AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2022 |
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VACATIONING WITHOUT YOUR DOG...
PLANNING FOR FIDO WHEN YOU MUST LEAVE HIM HOME
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After two+ years of COVID restrictions, Americans are looking forward to summer vacations more than ever. Though many of us prefer to take our furry friends wherever we go, unfortunately sometimes trips don't lend themselves to canine companionship.
So what are your options when it comes to parting with your Britt so you can enjoy some well-deserved downtime?
The easiest (and often most economical) solution is to ask a trusted friend or relative to stay in your home. Dogs are creatures of habit, so staying home and sticking to their daily routine will make your time away more tolerable for them. Your dog and friend are likely already acquainted, and having someone you know staying in your home brings you a level of reassurance. With many people working remotely, this arrangement may be more possible than pre-pandemic, but if they can’t come to your home due to their own obligations, perhaps your Britt can take his or her own vacation and stay with them.
The next best option may be a professional pet sitter. Solid references play a big role here; ask friends, family and colleagues for recommendations. Rover.com is a well-known website linking pet owners with pet sitters. You can read reviews, see how many repeat customers a sitter has, and compare prices. All Rover sitters must pass a background check, provide a detailed profile and personal information, and be approved by a Rover “team of sitter specialists.”
Always have an in-person interview so both you and your Britt can get a feel for the sitter. The website Trusted HousesittersTM suggests a list of questions to ask, including whether sitters are affiliated with a local veterinarian, carry insurance, and are trained in Pet First Aid.
“Also, ask what sorts of things the sitter plans to do with your pet,” writes Lauren Leonardi in PetCareRx®. “The best pet sitters love animals and go out of their way to give them extra special care.These sitters shouldn’t just attend to your pet’s physical needs, like feeding and walks.They should enjoy playing with your dog or cat and want to give them plenty of affection.”
Pet sitter pricing can range dramatically depending on location, length of stay, time of year/holidays, whether medication needs to be given, and whether the sitter stays at the owner’s home or the dog stays with them.
The third option is boarding. Boarding isn’t for every dog. The key to a successful boarding seems to come down to two factors: a well-regarded facility with a reputation for cleanliness and treating animals with care, AND your dog’s “personality”.
Again, get recommendations, and include your veterinarian in this process. Vets tend to know which local kennels are reputable (and which aren’t). Some vets even do their own boarding, which can add an extra measure of comfort for owners, especially if your Britt requires medication or has medical issues.
Both the American Kennel Club and VetStreet have great articles on what to look for if you’re considering boarding. Among other things, do a pre-trip visit to make sure they’re sufficiently staffed and observe how staff interact with the animals – and bring your Britt along! Make sure to ask which immunizations are required (and when, since some shots must be given in advance) and what's included in the price: how many walks daily, is “play time” extra, etc.
Finally, consider whether your dog can handle being boarded. Dogs, like people, react differently to stressful situations. Does your Britt already have separation anxiety? Does he or she react strongly to other dogs, loud noises, etc.? If so, these may be reasons to avoid boarding and opt for a pet sitter who can stay overnight or watch your beloved in their own home.
Whatever you choose, do your research, including in-person interviews/visits, well in advance of your vacation, since summer is peak season for many sitters and facilities.
Bon voyage!
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HEALTH CORNER
PET PREPAREDNESS
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June is Pet Preparedness Month, and with the start of summer heat, storms and travel, it’s a perfect time to do some emergency planning. Pet preparedness means including your pets in your emergency plans. Do you know what to do with your Brittany if you have a house fire? Tornado? Car accident?
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Practice evacuating into your car and basement with your Britt (and other pets) so it is not scary to them during an emergency.
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Create a Pet Emergency Kit that has some food, water, copy of your vet records, collar, and poop bags.
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Keep digital records and photos to identify your pet after a disaster in case you become separated.
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Find out in advance where you can take your pets when an emergency happens in your community, and keep the list handy. Contact local shelters, animal control, or your local emergency management office for information. Never leave pets in the car when it is hot!
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Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives you can call on to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.
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Presley Ann passed peacefully at home on May 24th, 2022. She was the beloved four-legged Brittany member of the Kelly family. She was a constant presence in the kitchen where she'd make off with anything she could get her paws on, even the occasional stick of Crisco! Many things were quickly devoured, while other treats were buried in the backyard to be savored later. She loved watching squirrels, going for walks to the creek, laying in the sun and palling around with her buddy Rocky - who she'd share her secret stash of socks in the backyard with. She leaves behind her Northwest Arkansas family - Mandy, Katie Grace, Hank, Duchess and of course, Rocky. We humbly donate in her memory to the ABR.
~Jason & Will
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SUMMER FUN FEATURED PHOTOS |
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SHARE YOUR PHOTOS FOR JULY! |
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FEATURING YOUR BRITTANY...
CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY!
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Woody the Wonderful is so full of life and love! He is a very active, strong boy, so he’s looking for a family with another dog to WALK, RUN, HIKE and PLAY with! Woody is also a very smart boy who came with no training, but he is learning fast and his family must be committed to continuing his training. Most importantly, he wants and needs to be with his people. A good cuddle on the couch is his favorite thing, and he is such a good boy that he can accompany you everywhere!
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A big boy with a big heart! Tracker Joe is a solid and healthy 53 pounds. He has such enthusiasm for life and can play a little on the rough side. He’s just having fun, but will probably not be a good match for a house with small children. Tracker is a sensitive guy who will sit on your feet and ask for forgiveness if he believes he did something wrong. He just wants to make you happy!
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Sweet, smart and loving Nena will greet you each day with her contagious smile and tail thumping with joy! She is good on the leash and LOVES an adventure in the car with her people. Nena does not get along with other pets, so she will need to be placed in home with a fenced yard where she is the only pet. We are looking for a long-term foster or a forever home where Nena can enjoy a lifetime of love and happiness.
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He will melt your heart! Gentle Gus is a shy boy, but when he warms up, he is all about LOVE. Open your arms, and he will run right into them for a hug. He is good with other dogs, cats, children and even chickens. If you’re looking for a buddy to binge Netflix with, Gus is your man. He has spondylosis (old age wear and tear of the vertebrae), so he is slow to get around, but he enjoys snoozing and ear rubs . . . and did we mention lots of love? Having lived most of his life outside, this boy is ready for the retirement of his dreams with you!
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Adorable, eager to please Ellie is making up for life confined to an outdoor kennel. She is doing very well learning what indoor living is all about, but she just wants to see the world! With all the excitement out there, Ellie needs a family who will give her consistent training and boundaries and the opportunity for plenty of exercise. She may even make a good hunting buddy with training. Either way, you will be rewarded with a beautiful Brittany who loves a good cuddle!
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This playful boy loves people, toys and the backyard. If you look closely, you will see that Boston doesn’t have any teeth. Due to a gum disease, they were all extracted. He is now healthy, has no medical needs related to the disease, and he eats soft kibble just fine! He used to be home alone frequently, and as a result he is not very sure of delivery people, but he is working on that. He is really enjoying being a member of a pack for the first time in his foster home. If you can imagine yourself sitting outside soaking up the sun, Boston would love to complete that picture by being next 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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We adopted Hunter (a five-year-old) a couple of years ago and can't leave him behind. He always has a wiggly pompom all the time and enjoys the great outdoors and everyone he meets. He makes us so very happy. We love him so much and keep in touch with the folks who had to let him go. Thank you for all the love in placing and rescuing these beautiful dogs. -- M. B.
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WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Please drop us a line at
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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
Joe Herslip, Secretary
Jeanette Seely, Interim Treasurer
Sandra Oelschlegel, Chair
Diana Doiron
Deb Grove
Nancy Hensley
Michelle Falkinburg
Bobbi Tolman
Melissa Tapply DiLello
AMERICAN BRITTANY RESCUE E-NEWSLETTER TEAM
Brittany Boler
Christine Brennan
Jeannine Connors
Judie Cutting
Kristin Davis
Autumn Fenton
Linda Joyce
Melissa Tapply DiLello
Debra White
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