On a cold January 2022 morning in Georgia, four beautiful wagging tails began what would be a very happy fairy tale ending! It started when ABR coordinators Monica Rutt and Becca Whitley were contacted regarding four Brittanys being surrendered. Becca called Linda Rounds for help, and, familiar with what they may encounter, they hit the road. Upon arrival, they found the Brittanys— Birdie, Biscuit, Blossom, and Brandy—temporarily housed in a chicken coop. A good samaritan had rescued them and contacted ABR, keeping them safe in the coop until we could help. They appeared to be in good shape physically and were just delighted to have some human contact. None appeared to be in poor health. Becca described pulling each one out of the muck-laden coop as trying to “lasso Jell-O”.

Once the four were successfully loaded into the car, the essential next stop was to Main Street Vet in Madison, GA. Each was examined by the vet and given most of the usual tests and medications. One tested positive for intestinal worms, and another unfortunately tested positive for heartworm. The vet described each one as “bright, alert, and responsive.” As Biscuit was an intact male, per Georgia vets’ policy, the three females who shared the coop with him were given ultrasounds for indication of pregnancies. They showed no signs of pregnancy. Hold that thought. . .

Over the course of the next few weeks, the dogs ranging from 1 to 4 years of age were fostered and continued to be nurtured by loving families. When it became obvious that Birdie had cheated on her pregnancy test, she was moved to the home of a very experience Brittany doula couple who helped her eventually have a litter of new pups, eight of whom survived and have since been placed.



Ultimately, the “Coop Kids” found their forever homes. 

PHOTO: Cooper (formerly Biscuit), living the good life in Tennessee

Copper dog! What a dashing gent he is. He so dutifully fulfilled the task of being a pal in the final months to our previous ABR dog Rusty, whom we said goodbye to in September. Since that time, Copper has been stealing our hearts. The kids love having a dog with energy to play all day, April loves having a running partner again, and Paul enjoys a buddy that follows him everywhere. Copper loves golf cart rides in our neighborhood, stirring up birds in the backyard, and a good ol’ fashion snuggle in front of the fire. Despite a little anxiety during his first several months, he's settling in quite well with our family and we can tell he's happy to have four humans to love on him every single day. Copper will enjoy lots of adventures in the years ahead, just like his elder Rusty did all the way up to the age of 17!



-  The Nicol Family

PHOTO: Birdie checking in from Florida

We start our day with at least three miles of exercise each morning with my doggy pals in my hood. I help mom throughout the day by unloading my toy box and by helping her with her orchids.  We go on lots of car rides and visit folks.  I visit with my same doggy pals at Ranger’s Pet Outpost and Retreat a couple of days a week. Mom and I also go to school at Ranger’s each week.  My life is really different now, and I’m thinking this is a much better deal than a chicken coop!  Life is good in the hood for an active bird dog!

-  Birdie, with a little help from Mom Tootsie

PHOTO: Blossom (left) with her big sister Lily in Rhode Island

Blossom had a number of health conditions to overcome due to the poor environment she lived in. She is now a healthy and happy girl. She is so appreciative of everything around her! Blossom has four big baskets of toys that she never hesitates to empty on a daily basis. Playing with her yellow squeaky ball from her foster mom Linda is her absolute favorite activity though. She would make a star center fielder on any softball team that would have her. Perhaps our favorite thing about her is her extreme butt wiggles and her need to cuddle and be hugged. Yes, she sleeps under the covers with her head on the pillow each night. Living by the ocean gives her the opportunity for walks on the beach, and she loves camping in our RV. We always choose resorts with the best dog amenities! Her big sister, Lily, who is pictured with her, is so incredibly grateful that she is here.

-  The Homer Family

PHOTO: Mocha (right) formerly Brandy, soaking up the love in Florida and Pennsylvania

My husband and I lost our rescue number 4, Ruger, whom we renamed Mover in November 2021. We immediately contacted Monica Rutt, our ABR state coordinator, and asked if there were any dogs available for adoption. Six weeks later the Chicken Coop Kids became available. We fell in love with photos of Brandy, whom we renamed Mocha. Monica asked us to come meet Brandy with our 10-year-old rescue, Manny, and we did. The dogs got along, and we were hooked. She was such a change for us. We had only owned orange and white Britts and she was liver and white, bow legged, very, very tiny, and super skinny but with a larger-than -life personality! She has become a wonderful member of our family!

-  The Svitek Family

And what about Birdie and Copper’s puppies?

Click here for their updates!

Kennel cough (canine infectious respiratory disease complex) is a highly contagious illness that spreads rapidly in kennels, shelters, and daycares.

• CAUSES: Can be caused by both viruses and bacteria… even at the same time.
• TRANSMISSION: It is spread through airborne droplets, nose to nose contact, and surface contamination (e.g., food bowls).
• SYMPTOMS: Frequent, honking cough is the hallmark sign that is exacerbated by activity or exercise.
• PREVENTION: vaccinating your dog is key to reducing the chance of infection and reducing the severity of disease.
• PROGNOSIS: Healthy, adult dogs are likely to recover with adequate rest (easier said than done with a Brit!). Your vet may prescribe a cough suppressant to help symptoms.  
• TIP: If your dog has kennel cough, use a harness instead of a collar to avoid irritation to the throat.

If your Britt is immunocompromised or very young, contact your vet as more supportive care may be needed to help them recover.

Resources:

AKC: Kennel Cough in Dogs – Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

AVMA: Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (Kennel cough)

What if the unthinkable happens?

Who will care for your Brittanys?

Will the financial resources be available for their care?

No one likes to think about these things, but when we hear about a sudden passing that leaves a beloved pet behind, it motivates us to be sure our pets will be well cared for. American Brittany Rescue can help you plan, and we will step in to take over the care of your Brittanys if the unthinkable happens. Please review our estate planning guide and make it a New Year's goal to be sure you are prepared for the unthinkable.

Here is a photo of our Brittanys snuggling: Takoda (left) whom we got at 8 weeks old and ABR Rescue “Duke” aka “Shobie.” Shobie passed last February 22, 2022, after blessing us with six wonderful years post-heartworm/post-rescue.  We will always be grateful ABR saved little Shobie, and that his caring foster Mom brought him through heartworm treatment before we took him to his new home in Colorado. Shobie’s incredible foster family was Kristen Lebeda-Svehla, and her husband John, in Omaha, NE.

-       Tara W.

Zeke was an ABR rescue that came into our lives nine years ago. He was an athletic and goofy boy who loved chasing a laser, camping with his family, and hiking in the Adirondacks. We knew he loved his home as he often would suddenly stop during one of his long laser chasing sessions or a hike, come over and put his paws on my chest, look into my eyes with a thankful look, and then return to his chase or hike.

Zeke started to slow down a bit in 2018 and was unfortunately identified as having cancer. He was a tough dog going through surgery to remove tumors and a series of chemotherapy treatments. The outcome was positive as shortly after he was back to chasing laser and we had another four wonderful years with him. 

Zeke left us for the Rainbow Bridge in January 2023 and we miss him deeply. We are so thankful that ABR brought Zeke into our lives as he gave us countless laughs and moments of joy.



- Wes and Megan Skeffington

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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

Terrie Johnson, Vice President

Joe Herslip, Secretary

Jeanette Seely, Interim Treasurer

Sandra Oelschlegel, Chair

Deb Grove

Michelle Falkinburg

Melissa Tapply DiLello

Wendy Boyce

Becca Whitley

AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE E-NEWSLETTER TEAM

Brittany Boler

Christine Brennan

Jeannine Connors

Judie Cutting

Kristin Davis

Linda Joyce

Melissa Tapply DiLello

Debra White