It's that time of year to gather with friends and family and celebrate the holiday season!  As family members, our Brittanys are often active participants in these events, and it's up to us to keep them safe. Here are a few hidden hazards of the season to watch for:

FOODS TO AVOID Include:

o   Anything with grapes, raisins, and currants

o   Foods containing alcohol (like rum-soaked cake)

o   Chocolate; while all chocolate should be avoided, unsweetened and baker’s chocolate contain the highest level of the toxic compound, theobromine

o   Sugar-free products that contain xylitol

o   Check out this complete list- there may be some surprises! 

HOLIDAY PLANTS: Holly berries, mistletoe, Amaryllis and Japanese Yew are among the festive plants that can cause issues for dogs.  

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS: Many dogs are attracted to holiday lights and ornaments. Monitor your pet around holiday decorations. Don’t forget about your potpourri or candles- these should never be ingested by pets. Contact your vet immediately if that occurs.

ESSENTIAL OILS can be dangerous for dogs, causing gastrointestinal issues, liver issues, and central nervous system issues. Learn which ones to avoid and know the symptoms of exposure so you can get immediate vet care. And never put any essential oils directly on your dog!

DANGERS OF ICE MELT include paw irritation and ingesting large amounts of salt.

ANTIFREEZE, or ethylene glycol, has a sweet taste that dogs like. It is used in vehicles and can also be found in some snow globes.

Finally, be sure to keep an eye on your Britt during LARGE GATHERINGS or put them in their own area to keep them safe and prevent an accident. Our Britts are curious dogs! Find some fun things to mentally stimulate them while you enjoy time with your guests. Easy ideas include snuffle mats, stuffed KONGs, and food puzzles.

Skipper, AKA Skip, was our amazing senior Britt. He was loving, resilient and funny. He was not only special because of his sweet and pleasing personality, he was also amazing because he was blind in one eye and deaf in one ear and he did just fine!

Skip was owned by a Maryland hunting club and retired at age 13 with nowhere to go. Thankfully, they called ABR and Skip’s amazing next chapter began. Michelle Falkinburg fostered him— her 46^th foster! Skip was a testimonial to, yes, an old dog can learn new tricks. Michelle taught him indoor manners, to potty outside, use a dog door, and navigate stairs. Having lived in a kennel for 13 years this was all new to Skip. Michelle was also determined to find him a “forever” home.

Senior rescues are the best! Skip was our sixth Brittany and our fifth senior adoption through ABR. When Michelle reached out to tell us about Skip, we were interested but didn’t think we were the right fit for him. We share our home with Mickey, a male 70-pound Carolina Dog (an American dingo). Skip was not neutered and we worried that might be a problem for Mickey. And, there was our very large cat. Skip was a hunting dog so we feared the worst. We declined.  

A week later, Michelle reported that a cat wandered through their yard and though Skip chased the squirrels, he had no interest in the cat. Michelle also checked with her vet, who said at Skip’s age his hormone levels were very low and his unaltered status should not be a problem. All good news! But… it was the short video of Skip chasing a ball that won our hearts. He was so eager and happy, with so much personality. We couldn’t resist.

Days later, Michelle transported him on the Cape May ferry from south Jersey to us in Lewes, Delaware. We were waiting on the front porch to welcome Skip to his forever home.

Skip’s journey was over. We wanted his last years to be his best. He settled right in, happily coexisting with the cat and enjoying time with his new friend Mickey. His bed was next to ours, his toys in a basket for easy reach, and healthy treats for the good boy that he was. He chased his ball every day and loved his fenced yard and daily walks. 

On August 2, 2023, Skip celebrated his 15^th birthday. In September, surrounded by his family, he crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Skip was a great companion; loyal, humorous, and a true member of our family.  We were so lucky to have him. Adopting a senior dog is the best.  Our experience has taught us that though the time may be shorter than you would like, the rewards are greater.   

We're having so much fun celebrating those funny and quirky things our Brittanys do that make us love them extra. More coming next month! Keep us smiling and submit your Quirky Britt photos to: social.networks@americanbrittanyrescue.org

Kona's Perfect 10 Dive

Hops Doing What It Takes to Fit

Ahsoka's Dramatic Lay Down

Rebel, age 13

Annie, age 11

Cody, age 13, crossed the Bridge at 15

Hank, age 13 1/2

Louis, age 13

Momo, age 12

Gili, age 12

Trippy, age 14

Parker, age 14

Carra, age 13

FEATURING YOUR HOLIDAY BRITTANYS

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

EMAIL PHOTOS TO: social.networks@americanbrittanyrescue.org

Adopting a senior Britt comes with many advantages and given that they are a healthy breed overall with an average lifespan of 12-14 years, hopefully you will have many memorable years together!

It is important to know what signs of aging are normal so you will know when to visit your vet. As medium-sized dogs, Brittanys are considered seniors around 7-8 years of age but because aging is a gradual process, you are not going to see major changes right away.

Some common signs of aging (physical and mental) include:

• Whitening of fur, especially around the muzzle and eyes
• Taking a few more naps through the day
• Occasional stiffness after a hard play session or digging adventure
• Vision and hearing loss      

Changes that may be normal but should be checked out by your vet include:

• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss
• Difficulty regulating body temperature
• Incontinence
• Changes in sleep patterns (i.e. waking several times at night)
• Decreased interaction with you and other loved ones
• Confusion and/or disorientation (maybe forgetting rules such as stay off the bed, potty outside, etc.)     

Here are some things you can do to help keep your senior Brittany healthy:

• Feed a high-quality diet; check with your vet to see if your dog would benefit from switching to a diet with more protein and antioxidants specifically for senior dogs 
• Keep your Britt at a healthy weight 
• Provide plenty of opportunities for mental stimulation 
• Maintain your regular veterinary visits with a senior blood panel to maximize your chances of catching issues early. Consider well visits every 6 months.
• Watch for signs of diseases like diabetes, arthritis, dental disease, and cancer

Gus - September 4, 2023

Remy - October 9, 2023

Cori - October 28, 2023

Jackson - November 10, 2023

Here’s a sneak peek at our 2024 CALENDAR! It will be ready for purchase very soon. Watch our social media pages and website for the link! 

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

Melissa Tapply DiLello

Wendy Boyce

Becca Whitley

AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE E-NEWSLETTER TEAM

Brittany Boler

Jeannine Connors

Judie Cutting

Kristin Davis

Rebecca Sweet

Melissa Tapply DiLello

Debra White