Dec 13
2015

BHRR’s Ember
3 weeks of age – Passed away Sunday December 13th, 2015

I am still in utter shock over the loss of this precious baby.

For 6 days she fought the great fight and truly was winning. Sunday she had a great day…I even have a video of her and her sister BHRR’s Flame eating during their 1 AM feed. Posted in a previous blog. 🙁

She was stronger and playful and loved cuddling more and more each day……..her real ‘self’ becoming apparent as she felt better and also was developing.

She had an evening feed around 8:30 PM, Kinsley helped me feed the babies….they peed, pooped, played a wee bit and then fell asleep for a nap not long after.

I checked on babies at 9:30 pm and she was laying on her back, completely unresponsive and I was unable to revive her. She had just recently passed away……

I screamed for Sean, and have been bawling like a baby ever since. I am so heartbroken, sick with grief and I cannot even truly grieve as I have Mama Eve and BHRR’s Flame that still need me to keep fighting with them for their own lives right now…..

I am full of so many strong emotions, none of them positive and truly, screaming with the unfairness of seeing a 3 week old puppy stolen away from a great life ahead, that makes me so upset…….

She was gaining weight also. She was up to 1.82 Kgs when we weighed the puppies on Sunday afternoon. She remained on antibiotics and her URI was really improving….

If she had passed away Monday, Tuesday, or even Wednesday, her Vet team and I could understand better….would not be any easier to accept yet, she was improving so much…..

Thank you to all of her Vet Team at KAH for being there for her and I.

I am truly inconsolable at this time……I really am.

I am so sorry yet there shall be no further posts on our facebook page for the next while…I really am filled with total anguish plus pain over her loss……

Please light a candle for one of the sweetest, most precious babies ever……

I do not understand why she had to be taken away yet heaven, if there is one has a beautiful angel among them now.

AND, Sean and I made the decision to lay her to rest beside BHRR’s Porridge….whose own loss in October was crippling. He would have loved her….all would have. She was so sweet. We like to think that he is showing her all the ropes of the joy of toilet paper rolls, de-stuffing pillows, how great newf tails are for puppy tug of war and being pulled along the floor, the delights of counter surfing, happy tails and dane leans plus the best way to sit on a human for maxium comfort to her tush. We cannot forget about how great it is to bed hog!

RIP BHRR’s Ember….your life was snuffed out way too fast and I will never understand why…….

AND, I feel most sorry for her mama Eve and her one remaining sibling, BHRR’s Flame….only two survived from this litter to come into BHRR and now she is a singleton puppy. She had a bad night…..it was only when I gave her the red ‘woof’ pillow(both of them LOVE this pillow) that had the scent of her sister on it that she crawled up on it and whimpered herself to sleep. She will never experience the joys of having her sister grow up with her….. I am so sorry wee one……I tried so hard to save your sister….and, I shall continue to try hard to save you and your Mama Eve….

Thank you to everyone’s understanding that I just do not have the heart to make any more posts on this page for a bit………my strength is wrapped up trying keep my heart from shattering further as it is in a million pieces right now……

Dec 13
2015

It is puppy weigh day, December 13th, 2015. They are a miraculous 3 weeks now.

BHRR’s Flame is bombing along now and BHRR’s Ember, while still on antibiotics herself is catching up. What a roller coaster 6 days it has been….

Mama Great Dane, BHRR’s Eve still is struggling. Ups and downs with her still.

BHRR’s Flame is now 2 Kgs(4.4 pounds)
BHRR’s Ember is now 1.82 Kgs(4.004 pounds)

This is BHRR’s Flame in the weighing ‘pot’ on the scale on the left and BHRR’s Ember on the right! BHRR’s Ember, she is not a ‘camera stealer’ kind of gal. She much prefers her sister get the lime-light…a bit camera shy. She was always moving away from Sean’s phone.

We call them our ‘Girls ON Fire’ or ‘Fire Girls’

For those that have offered up items to help us with this ‘wee’ Rescue Family, and are asking where to drop them off:

Kanata Animal Hospital – 440 Hazeldean Road –
3:30 PM Monday December 14th
8:00 PM Tuesday December 15th
8:00 PM Thursday December 17th

Birch Haven Rescue –
2:00 PM Saturday December 19th

Our most urgent needs are:
1) Pee Pads
2) PVD Essential Care CANNED Puppy Food
3) Esbilac Milk Replacer – Mom is producing little milk and only able to nurse them now a couple of times a day – puppies are currently being tube fed and eating a small amount of a ‘gruel’ mixture of milk replacer/corn syrup + water 1:10 ratio/PVD Essential Care Canned Puppy Food
4) Towels
5) Soft Blankets
6) As they age, small appropriate puppy toys
7) All three have an account at Kanata Animal Hospital 613-836-2848 – ‘Eve’, ‘Puppy A’ and ‘Puppy B’ all are under the Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services(BHRR) account and the bills are mounting up fast. It is close to XMAS and we know we really do not have any right to ask for monetary donations.
We know that times are tough for so many and, if anyone does have $5.00 to spare, please perhaps consider donating to help this 6 year old Mama Great Dane and her 2 surviving babies. Must have been so hard for her to lose her other babies.
8) Prayers, blessings and well wishes….they need them….

Dec 13
2015

VIDEO of BHRR’s Ember and BHRR’s Flame having their 1 AM feed!

They are 100% adorable and so different in personality. So young yet those temperaments are quite apparent. As BHRR’s Ember becomes healthy, it shall be great to see the ‘true’ her also.

Dec 12
2015

Great news! Mama Eve got to have her IV line pulled today!!! As long as Mama keeps eating and drinking more and more, she can stay of the IV.

Here is Mama Eve and BHRR’s Flame and BHRR’s Ember.

BHRR’s Eve and BHRR’s Flame and BHRR’s Ember’s Miracle Angels: $1,225 donated to date & Bills $4,509.93
*before paypal fees
Lianne – Dog Bed for Mama GD Eve
Jan
Gracie – IKEA Pillows, two towels and some wool blend packing blankets
Julie B.
Christine – Some puppy toys
Karen
Kim
Dawn
Lianne – Donation towards a case of PVD Essential Care Puppy
Maddie – Case of PVD Essential Care Puppy, 3 cans of Esbilac milk replacer, PV Valu Paw Print Mat 60″ x 30″

Dec 12
2015

Babies now have names!

I picked them and Gwennie filled in their description of the why they are named such. 🙂

Puppy A – BHRR’s Flame – she is feisty, strong and quick to ‘combust’ to action and melts your heart. Ever-changing, independent and beautiful.

Puppy B – BHRR’s Ember – never rule out the importance of the slow burning embers of a fire…..slow and steady she goes, determined, possessing her own inner strength, not easily ‘snuffed’ and fills your heart with such warmth. Not to meantime the beauty of the embers of a fire!

Dec 11
2015

Here are our current needs as promised and as requested by several angels wanting to step up to help us with the 6 year old Mama Great Dane, now named BHRR’s Eve and her 2 x 2 week old babies, both girls.

BHRR’s Flame – has a fiery and feisty personality
BHRR’s Ember – is full of inner strength and determination

1) Pee Pads
2) PVD Essential Care CANNED Puppy Food
3) Esbilac Milk Replacer – Mom is producing little milk and only able to nurse them now a couple of times a day – puppies are currently being tube fed and eating a small amount of a ‘gruel’ mixture of milk replacer/PVD Essential Care Canned Puppy Food
4) Towels
5) Soft Blankets
6) As they age, small appropriate puppy toys
7) All three have an account at Kanata Animal Hospital 613-836-2848 – ‘Eve’, ‘Puppy A’ and ‘Puppy B’ all are under the Birch Haven Rescue & Rehabilitation Services(BHRR) account and the bills are mounting up fast. It is close to XMAS and we know we really do not have any right to ask for monetary donations.
We know that times are tough for so many and, if anyone does have $5.00 to spare, please perhaps consider donating to help this 6 year old Mama Great Dane and her 2 surviving babies. Must have been so hard for her to lose her other babies. 🙁
8) Prayers, blessings and well wishes….they need them….

Both puppies were at high risk as was mom to die earlier this week…….we are taking each day as it comes and I am becoming an expert in 20-30 minute power naps!

One of the Vets on this case said to me yesterday that she would not have been surprised to have seen one, if not both puppies and also mom die(stress bloated) between Tuesday and Wednesday, they were that critical. Whatever Puppy B(BHRR’s Ember) had developed at the shelter, Puppy A(BHRR’s Flame) picked up.

Puppy B(BHRR’s Ember) also remains on liquid Clavamox antibiotics at this time.

Thank you everyone for reading this post.

Welcome to BHRR our beautiful rescue family……you are surrounded by so much love, heart plus soul and a village that is mighty, supportive and so caring……

Dec 11
2015

As many are now aware, BHRR was contacted on Sunday December 6th re: a request to assist a 6 year old Great Dane Mama(bit unstable and somewhat unpredictable) and her 2 week old Puppies at a shelter we have worked with in the past.

We mobilised fast and picked up Mama Dane(now named BHRR’s Eve) and what we then learned remained of her litter – just two puppies on Monday December 7th. Both remaining puppies are wee girls.

It has been a really long, busy, stressful and roller coaster few days with Vet visits etc. and an album shall be created so we can share in detail their story plus journey.

Mama Great Dane, BHRR’s Eve has had two stress bloats. Critical state.

Puppy B(BHRR’s Ember) – had been sent off to the shelter vet shortly before we arrived on Sunday for bloody nasal discharge and congestion. Prognosis is now up to a 60%+ chance of survival. Has moved from a critical status to cautious.

Puppy A(BHRR’s Flame) – began to shortly develop the same symptoms en route to BHRR. Has moved from a cautious status to a good to great chance of survival.

We do plan on posting their needs ASAP also…..

Our Facebook page has naturally been quiet as my time/priority has been spent on trying to ensure the survival of these lives, our newest rescue family…..

Dec 11
2015

Update:
Puppy A(BHRR’s Flame) – prognosis is an excellent one now…..hope no relapse

Puppy B(BHRR’s Ember) – prognosis of survival rate increased from 50/50 to almost 60%!!! Go baby go!

Mama Eve – is showing me the strength plus heart she passed on to her babies. She is drinking more for me, not quite enough to pull her line, yet getting there!

She is eating better and sigh of relief……and some tears for all three!

She has moved to a 50/50 chance now of survival……

Description of why the puppies are named the way they are:

Puppy A – BHRR’s Flame – she is feisty, strong and quick to ‘combust’ to action and melts your heart. Ever-changing, independent and beautiful.

BHRR’s Eve and BHRR’s Flame and BHRR’s Ember’s Miracle Angels: $225 donated to date & Bills $3,851.09
*before paypal fees
Lianne – Dog Bed for Mama GD Eve
Jan
Gracie – IKEA Pillows, two towels and some wool blend packing blankets
Julie B.
Christine – Some puppy toys
Karen

Dec 11
2015

BHRR’s Ember does not stray far from Mama Eve.

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Dec 10
2015

Update: new weights on the piggies. Good news for their weight gain. They are now 18 days old.

Tuesday: Piggie 1 (BHRR’s Flame) was 3 pounds and is now 1.57 Kgs(3.45 pounds)
Tuesday: Piggie 2 (BHRR’s Ember) was 2.8 pounds and is now 1.45 Kgs(3.19 pounds)

So, they are gaining!

Dec 10
2015

Update:
Wee piggie #1(BHRR’s Flame) is going strong right now!
Wee Pigge #2(BHRR’s Ember) survival rate has been increased to a 50/50 chance now
Mom’s prognosis is still not good.

Dec 9
2015

Wee piggie #2(BHRR’s Ember) – the more critical ill pup

17 days old

Dec 9
2015

Gwen is my hero is all I can say. Mom will not allow me near her or the pups. So, I am not much help in that way.
The round the clock care Gwennie is giving them is top notch as always, incredible amazing care, still working her schedule shifts yesterday and today, and all the other full plates she handles so expertly. Sleep is never part of her routine! She has had no time to post on the BHRR fb page with her priority being to seeing all three survive. She promises to post needs and updates as possible. Gwennie’s will power alone should make them thrive!

Tera, Gwen was going to message you today re: using your nursing mom and one of the Vets(shows Dobermans) that she works with was in today. They had a conversation with her re: food options and Gwen came home and both puppies are now eating. Not getting much milk off mom as Mom had her second stress bloat this afternoon yet both pups are eating right now.

The more critical pup has moved to a cautious status with the antibiotics greatly helping and has more energy than we have seen since all came into rescue late Monday night. The second pup is bouncing to health considerably well. Yet, no one is singing great news as of yet.
Mom is not doing well – has not eaten much since late Monday night. Drinking is minimal. She loves Gwennie.

So, none of them are out of the woods yet, ups with pups for today and still downs with Mom. Tomorrow, is another day.
Here is a photo of the wee piggie #1(BHRR’s Flame)

17 days old today.

Dec 8
2015

Both remaining Babies are ill, one critically so with something picked up at the shelter and Mom was not faring well herself there.
It is going to be so tragic if there is further loss of life.

Dec 8
2015

UPDATE: it has been a rough and tough day.
We cannot get either pup to latch to a bottle(different nipples of shapes and sizes tried) and they are fighting tube feeding and Mama being stressed refused to nurse. She has pretty much ignored them, even stepping on them in her indifference. 🙁 The longer she does not nurse, the less milk she shall have and increases her own risk of mastitis.
The one puppy actually has a pus discharge now(cytology done) and has been placed on Clavamox drops.
Both puppies are wanting to feed yet are not able to figure things out and the fighting with the tube feeding is tough.
The sicker puppy actually had lost weight since they saw the shelter vet yesterday and that is not good. She is so congested now. 🙁 Hard to suckle when you cannot breathe. 🙁
Now, I am on my way to emerge as mama stress bloated not long after I got home with her. 🙁 Poor girl, the stress of the day caught up to her.
Keep all in your blessings…..

Dec 8
2015

Puppy A(Flame) is nursing well. Puppy B(Ember) is not and I have mom and pups at KAH with me now. They will be seen first thing this AM.
I do not like that I had to disrupt mom as she was nursing last night and settling in yet, I have to make sure mom and babies are ok.
Mom is already bonding with me and that is a good sign.
Will update as I know more..

Dec 7
2015

Here is my last post for now….
Mom finally laid down to allow pups to nurse. I and Mason had to hold them in the air before this to nurse as mom was so stressed and would not lay down yet, was calm with the standing to nurse. She is terrified of Sean and ‘quirky’. He has been hand-feeding her some treats which she is taking gently.
She drank twice for me, ate a tiny bit and is resting uneasily.
Per the shelter, babies were premies as is and so tiny.

We are going to call Mama Dane BHRR’s Eve. I dreamt of that name all last night…..and, I did not even have a clue what she looked like yet that name just called out to me. Sean was ‘good’ with it. smile emoticon
Babies, well, we have to wait for Sean to decide!

Gwen has all emerge hospitals on alert right now in case she has to rush them in. Unless absolutely necessary, it was believed by the Vets that they stay with mom and nurse and stay away from the sickness of a Vet Hospital.
The Vet that the shelter sent the one pup to this afternoon before Gwen/Mason arrived gave a list of possibilities that it ‘could’ be. He did not know. He mentioned ‘sinuitis’, ‘distemper’, ‘milk inhalation’, ‘virus’.

That both pups now have signs(bloody nasal discharge etc.) is doubly distressing plus concerning. Aspiration pneumonia concerns us.

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Dec 7
2015

I am now home….long trip home.
Sadly, the second pup has turned for the worse also. 🙁
I am going to be with them throughout the night and we shall post on our BHRR fb page tomorrow, to go publicly to all about the new additions! smile emoticon
We may well end up in emerge.
Hoping it shall be good news….
The sicker puppy is in the collar…..

Dec 7
2015

Here is mama at the shelter. We are hanging getting to know each other. 🙂
One baby had to rushed off to the Vet as there was some bloody nasal discharge and is now back and we are doing the paperwork.
Sadly, only two puppies have survived from her litter. 🙁

FullSizeRender

Dec 7
2015

My last post of my night is a sneak preview of what BHRR has been urgently working on behind the scenes since Sunday.

On Sunday, we were contacted by a shelter that we have such a pleasure working with re: a Great Dane Mama and her 2 week old pups. We mobilized fast and they were picked up earlier this evening for mom was really not doing well in the shelter.

Sadly, we also learned that only 2 of her pups survived and we shall share more re: these pups, their medical status and mom on Monday. The Shelter also believes that these pups were premies.

We will say that we are calling Mama Great Dane, BHRR’s Eve, the two surviving pups(both girls’) will need names. Sean has his thinking cap on and name guru’s, please feel free to throw out suggestions!

They are safe at BHRR right now and settling in……

It has been a very long day for me personally and now that Mom and babies are safely here, I am glad that this day is almost over…..

They will need special Secret Santa’s if anyone is interested! Please do email gwen@birchhaven.org

We shall also post our needs such a pee pads and gently used human pillows etc. tomorrow if anyone may consider a donation to them!

Welcome to BHRR wee one’s and Mama Great Dane Eve!

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