This is BHRR’s Burst Secret Valentine present!
Thank you to her Secret Admirer, Elaine Giles for being her special Valentine’s Day Angel!
Gentle Reminder to the BHRR Valentine Angels; that if we could have your gifts/financial donations by February 12th – that will give us time to ensure that the fosters get theirs in time for V-Day!
Thank you!
My last post of my night – Busy day over here!
BHRR’s Coupe(NewfX) is moving under a PENDING ADOPTION!
We shall update as we can!
From our home to all of our friends, family and supporters, the warmest of good night wishes are being sent!
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!
Today, he had his annual at LAH.
He had a great drive in. With being so worried about so many things, to set him up for success, I did give him Trazodone last night and then again today. There truly is no need to watch an animal struggle and stress when we have the means to lessen their emotional load.
So, we just relaxed in the vehicle and people came and went and animals came in and out and only twice did he become reactive.
Remember that a reactive dogs is not trying to give us a hard time. They are trying to tell that they are having a hard time. AND we should be listening and helping them.
I told him that he was ok and then passively ignored and he barked about 3-4 times and then quieted down. No lunging or growling. Once he quieted down, he was told that he was a good boy, I thanked him for being such a good boy and rewarded him with a Benny Bully treat.
This one car stopped and parked close beside us and that man was quite intimidating to him. Well, the man forgot something and after leaving his vehicle, got to the side walk, turned around and came back. Mr. Caramel just looked at him, ears focused and body a bit tense, yet, not a peep when he came back to his car and left again.
I was so proud of BHRR’s Caramel and told him how proud I was and he was given a teat. His tail wagged so much, he was so happy!
From then, he just laid down and we waited for our apt.
About 15 minutes prior to his apt., I went in, prepared his vaccines and got a muzzle – muzzles are not punishment. For dogs with impulse control issues and being worried about a lot of things; this can be a great safety and not just a training tool.
We have muzzled trained Mr. Caramel and he took the treats, put his face into the muzzle on his own volition and his wonderful Vet did the apt. in the parking lot. So much less stress and strain for BHRR’s Caramel.
He never once growled or panicked – did step away when it came to his ears being looked at yet, that is around his face and he settled down well. No issue with his eyes being looked at. His Vet let him check out the stethoscope and his heart and lungs were given a big thumbs up!
The Vet was able to do a very thorough exam – other than teeth(wearing a muzzle) – yet, we do check his teeth regularly at home and we did not have any concerns.
He was great with all of his vaccines – 4 pokes – and his body condition was perfect. We did not do a weight – that meant bringing him into the Clinic where there were animals leaving from their surgeries today and was quite the busy place.
While I would have loved to know what he weighed as he looks marvelous! – his comfort zone is the priority.
He just thinks that others are out to eat him and I did tell his Vet the story about BHRR’s Lilly and how she made it clear that they were going to be bff’s and they are! She did not give him a choice!
He has BHRR’s Fred, my two Wolfies, BHRR’s Lilly, BHRR’s Burst as his great friends and now has added the 3 Musketeers to his set up for success close friend circle. You can see that he and BHRR’s Dean are getting closer too…one day at a time.
He no longer runs away from the other dogs and does not bark at them the way he once did yet, he still remains quite suspicious of them despite the hard efforts of many of them to love him!
He is who he is and needs a understanding patient right matched personality fit home that will continue to help him be the best dog he can be. He has so much potential and from where he came from when he first arrived to how he is now; is light years!
We do not hide him from the world. We just keep his world as big as he can handle and that too is light years from where it once was. He goes to the drive through – loves plain timbits! and chicken McNuggets too, special rare treats! AND we make each trip an adventure of great experiences.
He will never be a dog park dog – we do not like dog parks to begin with. He will never be the dog that wants to be the center of attention or the life of the party yet, if you are just patient and calm and quiet and give him time; I can guarantee that you will have one of the most loyal, biggest personality clown filled amazing of dogs ever.
He wears his emotions on his sleeve and his heart is massive.
I love that he is so honest in his feelings and that he now trusts that I will not set him for failure.
If that right matched personality fit home never comes along; that is fine too…always is….he lives an awesome life with us.
He is my late night study buddy – yes, as some are now aware I have gone back to school for yet, another degree – he is the last adorable canine mug I see at night when I close my eyes and one of the first faces I see when I wake up in the morning.
Simply put, I adore him and he is a gorgeous diamond in the rough!
This is a picture of us on our drive in and he is wearing his brand new Wiggle Bumz collar compliments of his collar angel Tracey! What a gorgeous choice for him!
Another picture of him as he is just so darn photogenic!
Health Status: HEALTHY! He will need a home that will continue to ensure that he has Deramaxx and Gabpentin as needed and will remain on his HeartGard Plus year round. He will also need a microfilaria blood test every 6 months.
*THIS IS MANDATORY TO ANY HOME THAT IS APPROVED TO ADOPT HIM!*
He will NOT go to a home that seeks to make him fat or obese – yup, one of my biggest pet peeves! He is lean and looks fantastic! His legs will not benefit whatsoever from being fat or even plump.
Personality/Temperament: Loving, affectionate, sweet, social, playful, quietly active, gentle, kind, and if not handled properly – he has the propensity to develop SA behaviours. If allowed, he will pull so he needs someone that will ensure that he continues to mind his wonderful manners that he has learned.
Previous Dog Experience: Previous dog experience is ideal yet not required if that right matched home is set up for success. While it would be lovely to see him in a home with another right matched fit dog; it is not required. It is important that he has a strong doggie network as he needs friends too!
Good With Cats: He has proven to be good with cats – he had two foster homes with cats. Integration is always key!
Good with Pocket Pets: Unknown.
Good with Children: He has been fine with children and we will consider homes that have children 10 and up and no more than 3 children in a home.
He loves treats and loves to be around his humans. He is affectionate and loving in his very special way and does not ask to sit on you or climb into your shower! The way his eyes follow me as I go about doing house chores or working on the computer is humbling. His gorgeous eyes are soul reaching and kind. His eyes tell a tale of an extremely tough life. He is a thoughtful thinking kind of dog. He likes to observe things and think them over before making a decision.
He is so much better about asking for loving. He will roll on his side and lift up one leg to get his tummy rubs plus pats.
He was so serious when he first arrived into rescue. Now, he has many moments of just letting himself go to enjoy the experiences found in adventuring. Though, he is 3+ years of age; he now has some puppy moments of sheer joy of life.
Trail walks/hikes – a few kms daily are his jam. He needs to have offleash time and not just leash walking. He can often be found sitting in the highest parts of our hills in our 3+ safely fenced in acreage surveying the land. Many a day, I wish I knew what he was thinking about as he is looks deep in thought.
Anxieties/Worries: He has the ability to develop SA behaviours and we have worked extensively to set him up for success. He has learned to like and love his own company and to know that we are coming home. It is integral that the right matched personality fit home does not spend 24/7 with him. During this pandemic, we still need groceries, we should still go out and walk about the block or two; we should still get in our cars and go for a small drive to
As we have stated for over 25 years now, we will NEVER rush any dogs’ rehabilitation journey, we do not flip dogs and we are not desperate to adopt them out.
We will always place up for adoption the dogs that are able to be adopted and safe haven any others that due to medical and/or behavioural reasons are not able to be placed up for adoption.
We do not take in hundreds of dogs yearly; we only took in 16 dogs in 2020 as it is about helping the next in need of us, giving them top quality care and not about taking in numbers.
After 25+ years; we remain knowing that we cannot please everyone and that means that BHRR is clearly not the rescue to be followed, supported, believed in by everyone. We remain small plus mighty and as we go through this next transitional stage for BHRR; we shall continue to operate with a zero tolerance approach plus providing up and beyond care to the animals.
Our mandates have never changed and they will remain the same as long as we are around; the animals shall always be done right by as our priority.
Our adoption success rates remain second to no other group out there and we are excited to go through 2021!
BHRR’s Oslo!
He was also at the Vet on the 25th for a recheck.
The Vet did a very thorough knee and hip exam and we discussed repeating x-rays and we agreed that when we can neuter him – age and seizure control dependent – we can re-take some x-rays then. We know that he is getting worse….that is apparent and all of us are monitoring his QOL closely.
Additionally, with his IS, we will have to be very careful with his sedation protocol when/if we do proceed.
Per his Vet, we all know that both hips and both of his knees are bad yet, he struggles more on the back right hind end side. With his medical conditions, he understandably lacks muscle mass/tone in his hind end yet, his chest is very strong and his coat looks wonderful too!
He will remain on the 50 mg of Deramaxx daily along with the 120 mg of Phenobarbital every 12 hours.
We have a refill request in for his Keppra – he is now getting 1500 mg, every 8 hours.
We still plan on doing alternative therapies with him as COVID 19 will allow us.
The intent and goal is and always has been to give him quality of life and his Vet(who also does othro and has been part of his story from the beginning) believes that for how bad his knees plus hips present, that his quality of life remains good at this time.
We shall never see him or any of our dogs suffer. We will make the horribly difficult and painful decision when we need to as it has to be always about QOL not quantity of life.
He weighed 47.2 kg(103.84 pounds). He was just a wee bit on the plump side; not by much and his excellent foster home is doing an incredible job with and for him!!!!
We will be back in three months time – barring any emergencies for another recheck etc. He has remained seizure free since December 30th, 2021 and his pattern has been to have cluster seizures monthly at the present time.
If anyone may consider his so deserving cause to support, donations can be made direct to Liston Animal Hospital 613-591-0966 or Eagleson Veterinary Clinic 613-383-8381
OR via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org
*we just need to know the password.
Thank you in advance for any consideration to his bills.
Finances remain beyond tight for BHRR and we do not receive any corporate or government funding.
We must extend a public THANK YOU to the RESCUE angel that made a donation of $100! We are so so so so grateful!
This is a hoot of a picture sent from his lovely foster mama! The stories and pictures of him and his daily journey’s crack me up!
I was so tickled to see him myself on Monday as I had not seen him since December. He is such a softie and in some ways he is losing that baby face yet, in other ways, he remains having that adorable wee monkey face!
On a side note: we have a date for BHRR’s Symba’s second TPLO surgery – May 4th. This will give us time to continue to fundraise and come April, we will be back doing our 2nd year of popular Nail Trim/Ear Cleaning Drive-Way events!!!
Mr. Symba!
He is having a much deserved snooze after his big day today at LAH.
He had a very busy day! It was a busy and expensive day for BHRR too….
Mr. Symba had his post-op follow-up plus x-rays to see how his leg has healed from his TPLO procedure.
THUMBS UP given! He was such a good boy too….such a good boy getting his x-rays done.
We can now move on getting a surgery date with Dr. Philibert for his right leg TPLO surgery.
Bad news is that his right leg is deteriorating. After he had a thorough check on it, he has not been weight bearing – he is on Gabapentin and Deramaxx. The cold weather and the icy conditions are not helping.
We hope to be able to get a surgery date ASAP.
After being pampered plus spoiled with treats and love, he is now all wonderfully drugged up, including with some Trazodone and snoring away. Rest is best for him tonight.
We also still need to raise another $3,000 for his second TPLO.
613-591-0966
OR via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org
*we just need to know the password.
This boy continues to just charm all those that meet him. He is such a deam-boat of a personality plus dog!
Thank you in advance for any consideration to his bills.
Finances remain beyond tight for BHRR.
I will be posting re: BHRR’s Oslo’s own apt. today shortly and we are still seeking a February Sponsor or Sponsors for his bills – with the increase in both Keppra and Gabapentin; his monthly bills are running close to $800
AND Miss Olive still needs her own February Sponsor or Sponsors for her bills – She is now close to $900/month for her bills
We would be deeply and forever grateful for even a $5 donation.
BHRR receives no corporate or government support. Most of our bills are covered out of our own pockets and we truly would be appreciative for any rescue angel donations.
She had repeated thyroid tests while being perma-fostered due to continued weight gain – all results were normal – and much conversation was had re: diet and exercise. Regular concern had been expressed re: her weight gain, her ever growing senior age and how unhealthy this weight gain was.
Since she has come back, she has lost all of the weight that she had put on, she has muscled/toned up and is still going strong! She has remained a big BHRR fav for so many!
These days she sleeps a lot yet, still has playful moments!
BHRR’s Athos – one of our lovely 3 Musketeers had his de-twinkling appointment on Tuesday, January 19th!
He weighed 50.8 kgs(111.76 pounds) and we also microchipped him at the same time. When he is done growing, he may well top 125 pounds at a nice and lean level. Only time will tell as he could have a growth spurt and be bigger. As long as he is healthy and happy, it does not matter.
Hard to believe that he was once this emaciated, dirty puppy. He is growing into a truly handsome young man!
Once he recovers, he will have his own special announcement to make.
His brother BHRR’s Porthos was also to be neutered on Tuesday yet, he hurt his leg in the huge snowstorm last Saturday and his appointment has now been rescheduled.
This picture was taken on our drive-in – I gave him Trazodone the night before and the morning of to make things more comfortable and less worried for him. Anything that can be done to lessen a dogs’ stress level should be done to give them the best vet apt. experience possible.
So, his eyes are showing that he is doped up.
Someone had a lot of careful fun today in the Winter Wonderland and he is now out for the count and snoring up a storm!
On January 25th, he has his post-op recheck including x-rays that Dr. Philibert shall review and hopefully; we can then book the other leg for a TPLO surgery.
BHRR’s Symba is truly a love…..
BHRR’s Caramel with my two Wolfies – Torin & Brogan!
Winter Wonderland Day here at BHRR. 25 cms expected before it is all said and done.
They are very intently looking towards the horse barn for whatever reason.
Mr. Caramel was to have his annual today yet, I postponed it yesterday due to this big storm system heading our way.
BHRR’s Coupe was at the Vet today for his annual – vaccines and to have a recheck on those new front legs of his!
Since he first arrived to BHRR, just shy of 1 year ago; he has had 3 surgeries – fb plus pexy, dental and bilateral elbow arthroscopic surgery; we also found no less than 2 bullets in him, was found out to be heartworm positive; had a deep penetrating leg wound, was diagnosed with un united anconeal process, ruled out fungal osteomyletitis plus blasto and the list goes on……AND through all of his treatments plus surgeries, he has been a gem of a dog!
He has learned manners and muscled/toned up and the healthier he became, the stronger he got, the happier and friendler he also became. AND for those who met this dog at the beginning of his journey would have stated that he was one mighty fine and happy dog then! He is over the moon happy now. He is playful and so affectionate and though, shall always have a slight permanent limp – golfball sizes of bone chips/fragments were taken out from his leg surgeries December 1st – nothing is holding him back!
He weighed a very consistent 39.7 kgs(87.34 pounds) and looks marvelous!
He was given a thumbs up today at his Vet Visit at EVC and it was so nice for the Vet that did his first surgery on February 6th, 2020 to be the one to see him again today!
Mr. Coupe shall soon be ready to make his own special announcement.
Karen Boyd and Jane Smith- he has done so well and I cannot thank you both again for all you did to help get him safely to us! Karen, I am so glad I reached out to you to see if you had a dog in need that we could possibly assist with! He has been magnificent and it has been an honour to work with you/Sam/Jane once more.
Courtney Reil – thank you for emerge temp fostering him in TO and then driving him to EVC!
Cassy Montgomery – Thank you and John for also taking such great care of him too!
Thank you to everyone that gave him special play dates and play visits – Elaine Giles, Ashley Deon, Melanie Moore etc. during his extensive rehabilitation journey with BHRR.
Thank you ALSO to all of the rescue angels that donated to help us pay for his enormous Vet Bills!
We are very excited for his future and even Mr. Symba did not mind at all sharing his Mr. Bear Stuffie with Mr. Coupe!
Almost 1:30 PM in the afternoon and someone is still sleeping!
One would think that he had a really busy New Year’s Eve bash instead of a wonderfully quiet Boerskins Evening!
We really hope that 2021 is an incredible year for all of our friends, family and supporters.
