Story

BHRR EVENTS

NOTICE: UPCOMING BHRR EVENTS:

We are working on a silent auction to raise much-needed funds to pay for Miss Leah’s and Mr. Ernie’s vet bills.
If you have any items you may like to donate, please email

1) Saturday, November 30th – 9 AM – 3 PM – Pet Valu, Brockville
2539 Parkedale Ave A3, Brockville, ON K6V 3H2
Some Merchandise for Sale, Raffle Basket & Bake Sale

2) Annual “GIVE IT UP 4 AUTUMN’ – Runs through until November 21st inclusive
Please consider participating! Please EMAIL

3) XMAS “Winner’s Wreath”  Fundraiser – A gorgeous XMAS Wreath – value $30+, with gift cards – Value to date: $75
Each Ticket: $10
Can be paid by Cash or Email Transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com
*Cannot take PayPal
Starts: November 28th until December 14th inclusive
IF YOU HAVE ANY GIFT CARDS – E-Cards work too! – THAT YOU MAY CONSIDER DONATING: PLEASE EMAIL

4) Annual Holiday Season BOTTLE DRIVE – All funds raised will help the newest additions to BHRR – BHRR’s Dimitri & BHRR’s Amata!
Runs December 8th to January 5th inclusive

5) Fall Event: Paint Your Partner FUNraiser for Ottawa Rabbit Rescue & BHRR – Paint your friend, spouse, bf/gf, family member
Date, Time & Location TBD
*A fun plus hilarious night to free paint, then reveal and give your masterpiece to your friend/spouse, bf/gf, or family member!
*Silent auction and draw prizes, too

6) ONGOING – On February 21st, 2013, I received a most delightful and touching email from a woman named Allie MacAlister that is so very active in helping others

She is extremely talented and more lovely than any words can ever be put down on paper and she has wonderfully surprised me with the very stunning and unique artful creation of an Irish Wolfhound, inspired by our Bunker Dude. She is calling it ‘Art For A Cause’.  

The Wolfhound Cù Sìth

10% of sales of her products will come to BHRR!

*You can purchase t-shirts, mugs, mousepads, totes, greeting cards and SO much more! She will be adding products regularly.

The Wolfhound Cù Sìth

BHRR Animals Available For Adoption

This is a blog post, updated regularly as to who is available for adoption and the ‘quick’ status of others not yet available for adoption.
NOTE: This blog post is on each of the dogs’ individual pages.
All of our available dogs can also be found on our PetFinder website.
*To read a dog’s blog, scroll to the very bottom of that dog’s individual page and read upwards, skipping over any posts such as fundraiser posts. They will answer most of your questions re: age, history etc.*

**NOTE: As of December 1st, 2016; BHRR shall no longer be responding to any inquires to adopt. We are following the lead of other r/q organizations and ONLY completed adoption applications submitted to the BHRR BOD shall be considered/responded to.**

BHRR is a federally registered NP organization and requires an application/contract to be filled out, personal references including a vet reference if applicable and a home visit to be done before being approved to adopt.

We also require that at the time of meeting any BHRR animal (after completing the application process up to that point) that the whole family + any other currently owned animals are present for the mandatory home-visit.

BHRR only places per best/right matched personality fit.

We also require that within four months of having adopted your new addition that at least one full round/session of group classes of obedience (they can range from 6-18 weeks) must be started and upon completion; proof (registration + completion) must be submitted to BHRR’s attention at BHRR and with having your signature on the adoption application/contract; you will be in a legal breach of your contract should this not be done. The animal involved will have to be returned promptly & safely to BHRR at your own expense.

 

BHRR’s Albar(M) – AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION SINCE October 25th, 2022 – *LabX

BHRR’s Maybelle Cutie(F) – AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION SINCE October 25th, 2022 – *LabX

BHRR’s Knox(M) – AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION SINCE July 10th, 2023-*Bouvier 

BHRR’s Story(F) – AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION SINCE October 6th, 2024 -*Yellow Lab

BHRR’s Ernie(M) – NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION -*Dogue De Bordeaux

BHRR’s Dimitri(M) – NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION -*Great Dane

BHRR’s Amata(Amy)(F) – NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION -*Rottie

AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!

BHRR’s Miss Story!
4+ month old Yellow Lab!
 
LOOK who is ready for a Foster To Adopt Home!

*great with people including kids, great with dogs, ok with cats(needs to continue to learn to be gentle – her temp foster home had a cat who sadly recently passed away), utd on vaccines, microchipped, on monthly flea/tick/hw preventative, regularly de-wormed, etc.

Status: Healthy!
*She is just finishing a course of antibiotics for a UTI diagnosed on October 3rd, 2024

Weight: October 3rd, 2024 (30.36 pounds)

Personality: Happy, social, playful, sassy, affectionate, loving, confident and smart, & loves her toys
 

Obedience: Per our adoption application contract, one full round of obedience is required within four months of the adoption being approved. This must be from an accredited positive-balanced obedience facility in a group class setting. These classes can range from 6 weeks to 12 weeks in length.

Her adoption shall not be finalized until she is spayed when age-appropriate!
 
*We will consider homes with children 8+ & no more than two children in the home
*She can be approved to a home that works pt, ft, is semi-retired, or retired. The most important thing about being a young puppy is that there is a network in place to ensure that her socialization and obedience continue to move forward. We also do not wish to see her go backward in housebreaking
*While we would prefer to see her in a home with at least one other right-matched personality-fit dog, we will consider homes with no other dogs as long as there is a strong network in place for friends, socialization, etc. We are not a fan of dog parks.
*She needs structure, obedience, consistency, and patience.
*She is a brilliant puppy and needs to have a job – she would excel at an activity such as obedience
*She needs a dog-experienced home, not necessarily a Lab only experienced home. While we would prefer a home that has owned dogs in the past, we would consider a first-time dog owner home if the proper network has been established. She is exceptionally smart, and a bit sassy, and that sass plus backbone enabled her to become a miracle puppy to have survived parvo.
*We want her to go to a social home, as she is a social bee. She is not an over-the-top social home, as she also loves her quiet home time with her humans. She deserves to be a cherished part of the family.
*She may become a fish as being a lab; she loves to splash in her water bowl and loves water!
*She travels well in the car & has zero known anxieties both within and out of the home
*Crate-trained
 
Thank you to Alison G. for taking these wonderful photos and to Brandy-Lynn S. for being her incredible temp foster Mama to date!

We will always place up for adoption the dogs that can be adopted and safe haven all others that cannot be placed up for adoption due to medical and/or behavioural reasons.

We do not take in hundreds of dogs yearly; we only took in 18 dogs in 2022 as it is about helping the next in need of us, giving them top-quality care, and not about taking in numbers. In 2023, we have ONLY took in 6 dogs. We have only taken in one dog in 2024 – Miss Story. Finances are extremely tight in rescue at this time. Miss Story’s Vet bills were over $7,000 and more to come as we still have to spay her.

After 28+ years, we know that we cannot please everyone, which means that BHRR is not the rescue to be followed, supported, and believed in by everyone. We remain small plus mighty, and as we go through this next transitional stage for BHRR, we shall continue to operate with a zero-tolerance approach, providing and beyond care to the animals.

Our mandates have never changed and will remain the same as long as we are around; the animals shall always be done right by as our priority.

Our adoption success rates remain second to no other group – 100% for over ten years of operating, and now 99% as we go through year 28 and we are excited as we go through this slow transition for BHRR up 2032!

We are at Brockville Hyundai tomorrow! Saturday, September 14th!
 
Car Wash/BBQ from 10 AM – 2 PM!
770 Stewart Blvd, Brockville
 
*No appointment necessary!
*There shall also be some items for sale!

The last two years were chilly, and damp!
 
Tomorrow promises to be glorious! 26 degrees with a lot of beautiful sunshine!
 
*I will also be collecting Empties, Pinesol, Fabric Softener, Garbage Bags, Laundry Detergent plus Paper Towels*
 
I am sending a plea to have a few more Volunteers come and lend a hand……
 
We are raising much needed funds for Mr. Ernie & Miss Story – the most updated invoice and we are just under $7,400 owing on Vet Bills at this time between both of these cuties.
 
Mr. Knox also has amassed a new bill – allergies.
 
Miss Story shall also have a very exciting announcement to make shortly too! Thanks to Alison G. for taking this lovely photo of her!

A huge thank you being sent out to Kelly P. once again for the food for Miss Story! 
 
So humbled and thankful!
 
This is Miss Story in her temp foster home after she was busted out of ISO jail at EVC when she was healthy enough to be released!
 
Puppies surviving parvo is truly a miracle many times over….
 
Her final bills were over $6,000 and more to come with her vaccines, spay etc.
 
We already microchipped her.

I am behind posting about Miss Story!
 
Here is a video of her playing with a toy I bought and the wee gift basket(in two dog bowls) I put together to give to her foster mama once we busted her out of isolation jail!
 
So many more posts to make yet going to try and keep it chronological for her fans and blog.
 
I want to shout out thanks to Kelly P. for also buying her an 8 kg bag of PVD Essential Care large breed puppy kibble. 
 
We have had $1,770.90 donated/raised to date & her bills to date are over $6,500.
 
Donations to her care can be made via email transfer or PayPal to contactbhrr@gmail.com or you can call Eagleson Veterinary Clinic to make a donation over the phone or even send an email transfer direct to them for Miss Story.
 
This week, Mr. Ernie is heading in for his next eye surgeries and rectal polyp.
 
I keep plugging away as I can from my own pocket by picking up extra shifts as I can.
 
We have been able to only have two fundraisers this spring/summer and two more are scheduled for the fall.
 
I am still thinking of some others to do for her and Mr. Ernie, and Miss Jamila etc. 
 
From my home to all of our friends, family and supporters, the best of good night wishes are being sent.
 

I just cashed in another $19.50 in Empties to help Miss Story! 
 
Thank you to the generous soul who dropped them off to my donation shed! 
 
Piece by piece, her bills shall be paid thanks to her village!
 
Bills: $6,500+
Donations To Date: $1,770.90

For full disclosure, a copy of her billing to date is posted.

Story’s Angels:
Laura S.
Alex & Karen T.
Lynn F. – Costco Dog Bed – July 23rd
Lucie L.
Janie W.(BHRR’s Simon’s Mama)
Stephanie B.(BHRR’s Keg’s Mama)
Erin M – Empties
Kelly P – Collar/Leash
Anonymous – Empties
Anonymous – Empties
BARK Bash 
Kelly P – 8 kg bag of PVD Essential Care Large Breed Kibble

Another $14.10 in Empties returned for Miss Story!
 
Thank you to whomever dropped Empties in my donation shed! 
 
Her bills are $6,500 and counting.
 
Her face when I told her ‘no’ for wanting to chew her IV lines! Sassy pants! 
 
Please consider saving your Empties to help Miss Story. 

Another photo of Miss Story!

Donations to her Vet Bills – Close to $6,000 can be made via Email Transfer or PayPal to contactbhrr@gmail.com

She also needs:
PVD Essential Care Large Breed Puppy Kibble
PVD Essential Care Puppy Canned Food
Giant Sized KONG Toys, Rope Toys, Tire Toys etc.
Treats – Mini Zuk’s Salmon or Rabbit
Pinesol
Garbage Bags – all sizes
Paper Towels

Please consider assisting us to help her!

Just returned $29.30 in Empties! Thanks again Erin M.! 
 
Every bit will help Miss Story!!
 

So, as always, full disclosure….
 
I put the $1,100 donated to date on to the bill for Miss Story today.
 
Her bills are now over $5,000 and I will post that update shortly….
 
I am now on my way to cash in some Empties donated so generously by Erin M.
 
I will then be heading into three very long overnight shifts and shall update as I can…
 
Thank you to everyone for their consideration to her lifesaving vet care bills etc. 
 

Copy of Invoice To Date

BHRR’s Miss Story UPDATE

Bills as of 2:46 pm July 21st: $4,364.79
Donations To Date: $1,100

For full disclosure, a copy of her billing to date is posted.

Story’s Angels:
Laura S.
Alex & Karen T.
Lynn F. – Costco Dog Bed – ETA July 23rd
Lucie L.
Janie W.(BHRR’s Simon’s Mama)
Stephanie B.(BHRR’s Keg’s Mama)

I went in yesterday afternoon and dropped off two toys and a large lamb stuffie for her to have.

She began eating a bit throughout the night yet it is greatly decreased.

She remains being fed through her NG tube plus getting some medications through that means.

Her comfort level appears good, so after I gave her latest dose of methadone, the plan is to discontinue it to see how she does.

She blew one of her catheters.

Her blood glucose levels have remained stable – lowest was just over 5 mmol/L and maintaining around 7.1 mmol/L.

She is on two anti-nausea medications.

She has lost weight – 6.46 kgs (14.2 pounds).

I have not seen her drink yet she remains on IV fluids for meds and hydration.

She has become a huge staff fav! What is not to love about that smoochable squishy face!

We are starting to see signs of her puppy personality coming out! 

We are doing repeat bloodwork in addition to her blood glucose levels.

Her PCV(packed cell volume) has remained steady in the mid 30s. 35-37%.

When she puts her head on my shoulder and snuggles, I tell her that we are doing all that we can for her, and that her village is surrounding her with so much support!

I put in an order for the largest bag of PVD large breed essential care puppy and two cases of the wet.

I am heading back in today to visit.

What we still need:

1) large and giant sizes appropriate toys for her. XL giant stuffies to act as a surrogate mama/littermates

2) Pinesol, paper towels and garbage bags – all sizes

3) A special collar and leash to call her very own – Wiggle Bumz (Jennifer Lindsay) has amazing ones. She has Facebook page and an Etsy store

12-14” size collar, 0.5” width and a quick release buckle

4) Please consider donating your Empties – either returning them yourself or dropping them off.

5) a copy of her current billing to date is attached below to remain giving full disclosure and being accountable. I am not seeking to fundraise more than what is needed.

Donations can be made via email transfer or PayPal to contactbhrr@gmail.com

OR direct to Eagleson Veterinary Clinic 613-383-8381 – ‘Story’ under Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services.

They can take credit card over the phone or email transfer to eaglesonvc@gmail.com or in person they will take cash, debit or credit card.

5) We need fundraising ideas for her!

As always, I have zero pride when it comes to begging for the animals and I sincerely appreciate any and all considerations for the assistance! 

Invoice documentation at 2:36 pm on July 20th & as of 8:47 pm on July 20th, billing was: $2,994.53

This is BHRR’s ‘Story’.

She is an 8-week-old purebred Yellow Lab that was going to be euthanized due to a positive test for Parvo.

Unfortunately, the home could not take on the cost of treatment. I know that I am a broken record stating this many times over the past almost 30 years, yet there are so many lovely homes that have to let go of their animals, and I am not going to judge.

Judging does not benefit anyone and can only harm. It could make other homes not wish to surrender their pets, seeing animals put to sleep over being assisted.

While this home has only had the puppy two days, love knows no timeline. So, I also do not judge in this area. I fall in love daily with the animals I am entrusted with via rescue and at my work as a Veterinary Technician. Surrendering a cherished pet is one of the most selfless things anyone could possibly do as their love is deeper than wanting to be selfish.

Therefore, as always, we will take a zero-tolerance approach to having people point fingers or blame.

In this case, the backyard breeder also failed this home. They did not stand by or support this home, and how many more puppies and dogs will be affected by parvo from this backyard breeder?

The Vet discussed surrendering to a rescue. The compassion is endless at so many Vet Hospitals when it comes to advocating for the animals and supporting clients.

Unfortunately, all rescues contacted could not step up to assist, and I was reached out to by the charge on the floor.

When it is said that timing is everything, it is. I was literally on my way to go to bed to get my few hours of sleep before heading into my next overnight shift.

The bottom line for me was that we have seen far too many puppies, dogs, and horses over the past seven months, in particular, put to sleep due to lack of space, finances, food, state of illness, injury, and/or behaviour, etc.

My heart plus soul, at this moment in time, could not bear to see yet another…..

I was clear in my communication that should a r/q group be able to assist, please let her go to them, and if not, I would bring her into BHRR. My o/s form was emailed to ensure that she was safe.

I committed, said that we would find a way, and had a truly awful and fitful less than four hours sleep. I worried so much about her, and had nightmares about the thousands of others that we could not assist since 1996. Reputable/quality rescue is not easy, very few of us are operate gold-standard organizations as long as BHRR has.

When I checked my phone, my heart just burst into a thousands pieces of thankfulness. I had not one, not two, not three yet four amazing offers to temp foster her. I remain deeply grateful to them.

My heart also burst with such relief knowing that Miss Story was still alive and beginning what will be a fight literally of her life. YET, she will not be alone in this. I will find a way to fundraise for her. I will do what it takes to ensure that she has the best opportunities to become healthy and grow up to be the dog that she deserves to be!

I also changed her name to ‘Story’. As those who follow BHRR and have for some time, I ensure that every name has deep meaning for our dogs. I am determined that Story will have many amazing chapters and adventures/experiences to add to her story to live a long, healthy, incredible life. I am also determined that she will be a success story.

2024 has been as rough and difficult a year as possible, and Miss Story will speak to my own personal/professional story/journey, and that I am also a survivor and determined.

If you have read my Gwennie novel this far  – I am now going to beg/plead and grovel for any consideration for the following for Miss Story:

1) A dog bed to call her own – she is wee now yet she is very much the English Lab and shall grow up big. Her present weight is 6.8 kgs(14.96 pounds).

2) She will need her own special collar and leash – we greatly support Wiggle Bumz collars – Jennifer Lindsay She will need a 12-14″ collar to start.

3) She will need appropriate large puppy-sized toys, treats and some XL stuffies – I am bringing her a XL stuffie today as a surrogate littermate, mama. She has a small one given so kindly by a fellow colleague of mine to have in the meantime. Pet Valu has some great items, as does Amazon, and both deliver!

My address & I will ensure that the foster gets the items:
Miss Story
2425 Totem Ranch Road West
Oxford Station, Ontario
K0G 1T0

4) She will need PVD Essential Care Puppy – Large breed for kibble and 2 cases of the wet to start. This is bought at a Vet Hospital

5) We will need Puppy pads, Pinesol, paper towels, and garbage bags

6) Please consider donating your Empties – either returning them yourself or dropping them off – I can be emailed contactbhrr@gmail.com if you wish to make arrangements in the Kanata or Kemptville areas to meet up

7) I am attaching her billing as of yesterday afternoon. I am also going to post the total as of last night(8:47 PM) and promise to update regularly. I believe in full disclosure and accountability and am not seeking financial donations to come in more than what we will need for her.

She will require all rounds of vaccines, and more de-worming – we started Friday, meds, exams, bloodwork, to be spayed and microchipped. I do not skip or cut any corners with what our dogs require.

Donations can be made via PayPal or email transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com

Donations can be made directly to Eagleson Veterinary Clinic – Story under Birch Haven Rescue and Rehabilitation Services. (613) 383-8381 – they will take Credit Card over the phone, cash, debit and credit in person

8) Fundraising ideas for her!

Besides lifesaving medications, round-the-clock ISO care, and doing regular bloodwork, I have had her ears and eyes addressed. Her ears had some bacteria and were cleaned plus her eyes were a bit swollen.

She has two catheters – one specific for the regular blood-draws so that she is not poked continuously and one for her fluids – she was very dehydrated, plus IV medications.

She has a NG tube in for feedings and in being given other medications.

I did want blood glucose done on her, and the first one was 7.8 mmol/L

Sorry for the long Gwennie Novel!

I was able to hold, feed, and clean up after her myself yesterday afternoon after my long overnight shift, as I had outpatient appointments and two surgeries. My heart is so wrapped up in her paws!

I am not so proud as to beg or plead for what the dogs need. She is the first dog of 2024 that we have been able to assist due to a lack of fosters, funds, etc.

She is what we are here to do, and please consider being part of her village and community to help us help her!

As of 8:47 pm last night(July 20th) her vet bills: Current Amount: $2,994.53

Donations To Date: $0.00
 

Two more photo’s.

***SAFE***
 
This is her!
 
She is barely 8 weeks old, actually.
 
She was at the vet and would have been put to sleep if no rescue could step up. We just could not let that happen.
 
We will have a lot to figure out with fundraising, yet look at her!!! 
 
We will be changing her name…so stay tuned!
 
So grateful to so many for reaching out to offer to temp foster!
 
Thanks, Brandy, for stepping up!
 
Thanks also to Angie, Lily, and Kelly! For their offers! 
 
Donations can be made to PayPal and email transfer to contactbhrr@gmail.com
 
I will post once I have permission from the Hospital to see if direct donations can be made to them, too.
 

***SAFE***
 
**URGENT***
9 week old female yellow Lab puppy
 
Unfortunately, O. cannot afford the bills – tested parvo+. She will be put to sleep if no rescue is found.
 

She is not a strong, going to die parvo case per the Vet. The owners sadly cannot afford the cost $5,000 – $6,000 – estimate – for her vetting.

The prognosis is guarded.