HMBMDC Rescue Report ~ March 2008

Well, at the beginning of our last report I mentioned that things had slowed a little. It was obviously the calm before the storm. Last issue we had just taken in Abby, and had been contacted about a pair of females named Angel and Gracie needing a new home together, if possible. We were successful in finding homes for those dogs and then we took in, Zurich, Buster, Montana, Chloe, Benny and received a call about an senior, Raquel. Of the new bunch, Zurich, Buster, Montana and Benny were intact, and had to be neutered.

I'll start with the earlier batch. Abby turned out to a very nice girl that is affectionate, quiet, but playful. She loves people and likes being around the other dogs. She now Lives in Franklin, MI, with the Hargraves. The Hardgrave's are past members from years ago. Abby came back for a visit that was supposed to last 5 days, but due to bad weather they had to cancel their trip, so it just turned into a sleepover. Linda Griggs's Ernie was also here for a vacation stay for 10 days, so we had 11 dogs sprawled out in the living room one night.

Angel and Gracie have a new home waiting for them down in Florida. We found a wonderful home on 5 fenced acres to a former show/breeder of the BMDCA. Angel and Gracie are waiting until the end of March to go to their forever home until the new owner recovers from a hip replacement. She wants to be able to walk the property with the girls when they arrive so they get to know her better, rather than being left to roam alone until she heals.

Zurich, (aka, Mister Z, and "Z") came to us from the Port Huron area. His original owner moved to Florida and left "Z" with a friend because it was too hot down south. He decided after a few weeks that 2 large dogs (he already had a large lab) was too much, and with "Z" only being 11 months, still a pup, was more work than he wanted to do. So he contacted us, and we agreed to take him in. We asked about his breeder and were promised the information, but after numerous attempts, none was given.

Mister Z turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous large boy and still growing. We think he will end up about the size of out Orson, and a complete ham. We fell in love immediately. So we knew right off he needed an exceptional home and we had the perfect one in mind. We had been "one the lookout" for a large boy with a decent temperament, but the family was more than able to deal with anything. So we called Bob and Nancy T, and sent a picture. Nancy e-mailed back and they knew they were in trouble at first sight. After several attempts to come meet him failed due to weather, we finally made the connection and "Z" went to his new home in South Haven. Bob & Nancy were given instructions by their son to "bring back a big one". Mission accomplished!!! Those of you that have met him have told me that Nancy seems to be kinda attached to him.

"Chloe"

Chloe is a 6 year old female that we are assisting her breeder find a home for because she is a "special needs" girl. Chloe has a problem that is believed to be in her neck. Her owner recently had to relocate to an apartment up 6 flights of stairs. Chloe would trip and stumble on the stairs and eventually damaged something. She could no longer handle the constant bobbing of the head that navigating stairs always causes. So for Chloe's comfort she was surrendered to the local Humane Society that had been treating and boarding her. They cared a lot for Chloe and knew that she needed someone more able to seek a special home for her, so they contacted us. We had full vet/owner/breeder information so we worked with all to piece together her needs. So with the assistance of Gray Frances and Kathy Breedlove up in Boyne City, they got Chloe and brought her to us in early January.

She is a larger female that had a bunch of trouble getting around, but after several experiments with medication she seems more comfortable but still has trouble with both front and rear. She has a history of a cruciate repair last year and seems to have some hip issues, plus since she has been here, she is having trouble with an elbow, maybe from getting knocked around by everyone else here. She is very sweet with a bad overbite that makes her all the cuter. She is such a tough girl, she gets knocked over and gets right back up, tries to keep up with the gang, and a real sweetie. She will need a home willing to work with her lameness and have a very limited amount of stairs for her to navigate. We have a few leads but nothing has come through yet.

I got the call about Raquel a few days ago, she is a senior female that was a mill dog and is very shy. She is not working in her new home and will not interact or come inside. I think she needs other dogs to show her what life out of a kennel is like. They were going to hold off on us getting her until we cleared our some of the current fosters here. I have tried to re-contact them but got no response letting them know we have room now.

As you can see we have been very busy, too busy for just us to continue without assistance. Our lives have become centered and restricted by doing the rescue. We have had to adjust our own lifestyle and forfeit vacations by making our priority to our fosters. We are working on expanding our base of foster homes, to help handle the increase of the dogs we are seeing. We have several members offering to help in an emergency, which is fantastic to be able to fall back on. What we are hoping to establish is a list of foster homes that are willing take on and understand the potential liabilities when fostering dogs. There will be several uncompromising requirements for the foster homes. Some of those will be a physical fence with a minimum of 4ft, liability insurance of at least $500,000, and experience with handling some temperament issues. There will be more as we finalize a contract that the foster homes will have to understand and agree to. We do this for protection to the foster homes that are willing to open their homes and hearts to help these dogs, along with protection for the club. Rescue is a very rewarding endeavor, but not one without risk. We just want those willing to get involved to be aware of those risks. We will have a finalized plan hopefully by the time of the Annual Meeting in May. We should have the foster guidelines and contracts at that time.

We are also running short on adoptable homes. We have several good ones without fences, but we get few dogs that due to their history would do well with electronic restraint or no containment.

As always, thank you for your support.

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"Zurich"

"Buster and Hunter"

Buster and Montana (Monty) were from a BYB in Clarkston. They were 8 months old and had been returned to the breeder about 2 months earlier to be left out in the back yard for the most part. She was required to give them up due to a visit from Code Enforcement responding to a neighbor complaint. We found them to be a team that had never been separated. They are untrained, but social and again loved people and dogs, plus the cat was VERY interesting. They need manners but knew to sit on occasion. Buster was the more outgoing but also more hand shy, as if he was more apt to get into trouble and then chastised for it. Monty was never afraid of hands. Monty was taught to be a "poop eater" by our Colin and became almost ravenous in his search for frozen treats, some even still steaming! Rather disgusting, but not a deterrent to his new Mom to be.

When we had our first interview for people considering "the twins", the people had 2 small children and an older Golden/Pyr mix. We were concerned about the kids and such a pair of animated dogs as Monty and Buster, but when they settled on the couch it was obvious that Buster wanted some "boys" of his own. He was amazing with the children and it was love all around. Buster had found a home! He now lives in Grosse Point Farms with Cris & Marc Belanger, and boys Tanner and Hunter.

"Monty and his Mother"

Monty is going to his forever home today as I write this (2/22). He will be living in St Clair Shores with his new Mom, Lindy Bleau. Lindy and Monty will be seen around as they have plans to join the club and enjoy the fun we all have. Monty is a very loveable guy that is a rough and tumble pup. Since Buster left several weeks ago he has adopted Benny as his new buddy. But Monty will have a Rottie to play with at Lindy's sisters and a dog park near by to meet new friends. Monty will be seldom alone because of alternate shifts of work at his new home will allow him to have company almost all day. Lindy fell in love with the breed when she worked at a vet and had several as clients, she has wanted one ever since. So when you see Lindy and her "little dude", please say hello!

"Benny"

Benny was found as a stray in the Jackson area. He walked into a school playground and was fortunately recognized as a Berner because the teacher that saw him has a sister with a Berner. Lucky for Benny!! Area papers were searched for ads and local vets and shelters had no reports of a missing Berner, he had no microchip. We were contacted and made arrangements to meet up with them and take him into foster.

We have had several thoughts on his origins, at first we thought he might be a BYB or miller run away, then we thought someone spent time with him, but did not take care of him very well. Now we think our earlier impression may be correct. He is unbelievably affectionate, which we think is because he never had the attention and now is drinking in all he can get, much the same way Nedji and our Izzy did when they came here.

Benny is the best cuddlier! He needs someone that will allow him to sit and watch TV while he naps on their lap. He will easily spend hours sleeping peacefully while pinning his owner in the chair if they are softies like us and don't want to wake a sleeping dog. It's sometimes hard   to sit with out getting Benny on our lap. He interacts great with other dogs and people. He did hide however when the people that took Buster, the 2 year old child got over excited and screamed. Benny appears to have been hit and is very cautious when voices are raised and correcting another dog. Since Benny is a runaway, he will require a physical fence, and I promised him a home where he could nap on his owner whenever he wanted.