In Memory of Winston
Everyone comes to BRSM to adopt their ideal beagle --- young, active, occasionally a couch potato --- but those dogs are rare compared to those who have been left behind, the ones who were discarded in favor of obtaining a newer, younger dog.
What is the story behind the older dogs in shelters?
Sometimes these dogs had spent their lives loving a family, only to be abandoned when their age meant they were more couch potato than playmate, and the costs of veterinary care rose. Sometimes they were used as hunters --- penned out in the back of someone's yard --- never knowing a warm bed in winter or the love a house pet takes for granted. And because they are older dogs, it doesn't matter that they are friendly, loving, outgoing, and make wonderful house pets. Because of their age, they are either dumped in shelters or put out of a car and left to fend for themselves. Their last memory is often an emotionally exhausted shelter volunteer closing their eyes forever, or of finally starving to death outside in winter . . . They deserve better than that!
What is a "Friend of Winston?"
Winston was the founding dog of BRSM, an older gentleman who never made it out of foster care, but found himself loved nonetheless. BRSM took care of his health concerns and allowed him to die peacefully at his own time, not earlier because of someone else's neglect or indifference. Most of Winston's friends are in the same situation, and will never be adopted --- but we rescue them from the shelters anyway. BRSM provides them with veterinary care and finds a permanent foster home to love them. The permanent foster takes care of the dog's routine vetting, but BRSM provides support for any extraordinary vetting that is required.
In Winston's memory, BRSM provides that vetting support through the Friends of Winston senior dog fostering program. Friends of Winston participants include a network of families willing to bring older dogs into their homes and provide them with love until they pass over the Rainbow Bridge in their own time. We support each other and the dogs, and form a unique sort of family.
Please Be Aware: If you become a Friend of Winston foster, it is unlikely your foster dog will ever be adopted --- he's probably with you for life! If you cannot help with the vetting costs (for basic care), BRSM will assist with this, but you must use a BRSM-approved vet who is willing to discount to rescue organizations! We realize it's not convenient when your own vet is just across the street. But we do our best to help as many dogs as possible, and rescue-discount vets are an integral part of that process. (And we've done a fair job --- big pat on the back to the Friends of Winston foster homes!) Please consider opening your heart and home to one of Winston's friends. They don't require the non-stop attention of one of our younger dogs --- they just want to cuddle with you when movie time rolls around. And they are fine spending their day home alone; that means they can sleep undisturbed! It may be difficult to think that they will be gone sooner than a younger dog, but the rewards are ample compared to the challenges. Each of these dogs has a story of abandonment --- can you help us make sure the remainder of their lives are happier? If you can foster a Friend of Winston, please contact us at profile@beaglemaryland.org. It's a small way to make a huge difference, and you can make a difference! Please Note: Friends of Winston are always available for regular adoption, but in the event that they do not find their forever home, we want them to live out their lives with a loving foster family.
All of the BRSM programs, including Friends of Winston, are supported through donations and fundraisers run and supported by our volunteers. BRSM does not receive any local, state, or federal funding that supports the rescue. Our volunteers work very hard to make a program such as Friends of Winston possible, and we very much appreciate the efforts and support of the Friends of Winston fosters.
click here to see Octavia's passion for salamanders
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016: Things are going well with Octavia as she gets adjusted to her new home. We’ve been working with her vet to get her scratching under control, and it has been promising so far. Wash her about once a week and we leave her Thundershirt off until she is completely dry. She can go a little over an hour without scratching, and much longer when wearing her shirt.
She has been exploring the neighborhood, and has most of the local kids (as well as the adults) wound around her little paws. Gets along with the other dogs, but they pay more attention to her than she does to them, because there is sniffing to be done. The dog next door and Octavia have come up with a joint “snack dance” whenever they think there is the possibility that they might get one. She has added chasing salamanders and squirrels to her repertoir
We were a little hesitant adopting an older dog, but it has been one of the best decisions of our lives. Denver will never be Best in Show, fastest dog on the planet, or win any beauty contests, but he is number 1 in all of our hearts. My best buddy has been through a lot over the past few years (thyroid problems, megaesophagus, bad hip, blind in one eye) but he has never complained. We do our best every day to repay his unconditional love and ensure he is a happy healthy Beagle.
I just wanted to take a moment and thank you again for the opportunity to meet and adopt this amazing dog. I don't think there is a good way to measure how much he has come to mean to our family, but I can say that he makes all of our lives a little brighter with each wag of the tail and rub of the belly.
We are currently enrolled in puppy training with Pawsitive Paul's Training, which is more for us than for him, but he likes to play with the other dogs there, so we're all happy. He loves all people and other dogs, and is a joy to have in our home.
Enter Rocky, stage left! Patti got in touch with me just after the holidays in December, knowing that we were currently without a dog. Rocky had had a brief time in a foster home in October, but he had not gotten along with the other dogs in the home, which led to his return to the vet. Yet he loved people and was a favorite at the clinic. Would we be able to foster him as a single dog? Well, it broke my heart to think of him in that crate, so I rallied the family. “It’ll be temporary,” I said, “just until we find him a permanent home.”
Within hours of Rocky coming to our house, my husband and daughter began the “let’s keep him for ourselves!” campaign. So yes, we were record-time foster failures! Rocky just fit in from the get-go. He loves people, toys, and food, in that order. Stay still too long, and you’re liable to find his head or paw on your knee, or, should your face be within range, your cheeks thoroughly kissed. He’s not terrific with other dogs, but sometimes he is chill with them (or at least can control his barking around them!). (Don’t worry, he won’t be crashing the Beagle Bash!) He’s an absolute love with people, especially children. He defers to the outdoor cat. We love our Rocky, and, as you can see from the picture, he’s been sharing the love too.
Jasper met his foster brothers Paco and Caleb, and soon everything changed. With a little bit of space from his foster parents, Jasper greedily ate a bowl of kibble. The next day Jasper was already coming out of his shell. Jasper was playing with toys and his foster brothers regularly. He was still apprehensive around his foster parents, but his personality was starting to shine. Within a week, his foster parents turned into forever parents.
Jasper is a gem. He loves walking and playing with his foster brothers or by himself with toys. Sometimes Jasper collects toys and piles them up in a dog bed. Rawhide strips are fun (so long as he can keep it away from Caleb).
Now the same dog that was too scared to eat is helping get food out of the container and jumping around until his food bowl hits the floor. Jasper walks pretty well on a leash and reflections are no longer an issue. Jasper loves to cuddle – either with his brothers or his people. Jasper is a perfect example of what can happen to a dog with some TLC, kibble and a warm bed.
She has gone camping with us in our RV and seems to be handling this well. She enjoys the new sites and smells. While is Disney World this past December we did find out that she is extremely afraid of fireworks (Disney sets them off three times a night ). That was difficult to manage. She has handled loud noises in our home just fine (construction of a remodeled bathroom, people coming in and out to fix HVAC system, etc.). However, when the refrigerator cycles to make ice cubes, she gets very anxious. She tries to hide in the bathroom upstairs and has also peed in the house because of this. We have also learned she doesn’t like when the wind blows and makes the front screen door make a subtle sound. She remains anxious about these for a good half hour or so. We are working with her on these, as neither one of these will going away. We were advised that she was around six years of age when we adopted her, but our vet stated that with her clear eyes and how healthy she seems, he feels she was more around three years of age when we obtained her. We are glad to say that she is healthy and doing well.
We were advised that she was around six years of age when we adopted her, but our vet stated that with her clear eyes and how healthy she seems, he feels she was more around three years of age when we obtained her. We are glad to say that she is healthy and doing well.
Her favorite playmate is Jax. The first time she felt comfortable enough here to play she pretended to be the 'big dog" and jumped around like a cricket and nipped at Jax's front paws. Jax was totally confused and would look over his shoulder at me as if to say 'What am I supposed to do with this?????." Now they seek each other out for tug-o-war with the ropes and Snickers, with her 15 lbs, just doesn't realize that she has no chance against Jax with his 100 lbs. She does jump in though as if she's a big dog.
My favorite time with her is when I get home from work at 3:00 in the morning. She will be snuggled on the couch at the top of the steps and she has me trained to start the belly rubbing. She rolls on her back and coos as I commence the obligatory activity. I think she would opine that my training is complete.
Thanks again and you can count on my forever support.
Snoopy brings so much joy to my life and I am very grateful for the Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland for bringing us together!
Thanks again for introducing Dino to me. I absolutely love him to pieces and I am pretty sure the feeling is mutual. Oh, and he's not spoiled at all!!
