Fort Dearborn Bull Terrier Club

Princess Fiona is our third bully adopted from Ft. Dearborn, which we must admit, we've been pleasantly surprised — again! There is no doubt in our minds that some day there will be a 4th, and who knows maybe even a 5th and a 6th.

Fiona came home with us on Thanksgiving Day 2006 (Yes, over a year ago — shame on me!), which was the perfect way to start the holiday season. It amazed us how well she fit in, and how quickly she adjusted to us and our daily routine. But, what amazes us the most is how easily she adjusted with our other family members — Watson an 11-year-old bloodhound; Arnold, partner in crime, who is also a 3-year-old bully; and Tilchee a cranky old cat (age unknown, as she just showed up one day). There is no way we could have matched up this group any better than what it is. Even our friends comment on how well our 4-legged family members interact with one another.

Originally we were not looking for another dog, as we previously felt our family was full. That all changed with an unexpected phone call one November evening. Vanessa, who works with Ft. Dearborn, contacted us with some interesting information and an inquiry. An inquiry that truly made me wonder, "is she nuts? Why would we want three dogs at once?" However, Vanessa knew that we had a teenager (Arnie) on our hands who desperately needed a playmate, and given the fact that Watson couldn't keep up, she thought of us immediately after Fiona arrived. To make a long story short, we thought about it, thought about it some more, checked her out, checked her out again with the 4-legged gang, and ended up bringing her home to celebrate Turkey day. It all happened so quickly — within about a week's time we had a family of 6!

An update, since this is a year later: Fiona is doing wonderfully, and we could not imagine life without her. It is truly amazing to see the 4 of them curled up or sprawled out on a blankie enjoying the afternoon sun together. She has calmed down our male, and they make great playmates, sleeping mates, etc.; our old hound, who is almost 13, gives her kisses (I think he enjoys having another red head in the family); and the cat snuggles with her, as she has feels she has a right to that third bed!. We are blessed, as we have the best troop in McHenry County!

Thank you, Vanessa, for that phone call!!!!! And thank you again Ft. Dearborn, as we are grateful and truly honored to have this (these) wonderful dog(s) in our lives!

With hugs and licks,
Natalie, Eric, Watson, Arnold, Tilchee, and of course Princess Fiona

We adopted Lambert (now Brutus) this past July. When we met him he came right up to us and introduced himself. We knew right away he was the dog for us. When we got him home, at first he was afraid to come in the house because of the stairs. But we got him in eventually. It took him a while to get used to his new home. He didn't like being crated at first and barked a lot when put him in there. He also had a little problem getting used to going to the bathroom outside.

After some trial and error we got him crate trained. He likes his little den now, but still prefers snuggling on the couch with us. He always wants to be near us and usually lies on our laps in the living room. He also sleeps in the bed with us. At first we were were going to give the off limits to the couch and the bed, but that quickly went out the window. He also loves the heat from the oven and the dishwasher. Whenever these appliances are on, he likes to lie up against them.

He is a very sweet dog and is very laid back most of the time. Although when he gets wound up and wants to play, he gets a little crazy. He wants to play rough and has torn our clothes once in a while and has nipped. But, he has gotten a lot better and he will be taking some classes next to help that too. I usually give him a good walk once, sometimes twice a day to help him release some of this energy. He does like to chew sometimes, so we have to keep shoes and other things away from him. He especially likes soap-he ate almost a whole bar of pomegranite soap one time! We called the animal emergency hospital to see if this would be something to be concerned about . They said to just watch him and that he'd most likely throw it up and sure enough he did. He was fine though. The bathroom is off limits now!

Brutus is a wonderful dog. He loves people and is very good with kids. I'm so glad we adopted him. I think he likes his new home and us. I can't imagine life without him.

I really like my new forever home. My new parents always have lots of stuff that they like to leave around. I know that they are playing a game with me to see how fast I can chew things up. I like to remind them that I am the boss sometimes. It seems like they really like me, so I try really hard to be good... But sometimes I just have to have a little fun and jump over the couch or chase my little brother Louie the rat terrier and knock him down. After a good romp in the house, I am ready for dinner and my walk. I always like to take naps — in someone's lap, of course. I really have fun playing with my friend Cairo the Doberman. He likes to play as much as I do. Then there's that little boy that lives here. I like to hang out with him. I especially like to show him how much I love him by nipping him the best. He lets me lay on his bed and loves to carry me around, which is ok because sometimes I am too lazy to even walk. Oh well, the food is good and there are lots of treats here. The recreation could be a little better, but I think I will stay here for good.

Hi, my name is Arnold Ziffelnegger-Stubner-Ewert, f/k/a Andy. Yep, that's a long one, but my Mom and Dad changed my name because they say I look and act like Arnold Ziffel, but have the physic of Arnold Schwarznegger, and I do! Personally, I like to call myself the "White Tornado". You see, I am a professional wrestler. I have a new brother, a 145 pound bloodhound named Watson with whom I wrestle with on a daily basis. Not only do we wrestle, we body slam each other for toys, sticks, and just because. My Mom says, "I keep him young". Oh, and I am the absolute best when it comes to the "Alligator Roll". I just love to show my Papa, the students and instructors at Lucky "E" Kennel, how well I can do this when I am told to "heal" during that thing called "obedience class". Nobody gets it, but me! Yes, I can walk on a leash just fine, but I don't want to during class… I'm to tough to give in. I will heal only my terms, and when nobody is looking!

Rut row, don't tell anyone, but I have a secret… I'm a closet "Snuggle Buddy". You have no idea how much I love to hang out with my new family and snuggle. Okay, okay, I'll admit it, I'm a 53 pound lap dog! But what the heck, I just cannot get enough of it. However, in my defense, I think my P's are secret "Snuggle Buddies" too. You see, I was not allowed up on the couch, but within 4 to 5weeks after I first arrived, they started to call me to sit with them. It has got to be my charm... or my inability to stop playing with Watson or our kong… eeek. I don't know, I don't care, I just love to snuggle!

After a long day at work, my Dad comes home and relaxes, and I am right there with him! Usually on the couch, belly up is the way I like it. Oh, and when my Mom does her morning ritual, she has this thing that blows warm air all over her hair, I sit and wait at her feet for my turn. Uh huh, we play a game called "Show Dog". I'm so damn special I can't stand it. Who am I kidding, yes I can. I may have attitude, but I'm still humble, even though all the attention is on me, me, me.

Funny thing, my Mom quickly realized that I am nothing like my predecessor and current bro! Cheena was the "Perfect Lady" and Watson The Drool Hound, well, lets just say "he's an Old Man!", these two have nothing on me! Hey, what did they expect, I am teenager in my prime, and came with no formal training. But there is one thing I do know for sure, they love me, they want me, and that I am here to stay, even though I am required to attending etiquette schooling….ug, ug, ug (actually, its kinda fun to learn some manners).

Thank you Ft. Dearborn BTC for helping me find my new home! I know my Bro Watson, my Mama and Papa thank you too!

I just thought I'd send you an update on my forever home. The training of my family is almost complete. First I confiscated the kid's t.v. beanbag as my own, then I worked my way onto the couches. That took quite a while, my Dad is pretty fond of his leather furniture. But, I figured out the "Back Door". My oldest boy, Peter. I got him on my side and now not only do I sleep in his room, I'm in his bed with him! I usually end up moving onto his beanbag sometime in the middle of the night if he's hogging the pillows. (I'm still working on the pillow part!). So, who needs couches?! My Mom keeps calling me a spoiled brat and lazy bones, then she gives me lots of kisses and snuggling. I guess those things she calls me must mean I'm a good guy. In any case, life is good. I sleep in my bed that I share with Peter until I'm hungry, then I eat until I'm tired. Every once in a while I go outside, but only because someone drags me out there. I don't know what their obsession with the great outdoors is, but hey, I use the time to make a potty stop and they seem happy about that. I'll keep you posted on the progress of my "pillow training". Thanks for doing all the rescue work and I hope all the other Bullies find families that are trainable like mine!

Quid is now Zeke, and we love having a bully back in the house. He seems to be adapting well. We are working on stopping him from nipping our hands occassionally! He loves to run around outside, and he can go for walks 10 times a day if we take him. He is very friendly with people he meets, and so far with other dogs, although we don't let him get too close just yet. He has discovered the pleasures of our bed, but unlike our other two, he stays by the feet, at least so far! When no one is home Zeke just sleeps on the couch. So far no destroying anything! Right now he has crawled on my lap making it difficult to write anymore!

Miss Prissy (now Buffy)

Buffy has adjusted well. We finally got her over her "let's take a bathroom break on the floor at 4 a.m." routine, and she is sleeping on her own bed in Hillary's room.

We started obedience school on June 5th with about 14 others, and I think she is doing GREAT. She heels, sits, does a "stand," and absolutely LOVES the socializing. (She doesn't understand why the teacher won't let her visit with the other dogs.) She needs lots of work on the "come." (Of course, she comes only when she wants.) Buffy always feels she does so well she desires a "Buffy Meal" (as we call it) as we pass the Burger King on the way home. (OK — so she usually gets it too, but she wonders why Hillary gets a drink and fries with hers.)

We are trying to 'teach' her how to play with toys. Hillary bought her a cloth-covered squeaky frog and taught her to play with it. She had us in stitches as she would take the frog in her mouth and THROW it across the room and jump on it — so we now call the game "killing the frog." I think she was a baton twirler in her previous life. In the backyard (she has a 20-foot lead we put her on when we are in the yard) I got her a rawhide bone to gnaw on, and she gets it and throws her head back and forth, then tosses it in the air and tries to catch it. She knows mom is where the meals come from, and lets me know if I'm not on target for mealtime. If mom naps, she jumps on the bed and sticks her nose in my face until I get up. Her little tail wags so hard, I wonder how she doesn't take off the ground and fly.

Buffy seems to be settling into her new life fine. She enjoys her playmates next door (the two Labs and the Great Dane), and across the street she and Cassie (a Sheltie type) play and tumble and look for each other every time they go outdoors. What a love this great little rescue girl has turned out to be.

Debbie Nickolson

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