They say Santa is just for young pups, but I don’t believe that because you come to see me year after year. And, because this year was particularly hard for me, you worked overtime to make sure I was safe and got healthy.
Remember earlier this year when I was so itchy and uncomfortable? My eyes hurt and my skin was bleeding and I didn’t think I’d ever get relief. Your magic came early and got me to a foster home that
gave me the TLC I needed. The vets, my parents and the volunteers at BTRC all came together to make a treatment plan that was perfect for me and my eyes and skin feel sooooo much better.
This foster home I’m in is amazing. I have a mom and dad who love me so much that they want to foster me FOREVER. They say miracles happen at Christmas, but my miracle happened in the summer because that’s when I became Set for Life. BTRC promises each Set for Life dog that they will be cared for and loved for the rest of their lives and I’m lucky enough to be one of these dogs. I couldn’t ask for more. ♥
Buuuuuuuut, if you insist I DO ask for more, I was wondering if you could put a Costco membership in mom’s stocking because I’m really missing our vegetable garden. All that snow means I can’t dig up cucumbers for my afternoon snack, so I feel like those need to be purchased in bulk until the weather gets warmer. Also, can your elves make toys that smell? Because I’m blind, I seem to lose my toys when I play, so I think scented ones will help me find them more quickly.
Thanks again, Santa. I wasn’t certain 2024 was going to be a happy one for me, but you made sure it was.
Love you lots,
Nikky
Nikky is one of four dogs at BTRC that is Set for Life. These dogs are considered unadoptable, primarily due to advanced age or medical conditions or, as in Nikky’s case, both. Care for these dogs is expensive and with your help, we can give these deserving dogs the gift of year long happiness and health. How about decorating our Holiday Giving Tree with a gold ornament in honour of Nikky’s love-filled golden years? www.bostonterrierrescuecanada.com/giving-tree-2024
Our Set for Life Nikky can’t help but show her toothy grin. This picture was taken at her foster parents’ trailer which has proven to be her happy place. When Nikky arrives, she lets everyone know; she finds it difficult to contain her excitement, so she’s been known to be a bit…vocal. Her foster parents have worked with her to quiet down her grand entrance as some of the local residents don’t share the same enthusiasm.
At home, her parents have built a ramp, so she is more confident using the backsteps. With this ramp, Nikky is more independent, and they hope this will give her more confidence with the other stairs in the home.
Nikky is quite the gardener. She takes pride in her job as assistant. Her parents are in charge of planting the veggies and she’s in charge of digging them up and snacking on them. Cucumbers are her favourite.
We’ve been told that treats are Nikky’s second choice of reward. We were quite puzzled as most dogs have treats at the top of their list. However, for Nikky, being called a ‘good girl’ supersedes snacks! When she hears this phrase, her tail wags like a motor as she can’t get enough of her parents’ praise. ❤
Nikky is part of our Set for Life program, so she will not be up for adoption as she has already found her forever foster family. To learn more about Nikky and our Set for Life program, visit www://bostonterrierrescuecanada.com/set-for-life-dogs
Nikky is Set for Life!
When 12-year-old Nikky arrived to BTRC, she was in pretty rough shape. Her skin had itchy bald spots and crusty patches. She was squinting and her eyes were irritated and sore.
Nikky immediately started treatment for her skin condition. Diagnosed with Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), or dry eye, she also began a regimen of daily eye medications.
Nikky will continue to need periodic medicated baths, topical treatment, a special prescription diet, and anti-itch medication to manage her allergies. Two medications to address her eye condition will be required lifelong.
Despite significant hearing and vision loss, Nikky has flourished under the loving care of her foster family. Recognizing her remarkable progress and considering her age and specific special needs, we are happy to officially welcome Nikky into our Set for Life program. And Nikky is overjoyed to know that she is forever home. ❤
Who's that beautiful girl?
This is Nikky. Though you’ve already met her, we decided to introduce her again because you might not recognize her. Since coming into foster care, she’s had quite the transformation!
Nikky is looking and feeling great. When she first arrived at her foster home, her skin was in such bad shape that it was bleeding and she had bald spots and crusty patches. Her eyes were also in need of care as they were dry and painful. With a diet change and a regimented schedule of medication, eyedrops, baths and a topical mousse (mixed with the TLC of her dedicated foster parents), Nikky is finally feeling relief. Eye drops used to be a challenge, but now she sits patiently, lifts her head up for her foster dad and takes the drops like a champ. Bathtime has become easier too – likely because Nikky’s sense of trust is strong, and she feels safe with her foster parents. And now that she is feeling more comfortable, the true Nikky has emerged – a loving, playful and energetic girl!
Nikky loves to be outside – she is great on leash, has perfected the art of sunbathing and enjoys the smells in the backyard. This girl is also a talker – she will let it be known when it’s time to play and her foster dad readily complies – how can he not when a face that cute is looking at him? Her foster parents say that Nikky is a quick learner and has adapted well to her new routine. She even resists the urge to jump during mealtime and instead sits like a good girl with her tail wagging like it has a motor. Nikky gets along with her canine foster brother but is still trying to navigate how to play given her limited vision. Though Nikky’s days are filled with lots of exciting things, what she cares about most is being next to her humans. Wherever they are is where she wants to be. ❤
Another cute fact about Nikky – she has a signature walk! She wiggles her bum and has some serious swagger. Maybe it’s because at her last vet visit, they said she looked like an entirely different dog. Upon hearing this, she felt very glamorous and now thinks that every walkway is her very own runway. You deserve it, Nikky. Strutt your stuff girl!
Nikky is being fostered in the Central Huron region of Ontario and is not yet ready for adoption.
12-year-old Nikky has just come into BTRC’s care. With her significant vision and hearing loss, getting to know her new surroundings is a bit more challenging, so she’ll may need a little extra time to feel at home.
Nikky has already seen the vet, as her skin needed immediate attention. Testing revealed that her bald and crusty patches are caused by an overgrowth of yeast and bacteria, resulting in a deep infection that makes her itchy and uncomfortable. She is now on an oral antibiotic, a drug to relieve the itch, and a new diet. A topical medication and medicated baths will treat the infection externally.
Nikky’s dedicated foster family has to follow quite a daily regimen, as they must also administer two additional eye medications to treat inflammation and increase tear production. We hope this treatment plan will get Nikky quickly on the road to feeling better, and that we’ll have a positive update to share with you soon.
Despite it all, Nikki is warming up to her new people and enjoying time in the yard, sniffing and sunbathing. ☼
Nikky is being fostered in the Central Huron region of Ontario and is not yet ready for adoption.
