Dec 25
2016

We know many have been patiently….or, not so patiently waiting!!!

Here is the FIRST instalment of our 2016 Traditional December 24th XMAS Eve Photo’s!

As most dogs remain in their approved Temp Fosters, not all doggies could have their photo’s done BUT, we got those that we could!

We have had quite a few come back for the Holidays as their families are traveling.

ALWAYS a blast for us at BHRR!

We cannot SHOUT out enough big thanks of our deepest appreciation to ALL those that stepped up to be part of our 14th ANNUAL SS to the BHRR dogs!

Another amazing successful year THANKS to so many angels that made it possible!!!

We only had 1 person not send their SS’s yet, as we had other kind plus thoughtful generous people send extra goodies to help cover any that were missed, we are so BLESSED to say that, each BHRR dog had something special to call their own this XMAS!!!

Many of these dogs are experiencing their very first XMAS of love, shelter, with enough food and, tons of helping hands, not hurtful or neglectful ones…. THANK you’s being sent out again to every wonderful and lovely Secret Santa that made this possible!!!

I am inspired by your caring, giving and, incredibly beautiful hearts!!! A million thank you’s being sent again!

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Dec 2
2016

NOTICE:

BHRR does not adopt out during the XMAS season due to our position that it is not in the best interest of any new addition being added during such a busy, exciting and somewhat stressful time for many.

Quite a few other Rescues, Shelters, Pounds etc. have also begun to follow a similar protocol to what we have been doing for 2 decades.

Our XMAS Shut down period for this year is from Friday December 16th, 2016 to Tuesday January 3rd, 2017 inclusive.

Any applications received during this time will be processed/reviewed as of Wednesday January 4th, 2017!

During this time, BHRR is available 24/7 as always for requests for assistance of animals in need.

Thank you for your continued understanding – The BHRR Team

Nov 22
2016

Gentle Reminder!

We are at Pet Valu Hazdeldean this Saturday November 26th from 10 AM – 4 PM for our last community education and public awareness event of 2016!

We are looking at bringing BHRR’s Kaos, BHRR’s Steam and BHRR’s Whisper for our famous Red Carpet Pooch Smooch Sessions!

We will be doing nails, ear cleanings and dog baths – ALL inside too!

More details in poster!

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Apr 12
2016

BHRR’s Gentle Jake & BHRR’s Flame shall be with us on Saturday!
BHRR’s Salem shall be with us on the Sunday!

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Mar 22
2016

***UPDATE: 27 NEW Items Added Tuesday March 22nd to the Facebook Silent Auction***

The detailed rules of this Silent Auction are posted in the first photo in this album.

As many are now aware, Sean has been diagnosed with a retro-peritoneal liposarcoma.

The current size of it is 8.2 cm x 10 cm x 21 cm. This is an extremely RARE cancer – less than 1%.

A short medical summary:

His third CT scan, this one on his chest has come back at this time clear of any enlarged lymph nodes and metastasis. His MRI not only confirmed that this was a complex surgery yet was even more complicated than once thought – ONLY two surgeries like he needs has ever been done to date by his two expert surgical oncologists.

His surgical team shall be upwards to 20 people now including his two surgical oncologists, his urologist and his ortho specialist plus supporting nursing team. His surgery is expected to be ~10-12 hours in length.

We now have a surgery date set of March 23rd.

We know that his one ureter is compromised, and that he may lose his one kidney. We know that he will have part of his colon removed and that his femoral nerve is at high risk of damage and./or removal. He will need to have his Psoas muscle completely removed and his Iliacus muscle will be partially removed.

He will also need to have the hernia repaired – the mass/tumour has herniated down his thigh and into his groin area.

They will send the whole mass/tumour off to histiopathology.

While we should be celebrating our 20th anniversary of operating BHRR, instead BHRR now faces an uncertain future. BHRR does not receive any corporate, provincial or federal government support. We operate on the kindness of donations, adoption fees and we do several yearly fundraisers. However, 60% of the payment towards BHRR’s expenses comes from the pockets of Sean and myself.

All of this is to say that we are not looking for sympathy or anyone to feel sorry for us.

Instead, what we are hoping to do to help ensure the future of BHRR is raise some monies to help with bills over the next three months for BHRR that we have always covered ourselves as Sean shall not be working and I myself am taking a month off without pay from my behavioural work plus shifts at the Hospital.

One way that we are hoping to cover bills is to do at least one Facebook silent auction. If anyone has an item or items that they would like to donate to this cause, please do email contactbhrr@gmail.com

If anyone wishes to make an independent monetary donation, they can do so via email transfer to gwen@birchhaven.org or via PayPal to gwen@birchhaven.org – Please use the ‘Friends & Family’ option so that we are not charged fees.

*The BHRR Auction will begin NOW
*The BHRR Auction will end at 9 PM EST on Sunday March 27th, 2016
*All bid prices are in Canadian funds.
*Bids must be done in $2.00 or Greater increments.

Any questions, please do email gwen@birchhaven.org or call (613) 725-4279

Mar 21
2016

Someone is going to be temp fostered soon!! BHRR’s Miller

The wonderful home that is going to be temp fostering him has already fostered four dogs over the last ~5 years for BHRR!

BHRR’s Miller remains Available For Adoption!!

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Mar 16
2016

As many know, BHRR is a Great Dane & Giant Breed Rescue that focuses strongly on the special needs and has been around since 1996. We are federally registered and are an all Volunteer Rescue. We also work with Equines.

We have a second to none adoption success rate and also provide a safe haven for animals that are deemed unadoptable due to medical and/or behavioural reasons. BHRR also has a program that works with the homeless and their pets each XMAS – Operation D.O.G. – Donating our Goodness plus we have a Helping Haven of Hope and Happiness that works with women/children and their pets in domestic abuse situations. We have been operating these two programs for over 15 years as part of our way of continuing to help animals and people in our community.

We are a unique one of a kind program out there like none other.

With our wish to ensure that every penny that comes to BHRR goes direct to them for food and Vet bills or items of comfort like dog beds, Sean & I have been covering 100% exclusively all the rescue hydro bills -$1,040/month, Phone, Gas for transports, home-visits and vet visits etc. We cover almost 50% of all the food bills out of our own pockets – BHRR goes through almost 120 pounds of dog food a day. Vet Bills are the same.

As some are now aware, in September of 2015, my husband Sean was found to have a mass. It took until January of 2016 for the experts to diagnose said mass for he has an extremely rare cancer.

Sean has been diagnosed with a retro-peritoneal liposarcoma.

The current size of his mass is 8.2 cm x 10 cm x 21 cm. This is an extremely RARE cancer – less than 1%.

To further complicate matters, this mass has herniated down into his thigh and groin severely compromising his ureter and femoral nerve. He has had three CT scans of which his latest has shown that to date his chest remains clear of metastasis and his lymph nodes are not enlarged. His MRI has shown that his case is extremely complicated and the surgery he shall specifically require, scheduled for March 23rd has ONLY ever been done twice before by the two expert surgical oncologists assigned to him.

All of this is to say that we are not looking for sympathy or anyone to feel sorry for us.

Since Sean’s mass was first discovered in September, BHRR has remained operating with top notch quality hosting successful events such as our annual creative ‘Dine with the Dogs’, BHRR mini Open Houses, BHRR ‘Private’ Experiences, community education and public awareness events and even our annual XMAS ‘Chain of Success’ Potluck.

We have successfully rehabbed and adopted quite a few dogs and assisted many other groups also during this time.

The quality and stellar standard of care of the animals’ in our care has continued without interruption and as the date nears for Sean and I to stop work as he prepares to head into his 10-12 hour surgery on the 23rd of March, it is time to now ask the BHRR village and our community to please consider helping us continue to help those in need of our programs so that we can get through the next 12 weeks.

We want BHRR to be around another 20 years and we hope that people will consider a donation to help with the expenses of the next three months.

BHRR has only taken in three new deserving dogs since January 2016 and hopes to continue with assisting more dogs once Sean’s surgery is over etc.

Thank you in advance for reading this novel….

This is a picture of my husband Sean….BHRR would not be here today without him and please do keep him in your best wishes.

We sincerely hope we can host a couple of successful auctions on with your help!!

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Mar 11
2016

NOTICE:

BHRR shall be closed from Tuesday March 22nd, 2016 to Sunday April 3rd, 2016 inclusive to the intake of adoption applications for processing.

Any applications received during that time will be reviewed in the order that they were received as of Monday April 4th, 2016.

Thanks for your understanding!

Mar 10
2016

This Saturday and Sunday! PV Stittsville! 1250 Main Street!

BHRR’s Flame, BHRR’s Kaos and BHRR’s Steam will be with us on the Saturday!
BHRR’s Hercules will be with us on the Sunday!

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Feb 9
2016

COMING up in four sleepies! Saturday February 13th & Sunday February 14th!

BHRR’s Steam and BHRR’s Flame shall be with us on Saturday and Sunday’s BIG DAWGS are as of yet TBA!

This is our FIRST Community Education and Public Awareness event of 2016! We have not been out since November of 2015!

No appointments are necessary and we are microchipping Saturday and Sunday and more details can be found in the poster below.

Cats and Dogs have to be minimally 8 weeks of age.

Thanks Regan and PV Kanata for hosting us that weekend! So touched as always to have your support!

BHRR Poster (Medium)

Jan 19
2016

ISO: Bakers! Our 3rd Annual “Breaking Bills Bake’ Online Auction begins Saturday January 16th, 2016 and shall run through until Sunday January 24th, 2016!

We are in search of bakers for human and/or doggie treats for this unique online auction!

All items do not need to be baked until the end of the auction to ensure freshness!

Last year we had 41 amazing goodies up for grabs! We are hoping for an equally wonderfully successful fundraiser to help a most deserving dog in our Great Dane Rescue.

If anyone may consider donating a baked goodie to our creative fundraiser, please do email gwen@birchhaven.org Please do NOT post on this thread for your kind and generous offer may be missed!

All monies raised shall go towards BHRR’ Mavie’s Vet Bills. He was back at KAH on the 14th of December for a post op recheck and to exam the swelling that has begun to develop again on that left front leg of his. He was back to not eating as well and dropping weight again. Clear signs that something is brewing…..

His had swollen lymph nodes yet was not demonstrating a fever. He is back on the Baytril 150 mg – 3 Tablets BID and that is a cost of almost $300 for just over 8 days. We are also running more bloodwork.

So, our Iron Man is not yet out of the woods………..

Thanks in advance for any consideration………

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Jan 17
2016

BHRR’s Miller – AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!

He is ready to make his own special announcement!

This boy came to BHRR beyond skinny, yes, emaciated and with ‘tude issues. Especially with any human adult female that he believed to be in a position of authority.

Someone sure did handle him wrong in his past.

This gorgeous boy also tested positive for a chronic Lymes Disease infection and when he was neutered in December we did a UPC by cysto collection.

It came back negative. So, in conversing with two of his Vets, we tried to figure out why he was not putting on the weight for they believe that he was actually a false positive for Lymes. He is not symptomatic for Lymes.

The recommendation is to re-test his UPC in 6 months time and if he is adopted by then, this is in his medical records plus in his detailed blog on our home website.

He had no shifting lameness, no lethargic, no pain yet the weight issue which can also be a part of being Lymes positive was ever present.

So, what I did over this past week is change up where he eats…..and, well, uhmmmmm, man, does he like to eat now……

So, mental note, eats ok in the crate where he sleeps yet, in feeding him in an X-pen, likes to eat really well. GOTCHA BHRR’s Miller! All you had to do is say so!

So,considering that he is NOT Lymes Positive AND that he is putting on the weight even better now……he is ready!

Behaviourally, he is going to need an experienced home, not necessary a Dane experienced home, yet an experienced home that is going to be positive method and balanced in training with him.

I believe in full disclosure on all of our dogs and while this boy is fabu ‘eye candy’, he has had a lot of work on his emotional plus behavioural state NOT to mention obedience(HOLY! He is still like a freight train at times on leash!!). He must continue with the obedience and that is part of our adoption contract with any dog.

I am still careful about when to take his collar and sometimes so as to not stress him out, I just take the leash, hook it gently onto his collar and off we go.

We have negotiated and compromised our way through Gwennie’s Boot Camp and he is now reliably trusting me about 95% of the time and only once in awhile does he ‘forget’ himself and will bark and get a bit woofy and goes to softly mouth and he never makes contact and corrects himself really well.

He no longer tries to eat me……..he was so fearful in the beginning, the poor boy……I seriously wondered at one point could he ever be ready to be placed up for adoption and if he would be a BHRR Haven Dog yet, he has done it!

He had overcome so bravely some of the demons from whatever was in his past…..and I am uber proud of him!!!

We are thorough with all of our applicants and in his case, we will be the same……has to be that right matched forever loving home and one that will have tons of patience, structure, consistency, take him to obedience and not force him.

To force BHRR’s Miller would be a huge set-up for failure. He is a lamb almost all the time now…..

He is the best foot warmer anybody could ask for! AND when he sits – he loves sitting right on your feet!, his head comes right up to my chest. A tall, gorgeous boy and as time passes at BHRR, his inner beautiful self continues to develop and show itself……..

I have earned his trust almost 100% now and the issues he has had with adult females – the shelter and with me, he has never had with males….or kids….

As time also has passed, he shows his goofy, playful self and MAN, body armor time when he gets into play mode.

Being so young still, he is clumsy and gangly and makes me smile so much when he trots and runs with such happiness.

The muscle mass plus tone that he has developed has been impressive as he becomes healthier and healthier….

He is good with dogs big and small, he was fine with the cat at the shelter, has never had an issue meeting people both in and out of our home….

His only worry and stress that he has still is fear of being manhandled and hurt…..

I continue to show him that this is never going to happen again and he is rewarding me with so much trust and we each have mutual respect for each other.

These days he is more bluff and sauceyness and we need to make sure that any home that he goes to continues to build up his circle of success……..

I really love this boy. He is honest and true and a real ham of a dog! He is something very special, as I have said about many a dog before, he is a gift…..

His right matched forever loving home will be so willing to keep working with him and building upon the strong foundation built up at BHRR and continuing to make him the best dog he can be. AND, WOW, he is one really great boy already!

YOU did it BHRR’s Miller!! Thank you for all the gifts and lessons you have bestowed upon me during your rehab at BHRR.

Thank you Melissa again for the gorgeous photo’s and to Bernie and Rachel Ng for the help with picture taking!

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Dec 29
2015

FIRST BHRR Winter Wonderland videos of the season!

Here is VIDEO #1

Here is VIDEO #2

Here is VIDEO #3

Dec 24
2015

BHRR’s Miller traditional XMAS Eve Candid Photo!

Dec 20
2015

Both BHRR’s Miller and BHRR’s Crème Brûlée were altered on Thursday December 17th.

We also did the UPC Urine by cysto collection on BHRR’s Miller as per my previous post, he tested positive for chronic Lymes Disease. Poor boy.

Both are recovering well. BHRR’s Miller managed to open up his neuter incision slightly and is now on antibiotics and BHRR’s Crème Brûlée has been bouncing back so well from her spay.

Per her surgeon, she has NEVER had a litter(the shelter thought she recently had had a litter prior to arriving in the shelter) and it was confirmed that she has had a heat, so it was a mature spay. So, she most likely had a false pregnancy or was finishing up the tail end of a heat. She is believed to be no more than 15 months of age.

She is looking fabu in the weight plus muscle department and she will be making her own special announcement in about 2 weeks time! 🙂

Dec 12
2015

BHRR’s Miller and BHRR’s Crème Brûlée were at the Vet on Thursday December 10th.

BHRR’s Miller is slowly putting on the weight. A bit more slower than I would like to see. I did his boosters plus a Heartworm and Tickborne disease panel on him and also pre-op bloodwork in preparation for his neuter – scheduled for December 15th.

Sadly, his bloodwork came back that he has a chronic Lymes Disease infection – he is from an area that tick borne disease is high. The next step per his Vet is a UPC by cysto collection and that will be done the day of his neuter. So, he will not be available for adoption anytime soon. He does not present with lethargic, shifting lamenes etc. ‘typical’ of Lymes Disease and poor boy. 🙁

BHRR’s Brûlée, weighed just under 80 pounds and her Vet believes as I do that she is more likely around 15 months of age and that she has not had any litters prior to coming to BHRR(we will confirm during spay) and that she most likely had a false pregnancy or a heat.

She has lost some much needed weight, toned up amazingly well and she looks fabu! As she ages, she may reach a healthy 85 pounds or so. I think that we may also do a DNA test on her. So suspicious of what her breed combo could be. This would be the second time in our almost 20 year history that we have done this. We did a DNA on BHRR’s Bloom and it came back confirmed for her being 100% single bred Great Dane! Was surprised and goes to show that after almost 28 years with Danes, when not bred to standard, they come in all shapes, sizes, colours plus conformation. We want to make sure that we are being proactive about her adoption placement when it is her time to be adopted. 🙂

I am hard pressed to find the ‘DANE’ in her looks and personality. She is 100% lovely and uniquely her though! 🙂

She is also scheduled for her own alter surgery on December 15th. Her Accuplex as negative for Heartworm and Tickborne diseases and her pre-op was normal! YAY!

Nov 27
2015

NOTICE:

Quite a few other Rescues, Shelters, Pounds etc. have also begun to follow a similar protocol to what we have been doing for so many years.

Our XMAS Shut down period for this year is from Thursday December 17th, 2015 to Tuesday January 5th, 2016 inclusive.

Any applications received during this time will be processed/reviewed on Wednesday January 6th, 2016!

During this time, BHRR is available 24/7 as always for requests for assistance of animals in need and will do intake.

Thank you for your continued understanding – The BHRR Team

Nov 21
2015

BHRR’s Steam AKA Steam Boat loves her new coat thanks to Auntie Rachel and Auntie Bernie! She looks so adorable!

AND, thank you to you both for the extra hands today for the prof photo session with her, BHRR’s Miller and BHRR’s Crème Brûlée!

I think Sean also has a final appreciation for all the training that goes into the dogs prior to being placed up for adoption!

Thank you to Melissa for her precious time again in taking some prof photo’s of these dogs in preparation for some time in the future when they are ready to be placed up for adoption!

BHRR’s Steam also was at work with me on Thursday and is now 18.26 pounds! So up a wee bit! Charmed the whole Hospital and did so well there for the day!!!

Happy Saturday to all! May it be happy safe and healthy!

Nov 21
2015

BHRR’s 8th ANNUAL ‘JUST IN TIME FOR XMAS’ Online Auction has now begun!

Runs through to Thursday December 3rd @ 8 PM EST!

Over 50 items listed to date and some more to come!

Please consider helping us help BHRR’s Mavie!

If anyone has any items that they would like to donate, please do email gwen@birchhaven.org FOR we would be so appreciative. We only host 5 planned Fundraisers a year and BHRR’s Mavie is going to deeply benefit from all money raised in this auction.

He has his surgery scheduled to remove that left front leg implant on Tuesday November 24th with his wonderful ortho specialist. He had a sudden rejection/infection to that left implant recently and now that the Baytril(almost $600 for 16 days worth of treatment) has worked its magic on the infection, he is ‘good to go’ for surgery!

Oct 28
2015

BHRR’s Miller, our newest BBBBB says hello to all of his new fans, friends, family plus extended family!

Another photo of him on our ride home today.

He is setting in really well and will need some big TLC as he is so skinny, collapsed in the pasterns, flat footed, has battled some infections with ears and skin and needs some manners/handling 101 yet has received excellent care to date with the shelter and we shall continue with that proper proactive and preventative vetting etc. His records also showed he had an eye injury. Poor boy….

When he is healthy, he shall also be de-twinkled.

We thank the shelter so much for reaching out to our Great Dane Rescue to assist and always feel so touched by the trust placed in our programs…….

NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!

Oct 28
2015

Due to a change in situations, I was able to pick up who we are now calling BHRR’s Miller today.

He is more like 15 months max…..definitely lacks obedience and social skills. Skinny, to borderline emaciated also. I will post more of my observations in another post.

Oct 27
2015

It SOON shall be time! You have been asking and patiently waiting…..get your thinking caps on!

It shall soon be time to sign-up for our 4th(FOURTH) ANNUAL GIVE it ‘UP’ 4 Autumn Event!

The deserving BHRR doggie in 2015 to benefit from this one-of-a-kind unique Fundraiser is BHRR’s Baby Kaos. Past years have seen BHRR’s Lord Stafford, BHRR’s Breen and of course, BHRR’s Autumn benefit from the kindness of others!

This Fundraiser shall run from Tuesday November 3rd, 2015 @ 12:01 AM to Tuesday November 17th, 2015 @ 11:59 PM.

WHAT will you consider to ‘give up’ for 14 days to help BHRR’s Baby Kaos?’

Please do EMAIL us contactbhrr@gmail.com with what you are ‘giving up’ to participate! We hope you may join us in ‘giving something up’ to help raise monies for BHRR’s Baby Kaos!

In the past some have given up treats or coffee and put that money away to donate, others are giving up what the money they would have spent on lessons such as riding or tennis(or putting the equivalent in a jar to donate!) AND, others have put in their jar, donations for cravings that they have – chocolate, cigarettes etc. Feel free to be creative!

More information to be found on the poster below and here is the link with all the details!

Thank you Barry for this outstanding poster!

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Oct 23
2015

On October 23rd, I received the following request for assistance. I was online at the time and responded back within moments of receiving the email that yes, absolutely, BHRR could assist this Great Dane as we had a spot and he was the next in need of our programs. ETA was scheduled for Halloween weekend.

“We are currently looking for a rescue placement for a giant guy in our care. X is approximately 1.5 years old, black, intact, and approximately 120lbs. He still seems a bit underweight, but we are working on that slowly.

We have had X in our care for almost two weeks. He has been a pretty standard Dane-in-a-shelter type. He was standoffish initially with most staff. He would display the typical barking, growling, stiff body behaviours. He did air snap twice in his first few days while staff were taking his leash off. However, no contact was made.

He has since settled in better, but we still feel that a foster placement and Dane-educated group are in his best interest. He doesn’t seem to mind the company of other dogs, and was quite tolerant of a boisterous lab mix friend. He has bonded with a few of our staff members, and he will act like his silly, goofy self with them outside. He loves stuffed toys. He is very eager for attention outside of his kennel.”