Month: May 2022

We have been working hard behind the scenes over the last 24+ hours on who we are calling our “Three’s Company” pups.
 
Originally, we were told there were 2, yet there are actually three.
 
They are 9.5 weeks old, two females, and one male.
 
We now have the owner surrender forms in our hands, and transport has been arranged. I will be making the drive shortly to meet up with the kind Vet Tech who worked to save them from being euthanised by the breeders. The breeders were not aware that there was a rescue out there for special needs dogs and were trying to do what they thought was best, euthanising them. They were very happy to note that there is a rescue that is an expert in special needs dogs, and surrendered them to our care. It warms our hearts to be able to be here to assist.
 
Once I have them safely in our care, we will post more along with pictures – we do not have any photos of them, and it does not matter to us!
 
We are calling them BHRR’s Janet, BHRR’s Chrissy & BHRR’s Jack!
 
We will then post re: needs!
 

My last post of my night!
 
As some are aware, I had a trip to emerge last night…that being said, I put some xpens around my desk to try and ensure I had some space to not get bumped….
 
Well, some Danes were not happy that they were not close enough to me! 
 
Miss Aramis, Mr. Porthos, and my Apex – laying down is my Salt(he was done ‘staring’ and was now pouting.
 
In the background is my Zero and you can also see Miss Giselle.
 
Those faces!!! 
 
From our home to all of our friends, family & supporters, the best of good night wishes are being sent!

Miss Agatha!
 
This is her after her first play date.
 
It has been a week since I picked her up.
 
A lot of progress & learning – on all sides! – has been had over this past week.
 
1) we have learned that while she has been fantastic in her crate overnight, she is not housebroken. My own Dane pup and the other dogs along with the humans in the house are showing her the ropes. She will get there.
 
2) she is learning proper social communication plus manners – while still bossy at times, she is learning that no one wants to play with her or be around her when she acts inappropriately.
She is being ignored or wonderfully corrected by the dogs when she acts like a boob.
 
She is now overall playing great with my Dane puppy, my IS & Mr. Romeo. She is going to have to earn the attention of other dogs for her bad manners are not encouraged nor tolerated by the clan.
 
3) she is excellent about us placing her bowl in her crate for feeding – she is eating much slower too as she knows no one is going to threaten or tease her.
She eats in peace and then has quiet time in her crate afterward.
 
She happily runs in, sits, and waits with a wiggly butt for us to feed her.
 
We are going to move from a slow feeder to puzzle feeders shortly as she is not wanting to eat as quickly.
 
She generally loves food plus treats! Being a petite framed girl, extra important to make sure she keeps her waistline.
 
This will be great mental stimulation for her!
 
So…..if anyone may be open to donating a puzzle feeder her way – hoping for two varieties! – we would be so grateful. 
 
4) she is learning to share the communal water bowls and dog beds – thanks again Jill C. for spoiling her with her own bed!
Thanks also to Rachel E. again for the gorgeous collar from Wiggle Bumz!
 
She does not have the self-control as of yet to share communal toys. That is a big ask of her at this time, yet we will get there.
 
She thinks she owns everything….it is not just about her thinking something is of high value.
 
She is making so many good choices since her arrival!
 
She is responding beautifully to the clear open communication, the structure, routine, obedience, the consistency.
 
Her first play date today made me proud of her. She certainly has a mind of her own, and you could see her thinking about how to have things her way.
 
She compromised, negotiated, and ended up having a grand time! She is smart this one!!!
 
We will be scheduling more play visits shortly!
 
We want her exposed to so many things to help her become that well-balanced girl. An asset to the home plus community.

Mr. Gravel!

This miracle boy turned 11 years young in April, and despite being palliative, he is going strong!

Another amazing BHRR DDD – Double-Digit Dane Club dog.

AND another very rare thing as darn few ever make it this far…..

I missed part of his head, and this was after he had a good ol’ dust bath roll in the dirt, yet his body condition is really great!

He was an incredible boy who almost never made it out of the high kill shelter…..so happy that we could get him.


He has been part of our Haven program since April 2017.

Our Haven program is the vast majority of what we do at BHRR, and we remain deeply and forever indebted to so many for standing strong by our sides since our inception in 1996.

Dogs like BHRR’s Gravel would not have had the amazing high-quality fabu life he has had since his rescue if it were not for the kindness shown to our Rescue.

There are so many ways to support BHRR:

1) Fostering

2) Did you know that you can virtually foster?
http://www.birchhaven.org/how-u-can-help/virtual-fostering

3) Walk/run/bike/skateboard/when doing errands etc., via the ResQ App. Anything over .16 kms can be logged. Does not use data unless you load a picture after you log a walk/run etc.
Since we first joined the ResQ movement, 62,611 kms have been logged, and $151.6 USD has come our way!
http://resqwalk.com/

4) Shopping via Flipgive So many amazing places such as Amazon, Expedia, Gas, Groceries, Clearly, Dining, Costco, Etsy, Activities, Movies, Canadian Tire, Hotels, Gift Cards and so much more!

The Team CODE to join our BHRR Team: F2M39S
https://www.flipgive.com/teams/185081…
Since we first joined: $679 has come our way!

5) Shop from our Amazon wish-list
https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/37GY3K4VNX0XX…

6) Opening up your driveway – we will do the rest for one of our still open 2022 dates!
*Easy to self-distance
We hope to be able to do events all over Ontario and into Gatineau!

  1. Sunday, July 10th, 10 AM – 3 PM
  2. Saturday, July 16th, 9 AM – 4 PM
  3. Sunday, July 17th, 10 AM – 3 PM
  4. Sunday, July 24th, 10 AM – 3 PM
  5. Saturday, July 30th, 9 AM – 4 PM
  6. Sunday, August 7th, 10 AM – 4 PM
  7. Saturday, August 13th, 9 AM – 4 PM
  8. Sunday, August 14th, 10 AM – 4 PM
 
7) Sharing animals that are available for adoption to help them find their forever-loving adoptive homes so that we can assist the next one in need!
https://www.petfinder.com/search/pets-for-adoption/…

8. Make a regular donation OR a one-time donation via PayPal
http://www.birchhaven.org/how-u-can-help/paypal


9) Donate your Empties
Since we first began to collect Empties in July 2016, we have had over $8,700 raised!
Here are our drop-off locations
http://www.birchhaven.org/how-u-can-help/louise-peterson

10) Be creative and host a fundraiser of your own to help us continue to help those in need of our highly specialised programs.

 

AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!

BHRR’s Simon is AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!

Health Status: HEALTHY! We would ideally like to do a transitional adoption with Mr. Simon to ensure that he is not anxious or stressed. He internalizes his worries which then can manifest with him doing excessive grooming. We had to place him on a very low dose of Trazodone to help him from self-comforting by licking his feet/lower legs.

Age: ~3.5 years old!

Weight: ~105 pounds – still relatively lean & could use a bit more in muscle mass/weight

Type of Home Ideal For Mr. Simon: He is an overall chill, calm boy. He likes his walks and interacts well with people he meets, yet, he needs a quieter/peaceful physical activity level home. A home that understands that he once used to live in a barn and to help him learn about this big fantastic world that we live in. He has come SO far with sights, smells, and sounds! His current foster resides in Kemptville, so he sees/hears/smells many incredible things. They live off a busy road – the 43 –, and he does great. What we want is for him to live a quality, filled, wonderful life.

We want him to be happy, to live his best life each and every day. We want him to reach his full potential! We do not want him kept in a bubble, yet there is that balance in ensuring that he is not overstimulated and then feels overwhelmed. He will then shut down. It has taken a long time to have him/Mr. Lewis, too, decompress. He can be in a home that works ft; pt works from home is semi-retired or retired, etc. He is another versatile BHRR dog! He will ONLY go to a home that is prepared to ensure that he receives the balance he requires with proper exercise, socialisation, etc. He should go to a dog-experienced home, one that remains committed to his obedience, structure, consistency, and to be patient, kind, understanding, and not hermits.

He does not have to specifically go to a Saint Bernard experienced home. A home that is not over the top social – he can alert bark when people first arrive at his foster home. He has been given treats, then passively ignored, and even placed in his Crate to process the new arrivals. Gwendilin Boers was over recently, and this approach worked excellently by meeting first outside, then going inside. He made only one soft ‘woof’ in his Crate, and when he came out, just a calming word, passively ignored, given lots of treats, and they were fast friends. A home that has anxious owners is not suitable for a dog that has been working through his own level of anxiety. He needs a quietly confident owner(s). He is not be babied or felt sorry for. That is not in his best interest. He needs a human leader(s) that will help guide, direct, and instruct in a positive, balanced manner that demonstrates to him that he is ok. He loves home, yet; he also likes his walks. We are not advocates of dog parks. He needs a home that will give him new positive and great safe, memorable experiences. If you are a home that likes to take long slower walks/hikes/strolls, Mr. Simon could be for you. He will never be a marathoner, and is not meant to be a running partner, yet he is lovely to have as a great companion for way more than a block or two of walking, etc.!

Personality/Temperament: Loving, affectionate, calm, quiet inside the home yet can be vocal when visitors arrive. He needs to be emotionally/physically properly stimulated, uber-sweet, social, active in his way, gentle, plus kind. If not handled properly – he has the potential to develop SA behaviours. He is not an overly active dog. He needs consistency, structure, routine, plus clear open communication so that he understands exactly what is being expected of him. He has mastered the lawn rolling, is figuring out how to play, and is still learning what a dog bed is for!

Previous Dog Experience: Previous dog experience is required per the above. While we would ideally like to see him in a home with at least one right-matched personality fit dog – he has been OK with both males/females, yet leaning more towards a female, it is not a deal-breaker. He lives in a foster home with a female Newfx, rabbits, and a cat who thinks he is a dog(Gwennie LOVES this cat!) and interacts well with them!

Good With Cats: His present foster home has a cat. Integration is always crucial.

Good with Pocket Pets: His current home has pocket pets & operates a Rabbit Rescue.

Good with Children: NO children. Children are fast, flighty, unpredictable, spastic, plus loud. We will consider homes with responsible teenagers 16+.

Grooming: He is OK to wash and do nails. He needs to be brushed regularly, and we recommend a few sessions yearly of professional grooming – with an experienced groomer – to keep his gorgeous coat looking its best.

Car: He has also come SO far with car rides – getting in and out of the vehicle. He is learning that the world has so many fab adventures to experience!

Housebroken/Crate Trained: He is housebroken and Crate trained – he sleeps in a colossal crate. We never recommend that any new addition be given too much freedom to start. It can be very overwhelming plus too stimulating for them.

Obedience: He requires a home that will be consistent and dedicated to continuing to help him become the best dog that he can be. His potential is enormous! His leash manners have come a long way. He can pull at times, yet he is learning.

Activities Suited For Him: He is calm plus has fantastic manners, and to us, he is low maintenance.

He would excel in being an incredible loyal family member.

Loves & Bad Habits: He can drool. He does bark when visitors arrive.

He loves treats – Benny Bully Liver treats are the best!

Like any dog, he is not perfect. He is perfect in all of his imperfections, though! NOT to mention gorgeous!

He is an exceptional boy!

Anxieties/Worries: 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; we should still get in our cars and go for a small drive to go somewhere to do something! Time has been spent having him learn to not only like yet enjoy his own company. As we need our alone time, he must do too. He is a solid and stable dog, yet anxiety does brew under the surface as we work through years of being kept in a barn. It shows up with him licking his feet/lower legs. He BONDS fast to his humans.

As we have stated for over 26 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 can be adopted and safe haven all others that cannot be placed up for adoption due to medical and/or behavioural reasons.

We do not take in hundreds of dogs yearly; we only took in 6 dogs in 2021 as it is about helping the next in need of us, giving them top-quality care, and not about taking in numbers. In 2022, we have ONLY taken in 5 dogs to date.

After 26+ years, we know that we cannot please everyone, which means that BHRR is not the rescue to be followed, supported, and 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 – 100% for over ten years of operating, and now 99% as we go through year 26, and we are excited as we go through this slow transition for BHRR!

You have come so far, Mr. Simon, and we are delighted that you are making your special announcement!

They are moving out of the country in June, and do not want to ship him as cargo.
 
We are awaiting the owner’s surrender form to begin making arrangements to bring him to the rescue.
 
Thank you again Melanie & Connor for stepping up to emerge temp foster. Fostering saves lives! We cannot do r/q rescue alone. We need those strong links on our BHRR CHAIN OF SUCCESS. 
 
We will update as we know more, and once we have him, we will post re: needs.
 
Hopefully, soon you handsome boy!

BHRR’s Lewis – getting new teethies! He says, ‘CHEESE!’

Miss Agatha(4.5 months old) is being shown the 3+ acre yard ‘ropes’ by one of my own Danes – Miss Agatha is a bit older than my Dane.
 
It does not take long to learn a lot about a dog when you can get hands-on……
 
1) Miss Agatha needs to learn how to do proper dog-to-dog communication – she is bossy, resources, has poor play manners – our water bowls are communal, and we will NOT go after the other dogs.  She even went after my Dane puppy. That was quickly corrected.
 
We have rules, we will live in harmony, and we will not have any dog be higher in the hierarchy than any other dog.
 
Puppy license only goes so far, and resourcing does not fall under the puppy license for us humans or the other dogs.
 
She is going to be fed in her crate – having wonderful quiet closed crate time now after having a small supper. She will learn that she will be fed enough, fed on time, and that no one – human or animal is going to touch or take her food – at her age plus past, she can interpret this as threatening and/or teasing. She will not hesitate at this moment to growl, or lunge at anyone – dog or human – who she feels is threatening her with anything that she feels is high value – in this case, food, water bowls, and even toys.
 
AND I most certainly am not going to allow her to develop resourcing behaviour over me.
 
There is more than enough time for her to learn trust plus respect, and how it works both ways, and that we will be able to take things from her without issue WHEN we need to. Many dogs feel safer and have more self-control eating in a crate or spot closed off from whatever they feel may threaten them.
 
That the water bowls, toys, etc., are for sharing. Always have been and always will be.
 
She has a slow feeder bowl, and she ate very well from it. No frustration or issues at all. I put the bowl down and was able to lock up the crate gently with my hands near her face/bowl without her feeling stressed. Good girl!
 
2) Miss Agatha needs to learn manners – she jumps on humans – which is not acceptable.
 
3) Miss Agatha has a backbone – while initially coming across as unsure – she is not as unsure as we once thought she may be – from what we have been told about her past. She is a bit shy and uncertain yet, quickly reassured, passively ignored, and off she goes.
 
It is a very rare dog that can come into a large multi-dog home and just want to ‘take it over.’ At 4.5+ months of age, she is one of those dogs and a puppy to boot.
 
Soooooooo, she needs to learn manners, self-control, and direction, and while the majority of our dogs will walk away, thank goodness we have several that are going to teach her far more than we ever could in how to conduct herself. They will correct her….and appropriately plus effectively.
 
4) She is a bit high maintenance. She has latched on to me as ‘her person,’ and we are working on sharing the Gwennie. She looks to me for amusement, assurance, stimulation, etc., and she has to learn how to self-amuse, self-soothe, self-comfort, and learn not just to like yet love her own company.
 
We are not doing any of these dogs any favours by allowing them to call all of the shots, to baby them, to feel sorry or pity for them, give them way too much attention – yes, that is very possible and happens to a lot of dogs.
 
Anxiety and separation anxiety, in particular, are very present with her just waiting to go from simmering to overflowing, and we are going to teach her to manage and modify this so she is not worried. That there is no reason to be anxious. She will learn that she is ok and is going to remain being ok.
 
She has four very strong legs, with an equally strong backbone plus heart, she is smart – she watches me closely, she thinks, she sizes things up and sorry Miss Agatha, I ‘GOT your number.’ I will not be manipulated, no matter how adorable you may look! 
 
She is a Dane that if you give her an inch, she is going to pull that inch into a mile and take all that she can. She is so good ‘at working a room.’
 
She will learn that she is not the center of attention, and that is not to the benefit of any dog.
 
Being a puppy is not an excuse for poor manners, behaviours….it can be a reason for why a dog is a way they are – and, the answer is to work with those reasons towards effective resolution. Miss Agatha, you and I are going to have plenty of ‘conversations’ as we work towards helping you become the best puppy you can be….. 
 
AND Miss Agatha it is NOT ok to urinate on a dog bed. That is indicative of one of four things:
 
1) a UTI
2) that you know you are not supposed to urinate in the house
3) demonstrating a strong behavioural marking trait
4) letting us know that you are displeased – which I know you are as welcome to BOOT camp! 
 
Oh, Miss Agatha….I am so happy to finally meet you….this is going to be an adventure! 

I have Miss Agatha(4.5 months old) and we are just at a pit stop in Kingston.
 
Long drive down yesterday, assisted with a spay/neuter vaccine clinic and then this AM met up with BHRR’s Agatha’s emerge temp foster in Newmarket.
 
Making the long drive – 4+ hours home now….
 
She is travelling very well. Some anxiety – which we already knew from her previous home – yet a calm word, then passively ignoring has seen her settling down for a nice snooze!
 
She is a petite female….adorable!

This is James, a 13-year-old neutered German Shorthaired Pointer
 
His owners are moving and do not wish to fly him as cargo and therefore wish to surrender him.
 
What we also know: Unknown with cats, good with people including kids, housebroken, no resource issues, not destructive, does not bark, good in the car, said to be sweet, obedient, has leash manners, happy and healthy.
 
Dog parks are not recommended as he is a senior and leash introductions are best-done off-leash as also being a senior, not ideal.
 

 

AND the patience pays off….she emerges from the bushes! 
 
Miss Gretta (11.5 years young!) 
 
Our Haven program is the biggest part of what we do at BHRR.
 
These dogs are safe havened and cherished for life…….
 
BHRR goes through almost 120 pounds of food a day. We remain deeply indebted plus humbled to all of our supporters for helping to keep BHRR strong since 1996!
 
Please consider allowing us to use your driveway in 2022……we receive zero government nor corporate sponsorship, and since COVID, our fundraising efforts plus donations have decreased by almost 65%. 
 
IF you would like to host us in 2022, please do email contactbhrr@gmail.com – We are looking for Saturdays and Sundays up until September.
We just need the use of your driveway, and we do the rest!
*Social distancing is easy to do!
 
Here are our dates until September if anyone is open to having us hang in their driveway!
We hope to be able to do events all over Ontario and into Gatineau, Quebec, again in 2022!

 

  1. Saturday, June 18th, 9 AM – 4 PM
  2. Sunday, July 10th, 10 AM – 3 PM
  3. Saturday, July 16th, 9 AM – 4 PM
  4. Sunday, July 17th, 10 AM – 3 PM
  5. Sunday, July 24th, 10 AM – 3 PM
  6. Saturday, July 30th, 9 AM – 4 PM
  7. Sunday, August 7th, 10 AM – 4 PM
  8. Saturday, August 13th, 9 AM – 4 PM
  9. Sunday, August 14th, 10 AM – 4 PM
  10. Sunday, September 18th, 10 AM – 4 PM
Thanks in advance for any consideration!
 
 
 

Today, a very beautiful sight was seen.

AND if one remains very quiet and calm, a shy and gorgeous creature could be seen partially concealed by bushes.

A bit elusive, readily startles at loud and unknown sounds plus sights. Yet, also so gentle plus sweet.

AND, if you are patient and soothing in body language, encouraging, and supportive in ever so softly spoken words, you will be greatly rewarded.

If you are extra lucky, this wonderful animal may even approach you and take a treat from your hand.

This is BHRR’s Gretta – 11.5 years old now – the last surviving FREEDOM Dane from the PAWS R Us bust in September 2011.

Since the fall of 2011, we have had her – bringing in her, her sister, and her mother, and having rescued so many of her relatives in the previous 15 years to 2011 too. We also brought in two unrelated Danes from that same seizure – BHRR’s Freedom & BHRR’s Cobalt.

We repaired her back cruciate – the scar visible even today, we thoroughly vetted her – continue to do so; she now has thyroid issues yet, is still going strong!

We worked hard on her emotional welfare. These dogs were as emotionally aa physically harmed – over 600 dogs were saved.

She is safe; she is adored; she is one of our DDDs – Double-Digit Danes; welcome to a club that far too few ever make Miss Gretta.

Come November, she will celebrate her 12th Birthday, and we are determined and committed to ensuring that she has a great year of health, happiness, plus spoiling!

 

Miss Agatha(Aggie) – 19 weeks
Born: December 23rd, 2021
 
The latest update from her lovely foster home: “She’s doing so well and is an active puppy when she’s not napping” & “Aggie has a super healthy appetite and is growing bigger everyday.”
 
Gwennie will be picking her up on May 13th, and she is scheduled for her next Vet visit(re-weigh, boosters, next flea/tick/hw/de-worming meds) on May 14th.
 
She is also booked for her spay in mid-June – yes, as stated earlier than we as Giant Breed experts would prefer, yet, we will not do any conditional adoptions, approve a home and leave her intact to be spayed later.
 
We have never had a dog in our program become pregnant. We shall remain responsible and not take any chances of this possibly happening by adopting her out before being spayed. Too many stories from too many groups of dogs being adopted intact, and then dogs getting pregnant or impregnating other dogs, or the rescues then getting into a legal battle with the adoptive home to enforce their contracts.
 
We are excited to finally get to meet her!
 

Mr. Lewis, my Apex, my Zero, Miss Lilly, and Mr. Porthos!
 
Mr. Lewis is getting more comfortable and settling in!
 
AND, a gentle reminder:
 
We still have the following dates open for our 3rd Annual ‘Drive Way Events’ for nails/ear cleaning!
 
This will be our major source of fundraising again in 2022.
 
We have some big bills for some really special Giant dogs!
 
IF you would like to host us in 2022, please do email contactbhrr@gmail.com – We are looking for Saturdays, Sundays up until September.
 
We just need the use of your driveway, and we do the rest!
*Social distancing is easy to do!
 
Here are our open dates for June & July if anyone is open to having us hang in their driveway!
 
We hope to be able to do events all over Ontario and into Gatineau, Quebec, again in 2022!
 
Saturday, June 18th, 9 AM – 4 PM
Sunday, June 19th, 10 AM – 3 PM
Sunday, July 10th, 10 AM – 3 PM
Saturday, July 16th, 9 AM – 4 PM
Sunday, July 17th, 10 AM – 3 PM
Sunday, July 24th, 10 AM – 3 PM
Saturday, July 30th, 9 AM – 4 PM
 
Thanks in advance for any consideration!
 

Mr. Pothos – One of our Musketeers.
 
He is recovering well from his emergency surgery.
 
He is shown here with Gwennie’s Apex.
 
What a gorgeous day to be out and about!

Mr. Chester(8-month Newf/Saint) says……

He is moving under a PENDING ADOPTION!

We will update as we can.

 

Mr. Lewis is supervising Gwennie while she shovels dirt in the fenced-in dog area.
 
A ton of work is being done this weekend with spring clean-up – lots of trees came down this winter in our 3+ fenced-in area for the dogs plus our front lawn.
 
Glorious weekend to work! Minus the black flies…..