MEET THE TFTR BOARD MEMBERS

Hi, my name is Patty Blair. I have lived in NH most of my life except for the 10 years I spent in Nashville, TN. I grew up riding horses and my parents owned a kennel where they bred GSDs. My love for TFTs started in 1975 when I got my very first boy, Foxy. I began my TFT rescue work in 2004 when rescue was a part of the American Toy Fox Terrier Club (ATFTC) and continued until the time it became its own organization in May 2009, and have been involved with TFTR since then.  I have owned a handful of TFTs and have fostered about a dozen over the years. 

I am the Office Manager for a large commercial construction company. I am an avid New England sports fan. I also enjoy working in the yard, camping, doing ceramics, and reading books when I can find the time. My immediate family lives here in NH, but my very large, extended family is scattered across the country. My volunteer work outside of rescue includes being on the board my residential cooperative community. 

Hi, my name is Lorraine Dunsmore. I am a lifelong resident of Rhode Island. I am a local Real Estate Agent here, as well as in Massachusetts. I love my job, I really enjoy helping people, which is what lead me to my work in Real Estate and my work with rescue. I love all of the seasons here in New England and really enjoy getting outside enjoying nature. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, crafting, working with reclaimed wood, painting, writing, photography, and watching local sports. I love my Patriots and Red Sox! 

I am a huge animal lover. My fur babies mean the absolute world to me. My first Toy Fox Terrier Buttons came into my life about 25 years ago. He was such an amazing little guy. At five years old he had to have both eyes removed but never let that stop him or hold him back. His spirit was infectious. I totally fell in love with this breed. In his honor I rescued my Elmo and it went on from there. I am hooked! I am very happy to be a member of Toy Fox Terrier Rescue. I absolutely love that I am able to help these incredible dogs on their journey to finding happy, new lives in wonderful loving homes. Seeing the love and happiness that these amazing little pups bring to their new forever families is so incredibly rewarding. 

My name is Lynette Purciello, and I am an Operations Manager from Shelton CT. I love spending time on the trails with my dogs, going to the beach and Broadway theater.  I also volunteer at my local church teaching and on fundraising efforts.  I first fell in love with the TFT breed in 1992 when I got my first TFT, Roger who lived up until 2008.  After that I contacted TFTR and worked with our founder Pat Land and became a foster (eventual foster failure) for an aging TFT.  Chloe joined our newly formed pack, rescues Buddy (Great Dane/Lab mix), Lucy (Lab mix) and Finster (Rat Terrier) where she lived for two years more.  After that I kept in touch with TFTR, supporting the rescue and hoping for a TFT puppy to come along.  When TFTR spearheaded the Harris County Rescue in 2015, they immediately contacted me regarding the 3 puppies that were pulled along with 30+ other TFTs.  Larry joined the Purciello Pack in 2015, later followed by Gino, a mixed Chi/TFT in 2016.  

Greetings everyone!  I’m Linda Wharton and I reside in the northern suburbs of Illinois.  Prior to becoming involved with Toy Fox Terrier Rescue, I was an International Flight Attendant/Purser with Northwest Airlines. This amazing job took me to incredible places around the world, and I had the time of my life, making lifelong friends. But the realization of “there’s no place like home” eventually dawned on me, and I retired in 2008, never looking back. 

I also realized since my traveling days were over, I could finally add a pet to my life. My fate was sealed when I met my brother’s new TFT....a funny little boy named Dodger, who totally enchanted me. Several months later, my first TFT, Willy, joined my household...he shared a sire with Dodger. Two years later, Bubba became my second TFT.   Sadly, Willy left me in 2018 due to cancer.   Currently, along with Bubba, I also have Sneaka and Sammy, and the three of them have graciously allowed me to share their home.   

I became involved with TFTR when I started assisting in planning rescue transports and became a Board member in 2017.  I now am one of the Dog Facilitators, DART Coordinator (Delta Animal Rescue Transport), and heavily involved in fundraising, specifically the auction fundraisers. My time with TFTR has been rewarding and has brought wonderful people into my life. The process of placing dogs with adopters is a bit like working a jigsaw puzzle. But the pieces eventually fit together, and it becomes a beautiful picture. 

 Hello, my name is Patrick (Pat) Bealer and I live in Pennsylvania.  I am a forklift technician by trade, and a race car driver by hobby.  I am long known as “The Icon” in the 270cc and 600cc Micro Sprint classes, speedster and indoor TQ Racing Series.  I love auto racing and would drive just about anything with wheels and an engine.  I have been racing since the age of 13 and have achieved many championships at multiple racetracks and other prestigious races in the Northeastern United States, as well as in Florida, with the support of my wife, Kristine, and son, Zackery.  I joined TFTR in March of 2021.  I have always had a soft spot in my heart for rescues.  After losing our beloved K9 Shepherd mix, Zena, we needed more furever love in our home.  In May 2016, we rescued Micro from a Craigslist post.  He was about to be placed into a shelter.  Quickly we found the love, laughter and unique personality of TFTs.  I am so glad we did.  He made our house his home.  At times, it can be quite a comedy show.  Fast forward to today and we have a pack of four TFTs; Micro 5, Gio 6, Marty 3, and Simmon 9 with a frequent visit from grand puppy, black Shepard Maverick who also thinks he is a TFT.  I enjoy my role as a Dog Facilitator.  It is quite rewarding when doing research, making sure care and placement are a perfect match for both family and TFT rescue candidates.  Whether it be from foster family to a furever home, the reward is beyond words and has a special place in my heart.  Through the process, I have gained some great friends / TFT family.  I look forward to meeting more people and growing our community.  Thank you all for your love and dedication to making this world a better place, one TFT at a time.  I am most positive that they are more grateful than all the cuddles and kisses they could offer.