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.
Birdie is very affectionate and curious (she has to checkout every opened cabinet, drawer, or door). Everyone - family, friends, and neighbors- has fallen in love with Birdie. She loves everybody and loves meeting new dog friends! She’s truly a joy!
We are completely in love with Scout, and couldn't be happier to be his forever family! He's adjusting amazingly well to life as a Hackett and has been a cuddle bug since day 1, even though it took him a few days to come out of his shell and warm up to everybody. We love seeing more and more of his adorable personality shining through every day and are looking forward to years and years of doggie kisses from our sweet Scout!!
Barkley is such a fun, loving dog… and quickly became my baby boy! He has the best food, treats, best vet (if needed), best dog walker ever and all the loves he can handle. He has not been near a kennel or doggie daycare since the outbreak of the mysterious upper respiratory infection.
Mambo is doing great! He is the sweetest thing ever, some of his favorite hobbies include climbing on people’s laps, giving unexpected face kisses and trying to destroy every bed we get him. He’s acclimated very well and is very much in cahoots with his big brother desi. We are so grateful to have him in our lives and that we’ve been able to give him a forever home.
Kinsley has been enjoying her new life here with us so much that she doesn't even know what to do half of the time. She loves snuggling up with us any chance she gets and has a wonderful loving family all around. She is definitely not a fan of snow in any means, but she is spoiled to the core.
Copper says hello and thanks you for taking care of him. He is doing well and has become the boss of the house. He loves his toys and walks. He is a good napper and sleeps through the night. Copper is extremely smart and every where we go people just want to hold him because he looks like a stuffed animal. He is still a wild man but is learning to listen. He now rings a bell with his paw or nose when he wants to go out. Your dedication to beagles is greatly appreciated.
Rylee is adjusting well at her shy, slow pace. It's only been just over 4 days since I picked her up but she is getting more and more comfortable.
Her new life in Rockville includes so many new experiences for her. Every morning and every night I take her on a 45 minutes walk through my neighborhood. She is adjusting to suburban life of sidewalks, fire hydrants (she was afraid to walk past them initially), front yards to sniff and of course Christmans lights at night and large, holiday inflatables........life in suburbia.
She has paired up quite well with my other dog Dorris (9 yr old/45lb hound/boxer mix). They seem to have the same temperament and are quite the chill partners.
I love her and am looking forward to her getting more and more comfortable in her new home with Dorris and I.
Many thanks for saving the lives of so many beagles!!!!!
So I've had Teddy full time for about a month now give or take and it's been better than I'd hoped for. His days consist of tons of long walks on the many trails of Reston, coming to work with me at HHP, and of course tons of love. I've slowly been working on exposing him to as many new stimulating experiences as possible to get him more comfortable with new places and people. So far he's been doing great with everyone he meets and he's really grown on my entire family. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to prove that Teddy is a great dog and that all he needed was a little tlc.
Macy has become a fun loving companion to our previous rescue, Stella. Stella has so many health issues including a serious heart murmur and Macy has helped breathe new life into her. She is such a loving companion to all of us. She loves her toys. So glad Macy found us.
After the passing of our long-time BRSM rescue dog, we found ourselves looking for another beagle to fill our home. We saw noodles (now Winnie) pop up on Facebook and knew she was the one. Winnie is gentle, curious, and fun-loving. She has fit in perfectly with her beagle siblings, and we know she will be a wonderful companion for years to come.
Bruno has made so much progress in the two short weeks he has been with us. He loves to go outside and is tolerating the “life” noises much better. We live pretty close to Patuxent River Naval Air Station so there’s a lot aircraft activity throughout the day. He’s good with that now.
Two of our neighbors have trucks that are loud upon start up, and they no longer startle him like they did the first week. He was very skittish the first week but again has become more acclimated to those noises.
As far as adapting to his new home inside, this boy has definitely made himself at home. He knows the sound of the refrigerator door opening and knows that the homemade treats are stored there. He knows what shelf in the pantry the other treats are on.
We still haven’t heard his voice, so we’re curious to hear what octave he adds to our current chorus of Pound Hounds. He is extremely affectionate and loves to cuddle on the couch. He also does love his personal space and takes himself to a bed or the crate when he needs Bruno time.
He is enjoying the yard and chasing the other boys. He is really starting to explore the bench that Charlie loved so much. Bruno is such a sweet fellow and we are already so in love with him.
Just wanted to send pics of Pepper (formerly Cookie). We found on her past records that Pepper was her name prior to Cookie, and she responds to it! She has made herself at home! She knows her yard and walking route through the neighborhood but cannot be trusted yet when she nears other dogs! Everyone is her friend and she must be with them! She’s happy at home here, as we are too!
Originally called Tiny Tulip, I asked to keep that name because it fits me. My big sister Lucy is an Envigo rescue. She wanted a younger sibling and playmate, but she did not expect me. I’m so lightweight and low to the ground that I can turn quickly and squeeze through small openings. That makes playtime more exciting. Lucy & I are now working together to train our parents to be good beagle servants.
This tiny ball of energy is now known as Penelope Middleton. She enjoys using her nose to track rabbits (in the backyard), communicating as only beagles do (aroo) with the neighborhood dogs, playing fetch, and lounging on the deck in the sunshine. She also enjoys her time at daycare playing with all her new friends (including other beagles). She has the sweetest disposition, loves cuddles, and she is doing well in her training class.
Willow, now known as Bella, stole our hearts from the first picture we saw of her. We had intended to foster and find her an amazing home. We were unsure of how our 13 year old would take to her. Her silly sweet and mischievous personality won us over. Our current dog is slowly warming up allowing her chases in the yard and a corner of his bed.
Betsy (formerly Melody) started as our foster but easily became our forever. Her favorite things to do are sun bath, cuddle on the couch and eat. She immediately became great friends with our Carson (also a BRSM alum) and our daughter who simply adores her “baby”. This is our third adoption through BRSM and we can’t say enough amazing things about them. Thank you for saving our sweet Betsy, Carson and Jesse (RIP).