Bichon Frise Club of America Charitable Trust

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PRE-BASH ACTIVITIES FOR BICHON BASH 2024 ON SEPTEMBER 29

Many thanks to those of you who have already volunteered to help with several pre-Bash activities! You are our heroes! We are looking for a few more members of the Bichon community to help us with the stretch run to the finish line by:

1. Delivering flyers to local groomers, pet stores, vets and adoption shelters in Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland to spread the word about the Bash.

2. Asking merchants for donations for our silent auction and goodie bags. This can be done remotely. Products can be mailed to us - gift cards and dog food samples are great.

3. Advertising the Bash on event- and dog-friendly websites and publications. This too is done remotely.

We will provide all the training and support you need to hit the ground running. Just go to https://www.bichonrescue.org/copy-of-volunteer-foster-application to join our team!

BEAR HAS BEEN ADOPTED!

File this in the "it was meant to be" folder! We are delighted that a wonderful, retired couple who lost their own dog about a year ago has adopted Bear in Michigan. And they live less than three miles away from his previous owner! Congratulation to Bear and his new adoring paw-parents! Have a happy life, sweet boy!

ADORABLE BEAR IS LOOKING FOR A FOSTER HOME NEAR SAGINAW, MICHIGAN

Bear is certainly a cutie. He sadly had a tough time in his two short years. He was “adopted” first by an older couple, who couldn’t care for the young pup. A Good Samaritan took him in, but she cannot keep him either and asked BFCACT to find him a stable, loving, forever home.

This is what we know. His “adoption certificate” indicates that he is a Bichon/Poodle mix, although we are not so sure there isn’t a terrier in his lineage as well. While we haven’t met Bear yet, we are told he is housetrained and walks great on a leash. The current owner believes he is good with children and other pets. Bear is not yet neutered.

We are looking for a foster in Michigan, Indiana, or Ohio who would care for this sweet little boy until an adopter can be found. Bear deserves a chance to be pampered and loved by a family of his very own. If you are able to help, please message us, send an email to [email protected] or complete an application to foster at https://www.bichonrescue.org/volunteer. Thank you!

CONTRIBUTE YOUR ARTWORK AND CRAFTS FOR OUR BICHON BASH AUCTION TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 29 IN MARSHALL, VIRGINIA

We are delighted with the beautiful Bichon-related arts and crafts we have already received for our Bash Auction. But there is plenty of time for you to create your own special contributions to this event - remember all proceeds help to defray medical costs for our rescued Bichons. E-mail [email protected] for the delivery or mailing address.

For those of you who might consider yourselves artistically challenged or might not be able to make the Bash this year but want to be involved in another way, perhaps you could help us obtain gift cards for our auction. All you would need to do is ask your local merchants such as restaurants, theaters, sporting teams, golf courses and other shops for gift cards or gift certificates we could auction off. Then email us at [email protected] to receive our mailing address. The Bichon Community is the best - and we appreciate all you do for our pups.

Also, don’t forget to make your Bash reservations now at https://www.bichonrescue.org/bichonbash.

URGENTLY LOOKING FOR A FOSTER OR ADOPTER FOR SWEET TEDDIE IN STOW, OHIO

Teddie has been a pampered, much loved, and beyond-adorable 10-year-old boy in Stow, Ohio, which is just outside of Akron. Very sadly, his owner moved into an apartment building where pets are not welcome, and she reached out to us for help in finding him a loving new home quickly.

While we have not met Teddie yet, his owner tells us he has a very sweet disposition and is good with children and other pets. He loves to go for walks but feels most secure and comfortable in the house. We are told he is house-trained and neutered. He does have allergies to some household products as well as a small bump on his back.

We need to find this boy a foster or adopter as soon as possible so that he does not end up in a shelter. Contact us by messenger or email at [email protected]. Or better yet, complete an application to foster at https://www.bichonrescue.org/volunteer. Thank you!

OUR WONDERFUL BOYS LEWIS AND CLARK ARE READY FOR ADOPTION NEAR CINCINNATI, OHIO

We are delighted to report that Lewis and Clark are ready for their forever home. In May, BFCACT received an urgent request from a family in Ohio. The 12-year-old Bichon boys’ owner had to move into assisted living immediately, leaving them with no place to go. We reached out to the FB Community, and after a few twists and turns, we found an absolutely wonderful Foster Mom, who drove many miles on short notice to bring them back to her home.

The Foster Mom adores these little boys. She says they are both snuggle bugs, ready to cuddle on the couch whenever she gets a few minutes to relax. They are both house-trained, only marking for a short time if a new person enters the home. They enjoy their walks and spending time in their backyard. They are the self-appointed alert system for all home deliveries, and we are told they do excellent work! Also, they closely supervise Foster Mom in the kitchen, immediately snatching any food items she may drop on the floor. Voila! Floor is clean as a whistle again! They are great in the car, perfect little gentlemen at the vets, and friendly to both cats and dogs. (They love foster brother Pierre and often share his food and bed.)

Both dogs have health issues typical of mature pups, including skin, ear and eye allergies. Clark just had a dental cleaning and eight extractions. Lewis has arthritis and a heart murmur, both of which are controlled by medications. They do not need a fenced-in backyard if they are walked regularly. We recommend they not be placed with young children, who may be too much for them.

Anyone who has adopted a senior dog knows the incomparable love and gratitude mature pups give. And there is nothing better than watching them thrive in a nurturing, happy home. If you are willing to give your heart to these boys, they will offer you much more in return….and then some. Our application form is available at https://www.bichonrescue.org/adoption-form.

UPDATE: WE ARE NOW IN URGENT NEED OF A FOSTER OR ADOPTER FOR JACK IN GREEN BAY, WIS. HIS MOM IS IN HOSPICE CARE

We don't want this sweet, shy boy to end up in a shelter - he has been with his owner his whole life. Please message us or send email to [email protected]. Thank you!

FOSTER OR ADOPTER NEEDED FOR JACK IN GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN

This handsome pup is eight-year-old Jack! He has been living alone very happily with his Mom his whole life. Very shy, he likes nothing better than cuddling up with her. Sadly, she is now facing serious health challenges and can no longer take care of him. While it is very difficult for her to give him up (they have been best buddies since he was a puppy), she knows it has to be and wants only the best for him. We are looking for a foster or adopter in a quiet adult home without other pets. Please message us or send an email to [email protected] if you can open your heart and home to him. Thank you!

Snow is such a curious little girl...and she is truly coming out of her shy little self and getting quite brave now! Adopt at bichonrescue.org

UPDATE ON ELEANOR (NOW ELLA) AND WHY WE BASH

Last March we heard from a family in North Carolina who loved Eleanor very much but had made the difficult decision to find her a new home. It seems that Eleanor lived happily on their farm. Unfortunately, she had one obsession – the farm’s chickens – and not in a good way. The family knew Eleanor would find more peace without having to co-exist with resident fowl. Enter BFCACT. Of course, we came to the rescue of both Eleanor and her egg-laying sisters. (No, we didn’t take the chicks into rescue, but in a way we improved their lives too.)

We were fortunate to find a magnificent Foster Mom who took Eleanor in and loved her as her own. As Eleanor was used to farm life, she had a lot to learn about living as a household companion. The Foster Mom made great progress in her housetraining, acclimated her to walking on a leash, and set boundaries for appropriate house manners. She also cared for her after spay and dental surgeries and administered treatment for severely infected ears, all sponsored by BFCACT. As Eleanor regained her health and learned her manners, her Foster Mom worked closely with BFCACT volunteers in reviewing the many applications we received (she was a very popular girl), but there is no doubt that their hard work paid off. They found her the perfect home!

Eleanor’s new Mom writes: “When it comes to Eleanor, now Ella, we quickly learned to love her. She has added so much joy to our family. She adapted to our home within a few days, including her new senior Bichon siblings. We noticed on her arrival that she was very skittish but wanted loads of attention. That was great for us because we love giving cuddles and belly rubs! She didn’t know how to play (toys scare her), but she is learning! I got excited when I saw her walking around with her little stuffed Lamb Chop one day. She finally knew it was hers!”

Her Mom also tells us that Ella was afraid of stairs at first but quickly conquered them. She found her place in the bed next to her siblings, where she wakes up her Daddy with super wet face kisses every morning. If that doesn’t do the trick, she lays across his head. That works every time!!! Ella loves her siblings, who sometimes cuddle in the same dog bed next to Mom’s desk while she works. She is almost perfect with her housetraining. Ella loves to gaze at her pretty reflection in the swimming pool but hasn’t braved the wading pool yet. She enjoys riding in the car, even on long trips, and sits up high looking out the window in her car seat. Outside, she has started doing zoomies, rolling on her back in the grass and warning errant deer not to come over the fence into her yard.

Eleanor’s is only one of the scores of happy-ever-after stories we hear every year – and yes, this is why we Bash. As the annual fundraiser for BFCACT, the Bichon Bash helps us defray the high cost of veterinary care, allowing us to keep saving lives and finding these precious babies loving homes. If you would like to join us, here are the details:

EVENT: 2024 Bichon Bash
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 2024
TIME: 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION: The Northern Fauquier Community Park in Marshall, Virginia (right off I-66).
COST: $20 per adult, which includes one raffle ticket, and $5 for children

If you don’t own a Bichon, come anyway. There is fun for everyone, and it is a great way to learn more about Bichons and talk to the people who love them. Reservations may be made at https://www.bichonrescue.org/bichonbash

THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS PLANNED FOR BICHON BASH 2024

Every year, our volunteers don their most creative thinking caps to plan a wide variety of events, both old favorites and new adventures, for the Bichons and their humans at the Bash. This year they have outdone themselves. What can we say other than that the BASH will offer fun for everyone! Don't miss it!

DATE: Sunday, September 29, 2024
TIME: 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Northern Fauquier County Park in Marshall, Virginia
TICKETS: $20 per adult, which includes one raffle ticket, and $5 for children

Reservations may be made at https://www.bichonrescue.org/bichonbash

❤️...!

TOBY, A PERFECT LITTLE GENTLEMAN BEING FOSTERED IN BERLIN, MARYLAND, IS READY FOR HIS NEW FOREVER HOME

Toby is an uber-cute and affectionate eight-year-old Bichon mix. Very sadly, not all members of his family wanted to care for him any longer. Enter a good Samaritan who volunteered to take him in until a new loving home could be found. She reached out to BFCACT and, of course, we quickly found an experienced and wonderful Foster Mom nearby.

There is nothing but good news for this boy. He is now fully vet- checked, vaccinated, neutered and all systems are go! Toby is 100% house trained and lets his Foster Mom know when he needs to go outside by scratching at the door or ringing bells hanging from her front doorknob. He is quite active – he loves walking on a leash (and is being trained not to pull so much), can easily navigate steps, is very playful, and easily jumps up on Mom’s high bed. He loves to sit behind her in her favorite chair. Toby gives lots of kisses too. And he even sits on command. Oh, and by the way, this boy LOVES car rides! Toby likes to play with the female pup in the home. He enjoys meeting people after a protective bark or two in defense of his person. The Foster Mom tells us that Toby would do well with a single lady or a couple. He can be crated for short periods of time, although he does best when he can move about the home freely. If you are looking for an adult dog with lots of life to live and lots of love to give, please complete the application to adopt form at https://www.bichonrescue.org/adoption-form.

We need your help! Please help us get the word out about the upcoming Bichon Bash!
You'll be able to download the flyer, print it out, and distribute to your local vets, groomers, grocery stores, etc. - anywhere you want!

BFCACT NEWSLETTER Late July 2024 Edition LET'S GET OUT THE WORD!

SNOW IS WAITING FOR HER PERFECT FOREVER HOME (SHE IS BEING FOSTERED IN CENTREVILLE, VIRGINIA)

Hi, Snow here! Yes, it is me, the adorable, happy little girl with the larger-than-life personality you met in June. My Foster Mom is looking for the perfect home for me and I want to help her out. (Don’t tell her I am writing this. I am supposed to be taking my nap.) I am a small puppy, just under 12 lbs. and 17 months old. I am sometimes shy, but silly and playful too. Well, okay, I admit to being a little mischievous sometimes too. I did unwrap Bichon Bash gift baskets and spread the toys all over the floor (cool!) and also checked out my Mom’s purse only to find two new toys she bought for me (so much fun)! I love, love, love playing with other pups my size and hope there is another small young dog in my new home. But do you know what? My favorite thing in life is sleeping at my Foster Mom’s feet or cuddling with her (she calls me the best snuggler ever).

I am now 100% potty trained. Just so you know, a nice quiet backyard is a must for me. While I love my long walks - up to 45 minutes - I need my privacy and wait until I get home to go in my own yard. A girl can be particular! When my Foster Mom is walking around the house I am always underfoot, so my new person needs to be active and agile enough to walk over and around me safely. I am ready for my happy forever home and promise to bring puppy energy, lots of fun, and great companionship to your active adult family. I have recently been spayed and am fully vetted. My Foster Mom will miss me very much and wants only the best for me. Are you the one?

NOTE FROM BFCACT: We are accepting applications for this amazing girl at https://www.bichonrescue.org/adoption-form

MEET SWEET DRAKE. He is a wonderful nine-year-old boy whose Dad was always able to take Drake to work with him. Unfortunately, his job has changed, and Drake now has to be left home alone during the day…. and he is not happy. We are looking for someone near Wichita (or willing to travel) who is home much of the time and is willing to give him all the pampering and love he needs and deserves. He is a good boy. We understand he walks well on a leash, is fine with children and other pets and is house trained (unless he is left home alone too long). We hope one of our followers will once again step up and bring this boy to a new life. Please message us or send us an email at [email protected]. Thank you!

AUGUST 1 UPDATE: The amazing gentleman in Green Bay who had offered to foster Jack very sadly had a family emergency and is no longer able to help out. Our thoughts go out to him. So, we are reaching out again for the help of the Bichon Community and our followers. If anyone is available to foster Jack, who is still with his owner in hospice, please let us know as soon as possible! You can message us, send email to [email protected] or complete a foster application at https://www.bichonrescue.org/volunteer. Thank you!

JULY 19 UPDATE: Once again one of our amazing FB followers came through for us. A man in Green Bay who owns a Bichon has very kindly offered to foster Jack. It is a relief knowing he will have another loving home when the time comes.

UPDATE: WE ARE NOW IN URGENT NEED OF A FOSTER OR ADOPTER FOR JACK IN GREEN BAY, WIS. HIS MOM IS IN HOSPICE CARE

We don't want this sweet, shy boy to end up in a shelter - he has been with his owner his whole life. Please message us or send email to [email protected]. Thank you!

FOSTER OR ADOPTER NEEDED FOR JACK IN GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN

This handsome pup is eight-year-old Jack! He has been living alone very happily with his Mom his whole life. Very shy, he likes nothing better than cuddling up with her. Sadly, she is now facing serious health challenges and can no longer take care of him. While it is very difficult for her to give him up (they have been best buddies since he was a puppy), she knows it has to be and wants only the best for him. We are looking for a foster or adopter in a quiet adult home without other pets. Please message us or send an email to [email protected] if you can open your heart and home to him. Thank you!

BFCACT never knows when a Bichon owner will need us, but we are ready to assist whenever we can. Several weeks ago, we heard from a family in Maryland that was having a tough time. They asked us to find their 12-pound, eight-year-old female Bichon mix, Storm, a new home. The team immediately went into action, and within a few days one of our wonderful fosters in Virginia was on her way to bring this pup into foster care and a new life.

It turns out that Storm had been having a tough time too. Several years ago, she found herself in a county animal shelter, no doubt afraid and alone. She was eventually adopted by a family nearby. Within a few years, some family members moved on and Storm wasn’t getting the care and attention she needed. When our Foster Mom arrived, it was obvious Storm hadn’t been groomed for some time as she was severely matted, and we are sad to say, she was smelly and dirty…very dirty. The foster immediately took Storm to a groomer for a bath and cut, but sadly he had to decline to help, feeling that a bath would make her mats worse, causing her even greater discomfort, and he was unable to clean her swollen ears properly. So the foster found a wonderful emergency vet, who sedated Storm for a head-to-paw shave down. When they examined her, they found her ears had numerous polyps, and were so infected and filled with debris they were unable to easily administer the prescribed eardrops. The vet also found that mats had caused a large abscess on her face. She was given steroids and antibiotics to help her feel better. Storm had both fleas and ticks, which must have been very uncomfortable for her. In follow-up vet visits she received all her vaccinations. Her teeth and mouth are in desperate need of a full dental. And in the meantime, medical bills are piling up.

The Foster Mom tells us that, despite Storm’s difficult early years, she is a real sweetheart - calm and friendly with perfect house manners. She cuddles up as close as possible to her for pets and loves her walks. Her favorite thing to do is sunbathe in the warm Virginia sun (before the summer heat settles in). Storm seems to be deaf (we are hoping that she will regain some of her hearing over time with proper medication), but she is happily soaking up all the extra attention, affection and spoiling she is getting in foster care.

Storm is just one of many Bichons we bring into our rescue and restore to health before they are ready for their new forever family. Most of them require extensive (and expensive) veterinary care. The Bichon Bash is our primary family-friendly fundraiser every year. Proceeds from the Bash go exclusively to pay for medical and dental care for these pups. We hope you will think about joining us this year to have a great time with your Fluff and, at the same time, help us revive and rehabilitate even more Bichons in need. Here are the details:

EVENT: 2024 BICHON BASH
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 2024
TIME: 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM
LOCATION: Northern Fauquier Community Park in Marshall, Virginia
COST OF TICKET: $20 per adult, which includes one raffle ticket. Children’s tickets are $5.

Reservations may be made at https://www.bichonrescue.org/bichonbash

HELPING WITH STORM’S MEDICAL BILLS

For those of you who are not able to make it to Marshall, Virginia, but would like to help BFCACT pay for Storm’s surgery and other medical care, donations are gratefully being accepted at https://www.bichonrescue.org/donate. Thank you!!

GREAT NEWS – MINNIE PEARL HAS BEEN ADOPTED

We couldn’t be more thrilled. In July, Minnie Pearl was adopted by a couple who love her dearly. As you can see, this gentleman is her “special person”, but she brings great joy and companionship to both Mom and Dad. Rescue doesn’t get any better than this!

MINNIE PEARL NEEDS A FOSTER HOME

Last Saturday we heard from a woman in Port Huron, Michigan, who has made the difficult decision to find a new home for Minnie Pearl, her small, 11-year-old Bichon. This sweet girl lost both her Mom and Dad in the past few years. Their adult daughter is finding it very difficult to give her the comfortable, loving life she deserves and asked BFCACT for help.

Minnie Pearl is a very good girl. She is house trained and fine with other dogs. Cats, not so much. She loves going for car rides, but her favorite thing of all is snuggling next to her human. We understand she has lost some or all of her sight and cannot safely navigate stairs.

This case has touched our hearts, and we hope one of our beyond-wonderful followers in Michigan, Indiana or Ohio will step up to help by fostering this deserving girl until a permanent home can be found. Port Huron is about an hour’s drive north of Detroit. Please message us or send an email to [email protected]. We will get back to you shortly.

Thank you!

UPDATE ON LEWIS AND CLARK

Lewis and Clark are doing beyond great with their foster family. According to their awesome Foster Mom, they did really well during their long ride from Michigan to Loveland, Ohio, which is outside of Cincinnati. She also confirms that they are both very sweet and good boys. Her own Bichon Pierre has been busy showing them around the yard and is happy to share his bed with them. They all eat out of the same bowl and don’t mind sharing one bit! Clark follows Foster Mom around the house and is starting to use his voice to help Pierre alert her to passing delivery trucks. She walks all three dogs at the same time, with Clark pulling on the lead and Lewis enjoying a slower pace to accommodate his arthritis. And, as it turns out, Lewis has become her cuddle buddy, and can’t sit close enough to her on the couch. Of course, both boys expect their own cuddle and pet time with her!

Bathtime is a breeze with these pups - they are good as gold and come out looking oh, so handsome. The boys are doing a great job of training Foster Mom. When it is time to go for their walkies, they let her know in no uncertain terms and….if she tries to cut the walk a bit short, they “put on the brakes” until she realizes the error of her ways. With three male dogs in the house, there is a little bit of marking go on and the Foster Mom has to play a detective in figuring out the perp (Spoiler Alert – probably our boy Clark). And the best news yet. Their medical records show they both are turning just 12 years old, not 13! They both face health issues not unusual for mature pups, including eye, skin and ear infections and are being treated by a vet with the help of the Foster Mom and under the sponsorship of BFCACT.

Thank you again to the more-than-amazing Foster Mom. Under her care, they are rediscovering the joy and comforts of a loving home. If anyone would like to help us with their ongoing medical costs, donations are gratefully accepted at https://www.bichonrescue.org/donate. Thank you! We hope that this sweet duo will be ready for adoption soon.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY FROM BFCACT! LET'S CELEBRATE!

May you have a happy and safe Independence Day holiday. And this might be a good time to celebrate our Bichons as well by making your reservations for the Bichon Bash. This year it will be held on Sunday, September 29 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in Marshall, Virginia. Reservations are being accepted at https://www.bichonrescue.org/bichonbash. We would love to see all of you and your fluffs there!

SWEET ARIAL IS READY FOR HER NEW HOME (BEING FOSTERED IN PARMA, OHIO)

Arial is an adorable, high-energy eighteen-month-old girl who had a very difficult start to her short life. She was born to a breeder in Ohio who raised her in a barn. She was purchased by a lady who loved her dearly but worked full-time and was not able to devote as much time and effort as she wanted to socialize Arial into the calm, loving Bichon she can be. The owner reached out to BFCACT, and we were lucky enough to find a foster Mom who had the patience and experience to help Arial. The foster Mom has been working with her for about two months and has made wonderful progress with her. She tells us Arial, in spite of her history, is a very happy, enthusiastic little girl. She is very much still a puppy! She loves to run outside, roll in the grass and play outside in the fresh Ohio air. She loves, loves, loves dogs and cats and walks well on a leash. While she was understandably very fearful of people at first, she is getting a lot better with them if she is the one to start the friendship. As all puppies do, she enjoys chewing bones and, yes, other interesting items she finds around the house, so a puppy-proof home is a must. Our little girl adores riding in the car and frolicking in the park. And she met her first horse recently and she loved it. Arial is still skittish about some things. She does not like to be groomed and is afraid of the dryer and clippers. Loud noises scare her too. She is spayed, microchipped and up to date on her shots. She is making great progress in her house training. This special and beyond adorable girl is ready to be adopted. A quiet home without small children would be ideal. She would also do best in a home with other dogs to learn from and to help her feel safe. Applications are being accepted at https://www.bichonrescue.org/adoption-form. Are you the one to give this young Fluff the happy life she so richly deserves?

Congrats Dave!🍦😄