AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER 2021 |
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RETURNING TO WORK & SCHOOL:
SEPARATION ANXIETY
by Brittany Vester Boler
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While the COVID-19 pandemic is not behind us, many people and kids are now returning to work and school. Most dogs loved the extra time at home with their human companions, and this shift back to our old ways will be a shock to the system. Other pups who were adopted during the pandemic could have additional issues adapting to this new schedule. Luckily there are a lot of resources with tips and tricks to help you manage separation anxiety. As with any health issue, consult your vet if your pet has severe anxiety.
First, we need to define separation anxiety:
- Separation anxiety occurs when a dog has feelings of distress when separated from people it trusts.
- Signs of anxiety include vocalizations, destructive or escape behaviors, pacing, and accidents in the house
- These behaviors may start after you leave the house or even when you start your routine to leave (e.g., putting on your shoes, getting your purse or wallet, etc.)
- If they don’t start until you leave, you will likely find out quickly upon your return when you find a mess at home. If you are unsure but suspect your pet is having separation anxiety, try using an in-home video camera to record their behavior when you leave.
- Separation anxiety is more severe than whimpering or the occasional destruction of items when you are not at home, but many of these tips may help you and your Britt ease back into a pre-pandemic schedule.
Second, let’s look at some ways we can help our Brits lessen separation anxiety:
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Change up YOUR behaviors: Do your typical “getting ready to leave the house” activities, but don’t leave the house. This will help your Britt not associate those behaviors with you leaving.
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Try independence training: Create some independence by separating from your dog while you are home. Go into a different room where they cannot see you or reintroduce them to their crate. Start with short sessions and gradually increase the amount of time you and your dog are apart.
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A tired dog is a good dog: Make sure your Brit is getting plenty of exercise and mental stimulation that they need when you are home with them. This will help them relax and have quiet time while you are away.
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Provide a distraction: Provide a favorite toy or chew treat to keep your dog occupied and distracted as you leave the house. Puzzle feeders are another great way to keep your pet entertained by taking longer to eat their daily meal.
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Get professional help: If your Britt has severe anxiety it is worthwhile to have a consultation with a trained behaviorist or your veterinarian. They can assess your individual dog and homelife to provide tailored solutions. Your vet also can rule out any other underlying health conditions that could be causing anxiety.
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Finally, here are some reputable resources to help you:
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HEALTH CORNER: CCL TEAR INJURIES
by Christine Brennan
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You’re out and about with your Britt — enjoying a sunrise run along a sandy beach, or perhaps a bracing hike through the changing foliage on a crisp autumn day — when suddenly he or she starts limping.
A pebble? A thorn? You investigate but don’t find any offenders. Over the next few days or weeks, though, you see your Britt is favoring the leg and seems less excited to go for walks or hesitates to jump into the car.
Time to call the vet. One thing he or she will want to rule out: ligament damage.
A tear in the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs (the equivalent in people is the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL). Both an acute injury and something that can occur over time, CCL tears are sometimes overlooked or misdiagnosed as arthritis or other issues.
As with the human ACL, the CCL is one of several structures that helps stabilize the knee joint, which in dogs is called the “stifle”. Each stifle has two CCLs that criss-cross in the back and connect the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone). Injury can occur when the dog hyperextends the stifle, pushing it beyond its normal range of motion.
“CCL injuries in dogs often occur due to overexertion in certain types of higher impact exercise,” according to Oakland Veterinary Referral Services in Bloomfield, Michigan. “Dogs who are more athletic are prone to CCL injuries, just like human athletes who often rupture the CCL in their knees. Some pets tear their CCL doing something as simple as a sudden movement or by jumping off the bed.”
Most acute CCL injuries occur in dogs less than four years old. Damage can also happen gradually, though, due to aging of the joint or repetitive motions. Since CCL disease is one of the leading causes of arthritis in dogs, you should ask your vet about the possibility of a CCL tear even if you didn’t witness an event where your pet might have been injured.
So what are your options if your Britt does have a torn CCL?
First, you need to know how extensive the damage is. Some partial tears can be managed with rest and physical therapy. Other non-surgical treatments include using joint supplements or cold laser therapy, which is painless.
More involved injuries, including full tears, almost always require surgical intervention. Without repair, the leg bones will rub against one another, leading to bone spurs, arthritis, and a decreased range of motion -- not to mention pain!
“CCL surgery for dogs includes a number of different techniques that aim to provide stability to the joint,” according to an article by FETCH, a division of WebMD. “Depending on the procedure used, it may take two to three weeks before your dog is able to bear weight on the injured leg, and, in all cases, exercise is usually restricted for at least eight weeks to allow for adequate healing.”
Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, or TPLO, is one of the most popular surgical options at this time. Described by the VCA Hospital Group as “a major advancement in the treatment of CCL rupture,” this approach changes the angle and relationship between the femur and the tibia to effectively eliminate the need for the CCL. You can read more about TPLO here and here, and on many other websites.
Two other surgical options are the lateral suture technique and the tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). “Each of these procedures have their pros and cons, and most recommendations are made from the surgeon’s personal preference in accordance with what is best for each individual patient,” according to Family Vet Care in Arizona.
Which approach is right for your Britt? That’s something you’ll determine with your veterinarian. The good news is, in the event you need treatment options, there are plenty out there, all designed to get your Britt back out and enjoying life.
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LIFE WITH KATIE
by Kathy Loeffler
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It doesn’t take long after losing a beloved pet to want to fill the void that remains. When Katie appeared in the ABR newsletter as a foster desperately needing a forever home, we answered the call. This came after some discussion with my husband, Jeff, as Katie had some serious health issues requiring ongoing care and medications. She was also extremely anxious and withdrawn, but I dismissed all that, because in my humble (and naive) opinion, she just needed a stable, loving home environment where she could blossom. And, she was simply a gorgeous girl whose story broke my heart.
Katie came to ABR with her mother via a Pheasant Fest convention one year. The dogs were literally abandoned at the ABR booth because the breeder didn’t want them anymore. Sad, but perhaps some credit is due, as he brought them to the most compassionate people these dogs could have asked for. They went into a foster home together, but the mother died shortly thereafter.
Blind in one eye because of lens luxation, a “good” eye which was declining with the same condition, Addison’s disease, urinary incontinence, and severe anxiety (and I would add depression), Katie came to us with lots of issues. It didn’t take long for us to realize that she would probably never be “normal” like our previous two Britts. She was so quiet and, well, depressed. She did not greet the day with enthusiasm. Her tail didn’t wag. We struggled to get her outside to do her business. She preferred to crawl under our king sized bed, right to the middle, so we could not reach her. She was content to be there all day if we allowed it.
Making Katie happy became our mission: she was in the veterinary care of an internist, an ophthalmologist, and a behavioral medicine specialist. We tweaked and added meds and learned how to interact with a dog who seemed afraid of life. She gradually learned to trust us, and I want to believe she learned to love us as well. Most importantly, we developed a daily routine. Eventually, she would beat us to the door in the morning to go out and do her thing. She would then run back to the door, wagging that tail for her breakfast. She absolutely loved treats, and we found interactive toys that sometimes brought her out of her shell. She developed a game of nipping Jeff’s legs to get treats, annoying but it worked! And, she loved her walks, as long as there were no loud noises, other dogs, or people to frighten her.
Life with Katie certainly improved over the years, but she always remained a troubled soul. Whatever events took place before her ABR rescue, they were permanently etched in her mind. Katie’s story broke my heart every single day, which made me love her even more. I still struggle with not being able to provide her a “perfect” life, even as I know in my heart we did our best. May our beautiful girl finally be at peace.
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:
MELISSA TAPPLY DILELLO
By Autumn Fenton
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Guess what? The secret is out! If you’ve ever wondered who posts the touching, informative, and often humorous content for ABR’s Facebook page, I’m here to tell you it’s Board Member Melissa Tapply DiLello.
As our Social Media Team Chair, Melissa’s reach encompasses everything from Facebook to Instagram to Twitter. She also edits this e-newsletter.
I’m always happy to work with Melissa. She proves extremely well-organized in assigning articles to each writer and keeping all of us on track. She’s always available to address any question or concern. And, most importantly, Melissa truly cares about the subject of each story. That shows a big heart, which, of course, exemplifies ABR’s rescue work.
Melissa recently welcomed me as the new editor of “Brittany Tales,” ABR’s print newsletter. She’s been beyond generous in sharing content. We often discuss adopter submissions, deciding together which story fits what newsletter. That is just one example of how Melissa appreciates the contributions of others. Now it’s our turn to appreciate Melissa.
How did you get involved with American Brittany Rescue? What was your first volunteer position?
I became an ABR volunteer in 2014. I saw a Facebook post recruiting volunteers for the eNews. I had adopted my first Brittany Jemma in 2007 and wanted to give back to the organization that matched me with my heart dog. The eNews position seemed like a perfect fit, as it combined two of my loves: Brittanys and writing.
Tell us about the duties involved with your positions as our Social Media Chair and newsletter editor.
I develop content, write posts and respond to comments and messages for Facebook and Instagram during the week, and work closely with other volunteers in charge of weekend posts. For the eNews, I develop content, recruit volunteer writers, manage article submissions, and edit.
You have been a ‘behind the scenes’ person, at least as far as social media goes. Can you tell us a bit about how that feels?
In this role, I have the opportunity to communicate with a great number of volunteers, adopters, and supporters regarding all kinds of issues pertinent to ABR—whether it is regarding an individual dog or a greater issue in rescue.
It energizes me every day to hear from people so passionate about Brittanys and Brittany rescue and to perhaps have a small role in helping a Brittany in need.
It’s also just pure fun to share a Brittany photo or story and enjoy the reactions from our followers!
Tell us about some of your additional responsibilities.
I’ve been a Board Member since April 2021. In addition, I work closely with the New York and New England coordinator, Wendy Boyce, helping with adoption application pre-screenings , home visits (at least when that was a thing to do!), and as a point of contact for shelters and owner surrenders. When we were doing International Rescue, I did airport runs and overnight fostering for Britts flying in from Serbia.
How many ABR dogs have been part of your family? Can you share a sentence or two about each one?
Four dogs have been part of my family, all of them ABR dogs. Anyone who knows me knows that I could talk for hours about any of them, so a sentence or two? Now you are challenging me!
I adopted Jemma Lou in 2007. She was declared “unadoptable” by the shelter and saved by ABR with hours to spare. It turns out all she needed was love and a place to call home. She was truly the sweetest little girl—to know Jemma was to love her. She was my best friend, shadow, and soulmate for nine years.
Henry joined our family and helped heal my broken heart in 2016. He’s a quiet, loyal soul who asks for nothing but deserves the world. He came to us very reserved and sad, earning him the nickname “Eeyore.” Then came Mina.
Mina came to us as a foster in 2017. She had heartworm, and her six-month treatment meant we were destined to foster fail. Mina was a huge ray of loving sunshine, and she brought Henry out of his sad shell. The two of them were a perfect match, from squirrel patrol to snuggle piles on the couch. We lost Mina at age five this past November to an aggressive form of cancer. Henry grieved deeply with us.
A month after Mina passed, Olivia desperately needed a foster home, and Henry desperately needed a buddy. After tending to her medical issues, we adopted Olivia in February of this year. To sum her up, she instantly earned her new middle name: “Joy.”
If you could describe a Britt in one single word, what would that be?
Friend. As in Best. Friend. Ever.
THREE NON-DOG RELATED ‘MELISSA’ THINGS
- In my non-Brittany time, I work as an on-call overnight court commissioner issuing emergency protective orders. I am a lawyer by trade, and my work has evolved from court staff attorney to my current position. Five nights per week during the court’s off-business hours, I field calls from San Francisco police officers and determine whether emergency orders are warranted in domestic violence matters. My day job is more fun (and honestly more stressful sometimes) because I help my husband manage our custom home-building business. You may wonder when I sleep. It’s catch as catch can these days and something I look forward to if I ever retire!
- I find the ocean any chance I can. Whether it’s on the beach with toes in the sand or on the boat catching sea bass, that’s my happy place.
- A completely random ‘Melissa fact’ that people often get a kick out of is that I earned a varsity letter in high school managing the Boys Wrestling Team.
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Visit our Facebook page on OCTOBER 1 and look for our Halloween photo contest post. Share your entries in the comments for the chance to see your photos featured in October’s eNews and on our social media pages!
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Cassie - Houston, TX #10395: Meet Cassie! Yes, she is a Britt mix... the million-dollar question is with what? She has all those great Britt traits, with a shorter coat that changes color slightly in the sun. When she’s outside, she looks orange and white, but inside she clearly looks liver and white. She is a one-of-a-kind beautiful girl!
At 1 ½ years old, Cassie is very loving and very playful.... More than anything else, she wants to be right by your side in midst of all the household activity. Cassie is a very happy girl and thankful for all the attention, love and care she has been receiving. She returns the love ten-fold. Cassie shows great affection and will sneak in a kiss whenever she gets a chance. She will be your lap dog, and she enjoys nothing more than to snuggle up in your lap for the evening.
Cassie knows “sit,”and she is now housebroken, crate trained and sleeps in her crate through the night. Cassie is a quick learner and still a pup all in the same breath, so for Cassie, time and patience are key. The perfect home for Cassie will be one where her owners will be able to spend quality time with her and keep up with her energy level. Having another active dog would be a big plus, plus PLUS!
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Benny - Santa Rosa, CA #10376: Benny is a very handsome 2-year-old Brittany mix who lives for people, food and walks. He’s experiencing a good life for the first time in his foster home and adapting well. He was taken from his prior home for suspected neglect, As you might expect, Benny was initially very timid. Amazingly, he has grown into a calm and relaxed good guy. Despite his past, Benny has never shown any aggression or willful misbehavior.
At 40 pounds, the vet said he is at perfect weight. He is housebroken and likes to sleep in his crate with the door open. He still needs some training, but that should come quickly as he is very eager to please. He’s also smart and adaptable. Upon his arrival at his foster home it was clear Benny never had walked on a leash before, but he adjusted well to it within only a few days. He has even learned to use the dog door. He has grown quite attached to his foster big sister and gets along well with other dogs. He would do great with another dog for companionship or in a family as the kids’ best friend.
He loves all people and children, and rides well in the car. He seeks affection and no doubt will bond very quickly to his new owner and family. Anyone looking for an easy going, loving dog will find Benny to be a perfect addition to their home.
If this sweet, gentle and loving soul sounds like a good addition for your family, please fill out an application and know that Benny's foster mother will gladly answer any questions.
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Susie- Belton, MO #10333: If you have room in your home and heart for a quiet and kind soul who adores her people, sweet senior SUSIE from MISSOURI is your girl. She has been through a lot and come so far in her foster home since she arrived in March, and she is ready now to settle into the retirement home of her dreams. Because of Susie's age, she qualifies for a SENIOR-TO-SENIOR ADOPTION, which means anyone 65 and older will not have an adoption fee!
This 10-year-old sweetie joined ABR in March when her prior family was aging to the point where proper care for Susie was no longer possible. Susie had spent her most or all her life outside in a very small, enclosed area with hardly any physical or mental engagement. When Susie first came to us, she really struggled to coordinate her body movements and had zero muscle mass. Her foster family has been regularly working with Susie to increase her overall condition, focusing on hind end awareness, cardio, and core strengthening with exercises recommended by a vet who specializes canine rehabilitation.
A few months ago, we had a very big scare with Susie. She came to ABR intact, and she was scheduled for her spay when she went into heat. Soon after, she got very sick. Her foster family rushed her to the emergency vet, and they found she had Pyometra. Emergency surgery was done, and she came out of it just fine. Susie is a fighter!
Susie was born deaf, and she uses a non-electric vibration collar for basic obedience training to communicate when she does well. Susie has taken to house breaking very well. Right now, she does need potty-breaks about every 4-6 hours to be successful.
Susie’s absolute favorite activity is to follow her people around the house and curl up in the corner of the room, often self-retreating to her kennel for a nap. Susie is congenial toward other dogs but would rather be spending time with her humans than anything else.
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George - Los Angeles, CA #10377: This is George, a very handsome 2-year-old Brittany mix .George was one of nine dogs picked up due to neglect. As fearful, shut down, and ignored as all of these pups were, they are all gentle souls with really sweet dispositions. George arrived at his foster home incredibly skittish and fearful of people, afraid to explore the house and terrified of stairs. In just a few short weeks, he has made incredible progress!
It will still require lots of time and patience in his forever home to grow comfortable and to develop more confidence. Despite his fear, George has always been incredibly sweet and loves to give kisses. He has recently discovered that cuddling and belly scratches are actually pretty nice! He’s such a lover….and a great dog in progress…
George is fully housebroken. He does not seem to know any commands and would benefit from a basic training course (sit, stay, down, etc.). He is learning his name and to come when called. He’s not super playful just yet - squeaky toys scare him – but, he does like chewing on bones and rope toys. Also, he has been caught stealing smelly shoes to chew on the laces. He is quite the couch potato, but does do well on the leash, although some noises and people in the neighborhood will spook him.
He usually does well with other dogs but lacks confidence and is occasionally fearful. He would do well with another gentle dog in the household to show him the way. He would also do just fine as an only dog. George would do best in a quiet home and environment with a family who will respect his boundaries and quirks and give him lots of time and love!
If this sweetheart sounds like a match for you, please fill out the adoption application and mention George.
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Lyla- Sugarhouse, UT #10382: Lyla is a beautiful 5-year-old Brittany mix with a long-feathered tail and a sweet freckled face. She gets along with people and dogs and loves to play chase in the yard. While fostering in Utah, foster Dad can't say enough good things about her; especially about how SWEET she is. Lyla loves to get attention and cuddles and will give you happy kisses all day.
Lyla is crate trained and sleeps there all night, door open, without any fuss. She stays in the crate, so there is no need to shut her in. She does not do well when the crate door is closed, acting very panicky and desperate if the door is closed. She is otherwise a perfect lady in the house and has had no accidents!
Lyla was surrendered to ABR because she was having some “resource guarding” issues with her dog brother. She was not happy to share her toys with him and it became an issue. As long as toys and "objects" are kept away from her, she is an absolute sweetheart. She does well around children, but we cannot place her in a home with young children that may leave toys around that she could consider "hers."
Lyla is a typical Britt who likes to pull on leash, but we are working on that with her and she is improving very well. If you think Lyla would be a match for you, please fill out the adoption application and mention Lyla.
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Fall Bulbs for Brittanys Fundraiser |
There are going to be a lot of pretty yards next spring! 67 ABR supporters
purchased bulbs during our Fall Bulbs for Brittanys fundraiser, and ABR received a check from Three Rivers Wreath & Plant Co. for $1,615.50!
Thank you to all our supporters!
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Now Here's Something to Smile About |
Our quarterly AmazonSmile donation is in, and it's $1,707.46!
This makes a lifetime total of $21,461.68 in AmazonSmile donations to ABR.
A huge THANK YOU to our supporters who choose ABR as their charity when they shop on AmazonSmile. If you haven't signed up yet, please visit Smile.Amazon.com and learn how you can earn money for ABR while you shop - at no cost to you!
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Are you looking to adopt a Brittany but don't see one available in your area? |
We welcome you to complete an adoption application to start the approval process, so you will be ready to adopt when the time comes!
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Do you have “Foster Tails” to tell?
A foster moment you’ll never forget?
A challenge you overcame?
A funny or heartwarming story?
A tale of encouragement?
A foster who made a special impact?
Whether it's a few sentences, a whole story, or a photo that speaks for itself, we would love to share your anecdotes, thoughts, and experiences. Please connect with us at social.networks@americanbrittanyrescue.org.
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Keep up-to-date on dog food and treat recalls on DogFoodAdvisor.com. You can also sign up to have recall alerts delivered to your inbox! |
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ABOUT THE 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
Michelle Falkinburg, Secretary
Jeanette Seely, Interim Treasurer
Sandra Oelschlegel, Chair
Diana Doiron
Nancy Hensley
Bobbi Tolman
Melissa Tapply DiLello
AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE E-NEWSLETTER TEAM
Brittany Boler
Christine Brennan
Jeannine Connors
Judie Cutting
Kristin Davis
Autumn Fenton
Lori Gartenhaus
Patricia Gillogly
Linda Joyce
Melissa Tapply DiLello
Debra White
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