AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2021 |
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FOSTER TAILS: FOSTER FAILS
by James DeKnight
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Questions I am asked the most when I am fostering are, “I bet she is going to be a foster fail, right?” and “Oh, he’s not going anywhere, is he?” Or the classic, “How can you foster and then just give them up? I could never do something like that.” (Subtly implying that I am a soulless monster with possible dissociative identity disorder and should be watched closely for impending psychotic breakdown.)
So, let me clear up these questions and discuss the importance of fostering, what to look for in a foster if you are thinking of keeping one, and my own foster fails, Ruby and Mitchell.
I have fostered over 20 Brittanys for American Brittany Rescue, and I can honestly say that I would travel across the country, if needed, to take any one of them back. And, I might add, I have shed tears every time one of my fosters has left to go to their new home. So why not save the heartache and just keep the foster?
The answer to that question lies within the purpose of the fostering program. A foster family is the middleman between a homeless pup and their eventual forever home. The foster family's main job is to care for (medical issues and health evaluations), socialize (family, children, other animals, and strangers), and train (learning to be in a house and what is acceptable behavior and refocusing unacceptable behavior). Falling in love with your foster, at least with me, happens 100 percent of the time. To keep my household at peace, I allow up to three Brittanys (four if needed, but that is stretching it). If I had any more fosters, I would start failing at my main job of caring, socializing, and training, thus failing as a foster parent. To keep my house in balance, I have to allow my fosters to move on to their forever homes. If I kept every foster, not only would I be considered a crazy dog person, but most likely I would be featured on an episode of “Animal Hoarders,” and that is not healthy for anyone. If I keep a foster, I can no longer help another Brittany in need. I have to sacrifice the love I have for my foster so I can continue to help other pups in need. It is a double-edged sword, but seeing how happy my fosters are in their new homes is well worth it.
But what if you do have room in your household to adopt your foster? Do you still plan on fostering other Brittanys? What do you look for in a foster fail that will now be your new forever friend when you plan to continue fostering? These are questions that I asked myself with my two foster fails. I needed a pup that was good natured around other pups, not territorial, not destructive to furniture or household items, and had no separation anxieties ... basically a perfect Brittany. Hold back the laughter please, because we all know Brittanys are not perfect. In fact, it is their quirky orneriness and knack for mischief that make them so lovable, but the idea is to find a Brittany that I can work with to be a good role model for a foster Brittany and the challenges they bring. For example, some fosters have never been in a house. My old girl Ruby has shown a number of fosters how to ask to go outside just by acting according to the good standards that I placed upon her. My young boy Mitchell teaches new fosters social skills by being very playful and friendly. I haphazardly fell in love with both Ruby and Mitchell when they were fosters, but I was very strategic in keeping them as my foster helpers. So if you plan to have a foster fail, make sure they will be a help and not just another pup that makes you want to pull your hair out. Speaking of hair pulling, let’s talk about my recent foster fail, Mitchell.
Mitchell came to us in 2020 as a two-year-old wound up high-energy firecracker. I had been looking for a male Brittany for quite some time, but the household balance that I mentioned earlier hadn’t been right. When Mitchell came along, the timing was perfect. Being young, Mitchell was very hyper. He just wanted to play, get into everything, and test what he could get away with. I thought Mitchell would do well as a foster fail because he was quick to pick up on potty training (bad habits from his former owners caused some issues that were easily corrected). He could be left out of his crate when we were away and not mess or destroy anything (a huge plus), and he was a happy soul that just wanted to play. The hair pulling part comes from Mitchell just being a young and curious Brittany. If there is a clang coming from the kitchen, Mitchell is the one zooming past you with a ladle in his mouth. If a sandwich is left on a counter, there will be a lot more counter space cleared when you return, and you have to watch and rewatch movies like “The Great Escape” and “Stalag 17” to try and thwart his many attempts to “break out” of a perfectly good yard to go chase the neighbor’s chicken. However, Mitchell is wonderful with new fosters. He just wants to play and hang out with them, and that makes them feel so much more at ease in their new environment. And with every bad thing Mitchell does, we have Ruby to balance it out, because she is our perfect angel.
Ruby was my first foster fail. We picked her up when she was eight and a half. Her owners were moving into a smaller place and they felt that they couldn’t take her with them. Ruby came into our home looking like a show dog. Beautifully groomed and manicured, Ruby had a swishy high tail prance like she was on a fashion show runway. We owned no pups at the time since our first Brittany, Bixby, had recently passed away at the age of 14. We were not really looking to adopt at the time, but Ruby stole our hearts. Most fosters come into our home a little scared, but are quickly playing with a ball, or acting like they have been here forever; without a care in the world. Ruby, on the other hand, just moped around the house for weeks, moaning and looking so sad. She really missed her other home and could not understand why she was here. We adopted her because we felt she had been through enough, and pledged to make her life the best we possibly could.
As a foster helper, Ruby has been invaluable to us. She is the real secret to how well we train our fosters to go outside to use the bathroom. The fosters seem to naturally follow her lead. Ruby sets the tone in this house. She will get in a foster’s face and bark and growl at them to set them right. Ruby is like Miss Garrett on the “Facts of Life.” She is nice and pleasant, but don’t push her too far. Ruby is 14 now, and she has become the “old lady on the porch that yells at the kids to get off her grass.” She is old and crotchety, but Ruby keeps the fosters in their place, and they still follow her lead.
So, are you going to have a foster fail in your future? Probably. Is it a good thing? It is the best.
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Do you have “Foster Tails” to tell?
A foster moment you’ll never forget?
A challenge you overcame?
A funny or heartwarming story?
A tale of encouragement?
A foster who made a special impact?
Whether it's a few sentences, a whole story, or a photo that speaks for itself, we would love to share your anecdotes, thoughts, and experiences. Please connect with us at social.networks@americanbrittanyrescue.org.
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TIPS FOR FINDING THE BEST VETERINARIAN
By Linda Joyce
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A dog is different from a cat, different from a rabbit, different from…any other animal, except the wolf (check out PBS: Evolution of the Dog). We also know, though dogs as a species are similar, differentiation by breed is significant when it comes to care and health. The needs of a Papillion are different from a Great Dane which are different from a Brittany. This makes finding the right veterinarian for your special four-legged family member critically important.
Here are valuable tips for selecting the best veterinarian for your Brittany, with an accounting of a personal experience which influenced my decision in finding the best doctor for our dogs:
1) Get personal recommendations of veterinarians (from other Brittany owners, if possible). You want a vet who’s experienced with dogs. Even better if the experience is with your breed of dog.
2) Check out the website. How many veterinarians are in the practice? What services do they perform? Are they open on weekends? If not, whom or where do they recommend you go for emergencies? What are the payment policies?
3) Interview the vet, make a visit to the clinic without your Brittany, discuss their approach/philosophy regarding care. They need to be there for more than administering vaccinations and giving meds. They need to be there for the full care of your dog.
4) Check for the cleanliness of the facility. Ask to see “behind the curtain.” If your dog had an emergency and had to stay for a day or two, what does that area look like? Is it clean?
5) Once you’re comfortable with the veterinarian, then introduce your dog to the doctor and staff under a no-stress situation. Don’t wait for an emergency to introduce your pet to a new veterinarian.
6) In these pandemic days, maybe a mobile veterinary clinic is the best option for you. Rather than making an appointment and handing your beloved family-fur member off to a vet tech, a mobile service may provide the one-on-one care you need. I consulted with Will Crowe, owner of Crowe Farms and the business manager of Cedar Run Veterinary Services in Virginia. I had the pleasure of hearing his wife, Dr. Rebecca Young, DVM, speak at an Upland Bird Dog Field Trial. Mr. Crowe explained some of the benefits of a mobile practice, “No waiting in crowded lobbies, no transportation stress, much less hassle for multiple-pet households, much easier for parents with children, and more comfortable for palliative care and end of life situations.” Cedar Run Veterinary Services comes to their patients.
Remember, your Brittany might have a bark, but you have the voice. You are their trusted human. It’s up to you to advocate for them in all health situations.
This fact came into sharp focus for my husband and me a few years back. We had two American Brittany brothers, Beau and Jack, born in 2002. Jack passed at thirteen years old. Beau lived until he was almost fifteen years old. They were well-loved and well cared for until their last breaths.
The boys were born in Kansas, near where we were living at the time. We’d had two Shelties when we moved to Kansas, but they had passed and we opted for bird dogs. We lucked out because our vet in Kansas possessed a passion for the breed. He grew up with them and treated many in his practice. He understood their bird instincts, hunting instincts, and around-the-house exuberance instincts.
We moved from Kansas to Georgia and thought we knew how to pick a vet. However, we learned how veterinarians can vary, not only with various breeds but with illnesses.
Beau woke us early one Saturday morning. Clearly, he was in pain. This was sudden and unexpected. He was twelve, not quite thirteen years old. We rushed him to an emergency clinic.
While we waited on test results, my husband was on the phone with our vet in Kansas, who wanted to hear the diagnosis. He offered to meet us the next day (Sunday) in his Kansas office to do any possible surgery.
Then the barely-out-of-vet-school emergency veterinarian, after several diagnostics and a bill of more than $1000, came to talk to us. She said, “A tumor ruptured. Here are your options..." She quickly raced down a list of things that could be done with a bill reaching nearly $7,500.00, concluding with, “Or, for $300, you could put him down.”
We were with Beau during this conversation. My husband called our local vet to get her perspective on the situation. After much discussion with our Kansas vet, we opted to keep Beau slightly sedated the rest of Saturday and Sunday. Because the rupture appeared to have clotted, our Georgia vet would do surgery on Monday morning.
The surgery went smoothly. It was THE best outcome for Beau. We were thrilled. However, at the same time, this wonderful local vet, as great as she was, caused us other significant problems.
Jack was sick. For three months, she’d run tests and changed Jack’s food but couldn’t give us a reason for his lethargy and frequent urination. We were up two to four times a night to take him out. His sad eyes expressed his depression and discomfort. After Beau’s surgery, she chalked all of Jack’s symptoms up to aging. We chose to consult a different local vet. That vet looked at Jack’s blood work, said she had to run one test, but she believed, based on his symptoms, he had Cushing’s Disease. And she was right. We changed vets. Jack lived for nearly another eighteen months.
Finding the right veterinarian for your Brittany may take some time and diligence, but so worth the effort to ensure your fur-family member lives a long and happy life with you.
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Liza joined our family in December 2019. From the start, Liza has been a joy to have as part of our family, she loves everyone that she meets and is full of energy. She loves to play with her lambchop toy that is nicknamed “Lamby.” Liza spends some of her time looking for lizards and watches the birds in her backyard, always checking in to see where Mom is. After arriving in Arizona at her new home, Liza had to overcome some minor health issues, understanding boundaries, and realizing that she was not going to be left or abandoned. As time went on, she became more and more comfortable with her home and has adjusted wonderfully to her routine. Liza’s favorite part of the day is going on her daily walk where she can see all the bunnies, birds and lizards outside of the house and show her hunting instincts at work. We are so happy that she is a part of our lives!
The West Family
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:
PAMELA BEWICK
By Autumn Fenton
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Pam Bewick rescued her first Brittany when she was still a young girl. Way back in 1970, her father found a senior Britt dumped at a neighbor’s farm. He brought Duke home, and the whole family immediately fell in love with that “smart and funny” boy, and in turn, the breed itself.
The memory of Duke and ten Britts to follow led Pam to ABR in 2017. She started by fostering several international dogs, became involved with the Jenny 11 two years later, and stepped up as our Washington and Oregon coordinator this past fall.
Caring for the Jenny 11, according to Pam, proved “a real treat.” Jenny had already birthed seven or eight litters by the time she was only five years old. She was pregnant with 11 more pups when sold by a backyard breeder. She eventually found her way to Terri Hansen, who served as Pam’s mentor. Terri fostered Jenny until the puppies’ birth and weaning. Pam photographed each pup and pitched in to collar them, worm them, weigh them, and trim their nails.
“I had never been around puppies that were only a week old, so watching them grow was a gift to me,” she says. Unable to resist, Pam adopted the “bully” of the litter. Her previous experience taught her that “not everyone is kind” to an alpha dog, and she was determined to provide the best life for the ‘pistol’ she named Cheyenne.
At Terri’s suggestion, Pam created a Facebook page inspired by The Jenny 11. “Brittanys in the Light” focuses on rescued Britts in general. It also provides a chance for adoptive families to share photos and updates of Jenny’s pups as they grow and change.
Pam still maintains the page, and now, as adoption coordinator, she reports information about Britts currently up for adoption. She discusses various health issues some of those dogs face, often posting daily updates. The latest is Buddy, a neglected and malnourished dog who was so weak he could hardly stand when brought into ABR’s care. “Buddy is a true rescue because he wouldn’t have made it much longer,” Pam says. “He is the epitome of what we are about.”
In addition to such dedication, Pam’s background allowed her to become an effective coordinator. Pam and her ex-husband owned several businesses. She believes operating those companies for over 25 years enables her to view the position as both a business venture and a public service.
“I do have my struggles since I am used to telling employees what to do, and here I am asking for help,” says Pam. “I have to say the volunteers have been absolutely wonderful. I ask, and they step right up. In about a month, we took in seven dogs, and our screeners processed 21 applications in that time.” There are 98 registered volunteers in Pam’s two states. She wants to get to know all of them.
“Pam has a very strong personality and work ethic,” says Terri. “She genuinely cares about the dogs. Those qualities — among many others — are making Pam a great coordinator.”
Possessing a great memory helps as well. Pam instantly recalls detailed accounts of her adopted dogs, as well as those waiting for their forever homes. She also fondly recounts the history of her own childhood Brittanys, those she welcomed into her home as a newlywed, and those who share her life today.
Perhaps the most telling story involved her beloved Duke. Pam’s father set up a nativity scene on their front lawn one Christmas. He filled the manger with straw and shined a light on it. The family could never figure out why so many people stopped to look. That is, until one evening when they drove up to the house. There they discovered Duke, basking in the spotlight and nestled sound asleep in the straw.
PAM REVEALS THREE NON-DOG RELATED FACTS
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I was a girl scout leader for my daughter’s troop until after she graduated high school, which meant she earned a great many patches.
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I sing to deer. They really like my soprano voice. They enjoy The Happy Wanderer, Kumbaya, Land of the Silver Birch, and Make New Friends.
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I love a challenge. When the iPhone first came out, I told my son I was interested in buying one. As manager of our local Verizon store, he told me I wasn’t savvy enough. So I bought one on his day off, set it up by myself, and then texted him: “I love this new phone. I gotta go bid on eBay, and harvest my Farmville Farm. It’s awesome!”
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Ashe #06149: Meet Ashe, a very handsome 7-year-old being fostered by a trainer in North Carolina. He came back to ABR due to human hardships and circumstances within his family. Ashe has been assessed as a very nice dog who would benefit from physical and mental stimulation from his forever humans. Ashe is very active and loves to run and explore! Ashe bonds very quickly to his owner and can be protective.
To hear more about Ashe, fill out an adoption application - but please review the requirements below before applying:
- No children
- No other dogs, or just one if determined a good match for Ashe, and no cats
- At least a 5-foot fence or higher with no possible escape routes
- No visits to dog parks, stores, etc.
- One or two residents in the household
We would prefer applicants within driving distance of his current foster/trainer in Ramseur, NC, who will prove to be a good resource for transitioning Ashe to his new home. These requirements may sound strict, but we are looking out for both the adopter’s and Ashe’s well-being and pursuit of a happy life.
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Lyla #10382: This is Lyla from Utah, a happy 5-year-old girl looking for her forever home! She is a beautiful Brittany mix with a long tail and a sweet freckled face. She gets along with people and dogs and follows Jake, her new Britt brother, and loves to play chase in the yard. Lyla loves attention and cuddles and will give you happy kisses.
Lyla is house trained and has had no accidents so far. There's room for improvement on her leash walking skills, but we're working on it and she is making strides!
Lyla was surrendered to ABR because she was having some “resource guarding” issues with her dog brother. In her foster home, she has demonstrated aggression when contained in her crate. She otherwise enjoys relaxing there with the door OPEN. We believe she experienced some trauma when locked in her crate and we do not recommend keeping her in any confined space, nor should she be unattended near any children. She is an affectionate and very sweet girl that loves to snuggle, but something triggers bad behavior around toys. She has shown severe resource guarding around objects. Food doesn't appear to cause any aggression, however, her new owner must be comfortable proving a safe space while she adjusts and learns what is acceptable and what is not. As long as toys and "objects" are kept away from her, she is a true sweetheart!
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Hunter #10353: Hi, I’m Hunter from Colorado!! I am tall, dark, handsome and looking for forever love. I am a bigger boy with a huge heart and lots of love to share. I am an active, yet disciplined 8 year old. I really love running around the acreage at my foster home with the other furry friends, but most of all.... I love the puppy pool! I am very respectful of the house and have never had an accident or marked inside.
When I arrived in my foster home, it was first-things-first. I took a nap with a nice lady in scrubs, and woke up with 5 less teeth, fresh breath and missing some big boy parts. I am feeling better now that the oral infection is gone and I am pain free. That nice lady told my foster mom that I am very healthy, and I clearly came from a home that loved me very much.
You may wonder why I am with ABR now. Well, I made a mistake due to my infection and pain that caused me to bite my dad's hand. There was a new tiny human coming and that scared my mom. Dad made the brave choice to see if a different situation would be better for me. Good news is that since the extraction and antibiotics, I have NEVER shown a bit of aggression to my foster family or any human friends. I love those little humans that come and spend the weekends sometimes. I have made some great new Brittany friends at my foster home.
My perfect match would be parents who love to give scratches, a fenced yard that I can run around in, and someone to play ball with. (Just don't expect a perfect game of fetch. Like many Brittanys, I go and get it, but get distracted showing off and sometimes don't bring it back. Sorry!) The icing on the cake would be a doggie pool that I can jump in and out of throughout the day. I don't know if I can swim in a big pool, but it's worth trying to learn if you have one!
I am working on walking on a leash. I didn't need to in my former home or at the fosters ranch. I'll try hard to master this, so I can be a well-rounded gentleman.
What do you say, you and me? I look forward to hearing from you and developing a long-lasting loving relationship.
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Max #10354: This sweet boy is Max from Washington state. Max is approximately 11 years old. He came to ABR severely underweight, in need of extensive dental work, and with many fatty growths-- yet he still came to us with a wiggle. All of his medical issues have now been taken care of (though he could still gain a pound). He is also deaf, but responds well to hand gestures.
Max runs a few times a week and he has gone on several hikes of varying elevation and mileage. And did we mention he loves the water?
He wants to be with his people all the time when they are home, but has done very well being left by himself or with the resident dog. He knows the dog door and learns quickly. He deserves to have a family member he can sleep next to and cuddle on the couch with. Max has gotten along, on his end, with every dog he has met and as he has healed, has been more and more playful.
Max has a bright future and it will be one very lucky family that gets to spend it with him.
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Are you looking to adopt a Brittany but don't see one available in your area? |
We welcome you to complete an adoption application to start the approval process, so you will be ready to adopt when the time comes!
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ABR Masks are now for sale at the Brittany Boutique for $5
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Keep up-to-date on dog food and treat recalls on DogFoodAdvisor.com. You can also sign up to have recall alerts delivered to your inbox! |
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ABOUT THE 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
Terrie Johnson, Vice President
Michelle Falkinburg, Secretary
Jeanette Seely, Interim Treasurer
Sandra Oelschlegel, Chair
Diana Doiron
Nancy Hensley
Bobbi Tolman
Melissa Tapply DiLello
AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE E-NEWSLETTER TEAM
Brittany Boler
Christine Brennan
Jeannine Connors
Judie Cutting
Kristin Davis
Autumn Fenton
Lori Gartenhaus
Patricia Gillogly
Linda Joyce
Melissa Tapply DiLello
Debra White
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