The Transformation of Abby

Abby at her overnight home...sad and confused.

NOTE:  Abby went on transport in May 2010, from Indianapolis to Vermont.  Her family could no longer care for her, so Abby found her way to NBRAN.

You`ve gotta love Abby`s smile. Not very long ago, Abby did not have much to smile about.

You see, Abby was surrendered from a home where she was once very much loved, but times turned hard. Abby’s was in need of a lot of dental care, and because her teeth hurt her, she wouldn’t each much. As a result, she was very much underweight.

Abby was very much confused and lost when she went on transport to her foster home in VT. All the drivers did their best to comfort Abby & try to reassure her that her life was going to be better. We all felt Abby’s sadness.

When she first arrived in her foster home, Abby’s foster mom thought she was deaf because she would avoid people. It took time for Abby to grieve over losing her first family & realize that she landed in a better place. 

Abby went to the vet for dental care – and had a dozen rotting or infected teeth pulled. Now she has many reasons to smile, and she loves having her teeth brushed!

"LOOK MOM!  No cavities!"

With the love of her foster mom, Abby became stronger and healthier each passing day. She gained 10 lbs, bringing her weight to a healthy 37 lbs. But even more remarkable was her transformation from a sad girl to a happy 12 year old senior with a bouncy young spirit and lots of energy. There are times when she tears around the house, chasing her teddy bear or snatching a rawhide strip and simply jumping for joy. 

Abby is thriving in her foster home.  Senior dogs are hidden gems!

All Because of the Love of a "Disposable Dog"!

Dear NBRAN Volunteer Fosters and Transporters,

I want to wish a heart felt THANK YOU and MERRY CHRISTMAS to each and every one of you!  I know we all do what we do for the love of dogs but we help people out along the way.

This is my story:

I volunteer at my local shelter to help find "disposable dogs" rescues so they won't be euthanized.  I happened to be at the shelter when a phone call came through . . . someone wanted to dispose of their 13 year old female Brit.  She hadn't hit the shelter yet, but I knew who to contact as I had transported one of our other shelter dogs to an NBRAN foster home earlier in the year.  And since I was already familiar with what a wonderful rescue NBRAN is, I called NBRAN. 

Sadie was now a rescued dog and didn't have to worry about being red listed or even going into the shelter.  After her vetting was done, she came back to my home to start her search for a furever home.  

Little did I know it would walk right through my door the very next day!  My father came to visit and fell in love with Sadie on the spot!  He didn't care that she was a senior as he is a senior himself and understood what is like to get old.  That night he filled out the application (after doing a ton of research about the breed and NBRAN) and within two days he was approved! 

I can say without hesitation that was one of the best days of his life!  You see he needed Sadie more than she needed him.  He had a stroke the year before and was just getting ready to have hip replacement surgery.  He was feeling pretty low as my father had always been a hard worker and now couldn't do as much.  He was depressed to say the least.  And I truly believe Sadie's love saved him!  He had a reason to keep living and get up every morning.  Each evening when he came home she greeted him with tail wags and the love only a dog can give! 

He isn't the same man he had become . . . he is even better than before.  And all because of the love of a "disposable dog"!  

Without NBRAN and all the volunteers this wouldn't have happened for my Dad.  So thank you from a daughter who loves her father very much!  

Dawn  Gray

Leif - Update from His New Home

NOTE:  Leif traveled from OH to Prince Edward Island, Canada.  His family crossed the US-Canadian border in Maine, and drove 500 miles (round trip) to adopt him.

Here's an update from his Forever Mom:

Good Evening,

I would like to thank all of you for your help in rescuing, caring for and transporting Leif. He arrived on Prince Edward Island Sunday night at 11:30 pm. The resident cat “Kenney”, and Brittany “Pete”, greeted him with open paws at the door, and welcomed him to his new home on the island. The introductions went famously with not even a bark , whine or growl from any of them. Since Leif does not have a tail, not even a stub (any comments on that?) his entire bum wiggled when he greeted the gang. Best friends from the start! Pete was equally as happy that his new brother arrived with a new tennis ball, his absolute favourite, and to be honest was just as excited about this as he was to have a new friend, LOL. Too funny.

He has settled in well and aside from the expected adjustment issues there is nothing we cannot work with using positive reinforcement training. He joined us on our regular 5 km (often 10 km) walk/run on Monday and today. Every time Pete would point (which he does at just about everything, LOL) Leif got very excited. With time I hope he will be able to run off leash with Pete on our trail walks/runs. We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful trail system (no motorized vehicles permitted) on the island. It is a great place to exercise dogs.

Leif is also enjoying raiding the doggie toy box. Pete is an ungrateful Britt :) and constantly empties it out but never quite finds the perfect toy. I guess that is his way of telling me he wants new stuff! However Leif thinks the toys are just wonderful and is having a blast discovering all the new (to him) treasures. Maybe Pete will learn something from this!

Kenney the cat is pretty cool with all animals that enter our home and Leif is no exception. It is like he has always lived here. Leif sniffs Kenney and Kenney talks to him and rubs up against him, I couldn’t ask for better than that.

I have attached a picture of the boys relaxing on their beds. Life is good!

Thanks again for your dedication and compassion. Please continue your good work!

Carolyn

P.S. The boys just finished a very entertaining wrestling match and although Pete has 20 pounds on Leif and is about 4 inches taller...Leif certainly held his own! Way to go Leif, Petey plays rough :)

Connor: A Weekend Trek from Arkansas to Ontario, Canada!

On September 11 & 12, 2010, seventeen wonderful drivers gave up their time, gas, and transportation to bring our lovely little boy home from his foster home in Arkansas to our home in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. 

We've had Connor for three months now and I can't imagine life without him. He fit into our small family instantly and is enjoying the life of a spoiled and loved dog. A few of his favourite things include: visits to the leash-free park, treats (latest favourites are dried sweet potato slices and natural peanut butter in his kong), belly rubs, walks, cuddling in our bed or on the couch, and playing with his friend Spitha.

Here is a video of him playing with Spitha last weekend: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HVEjFn3aL0

A special thank you to Connor's foster in Arkansas, Debbie Clarke, Ontario co-ordinator Helen Tostevin, and transport co-ordinator Nancy Walker.

Happy holidays from our family to yours!

Forever grateful,

Melissa, Louis & Connor

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

The Transport Adventures of Thelma and Louise

NOTE:  Thelma and Louise were in boarding at a veterinary clinic in the northwest mountains of North Carolina.  The weekend weather forecast for that February weekend was for a severe ice storm.  The transport was close to being postponed due to the winter storm warning.

    Bob G and his wife, Clair, called the transport coordinator and offered to pick up Thelma & Louise and take them all the way to the New England area.  The catch?  It was Wednesday afternoon, and they’d be heading north the next morning (Thursday).  They were in Greensboro, NC, and planned to drive to Johnson City, TN where their daughter (Cheryl) checked out a college there.  Bob & Clair offered to drive a bit out of their way to the vet boarding clinic and pick up Thelma and Louise, for the trip back.  They planned to leave on that Thursday afternoon, taking turns driving through the night (ahead of the storm) with stops every 3-4 hours for a break. 

We sprung into action to make sure that Thelma & Louise were ready for their pickup, and everyone safely beat the storm!

Thelma and Louise were fostered by Nancy.  Louise quickly found a fur-ever family, but Thelma subsequently got sick.  

Nancy, Thelma’s foster mom writes:

     Louise was adopted but Thelma (Emma) stayed.  “Emma" was kind of close to the name "Thelma" so Emma she is!!! 

     Emma came to us with Kennel cough, and she and I spent 6 weeks together in our summer cottage while my husband stayed at our permanent residence, until she got better.   When Emma was adopted [to another family], the adopters brought her back saying that she was too devoted to me to go to anyone else.   Emma chose us.   

     Emma is thriving!!!!!!  She has the most beautiful gait when she runs!!  I almost named her Joyful because she is sooooo happy to be alive and healthy. And she's beautiful!!!!!

 

Bugsey ... Enjoying the Good Life!

NOTE:  Bugsey was sprung from a shelter in Florida, where he stayed with Janice for several weeks before going on transport to his foster family in the New England area.  

Janice (his Florida foster mom) writes:

I am sending you this on "Bugsey". I was so pleased with everyone who helped drive him to NH and gave him TLC along the way. There are not many pictures of him on the trip but some beautiful ones at his new foster. He is doing great and it makes me sooooooooooo Happy that everyone helped get him to where he needed to be.

Bugsey had been abused to where he had marks on his neck from a shock collar and that he was scared to death of loud noises and also would not come up to you to be petted other than when in the house. He was beginning to turn around some when he left for NH and Katherine and Kevin say he is doing very well there! He loves the kitty and also Violet their Rottweiler!

I would love to give a big hug to all who helped him and since I can not do that I want to say THANK YOU!!!! (Oh and I have finally quit crying.... most of the time )

I have pictures of him on my facebook for anyone to see.... here is the link....

New home in NH

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46287&id=100000185900219

trip to NH

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=45181&id=100000185900219

With me

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42461&id=100000185900219

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=40873&id=100000185900219

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=40453&id=100000185900219

"To the people who foster, transport, donate, campaign or look out for dogs in need, thanks to all of you. To the people who are thinking about how they might make a bit of difference, go for it."

NOTE:  Peyton was pulled by Connie from a WV shelter, fostered by her and then went on transport to the northeast in November.  Peyton now has a "fur-ever" family of his own.

   This is Connie's story ... 

This is my story, I would encourage anyone in the least bit interested to give fostering or transporting a try.  Please feel free to edit, I know I tend to get windy!!

A year ago I lost my Gypsy, a little liver and white "Brattney" girl. About that time I started looking at Petfinder, and the rescues, NBRAN included. I heard a lot about "other peoples problem dogs, something wrong with them for them to be at a shelter, you don't want to get involved."

Within 2 weeks we bought a little Britt boy, different color, different sex, from a breeder, great pedigree, champion stock.

I started transporting a few months later, got questioned about WHY are you spending your time and money to drive dogs when you have a farm full of your own animals and not enough time for yourself?

I didn't know WHY, but it made me feel good. I did it because I could, I guess.

Not long ago I got approached by NBRAN / NEBR, could I pick up a lost Britt from a shelter near my home and take him to boarding? It was Thanksgiving week, but the shelter wanted him out, but he didn't have a foster home yet. I picked him up, and he came home with me for the week. He was skinny, he jumped at every noise, cowered all the time and if he had a tail it would have been between his legs.

My two boys (the hunter, our Britt boy and the herder, our shelter Border Collie mix) welcomed him, shared their toys and home, and a couple days later he was not so scared, he was playful and getting confident. He had some accidents in the house, but learned quickly to be a good house dog.

A week later he had a foster home, and I transported him on his first leg of his journey. My husband was so attached to him by this time he couldn't go. I cried a lot that day.

Just two weeks later I learned his fur-ever family found him. I'm glad now to have been a part of his life, even though it was sad to let him go.

My point?

There are a lot of dogs out there that are not problems, or trouble, just down on their luck.

Or their first people didn't know how to care for them. Or couldn't afford the chow any more.

In just one week I watched a dog change, saw him start to bloom. He is every bit as special and good as our pedigreed champion, actually perhaps better behaved!

This kind of thing wouldn't happen without the network of ordinary people who help out here and there when they can.

So to the people who foster, transport, donate, campaign or look out for dogs in need, thanks to all of you.

To the people who are thinking about how they might make a bit of difference, go for it.

You won't be sorry.

If I knew then what I know now, I don't think I would have agreed to buying our little champion. Not that he isn't a great boy, but he would have gotten a great home.

I would have jumped right into fostering the ones that got lost in the shuffle of life, and would now have a bunch of tearful days behind me, but would have also helped others find their best friends.

And along the way I think I would have been found by mine. 

CONNIE

Annie and Her People

NOTE:  Annie travelled from Findlay, OH to Unadilla, NY in October.  She met up with two other brittanys in Toledo, OH and the threesome travelled along the Southern Tier Expressway (I-86) in NY.  One brittany departed transport for his foster family in Jamestown, NY, and Annie and the other brittany headed to adopting homes.  

Here is Annie's story:

Annie is an 11 year old gal who an owner surrender because her former owner was moving to a place that would not allow dogs. Annie was not completely happy being one of many dogs in her foster homes.  Now in her adopting home, Annie is lavishly loved by her people and she is thrilled that she does not have to share attention with any other dogs (except for occasional visitors). Her people are home most of the time, and she has 100 acres with trails to walk. Her new family loves her very much, just the way that she is. She seems to have become very confident and is doing new things like climbing woodpiles to catch chip munks :).  (Who says senior dogs can't have fun?)

Finally Home! Case's Journey from AL to MD

NOTE:  Case traveled from Madison, AL to Potomac, MD on Nov 6 & 7, 2010.  He traveled from AL to Huber Heights, OH, where he met up with 4 other brittanys for a Saturday night bed 'n biscuit in Columbus OH.  On Sunday he travelled with another dog across the PA turnpike to meet his new family!  All in all, a dozen drivers helped Case home!

Case's family wrote about his arrival:

Hi All:

Case's new mom here. We just got our boy home and he seems a bit road weary. We let him run around and stretch his legs in the back yard for a while. Now he's inside laying on the couch and watching football with my Britt, my cat, my husband and I. He seems to be exhausted and a bit shy, but all is good. He's new and this whole transport/relocation thing would be overwhelming for most dogs.

The good news is he's here, safe and sound. I wish to thank all of you who make this possible for us. It's an incredible network of good-hearted selfless people who allowed this to happen. And behalf of all of the "new furparents" we thank each and every one of you for your part.
   

I hope I can do this for someone else soon. It's such a touching thing to have so many good souls looking out for your new baby. Thank you all so very much (Nancy [Walker, the transport coordinator], you get extra special appreciation for what seems like it must be almost a full time job)! 

Lori