Happy New Year to all of our friends, family and supporters!

2020 marks our 24th year of operation and none of this would have been possible without EACH of you!

Thank you from our hearts for your belief in what we do and why we are so needed in the community! 

Some updates on our upcoming BHRR Events for 2020!

1) We still have 3 tickets available to our January 16th @ Don Cherry’s in Kanata – Make Your Own Custom Sign event! Over 500+ designs or make your own!

$15 from each ticket comes to rescue and between the Boerskins and The Maracles, we have a Bakers Dozen of homemade Cinnamon Buns and an Apple Crumble Pie entered into draws for all of our attendees!

Please visit the link to buy your ticket(s)!

2) Our 8th Annual Breaking Bills Bake Online Auction will start January 18th and we are seeking Bakers! You do not need to be located in our area to donate!

We will post your item(pics are lovely!) and the location(s) of where said items can be picked up.

Do note that please do not offer up an item(s) if you will not honour your donation.

Please email contactbhrr@gmail.com if you would be willing to donate a baked item for humans and/or doggies!

3) We are still in conversation as to whether we shall host a February BHRR ‘EXPERIENCE’ mini open house. We did so for close to 18 years and then stopped holding the February event due to several reasons.

With how popular they are, we are still deciding if we shall offer up one in February. Stay Tuned!

The 3 blind/deaf mice are seen here with Mason as part of our annual traditional Xmas Eve photo’s. This year, as I was working throughout the Holiday Season, we did our photo shoot tonight instead!

They are sporting their Wiggle Bumz Collars that I purchased for them in 2019 and if were not for your support, their futures would not be as it is today…ones of such happiness, the best of health possible considering that they are DM and a life of such quality!

They will be 15 months of age on the 21st of January. Far surpassing the life expectancy that several gave to them…..

They are coming up due for their annuals and that is going to be an adventure! 

If you believe in what we do, please do consider supporting our cause….today alone, we have received 263 emails requesting our assistance for urgent animals in need of our highly specialised programs.

Donations can be made direct to Eagleson Veterinary Clinic 613-383-3881

OR via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org

OR via email transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com

Once again please know how much what our friends, family and supporters do for the animals of BHRR means to us….

You are those strong links on that BHRR “CHAIN OF SUCCESS’

We look forward with you standing by the sides of those in need of our programs to have our best rescue year to date for as much as we would wish that r/q Rescue did not have to exist, it is a necessity…….

Since our three blind/deaf mice are SO popular…sharing another photo!

Tonight, I was trying…yet, again, to get some work done on my computer and put two x-pens around my computer…well, how does one get any work done being ‘stared’ down!? Even my Matrix(my one eyed flirting pirate is behind them also staring me down!) ?

It was clearly time for walkies before rest and dinner and now that the sleet plus freezing rain is coming down fast, no time too soon to have made that happen!

AND…….what better way to attract your attention!

We ONLY have a few more days to go to sell 10 more tickets.

If we do not sell 10 more tickets by January 2nd, 2020, sadly, I shall lose my $100 deposit and the animals shall also miss out on some truly much needed support.

AND to sweeten the pot to all that have already bought tickets or will buy a ticket(s), your name will be entered into a draw to win a bakers dozen of The Boerksins famours homemade cinnamon buns!

Make Your Own Sign Nite!
January 16th, 2020
Time: 8:00 PM Start
Location: Don Cherry’s in Kanata

$15 for every ticket sold comes to Rescue and we shall be splitting the proceeds with Ottawa Rabbit Rescue.

You can choose a stencil from over 500+ designs OR custom make a sign all of your own.

Joyce shall be our amazing hostess once more AND come early, grab some drinks, snacks or dinner!

Please click on the LINK to purchase your own ticket(s)!

Please do consider supporting our cause….2020 promises to be our most needed year to date since our inception in 1996. ? We already have many new requests for our assistance of dogs plus horses in need of our highly specialised programs.

Thank you in advance for considering to come out to our Sign Night!

My last post of my night!

Even by putting across an xpen to keep them out of the kitchen for safety, trying to bake some famous homemade Boerskins cinnamon buns meets with a fan club! 

Our three blind/deaf mice and you can see their Mama – BHRR’s Meadow in the background.

We want to send out our biggest and most heartfelt of thanks to everyone that stepped up to be special Secret Santa’s and to those that sent extra pessies to help make sure that no one was missed! YOU have given the BHRR dogs a really amazing XMAS! One that so many have never experienced in their lives of safety, health, happiness and love. THANK you! 

I know people are waiting for our traditional Xmas Eve Photo shoot yet, in working XMAS Eve and throughout the Holidays, this photo shoot will have to be delayed for a few more days!

Thank you also from our hearts to each and every person that stepped up to assist us with the blind/deaf mice! They are now over 14 months of age and only BHRR’s Glacier is beginning to show some of the DM health signs of IS at this time……

I shall also be removing Summit’s remaining eye – he does not see from it – yet, our hope to allow him to keep it, has not panned out as we wished. He also is battling chronic eye infections and is in great discomfort these days. He will join his siblings who had double eye eneucleations earlier in 2019.

Without all of you, they would not have been able to have this opportunity of a great quality filled life and they live their best lives every day!

They romp and roam in our 3+ acres with all of the other dogs and we continue to not treat them as being different.

Their noses are finely honed in with the scent training I have done with them and their touch training continues to excel.

From our home to all of our friends, family and supporters, please know how much we appreciate you and do be safe out there over the next day or so….the weather and roads shall be brutal. Good night from us to all of you!

My last post of my night!

I have a very rare thing happening and that is two days off in a row from work at the Hospital and am going to enjoy every minute tonight with family!

Here are the three blind/deaf mice ‘telling’ me earlier that it was time for dinner! I tried putting an xpen around my desk to attempt to get a little bit more work done, yet, their internal clocks said ‘NOPE, it was dinner time’ and so, it was! 

Hard to believe that they are almost 1 year of age!

You can see Summit’s one eye and sadly, it too shall have to be enucleated. Though, he also had no sight in the eye, it was not bothering him the way his other one was or for his siblings when they were wee.

Now, sadly, he has developed a cherry eye and he is also battling his own level of chronic pain and infection.

We had hoped(his specialist and I) that it could be saved yet, it, too shall have to be removed.

The three of them are thriving otherwise and we still may have to remove teeth yet, to date they mouths/jaws are developing overall quite well.

To those that felt that they did not deserve a great quality filled life, I still say ‘shame on you.’. To those that have met them and even at our annual DINE WITH THE DOGGIES EVENT, they were perfectly behaved, our guests saw how much that they are living their best lives each and every day.

They go out with all the dogs, they can maneuver in the 3+ acre fenced in yard independently due to all of their set up for success scent training and they are treated no differently than any of the other really deserving amazing dogs here!

I have said this many times over, they are normal to them and to us…as, they know life in no other way!

They are healthy, strong – BHRR’s Sleet is not as hardy as her brothers YET, never tell her that! She keeps Summit in line, they are happy, they are smart, they are affectionate, loving, gentle – well, most of the time, they stand their ground and are not light weights in allowing anyone to push them around and this is because we have been bringing them up that there is nothing that they cannot do, that they are not different, that they are not to be babied, that we do not feel sorry for them, we taught them that they are important and deserving and that they are deeply loved! They are so much more confident plus comfortable in their own skin now.

They are not perfect…far from it…they have behavioural quirks and traits and we have to be careful re: over-stimulation, especially for BHRR’s Sleet yet, she ROCKED over 40 guests at our house at the end of September without hesitation.

We will see in time what other health issues they may develop as that is the nature of the beast with these special needs Danes. The closer they will get to age three the more the genetic markers of behavioural and medical issues shall really emerge.

They are a lifetime of deep commitment and dedication and we will give that to them!

AND If you know of a special needs Great Dane that needs rescue assistance, please do reach out to us! This is our mandate! Why we exist.

From our home to all of our friends, family and supporters, the warmest of good night wishes are being sent and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

My three blind/deaf mice are growing up!

They are now 7 months of age and not much difference between them and my special needs GD ‘Salt’, who turned 4 in April. 

AND all are never far from where I am…..even dragging blankets around to be near me! They find it hard to drag the XL Costco dog beds around….for now! 

AND yes, Summit is a bit dirty – lots of fun digging with BHRR’s Volt in the dirt! 

From our home to all of our friends, family plus supporters, good night wishes being sent!

The Dane Trio(My 3 blind/deaf mice)
March 24th, 2019

BHRR’s Glacier & BHRR’s Sleet are smelling something wonderful – no idea what!? – and Summit is loving the ice/snow! 

Easter dinner is best when it is pulled off the stand and then shared with family! ??

Two of my three blind/deaf mice! They turned 6 months old today too!

These are double merles Danes. Mother is a heavily blanketed Harle and Dad is white. 

For Dalmations it is the ‘Piebald’ gene and in Aussies is also the ‘Merle’ gene.

Dogs with the merle, piebald, or extreme white piebald genes can all be special needs.

Congenital deafness has been found in over 80 different breeds, but it may be found in any breed. Those dogs with spots, dapples, or merle coats or those with white skin or fur are predisposed to congenital deafness. The most commonly affected breed is the Dalmatian, of which there are almost 30% that are deaf.

Congenital Blindness

Affected dogs have prominent third eyelids and small eyes which appear recessed in the eye socket (enophthalmos). A defect early in development results in the smaller than normal eye (microphthalmia).This is often associated with other eye abnormalities, including defects of the cornea, anterior chamber, lens and/or retina. Microphthalmia is also seen with coloboma – a cleft in a portion of the eye, particularly the iris.

Microphthalmia with multiple defects (ocular dysgenesis) is often seen in dogs with a merle hair coat with excessive amounts of white or all white.These dogs are frequently blind.

There is no treatment for the structural defects. Complications that may develop are things like glaucoma

 Ocular abnormalities that may be seen with ocular dysgenesis and merling with excessive white in the coat, include microphthalmia, microcornea, heterochromia irides, cataract, staphyloma, retinal detachment, irregular pupil, white to blue iris (albino), angle dysgenesis, iris coloboma, and blindness.

Anterior cleavage syndrome,or anterior ocular dysgenesis, has been seen in association with microphthalmia. In addition to other ocular abnormalities as seen above, the anterior chamber, pupil and iridocorneal angle are not formed. The anterior uvea is continuous with the posterior cornea. Pups are blind.

As they get ready to go to bed shortly – they are hanging out by my computer snoozing! – The Dane Trio(6 months old now) would like to gently remind everyone about our 8th Annual ‘1-on-1’ Special Date With A BHRR Dog Online Auction!

To view the 26 amazing dates that we have up for grabs – we have DAY and OVERNIGHT Dates – please do visit THIS LINK for all of the details and to bid!

We currently have bids of $600! 

Our unique Date Auction Event ends 9:00 PM EST on Thursday April 18th, 2019!

Summit was not far behind though! 

WTG!! Very proud of their target practise results! 

BHRR’s Glacier was still snoozing away in the back seat at this point! 

AND the moment BHRR’s Sleet *scented* off Kinsley when she got off the bus! 

Immediate ‘hit’ on target! Yes!

Good girl BHRR’s Sleet! 

Summit was still busy nuzzling me! 

Summit & BHRR’s Sleet would like to gently remind everyone that our flash auction ends tonight – Friday March 29th @ 9 PM EST. 
*this pic was taken as we waited at the end of our laneway for Kinsley*

Like many groups we have unexpected medical costs associated with several additions to our program and as a highly focused special needs rescue – especially with the Giants, those bills are running very high.

AND this is what happens when your shoelace comes undone and you trip on it….falling on your tush! 

You become ‘fresh meat’ for the extremely affectionate deaf/blind Dane Trio Puppies! They all think they are lap babies and want to be in my lap and snuggled plus lick my face….the problem is they are too big now.

AND there are three of them and only one lap of mine!

AND thanks so much Sean for taking a picture FIRST before coming to “rescue” me! LOL

I have to say though that one of my most precious moments is at night when BHRR’s Sleet comes on to my lap, puts her head on my shoulder and just wants to be held and rocked….it is so soothing to her. No matter how big she gets, we will continue to have this nightly moment of love!

I shall update after they have their latest recheck at the Vet today. 

Happy Sunny Monday to all!

Another great walking pic of them.

Tell me how many hearing/seeing dogs, especially at the age of 5 months can walk so well all at once! 

That is a lot of training, time, patience, love, understanding, structure, consistency, routine, knowledge and experience put into helping these deaf/blind Dane babies reach their full potential. 

The Dane Trio – AKA my gorgeous Three Blind/Deaf Mice.
March 24th, 2019

5 months of age!

I think I need larger stuffies soon….what size comes after Giant?! 

After a lovely outside play, a nice nap is in order… 

The adorable ‘three blind mice’ AKA The deaf/blind Dane Trio.

They are now 4 months of age and yes, they still like to Puppy Pile on top of each other for nap time!

I think I am going to need biggie Stuffies soon! 

Someone recently posted on our facebook page after seeing the Video re: housebreaking and if we are still paper training them. Here is my response:

We never paper trained BHRR’s Sleet or BHRR’s Glacier. 

As Summit came to me super young – barely 6 weeks, he had pee pads for all of 24 hours for he picked up housetraining super fast. A friend of mine took care of him while I had to be away and she also found him really brill with his housetraining too. 

Do the puppies still have the occasional accident, yes, but rare. They are only four months old and any accidents they do have is not their fault, it is the fault of the humans. 

Like any new rescue, regardless of age that comes to us – for many 1, 3 or even older dogs often come to us not housebroken – they all go through the same training for housebreaking. After every play session, nap, eating or first thing in the morning or time-wise – we start at every 20-30 minutes and work our way in ever increasing time increments, they go outside. 

We teach scent training and use a faint scent on the door we want them to use to ‘ask’ to go outside and it is a soft fruity scent. So, they learn on their own first by scent and then also by sensation – temp changes, breezes, sun, rain, snow etc., 

Most of these rare accidents will often be right in front of that door.

The Dane Trio rarely even messes in their crates either as I got up every couple of hours to let them out when they first arrived and now they sleep 6 hours straight wonderfully. 

They all go out right before bed, are given their special yummy treats – often I will find them already in their crates waiting for me after I open up the door to let them back in and go get their treat, if I had not taken any with me when letting them back in.

What any dog needs is consistency, patience, time, structure, routine and clear open communication in a positive balanced learning and supportive environment. 

In the mornings, they all now trot out the door and do their thing.

It was longer to teach then how to use the small ramp that Sean built for our mobility challenged dogs than it was to housebreak them. 

Now, they think the ramp is a big game – up and down! 

I always tell my behavioural and training clients, if you put all of the necessary efforts and work into things right from the start, you avoid bad habits developing.

We want dogs to be assets to home plus community and the Dane Trio are wonderful pups!

Someone recently posted on our facebook page after seeing the Video – and has not been the first time – re: their hearing and here is my posted response:

BHRR’s Sleet is 100% deaf

BHRR’s Glacier & Summit hear less than 5% – they can only extremely faintly hear some ‘tones’ and even then have no idea where it is coming from. They fall well under the definition of being defined as legally deaf.

It is the vibration they love of the squeaker & the mouth sensation of ‘squishing’ the squeakers.

They have a wide variety of toys that squish and crinkle and even rattle and some ball & KONG toys that even squeak.

They just loved this skinless stuffie that squeaked. 

They have skinless stuffies yet none of them squeak and it is a new toy to them, so a big novelty.

I rotate toys every two weeks for all of the dogs to keep things fresh and stimulating.

Someone recently posted – and has not been the first time – on our facebook about how can I tell the Dane Trio Pups apart. Here is my posted response:

As the saying goes, ‘A mother knows’. They are all their own individuals with different personalities, likes/dislikes and they look quite different and are all uniquely their own dog. They are much more/different than just predominantly the colour of white.

They are all different sizes with BHRR’s Sleet being my small, feisty yet mighty girl and will take none of Summits’ ‘crap’. Such a beautiful girl. She is a survivor all the way. She is the most special needs of all three and no one better ever think about putting her into a bubble for she will burst out of it, offended and ready to prove to the world that she is no different than any other dog. 

When things get too exciting for her or she feels overwhelmed, I have been the only one to be able to get her to sit, take the deep breaths in, re-collect and be able to come back and focus. When she is overwhelmed, she would grab and shake things to try and release her tension….she is so much better already.

She was really closed and shut in, frustrated that no one could understand or speak her language and now, she has been relaxing and being able to love life in ways that were once closed off.

She is a thinker, does not like to be told ‘no’ and can solve puzzles so fast. She is brilliant! She has done more for Summit’s bad boy ‘tude in a short period of time than I have done in many weeks. She so rules!

She has learned how to open xpens and crates and when she sets her mind to something….watch out! 

She is a big risk taker….no fear this one! 

She has taken a long time to love to snuggle and cuddle and now, she loves it and is alway crawling on my lap and laying her head on my shoulder. She loves to be rocked. Many special needs dogs can feel threatened by being held and I have worked very hard to demonstrate that touches are good and hands are loving and helpful, not hurtful.

She has had the most anxiety in the car almost from day one and so much improvement being made one baby step at a time.

BHRR’s Glacier is my ‘soft’ boy. Loves everyone and everything. He is happy from the moment he gets up to the moment he falls asleep. His world is full of so much sunshine and rainbows and happiness. 

He is very smart in his own special way and he is incredibly loving.

He is my sensitive one. I have worked to build up his comfort and confidence and he is the follower, not the leader. Every time he does do something all on his own, he is praised and encouraged. 

Due to his lowered confidence level, he has been the resourcer of the Trio and much patience, consistency, understanding plus time has and remains going into his training program in regards to this. Sharing the communal water bowls is pretty much a non issue now and the rest will come. He is only 4 months old and has already made wonderful progress. With no structure prior to myself getting them, it was a ‘fend’ for yourself mentality and now he is learning, we are here….we will take care of things and no one will lack for anything. He is learning he will get enough food and water and love and things will be ok.

If he could, he would be held in your arms all day, 24/7. He loves human contact and all of the dogs – his loves everything! – and he is the one that relies most strongly on finding my scent and needs to know I am ‘close to him & very around’ yet he is becoming more independent as learns that he is ok on his own four feet. 

He is the one that will come to me to ‘tell’ me if one of his siblings has been doing something they should not – ie Summit grabbing a paper towel roll. He is getting so much better at being part of the mischief these days and that is fantastic!

He is honest and soft and so sweet. He just melts your heart in a million ways. He has a monkey side that we are seeing more and more of and he is getting much better at holding his own against his siblings. 

We have been working on his excitement level for when he is excited, he wants to grab and jump and that is a big growing Dane. He is a big baby and so proud of his progress too!

Summit – he is my ‘bad’ boy! Very intelligent and loves being cuddled only on his terms and when he is done, he is done! 

No fear for this boy! Another big risk taker and as he has been maturing, he is settling into a fine young man. 

He was a bit of an inside out bully as I term it and he has come a long way with his manners and he is a star pupil – most days now! 

If there is trouble to be had or mischief to be done, you can bet that this fine young man had something to do with it! 

He is a delight mix of ‘old’ soul and bratty baby and I have a feeling that he was the one to ‘look’ out for his surviving siblings – 5 of them – and we have been working on showing him that he can be a puppy and let us be the ones to take care of him.

He can be so serious and grown up many times over. Pulls at your heart in some ways and it warms my heart to see him be a puppy. 

I could write Gwennie novels about them all, all day long. They have their similarities yet they are very very much their own dogs.

It would be so wrong and it would be doing them an injustice to say they were all the same. 

I am so proud of them all!

They are all treated and trained to help each of them reach their incredibly amazing full potential.

The Dane Trio VIDEO 
4 months of age – March 9th, 2019

Today was so gorgeous that I began to do kitchen spring cleaning – right before the next big snow & ice storm hits tomorrow – 15+ cms expected! – and I had the whole kitchen dismantled with cupboards emptied, doors off, counter tops piled high as I wiped out, purged and got all tidied up again!

All I wanted to do is make a lunch snack and then load the dishwasher and my gorgeous Dane Trio just had to ‘supervise’.

They dragged toys and giant stuffies into the kitchen and got all settled in!

Sleeping on the job they are and no way am I going to be able to get into the dishwasher now to load it up!

The blind/deaf Dane Trio Puppies!
February 15th, 2019

This picture is one that I took after I got them home from their eye eneucleation surgeries.

Despite all of the comfy dog beds, they wanted to be by my feet as I prepared the other dogs’ night time snacks.

I had promised to update and while I would have liked to have done this sooner, they needed me round the clock.

As always, they have very detailed blogs for anyone that is still not familiar with their story and may think that we just decided to take out their eyes without just cause.

The day of surgery:

BHRR’s Glacier weighed: 20.9 kgs
Summit weighed: 23.2 kgs
BHRR’s Sleet weighed 19.1 kgs

I have already made an extremely detailed post re: Summit and he continues to do quite well.

BHRR’s Glacier – The specialist had the hardest time with his eyes.

They were extremely deformed and difficult to remove. BHRR’s Glacier had to have his eye sockets packed in efforts to stop the bleeding.

Dr. Philibert had felt at one point that he might wrap his face/eyes yet then decided that it may bother BHRR’s Glacier more.

BHRR’s Glacier was the only one – at that time placed on antibiotics also and all three puppies had their fashionable cones to work to prevent them getting at their own eyes, alter incisions and BHRR’s Sleet her umbilical hernia repair.

BHRR’s Glacier did not wake up from his anesthetic well. As soon as I heard the screaming, I went back, put my hand to his nose so he could scent off me and stroked his back and neck soothingly….in a matter of moments after some deep breaths, he settled, was given more pain meds and went back to sleep.

If ever there was a valid reason for scent training, this was it! I am ‘home’ to him and I mean ‘safety’ and he trusts that he will be ok.

More than one staff was in awe of how fast he picked up my scent and relaxed yet I have worked so hard preparing these puppies for this day…I had been working on them being near each other yet apart and having their Giant Stuffies for comfort and all three puppies ROCKED their very long day at the Hospital.

THEY just rocked it! They were calm and quite comfortable. VERY proud of them!

Not even 48 hours post surgery and BHRR’s Glacier bumped into the kitchen island and he, too began to throw some blood clots from his nose.

He managed to get his cone at just the right angle and pull out a couple of his sutures by rubbing…..

BHRR’s Sleet – she kept throwing big blood clots from her nose in post-op recovery and it was monitored closely.

Over the net 48 hours, the clots started to resolve.

She has been the most resourceful one and has managed to use her own cone to rub out some of her own eye sutures plus on her alter/hernia repair site.

So, Miss Sleet also went on antibiotics.

The first night, their IV ports were left in so I could administer their Buprenorphine via IV and I stayed with them all night.

The ONLY time I was away from them was to go to the bathroom and BHRR’s Sleet, the wee monkey managed to get at some of her Vet Wrap covering the PRN(IV catheter plug) off and then get the PRN out.

So, I came back a few minutes later to well….a small scene any horror movie would have been proud of.

So, a bigger cone was put on Miss Sleet and I pulled her catheter out.

AND it was ice packs all around from eyes to private parts and BHRR’s Sleet’s belly to work on getting the swelling down. 

Their sutures were to come out between Day 10-14 yet they did not come out until today as being special needs, their healing process has been slow.

We remain incredibly indebted to all that stepped up to help contribute to their mounting Vet Bills.

With their ensuing Vet Visits, additional antibiotics, pain meds etc., we still owe $900 yet will continue to host flash auctions in our efforts to cover those bills.

AND, with BHRR’s Connery, BHRR’s Volt and BHRR’s Barney’s own pressing medical bills, not to mention myself managing to track down the mother of the Dane Trio and as a result, also finding their special needs father – still working on getting them into BHRR; we continue to battle huge bills yet are taking it one breath at a time……

FOR anyone that may think we did not know what we were doing when we had their eyes removed, you would be 100% incorrect. We are the experts with special needs Danes/Dogs as are their incredible Vet Team including their excellent Specialist.

They had a large team at KAH the day of their surgeries including three Vets, one being their Specialist, Dr. Philibert. They were in the best hands possible. 

AND……

If anyone may consider donating an item to one of our upcoming flash auctions, please do email contactbhrr@gmail.com

If anyone may consider donating directly to the Vet Bills of these beautiful dogs; you can contact Kanata Animal Hospital 613-836-2848 directly as we have an account there

OR via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org(friend and family option please so we do not pay fees)

OR via email transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com

*Please note that yes, there is a different address for email transfer over PayPal.

For all of those that have been blessed to meet the Dane Trio puppies to date, remember how happy they were? Even being in such chronic brutal pain, battling constant eye infections?

WAIT, until you meet them now…….even more happy, healthy and normal to them and to all those that love them!

Remember, they did not know life as hearing/seeing dogs to begin with, this is their normal…..now, they will know a future pain-free too!

From our home to all of our friends, families plus supporters, warmest good night wishes are being sent!

My last post of my night!

BHRR’s Glacier & BHRR’s Sleet!

Their heads are pink from the prep solution for their surgeries on Friday.

Summit UPDATE!

Thank you to all that have been so patient plus understanding that after a very long day – almost 13 hours – for their surgeries on Friday, that I have needed to be with the Dane Trio Pups 24/7.

They have had to be the priority yet, as promised, I am updating.

I am going to do the updates in three separate posts so that the Gwennie Novels are not as large! 

First of all, I have so many to thank for making generous, loving and supportive donations along with sending the beautiful well wishes! 

In having to obtain additional Buprenorphine to administer via their IV ports for pain control and fashionable cones too, their Vet Bills have increased from one of my last posts.

BHRR’s Sleet’s & BHRR’s Glacier’s Surgery Bills: $5,085.09

The original quote was for $4,000+tx.

BHRR’s Glaciers’ eye removal surgeries were also much more complicated due to the severity of the abnormal condition of his eyes. He was placed on antibiotics due to the extensive difficulty with his surgery and the amount of bleeding had.

I was able to put some of my own pay check on to their bills on Friday to also help do my part in helping them too!

STILL NEEDED: Just over $1,100

Donations can be made direct to Kanata Animal Hospital 613-836-2848
(they cannot take Visa Debit or M/C Debit over the phone)

OR via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org (Any Country can donate)

OR via Email Transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com (Canadian based supporters only can contribute via email transfer as that is where we are located)

NOTE: I am covering Summit’s own bill of $2,503.63 completely out of my own pocket and will get that paid off as I can.

This picture is of BHRR’s Summit after his neuter and getting ready to have his right eye removed.

Dr. Philibert and I conversed in great depth re: the removal of both eyes and the decision was made to leave the left eye in with Summit for now.

If it does have to be removed in the future, then we will address it at that time.

His one Vet also checked his bite as all three puppies have had issues and they found marked improvement as he has been maturing plus with what they referred to as ‘ball therapy’ that we had been doing with them and not aware that it was helping that much!

The specialist Dr. Philibert felt his surgery went very well and out of the three puppies, he is bouncing back the best, easiest.

All three puppies pre-op bloodwork indicated lymphocytosis. Per Dr. Philbert, he believed it may be from the chronic abnormalities with the eyes for they have an inflammatory or secondary infection component.

We even repeated BHRR’s Sleets’ bloodwork the day of surgery as she was showing indicators of being anemic and she is the smallest and most DM affected of the three puppies. She may be feisty yet all three are quite fragile with their DM compromised auto immune systems.

We wanted to be sure it would be ok to proceed. Dr. Philibert had been considering after her first round of bloodwork to only do her eye eneucleations and then later spay plus address the umbilical hernia. Her bloodwork remained stable and the whole Vet team were in agreement that it would be safe to proceed.

Summit weighed 23.2 kgs(51.04 pounds) at 3.5 months of age.

I also microchipped all the puppies on Friday.

These puppies are not available for adoption. They will remain in our Haven program and they reside in our extremely experienced, knowledgeable loving home, NOT a cage or kennel.

Summit is eating and drinking well and other than being a bit grumpy, he is bombing along quite well with his recovery!

THANK you to Dr. Philibert, Chelsea, Simon, Holly, Dr. Ashdown, Nadine, Dr. Zak and Nadine for ALL they did on Friday. I work with such an amazing team of people. 

AND thank you to anyone in advance for any consideration you may make to their so deserving cause!

The 3.5 month old deaf/blind Dane Trio Puppies are now dropped off! 

They will be under the experts hands of Dr. Philibert, whom many know as one of Ottawa’s incredible specialists. 

He shall also be under super tech Chelsea’s care plus Holly and I am so grateful to them both too! 

We have had a total of just under $2,100 come their way to date for their eye removal surgeries, their alters plus BHRR’s Sleet’s umbilical hernia repair. 

We are still short $1,900+tx as we were given a quote of $4,000+ for their surgeries.

We will be working on a flash auction ASAP and please if anyone may have even $5.00 to spare to go their way, we would be so so so touched.

Donations can be made direct to Kanata Animal Hospital 613-836-2848 

OR via email transfer contactbhrr@gmail.com

OR via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org

Please with all of my heart and who I am, if you may consider their truly deserving cause to support, I would be beyond humbled….

Thank you in advance…. 

Please also keep them in your best wishes….it is going to be a really tough day on me too….

NOTE: We have posted this many times over and posting it again:

These three deaf/blind puppies not only have recessed pupils, they have severe Microphthalmia. They also have extreme Entropion and not just the lower lids.

This causes their eyelids plus lashes to fold in and are scratching their eyes, causing constant infections not to mention giving them a brutal level of pain.

People need to stop making erroneous assumptions about what they believe to be in the best interest of these puppies. 

We have been doing this for almost 30 years as a highly experienced plus knowledgeable special needs Great Dane Rescue, they also have an incredible experienced Vet team including a specialist deeply involved in their lives.

LAST CALL! Auction ENDS in 20 minutes!

BHRR’s Glacier is pulling out the cuteness factor hoping that you may consider bidding in our 6th Annual ‘Breaking Bills Bake’ Online Auction that shall end TONIGHT – Sunday January 27th @ 9:00 PM EST. 

We have 76 absolutely incredible item in this year’s Online Auction!

The Final Countdown is on! Less than 6 hours to go!

BHRR’s Sleet of The BHRR Dane Trio says time is running out! So move quickly to get your bids in before it is too late!  She moved in on me so fast with her tracking, picked up my scent, honed in and I only managed to snap one shot before she knocked me flat on my rump! 

Our 6th Annual ‘Breaking Bills Bake’ Online Auction that shall end Sunday January 27th @ 9:00 PM EST.

BHRR’s Glacier of The BHRR Dane Trio!

He says that he has to take a power snooze from all of the excitement of our 6th Annual ‘Breaking Bills Bake’ Online Auction that shall end Sunday January 27th @ 9:00 PM EST.

BHRR worked so hard to come up with our truly unique, one-of-a-kind Fundraisers and we ONLY host 4 a year, so we remain so appreciative to everyone that supports our efforts! ?

AND our 6th Annual “Breaking Bills Bake” Online Auction is now LIVE!

We have 75 absolutely amazing delicious items!

**Also, please NOTE the location pick-up on the item(s) you are interested in!**

AND in our first day of bidding, we have had a beautiful $396 in bids! 

Still ISO: Bakers for human and/or doggie treats for our 6th Annual ‘Breaking Bills Online Auction’.

Begins Saturday!

Items do not need to be made until the Auction is over – so after January 27th.

Location does not matter for we have supporters all over! Please do email gwen@birchhaven.org if you may consider an item to donate!

We currently have 20 generous bakers! 

All monies raised shall go towards the eye enucleations, altering plus repairing BHRR’s Sleet’s umbilical hernia.

We have an estimate – $4,000+tx and their surgeries are scheduled for Friday February 15th. Their Microphthalmia eyes, including having deep recessed pupils are greatly paining these deaf/blind babies. They remain being treated for infections. We need to move on their surgeries as an urgent situation for their well being.

They will have their boosters spaced out between two appointments and then have their pre-op bloodwork done in preparation for their big surgeries on February 15th.

Dr. Philibert will be their specialist surgeon and they will be in excellent hands. 

So between now and then, we need to figure out our fundraising for them…..

I will have one flash auction item and working on another idea, that I am calling “Puppy Love”.

Donations to their bills can be made direct to Kanata Animal Hospital as Dr. Philibert will be doing their surgeries there 613-836-2848

OR via email transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com

OR via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org (Use the Friend & Family option please so we do not pay fees)

On behalf of the amazing 11 week old Dane Trio, to all of our friends, family plus supporters, stay warm and good night wishes being sent!

Special Needs Dane Trio Update!

First of THANK you’s sent out to both Elaine plus Kathryn for the puppy wrangling help tonight at their next Vet Visit! 

BHRR’s Sleet – 23.76 pounds(Up 5.94 pounds since January 2nd so gaining really well!)

Her anxiety was better in the car this time around – she lasted 15 minutes before it set in and she was the most ‘busy’ of the three tonight at KAH due to her level of stress/anxiety. 

When she crashed, she crashed big time….she is better than she was and in having her such a short period of time, she has really made progress!

Her small abscess on the top of her head is healing well – we still do not know how she came to BHRR that way.

She will require a double enucleation (both eyes to be removed as they are paining her and causing constant infections).

She was healthy enough for her boosters and I also did a nail trim. 

Her teeth appear to be placed in her mouth ok and she has an immature digestive system.

She is completely blind/deaf. 

BHRR’s Glacier – 25.52 pounds(Up 5.94 pounds too! AND gaining wonderfully.)

Such a love….big cuddler, wants to be held and the sweetest boy. 

He will also require a double enucleation(both eyes to be removed as they are paining him and causing constant infections).

We know that BHRR’s Glacier can hear a very tiny wee amount of ”sounds.’ Has to be at a certain tone/level and he has zero idea where it is coming from and is considered 98% deaf. 

He is also blind. 

We did a nail trim,had boosters and he has one side of his mouth that his teeth are embedding into his gums. We will see how his adult teeth come in and if need be, do extractions.

Summit – 28.16 pounds(So YUP!, he is also exactly 5.94 pounds more than January 2nd!) HOLY! Talk about freaky! 

All three puppies are up exactly the same amount of weight, 5.94 pounds! What are the chances?!

He will require one eye to be removed, we will continue to monitor that twisting left front leg that also twitches. 

He is deaf and can see out of one eye about 1-2%, so is also blind. 

He has both sides of his mouth with bad teeth alignment and we will see how his adult teeth come in to determine how many extractions are required. 

I also did his nails plus he had boosters.

I want to thank Emily again for the cupcake collars for BHRR’s Sleet and BHRR’s Summit!

I also wish to thank Holly once more for the toys for the Dane Trio!

BHRR’s Sleet & BHRR’s Glacier were so much better with their handling – they had zero prior to myself getting them – and were much easier to exam tonight. 

AND thanks sent to Jen for coming into Kanata Animal Hospital yesterday and putting on to their account a truly caring generous donation to go towards their Vet bills which will amount in to the many many many thousands. 

I will be putting together a flash auction on an item that I have and we will be brainstorming on how best to fundraise for these puppies that were so wrongly done by.

I am also working on our next BHRR Information Get Together to give people the opportunity to learn more re DM Danes and BHRR plus to meet/learn more about them. 

Gwennie Novel and here is another photo of the Dane Trio konked out! Hard to capture them awake…they are just white blurs! 

As always, from our home to all of our friends, family and supporters, stay warm and good night wishes being sent as we head into a deep freeze!

DONATED TO DATE: $381.58

Summit & BHRR’s Sleet!
10 week old Deaf/Blind Great Dane Puppies
Power napping! 😀

The Dane Trio are scheduled for their next Vet Visit tomorrow.

AND we currently have 17 amazing people that have signed up for our upcoming 6th Annual ‘Breaking Bills Baking Online Auction.’ THANK you!

Still ISO: More baking Angels to make human and/or doggie baked goodies!

Starts January 17th!

All money raised shall help the newest additions to BHRR – BHRR’s Glacier & BHRR’s Sleet – two of the special needs 10 week old Dane puppies.

The baked goodies do not have to be made until the auction is over, which is January 27th!

If you would be interested in donating an item or more, please do email gwen@birchhaven.org Please do not post here as your lovely offer may be missed!

Your location does not need to be near us! People support us from all over and this unique, one-of-a-kind fundraiser gives so many people the chance to participate!

Thank you in advance for your consideration and good night wishes being sent from our home to all of our friends, family plus supporters!

DONATED TO DATE: $331.58

ISO: Bakers to make human and/or doggie treats for our upcoming 6th Annual ‘Breaking Bills Baking Online Auction.’

Starts January 17th!

All money raised shall help the newest additions to BHRR – BHRR’s Glacier & BHRR’s Sleet – two of the special needs 10 week old Dane puppies.

Both are back at the Vet again this week – January 10th as we continue putting together the best medical treatment plans for them.

The baked goodies do not have to be made until the auction is over, which is January 27th!

If you would be interested in donating an item or more, please do email gwen@birchhaven.org Please do not post here as your lovely offer may be missed!

Your location does not need to be near us! People support us from all over and this unique, one-of-a-kind fundraiser gives so many people the chance to participate! 

Thank you in advance for your consideration!

Dane Puppies Cupcake #1 & #2 thank you as do I!

This is them in their gently used beautiful cupcake collars that were generously donated to them by Emily!

They are now 10 weeks old and these are deaf/bind Great Dane Puppies.

BHRR’s Glacier, Summit & BHRR’s Sleet.

From our home to all of our friends, friends plus supporters, good night wishes being sent!

Sean is calling the Dane Puppy Trio ‘Pinwheel Puppies! 

ISO: 2 BHRR Approved Puppy Wranglers for January 10th @ 4:15 pm @ KAH for their next Vet Visit!

Please email gwen@birchhaven.org over posting here as your kind offer may be missed. 

Good night wishes being sent from these three really incredible, super amazing blind/deaf 9 week old Dane Babies!

DONATED TO DATE: $231.58

My last Gwennie Novel post of my night!

The amazing 9 week old Dane Trio were at KAH tonight.

First off, thank you SO much to Cherie & Holly for meeting me there to lend caring and much needed hands for the lovely trio! Could not have done this without you both!

BHRR’s Sleet – she weighed 8.1 KGs(17.82 pounds). She was confirmed as having an umbilical hernia, infected eyes and she provided a stool sample so we will test her loose stools. Her eyes will be monitored as she grows to best determine if she also needs an enucleation or two.

It was not easy for the Vet to examine her eyes too closely as she was a squirmy worm.

On a side note, these two puppies were not handled or socialized properly prior to us getting them. That is very obvious.

No attempts were made to housebreak them either and going outside is completely foreign.

They have been given zero direction or guidance and are so lost and confused yet already a big improvement from yesterday and they are quickly becoming more confident!

Both were dirty and reeked of heavy smoke when we picked them up.

BHRR’s Sleet will be on a gastro food, de-wormed with Panacur, placed on Interceptor Plus and we are already giving her Forti Flora and shall continue to do so.

BHRR’s Glacier – he weighed 8.9 KGs(19.58 pounds). He was also confirmed as having infected eyes and his eyes shall also be monitored as he grows to best determine if he also needs an eneucleation or two. He has one eye worse than the other yet both eyes are horrible just as with his litter-mates.

Same thing as he was quite squirmy, harder for the Vet to properly examine him.

He also will be placed on Panacur plus Interceptor Plus and has been getting the Forti Flora.

Temps were normal for both, good heart, lungs and in a couple of days, their Vet advised to let them know how BHRR’s Sleets’ stools are doing in case we need to add metronidazole.

As for Summit, he came out for the ride and now weighs 10.1 KGs(22.22 pounds). At 6 weeks he was 12.01 pounds.

He will have his own next round of Panacur plus Interceptor Plus. He remains on Forti Flora himself.

They have files set up at Kanata Animal Hospital and anyone wishing to make a donation to BHRR’s Sleet’s and BHRR’s Glacier’s care can do so directly to the Hospital: 613-836-2848

OR via email transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com

OR via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org

All three puppies are quite lean and had some wonderful cuddles and loving by Holly, Cherie and their Vet. This is so important for all of them……

Now home, they have had a snack, water, played and are slowly crashing….

Tomorrow is another day with so much for them to learn and do and explore and for me to learn and do and explore with them!

Good night wishes being sent from our home to all of our friends, family and supporters!

PS: We are still in search of Volunteers to make human and/or doggie baked goodies for our upcoming 6th Annual Breaking Bills Baking Online Auction!

Please do email gwen@birchhaven.org if you wish to donate an item or two!

DONATED TO DATE: $50

My last post of my night as it has been a truly exhausting, stressful plus worrisome journey to save these puppies…..for many many weeks.

Three of the five that survived in this litter are now reunited, all five are special needs. BHRR’s Glacier, BHRR’s Sleet & Summit.

I think they remembered each other! 

To all reaching out to us asking what they need, at this time we could really use no slip bowls for the floor and after we have our own trusted team of Vets examine BHRR’s Sleet & BHRR’s Glacier tomorrow night, we will know more re: their Vet Bills.

As people may remember from an earlier post, we will be removing Summits one eye, he battles constant eye infections – and are monitoring his other eye closely, have to remove at least four teeth and those are just his baby ones…we will have to see re: his adult ones plus he has his left front leg twisting. He has IBS issues too. He is deaf/blind.

These are special needs Dane puppies and they can come with a whole list of medical concerns ranging from skin, heart, neuro, eye, ear, auto immune, have IS etc.

Summits litter-mates are also deaf/blind, both have eye infections, BHRR’s Sleet has an umbilical hernia, has a small amount of coloured nasal discharge and her brother is also a bit wonky on his hind end.

White Great Danes are not rare. They are all too common and it breaks my heart that people Breed to line their pockets and care not for what happens to these puppies when they are born. 

Our first fundraiser of 2019 is coming up soon and all monies shall go towards their mounting bills. We are ISO of Bakers for human and/or doggie goodies for this Annual Fundraiser. It is our 6th Annual Breaking Bills Baking Online Auction! Please do email gwen@birchhaven.org if you would like to donate an item or more!

Nothing needs to be made until the online auction is over, so it is fresh and your location does not have to be near us as people support us from all over and gives people a chance to bid on goodies in their own area(s)! 

From our home to all of our friends, family and supporters, Happy New Year to you and good night wishes being sent….I know I shall have some peace in my heart tonight…

Happy New Year! 

Instead of posting my own rescue year end statement, I am going to post my rescue beginning year picture…..while many were at home enjoying the New Year’s day with family and/or friends, we were out doing our first rescue of the year…..

Rescue is 24/7, 365 days a year! 

AND! We got them! Both Special Needs Great Dane Puppies. This picture is moments after we got them and gave them some food. 

Thank you’s extended to Elizabeth once more for coming with me on such short notice to bear witness plus to help. We ended up paying $300 for the one puppy, not $600. We had $250 in rescue saving donations given and I covered the remainder from my own pocket. What we wanted or ideal? No, not at all. Do I worry about this being a dangerous precedent yes, yet, we now have both puppies safe from harm. 

Both will be heading to KAH tomorrow for vetting. Both have eye infections, both are deaf plus blind, the female also has an umbilical hernia plus we have to get a closer look at his hind end. Both have now had much needed baths and will be getting their extremely long nails trimmed shortly. They will receive thorough exams, have their next de-wormings plus fecals also done. 

ISO: a BHRR Approved Volunteer for extra hands tomorrow night at KAH 6:45 PM to help love and hold them. Please do email gwen@birchhaven.org Please do not post here as we may miss your kind offer!

Before anyone asks…..They are NOT available For Adoption. 

These puppies are barely 9 weeks old and what they have gone through to date has been so wrong. We will right that wrong…..

Her name is BHRR’s Sleet & his name is BHRR’s Glacier. Sean has spoken! 

Welcome to BHRR Babies!

UPDATE: On the 2 special needs Dane puppies.

The one home is still prepared at this time to surrender their shelter foster puppy without payment and the other home remains holding strong to wanting $600. 🙁

Thank you to the three angels that donated a combined $200 to date to assist towards going towards this puppy if it came down to it. We really do not wish to find ourselves in the position of having to pay and to go down what I have already termed setting a dangerous precedent. 🙁

Copy of Original Post:

These are the next two in urgent need of BHRR

2 x Special Needs Great Dane Puppies
9 weeks old
1 Male & 1 Female
ETA Being Worked On

This was a litter of five that I had been asked to assist since they were 2 weeks of age.

Their mother had died and a litter of 10 was put into a shelter. Sadly, 5 of the puppies passed away.

BHRR was then reached out to as a strongly focused special needs Great Dane Rescue. We were more than happy to step up to assist.

When the puppies were 6 weeks of age, the shelter placed two into foster to adopt homes; I took in one as my own the one assessed as being the worse and the other two were placed into foster care by the shelter.

The shelter was happy that BHRR was here to assist in any way needed and I gladly made the almost 6.5 hour round trip drive pretty much daily to help with feedings and care up to when they were placed into separate fosters.

Unfortunately, the two puppies that were placed by the shelter into foster homes felt understandably overwhelmed – these are special needs puppies and with that comes special care and special dedication plus special big responsibility.

The shelter indicated to the fosters that they were not in a position to take them back into their own care and directed these two homes to reach out to BHRR.

Both homes wanted BHRR to pay for these puppies when all vetting, food, toys, formula, supplies etc. to date had been paid for by the shelter along with BHRR.

It has been a big touch & go difficult situation as both homes stressed that they would put the puppies to sleep unless BHRR paid for them.

BHRR does not believe in paying for animals to bring into rescue and has spent a lot of time conversing with the homes in this delicate situation.

At the present, we now have one home willing to surrender their special needs puppy without BHRR paying for it.

The other home is still insisting that we pay $600 for the puppy and we continue to attempt to get the home to do the right thing. We are walking a very fine delicate line right now.

The Shelter feels that they they cannot enforce their contract with this home as they had already told them that they could not take the puppy back.

We truly do not want to be getting into a situation that we would be forced to pay $600 to save this puppy. That sets up a dangerous precedent.

Of course, we want to make sure that the puppy is not put to sleep, dumped outside somewhere etc. either.

This is an extremely stressful time right now. 

We will continue to update as we can…..and may 2019 bring both puppies safely into our care.

Merry Christmas! We hope all are having a safe, healthy & happy Day!

These are the next two in urgent need of BHRR

2 x Special Needs Great Dane Puppies
8.5 weeks old
1 Male & 1 Female
ETA Being Worked On

This was a litter of five that I had been asked to assist since they were 2 weeks of age.

Their mother had died and a litter of 10 was put into a shelter. Sadly, 5 of the puppies passed away.

BHRR was then reached out to as a strongly focused special needs Great Dane Rescue. We were more than happy to step up to assist.

When the puppies were 6 weeks of age, the shelter placed two into foster to adopt homes; I took in one as my own the one assessed as being the worse and the other two were placed into foster care by the shelter.

The shelter was happy that BHRR was here to assist in any way needed and I gladly made the almost 6.5 hour round trip drive pretty much daily to help with feedings and care up to when they were placed into separate fosters.

Unfortunately, the two puppies that were placed by the shelter into foster homes felt understandably overwhelmed – these are special needs puppies and with that comes special care and special dedication plus special big responsibility.

The shelter indicated to the fosters that they were not in a position to take them back into their own care and directed these two homes to reach out to BHRR.

Both homes wanted BHRR to pay for these puppies when all vetting, food, toys, formula, supplies etc. to date had been paid for by the shelter along with BHRR.

It has been a big touch & go difficult situation as both homes stressed that they would put the puppies to sleep unless BHRR paid for them.

BHRR does not believe in paying for animals to bring into rescue and has spent a lot of time conversing with the homes in this delicate situation.

At the present, we now have one home willing to surrender their special needs puppy without BHRR paying for it.

The other home is still insisting that we pay $600 for the puppy and we continue to attempt to get the home to do the right thing. We are walking a very fine delicate line right now.

The Shelter feels that they they cannot enforce their contract with this home as they had already told them that they could not take the puppy back.

We truly do not want to be getting into a situation that we would be forced to pay $600 to save this puppy. That sets up a dangerous precedent.

Of course, we want to make sure that the puppy is not put to sleep, dumped outside somewhere etc. either.

This is an extremely stressful time right now. ?

We will continue to update as we can…..