them both in her backyard and called her...

thank god

my diablo is in the mail and when it comes in hopefully i'll get my cai and therm installed so we can get going with your tune... and than talk donating a few bucks to the charity you mentioned. ttys