I’m sorry to hear about Bean’s diagnosis. But, I know he’ll do great because he’s with you! Hugs to Bean and to you for all your hard work and dedication! You’re great!
Month: September 2010
BHRR’s Frank came with me to work last night and weighed 44.6 KGs(98.12 pounds). He received a manicure/pedicure, was microchipped and had his last DAPP booster in addition to an exam and having presurgical bw done for his neuter. I have booked his neuter surgery for Monday October 4th, 2010 and should all go well, I believe that BHRR’s Frank shall be ready for adoption by the end of October 2010. I want quite a bit more time with him to best determine what home he would do best in yet right now, a home with at least one other dog for sure as he needs to become more in ‘tune’ with other dogs communication and not relying on BHRR’s Bean on that part and then being BHRR’s Bean’s crutch for Bean when it comes to ‘humans’. Frank is SOOOOOOOOOOOO social with humans and already better at coming out of his shell to be good about playing with the other dogs, yet BHRR’s Bean is still his main squeeze! He is still a bit unsure and reserved in instigating play with other dogs. IT is OK BHRR’s Frank….we will get there! They will not hurt you. Just as with his brother BHRR’s Bean, Frank is an awesome car traveller, did fantastic at KAH and was soooooooooo social with all. He lay upon his side as he received his DAPP booster just wagging his tail and doing his nails went great! His heart sounded great and his hips and joints were in excellent shape. Also, as with BHRR’s Bean, Frank has proven himself to not be 100% housebroken at this time and likes to go outside, pee a bit and then come in and find Sean’s shoes and finish the ‘job’. 😛 BHRR’s Frank likes to climb on my leather furniture and so we are working on that! Frank also likes to counter surf and that is another thing in progress with his training. I do wish to say that both boys are excelling at their obedience and they are walking beautifully already on flat collars. I had no issues loading them up into the car and then out and then into the Hospital and then returning home with both. Until they came to BHRR, they were on prong collars and I was also told tied up outside. I only brought one ‘drool’ towel with me tonight and I should have made it a bath towel! LOL I am sooooooo enjoying having these Saint boyz at BHRR!
 
BHRR’s Frank – September 18th, 2010 – Day of arrival to BHRR
Here is BHRR's Bean's blog update post as of September 23rd, 2010 – Please consider helping!
The *SAINTS* For Bean Fundraiser page shall be dedicated to the ongoing fundraiser to assist us with raising the necessary funds to pay for Bean's Vet plus Rehab Bills. One estimate was $5,000.
You can donate by email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org or by PayPal(account is gwen@birchhaven.org) OR you can write a check/MO or Bank Draft out to ‘Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services' OR to ‘Gwendilin & Sean Boers' for his Vet Bills with BHRR's Apollo in the memo section and mail to:
Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0
OR you can call Kanata Animal Hospital at (613) 836-2848 to pay on Bean's Bill directly by Visa, AMEX or M/C – Bean's bill is under the account name of ‘ Birch Haven Rescue.' Even $5.00 is not too little.
In addition to what was written in the attached link, I wanted to say that BHRR's Bean is an awesome car traveller! At night he sleeps with his brother BHRR's Frank in our master bedroom without issue and has done crate with crate training too for he is not yet ready to be 'trusted' with full run of the house. He has also proven himself that he is not quite 100% housebroken for he will pee outside and then has been known to come in and do a 'walking' pee over as many dog beds as he can! 😛 He and BHRR's Lily Belle have become fast friends and BHRR's Lily Belle is so much more happy now for she has a new admirer! LOL
BHRR’s Albert is now feeling so much more comfortable around Sean plus the kids and that makes me so happy! He remains very much bonded to me and he is such a joy! What remains a ‘scary’ experience for him is when strangers come to BHRR. We did manage to see him come out for about 45 seconds or so late last night for a pee while BOD of BHRR member Mary was here and then he promptly scurried into his open crate again. I am going to post a picture below of Albert from June 14th, 2010. I love this boy! He will now respond to his ‘name’ more consistently and will even come outside for a very brief time when I call him and not just on his own volition. I truly wish people could see Albert as he is with me and now pretty much with my husband and kids yet he is not yet ready and so we continue with the baby steps. He will now also come out of his open crate when the TV is on and walk about the main floor area a bit!!!! HUGE! HUGE! HUGE! WTG Albert!
BHRR’s Frank and Bean arrived safely yesterday to BHRR. THANKS to BHRR BOD member Mary for transporting them from her area to BHRR on her way to the BHRR “EXPERIENCE” Mini Open House. By the time I went to bed at 2:00 AM, they both had been fully intergrated with all the dogs here, 20 and did great. They are definitely attached to each other and it is BHRR’s Bean’s right hind leg that is the ‘concern’ and I have an appointment set up on Thursday September 23rd with one of my Vets to discuss. Both need to be neutered, micrcohipped(THANKS Mary for the donation of her ‘Ava Marie ONLINE Auction’ micrcochip winning) plus donating funds towards another micrcohip so that both will be chipped! They are a most interesting and delightful pair. They are soooooooooooo sweet and lovable. Both have their areas of confidence and both have their areas of insecurity. BHRR’s Frank is very human oriented and BHRR’s Bean is more quiet/bit reserved/unsure around humans. Franks tail wags nonstop and Bean’s is more half mast wagging. So, Bean needs a bit more confidence in that area. BHRR’s Bean is the more ‘Dora Explorer’ type whereas BHRR’s Frank much prefers to have a ‘human’ come along for the exploration with him. BHRR’s Bean loves loves loves playing with BHRR’s Lily Belle and she is already smitten with him for she senses the ‘conquest’ of another adoring Saint her way! LOL BHRR’s Frank prefers to more play with his sibling and both decided to ‘rock’ my house at 2 AM today with their spontaneous zooming throughout the main floor, moving my table and chairs every which way! 😛 Both were very taken with Mary and though Mary spent the night here; I took both boyz into the masterbedroom with me and after only a brief time or two working on ‘convincing’ Frank that he is not to sleep on the bed and a couple of whines out of Bean, both had a superb night! They have proven themselves to date to be housebroken and BHRR’s Bean is much more comfortable peeing and it takes BHRR’s Frank a bit more time to ‘warm’ up to the idea outside. BHRR’s Bean had the better appetite and BHRR’s Frank is more picky and slow. No resourcing issues at this time either and BHRR’s Potter was excited about ‘fresh meat’ coming to BHRR as he just loves new friends! Multi CH. TAIN pouted as he was getting lower on the ‘baby’ list. BHRR’s Frank has tendencies towards miner SA behavours, so efforts are being made to not ‘enable’ him. They are both SOOOOOOOOOOOOO sweet though! BHRR’s Bean is taller and both have a slightly different coat type from each other as BHRR’s Frank is not quite smooth or rough coat. BHRR’s Bean is a smooth coat. Their colours and faces are also quite distinct from each other and within seconds I could tell them apart yet there were still about 10 people here from yesterday BHRR’s ‘EXPERIENCE’ Mini Open House when the Saints arrived that had some trouble remembering who was who! THANKS Chuck in helping us get them into the house!!!! Thanks as well to Mary in donating collars(red for Frank and black for Bean) to BHRR along with leashes AND the dog bed. THESE are already two very loved and spoiled Saints at BHRR. I konw it was hard for Mary to say good-bye and as I assured Mary, they will remember her when she is back in November, we are planning out last BHRR ‘EXPERIENCE’ Mini Open House which shall also be our 8th Secret Santa Event for the BHRR animals too! The other thing that I am going to be doing very soon is separating them for playdates for one cannot guarantee that they shall be adopted together – in fact, BHRR has only TWICE in its almost 15 years history adopted two animals together for we do not believe this to be a common ‘best interest’ practise for the animals and that it is a ‘rare’ event yet twice we have done it for we felt strongly that it was in those dogs best interest. We shall see what transpires as these two settle into BHRR. They also need nail trims badly and that is on zee agenda. We I shall be doing is posting playdates for anyone of our approved BHRR adopters to take one of them out on their own to get some time away from the other for they are way to dependent on each other right now. I have nothing wrong with close relationships yet they ‘lean’ on each other a bit too much to ‘boost’ them in their own areas of insecurity and we need to work on those areas independently to make them the best dogs they can be. 🙂 They are soooooooooooooo precious though! I cannot wait for the honeymoon period to be over for I can already see that each has their ‘own’ leader traits and goober personalities! Let the journey begin boyz!!! Welcome to BHRR! Between Sean & I, we have taken quite a few pictures yesterday and today and for now, I am going to post some in their slideshows as I am having some issue getting them inbeded into their blogs posts right now. LOVING these boyz…….AND oh…they are nowhere near as large as we were told they are……ball parking around 110 – 115 tops and I shall get weights when I have them in later this week. They are just babies…..and shall be bigger enough soon enough……let’s not rush things. AND, BHRR’s Frank could afford to lose a few pounds and BHRR’s Bean can afford to put on about 5-7 pounds right now. We will work on that.
BHRR is in its 3rd food crisis of 2010. We only have about 30 days worth of dog food left and we currently have 23 dogs under our authority between our BHRR Rescue/Rehabilitation Program, BHRR Adoption Program, BHRR Haven Dog Program & BHRR Foster/Perma-Foster Program.
BHRR is currently going through 600 pounds of dog food a month at a cost of a minimum of $825.00+ tax for the food.
Please consider donating to assist…. PayPal(gwen@birchhaven.org) or email transfer or check to ‘Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services’ and mail to:
Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services
C/O Gwendilin Boers
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
RR#1 Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0
CANADA
September 19th, 2010 – $262.24 Donated to Date & 1,422.50 pounds of dog food since August 2010
BHRR’s Lily Belle is AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION again as I am taking off the ‘PENDING HOLD.’ It was discovered that during the adoption application process that this home that had applied to adopt BHRR’s Lily Belle is not doing any routine regular veterinary care on their own current almost 7 year old dog and has not had any vaccines since 2006(4 years ago) or is even doing any titer testing, has not had a any heartworm testing nor has their dog ever been on heartworm preventative in their life. The last time the Vets had even examined their dog was in September of 2008(2 years ago) and BHRR cannot be assurd that if the home is not doing regular, routine and what we believe necesesary proactive and preventative vet care on their current dog; that we are going to be comfortable/confident that they shall be with one of ours. BHRR works very hard to place not only per best matched personality fit yet also to homes that are online with what we believe to be in the best interest of the dog(s) re: nutrition, vet care, training and exercise. This is why we have a very thorough application process and one of our questions specifically surrounds regular plus routine vet care with the animals. This situation is a great example of how a ‘home’ can appear to be one way on paper yet in going through the process, it is determined that what has been put on the application is not what is in fact acutally happening. May Lily Belle’s right forever loving home come along soon yet in the meantime, she shall remain with us at BHRR living the ‘high’ life and I know she is going to soooooooooo enjoy two more Saint Bernard puppies coming in to be her playmates for she deeply misses her two best friends BHRR’s Moose and Frost. AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION AGAIN!
BHRR’s Frank – 7 month old (born February 2nd, 2010) Saint Bernard Male. BHRR’s Frank is the littermate brother to BHRR’s Bean and both are expected to arrive to BHRR on Saturday September 18th. They are owner surrenders as their owners due to their owners finding themselves in a financial position of not being able to continue to care for them and to give BHRR’s Bean the Vet attention needed for that knee. The home was also not able to provide BHRR’s Frank with his last boosters. We have been told that Frank has proven to be good with children, women and men and likes to steal toilet paper rolls(he will fit right in with dogs like BHRR’s Dana, BHRR’s Potter & BHRR’s Porridge here!). Frank apparently likes to jump and loves to be with people. He has been living with a cat and wants to play and chase it. He has been good with his brother and plays with a Shih Tzu friend just fine as well. He does not have any resourcing issues and has no bite history. As I learn more I will update and add photos. Looking forward to meeting you BHRR’s Frank. I have an appointment set up for September 23rd for both boyz to come to KAH with me for exams etc. NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!!!
BHRR’s Bean – 7 month old (born February 2nd, 2010) Saint Bernard Male. We have been told that he has a bad right knee concern and at one point we were told it was a birth defect. BHRR’s Bean is the littermate brother to BHRR’s Frank and both are expected to arrive to BHRR on Saturday September 18th. They are owner surrenders as their owners due to their owners finding themselves in a financial position of not being able to continue to care for them and to give BHRR’s Bean the Vet attention needed for that knee. We have been told that he has proven to be good with children, women and men and likes to steal toilet paper rolls(he will fit right in with dogs like BHRR’s Dana, BHRR’s Potter & BHRR’s Porridge here!). He has been living with a cat and wants to play and chase it. He has been good with his brother and plays with a Shih Tzu friend just fine as well. He does not have any resourcing issues and has no bite history. As I learn more I will update and add photos. Looking forward to meeting you BHRR’s Bean. I have an appointment set up for September 23rd for both boyz to come to KAH with me for exams etc.
‘Bean’s *SAINTS*’ Fundraiser shall be created to assist us in raising the much needed support and funds to help him become healthy again. More details to come. We shall also be using funds raised during our 3rd Annual BHRR Boat Cruise/Dinner & Live/Silent Auction Fundraiser coming up on Saturday October 2nd (ONLY 6 tickets left!) to assist both BHRR’s Apollo with his CWW ‘Angels’ sessions and for BHRR’s Bean’s *SAINTS* Fundraiser.
NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!!!
T. Penfield, USA
i am so glad to see ava is ready for her forever home but i am going to cry my self to sleep when she dose i know it is best for her but i can’t help getting all choked up at the thought of not hearing about her and seeing new photos each week . i don’t know how you do it hat off to you for all you do
Anonymous
I came across your website and happen to read the “Reality” page. I can honestly tell you that I cried. Your organization is gold. I have a 3 year old GD female and I look at her and cannot even imagine how someone could treat an animal that way ? Those people should be punished to the full extent of the law and never allowed within 30 feet of an animal again. If it weren’t for organizations like yours these beautiful creatures would never have a chance at life. THANK YOU, you’re angels.
Names & Deaf Dogs
This is a post that I made on August 1st, 2009 on the blogs of the animals that were in our BHRR programs at that time. I feel compelled to re-post it here as a 'education and public awareness' opportunity.
I feel almost compelled to write this blog post for BHRR's Lil Linus and BHRR's Potter. I am not sure why people feel that a ‘deaf' dog does not need a need a name, because they are deaf. To me, that is like saying, we should not name our deaf children or address our hard of hearing or deaf elders anymore by name etc. A name is an identity and if one is living in a home with multi dogs; especially deaf one's(we live with 3 right at the present and our now almost 10.5+ year old Kona is almost deaf); using a dog's name is very important. When I do training, I train the dogs as individuals, small groups and in larger groups. If I am doing recall training, even in my larged fenced in yard; if I want Lil Linus or Soul to come to me, I use their ‘name'. If I want Potter(he is working on his name) to come over Soul or Linus; I signal his name. I am not in agreement with those that say that it is not important to name your deaf dog. While my dogs might have chosen different names if they could 😉 ; their names are no less important to them or to me. When I signal Lil Linus`s name, his tail wags and the same applies to Soul and each knows when I am `speaking`to them over the other or if I am communicating to both. They are proud of their own identities and how it makes them feel unique and special just as each hearing dog feels unique and special with their own names. I find it hard to understand why people, especially those that say they are knowledgeable about deaf dogs etc., would feel that it means nothing to give a deaf dog a name and so a name is not important. To me, it is also a huge safety thing in regards to teaching emergency stops, recalls etc. They learn their names as much as they learn the `watch me`command; right from the get go. The other thing that I wish to address in regards to `deaf dogs`is that they do not HAVE to always go to a home that already has a hearing dog. That is also not necessarily true. Just as many hearing dogs do well in a home by themselves as the only dog; the same goes with deaf dogs. We have placed many a deaf dog as the only dog in the home and we have also placed many a deaf dog in a home that already has a deaf dog as their only dog. OWNING a deaf dog is not necessarily any harder than owning a hearing dog. My biggest piece of feedback when it comes to owning a deaf dog; is that one CANNOT be lazy. You cannot just `call out` to ask your dog to get their nose out of the garbage or to put that shoe down that they are walking off with it. That is why it is so important to teach them the `watch me`command. Deaf dogs learn equally as fast, if not faster than some hearing dogs and they are not dumb, stupid and not all deafies have visual impairments or health issues either. When it comes to Boxers; just as with Great Danes; `white`is not albino; that does not exist in these breeds. It is estimated that about 18-20% of all Boxers are white and they can be hearing or deaf and they make just as lovely and wonderful of pets as does their hearing counterparts. Each parent must carry for the `white`gene for it to be passed on to create a `white`boxer. As with Great Danes, many deaf boxers can be found having a lot of white about the face, head and ears. What bothers humans about dogs being deaf; does not bother the deaf dog. Dogs that are born deaf, do not know any different and dogs that lose their hearing as they are older, can also be taught hand signals(I teach them at all ages); touch training, light training, scent training and vibration training(we do not do vibration collars here) but use floors and door jams in order to continue to have a great quality of life in a world that no longer is `hearing`to them. 😎 I also teach a regular course that is specifically for owners and their deaf dogs; and just as I do in that course; I am going to state it here; education is key.
The Gwennie! Comment of the Day:
"Ignorance is truly not bliss"
I am moving BHRR’s Lily Belle under a ‘PENDING ADOPTION’ until we determine if the application we are currently reviewing is the right matched home for her. Until we can ascertain if this is a best matched fit; BHRR will not be taking in any more applications nor inquiries on BHRR’s Lily Belle at this time. Thank you for your understanding and it should not take too long before a decision can be made. I am also adding two pictures taken from September 1st, 2010 of BHRR’s Lily Belle and her best of friends Frost, a GD pup around BHRR’s Lily Belle’s age that we were temp loving on for 5+ months and who left on Friday September 3rd after transport was arranged to send her back to her Breeder in the USA. Frost is missed very much at BHRR and is the great granddaughter of my own beloved RIP Maggi and great niece to my own beloved RIP Phantom. We were very blessed to have had the time we had with her. My intent is to bring BHRR’s Lily Belle into work with me one day next week to obtain a new weight on her. She is eating marvelously and is taller yet is still about 5-7 pounds less than I would like to see on her at this moment. She is quite active, drinking wonderfully, eating as mentioned marvelously and no diarrhea etc. and that weight shall continue to come. Her coat is just so soft and she is one affectionate girl and that ‘tongue’ protuding on her is simply adorable!
BHRR’s Lily Belle with Frost, 9+ month old GD & BHRR’s Lily Belle, BHRR’s Windsor & Frost – September 1st, 2010
BHRR’s Ava Marie had a great recheck appointment at LAH on Thursday. Thanks being publicly extended again to Barry for the assistance in getting her to her Vet appointment! The Vet thought her knee was good as is her other knee that was repaired on May 21s, 2010 and he did do a bit of draining on both knees and upon looking under the microscope, all was well, serum and soooooooooooooo, BHRR’s Ava Marie is now in the ‘all clear’ to not only have her *date* with the person who won this item as part of Ava Marie’s recent ONLINE Auction BUT….she is now officially ready to be placed as ‘AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION’. I literally find myself choked up with mixed feelings in reaching this point in her journey for the lessons, experiences, wisdom etc. that BHRR’s Ava Marie has extended my way during her time her at BHRR has just been incredible. This girl is full of the best heart, soul, acceptance, tolerance, patience, kindness and love that I have ever had the pleasure of encountering and of course, CANNOT forget those amazing velvety ears of hers! As with all the animals at BHRR, we are very protective of BHRR’s Ava Marie and she shall ONLY go to a home that is going to understand that she is my literal $10,000+ dollar girl yet in reality truly ‘priceless’. That she has had two very extensive surgeries on her knees, has battled an amazing weight loss, has significant arthritis in both of her knees and is not going to go to a home that is going to ‘pound’ the pavement with her, that is going to give time to icing her knees and massaging helps too(this part from Ava Marie!) and that her weight is going to be managed properly, that truly *sees* BHRR’s Ava Marie for who she is and not this ‘big ol’ Great Dane’ or a ‘broken’ dog for she is anything BUT! BHRR’s Ava Marie will make an incredible Therapy Dog and companion to almost any home. We would love to see her go to a home with one other dog(her best friend here is BHRR’s Apollo), yet a dog that is not going to be too much for her yet on the other hand, not a ‘pushover’ for BHRR’s Ava Marie has personality herself. This home must also understand that she might need more draining done on her knees in time and probably more than once. We are going to be very patient as we are with all of our adoptions for that right matched home for her and I am going to cherish each moment I have with her until it is her time to be adopted as this is one very incredibly special Great Dane. I truly do feel welled up inside that the time has come to think about us having to part ways and it is such a good thing for her and going to be a very very very sad time for me. Even one of the Vets tonight that I work with was just amazed at how fantastic she looked and how well she has done…GO BHRR’s AVA MARIE GO! Below is a picture that I took on September 1st, 2010. DOES she look marvelous! A waistline, muscle, toning and she can move! When I went to go to bed the other night, I was looking around for her as I say goodnight to each and every dog before I call it quits for the night myself and I could not find her! AND then I look closer on our king size bed, I thought it was Dyce’s rump yet it was hers. FOR those that have seen our master bedroom, this is no small feat to get up on that bed and here she was, laying on her side, snoring away(do not tell her that she snores!) and as comfortable as can be. She was not so pleased to see me ‘get her off the bed’ as there was not going to be room for me BUT to thinkg that she was able to get up on it in the first place is awesome! SOMETHING that would have been considered the ‘impossible’ back in March when she first arrived to BHRR. Now, she has not gone back up since for she was most ‘put out’ by my actions. 😛 AND when I try to encourage her to come up for a cuddle, she turns her head aside in a pout and slowly turns away to lay with great effort and many loud sighs on one of the dog beds…LOL What a character! I just adore her…..
BHRR’s Ava Marie & BHRR’s Ava Marie with BHRR’s Potter – September 1st, 2010
A deep heartfelt thank you being sent out to Barry, one of BHRR’s BOD members for offering to take BHRR’s Ava Marie to her recheck appointment with Dr. Liston tomorrow for 2:30 PM. Barry is visiting from the east coast and it shall be my only quick opportunity to say a personal hello to him in passing during his time here as we meet up to send BHRR’s Ava Marie off with him for her appointment.
ISO: BHRR Volunteer(s) to assist me in getting BHRR’s Ava Marie to a recheck Vet Appointment plus to have both of her knees drained at LAH – Liston Animal Hospital on Thursday September 9th – can schedule anytime between 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM. Please email: gwen@birchhaven.org
Unfortunately, both of her knees shall need to be drained and should we have a ‘great’ recheck appointment, within the next couple of weeks; BHRR’s Ava Marie should be ready to be placed up for adoption!
ISO: BHRR Volunteer(s) to assist me in getting BHRR’s Apollo to extra CWW sessions on any of the following dates/times:
Thursday September 9th – Anytime between 3 PM – 7:00 PM
Monday September 13th – Anytime between 10 AM – 2 PM
Thursday September 16th – Anytime between 3 PM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday September 21st – Anytime between 3 PM – 7:00 PM
Thursday September 23rd – Anytime between 3 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday September 25th – Anytime between 9 AM – 2 PM
Please email gwen@birchhaven.org if you can assist!
Diane, Ottawa, ON, CDA
Hello Gwen,
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly and for your kind invitation which I will so gladly accept.I look forward to seeing you and to actually meet your Danes that I have read about on your site – from the mischievous “Diva” Shiva to the quiet Storm – you write so well that I feel as though I already know them.
Thank you again for your time.
Kindest regards,
Diane
Diane, Ottawa, ON, CDA
Good Evening Gwen,
I was wondering if you have any plans on having another open house in the next little while? If yes, I would be very interested in stopping by and meeting with you and your beautiful ‘brood’.
I would also like to say that the work and the effort and the love you put into these sweet and gentle dogs is almost overwhelming to read. Any dog that is unfortunate enough to find him or herself without a home, would be so fortunate to find their way to yours…..
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kindest regards,
Diane
Adopting vs Buying – Definitions
The Gwennie! Comment of the Day:
One does not 'ADOPT' from a Breeder, one BUYS/PURCHASES and one 'ADOPTS' from a Rescue
-Please do ensure that you are doing your research so that you are supporting ONLY reputable/quality rescue organizations/Breeders. There is no excuse for 'ignorance' in this day and age of such amazing technology to knowingly be aware of what 'right' over 'wrong' is and then to still go out there and purchase or adopt from a disreputable place.
For more information on researching and 'red' flags; please visit my Marmaduke Effect Blog.