There are undeniably many challenges when it comes to the last word in our organization’s name: American Brittany Rescue. Rescue involves initially learning of a need, whether through Facebook, websites, shelters, concerned neighbors, or a family in need of rehoming a Brittany. Sometime between that initial contact and finding a forever home, transport, obviously, must be involved. While transport is a huge task for our state volunteer coordinators (who often drive many miles themselves!), there are times when ground travel must be assisted by something of a long-haul nature. Fortunately, volunteers from the non-profit organization Pilots N Paws frequently lend us a hand– and a wingspan– to ensure faster transport from point A to point B (or even points C and D, depending on the length of the trip!).



Dan Langhout of Huntsville, Alabama is one such volunteer. Retired from the federal government as a computer engineer, Dan has also been a private pilot for over 38 years. He built his Vans RV-7 Experimental aircraft in his basement over a period of seven years and ultimately assembled it at a local airport. He’s been flying it for almost nine years. After retiring and searching for “a mission,” a friend suggested he look into volunteer pet rescue. Working with Pilots N Paws, he started doing animal rescue flights in 2020 and has logged 39 flights rescuing 103 dogs, 2 cats, and even a few rabbits and chickens!  His flights total over 27,000 statute miles and 177 flight hours. His average flight covers a total of 700 statute miles, about 4 ½ hours in flight.  Most rescue flights involve at least two or three legs with each pilot flying one leg.

To arrange a flight, requesting organizations visit the Pilots N Paws website and complete a form which requires as much information about the animal being transported as is known. Pilots check the request board frequently for points of origin and destination to see if their plane’s location would be capable of handling the transport or a portion of it.  Obviously, communication among all parties is tantamount to a successful rescue. 

It's incredible to think what these pilots do to help our furry friends on a completely volunteer basis. All expenses, including aircraft fuel, maintenance, airport or runway fees, and their own travel expenses to and from the aircraft’s home hangar, are paid out of pocket. No money can be accepted by any pilot, as is the case in all non-commercial aircraft transit.  



These photos show Dan in action on two of his ABR transport missions.

Top: Ollie flew the second leg of his rescue journey with Dan on March 4, 2022.

Upper left: Pete was escorted by Dan for the first leg of his travels to his forever home on February 4, 2023.

Thank you, Dan, for giving so much to help our fosters !

In last month’s eNews we celebrated those funny and quirky things our Brittanys do that make us love them extra. We continue to receive these awesome photos! Be sure to check back next month for even more. Keep us smiling and submit your Quirky Britt photos to: social.networks@americanbrittanyrescue.org

Jackson the Brittany Cat

Now Where Did that Silly Rabbit Go?

Sophie Relaxing with the Classics

Corey at Red Rocks, Colorado

Theo and Pepper at the Jersey Shore

Asher at Pike's Peak

Chet at Lake Tahoe

Stella at the Outer Banks

Valley in Newport, Oregon

Red and Bull at National Dog of the Year Amo, Indiana

July at Bodega Bay

Megan on Lake Michigan

Kona and Yadi, Arkansas River

Buena Vista, Colorado

Jackson at McAfee Knob, Catawba, Virginia

Gwennie at DC Capitol Riverfront Trail

Buster (and friends!) at Silver Beach County Park, Lake Michigan

Indy at the top of Black Bear Pass, Ouray, Colorado

Sandy at Canyon Lake, Arizona

Jasper at Park Point Beach

Duluth, Minnesota

FEATURING YOUR BRITTANY

STAYING COOL

Don't forget to include your dog's name!

EMAIL PHOTOS TO: social.networks@americanbrittanyrescue.org

What is Cushing’s disease?

Cushing’s disease is a condition where the body produces excess cortisol. It is generally caused by a tumor on either the pituitary gland or the adrenal gland. It can also be caused by excessive steroid use.

Cushing’s is more common than we realize. It is underdiagnosed, as symptoms are often mistaken for common signs of aging, and diagnostic testing is complex.

Cushing’s most often occurs in dogs eight years or older.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms often develop slowly, so they can be easy to miss at first. They include:

• Increased thirst, urination, and appetite
• Reduced activity
• Hair loss and recurrent skin infections
• "Potbellied” look due to enlargement of the abdomen

How is it diagnosed?

There is no single test that will diagnose 100% of cases. Some combination of the following tests may be used:

• Baseline blood work 
• Urinalysis
• ACTH stimulation test 
• Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test 
• High-dose dexamethasone suppression test
• Urine cortisol to creatinine ratio      
• Ultrasound
• MRI (can detect pituitary tumors)

How is Cushing’s treated?

The underlying cause of Cushing’s will dictate the type of treatment, which can include medication (most common) and surgery.

For more information: 

Treating Cushing's Disease in Dogs

AKC - Cushing's Disease in Dogs

Shiloh, June 12, 2023

Kona, June 22, 2023

I am writing to give you an update on ARI that you helped us adopt a few years back. The only thing I can say is, what a dog. He has given so much joy to all of us as well as our other Britts. We both have slowed down some, but we get out most days. Time has passed fast, but he still goes with me whenever he can, and on days he can’t he is allowed to sit in my chair. I have had 15 to 18 Britts from 1960 to present and most were my best dog, but ARI has a bit of all of them put together. This will be my last dog, and I can’t or even imagine a better dog the last one. Thank You for allowing us to be part of your organization.

 

-Mike F., New York

ABOUT AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE

American Brittany Rescue, Inc. is an organization that was formed in 1991 as a cooperative effort of Brittany owners, breeders, trainers, and fanciers who ABR believes have a responsibility not only for their own dogs and the dogs they produce, but for the breed as a whole.

THE AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE MISSION

ABR's mission is to provide the leadership and expertise via a network of trained volunteers to take in stray, abandoned, surrendered and/or impounded purebred Brittanys, provide them with foster care, health and temperament screening, an opportunity for any necessary rehabilitation and to assure their health and placement into new homes. In order to fulfill this mission, ABR's volunteers remain flexible and adaptable to current and future business environments and they remain dedicated to the organization.  

ABR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Terry Mixdorf, President

Michelle Falkinburg, Vice President

Joe Herslip, Secretary

Terrie Johnson, Treasurer

Sandra Oelschlegel, Chair

Deb Grove

Melissa Tapply DiLello

Wendy Boyce

Becca Whitley

AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE E-NEWSLETTER TEAM

Brittany Boler

Jeannine Connors

Judie Cutting

Kristin Davis

Rebecca Sweet

Melissa Tapply DiLello

Debra White