View this email in your browser
           As 2013 comes to an end, Florida Boxer Rescue has you to thank for our many successes. To those who have financially supported us, it would be inconceivable for us to exist without your generous support.  To our volunteers who have given countless hours of their time, your love for our Boxers is evident in everything you do, and your continued passion and loyalty is greatly appreciated by the many Boxers who have found their forever homes. To our partner facilities that have selflessly aided in caring and treating each of our Boxers, you have been a part of many miracles over the past year, and we thank you.  It is to all of you that we extend our deepest gratitude, and we wish you a very happy holiday season.

            While there were many success stories to be thankful for, it’s hard to imagine any Boxers could be more thankful than Lilo & Stitch. If you’ve ever seen the Disney show, Lilo & Stitch, you would see that the love of these two Boxers for one another is reflected greatly in their name.  Life for the four-month-old Boxers, then unnamed, changed for the better in April of this year. They came into FBR with bad cases of Demodex mange, were both filthy and very malnourished. Lilo’s feverish body trembled as she was placed into the car, while Stitch clambered in without taking his stare off of his sister.

            Seeing a life of neglect in the rearview mirror, Lilo & Stitch could look forward to a bright future, a loving foster family with more love and attention than they’d ever known. It seemed like an easy ending for the two with a difficult beginning, but two weeks after their rescue, Lilo ran a temperature and was completely unable to stand or walk. She was rushed to an emergency vet who began her on fluids and pain medications. With no improvement, she was taken to a specialist who provided round-the-clock care. Stitch was taken to visit his sister daily. He would curl up next to her, and you could see the worry in his eyes as he watched her struggle in pain.

            Lilo was diagnosed with pneumonia and Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD). HOD is a bone disease that usually affects young, rapidly growing, large breed dogs. The disease produces severe lameness and painful swelling around the lower joints of the legs. Recovery and rehabilitation were challenging for Lilo. She would sleep for only minutes at a time and wake up crying.  Her fever was high, and her foster mom stayed by her side covering her in cold, wet rags to make her comfortable.  But Lilo was a fighter, and she wasn’t about to give up. And Stitch – well he wouldn’t have let her give up if she tried.

            Today, Lilo & Stitch have a wonderful home, a family who adores and spoils them.  For all that they have been through they are normal, mischievous Boxer puppies.  Lilo, “full of beans,” is the center of attention and a big sweetheart.  Stitch is dedicated to eating anything that’s not nailed down, and has taken up the job of being the family guard dog (he has sworn not  to let anyone get attacked by the vacuum cleaner.)  Their family has big plans for them, too.  Lilo, who is gentle in nature and great with children, will begin training to become a therapy dog, and Stitch, who is full of energy, will begin agility training.

            Lilo & Stitch will be a year old in December. Their first birthday will be celebrated with a party thrown in their honor. Each guest will be properly greeted with big Boxer kisses as Lilo & Stitch show gratitude for the second chance they’ve been given.

            We wish we could say that the story of Lilo & Stitch is uncommon for FBR. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Lilo’s medical treatments alone amounted to $9,500, and there are always more dogs in need that come to us bearing the same scars of neglect and abuse.

            To date in 2013, we have found forever homes for 188 Boxers at an average cost of $570 per dog, while the average adoption fee does not cover even half of that. FBR currently rescues from 23 counties in Florida, and we have less than 40 foster homes at this time, a critical part of saving our dogs. There are still Boxers out there who need our help, and we need yours. If you can help by volunteering, please visit our website at http://flbr.org/volunteer.

            As the holidays approach, please consider the many Boxers that do not have a home of their own to spend the holidays surrounded by a loving family. Will you help us give more dogs like Lilo & Stitch their forever homes in 2014? We promise to put your hard-earned dollars to good use. And as a 501(c)(3) organization, your donation is fully tax deductible.  
 
            To send a donation by mail, checks can be sent to FBR at 2039 East Crooked Lake Drive, Eustis, FL 32726. To send a donation by credit card, please visit our web site at http://flbr.org/donate.
 
            Once again, we are extremely grateful for your support of Florida Boxer Rescue! May you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.


Lilo, as she came into FBR.
Photo by NikkiMayDay Photography.
See Available Dogs
Photo by NikkiMayDay Photography.
Volunteer for FBR
Stitch watching over
his sister.
Donate to FBR
Lilo during treatment.
Lilo, Stitch and their new brother, Buddy.
Florida Boxer Rescue Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt Florida not-for-profit organization. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. THE PHONE NUMBER IS 800-435-7352. FBR’s State Registration Number is CH-10908.  None of your contribution is retained by any professional solicitor.


Copyright © 2013 Florida Boxer Rescue, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
2039 East Crooked Lake Drive, Eustis, FL 32726

unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences