The Brittany Advocate Volume 8 , Issue 2 B U S I N E S S
N A M E
~
Be The Person Your Dog Thinks You Are
President’s Corner
by Sue Spaid
~ June 2016
Remembering My Boy My husband Jeff and I had to say goodbye to our Bri any Scooter in April. It was a horrible day, but a day we all know comes when we share our lives with dogs. Scooter was our first Bri any and the conduit that got me into rescue. We owned Cocker Spaniels for 30 years and lost two within 8 months of each other in 2006. Jeff came home one day and told me we were going to adopt a Bri any. I said “what’s a Bri any?” He then said “Bri any Spaniel”, to which I replied “Oh… I kind of wanted an English Se er”. He insisted a Bri any was the way to go and he found NBRAN’s website and told me as he showed me Scooter’s picture, “I want this dog”. We applied, got approved and the rest is history. Scooter was a great dog. He was comedic and very loving. The first few years he would hunt non‐stop. By hun ng I mean chipmunks, squirrels, bunnies and anything else that would move. He actually put a small black bear up a big oak tree that graces our yard. Ge ng him to come in that night took Jeff ge ng the leash and convincing (read dragging) him to come in. As he got older he slowed down and last year we realized he didn’t want to be out as much, but was enjoying his a ernoon nap more than chasing rodents. He had elevated liver numbers for a couple years and I gave him SamE and milk thistle every day. Eventually though, the liver disease won. It was hard watching our regal handsome boy stop playing and stop hun ng and basically stop living. Spring came to Pennsylvania early this year. We had a gorgeous Saturday on April 16 with lots of sun and Scooter spent the day in the yard with Jeff. He wasn’t hun ng, he was just res ng. I knew then that we would be saying goodbye soon. He had a great last day. I was talking to a friend that night and she told me something that I believe God wanted me to hear. She said “You know, it’s be er to be one day early with that difficult decision than it is to be one day too late”. We said goodbye to our sweet boy the next day. Scooter’s legacy is that he got me involved with rescue. Gaye Bricker the Ohio coordinator and board member who placed him with us stayed in touch with me and li le by li le I got involved in rescue and then I got very involved! Gaye has a way of developing volunteers and I’m living proof of her skill! I will always remember that goofy dog that helped me to find my passion and he will always have a very special place in my heart.
Inside This Issue
2‐16 Readers Le ers & Pictures 17‐18 Adver sements 21‐22 Over the Rainbow Bridge
23 Coordinator & Volunteer of the Quarter 24 Directory of Officers/Stats
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Dog #80...Operation Magnolia Rescue...A Day In the Life of Hedlee Lamarr’s Happily Ever After… by Alice Benoit On February 14, 2016, we took our me ge ng ready. I stayed in bed and hugged Hedlee while Jay watched fishing shows. Eventually, I rolled out of bed, took a shower and put on some jeans and boots. Before we headed to the desert, we took Hedlee to Jack's Place for breakfast. We dined on the pa o. She enjoyed her scrambled eggs and we watched the sleepy town wake up to a beau ful and unseasonably warm Valen ne’s day. We drove just outside of California City and exited at Claymine Road and headed north. Asphalt turned to dirt and dirt mixed with sand as we made our way to the hunt test grounds shared by the California and San Diego Bri any Clubs. A double‐double hunt test was scheduled for today. We arrived just as lunch was being served and let Hedlee watch the people as they ate. Someone even gave her a treat. “Is that the Rescue?” “Yes. We entered her in one brace.” “Hedlee” was part of Opera on Magnolia Rescue, which involved the court ordered seizure of 103 Bri any dogs. Hedlee is dog #80. When she came to us more than two years ago, she was afraid of people and she was a fear biter. It took eighteen months for her to warm up to my husband and now their bond is unbreakable. But the fear of strangers and her environment con nued to plague her mind. She even carried a fear of game birds, specifically, quail. Hedlee is fine with wild birds and will point at the meadowlark that grace the fields of our small town. But the piece of her past that included quail was a frightening one. When we walked passed the bird pen today I was relieved to see Chukar, a member of the partridge family. No quail. For the first me ever, I put a brace collar on her neck. She wore orange and her brace‐mate, a young and playful German Shorthaired Pointer, wore yellow. Today, Jay would be responsible for handling Hedlee. I received permission to walk in the gallery and carried my camera to witness whatever might happen. Jay looked back at me and I nodded my head as he released her from her leash. Hedlee was not sure what she should do and neither of us were sure as to what she might do. We expected her to run back to the car. She ran forward. Then she turned around and ran back towards camp. Jay called her and she turned around and ran with uncertainty in her step towards the gently rolling desert terrain. She con nued to run forward and at least temporarily, without fear. Each me fear took over, she turned around and ran in the wrong direc on. It was a constant tug and pull. Nature versus fear. Eventually, nature took over and Hedlee made it to the bird field. I thought I heard wrong when someone said, “She is on point!” I looked in disbelief. She needed to hold that point for three seconds. I stared and forgot to pick up my camera. Tears started streaming down as I li ed the camera to my face. I could not see what I was photographing because my glasses fogged up. Jay repeated, “I got a point.” He gently kicked the bush, the bird flew up and he shot his blank gun into the sky. Hedlee flinched and became ski sh. She ran backwards and considered taking herself back to The BriƩany Advocate Page 2
camp. Jay called her and walked away from the bush that had previously held the bird. He called to her again and again. Finally, she joined his side. The clock stopped. We did not know if she passed or failed, but we were happy because she tried. Best of all, she pointed at a bird. We knew we just witnessed a miracle. A thirty pound, white and orange beau ful fuzzy miracle. How many of us are survivors of something really bad? Who has suffered a terrible childhood? A loss? Lived through cruelty? The unimaginable? Let’s face it. We all have gone through something. Hedlee has shown us all that no ma er how bad life has been, we can rise above it and become be er than our past. Hedlee is not just a survivor. Hedlee faced her fear head on with bravery and she pointed at it. And today, she was rewarded for her courage with an orange ribbon from the California Bri any Club along with a lot of tears and cheers. Of all of the ribbons our dogs have earned over the years, the Junior Hunter ribbon Hedlee earned today has made us proudest. Congratula ons to Magnolia’s Hedlee Lamarr’s Happily Ever A er.
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This Dog, This Child by Jessica Corbaley As Bailey, my 14 year old Brittany, grows older and slower my mind can’t help but think back on all the time we have spent together. This DOG, this CHILD of mine is my life. I mean this literally. She has saved me in more ways than one. She isn’t some super hero dog that alerted neighbors when I was in trouble, although those stories are truly amazing. Bailey is a different sort of super hero dog. This DOG, this CHILD of mine has saved me emotionally. She has licked my tears and given me unconditional love when I needed it most. She has motivated me, usually by staring or barking incessantly to take her for a walk. She has opened my heart. She has taught me patience. She has taught me how to be gentle. She has exposed me to things that I would have never done had it not been for her. She has taught me to be dependable. She has helped form the person I am today. I don’t have children, I have a Bailey. I know there are people out there that do not understand this bond, this love between a girl and her dog. They believe she is “just a dog” and think I am one crazy dog mama. On the contrary, this DOG, this CHILD is far from “just a dog”. Bailey has feelings, wants, needs, pains, expectations, disappointments, and lately, in her old age, a lot of demands. I have come to the conclusion that if Bailey is “just a dog” I am “just a human”. If people don’t understand the way I feel about this DOG, this CHILD, it’s ok with me. I will only feel sadness for them because they will not get to experience the pure joy of what it is like to be loved by and to love “just a dog”. This last year has been a test for Bailey and for me. Cancer entered her life and I could barely keep it together. I couldn’t imagine my life without her. This DOG, this CHILD of mine, beat cancer and although it was a tough road for her she was there to comfort me. As time passes I have been able to accept that this DOG, this CHILD, my sidekick will not be with me much longer. I hope and pray she will stay many more years but my mind and my heart are at peace about when that time comes. It is weird to think of how far we both have come and how much we have really lived in the last 14 years. In the not too distant past our lives consisted of dog parks, walks, fetch, hikes, endless swimming, squirrel chasing, mouse hunting, road trips, boating, airline flights and many, many adventures. These days consist of medicine, frequent vet trips, lots of lounging, squirrel watching, mouse sniffing, short walks, delicious treats, homemade dinners, and tons and tons of loves. It is such a different dynamic in our house these days. I can’t help but wonder how much time I have left with this DOG, this CHILD. I want her to know how much she has changed me and how much she has helped me. Most of all I want her to know how much I love her. I will continue to shower her with as much food, love and attention she can handle until she is called to the rainbow bridge. It is unbelievable how quickly time passes. It really does feel like just the other day I had to swim out to the middle of a lake to bring Bailey back to shore. She was on a duck mission and wouldn’t quit. It feels like the week before that we were running 5 miles a few times a week. The week before that we were out in the Pacific Northwest woods hiking beautiful trails. A few years before that we lived in Arizona we would frequent the Chaparral dog park, we made lots of friends there. Years before that Bailey had the first swim in a pool, diving and retrieving toys off the bottom. Shortly before that I was at a strangers house looking at the most adorable puppy I had ever seen. Time sure does fly. I hope time will slow down now because I although I am prepared for moment she is gone I still am not ready to lose this DOG, this CHILD of mine.
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Abby Hope’s BIG Adventure A
er Oliver, my sweet 15 year old Bri any passed, my husband wanted to remain dogless so that we could travel. I reluctantly agreed. Within a week, I had discovered NBRAN's website. It seemed well organized and thorough with pictures and detailed bios of each dog, I was sure we could find a good match! I carefully studied each pup and their stories. Being in Southern California I was willing to travel but was just hoping to find a new family member west of the Mississippi. There was one dog that I just kept skipping over though‐ her name was Abby Hope. She just had such crazy look in her eyes! Even my daughter agreed! At my age I was looking for a Brit that was slightly mellowed, maybe even an older dog. Well, I finally broke down and read Abby Hope's bio. It just so happened that Abby Hope was BLIND! Vivian, Abby's smart foster mom, had also posted a video of Abby fetching her ball! I was able to tell by the video and the way that Abby though ully went a er the ball that she might just be a good fit not to men on that it was pre y amazing to see a blind dog fetch! Well, we finished our summer travels and the day we got back I submi ed our applica on to adopt Abby Hope! I was hoping and praying that no one had adopted her in the weeks that we were gone! Within 24 hours a meet and greet/house inspec on with our So Cal Rep was set up. A er that everything just seemed to go really fast! The day I got the call from Abby Hope's amazing foster mom Vivian, I was so excited! It was a long and bi ersweet conversa on. I was pulled over at the side of the road trying to remember all of the important ques ons I wanted to ask. Vivian and her family loved li le Abby so much that at certain points we were both crying! Vivian finally said “if I didn’t cry it would mean I didn't love her enough! A er you have Abby, I can save another life!" Honestly, it was a heartbreaking but true. Vivian and I communicated by phone and through email many mes before we traveled to get Abby. We agreed to phone or email each other with any thought or ques on, nothing was deemed too small! We wanted to make sure Abby's big transi on would be as smooth as possible! The ball was really rolling. I was ge ng calls to confirm travel dates. Next Nancy sent out the transport call for kind volunteers to fill the legs of the journey from Stewart Ohio to Kansas City, KS, affectionately known as "The Bri any Railroad". My husband and I worried a bit that they might not find enough volunteers in only three days! We were amazed at how fast the legs of the tour were filed‐ some drivers taking 2 legs of the journey! All of the kind people working to bring Abby to us! It was overwhelming! My ten year old daughter, my husband and I arrived in Kansas The BriƩany Advocate Page 5
City. We rented a car and picked up Abby from Peter and Robin who kindly kept Abby overnight! Abby con nued her exci ng journey as we drove through Kansas, crossed the Rockies and saw the most beau ful thunder storms in Utah. Abby and my daughter Ambika managed to sleep curled up together in the backseat through most of the journey! They really got a chance to bond! I know that Vivian (Abby's foster mom) breathed a big sigh of relief when I told her that we had arrived safely in Los Angeles!
Abby's transi on was very smooth! With loving care, Vivian had packed the most wonderful travel bag with treats, special blankets, toys and everything a new adop ve parent might need! We had a couple of anxious days and I just contacted Vivian and she helped us through. It took Abby about two weeks to figure out the lay of the land and that was it! Abby has been with us almost 9 months and I can't even remember what life was like before this spunky, feisty amazing li le being came into our lives! Of course Vivian s ll checks in to make sure that Abby is sleeping on the bed with us (of course she is!). Abby wouldn't have it any other way! I o en think of the alchemy of hard work, organiza on and kind, diligent people it took to get Abby to us. We will never know what Abby's life was like as a puppy. Vivian related the story that Abby was dropped at a kill shelter at three years old. She was deemed un‐ adoptable as she was going blind. A kind‐hearted person at the shelter contacted NBRAN because Abby was slated to be euthanized. NBRAN acted quickly to get Abby out of there to safety. Right now I am thinking of all of the pups from Indiana that NBRAN is in the process of rescuing, fostering and eventually re‐homing. My family is so very grateful to NBRAN for saving sweet Abby! We are also amazed at all of the work NBRAN con nues to do and all of the lives that are saved and made while again! The Staff-Malhotra family thanks everyone at NBRAN from the bo om of our hearts!
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From Fearful to the Field - Archer’s Story By Patricia Amador
It had been over 10 years since I had lost my last dog. She was a rescue, a Pitbull and Black Mouth Cur mix. I rescued her from a chain ed to a tree in a backyard. The owners needed to “get rid” of her. I told them if she would come to me when she was off the chain, I would take her home. They let her loose, I called and she never even hesitated. She ran right to me when I called her name, Midget. I had her 5 years, when she died suddenly. I was devastated. She was the second rescued dog I had lost way too early in their life. I promised myself, no more dogs. Then I became a falconer. A falconer is a person who hunts small game with a bird of prey. My bird of prey is a red‐tailed hawk. In my first season of falconry, I didn’t flush a lot of game. When I did, there was not always a successful catch by my red‐tailed hawk, Stryker. I frequently have to go out alone. It’s especially difficult in the thick Florida brush to get the game to move. My fellow falconers started telling me you need a hun ng dog. I was resistant. “No, I don’t have me.” I would say. But I have to admit, the idea of having a dog to help did have an appeal. So towards the end of my first season, I began to research hun ng dogs that were good for falconry. I began by asking what breeds other falconers used in the discussion groups I belonged to online. I found books, read hun ng magazines, and again asked in discussions groups. Then one day a fellow lady falconer sent me a link to the NBRAN Facebook page for a puppy that needed a home. I was enamored immediately! I dove into learning all I could about Bri anys. This was it! This was the dog I needed! Bri anys are intelligent, affec onate, loyal, hard workers, and versa le as hun ng dogs! I sent my applica on in and began the approval process. Denise Turgeon, the southeast director called; there was concern that maybe a Bri any wasn’t for me. A er all, a Bri any is a bird dog and I wanted to use one to hunt with a bird. It was certainly a valid point. My heart sank a li le, I really wanted to rescue instead of buy. Concerns alleviated, my applica on process con nued. I was ecsta c to be approved as an adopter for a Bri any from NBRAN (Na onal Bri any Rescue and Adop on Network)! My needs were a young adult or a puppy. Denise, along with the other directors work very hard to try to find the right home for each Bri any. I finished my applica on process in November, and at the end of January a Bri any that could possibly fit our needs, needed a home. It felt like an eternity from the day I found out, un l we got to meet our Bri any, Archer. He is about 2 years old, he came from Georgia and he is a beau ful red roan! When he stepped out of the vehicle, I was instantly in love. He, however, was terrified. He accepted my touch, used the dog walk and we headed home. I rode with him in the back seat as he cowered at every noise and bump on the road. My a empts as a stranger to soothe him seemed to have no effect at first, but eventually he warmed as if relieved to have a port in the storm of this great change taking place. In our first couple of weeks, we discovered it seemed like Archer didn’t know what toys were, what treats were and he definitely had no formal training at all. It didn’t ma er, even as we were ge ng to know each other, his eagerness to please and learn was apparent. We began to start play‐training, using his favorite toys to teach him basic obedience commands through play me. He learned so quickly, we began training on leash. At first he was in midated, but he quickly realized it was another chance for fun! I was taking him to work with me each day. His confidence was growing quickly, both in us and in himself. He had progressed so well in 3 weeks with his recall that I decided it was me to see what he
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thought of being in the brush. One of my work projects had a perfect field. During lunch one day, we went out on the leash. We went deep into the field which has brushy grasses called Bahia. He was so excited, I called him 3 or4 mes from the end of the leash, eager and excited he obeyed. With huge bu erflies in my stomach, I unclipped the leash. He sat, wai ng for his release word. “Okay, good boy.” I said. And he was off! My heart leapt into my throat as he went immediately into the tall grass where I lost sight of him. I called, admi edly a bit panicked, “ARCHER!” Suddenly, he leaps above the top of the grass as if to locate where I am and begins coming back my way. I keep calling, “Archer, come! Archer, come!” Each me he leaps above the tall blades of Bahia, showing me where he is all the while coming straight for me. His joy is evident; this is where he belongs, in the field. We are con nuing our work together with obedience, also learning boundaries both with the hawk and in the field. The hawk is also s ll unsure about Archer. In the next several weeks, Archer will learn how to track a scent, then point and flush on command, including wai ng un l the command is given. He will spend a lot of me si ng near Stryker while the hawk trains. Then eventually flushing game for the hawk, which will be the deciding factor in this Bri any/ Red‐Tailed hawk rela onship. When the me comes, both Stryker and Archer will be in the field together. It will be the culmina on of months of training for both dog and hawk. Stryker will be cast into the trees, flying free, where he will select a perch to wait. Archer and I will begin making our way through the brushy fields. As we get further and further away from Stryker, if I have done my job properly training them both, Stryker will follow us to the next closest tree. That will be our first success. Then we await the ul mate moment, the game is flushed! What will Stryker do? Does he make chase or stay in the safety of the tree away from Archer? Has our training been enough to overcome the ins nct Stryker has to stay away from a larger predator or has Stryker accepted Archer as a hun ng partner? Only me will tell. I have sincere hope that my next tale to you is one of acceptance and excitement in the field with “hawk and hound”. In just 3 short months, Archer has grown from a cowering, fearful and mid Bri any to a confident, happy and outgoing member of our family. He greets us each day as we return home from work with en‐ thusiasm and eagerness that causes all of the day’s stress and strife to melt away. He has learned a great deal and taught us so much in such a short me. They say that rescued dogs always seem to be grateful when they have found their forever home. We are the ones who are grateful to have been blessed with such a wonderful new family member. Thank you Na onal Bri any Rescue and Adop on Network (NBRAN), Denise Turgeon and all of the volunteers who help out everyday!
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Red My name is Red and this is my story. I was surrendered to NBRAN with 2 of my brothers when we were about 2 years old. I had been hit by a car that broke my pelvis, but when it healed, the inside of my le hip socket did not heal in proper posi on. It was rotated about 25 degrees causing the head of my le femur to rub on the bone. My foster parents took me to a special vet who said he could operate on me and make it not hurt so much. I had to stay for 3 days but the people there were so nice and my mom who was adop ng me came to see me the next day. She sat in the kennel with me and took me for a walk outside and took pictures. (All of these new people I met take LOTS of pictures!) My foster parents came and got me to take me back with them so I could heal up. A er 2 weeks of being stuck in a crate or on a leash, we went to see Dr. Stoddard who did my opera on. He said I was doing so well, I only had to stay on the leash for 2 more weeks instead of 4 more. I got to have special toys and things with treats in it to keep me busy while locked down in that crate, but I just wanted to get out and run again. It was kind of cold outside for me now too since they shaved my fur off my en re le leg. Brrr! The fur is growing back and my leg does not hurt me now at all. My new dad got home from working on the boat and came to take me to my new home. Mom and dad take me for long walks, to the horse barn to visit the horses, for lots of rides and even have someone come in to walk me when mom has long days. Dad has started to take me to learn to hunt birds too. We have so much fun and I like it, a lot. I have dog friends to play with now and even get to go see my foster parents some mes. My life is very different now than it was being in a kennel for so long, in pain and not ge ng to do very much. I am a very happy boy who lives in a house with people who say I am family.
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Interview with “Sadie” Benckendorf INTERVIEWER: I would like to introduce our readers to “Sadie” Benckendorf. Sadie, welcome to our readers of NBRAN. SADIE: Thank you. This is very exciting. INTERVIEWER: Your records indicate that you are a Brittany originally from Alabama currently living in Punta Gorda, FL Tell us, what brought you from Alabama to Florida. SADIE: My first family in Alabama told me they no longer had time for me and needed to take me to a shelter. They packed me up and took me to the Pell City Animal Shelter. Although the people at the shelter were nice to me, I was very scared and really felt alone and sad. I didn’t understand why this was happening and wondered what I had done wrong. Soon I was told I was going to a foster home for a while to live with my foster mom and her 5 Brittanys. I was having great fun with all the pups when I learned I was going to Punta Gorda,FL to meet my forever family. I was so scared -- What if they didn’t like me; what if they decided they didn’t have time for me. Turns out they love me so much – we go on long walks, play, and have so much fun. I am taking an obedience class that I really like. There are lots of friendly dogs in my neighborhood and lots of wonderful people. INTERVIEWER: Can you describe a typical day for us? SADIE: I like to get up early – about 5:30 or 6:00 -- when JoAn (my Mom) takes me outside to do “my duty”. Then I have breakfast and also a toothbrush biscuit. After breakfast, JoAn and I do some training and then play with my toys. We have a great big lanai and I really like to sit out there and watch for rabbits. We go on a three-mile walk and then I take a nice long nap. Every afternoon is different – they take me everywhere so I get lots of experiences. They tell me I will need all that experience in my future jobs. Some of the places I have gone are to restaurants, to church, downtown to go in the stores, to the big mall, to Fisherman’s Village, to the farmer’s market and lots more. INTERVIEWER: You mentioned future jobs – can you tell us about that. SADIE: I will have at least three jobs. I will be a Service Dog for JoAn. She has a disease called Parkinson's and, while she is doing fine now, she will need help in the future and by then I will be all trained and ready to help. I will also be a Therapy Dog so I will visit hospitals and nursing homes. This summer JoAn and I will take a class where I will learn all the ins and outs of the job – how to approach wheel chairs and walkers, how to pay no attention to distractions (like food, odd smells, strange noises – you know, all the stuff that can happen in that kind of environment). Then we have to pass a big test which will allow us to be a registered Therapy Team with visiting privileges. My final job will be a Reading Dog. To be a reading dog, I will have to first be a registered Therapy Dog. I told JoAn that I didn’t know if I could learn to read, but she told me that children would be reading to me. At a school or a library, I will work with kids who are having trouble with reading, social issues, poor self-esteem or other problems. The student and I will sit together on the floor on a blanket and the student will read to me. If they are having trouble with a word or don’t understand something, they will ask me. With JoAn’s help I will help them with the word or the meaning. Sometimes, they might just brush me or pet me. Wow – being read to by kids – they call that a job?? The most important thing I can give all these people is love and understanding. And, as you know, Brittanys are full to the brim with that. Glenn and JoAn say that Brittanys are “hard-wired” to love people and point rabbits. INTERVIEWER: Well, Sadie, it sounds like you are going to be a very busy girl. We wish you luck with all of your endeavors. Could we check in with you later to see how it is all going? SADIE: That would be great! Thank you so much for interviewing me. I really enjoyed it.
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Meet our boys, Zeus and Loki. Zeus is an NBRAN Brit we adopted almost 5 years ago and is es mated to be around 6.5 years old. The BEST dog I have ever owned and I've owned many! Meet Loki, our NBRAN "failed Foster". Loki just turned a year old. One week into fostering him my husband says "I want to keep him". Based upon the picture, Loki wasn't going anywhere. He also found his way into my heart. Zeus and Loki are best buddies. Zeus keeps him in line and teaches him the good things along with the bad. We love them to pieces and cherish every good and bad moment we have with them. Cheri Hoffman ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I just thought I would drop you both a note about my Bailey. She made the adjustment to our home in Virginia very well. And she made the trip to south for the winter in the car just fine and is enjoying our stay here. I want to thank all the Canine Railroad volunteers for the work you did for Bailey and other dogs to get them to foster or adopted homes. Bailey has landed in a great home that cares for her dearly. And she cares for us too, as she will leave her perch by the window to check on us from time to time just to make certain we are where she left us last. Bailey remains shy with others but over time warms up. She has gone from being a sad faced scared dog to an ears tail up and happy dog . What has been then the greatest enjoyment to see is how she reacts to meal time. Bailey is a dancer and prancer plus she does this mouthing thing with her lips I think she is trying to talk. She is the easiest Britt that I have ever walked on a leash. We are so glad she is part of the family. I hope all the NBRAN volunteers know that the adopted families really appreciate your efforts for these great dogs! Gina Clayton
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Miss Hannah I didn’t know I was looking for a Brittany when I started my search for a new pup. I had recently lost my Wheaton Terrier, Darby to kidney disease and my Cockapoo, Molly needed another sister. I started my search online looking for a medium size female dog that got along with other dogs. That was really my only criteria. I just kept looking for that certain smile, that face, that look that said “please take me home”. When I saw Hannah, that was it. Hannah is a Brittany/Lab mix. I didn’t even know what that was. I just knew she needed to come live with Molly and me. NBRAN had rescued Hannah from the Pikes Peak shelter 7 months earlier and she had been in foster care. If NBRAN had not decided to accept a mix breed shelter dog, I would have never found her. I had no plans to search shelters. I am so grateful to NBRAN for reaching out and giving a shelter dog a second chance. I can’t imagine my life without her. NBRAN did a wonderful job of making her safe and helping her transition to her forever home with me. Thank you for opening your hearts. I’m sure there are many hard choices to make when there are so many Brittanys that also need to be adopted. Your desire to help shelter dogs has changed our lives. Paula Tannahill
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Happy Tails ~ Zoey Na onal Bri any Rescue & Adop on Network operates en rely with support from volunteers. Yes, NBRAN is a non‐ profit, and not one person who advocates for NBRAN receives payment. Every Board Member, State Coordinator, Foster Home, Event Planner, and Canine Railroad Runner; they do what they do for the love of the dog. Each volunteer comes to NBRAN with a special skill set. We have ar sts and designers, teachers, school counselors, accountants, marke ng and media professionals, stay at home moms, behaviorists, breeders, kennel owners, and the list could go on. I believe this the backbone of a rescue and that diversity is an instrumental component to long term success. NBRAN was contacted in August 2015 by a veterinarian office in Illinois on behalf of a Bri any owner who had recently been informed that their four month old puppy was diabe c. Unable to provide quality long‐term care, the owner, with the help of their trusted vet, surrendered the Bri any to NBRAN. Chris Eddinger is a long‐ me Bri any enthusiast and well versed in raising baby Bri s (a special skill that takes a brave person to do more than once in a life me!). Not only did Chris posses the skills needed to help care for a baby Bri , she is also a RN by training, and could care for this young one’s medical needs. Chris and her already exis ng pack of one husband, one son, and two resident Bri anys, opened their door to four‐ month‐old Zoey, an orange and white Bri with a full Bri any personality. From garbage cans to rabbit poop (why do those things always taste so good?), to nightly snuggles and cozy winter days curled up on the couch, Zoey fit right in. As a young female dog in a rescue, Zoey received ongoing inquires while in Chris’ care. Beyond the medial needs, Chris was able to iden fy that Zoey would do best in a home with at least one other dog and a fenced outdoor area to play. Applica ons came and went. As Zoey was entering her eighth month as a foster dog, on an early morning in April, Chris sat down to her computer; it was her typical rou ne with a not‐so‐typical result. Chris received an applica on for Zoey from a family with two dogs, one being diabe c (what are the chances?) and a large yard for room to run in a safe environment. A few conversa ons and a meet‐and‐greet later, Lisa & Mike took Zoey home with them, and we’re happy to report that she is se ling in quite nicely. She is giving her Terrier‐mix sibling a run for her money, which they didn’t think was possible, and takes almost daily swims in the pond. Zoey has also become friends with the resident cat – Mike never realized the cat was so bored before mee ng Zoey! It takes an incredible village to support, place, and adopt rescue dogs. Without folks like Susan Hennis in Illinois who received the ini al call from the veterinarian about Zoey, and Julie Agos in Pennsylvania who temporarily fostered Zoey before ge ng her to Chris, Zoey’s success story would not be. Happy Tails, Zoey, and an enormous amount of gra tude to Lisa & Mike for all they’ve done and con nue to do for dogs in need. The BriƩany Advocate Page 13
Sparky Sparky came to us as an owner surrender due to “high energy” as NBRAN was told. Not even close to what our kooky Bailey was when he was this age. Sparky is much calmer. They also learned from the original owner’s dog walker that he was crated for 12 hours a day! That would make any dog s r crazy. Very sad! On the plus side, he was well taken care of and was UTD on all his ve ng prior to surrender. He had been through obedience class and already knew all his basic commands very well. His records were spectacular actually. His described “high energy” level does not match the way he is in our house at all. He is very ac ve but not half the luna c his brother was. We adopted him two days before his 2nd birthday on February 20th. He is a VERY sweet, handsome boy and has se led into our home quite well. He and I are really becoming awesome buddies. He follows me everywhere just like his brother. Now, I have two shadows. Did I already say how cute he was? He does occasionally like to bark for a en on when I come home from work or when anyone comes into the house but he calms down fairly quickly. I will start working on that when we start obedience class together soon. He is well exercised and now and living comfortably in a happy, loving home with his almost 14 year old brother Bailey (one that was truly “high energy” for a solid 7 years). Sparky has a mom and two human sisters who he also loves very much. He is extremely loving, smart, and sensi ve just like all Bri any’s. With very li le effort, he was on the invisible fence. He now runs freely in the yard stalking squirrels (which is what he does all day!). He locks up on them (even points at mes) and shakes with excitement. Unlike his brother who has to run a er them, Sparky stands like a statue mo onless like a true pointer. We’ve now had him for a li le over 5 weeks and I can’t begin to tell you how much we all love him. It is a joy to see how much my wife Toni loves Sparky and vice/versa. She was not thrilled with the idea of having another dog in the house but she has done a huge about face on that front. When we decided to adopt, she was out voted. She truly was. They are adorable together! Since day one, Sparky has slept in our bedroom on his new bed next to his brother. However, he’s s ll waking us up twice per night to go out. He does go po y every me but we do need to break this habit soon as Mom and Dad are sleepy during the day. Sparky goes to the Dog Park every weekend (o en on both Saturday and Sunday) and he LOVES running with all the new friends. It really wears him out. You know the saying, “a red Bri any is a happy Bri any”. He loves all people and all dogs. The regulars at the dog park all know him by name. Sparky is loved and adored by his new family and we couldn’t be happier with him and for him. The BriƩany Advocate Page 14
A special thank you to these folks at NBRAN who were part of making this adop on go so seamlessly. Thank you Chris Eddinger (Regional Director), Lisa Leslie‐McCann (Foster Mom), and Allison Kopp Kosabutski (Home Inspec on). Thank you to everyone who was in‐ volved in his transport to his foster home. These three ladies are all amazing people. I con nue to text Lisa pictures of Sparky all of the me. We are going to meet over the summer for Yappy Hour so Sparky and his foster sister Penny Lane can play. I genuinely know that Lisa loved him also. I was so impressed by NBRAN from the very beginning that I immediately filled out my volunteer applica on. Within days of adop ng I received an opportunity to give back. I transported (one leg of many) a 5 month old Bri any mix named Wal‐ ly who was being transported from AR to ME. That’s a lot of miles! He was a stunningly beau ful, kind, and gentle li le boy. I know that I could never foster because I could never let any of them go. So, I will s ck to transports or home Inspec ons as needed and as available. Thank you NBRAN for all you do for so many people, and especially, for these dogs who desperately deserve a loving home.
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Red’s Picture Page
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2017 Calender I hope you all have been taking some wonderful pictures of your fur kids this year. It's me to send them in to be considered for NBRAN's 2017 calendar. I know they're out there! I see hundreds on Facebook everyday. If you're willing to share them please send them to me at aloisesbri s@hotmail.com as an a achment. Send in the original file size please. Clear images have a be er chance of being selected. As in past years, if you have lost your furkids, please send me their picture and name with subject line “Memorial picture” so I know to include them. Every dog sent as a memorial is included to honor them. I will be looking for sponsors soon as well and will post that informa on later. Can't wait to see what you send. Thank you for always sharing these wonderful pictures. Shar Aloise Buddy, Gabby, Rowdy and Scout
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Bri any Meet‐Up in Pi sburgh, PA
A en on Bri any Enthusiasts in the Greater Pi sburgh (Pennsylvania) Area: Local volunteer, Cassandra McClintock, has recently started a Bri any Meet‐Up in the North Hills. The first date was Saturday, May 28 at the North Park Dog Park, and started at 10:00 a.m. Cassandra is open to sugges ons on mee ng mes, dates and loca ons so that as many people can be included as possible. The mee ng is on the Meet‐Up app/website (h p://www.meetup.com/Bri any‐Meet‐up/), you can also contact her at cass.mcclintock@gmail.com with ques ons.
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Southern California Events Purina Incredible Dog Challenge
NBRAN is one of only four rescue groups invited to participate in the Western Regional Finals of the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge on June 11, 2016 from 10-4 at Huntington Beach State Beach 21601 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92646. The event will be televised in all U.S. Markets later in the year so look for links on the Facebook page. If you are in Southern California, please join us at the NBRAN booth and bring your canine companions. This is our third year and the event is just more fun than any adoption events all year. It includes competitive dock diving, flying disc, agility, a lure course and more. Here is a link to the Eastern Regionals https://www.proplan.com/dogs/incredible-dog-challenge/2016-eastern-regionals
Strut Your Mutt
Please join us on October 22, 2016 for the Strut Your Mutt walk. This is also an NKLAsponsored event which is an easy walk or 5K run through Exposition Park ending with dogrelated vendors, food trucks and entertainment. Join our team at the link below or join us as a “virtual” walker. For more information, call Patti at 310.994.1062 http://bfas.convio.net/site/TR/Events/StrutYourMutt?team_id=5882&pg=team&fr_id=1226
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NBRAN is on Instagram NBRAN recently joined Instagram and can be found with the user name @_NBRAN. We hope this Social Media pla orm will turn into a strong resource of informa on within the Bri any Rescue Community. Please tag us when sharing stories about events, Canine Railroad Trans‐ ports, and sharing foster dog images, and use the following hash tags: #NBRAN #NBRANFoster #NBRANTransport. NBRAN'S on line store is growing! New items have been added and more are expected soon. Blankets in Bloom has provided NBRAN with three custom designs, available in the store now. We have "Adopted & Adored", " Furever Loved" and "It's My Birthday." This special line of dog bandanas has been created for NBRAN by Blankets in Bloom. These bandanas are handmade with love and care for the furbabies in your life. Each bandana is reversible and clip on with an easy release buckle clip. They are made for every day and special days. Watch for more designs to be offered soon. We also have some budget friendly ban‐ danas available. Even though they are not as unique as the custom bandanas, they will s ll show off your furbaby at this summer's events. h p://shop.nbran.org/category.sc?categoryId=41 We now have a new shirt for sale, "Rescue, Rehome, Rehabilitate" They are a great way to show your support for rescue and NBRAN. Designed by one of our volunteers, it is available in sizes small thru 2xl. h p://shop.nbran.org/category.sc?categoryId=5 All our new items can be found at h p://shop.nbran.org/main.sc
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In Memory at The Rainbow Bridge
Scooter
Dobie
Daisy
Lucy
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In Memory at The Rainbow Bridge
Drew
Serafina
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Volunteer of the Quarter The Board of Directors has selected Melinde Waddle from Texas as our Volunteer of the Quarter. Melinde has done a tremendous amount of work for NBRAN & has been a huge asset to Regional Director Nancy Walker. Melinde has pulled a number of dogs lately and is now fostering two of them. She has given an amazing amount of me, a en on & her own money to her foster Remy, who has medical issues. Since NBRAN o en has to act very fast to rescue dogs from kill shelters in Texas, Melinde can be counted on to drop everything and go pull a dog on a moment's no ce. She has many other rescue connec ons in Texas, so that we can o en find other rescues to take dogs that turn out not to be Bri anys. She has also helped follow up on volunteer applica ons. On a day to day basis, Melinde is a huge help to Nancy and to NBRAN. Addi onally, she has taken on fundraising in a big way. She has managed to get many items contributed to NBRAN and has organized and a ended events where we can sell items & bring in money. She is an accountant, thus handles all the paperwork in a very organized fashion. She just takes care of things & keeps Nancy informed of the details. She is also working on ge ng NBRAN volunteers to do local fundraising events in other loca ons in Texas. This is wonderful as we have never had anyone in Texas who wanted to take on this job. She has excellent leadership with the other volunteers & is good at ge ng them involved.
Congratula ons to Melinde on being selected Volunteer of the Quarter!
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Coordinators of the Quarter The Board of Directors has selected the three Ohio Co‐Coordinators as the Coordinators of the quarter. They are Pat Amore, Roberta Ruck, and Vickie Gordon . They work together like a well‐oiled machine overseeing ac vi es in Ohio. Pat takes care of the RescueGroups so ware that NBRAN uses to post animals available for adop on for Regional Director Gaye Bricker and is in charge of all of our events in North East Ohio. Our first event was this spring and will con nue through December. Pat also transports almost every weekend with the excep on of the weeks we have events. Roberta (Bert) Ruck has secured a wonderful boarding kennel who works with NBRAN at no charge. They bathe our dogs and take them to the Vet if Bert is in school and can't cover an emergency. Bert covers week‐end events in Southern Ohio and transports as well. She has taken complete charge of the Indiana 10 & Illinois 3 receiving them at the kennel and helping to get them out on their transports to foster homes. She had to secure 13 collars & leashes for the dogs, insure that Lindsey saw the Vet twice, and so on. Vickie Gordon runs the events in southern Ohio. She pulls dogs from shelters and gets them to fosters and also helps on weekend transport when she isn't working at her own job. She is also available to register microchips for any coordinator in NBRAN that requests her help. We have been truly blessed with great volunteers in the State of Ohio.
Congratula ons to Pat, Roberta, and Vickie on being selected Coordinators of the Quarter!
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NBRAN OFFICERS SUE SPAID, PRESIDENT, SSPAID@VERIZON.NET SUSAN GUTHRIE, VP, SUSANGUTHRIE@COMCAST.NET WILLIAM CANNEY, TREASURER, QEBH1977@ATT.NET DAVE VOELTZ, SECRETARY, DVOELTZ@PIE.MIDCO.NET
NBRAN BOARD MEMBERS SUE SPAID SSPAID@VERIZON.NET SUSAN GUTHRIE SUSANGUTHRIE@COMCAST.NET DAVE VOELTZ DVOELTZ@PIE.MIDCO.NET GAYE BRICKER BEAUBRITT2@AOL.COM NANCY WALKER NWALKER@CAPECOD.NET WILLIAM CANNEY QEBH1977@ATT.NET DENISETURGEON BRITTSNBITS@GMAIL.COM CHRIS EDDINGER CEDDINGER@VERIZON.NET LON PECK LPECK3@VERIZON.NET SUE JANOWSKI BRITTANYRESCUEMOM@HOTMAIL.COM SANDRA TOAL SANDRATOAL18@GMAIL.COM
Support NBRAN while doing your online shopping. Use the link below and a portion of your purchase is returned to NBRAN to help support the dogs. It costs you nothing, yet you are supporting your organization. Please use and share the link below today! http://smile.amazon.com/ch/06-1624968
COORDINATOR
NECA HUDGINS NECA0402@GMAIL.COM
RESCUESGROUPS
TRAINING OR ISSUES
SUE SPAID SSPAID@VERIZON.NET
NBRAN NEWSLETTER EDITOR - DAVE VOELTZ DVOELTZ@PIE.MIDCO.NET LAYOUT DESIGN - KELLY KILLEEN KAK0402@OPTONILINE.NET
MICROCHIPS DAVID SATTLER DAVE90771@GMAIL.COM TO ORDER THEM VICKI GORDON OHBRITTLADY@OUTLOOK.COM TO REGISTER THEM
ONLINE STORE
Do you want to share your pictures or story? Contact Dave Voeltz at Dvoeltz@pie.midco.net and email your story and pictures. We love sharing your story and pictures about the newest member of your family!
<VACANT>
TRANSPORTATION
COORDINATOR
NANCY WALKER NWALKER@CAPECOD.NET
WEB
TEAM
DEVELOPMENT
Go to www.NBRAN.ORG and see how you can become more involved in Bri any Rescue. Foster, transport help, financial assistance, home visits, or vet checks, there are many ways you can help. Volunteer now and make a difference!
WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP WITH IDEAS AND DESIGN.
OMBUDSMAN IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN OF ANY NATURE AND WANT TO REPORT IT, CONTACT DAVE VOELTZ AT DVOELTZ@PIE.MIDCO.NET FOR A CONFIDENTIAL MEANS OF DOING SO.
Placements
Intakes
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? CONTACT US TO LET US KNOW IF YOU
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
293 428 521 618 590 390 283 328
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
234 360 407 535 537 472 264 314
2015
361 2015
371
Through May 31
146 Through May 31
134
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