Closure.....

I cannot describe the joy I'm feeling right now. In December of 2011 Dawn Hamilton and a massive group of dedicated volunteers undertook the daunting task of rescuing 27 Bullmastiffs from a horrible situation in Las Vegas, Nevada. The dogs were owned by a person who fancied himself a breeder but in reality was a bit of a hoarder and seriously neglected the feeding, veterinary care and socialization of the dogs. Many of the dogs had significant health issues due to the filth they were forced to live in. In some cases the dogs were 2nd or 3rd generation that hadn't received proper vaccinations. There were behavioral issues with many of the dogs due to isolation or improper socialization. Tens of thousands of dollars were raised by the American Bullmastiff Association to fund their care and transportation.

As of this week, the last of the 27 dogs has found a new "forever home". Rescue is so often stressful for those who put in the work, the time and money, but these are the joyous moments that make it all worthwhile. Jewlz adopted out the last of the Nevada surrender dogs a couple months ago. Boy, since renamed Bo, was with Jewlz over a year, but he is now in his forever home with Bob & Mary in Washington.

Jewlz has been a lifesaver for rescue many times over and when Ithe organization was slammed with the NV dogs, she and others in OR and WA stepped up and took several of the first 15 dogs into foster, so we could make room for the remaining dogs who still needed to be picked up.   Seeing these dogs get a second chance at a loving home and good life, is what its all about and without volunteers and fosters opening their homes and hearts to these dogs, it wouldn’t be successful.  Many of the dogs were rehomed in a matter of a few short weeks, others took longer.

Not all the news is bright however. Because many of the dogs had never left the property and most had never been vaccinated many of them contracted Parvo from their initial vaccination. A few didn't survive the ordeal including two puppies, Violet & Clyde.

Cowboy who was deaf and had lived his 6 yrs in his own world, could not handle the stress of all the changes he encountered from boarding kennel to vets office, and so many strangers. He lost it at the vet office and had to be put to sleep. He never had a chance at normalcy like his deaf sister, but he was a sweet loving boy who will always be in our heart.  His ashes are with Dawn forever.

Remy had a home with a retired man for a while. She had her own special birthday party with her own birthday crown and a cake.  She was loved by her owner and all his neighbors and friends.  She was always one tough bitch and though she was wonderful with people and kids, any chance she got to go after other dogs, she took full advantage.  Unfortunately, she took three opportunities to go after other dogs and  after spending three stints in animal control for minimally biting people trying to break up the fights, the county refused to give her back and she was put down. 

Repo unfortunately never got a chance to have his own home. Repo was just under two years of age when we got him had never been vaccinated.  When we got the dogs, they all had to be vaccinated.   From living in their bubble with no exposure to disease to build up immunities, their immune system was compromised. Repo came down with parvo 7 days after we got him, and died within 12 hours.

Roscoe went to a foster home in WA.  He was very happy and very loved.   He was very good, until he wasn’t.  Out of the clear blue he viciously attacked the female he had been living with in harmony.  After the attack, he never seemed right, he was unstable and unsafe even for his foster mom who had planned on adopting him.  Roscoe was with someone who loved him and who he loved when he said goodbye.

These weren't bad dogs. They were physically and psychologically damaged by the pathetic bastard who previously owned them. They were never able to live the life of a normal dog and their deaths are on his hands. Sleep well you jackass.

Cece lives with her humans and her new buddy, Simon in Northern California.  They are very active, frequently go to work with mom and apparently hiking near Lake Tahoe.

Many dog rescuers believe that with a new life comes a new name.  Crystal, the big girl with skin disease, entropian and cysts on her feet is now named Ethel. After putting her on thyroid meds, her feet healed and now she goes for walks with her new family.  She had bloody feet from sores and swelling when we got her and was overweight.  She now has a svelte figure and pretty feet that no longer hurt.

Ebear is now named Cupcake and is now living with one of Dawn's co-workers and her husband in the Phoenix area.  He made such a hit with them, they adopted Angel (Not a NV Dog) recently to give him a buddy.   The two of them play and play, sleep, then play some more. 

Prancer had huge black callouses from sleeping on concrete with no bed, and some bad scars from scrapes with other dogs along with a very advance entropian that nearly cost him an eye. He has moved to Oregon and now lives with an active young couple is doing very well and apparently doesn't mind cats.

  

Izzy who was 8yrs old when rescued, had been bred multiple times but surprisingly was in amongst the best physical condition of all the dogs is now living a life of comfort and relaxation with a retired couple and three other dogs in Surprise, AZ.

 

JJ is living with another retired couple also in Surprise AZ, she hates mirrors and had to work with a trainer for several months but is very happy in her new home.

Lexi had a torn ACL tendon. Due to her age it was decided that it not be repaired. With a bit of care and rest it has healed enough to make her as comfortable as possible. She has a new family in Oregon and is doing very well. 

Redmon before

Redmon was a psychological mess. So afraid of his surroundings that he literally wouldn't move. He had to be picked up and carried from place to place. He was fostered for a while at a boarding Kennel in Fountain Hills, AZ. A volunteer at the kennel fell for Redmon and took it upon himself to work with him and help him get over his fear and distrust of humans. 

He wanted to adopt Redmon but he'd just lost his job and the timing wasn't right. The opportunity came for Redmon to go to WA to Jewlz for some rehab and learning to trust people, he left AZ and took a long drive to WA.   While there, the wonderful volunteer in AZ stayed in touch with Jewlz and eventually decided to go through with the adoption.  Redmon who had

Redmon now

gotten much braver flew in an airplane back to AZ, and though he still has some issues, he is making great progress in learning to be a regular dog in his new home, with his new doggie friends.  He still goes for lots of walks with his new owners and is learning obedience.

Snort was one of the dogs who contracted Parvo from his first vaccination. He survived that and my wife Kathy and I adopted him and brought him to our home in Mountain View, CA and changed his name to Guinness. He had never been on a leash, in a yard, in a house or ridden in a car. He was terrified of passing through doors and of large spaces like a yard or living room. The only time he seemed comfortable was when around other dogs. The problem with that though was that though he had been raised "near" other dogs, it was clear that he had never directly interacted with them. Consequently he didn't understand the hierarchy of K9 communication and would occasionally lash out at a dog for a fairly minor dominance effort. The hardest thing for us to deal with though was his distrust of humans, mostly men....gee, ya think? He connected a bit with Kathy and would allow (grudgingly) our female friends to pet him but he wanted nothing to do with me or any other male and would leave the

room when I entered. Guinness has been with us for about 1.5yrs and has made excellent progress especially in the last 6mos since we've added Lulu, another rescue Bullmastiff to our home.

Rosie and Sader were the two puppies that survived their bouts with Parvo. Rosie lives in coastal Central CA with a gentleman and his two college age kids where she is very happy and very spoiled.

Sader, now named Hudson is living in Northern CA and was taught the ropes by two other older Bullmastiffs who sadly recently passed. Hudson was given a great surprise when he was given a new surrogate mother, Mooha who the family recently adopted.  

TT, now named Sweetie found a forever home in Washington with a retired couple, two other dog-buddies and a nice warm fireplace to curl up in front of.

Ava found her forever home with a young family in Arizona. She is well loved, deeply spoiled, has taken over the couch and apparently is a bit of a ham when the camera comes out.

Brindee now lives with a retired couple in Sedona, AZ. She still has difficulty with her eyesight, probably from living in a garage for years and not being exposed to bright light. She is very much loved and happy in her home but remains uncomfortable with strangers due to lack of socialization. She hangs out in her bedroom when company is over.

Teala spent some time fostered by Jewlz in Washington before being adopted by a great family with two teenage kids. Renamed Dugan, she now also has a new Bullmastiff brother named Huck.

Titan lives in a beautiful home in Los Altos, CA with a great family with two young kids and a Bullmastiff Sister. He has become best buddies with Graham and loves hiking with the family.









If you are reading this, you clearly have in your heart a love for animals, especially those who need a second chance at life. I urge you to support your local Animal Shelter and the Rescue organization of your favorite breed. If you have room in your life for a dog, please contact one of these organizations first. There are great dogs out there that simply need a new home in which to flourish.

If you are one of the new parents of the NV dogs please contact me through this blog or through Dawn Hamilton. I'd love to post a more detailed update on how each of the NV dogs are doing.

Special thanks to Dawn, Jewlz and all the volunteers and donors who helped save these dogs. I know Guiness thanks you and I'm sure the rest do as well.

New Beginnings, Happy Endings and Valiant Efforts

The following is transcribed from an email sent to me by Dawn Hamilton:

With lots of help from wonderful people we moved 7 dogs from AZ to points west and north.   Rosie, the surviving puppy from the NV mess went to her new home in Southern CA and is settling in  with her new family.   Remy, a 6 yr old bitch aggressive, over bred girl with a matronly figure ( aka boobs hanging low) went to a wonderful retired gentleman who lost his last doberman in June and said his house and bed were too empty.    He is very happy with her, (same name too as his very first Doberman) and she must think  she hit the lottery !!

  

Roscoe and TT  are now in LaNae’s capable care for fostering and getting some weight on.  Linda Hyke has taken on Lexi, 8 yr old with torn ACL ( probably forever) and is going to get Carina ready for her forever home which shouldn’t take long.   Redmon also known as Pancake for his favorite position, flattened on the ground, is now in the very capable hands of Jewlz in WA and I’m sure will continue to make drastic improvement in his learning to trust people and having fun being a dog.

HUGE THANKS go to two of our local kennel workers, Dan and Regina, who took off work to drive the trip for us, saving ME from yet another trip, and to Kay Pedisich who drove from WA down to Grants Pass OR to pick up five dogs, then back to Portland OR and Centralia WA to drop off dogs.    Dan and Regina ran into rain, hail and snow, delaying the trip by an hour or more but because these are all great people who are doing what needs to be done for the dogs, no one got their panties in a bunch and everything worked out, even though Jewlz, LaNae and Kay didn’t make it home until the wee hours of this morning.    I can’t tell you how rewarding it is for me to work with such great volunteers and make these wonderful miraculous trips work.   

I now have only Ebear, and JJ aka Rock N Roll left in the kennel from the NV mess.    It’s taken a little over two months but Titan, Snort, Izzy, Brindee, Remy, Rosie, Ava, Teala and Crystal are in forever homes.   Cece, Ebear, JJ, Sader, Prancer, Lexi, TT, Roscoe, Boy and Redmond, are in great foster homes.  The Russian bitch  he owned who was mother of the pups, was transferred to Amy Belfamy here in Phoenix with the blessings of her breeder.  We lost Repo, Violet, and Clyde to Parvo and an upper respiratory infection and had to put down Cowboy, the deaf boy, but all in all, thanks to all the wonderful donations and donors  we’ve all come through it and there is a much brighter future for these dogs ahead.

Homecoming Days for Teala and Crystal!

Nothing but good stuff in this post. Two more of the Las Vegas Bullmastiffs have found new Forever Homes!!!

Below you can see Crystal with her new family Devon and Stacy. It's readily apparent how happy everyone is. Crystal made great strides in her condition under foster care with Linda and Bob Hyke. Her entropian is healing nicely, and she is responding to the treatment for her seborrhea,  interdigital cysts and thyroid condition. She will still need a lot of ongoing medical attention but she's now with a family that can devote their full love and care toward her recovery. She's sure to get lots of affection, exercise and the attention she needs. Here's to a great long life in a new loving home!

The other homecoming announcement is for Teala. You'll recall that Teala was one of the luckier dogs in that she had no serious health maladies. She did, like a few others, suffer from malnutrition as a pup which resulted in her being dramatically undersized. Further, she was exceptionally timid due to having never experienced anything outside of the kennel where she'd spent the entirety of the first years of her life. Jewlz Lane took her under foster care in WA and has worked very hard at bringing her out of her shell. She located a family who had adopted a previous Bullmastiff rescue (Huck) who had the experience to handle a dog with Teala's history.

The Keough family has decided to change her name to Dugan and in looking at the photos below you can see that Teala ...er... Dugan has really made some great strides in terms of her socialization. She is engaged, happy and really enjoying, rather than fearing, human attention.

Please remember that there are still a large number of dogs requiring expensive ongoing medical treatment and who will need to be transported from Phoenix to foster homes in various parts of the country. The expenses still outstrip the available funding. If you can help in any way. Please do.

Good and Bad News - Update 01/12/12

We are glad to report that some of the dogs surrendered in Nevada have been already adopted. Titan went to his new home over the weekend and is doing great with his new human and dog family and Snort (now named Guinness) is doing well in his new home. The dogs that have been moved to out of state foster homes are also doing very well. It is amazing how quickly they have adapted to their new lifestyle and are so happy and appreciative of the great care they receive.

Redmon is still in Arizona, being boarded at a vet clinic, which is a bit more expensive, but is helping with his confidence issues. Redmon was never socialized and at the clinic, he is worked with daily and meeting lots of new people. Redmon will be going to his foster home with Sarah in New Orleans soon. 

The cost of this rescue has been enormous, far more than the chip in goal. If you are able to help in any way, it is very much appreciated.

Lexy the old girl with the torn ACL is also being boarded at a vets where it is less stressful for her.

Handsome EBear is being boarded in Phoenix. He is a good boy and needs a foster or adoptive home. For more information, please contact Dawn, citadelbmf@gmail.com.

Most of the dogs that are still in Arizona are being kept at a boarding kennel and are getting neutered/spayed and the other vet care they require. Nothing is easy it seems as the five that came to Arizona most recently were being boarded at a vet's so we could be sure that there would be no adverse reaction to the move, the vaccinations, etc. Unfortunately this weekend, the puppy that was being cared for at the vet hospital became sick, she was tested for parvo and was negative, but sadly died.

TT got sick over the weekend so she was taken to the vet hospital for care and is responding well. Roscoe had complications with the neuter that may require a second surgery to totally remove the scrotum. All this adds up to unanticipated vet bills that increase our need for donations. If you can help in any way we'd be most grateful.

Update 01/10/12 Titan has a home!!!

Huge thanks to anyone who has donated time, money or materials to this effort. Here's a look at what your contribution has done.

This weekend, another of the Nevada Bullmastiffs found a home!!!

Far from the horrible conditions in Las Vegas, far from the loud, rambunctious (but at least safe) kennel in Phoenix, Titan is now in a beautiful, loving home in Los Altos, CA. Barry, Judy and their two sons Graham & Nathan are now providing Titan with a safe and sound "Forever Home". A note from Barry begins below:

He is a really wonderful dog. The moment he met the boys he started wagging his whole body, and honestly has hardly stopped since he arrived.The boys love him and he loves the attention even follows Graham (in the picture) around the yard while they play. Graham did his first training session with Titan yesterday and had him doing sit and stay even when he went a good 40 feet away. This morphed into a game of hide and seek where titan had to sit and stay while Graham hid somewhere in the back yard then Titan went and found him. That was something to watch both Titan and Graham seemed to love that game.

He also has been getting along great with Lavender (their Bullmastiff/Pitbull mix) she is clearly letting him be in charge but he isn't domineering at all so they are having lots of fun together.

So far his appetite has been great. He'll eat as much and as often as anyone is willing to feed him. We took him downtown to grab coffee and walk around, which is something we do every weekend with Lavender. He loved it and wouldn't let a single person go by without making it clear that he wanted them to stop and pet him. He had a chance to meet a few other dogs there as well and did very well, his sheer size makes some of them a bit nervous but he was as calm as could be.

...and here's a photo of Titan with his new best buddy, Graham.

In other news, here is an update on Prancer from Katie who is providing his foster home in Oregon:

Prancer is doing great!! He has the cutest little pep in his step! Prances around just like a raindeer. The last few days he has had this wonderful smile on his face, it is soooo cute! He has been eating really good too! He licks his chops as I'm getting is food ready. He really enjoys his walks and is doing a great job on the leash! Having a hard time getting a good photo because he like to be right next to the camera, and I am home alone today. He is such a sweet boy!!

His eye is still touch & go and it might still need to be removed but he sure looks much happier than when I first met him in Phoenix!!!

Jewlz has started a blog just for Boy and Teala. Check out their progress here ----> http://boyteala.blogspot.com/

Update 01/03/12

First of all is a HUGE thanks to all who have donated money, time, food, materials, veterinary care, assisted with transportation or simply helped to spread the word about these dogs. They lived under indescribably atrocious conditions and despite that all of them are sweet and affectionate and on their way to recovery and forever homes. Below is an update on a few of the dogs.

More help is needed though. There are still many dogs who are under ongoing and expensive medical treatment and there remains the daunting task of getting the dogs distributed to foster homes throughout the country for further care and therapy before they are able to move to adoptive “forever homes.” If you can help in any way, please, PLEASE do.

Teala and Boy have moved to a foster home in WA state with Jewlz Lane and are doing well. Teala is a very undersized 18mos old girl. She’s very affectionate and likes to snuggle but she’s quite shy and timid. It probably won’t take much for her to turn around and be a great girl. Boy is about 18mos old and definitely needs to put on some weight. He’s sweet and responds well to affection. Both he and Teala will be spayed/neutered this week. 

Teala

Boy

Crystal

Crystal is in a foster home in Portland, OR with Bob & Linda Hyke. She is the girl with hypothyroid, interdigital cysts and bad skin. She is on the highest possible dosage for treatment of the thyroid condition and will be checked again on 12 Jan for possible adjustment and the antibiotics and soaks are getting her feet on track to healing. According to Linda; 

“Every day since Crystal has arrived she has shown improvement. She no longer requires pain meds. Her dry eye is getting better. She is more active, coming out of her crate without assistance. She has had visitors and recived gifts of toys, nylabones and food. She loves the visitors. With many offers of help coming in she is thriving on the visits and toys and loves the attention, and is looking better all the time. What a sweetheart of a girl she is!”

Prancer is in Corvallis, OR with Dan & Katie Peretti. It looks like the untreated entropian that he had might cause him to lose the sight in one of his eyes. He’s under aggressive medication schedule now but if it doesn’t work he may need to have the eye removed. He is eating now though and getting lots of walks and is enjoying positive attention for the first time in his life.

Prancer

 

The puppy, Sader, is in Sacramento, CA with Rebecca Kreisher. This foster might turn into a “forever home. He’s doing very well and has gotten comfortable enough that he’s attempted to join Rebecca in the shower.

Cece is in a foster home in Palmdale, CA with Toni Rocca. She’s doing well and it’s looking like she may get adopted out very soon.

My wife Kathy and I have adopted “Snort”. Despite his awful background, stunted growth and complete lack of training & socialization he is a terrifically sweet little guy. He is extremely timid and you can tell that he has spent little if any time out of a kennel in his 18mos of life. He is very scared of big spaces and he is struggling with coping with all the room now available to him in our back yard and home. The scale of things is so new to him and the act of going through a doorway is terrifying to him…because he’s never done it before. We’ve been told and agree with the premise that a rescued dog should get a new name along with their new life and since it’s better that a dogs name be two syllables to contrast with single syllable commands we have decided to change his name to “Guinness”.

The following dogs from the original rescue trip are still in Phoenix;

Titan

Titan is doing very well. He is big, mellow adult and has weathered this mess without apparent harm. He will be neutered today and will go to his new home in CA this weekend.

 Ava is a very gentle, sweet, but undersized girl. She was adopted out this week to a new “forever home” in Phoenix with a member of the Law Enforcement/Corrections community.

Izzy and TT are still in Phoenix as well. Their condition is improving and they are awaiting transport to foster homes in other parts of the country. 

Izzy

 

TT

The last batch of dogs that were rescued is Roscoe, Ebear, Lexy, Brindy & Clyde.

Roscoe is being treated for a nasty prostate infection.

Clyde is in quarantine until his treatment for Parvo is complete and he is out of the woods.

Ebear and Brindy are getting their veterinarian assessment this week. We’ll know more about their condition soon. Brindy was isolated outside and her skin and coat are in bad shape.

Lexy has a torn ACL tendon. Due to her age it will likely not be repaired. With a bit of care and rest it should heal enough to make her as comfortable as possible. 

I'll add photos of the other dogs as they become available but I wanted to get this update out as quickly as possible.

Update 12/23/11

Yesterday's report was good. Snort who tested positive for parvo but whose symptoms were mild is doing great, he is being moved today from one vet to another for the weekend. They have to keep him in isolation for the ten days period while he still could shed the parvo virus.  

 

Sader, the four month old puppy who also was hospitalized out of an abundance of caution because he was not eating and seemed under the weather is doing much better. He never tested positive for parvo so Dawn was able to return him to Amy's house where he is being fostered. He is eating and doing fine today. 

 

As of this writing, all the dogs currently at the kennel are doing fine. Though many will still need surgeries for entropian and interdigital cysts along with being spayed/neutered. Dawn took Cowboy TT and Crystal to the vet yesterday so they can be vetted and will return to the kennel today after they have been spayed/neutered and get any other vet care they may require.

God bless Dawn Hamilton! She took off all next week so she can leave Monday and deliver dogs to CA OR and WA foster homes. One her way back, she will go by way of Nevada and pick up the remaining dogs on Friday morning. She will pick up the remaining dogs at that time - could be as many as five.

The upcoming spays, neuters, and other vetting expenses including possible parvo treatment, along with long distance transport for this many dogs will be VERY expensive. We are so grateful for the donations received already and thank you in advance for your continued support!