Share The Love 2019

“The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth will ever be.”  ~Konrad Lorenz

Kara adopted Molly from NBRAN in 2012.  Molly had been found running around as a stray in Michigan and NBRAN took her in, fostered her, and found her the perfect forever home! She lived a little over six wonderful years with Kara and crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on January 16, 2019. 

Molly was a sweet, gentle soul who bonded with Kara immediately.  She loved to sit in Kara’s lap, lay on her tummy while she read, ‘help’ with her knitting (even teaching Mick the cat to enjoy playing with the balls of yarn!), rolling on freshly cleaned sheets, and playing “keep away” with her squeaky toy.  She disliked the sweaters that her mom knitted or sewed for her, but learned to tolerate them because putting on a sweater was usually followed by a walk!! 

When Helen brought Molly for a home visit to see if the fit was a good one, Kara knew immediately that Molly was meant for her.  As Helen and Molly prepared to leave, Kara asked if Molly could stay….and the rest is history!  They enjoyed the next few years taking long walks, visiting the dog park, cuddling in bed, and Molly was Kara’s constant shadow.

Now that Molly is gone, Kara says that her house is way too quiet….she even misses her loud snoring. Those of us who have loved and lost a wonderful dog, understand what Kara is feeling when she wrote:   “She was my best friend and the love of my life. Molly was my first dog and I got her at a time in my life when I was really struggling. Our walks and our play time were the best part of my day and helped remind me that everything was okay.” 

Thank you Kara for sharing your love and your home with Molly!  And thank you to all of our adopters who open your homes and your hearts to these beautiful Brittanys. 

Please donate today and “Share the Love” with other Brittanys in need.  Every $1 that you donate between now and February 13 at midnight, will give you one entry into the raffle.  On Valentine’s Day, we will draw the winner!

Also, when you donate through the GivingGrid (link below), you can upload a picture of one of your beloved Brittanys!  At the end of the campaign, we will post the grid with all of your photos! 

Please donate today and help NBRAN “Share the Love”:  https://www.givinggrid.com/nbransharethelove/. 

#nbran  #supportnbran #sharethelove

Buddy is that Brit Breed classic – The Runner.  In November, 2010 Buddy’s first family gave up collecting him from their local shelter after yet ANOTHER breakout.  But NBRAN, knowing – and loving – those Brittany rascal ways, picked Buddy up and put him in the loving care of Vivian and her family.  And, as it turns out, just in time.

The next month Buddy collapsed and couldn't get up.  After an exam and blood work, Buddy was diagnosed with Hemolytic Anemia – a condition where he wasn’t making enough red blood cells and his body was attacking existing red blood cells.  This disease often kills within days.

But not Buddy!  After a month of meds, vet visits and lots of loving care from Vivian, Buddy's red blood count started to go up.  Vivian and her husband gave Buddy the Runner all the encouragement, love and hugs, even through the night, to make it.  After a year of treatment, success!  Buddy was back to a normal red blood count.  

Now came the hard part for this persistent runner – weaning off the medication without a relapse.  But Vivian and her family were determined Buddy wouldn’t be abandoned a second time.  And after 6 months, Buddy was back to good health – and ready for his next adventure, a new and forever home.

NBRAN volunteer foster, Vivian and her family wrestled with sharing Buddy with a new and forever family.  And, after much heartache and searching, decided to help Buddy find a home just for him.

In January 2012, Buddy went to his new home but after six months of trying, his new Mom felt Buddy always seemed to be waiting to go home, back to Vivian.  So Buddy came back.

The next full year was wonderful, a healthy Buddy was settled and enjoying life.  In May, 2013, Vivian noticed her Hoover-eater Buddy wasn’t eating and was lethargic and that something was seriously wrong.

Buddy made it through that night but was diagnosed with Addison's and would need monthly shots of Percorten and daily Prednisone for the rest of his life. 

Vivian and NBRAN know that Buddy is a permanent foster, given his medical issues.  To save costs, Vivian gives him his monthly shot but Buddy has other special needs.  He needs additional treatments to prevent infections that his immune system couldn't fight off and medication to offset the muscle loss caused by his HA and Addison’s treatments.

Vivian’s love has brought Buddy a long way and certainly through dark times but she, Buddy and NBRAN need help meeting his medical needs.

SHARE VIVIAN’S LOVE and commitment by helping meet Buddy’s medical expenses. 

Sponsor’s make one household of love go further.

#nbran  #supportnbran #sharethelove

I accidentally fell in love with Brittanys through my first Brittany Gracie. However, it was not until I got Bobo did I understand what it was to have absolute unconditional love. A couple years after I got Gracie, her breeder introduced me to NBRAN for my second Brittany. Little did I know at that time that this would be much more than adopting another dog, I would become deeply involved with NBRAN and become a State Coordinator. Soon after my first chat with NBRAN, we brought home Bobo in February 2012. He was 2.5 years old and had lived his entire life so far penned up outside 24/7 in Iowa. I learned that his original owner bought him off Craigslist at too young an age to leave his mother. His owner died soon after, and BoBo was passed around family members, still living outside 24/7, with little to no attention or socialization. My heart broke for this beautiful boy, and I promised him everyday that he would never be unloved or uncared for again. From the day we picked him up, he bonded with me right away and seldom left my side. 

Bobo transitioned easily from her previous life to our home with Gracie. He quickly learned he loved having a big sister to try to play with and would eventually win her over to play. At times, he seemed like he was unsure if we approved of whatever he was doing, but I just kept promising him he was here to stay, period. As he got used to his new life, he absolutely loved playing ball with my husband, Dad, and going on car rides to do “guy stuff” getting slushies and going to the hardware store. When he wasn’t with Dad, he was stuck by my side.

Unexpectedly, just a little over a year later, he charged after my husband as he was coming into the living room where I sat, teeth bared and growling to attack. We were not sure what was going on and though that maybe something had scared him. However, this behavior would continue and escalate anytime my husband tried to enter any area that Bobo and I were in. My husband bears a couple scars and ripped pants to this day. We sought the help of a behaviorist, our veterinarian, and members of the Brittany community. Despite others recommendations to put him down and some very bad days, we had made a promise to Bobo, and we were going to keep it. It took some time, but eventually we were able to get his scary behavior under control.

In December of 2016, Bobo was diagnosed with B Cell Lymphoma. That day, our whole world came crashing down.  My heart was crushed as I contacted an amazing veterinarian that specialized in Canine Lymphoma. He was an hour away, but we were able to see him right away and begin the 6-month Chemo treatment protocol. Bobo responded very well and by July of 2017, he was in full remission and we were so overjoyed to have our Bobo boy back. Sadly, it wouldn’t last and the cancer was back. We tried a “rescue” round of Chemo which Bobo responded well initially, but eventually it was not enough and his condition began to go downhill. On April 18^th, 2018 Bobo did not wake up and my heart shattered in a zillion pieces. He fought with all his energy to stay with me, but it was too much for his body. I must have cried an ocean in the days and weeks to follow. Bobo was special, not that my other Brittanys aren’t. He just was so in need of love and wanted to give me so much love. It’s been almost a full year since Bobo passed, but his unconditional love stays with me and has helped me find space in my heart for an additional Brittany, Wyatt, to welcome into our lives.

Wyatt comes with a whole new set of challenges, normal puppy stuff, and keeps us on our toes! We once had well over 100 toys in the house. We now have none. I love this horrible terrible little stinker and am so grateful every day for my awesome friends at NBRAN. I am eternally grateful for Bobo for loving me and opening my heart up to NBRAN and Wyatt. Rescue Rocks!

Jamo (Patrick) Gurganus was found running stray and ended up in Loraine County Shelter in Ohio. Luckily on March 17, 2017, NBRAN pulled him out and he began his new life. The first thing anyone noticed about Patrick was that he absolutely LOVES people!  Unfortunately, he did not do well with other dogs and was unable to stay in first foster home. However, he was very lucky to have Pam, a temporary foster/trainer that was able to devote much love and attention working with him out of a boarding kennel. Even though they spent much of their time working on manners, leash walking, and people socialization, they also had their fair share of visiting public parks and always finding time for a hamburger at Wendy’s and an occasional ice cream treat.

One day, Patrick’s forever mom, Gina, reached out to NBRAN asking to adopt Patrick. Since that day, Patrick started his second and forever life as Jamo. They went on their first date, and it was love at first sight. His first day home with Gina, he laid down while eating and then took a big nap, and that's when she knew they were perfect for each other.  Jamo’s favorite toy is anything remotely resembling a ball. He is also a master of toy destruction. His love for people is constant and takes it personally when someone doesn’t stop to pet him when they are out.  His favorite hobby is napping but is willing to learn tricks as long as it involves a treat. Jamo is now living the life and traveling the country with his mom. Their next stop is Washington DC. He is one happy and very much loved Brittany!

Here’s Sparky (4 yrs. - Orange/White) adopted Feb 2016 & Bandit (1 yrs. – Liver/White) adopted Feb 2018.

These boys are not just loved and spoiled, they are family. My boys. My heart.

I really wasn’t so sure I wanted second Brittany after we lost our Bailey in Dec 2016 (in pic above with my daughter). Over a year had passed and we were used to a one dog household. Everything was perfectly manageable. Sparky was perfectly behaved and loved. He had our full attention. A total sweetheart of a pup. He never did anything wrong. He listens like he fully understands the English language. Why change that?

And how will Sparky feel about sharing his time with us? Do I really want another Brittany to train? I’m thinking NO!

Well, I guess I am a sucker for Liver/White’s because that was what our Bailey was. An unannounced text and photo from an NBRAN volunteer/state coordinator with a picture of an inbound liver/white changed all of that. How could I say no? He looks like Bailey!

Sparky and his new brother Bandit hit it off from the very beginning. They play together all day and really are the best buddies. Tug of war (their favorite) is constant. Two dogs connected to one toy running through the house. It looks like a two headed, eight legged Brittany. They surely do entertain each other and us.

Looking back, I realize Sparky needed a buddy and Bandit (10 months old when we got him) needed a mentor. They were meant to be together and for each other.

Bandit’s close resemblance to Bailey made him easy to adopt but boy he’s been a handful. He’s eaten dog beds, destroyed a few comforters, chewed up flip-flops, socks, and many other things but I’d do it again tomorrow having known all of this. Why? Because, he is the most cuddly, loving, sweetest, sensitive soul I have ever met. A kind heart just like his brother Sparky. He sleeps on our bed on a pillow (because that is what he likes) in-between my wife and my head. Sparky is also on the bed.

Two dogs, two humans in one queen bed?! Yup, we fit. Barely. It’s true love all the way around. We love them. They love us. They love each other.

Arlo (formerly Scout) came to us from Kentucky.  Prior to his rescue, his circumstances were very bad. He and several other dogs were part of a forced surrender. He was terribly skinny and was terrified to eat out of his bowl as if he hadn’t been allowed to eat his food. He also had to be shaved due to all the ticks and fleas he had when him and his companions were rescued. Despite being so skinny and scared, when we brought him home, he would always look at us with his soulful eyes and we just loved him.

Arlo has transitioned incredibly well into our home and bonded amazingly fast with us. Despite his difficult circumstances, as soon as we got home with him, he settled right in and seemed to know he could trust us. Although, he still has trouble taking food or treats from anyone, he has come a long way. He very much enjoys our other dogs and loves to play with them, and around the house, he acts like just another human being. He loves snuggling and wrestling in bed with us on weekend mornings and is the ultimate cuddlebug and must be right next to us at all times.

When we are not cuddling together, Arlo loves zooming around the backyard and displaying his speed. Although, he wasn’t familiar with toys in his previous life, he now loves carrying his “babies” with him all over the house and chewing their ears and faces off in bed. He especially likes to show off outside by picking up a toy off the ground in his mouth at full speed. We also love going on adventures in the car and exploring the nature preserve near our house together.

Getting Arlo from NBRAN has truly been a miracle for us. I refer to him as my “therapy dog” because he has been so good for my heart and spirit. He is the perfect fit for our family, and we cannot imagine life without him. We adopted him because we were aching from a recent loss of our previous Brittany and wanted to give Arlo a better life. It turns out that Arlo is the one who is giving us a better life.