Month: March 2020

Someone has no idea re: social distancing. 

BHRR’s Sleet(Deaf/Blind) and Sean remain having their incredible special bond. 

Cannot believe she is now almost 18 months old….

Every night per a previous post/picture this is part of their nightly routine…..she climbs right up into his chair and demands attention and likes to snuffle his head!

Sean remains saying that of course he has no favourites!!

The animals sure do make the world a much better place to be in, especially right now…..such a difficult time….

*VIDEO sent our way by his previous Owner the morning we were asked to assist this Great Dane*
 
UPDATE: BHRR’s Walter has tested negative for heartworm, tick borne diseases, sarcoptic and demodectic mange.
 
We are waiting to discuss in detail – I have been sent them today – his biopsy results – three biopsies taken and his thyroid panel with his Vet. I have questions that only the expertise of his Vet will be able to confirm/validate and answer for me. So, will not post more on those results until that conversation occurs.
 
He has been placed on antibiotics, thyro meds, pred, been de-wormed and is now on a fish based food only.
 
Per his previous vet records, last summer he was diagnosed with severe hypothyroidism. He had been having seizures and vestibular ataxia.
 
He has clear auto immune and extreme skin issues, quite common with blue Great Danes, being a recessive gened bred colour.
 
He had not been on any meds for a couple of weeks per his previous Owner/past records and had remained on a chicken/poultry based food. Per his past records, he had not remained on allergy meds consistently allowing flare-ups to occur and then became worse.
 
The bleeding on his body has slowed down, the swelling is coming down, some of his lesions and wounds are drying up – he has toes plus feet now – and he is eating well. His hydration level is slowly coming up too.
 
His eyes remain runny and red – yet, they now can open! – and will need to have his own bilateral entropion surgery – once again so common in this euro blood line Danes.
 
The trauma caused to his body is apparent and will take a long time to rehabilitate and we are taking it one step at a time.
 
I briefly saw him myself yesterday and his temperament is loving and such a hoot! When he does not want to do something, he just lays right down! Already he is feeling a bit better, putting on some weight on that skinny body and his personality is slowly poking through!
 
He remains very weak, especially in his hind end and is a very sick boy yet, he is surrounded by a village that is strong and determined!
 
***$1,025 DONATED TO DATE*** 
 
Once again, before anyone posts in judgement and negativity, do note that the owner DID reach out for help and we are assisting. So, please be mindful of any words posted. It is not a great situation, we all agree, yet, realise that any words you post could prevent another Owner from reaching out and doing the right thing, and that would mean an animal would be euthanised over being assisted.
 
We will continue to operate on a zero tolerance policy re: the above.
 
We just had to find a way to step up to save him. Yes, we are financially overwhelmed with the ever mounting Vet Bills for BHRR’s Coupe and BHRR’s Royal Blu; yet, we just had to rescue this special needs Dane in urgent need of us too.
 
We know this is difficult times for all and have no right to beg for donations, yet, I have no ego or pride and shall continue to do what I need to to make miracles happen for those in need of our highly specialised programs. So, I do beg and grovel and keep hope alive in my heart….
 
It is not going to be easy yet, I am going to focus on the possible, not the impossible….. 
 
If anyone may consider his own worthy cause, he has a file already set up at Eagleson Veterinary Clinic 613-383-8381 under ‘Walter’ for our Rescue
 
OR
 
you can donate via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org
 
OR via email transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com

UPDATE: *Walter* is now at Eagleson Veterinary Clinic. This is one picture sent my way of part of his face.

Bloodwork is being run and biopsies have been taken and he is being examined.

Will update more as I can….

***$925 DONATED TO DATE*** 

BHRR has been quickly mobilising behind the scenes to rescue this Great Dane.

We received an email in the wee hours of the AM that he needed help or the Owner said the Vet would ‘kill him today’.

As soon as I saw the email a couple of hours later, I jumped on it, begged for some time and then the incredible links on our BHRR ‘CHAIN OF SUCCESS’ were put into action.

One of our fabu approved Volunteers now has him – thank you for dropping everything to help! – and is on his way direct to Eagleson Veterinary Clinic, who have been alerted and are standby to receive him. Drive safe Bob!

I am not going to post more at this time re: his current medical state other than to say, we could not let him be put to sleep and are going to do all necessary diagnostics plus treatments for him. Yes, he has lesions, wounds and swelling all over his body including his front feet and muzzle and he is skinny – from a video and pics, he looks somewhat emaciated. He can barely open his eyes.

He is in pain, clearly suffering and bleeding. This is his reality right now.

However, before anyone posts in judgement and negativity, do note that the owner DID reach out for help and we are assisting. So, please be mindful of any words posted. It is not a great situation, we all agree, yet, realise that any words you post could prevent another Owner from reaching out and doing the right thing, and that would mean an animal would be euthanised over being assisted.

I shall post what is known from his past Vet Records along with what our expert Vet Team will determine form examining and testing him.

We just had to find a way to step up to save him. Yes, we are financially overwhelmed with the ever mounting Vet Bills for BHRR’s Coupe and BHRR’s Royal Blu; yet, we just had to rescue this special needs Dane in urgent need of us too.

We know this is difficult times for all and have no right to beg for donations, yet, I have no ego or pride and shall continue to do what I need to to make miracles happen for those in need of our highly specialised programs. So, I do beg and grovel and keep hope alive in my heart….

It is not going to be easy yet, I am going to focus on the possible, not the impossible….. 

If anyone may consider his own worthy cause, he has a file already set up at Eagleson Veterinary Clinic 613-383-8381 under ‘Walter’ for our Rescue

OR

you can donate via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via email transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com

Soon sweet boy, soon…you will be at the Hospital soon….

***$425 DONATED TO DATE*** 

BHRR has been quickly mobilising behind the scenes to rescue this Great Dane.

We received an email in the wee hours of the AM that he needed help or the Owner said the Vet would ‘kill him today’.

As soon as I saw the email a couple of hours later, I jumped on it, begged for some time and then the incredible links on our BHRR ‘CHAIN OF SUCCESS’ were put into action.

One of our fabu approved Volunteers now has him – thank you for dropping everything to help! – and is on his way direct to Eagleson Veterinary Clinic, who have been alerted and are standby to receive him. Drive safe Bob!

I am not going to post more at this time re: his current medical state other than to say, we could not let him be put to sleep and are going to do all necessary diagnostics plus treatments for him. Yes, he has lesions, wounds and swelling all over his body including his front feet and muzzle and he is skinny – from a video and pics, he looks somewhat emaciated. He can barely open his eyes.

He is in pain, clearly suffering and bleeding. This is his reality right now.

However, before anyone posts in judgement and negativity, do note that the owner DID reach out for help and we are assisting. So, please be mindful of any words posted. It is not a great situation, we all agree, yet, realise that any words you post could prevent another Owner from reaching out and doing the right thing, and that would mean an animal would be euthanised over being assisted.

I shall post what is known from his past Vet Records along with what our expert Vet Team will determine form examining and testing him.

We just had to find a way to step up to save him. Yes, we are financially overwhelmed with the ever mounting Vet Bills for BHRR’s Coupe and BHRR’s Royal Blu; yet, we just had to rescue this special needs Dane in urgent need of us too.

We know this is difficult times for all and have no right to beg for donations, yet, I have no ego or pride and shall continue to do what I need to to make miracles happen for those in need of our highly specialised programs. So, I do beg and grovel and keep hope alive in my heart….

It is not going to be easy yet, I am going to focus on the possible, not the impossible….. 

If anyone may consider his own worthy cause, he has a file already set up at Eagleson Veterinary Clinic 613-383-8381 under ‘Walter’ for our Rescue

OR

you can donate via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via email transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com

Soon sweet boy, soon…you will be at the Hospital soon….

BHRR’s Royal Blu came to us via a request of a rescue transfer.

He came into their Rescue back in 2017; had two surgeries on one leg for a congenital Vulgras deformity; and as mobility had been improved, the other leg did not have surgery.

A surgery had been done on the one eye, for cherry eye and as is very common, it failed.

He had been adopted about 7 months ago and recently a dog bite occurred in the adoptive home.

We are told that he love kids and is good with other dogs, people etc. and was therefore adopted to a home with two children, 5 & 8.

Unfortunately, recently, an incident occurred in the adoptive home.

We have been told that this boy has always been a ‘bit iffy’ around food & has demonstrated past behaviours of some food resourcing issues.

He was in the kitchen when food was being prepared and one of the children was also in the kitchen, petting/touching him.

To be honest, let me state that if this Dane wanted to cause damage he could have and did not. He snapped and as the child is as tall as he is, a connection was made – and I have seen a picture of the bite. Bruising, teeth grazing with one spot from the angle of the picture that I can see broken skin. A scary moment for all involved.

This was not an easy decision for this home who adopted him to return him to the rescue. In turn, the rescue reached out to BHRR to see if we could safe harbour him.

We are here to 100% support the rescue and this adoptive home during this truly heart-wrenching time.

He arrived to BHRR February 22nd and we had him at the Vet February 23rd as we had some concerns.

He has been diagnosed with:

1) Severe Entropion
2) Eye infections
3) Cherry Eye
4) Vulgras Deformity – the right leg is much worse than the left

*He was scheduled on March 10th for his eye surgeries yet, that has had to be postphoned. It will be rescheduled ASAP.

On March 17th, per Dr. Philibert, ortho specialist states that he believes that BHRR’s Royal Blu needs bilateral corrective osteotomies. He has requested additional pictures of BHRR’s Royal Blu standing and from the side.

We have kept his previous Rescue also updated and shall continue to do so.

They have made an incredibly generous donation to his care.

Donations can continue to be made direct to Eagleson Veterinary Clinic 613-383-8381 or via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org OR via email transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com *Please let us know the password.

My final post of my night!

All of the winners of our flash online auction have now been notified via posts in the album, so please check the item(s) that you bid on! 

Additionally, with spring, it brings mud and it means lots and lots and lots more of daily laundry and in this picture; we are down many dogs beds as we work both of our washers nonstop to get them constantly cleaned!

For those not yet aware, BHRR’s Coupe – seen in this picture -is also now bunking in with The Boerskins and has settled in beautifully. He is such a low maintenance chill dude! 

With COVID-19 on the minds and conversations of so many, we sincerely hope that everyone is doing as well as can be expected during these uncertain and worrisome times.

Per a previous post made, The Boerskins are in self-isolation as Sean was away in SF and while he can work from home; I sadly; cannot and no work means no income and we deeply can empathise with everyone that is in the same situation. The Boerskins are all doing well overall and we are keeping the world in our hearts and best thoughts……

I do know that I find it hard not working as I know how busy my fellow veterinary team members have been at EVC and I wish I could be there assisting them.

From our home to all of our friends, family and supporters, good night wishes are being sent and please do remember that, if, we can do anything to assist you during your own time of need; please never hesitate to reach out……as a community we must be there for each other, united and keeping that social distancing so that we can flatten the curve.

BHRR’s Coupe – NewfX
March 10th, 2020

He had his Dental and did fabu! Despite having some worn and chipped teeth, his Vet found that via a great mouth exam plus in taking/reviewing all of his Dental x-rays that no extractions were needed at this time! The roots are strong plus healthy! YAY!

He had an excellent teeth cleaning thanks to his former emerge foster Mama and was loved on by all of my fellow staff members!

He is famous at EVC! 

While he was under, he had another good nail trim and when he was in post-op recovered; he had his anal glands done. The left was empty yet, his right was quite full. He will feel even better now!

This was BHRR’s Coupe’s second surgery and we await his ortho specialists directives as to when he will have his bilateral arthoscopic and bone debridement surgeries on his front legs.

His bills continue to mount for in addition to these surgeries; he remains being treated for Heartworm and on strong antibiotics for his deep penetrating bone infections in both front legs.

Re: the two bullets that we found in him – he may have more as his whole body has not been x-rayed; they remain a ‘wait and see’ and are not the top priorities at this time.

For everyone that has met this handsome boy to date; you will understand just how worthy plus deserving he is of all of the support in the world!

To those that have donated to his cause to date; THANK YOU! To those that have sent well wishes; THANK you!

To those wanting to support his cause; you can continue to make donations directly to his Vet Bills at Eagleson Veterinary Clinic – over the phone due to the current COVID-19 precautions having been implemented 613-383-8381

OR via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via email transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com
*Please let us know the password that you use!

OR you can make a bid in our current flash online auction!!! The link to the album of 37 amazing items is HERE and gentle reminder that this flash online auction ends tonight – Thursday March 18th @ 9 PM EST.

Saturday Mornings be like….

BHRR’s Percival, our gorgeous fox red Labrador remains Available for Adoption!

Thank you to his fabulous foster Mama for taking such excellent care of him! 

BHRR’s Royal Blu
March 13th, 2020

As I recover from some surgery had earlier this week, this boy has been the best hot water bottle, bed hogger, snuggle bug, drooler and companion a girl could wish for!

He was to have his own surgery on March 10th – bilateral entropion surgery along with a cherry eye yet his foster mama(FEEL better soon) took a nasty fall and is healing from a fractured arm.

So, he is back bunking back in with moi and doing fabu!

He has been learning manners as he clearly felt he was ‘king’ and he is coming along beautifully. He can still be grumpy to some of the other dogs yet, is learning to share wonderfully!

Everyone in our home must share the communal water bowls and he is now doing this nicely.

We do not reward inappropriate displays of behaviour and not long after his arrival, he wanted to rear up with SA type behaviours and that was a big no-no.

AND after only a few days of marking the correct behaviours, passively ignoring after a calming word/touch all inappropriate signs of behaviour; he is fantastic.

He bonded hard and fast to me and has been guided plus encouraged to learn to like his own company, to self-soothe, selt-comfort and to self amuse. We are not here to set him up for failure.

We are not here to create ‘monsters’ in manners or behaviours. SA is what my PhD is in and he is an excellent pupil.

We took him off of all behavioural modifcation medications shortly after his arrival to get to know and understand him and to best assess plus put together the right program for him.

He has not had any need to go back on any medications.

He reacts as we act to things as is often the case with most dogs.

He is quite chill and in any situation that he is exposed to that is new or foreign to him, we work to set him up for success and now, he just takes things in stride. Cautious yet curious which we want him to be interested in this big gorgeous world around us!

We have stress tested him also and his first reaction is avoidance…not fight….proving that the bite he had in his prior home was him escalating his communication re: his level of being uncomfortable with what is going on.

He has been in the kitchen as we have cooked, cleaned up etc. and he has been respectful, not one issue with resourcing.

The one thing that he is clear with his level of being uncomfortable is in the taking of his collar at times. He will mouth. Not bite, not growl, yet mouth. We do not push the boundary further at this time. We also have our theories on this yet, we are not setting him up for failure. We will get there….

When he communicates with his body language that he does not wish to have his collar touched, we just take a leash – many of them at easy reach, ask him to sit, hook him up and off we go. No issues….

I am extremely proud of his progress to date and we remain also waiting to hear from his ortho specialist re: those legs. He was to be back from Vacation in early March and are aware that he is a very busy man.

We will have BHRR’s Royal Blu’s eyes rescheduled ASAP.

AND thanks to all for their patience as we work to get our Flash Auction set-up. We have been very busy behind the scenes as well as mourning the death of two BHRR doggies….