Tank 
Breed: French Bulldog
Age: 4 yrs. old
Sex: Male
Weight: 20 lbs.
2/2/2022 Update:
Tank was ADOPTED!!!! The stars have aligned, and Tank has found his forever family.
Tank joined the NBBR family as an owner surrender. We didn’t know much about Tank’s history other than his previous owners relayed to us. They had had Tank since he was a puppy, but there weren’t many veterinary records provided. The primary reason for his surrender was that their child was allergic to him. Like all new NBBR bullies, Tank’s first stop was the clinic. Vet records we received with Tank were for an isolated incidence and didn’t show any much history. When we contacted the vet of record, we were told that they did not have any history beyond what was given. So… Tank received the “welcome to Rescue” package. Vaccinations, Heartworm test, fecal exam, physical exam, labs and a temperament evaluation. We received great news on Mr. T. He was heartworm negative, fecal was good and all labs were within normal limits. During his physical exam however, we got a different message. Although Tank’s physical report didn’t officially say “hot mess”, if you looked closely enough it was there between the lines. Ears- nasty, crusty infections. Most of Tank’s issues were “typical” issues for a Bulldog. Many appear to be centered around allergies. The first step was to get Tank on medication for his bacterial and fungal infections. We also started Tank on a new food eliminating the “common allergens”. We also started Tank on supplements for his overall health. We also started Tank on a weight/muscle gaining program. The transformation has been quick and impressive. Tank’s skin went from an oily, flaky mess to a healthy shiny coat. (While he is completely done with his regime, his forever family will be continuing what we have started.) Tank has gained a little bit of weight AND he loves to go for short walks, and this is helping him to slowly increase his muscle tone in his back legs.
Talk about things aligning…. Tank’s new forever family didn’t apply to adopt him. Actually, they didn’t even know that Tank existed when they applied. The family actually applied many months ago when we had a couple of other Frenchies. They had read the updates and fell in love with one of the little guys. It was very heartbreaking for them when they found out that both Frenchies had been matched with families that were ahead of them in the approval process. (This is why don’t discuss specific Bulldogs with applicants until AFTER the approval process is completed.). While they were crushed that it didn’t work out, they asked what they should do. We advised them to continue to watch the website for future Bulldogs that might be a match. While it didn’t work out for them during the initial process, it wasn’t a forever no. Tank’s foster family is also heavily involved in the application approval process, so when Tank arrived at their house, they remembered the family and their initial thoughts were that it “might” be a match. However, at this point, it was just thoughts kicking around in one person’s head. We didn’t know enough about Tank AND we weren’t sure is the family was still looking to add to their family. A lot of thought had gone into their initial application process. They had discussed adding a new family member to the mix and there was a “hold out”. One member thought it would be best to wait awhile after the loss of their previous Frenchie. Well, after much discussion and more discussion, everyone was on the same page and ready to move forward. Since they had waited, we weren’t sure if they might not have found a Frenchie elsewhere. Well, half of our questions were answered pretty quickly. Withing hours of posting Tank’s welcome announcement, we received a message from the family asking if they might be a fit for Tank. While one group of volunteers began working on completing the family’s approval process. Tank’s foster family was learning more about him and what the ideal forever family would look like for him. When we compared both profiles everything lined up and all the boxes were checked. The next step was set up the Meet and Greet process to determine if the “chemistry” was present. Remember we mentioned that there was a family holdout? Well guess who Tank decided to make a b-line for? You guessed it, it is like Tank knew who the hardest nut to crack would be and went right to work. It’s not to say that Tank didn’t work his charm on everyone, but he was immediately drawn to Mr. Holdout. It really wasn’t even fair. Within five minutes everyone was asking how did they make it official? Adoption events can be a very happy/emotionally brutal events for our foster families. While it can be very happy when all the work is completed, and the match made is a perfect one for the foster Bulldog. It can still be brutal in that every foster that leaves takes a little piece of your heart with them. Tank’s adoption was one of the happiest ones. When it was time for him to load up his belongings, he didn’t even look back. He quickly got in the back seat and made himself comfortable for his ride to his new home. While this can be very traumatic for the foster family, it really solidifies that all the work that had been done to make this match was right. Tank knew this was his pack and he was at peace and in turn his fosters were at peace, knowing he was where he should be. Things don’t always happen according to our plans, but in this case, timing was perfect and everything.
1/23/2022 Update:
Hello peeps, Tank and his foster family checking in for our first update.
First a little background on Tank. Tank is currently in a foster home with other Bulldogs. The first thing that Tank noticed in this house was that he was NOT like the others. You see, Tank is a French Bulldog, and his foster brothers are English Bulldogs. This difference doesn’t really mean anything since everyone gets along well despite the drastic size difference. (Tank is about 35 lbs. smaller than the English Bulldogs).
SHORT BOY problems ALERT. The English Bulldogs have two bowls that they drink their water. When Tank arrived, we decided that we would get him a water bowl that was more his size, since the current ones were designed for a dog with longer legs. It appears that Tank did not get the message, or if he did, he has decided that those bowls are the perfect size for HIM. He refuses to use the Frenchie size bowls no matter what, not going to happen. He will walk right by his bowls to drink out of the communal bowl with the big boys.
While Tank does well with other dogs, he would do well in a home by himself as well. That is IF the household members have plenty of time to dedicate to him. Tank can be very cuddly and enjoys time on the couch with his people. Tank also LOVES car rides. He isn’t much of a co-pilot because he typically curls up and sleeps. But if he sees or hears the car keys in your hands-he wants to go.
Due to his current skin’s conditions, Tank needs to have bi-weekly baths and take medication. Tank takes his medication like a champ, and he endures the baths. Baths clearly are not his “thing” but does cooperate. His skin condition has improved A LOT. He is not as flakey and the moist portions are drying nicely, so what we are doing is working. We have also changed Tank’s diet to potentially help with his skin issues. Those that meet Tank quickly notice that he is really thin. The new diet appears to be helping as well, Tank has added a little weight. His foster family is also working on not only gaining weight but adding some muscle too. The plan is to get him working out his back legs to build up his strength. So far, Tank is all in. Going for short walks, sunning in the backyard, snuggling on the couch are just a few of his favs.
Tank is telling us that football is on and that means cuddle time for him. Talk to you later.
1/6/2022 Update:
Please welcome Tank to No Borders Bulldog Rescue. Tank is a 4-year-old male black brindle French Bulldog.
Tank joins the NBBR family as an owner surrender. We don’t know much about Tank’s history other than his previous owners relayed to us. The primary reason for his surrender was that their child was allergic to him. When asked for vet records we were given one vet record. The surrender paperwork stated that they got Tank from a breeder but did not mention when. This shows that Tank was with this family from at least Feb 2021. Prior to that, Tank’s history is non-existent, and he isn’t saying a word. His previous family did mention that he has allergies.
Like all new NBBR bullies, Tank’s first stop was the clinic. Vet records we received with Tank were for an isolated incidence and didn’t show any much history. When we contacted the vet of record, we were told that they did not have any history beyond what was given. So… Tank received the “welcome to Rescue” package. Vaccinations, Heartworm test, fecal exam, physical exam, labs and a temperament evaluation. We received great news on Mr. T. He is heartworm negative, fecal was good and all labs were within normal limits. During his physical exam however, we got a different message. Although Tank’s physical report didn’t officially say “hot mess”, if you looked closely enough it was there between the lines. Ears- nasty, crusty infections. Skin- this is where the joys of Bulldog ownership start. Tank has the unique condition of having both oily AND flakey skin all at once. While his undercarriage (belly) was crusty and so infected that it was moist and sticky to the touch his back was dry and flakey. Tank has fungal and bacterial infections simultaneously. Tank also has hyperkeratosis of the nose (crusty nose syndrome). Tank also has a “hitch in his giddy up”. For those of you non-southerners, this means that when Tank walks/runs he doesn’t have that graceful, beautiful gait you see in the show ring. Tank carries his left back leg slightly when he runs. You have to be very observant to catch it, but it is there. We also noticed that he has scars on his ears. Typically scars like this are from excessive fly bites from being outside a lot. Again, Tank’s lips are sealed and that doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon, as he is a man of few words. The good news is these are not fresh and appear to be healed. Our initial focus will be the getting the crusties under control, a systemic antibiotic for the skin and another more targeted antibiotic for his ears. Add in an antifungal and weekly medicated baths and some nose butter and Tank should be new man in no time. In the meantime, we will be changing Tank’s diet to try to eliminate some of the most common allergens. If needed, we will do additional allergy testing in the future but want to eliminate the active infections first. In the meantime, Tank’s foster family will be monitoring the leg situation and we will address accordingly. (Tank’s one previous vet visit was for a “leg related issue”. It was chalked up to an over-use injury and went away with crate rest.)
Now the fun part… Tank is a really cool little guy. He likes everyone he meets. Since he joined NBBR Tank has only met humans and dogs, but he LOVED everybody. His previous family says he is good with kids as well, but with the potential leg/back issues he may be better suited to an older, quieter home. Currently Tank is hanging out with his foster family and settling in nicely. He is still itchy and scratchy but the changes we have made appear to be helping. Stay tuned for updates on Mr. Tank as we nurse him back to health and get on the road to finding the forever family that will love him for him, hitch and all.
