Month: September 2022

THE ONLINE FACEBOOK FUNDRAISER FOR BHRR IS NOW LIVE!

Over 200 items!

HERE IS THE LINK TO JOIN!

Post from the wonderful organizers!

“Welcome to the online Fundraiser for Birch Haven Rescue and Rehabilitation.
A HUGE thank you to all of the local businesses and individuals who donated to make this auction possible.
100% of the proceeds raised will go to the rescue.
All the donated businesses have been linked in each item, if you are interested in an item, please consider clicking on their Facebook page and Like/Follow them.
Please read through all of the auction guidelines below.
Auction Guidelines:
1) There is a starting bid on all items
2) Please bid in a minimum $1 increment (just to clarify, you can bid any amount as long as it is a minimum $1 increase, it can be $2, $3, $4, $5 etc.)
3) The auction closes Sunday, October 9th, at 8 PM.
4) The winner will be contacted via Messenger with a pickup location, there are pick-up locations in Brockville (North End), Oxford Station, and Kanata.
5) Payment is due immediately following the end of the auction once notification has been received that you are the successful bidder
6) Payment is due via eTransfer to carol_bruck@hotmail.com
No password is required.
Happy Bidding, and thank you for your support!
Please see the album below to bid, thank you for your support and generosity for those currently in the rescue and those to come.”

AND The Bean paparazzi photos are in!
 
OMG! They are as amazing as I knew they would be!
 
They are 8.5 weeks old in these pics. Taken Thursday, September 22nd.
 
They are looking for foster or foster-to-adopt homes!
 
Miss Bev is going to her foster home later this week. 
 
FOUR more beans to place in foster or foster to adopt homes.
 
Liz never ceases to amaze me with her talent and patience.
 
Thank you to Richard, Katherine, Cassy & John for being Bean Wranglers! 

BHRR’s Albar, BHRR’s Maybelle Cutie, BHRR’s Ayla, BHRR’s Bev & BHRR’s Nola!

Yesterday, I spent a few hours with this handsome dude & his wonderful foster fam!
 
BHRR’s Mr. Titan!
 
He remains AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!
 
He is a WOW dog! He LOVES everyone, every dog, everything – gets so excited and is such a happy boy! Even with the one cat in the home, he has come so far – she is not a black squirrel to want to chase! He has had zero issues with their other cat. He is learning…..
 
You have come far, Mr. Titan, with your health, and now we work a bit more on those leash manners as you just want to see everyone!  You rocked our training session yesterday with me/your foster family, and it was truly lovely to see you again…… 
 
The healthier plus happy you have gotten, the younger you appear to be! I am still going to say ~5 yet, most likely a bit younger than that. You can ‘kanga-dane’ with the best of them! 
 
You will make that right-matched, forever-loving home THE most amazing of additions!
 
 
 
 

AND another one! He and Miss Chrissy have always been so unbelievably happy! Such joy!

Another of the fabu Mr. Jack!

AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!
 
Mr. Jack, one of our Three’s Company Pups is AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!
 
Health Status: HEALTHY!
*Mr. Jack is severely hearing/visually impaired
*He had a left eye enucleation on August 26th, 2022
 
Age: Born March 26th, 2022 (Almost six months)
 
Weight: 14.1 kgs(31 pounds) – He is a Mini Aussie

We want to keep him lean/muscled and fit.
 
Type of Home Ideal For Mr. Jack: He loves his walks and car rides and interacts well with people/dogs he meets, and we are hoping for a quiet, socially low-active level home. A residence that, while visiting family plus friends and has people over, is not hosting frequent BBQs or gatherings of large groups of people. We do not want to see him in a home with a high level of travel, with other people taking care of him. He is loyal and loves his humans, and we want him part of the family if they go camping, go to the cottage, or do other fun travels. His quietly social and needs a home that is like him. He would adore cottage life or hanging out at home with his family. Visiting friends, family, pet stores, the beach, and pet-friendly places are great too. We want an active home for Mr. Jack. As an Aussie, he is smart and must be kept physically and mentally stimulated.

He MUST go to a home that will continue to work on scent and touch training with him. A home that will not use vibration or shock collars. As Aussies can be prone to OCD behaviours, we recommend being careful with light training. Vibration training with the banging of door frames plus floors is great. So much time and effort has gone into having him be comfortable in his own skin, to not only like yet love his own company. He is quite confident and outgoing when he is comfortable and knows his surroundings. The pictures demonstrate how well he can move with being sure of himself. He will not go to a home that will feel sorry or pity him. That is of no benefit. He is normal to him, and to all that know and love him!

A home that understands and shall continue to help him learn about this big fantastic world that we live in. We want him to live a quality, filled, wonderful life rich with experiences. He is being fostered in a beautiful home in the Kemptville area yet can equally live comfortably in the city or country. We had fostered him in our house when he first arrived, and he is similarly lovely in either environment.

We want him to be happy, to live his best life every day. We want him to reach his full potential!

He is another versatile BHRR dog! He can be in a home that works ft; pt, works from home, is semi-retired or retired, etc. He will ONLY go to a home prepared to ensure that he receives the balance he requires with proper exercise, socialisation, etc.

He does not need to go to a dog or even an Aussie-experienced home. The home must be committed to his obedience, structure, and consistency, and to be patient, kind, and understanding, and while not hermits, they are not doing a hundred things each day. We want him to be treated as a cherished member in a right-matched forever-loving home.

He shares the communal water bowls and toys and understands that no human or dog will take his high-value food. He is fed in a quiet place and knows that he will be fed enough food, fed on time and that no one will take his food away.

He loves home and his friends – he needs canine friends! He also loves to explore, go on small hikes, walks, and car rides, and visit people/places that are not over the top busy. We are not advocates of dog parks. Many private properties rent out space for acreage rentals so that he can enjoy a controlled environment to run and zoom in.

He needs a home that will give him new positive and great safe, memorable experiences. If you are a home that likes to take infrequent walks/hikes/strolls, Mr. Jack is not for you…he is a healthy dog and needs to be kept emotionally and physically stimulated. He would make a great companion to get out into nature, explore and even enjoy the beach and have other exciting adventures! He can be a great cuddler when he wants to!

 
Personality/Temperament: Loving, affectionate, calm, sweet, quiet inside the home, yet loves to get outside to romp and run, and is a delightful, playful pup! He needs to be emotionally/physically properly stimulated, super lovely, social, active, affectionate, gentle, plus kind. He thrives with consistency, structure, routine, and clear open communication to understand exactly what is expected of him. He is SO praise-motivated. His whole butt wiggles and wags in happiness!
 
Previous Dog Experience: Previous Aussie experience is not required per the above, yet a home that will be committed to his wellbeing and make the minor adjustments required as he is hearing/visually impaired is essential. While we would ideally like to see him in a home with at least one right-matched personality fit dog – it is not a deal-breaker. He needs a doggie friend network. That is so important. We have friends, he needs friends too. He has enjoyed meeting other dogs! He has gotten along with every dog he has met in our home, and his foster has not said otherwise during his time with them.
 
Good With Cats: He has been OK with our clinic cat and the felines in his foster home.
 
Good with Pocket Pets: His foster home has rabbits.
 
Good with Children: NO small children. Children are fast, flighty, unpredictable, spastic, plus loud. We will consider homes with responsible children 10+ and no more than two children in the house. A home without children is our first preference, as we want Mr. Jack to be the priority. He has not had any issues with children. We had considered homes with younger children, yet, it would have to be an exceptional home.
 
Grooming: He is fine to wash and do his nails. He needs regular grooming to keep his coat healthy and looking his best.
 
Car: NO issues travelling in the car. He settles down beautifully.
 
Housebroken/Crate Trained: He is housebroken and Crate trained. 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! As per our adoption contract, a full round of obedience is required with all of our dogs. This is not about having a dog that ‘listens.’ This is about creating a mutually respectful bonding relationship that is strong. Trust and respect work both ways.
 
Activities Suited For Him: He would excel in obedience, and why not try agility, scent work, and herding – AND yes, we have had special needs dogs do herding classes! – etc., with him! He is a hoot! So eager to please! The sky is the limit with this boy! He is a dream pup! When he is older, he could make an incredible therapy dog too.
 
Loves & Bad Habits: Like any dog, he is not perfect. He is perfect in all of his imperfections, though! NOT to mention super handsome with his merle colouring. He can have some anxiety, especially since his eye enucleation, and this has been worked on as he adjusts to having even less vision.
 
He is an awesome dog! So low maintenance! He LOVES everyone and everything!
 
Anxieties/Worries: It is integral that the right matched personality fit home and 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, and we do not want any SA behaviours to develop.
 
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 16 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, 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. Jack, and we are delighted you are making your special announcement!

***Thank you again to Megan & her partner for temp fostering him & to Alison for taking his paparazzi pictures!***

 

Mr. Bruce is doing well.
 
He needs to learn about the comforts of a comfy dog bed….
 
I am told that he is very gentle about taking treats, has been introduced to their own dog, and was great & this picture gives an idea of how skinny he is.
 
He has a sore area between his toes on one foot and has been battling ear plus eye infections & they had put him on trazodone for his kennel anxiety. He is also on Gabapentin.
 
We will let him decompress, settle in, and work on gradually reducing his trazodone and getting him healthy.
 
He is understandably confused and nervous. So much change since his owner died, and then he has been in a shelter since the beginning of September.
 
He has an appointment with our vet scheduled for next Saturday so we can re-weigh – the shelter has him listed at 50 kg(110 pounds) & I am not sure if that is just an estimate. He will get more dewormer, be placed on more flea/tick/hw meds, we will do some bloodwork, and get boosters if he is healthy enough. We will check his ears and eyes, and he will have a thorough exam.
 
They also estimated his age to be around 3. As he becomes healthy and happier, we will check his teeth – not an accurate method either, yet a good tool – we can better determine his age.
 
So many see the ‘grey’ or ‘white’ muzzle and think older. The masking gene is a genetic marker and can emerge when a Dane is not even one year of age, like premature greying in humans. From the pics and video, I am estimating 2-3 years of age max myself. We will see!
 
 

Safe with his foster Mama!!
 
I cannot wait to meet you!!
 
He will have an apt scheduled with our Vet ASAP!
 
 
 

He is on his way!!!

 

****URGENT***
 
3-month-old female Newf/Pyr pup in need.
 
The shelter did cherry eye surgery on one eye – it failed – and now the other eye also needs to be done. The picture was before the first eye surgery failed.
 

She is only three months old.

We are calling her ‘Asante’ – Swahili for ‘Thankful/Grateful’ as that is how we feel towards so many that have come together to enable us to help her – From the Shelter reaching out, to the Volunteers stepping up to foster her, to the Vet Team that will be on hand to help us get her healthy and to the strong BHRR village that will surround her with support/kindness!

‘Asante’ – is also an African name meaning “thank you”

I know that this wee sweetheart shall also be thankful to be able to live the life she always deserved!

 
 

Stay tuned!
 
On Friday, September 16th, Mr. Jack, one of our special needs Three’s Company Aussie Pups, had his paparazzi photo shoot!
 
He will shortly be making his own special announcement. 
 
To date: $820 has been raised to go towards his emergency eye enucleation bills – the final bill was over $2,000 with the Trazodone I requested for him.
 
Thank you to Megan for fostering him and Alison for taking the wonderful photos.
 

AND you know you have a great toy WHEN everyone wants it! Originally, there were four Beans on the toy, yet, one became distracted, yet Carol managed to get a picture of three of them on the same toy just romping along!

Some more pics!

We have Miss Maybelle Cutie on her own, and Mr. Albar leads the charge in the other picture with Miss Bev hot on his heels and Miss Maybelle behind him. As to who is lying in the back….hmmm, not sure…we know it is either Miss Nola or Miss Ayla! 😀

*Pictures complimentary of Carol!

The Beans had their next play date today – thanks again to Katherine, Richard & Carol. 
 
I cannot believe we were there for over 3.5 hours!! I kept saying I did not want to overstay our welcome.
 
They had another amazing experience!
 
I was watching Miss Bev closely as she was trembling at the Vet yesterday when someone was holding her – she was only a bit worried during her vaccine, ok for nails, etc., yet trembled later when a staff member was holding her – yet, she was her normal, size everything up first before plunging right in to explore and snuggled and cuddled and was her loving self today! So, not sure why that was the case at one point yesterday yet, we are making sure all pups get safely exposed to many sights, sounds, and smells in trusted hands.
 
They turn eight weeks old tomorrow and have their professional photo shoot on the 22nd – weather permitting – to make special announcements!
 
I will be looking closely at the weather for other play visit opportunities for them too!
 

AND my last post of my night is a heavy-hearted one.
 
As folks know, we have our Three’s Company pups. We have been very upfront from our inception in 1996 about the medical issues DM(double merle) dogs can have.
 
AND, we have explained how the really special needs dogs like Miss Janet has been over her two siblings. We stated that we were unsure if she would ever be able to be placed up for adoption and that it did not matter to us. We were first told there were two DM Aussies, yet there were three, and we rescued them without hesitation.
 
We are always about trying to help the next in need of us……adoptions are not our priority, never have been. We would never place that kind of pressure on our dogs or ourselves to set that kind of expectation. The dogs do not lack for anything and are cherished for life. Those that are adopted that is wonderful; those that are not adopted, that is equally wonderful. They are safe….
 
Miss Janet was the most severely impaired – blind/deaf, and has done so well with her touch plus scent training.
 
We have worked to educate others that DM dogs can have IS, skin issues, IBS, IBD, neurological, behavioural concerns, etc., and not just have their eyesight and/or hearing affected.
 
Many DM dogs do not begin to have IS until they are 2-3 years of age. In those cases, our experience has demonstrated that many can continue to go on to live amazing quality-filled lives for years.
However, when a DM puppy, like Miss Janet(Mr. Oslo was the same way), begins to have seizures at such a young age – she is not even six months old – it is incredibly concerning, and QOL needs to be discussed/addressed with each seizure, especially when they are clusters.
 
All of this to say, that sweet Miss Janet, as of 9:39 PM last night, began to seize, and she seized so violently that she hit her head on the support bars of one of our end tables, wounding the top of her head quite badly.
 
She has begun phenobarbital, and we will add Keppra as needed.
 
It has now been almost 23 hours since her last seizure, and the journaling has begun.
 
This picture is an older one…..as she remains on seizure watch in emerge to be administered IV meds as necessary. Should she remain seizure free for 24 hours, she can be released.
We committed to her, as we did with her siblings, and we will fight the good fight with her…..
 
This also means she cannot remain on Nexgard Spectra for flea/tick/hw as it lowers the seizure threshold. Her spay is also being postponed and quite possibly not done if we cannot get her seizure activity under control to have a safe surgery protocol, including pre-med in place.
 
My heart is a heavy one tonight….yes, I well knew this can and could happen to any of our special needs Danes or dogs. It does not make the cross any easier to bear when it does. 
Her Vet Bills to date are just over $1,100
 
Please keep her in your thoughts. I love my wee Aussie babies…..they are so full of life and are personality filled & love everyone/everything!
 

The Beans Update!
 
This is Miss Maybelle Cutie – 6 weeks of age!
*A HUGE fav of the staff today – content to be held/loved. She is quite the quiet diva princess!*
 
Named thanks to Kendel & her two handsome young boyz! Thank you!
 
All of The Beans were at LAH today for their first vaccines – WOW! They will be eight weeks old on Saturday!
 
They have their paparazzi shoot on the 22nd and will be making some special announcements after that!
 
They also have another play date scheduled for tomorrow!
 
Thank you, Cassy, for loving on them today as they were brought in, and out by myself and some of my fantastic work colleagues! They got to hang out in the sun – they will soon be able to get out of the xpen! – have a snack, water, play, and pounce all over Cassy! 
 
Miss Nola – has a Grade 1/2 HM – it could be harmless, she could outgrow it, and we will monitor closely. Her hind end is strong now! YAY!
 
All puppies were re-weighed, thoroughly checked over, had their nails done, loved on, smooched, and they have their next de-worming plus will be old enough to begin flea/tick/hw meds. We will do that tomorrow. Having had their first vaccines today, they had a busy enough day.
 
Puppy 1 – 0.38 kgs – deceased as of 8:49 AM Thursday, August 4th(passed away just hours after they were surrendered to rescue)
 
Puppy 2 BHRR’s Nola – (Miss Fighter Bean)
August 4th – 0.38 kgs as well
August 8th – 0.62 kgs (1 lb, 6 oz)
August 11th – 0.82 kgs (1 lb, 12.8 oz)
September 15th – 4.9 kg (10.78 pounds)
 
Puppy 3 BHRR’s Beaver(Bev) – (Miss Explorer Bean)
August 4th – 0.48 kgs
August 8th – 0.71 kgs (1 lb, 9 oz)
September 15th – 4.7 kgs (10.34 pounds)
 
Puppy 4 BHRR’s Albar – (Mr. Warrior Bean)
August 4th – 0.46 kgs
August 8th – 0.79 kgs (1 lb, 12 oz)
September 15th – 5.2 kgs (11.44 pounds)
 
Puppy 5 BHRR’s Maybelle Cutie – (Miss Diva Princess Bean)
August 4th – 0.56 kgs
August 8th – 0.99 kgs (2 lbs, 3 oz)
September 15th – 5.3 kgs (11.66 pounds)
 
Puppy 6 BHRR’s Ayla (Miss Busy Mobile Bean)
August 4th – 0.64 kgs
August 8th – 0.79 kgs (1 lb, 12 oz)
August 11th – 1.03 kg (2 lbs, 3.6 oz)
September 15th – 4.7 kgs – same as BHRR’s Bev (10.34 pounds)
*We know that she was ‘chill’ due to still battling aspiration pneumonia yet is now a busy bean!
 
All puppies other than Miss Bev, prominently resemble Labs. Miss Bev is now losing more of her browns/brindles and is developing a stunning wavy black coat down her spine/sides. Lab yup, yet what else?! It does not matter at the end of the day!
 
These are the items that we are still in need of:
What we still urgently need:
1) Essentials XL puppy pee pads – we are now working on going outside, yet, we still need more as they become housebroken. At six weeks of age, they are doing amazing!
2) Large breed puppy toys, please, not small or toy. They will be too small – desperate for!
3) Downy or Gain liquid fabric softener
4) a 14 kg bag of PVD Large Breed Essential Care kibble
5) Five Wiggle Bumz collars – quick release buckle 14-16″ – for when they can wear collars, width 1.0″
6) 2 x Dirty PawPrint Dog Runners – so much easier to wash/keep clean and is soft, durable, and very comfy!
 
Financial donations can be made via PayPal gwen@birchhaven.org or via email transfer at contactbhrr@gmail.com
 
Donations can be dropped off in Kanata at a mutually convenient date/time OR snail mailed to or dropped in our donation shed:
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0
 
 

Mr. Jack is having his own paparazzi photo shoot on the 16th!
 
He will then make his special announcement! 
 
Unfortunately, this had to be postponed due to his emergency eye enucleation.
 
This is a pic sent to me recently by Taryn of EVC when he was there for his surgery. 
 
His emergency Vet bills were over $2,000 and raised to date is just over $770.
 
Mr. Jack was in excellent hands at EVC, and I have so many to thank – Olivia, Taryn, Dr. Ammar & Trina, to name a few! I still have to bring thank you goodies to them as a small token of my deepest appreciation.
 
I am still working on trying to line up a professional pic session for my beans – they will be 8 weeks old next Saturday & will hopefully be making their own special announcements after that. 
 
They are at the vet on the 15th for re-weighs, flea/tick meds, plus their next de-worming & vaccines. Big day! I cannot believe they are now seven weeks old. Thanks, Cassy, for offering to puppy love on them at this visit.
 
Being black/dark dogs, the big black dog syndrome is in effect, and I want to try and get the best pics possible – I also wanted 6-week professional photos, yet, sadly, that did not happen.
Then they will have their next play date on the 16th.
 
The beans also had their first bonfires last night and movies under the stars with dinner! They rocked it!!! Thanks to all of the loving hands – Loralei, Kelly, Cassy & John, Angie & fam, etc.
 
Once we receive some monies still owing from last night, we will post the final total raised. 
 

This young adult, ~3 years, neutered male, now up to date on vaccines fawn Merle Great Dane.
 
He was an owner surrender. His owner died. His name is ‘Bruce’. 
 
Weight:~110 pounds
 
Needs a gradual introduction to cats, good with dogs, is an affectionate couch potato boy, displaying anxiety/stress in a shelter kennel. Very normal for Danes. They just do not fare well in a kennel environment.
 
 
May be an image of dog
 

The Bean’s 6-week-old photo shoot. We had hoped to line up someone with a bit more professional experience than Sean/I, yet that did not work out. SOOOOOO, Sean & I are always up for a challenge PLUS a laugh, and this is Miss Nola Bean from today’s photo shoot! 
 
Miss Nola was named by Jan!
 
AND……
 
Bean Needs!
 
What we still urgently need:
 
1) Essentials XL puppy pee pads – we are now working on going outside but we still need more as they become housebroken. At 6 weeks of age, they are doing fantastic!
2) Large breed puppy toys, please, not small or medium. They will be too small – desperate for!
3) Downy or Gain liquid fabric softener
4) a 14 kg bag of PVD Large Breed Essential Care kibble
5) Five Wiggle Bumz collars – quick release buckle 14-16″ – for when they can wear collars, width 1.0.”
6) 2 x Dirty PawPrint Dog Runners – so much easier to wash/keep clean and is soft, durable, and very comfy!
 
Financial donations can be made via PayPal gwen@birchhaven.org or via email transfer contactbhrr@gmail.com
 
Donations can be dropped off in Kanata at a mutually convenient date/time OR snail mailed to:
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0
 

AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!

BHRR’s Titan is AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!

Health Status: HEALTHY!

Age: ~5 years

Weight: ~130 pounds. We want to keep him lean/muscled and fit.

Type of Home Ideal For Mr. Titan: He loves his walks and car rides and interacts well with people/dogs he meets, and we are hoping for a quiet, socially low-active level home. A residence that, while visiting family plus friends and has people over, is not hosting frequent BBQs or gatherings of large groups of people. We do not want to see him in a home with a high level of travel, with other people taking care of him. He is loyal and loves his humans, and we want him part of the family if they go camping, go to the cottage, or do other fun travels. His quietly social and needs a home that is like him. He would adore cottage life or hang out at home with his family. Visiting friends, family, pet stores, and pet-friendly places are great too.

A home that understands and shall continue to help him learn about this big fantastic world that we live in. We want him to live a quality, filled, wonderful life rich with experiences. He missed out on so much before his rescue. He is being fostered in a wonderful home in the city yet can equally live comfortably in the country. We had fostered him in our house when he first arrived, and he is equally lovely in either environment.

We want him to be happy, to live his best life every day. We want him to reach his full potential!

He is another versatile BHRR dog! He can be in a home that works ft; pt works from home, semi-retired or retired, etc. He will ONLY go to a home prepared to ensure that he receives the balance he requires with proper exercise, socialisation, etc.

He does not need to go to a dog or even a Dane-experienced home. The home must be committed to his obedience, structure, and consistency, and to be patient, kind, and understanding, and while not hermits, they are not doing a hundred things each day. We want him to be treated as a cherished member in a right-matched forever-loving home.

He shares the communal water bowls and toys and understands that no human or dog will take his high-value food. He is fed in a quiet place and knows that he will be fed enough food, fed on time and that no one will take his food away.

He is very gentle in taking treats!

He loves home and his friends – he needs canine friends! He also loves to explore, go on small hikes, walks, and car rides, and visit people/places that are not over the top busy. 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 infrequent walks/hikes/strolls, Mr. Titan is not for you…he is a healthy Dane and needs to be kept emotionally and physically stimulated. He would make a great companion to get out into nature, explore and even enjoy the beach and having other small adventures! He also makes the best movie and book reading companion.

Personality/Temperament: Loving, affectionate, calm, quiet inside the home, yet loves to get outside to romp, run, and is figuring out so much more about playing! He needs to be emotionally/physically properly stimulated, uber-sweet, social, active, affectionate, gentle, plus kind. He thrives with consistency, structure, routine, and clear open communication to understand exactly what is expected of him. He is such a character!

Previous Dog Experience: Previous dog experience is not required per the above. While we would ideally like to see him in a home with at least one right-matched personality fit dog – it is not a deal-breaker. He needs a doggie friend network. That is so important. We have friends, he needs friends too. He has enjoyed meeting other dogs! He has gotten along with every dog he has met in our home, and his foster has not said otherwise during his time with them.

Good With Cats: He has been OK with our clinic cat, and while he is fine with one of the cats in his foster home, he still does show some interest in their other cat. We are therefore leaning on him being placed in a no-cat home. We have been told that squirrels are his mortal enemy!  

Good with Pocket Pets: Unknown. We would not recommend it.

Good with Children: NO small children. Children are fast, flighty, unpredictable, spastic, plus loud. We will consider homes with responsible children 12+ and no more than two children in the house. A home without children is our first preference, as we want Mr. Titan to be the priority. He has not had any issues with children.

Grooming: He is fine to wash and do his nails. He only needs a soft bristle brush on his coat once a week, and we recommend a monthly bath.

Car: NO issues travelling in the car. He settles down beautifully.

Housebroken/Crate Trained: He is housebroken and Crate trained. 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 harness manners are still a work in progress. He becomes excited when he sees other dogs on walks. Distraction training is being worked on, too, in this area. He is fine walking on the way back home on a loose lead.

Activities Suited For Him: Cherished family companion!

He loves tug of war, his walks, ‘dance’ parties where he prances with happiness! Keeping you company while you work on the computer – the best kind of supervisor!

Loves & Bad Habits: While he is excellent with one of the cats in his foster home, he still does show some interest in their other cat. We are therefore leaning on him being placed in a no-cat home. We have been told that squirrels are his mortal enemy!  

Per his foster home, ‘full on early AM head/face rubs are a must!’

He does still pull on his harness when out and about. He is so excited to be soaking up and experiencing all of the things that he lacked in life before being rescued. On the way back from walks, he can be on a loose lead, yet, he becomes super excited when he sees other dogs – does meet and greet appropriately – that he will bark too. All things that are being worked on. He is like that four-month-old puppy in a five-year-old Dane body.

He loves keeping his one human company while they work from home.

Like any dog, he is not perfect. He is perfect in all of his imperfections, though! NOT to mention super handsome with his merle colouring.

He is an awesome dog! So low maintenance!

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, and we do not want any SA behaviours to develop.

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 15 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, 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. Titan, and we are delighted you are making your special announcement!

Stay tuned! Mr. Titam is going to make his special announcement soon!
 
Mr. Titan had his paparazzi photo shoot yesterday – Thanks Alison!
 
Here is one of the photos from yesterday.

UPDATE: Mr. Jack is healing well from his left eye enucleation.
 
He is scheduled to come to LAH next Wednesday to have the incision checked & sutures removed – Day 12th. Sometimes they have to stay in longer than even the 12-14 days – for example, Miss Jamila’s had many that we could not remove until day 16 & day 19.
 
He is on two types of pain meds – Metacam and Gabapentin (which can also cause a bit of sedation) plus antibiotics – Clavaseptin. The Metacam will also help with inflammation.
 
***URGENT*** ***Donations For Jack***
 
**$770 donated to date!** Thank you! 
 
The final bill is $1992.73 + $38.79 for more Trazodone
 
So grateful to EVC for being able to schedule this urgent surgery so quickly!! 
 
We are now in desperate need of funds.
 
We truly would be deeply grateful for anything….
 
Donations to his emergency surgery can be made via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org
Or via email transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com
 
Thank you from our hearts for any consideration to his cause. Even $5 is not too little!
 
Mr. Jack, your special announcement will have to wait a bit longer, yet we will get there!
 

This handsome dude is having his paparazzi photo shoot tomorrow!
 
Then, once we have the pictures, he shall be ready to make his own special announcement.
 
So many are to thank for stepping up to help us save this amazing Great Dane! 
 
Mr. Titan, you are such a wonderful boy!
 
From his amazing foster mama:
 
‘Fun facts about this fella,
He loves tossing the pull toy. We have a side tube with a handle that he loves to fetch and return and tug.
He loves dance parties. If you dance he will chug and dance around you with a few bounces. Never jumps on you. Squirrels remain his mortal enemy. Full on early morning head and face rub is essential to start his day.’
 
Leash manners with distraction training are still a work in progress. He is like a 12-week-old puppy exploring the world, yet in a 5-year-old Great Dane body!
 

AND GSPs hang out together too!
 
Our 2.5+-year-old GSP Tango with Mr. James. 
 
Mr. James is trying to stay awake!  He is literally nodding off & my pic is a bit dark as I turned almost all the lights off so he could doze….
 
 

Mr. James(14+ year old GSP) wants to check in to say that he is doing well!
 
He is supervising me while I work on school tonight.
 
He is such an amazing boy!