Are you hitting the road this summer? Do you have 

a little extra room for a Brittany? Let your state coordinators know!

Planning a transport to get a Brittany to a foster or forever home is not always easy. Finding volunteers to drive and coordinating the logistics is difficult—and at times impossible. But when it comes together, we write another Brittany rescue success story.

Every fall, Michigan volunteers Berry and Michelle Zeeman leave northern Michigan and head to Fairhope, Alabama for the winter. They then drive back to Michigan in the spring. For the past several years, they have contacted state coordinator Rebecca Wallace offering to transport a Brittany along the way. 

This year, Suzie, a 12-year-old in Alabama whose owner died, caught the eye of a woman in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. But there was 1160 miles between them. The adoption was doable only because of the Zeemans! They picked Suzie up near Birmingham, drove her to Michigan where another ABR volunteer, Deb Rice, drove Suzie four hours to meet a Canadian volunteer, Mel Hart, who took her to meet her adopter, Andree Duquette! 

If you’re covering some miles this summer, please check in with the state coordinators along the route. Maybe you can help change a Brittany’s life! 

Suzie and the Zeemans

Suzie and her new mom

Brittanys are known for being a high energy breed that loves to run. Mine are always ready for their next adventure and can be ready to go at a moment’s notice; sometimes even when I am not. An unlatched door, an open garage door, an unexpected noise or fear, or a pesky squirrel can trigger a burst of energy and cause your pet to bolt. For pets that do not have good recall, the panic sets in immediately.

I’ve heard of so many people using Apple AirTags as an option to track their pets. If you are not familiar with Apple AirTags, they are battery-operated tracking devices. It uses Bluetooth to easily allow iPhone users to keep track of any tagged personal items, such as keys, backpacks, luggage, or even a wallet. If you are a pet parent who lives with an escape artist, it may sound like a good idea to attach an Apple AirTag to your pet’s collar so you will be able to track them. Before you do, Apple does not recommend using an AirTag as a pet tracking device, and actually warns against it.

An article on appleinsider.com highlights some very common problems with applying an AirTag to your pet’s collar and explains why the risks outweigh the rewards:

• AirTags are not designed for pet tracking and could pose a serious health hazard, or even death, if chewed or swallowed. There have been numerous reports of pets chewing and often ingesting pieces (metal, plastic or even a battery) of an AirTag. And in some cases swallowing the entire thing. 
• AirTags rely on Bluetooth and Apple’s “Find My” network, so they are only effective if there is an Apple device within range, which will not be helpful if your dog is running the fields and hills!
• AirTags do not send alerts if your pet leaves a designated area, and do not provide real-time tracking. 

Alternatives to consider:

• Always ensure your pet is wearing an ID tag with current contact information.
• Make sure your pet is microchipped, and that your information is up to date in the registry so you can be reunited with your pet. Microchips have a unique ID number and can be scanned by most veterinarians, shelters, and animal control. (Note: microchips do not have GPS tracking capabilities!)
• There are several types of approved GPS pet trackers that can provide real-time tracking, and make finding your pet easier-- just make sure to do your research. 
• Train your dog in recall. Even the best GPS tracker will not prevent your dog from being hit by a car or stolen if he escapes. 

Sparky

Dutch & Meadow in Tahoe, CA

Sadie & Piper at Huntington Beach

Penny exploring the Southwest

Murphy Brown on an adventure called "life"

Lukas on a rabbit hunt

Lilia at Dunes Beach in Half Moon Bay, CA

Hazel on the hunt in Hudson River Valley, NY

Grayson & Connor on a golf cart adventure

Indy & Dover at Shaver Lake, CA

Ruby & Lilla at Tumalo Mountain Central Oregon

A tribute from his dad, Ken:

Seventeen years, nine months, and fourteen days ago, Rocket came into the world. His early years were spent as a sometimes hunter and stud. Along the way, he was neglected and eventually came to American Brittany Rescue. A few days before his eighth birthday, Rocket was adopted by Joyce and me. On April 9, 2025, he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.

In between, Rocket blessed us with the usual Brittany exuberance. But most of all, he was a sweet, social, and well-behaved family member. He was loved by our daughter and palled around with our mixed breed setter, Java.

All this said, Rocket could not have lived this long without his mom, my wife. His maladies included hip arthritis, spastic esophagus, and dislocated shoulder. Yet when taking the required meds, nothing would slow him down. Joyce hand-fed him for over a year, slept nearby, and was always with him on his numerous walk-abouts. He made our lives better, and he left us on his terms, peacefully.

Rocket’s journey is a testament to resilience, the power of love, and the joy that pets bring into our lives. We will always remember him fondly for his wonderful Brittany spirit.

A letter to Rocker from his mom, Joyce:

It was you who taught me dog speak – I knew exactly what you wanted

depending on your vocalization and foot tapping on the floor. Your howls when you weren’t able to get outside quick enough – you got so very upset even though it was no big deal.  Maybe you were conjuring up a past memory of before we adopted you – you were inconsolable when you had an accident in the house.

I still marvel at your strength, heart and determination to please – you never failed. Armed with your medications, you surpassed all expectations and at 17 years, 9 months and 14 days, you were a force of nature.

Some of my favorite memories are watching the pure joy of you and Java romping in fresh snow, your help in choosing the best hay for Sunny’s dinner and early morning front porch naps. When you had trouble with the stairs to my basement office, I moved my office to the main floor so you could still be my co-worker next to my desk. When you had multiple nocturnal visits outside, I moved my bed to the main floor, mainly because carrying you downstairs while asleep was asking for a great fall.

I’ll remember our road trips with you snuggled in your favorite beddie on the passenger side floorboard.

Your walkabouts kept my number of steps high and even though you were almost completely blind, you managed to navigate trees and garden walls listening to my “nope, nope, nope”.

My shadow dog, you are missed.

Don't forget to include your dog's name!

EMAIL PHOTOS TO: social.networks@americanbrittanyrescue.org

Photo: Sully

Abe rests his chin wherever he can on the sailboat

Rosie "snoopervising"

Callie doing her morning yoga

Bandit stretches the length of the couch

Share Your Lovable "Quirky" Brittany Behaviors

We have so much fun celebrating those funny things our Brittanys do that make us love them extra. Keep us smiling and submit your Quirky Britt photos to: 

social.networks@americanbrittanyrescue.org

Dolly

It's hard to believe it, but it will be a full year since Dolly came home to our family. She has snuggled her way into our hearts and lives so firmly that it's like she's always been here. She has charmed everyone who meets her with her "Dolly hugs," sweet face, and readiness to flop down for a belly rub, and is a fixture in the neighborhood and at school. Dolly is still hellbent on ridding the world of squirrels, rabbits, and birds but is (slightly) better about keeping her barks to herself and being a little less deranged on the leash. She loves wrestling with her kids and watching TV with her grownups, and just being part of the action, whatever it might be. 

Thank you and ABR for such a lovely dog 

- Sarah M.

John Lee

Ten years ago, I adopted Huckleberry from ABR after I lost my Penny and Nickel 30 days apart. Huckleberry was not a Brittany but we kept him. When he was diagnosed with Discord Lupus, he was started on steroid injections. This sent him over the edge and after he bit several people, we had to put him down.

Marianne Jackson had just taken a Brittany pup into rescue. His name was Rusty. I took him and changed his name to John Lee Pettimore III. He had been purchased to be a PTSD service dog, but he was not well suited for that job. 

Fast forward nine years and John Lee has finally got out of his puppy phase. But something remarkable started happening. He started reacting when my step-daughter would have a seizure. With a little remedial training and some socialization, JL3 is now a seizure alert service dog in training. One month short of his 10th birthday, he has found a new job and purpose.

ABR has saved two for the price of one. 

- Buddy G.

Rocket - April 9

Molly - April 12

ABOUT AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE

American Brittany Rescue, Inc. is an organization that was formed in 1991 as a cooperative effort of Brittany owners, breeders, trainers, and fanciers who ABR believes have a responsibility not only for their own dogs and the dogs they produce, but for the breed as a whole.

THE AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE MISSION

ABR's mission is to provide the leadership and expertise via a network of trained volunteers to take in stray, abandoned, surrendered and/or impounded purebred Brittanys, provide them with foster care, health and temperament screening, an opportunity for any necessary rehabilitation and to assure their health and placement into new homes. In order to fulfill this mission, ABR's volunteers remain flexible and adaptable to current and future business environments and they remain dedicated to the organization.  

ABR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Terry Mixdorf, President

Michelle Falkinburg, Vice President

Joe Herslip, Secretary

Terrie Johnson, Treasurer

Sandra Oelschlegel, Chair

Deb Grove

Wendy Boyce

Peter Stastny

Carol Weaver

AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE E-NEWSLETTER TEAM

Brittany Boler

Jeannine Connors

Kristin Davis

Melissa Tapply DiLello