Bostons Without Borders – Texas Rescue Roundup 2005
In early April 2005 Ontario BTCC Rescue members Kelly Pankatz, Maria Lakas, Colleen Peacock, and Nancy Taylor embarked on a trip to help boston terriers in need. BTCC Rescue has networked with our American boston terrier rescue colleagues for many years and we are always amazed at the number of boston terriers needing help in the southern United States. Our Ontario BTCC Rescue volunteers decided to help our American boston terrier rescue colleagues in Texas with the overwhelming number of dogs that they have to help every day. The wonderful ladies of Ontario BTCC Rescue decided to take a trip down to Texas to meet our American colleagues, promote Canadian goodwill and strengthen our friendships with our boston terrier rescue colleagues, and provide loving Canadian homes for eight deserving boston terriers. This trip was completely financed by the women who decided to act out of compassion and caring for the dogs in need. All gas expenses, hotel accommodations, meals, van rentals, etc. were paid for out of their own personal funds. Their incredibly kind, compassionate and selfless act deserves the recognition, appreciation and respect from all of us in the Boston Terrier Club of Canada. I am very proud of their personal efforts to promote the goodwill of our club and rescue organization using their own personal resources.
Thank you Kelly, Maria, Colleen, and Nancy. Your willingness to help knows no boundaries. Thank you for spreading goodwill and kindness on behalf of BTCC Rescue.
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Kelly Pankatz
National Rescue Representative
Boston Terrier Club of Canada
bostonrescue@rogers.com
"Devoted to helping purebred or mixed breed boston terriers in need regardless of age, health, or temperament"
Ontario BTCC Rescue Report
I am very happy to announce that the "Bostons without Borders - Texas Rescue Roundup 2005" was a great success! Eight rescue dogs from Texas are now enjoying their lives as Canadian citizens - and their "forever" families are delighted with their new additions!
The Texas rescue organizations we worked with - Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston (Karen Toupard) and Nationwide Boston Terrier Rescue (Edalee Handley) are truly remarkable organizations that help an incredible amount of Boston Terriers on a daily basis. They are extraordinary women who help boston terriers in need without the backing of any organizations or foundations. They do it out of their own funds because they love the breed. Their dedication and the ethical and responsible way they operate their organizations should be a model for all. We are proud to work with them - and delighted we had the chance to meet in person.
I must also thank the BTCC Rescue volunteers who made this long but satisfying journey with me - Colleen Peacock, Nancy Taylor and Maria Lakas. While four women and eight dogs in a rented mini-van had its moments, overall it was a time of laughter and fun, and you just can't buy the great feeling that came with helping these wonderful dogs travel to their new homes. Each one was a character and we loved them all! It should also be noted that all expenses including gas (ouch!), hotel accommodation, meals etc. were paid for by the girls on the trip out of their own pockets - so thank you to each of you for this generous donation to rescue.
The number of people at the Houston Boston Terrier Specialty who came up to congratulate BTCC Rescue members on what they were doing far outweighed those who looked a little doubtfully at the dogs we were helping (as they were obviously not easily confused with the quality show dogs in the hotel!). Our BTCC Rescue volunteers received congratulations, thanks, and a large number of hugs from show attendees from England, Finland, Germany, and throughout the United States. Those who had attended Monday night's rescue parade and met some of the dogs we were helping to transport to their forever homes told us they had "goosebumps" and "tears in their eyes". Since returning home to Canada, positive emails and words of thanks have continued to come in. People are amazed that a rescue group would go that far to help dogs in need.... and the goodwill towards our Canadian rescue program goes much further than the wonderful relationship we have forged with both Greater Houston Boston Terrier Rescue and Nationwide Boston Terrier Rescue. BTCC Rescue has shown itself to be a caring and ethical group truly dedicated to helping Boston Terriers in need, in whatever way it can.
Here are some quotes from emails I received....
Wonderful! Thanks for helping 2 fantastic women! [Edalee Handley & Karen Toupard]
Elaine
North Carolina
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Kelly,
Thank you for sharing this rescue experience! I enjoyed reading
about it so much. Maybe it is because I do BT transport when I have
the time and it is so rewarding.
Ann - Eastern MO Boston Terrier Rescue
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Kudos to all the volunteers who made these adoptions possible!
Patty
Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue
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Kelly,
Great deed!!! I'm glad it went well! You know, even though individually we can't do much, now we see that across the border and across the States there are loving people too. Cheers to all the BT rescues!!
Cathy
Ashland, Ohio
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To all of you who supported us - thank you!! It was a wonderful feeling to give these dogs a second chance at happiness!
Kelly Pankatz
Ontario BTCC Rescue Representative
The BTCC Rescue Volunteers
Bostons Without Borders – Texas Rescue Round Up 2005
BTCC Rescue Volunteer Colleen Peacock
BTCC Rescue Volunteers Maria and Kelly
Hamilton, one of the rescued Texas boston terriers -
happy in his new home!
