“I believe there are angels among us, sent down to us from somewhere up above. They come to you and me in our darkest hours, to show us how to live, teach us how to give and guide us with the light of love” ~ Alabama “Angels Among Us” lyrics
People often ask of our volunteers/foster homes, “What do you do when a foster dog isn’t adopted?” That’s a good question. When you start a rescue, you honestly probably don’t think about this, because – well, why would you? That’s the whole point of doing this work – to find them homes! Unfortunately, though, although you would hope that this would never happen, there are some dogs that are not ill or dangerous enough to warrant euthanasia (something to be reserved for only the most extreme cases in the best interest of the dog), but yet remained with us month after month… year after year… to where it eventually seemed unfair to them to try to rehome them given the bonds they developed with their foster families. In fairness to our foster families, however, we could not expect them to adopt the dogs, so this program was created. So long as the foster home is willing, these dogs remain with their foster families, but are still financially cared for by Beagle Rescue League.
We accepted all of these dogs into our rescue, at the time under another name, and when BRL opened, each of these dogs was transferred to us from that rescue, but sadly without even a dime of their accompanying sponsorships and/or any financial support (and some of them had thousands of dollars donated for their care). They were all long-term, special needs dogs, and Beagle Rescue League has been committed to them from the start. Each of these beloved dogs has been lucky enough to find, within Beagle Rescue League, a Guardian Angel to watch over them…
Cameron 5/15/06 - 11/3/20
Cammie came to us in 2007 at the age of 1 year when we were with another rescue. She was brought in by her owners to their veterinary practice in Warren County, NJ for boarding while the family vacationed in Florida. However, when the office manager tried to call her family she found they had relocated and left little Cammie behind, abandoned. To add insult to injury, Cammie had behavior issues that were not disclosed to us when we pulled her into rescue to help her. By all accounts, Cameron would have been classified as a special needs dog. She was fearful, anxious, and could not tolerate being handled. We had to make the difficult decision of euthanizing her or putting her in a very experienced foster home. We chose the latter, along with some help from the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Clinic.
Fast forward years later and today we have a very different dog, all for the love of her foster mom. Cammie is an ambassadog for BRL and has been living with any number of other dogs that come in to temporarily share her foster home. Cammie can now attend public events with other dogs. Cammie has learned many basic skill commands and is on her way to becoming a dog that is a pleasure to be around. Cammie still requires a very patient and gentle hand. She may never totally be over her anxieties but she is light years from where she started off.
Cameron was loved and cared for by her BRL foster mom and BRL continued to support her. A cancerous tumor of her skull was treated with palliative care until Cammie had told her foster mom she needed to cross to the Rainbow Bridge and would watit for her there.
GEOFFREY 5/12/06 - 5/7/20
Bred for research, Geoffrey was retired from laboratory research in 2008 when he was just 2 years old due to issues with his kidneys. He was born with a condition which did not allow him to be used in the research studies. The laboratory contacted us since the only option for Geoffrey was euthanasia - OR the Lab to Leash Division of Beagle Rescue League. What Geoffrey has is called glomerulonephritis (GN), an insufficiency of kidney function which causes him to lose protein (proteinuria) through his urine. He was likely born with this condition since his kidney values were not normal when he arrived at the research facility when he was a year old. There are dogs that can live many years with "GN" with basic support, but his condition is life long. Geoffrey has semi-annual bloodwork to monitor his kidneys and has been on varying doses of ACE inhibitors (Benazapril), an otherwise holistic approach nutritionally, and most recently added an angiotension II receptor blocker (Telmisartan). His levels have been on the rise since 2014, but we make medication and diet changes to try to slow it. Geoffrey routinely has blood work done to monitor any changes to his condition.
Beagle Rescue League has invested quite a bit of time, effort and of course financial resources to make sure that Geoffrey receives the optimal health care as any disease involving the kidneys has to be very closely monitored. Geoffrey sustained an ACL tear in his left leg in Aug 2014, and had surgical repair for that in addition to the removal of a benign lesion on his torso. As happens with many dogs, Geoffrey then tore his other ACL, and underwent surgical repair for that in late March 2016. Geoffrey has needed frequent dental cleanings, and had another growth removed in January 2018. After monitoring another growth in August 2018, the tumor's growth and size warranted removal in January 2019, which was wise since it was determined to be a peripheral nerve sheath tumor (low grade sarcoma). Geoffrey then had difficulty walking in April 2019 and x-rays revealed some calcified areas of spine in the lower thoracic area. Strict crate rest, multiple medications, and the start of acupuncture and Chinese herbs led Geoffrey to a surprising recovery which for now, has him on no medication for his spinal issues - just bi-monthly acupuncture and Chinese herbs! Geoffrey has been dealing with recurring ear infections for several years, which may be due to his diet, but given the balance we have to strike between his kidneys and his ears, a diet change is not really in consideration. Geoffrey had recurring flare-ups resulting in rear end paralysis, which we were always able to get him through. Unfortunately, in early May 2020, his little kidneys had decided they had had enough. When their kidneys finally shut down, there is just nothing left to do for them. Although we initially treated with palliative care until we knew for sure what was going on, we had to finally give Geoffrey the last act of love we had to give, and helped him pass over to the Rainbow Bridge.
Geoffrey was ADORABLE, and just loved to be near/on his favorite people. While initially afraid of just about everything - including his own shadow and reflection in a mirror, and years of submissively urinating at the sight and/or sound of new people, he had come a long way since he was brought into rescue. We were never able to find an adopter willing to consider Geoffrey with not only his medical needs, but his behavioral ones as well. That is OK, though, because Geoffrey was in the care of the Director of Beagle Rescue League, where he has been loved and cared for since he arrived. Geoffrey never seemed to know that he was a very special dog, but we did and we were happy to have him as a permanent Beagle Rescue League "guest".
SAVANNAH
We can say so much about Savannah! She is one of our true service dogs, who was used in a surgical kidney transplant procedure and today has just one kidney (her own!). Retired from a biomedical research facility at the age of 1 year in 2008, Savannah is one of the shyest and sweetest dogs you'll ever meet. She LOVES other dogs and loves to play and romp in the yard. Not a fan of handling at first, Savannah brought to us a new challenge - to have a dog with severe fear issues learn to trust another person enough to allow them to interact with her on a new level. Each time her foster mom approached Savannah, she would bolt. Strange sounds, strange sights - so many small everyday things caused her great distress. With an astronomical amount of patience, proper handling skills and a gentle touch, Savannah gives her "guardian angel" kisses all the time, and is as typical a dog now as you would ever find.
In new environments and with new people, though, Savannah would revert to her old behaviors and fears. She is a very beautiful dog who has, over the years, met several prospective adopters but when they had the chance to adopt Savannah, each one declined, partially due to the difference in her interactions between them and her foster mom. Despite explaining that she has the potential to develop such a relationship with an adopter, adopters were not comfortable taking on this challenge, and the uncertainty they felt with her only having one kidney. This led to years of failed meet-and-greet disappointments. Soooooo... Savannah has remained with the one person (her foster mom) she has learned to love and trust.
BRL has provided all veterinary care and supplies for Savannah, including a major laceration repair to her leg (from cutting it in her yard) in 2009, as well as a major intestinal blockage surgery in 2014 after she ate a rope toy that was intended for one of the foster puppies in her foster home. She continues to enjoy a healthy, loved life.
WALKER 8/27/05 - 5/14/08
Walker was released for retirement from biomedical research in 2009 at the age of 4 years. Within a week of arriving at his foster home, Walker accidentally pulled out of his collar and was lost in Princeton, NJ for 8 agonizing days. Volunteers within BRL organized search parties, plastered posters all over Princeton, and worked cooperatively with the amazing animal control officer. After setting up several humane traps, and getting daily sightings, Walker was eventually trapped and returned to BRL on the 8th day. Walker seemed a bit traumatized by his experience. When he was brought to a new foster home, he was terrified to go outside. Environmental noises increased his anxiety, and thunderstorms and fireworks were incredibly frightening for Walker. We worked through these anxieties, as well as dog aggression with him, but finding a home to help him was difficult. After several years of little adoption interest in Walker, he was placed into our Guardian Angels program. Walker's behavioral issues improved dramatically, and he became a bit of a "momma's boy" with his foster mom. Over the years, he came to enjoy being around new people and seeking out affection. At the end of March 2016, Walker needed to undergo an emergency intestinal surgery for ingesting strings of carpet from a throw rug he ate in his foster home. Unfortunately, he decided to do the same thing (different throw rug!) in August 2017, needing yet another emergency intestinal surgery. As he aged, Walker experienced issues with vestibular disease, often with nystagmus. In May 2018, Walker started acting strangely - resistant to waking, lethargic, not interested in eating, etc. An evaluation and x-rays with our vets, and an ultrasound done at a specialty hospital later that same day showed metastatic thyroid cancer, with two masses on his thyroid glands, multiple (6) small masses in his lungs, and possibly one on his liver. We could not believe how he had hidden this from us. Heartbroken, we were told there was nothing they could do for him. We were hoping to make Walker comfortable for the 2-3 months he was given, yet were robbed of that when just two days later he started showing significant neurological effects suggesting spread of the cancer to his brain. That morning, Walker's foster mom signed his adoption papers, and after a last ditch effort of medication and day long observation at the vet's office, held him as he crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge. His foster mom wanted to make sure that Walker had a last name and knew whom to wait for at the Rainbow Bridge. It is important for all to know that he was loved while he was with us.
BENNY (AKA JUNIOR)
Surrendered to a shelter because of a misunderstood medical condition, a death sentence is what this beautiful 1 year old beagle was facing in February 2011. BRL was contacted to help him because frankly, we had experience with RBD (REM-sleep Behavior Disorder).
The shelter described him this way: "This adoring beagle is a juvenile, neutered male, who was surrendered to us. He is very sweet, but has been diagnosed with sleep tremors, though the vet that saw him is expecting him to grow out of it. The sleep tremors were described in detail by his first owner. "When sleeping day or night, our dog would awake suddenly and bark alot. Not the beagle's typical howl, but a more alarming type of bark. He would instantly stop and settle down as we called his name."
The shelter thought that they had an appropriate home for this little guy but only days after adoption, he was returned again. Though the staff had explicitly explained his medical condition, symptoms, behaviors, and warned the new adopter that he had to be routinely crated for sleeping, the family did not follow the counseled advice and had him sleeping in their bed. They reported that the dog suddenly woke up, bit his owner's hand, and caused some property damage, so he was returned.
With a bite report now on his file, the shelter felt hopeless and turned toward a series of beagle rescues in hopes of finding one that would be able to give them what they needed to find the proper home for this dog who had thus far been so misunderstood. Luckily, they found BRL, and having had experience with a beagle named Sam, BRL recognized Benny's story right away. It was pretty clear that like Sam, Benny had REM-Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD). (You can read about Sam's story in Dr. Carlos H. Schenck's book Sleep: The Mysteries, The Problems, and The Solutions.)
While we brought Benny into our rescue with the best of intentions to find him a home, he is still with us. While there have been a few interested adopters here and there over the years, none were able to offer exactly what Benny would need for success, and the adopters who could were not interested in adopting him. We sadly never found the right home - except in the foster home he has been in since he arrived. Beagle Rescue League has cared for Benny all this time, and other than some back issues requiring acupuncture treatments over the years, he has really only required routine veterinary care. He has been a loving, playful, and affectionate beagle with quite a beagle howl! He can sometimes get a little overstimulated, and must still always sleep in a crate, but he has been a wonderful beagle who deserves a forever home.
Towards the end of October 2018, Benny started having some issues with his back and hind legs which overnight turned into complete paralysis of his rear legs. After evaluation by our vets and acupuncturist, surgery was recommended. During this time, due to unfortunate circumstances, BRL had not been actively bringing in dogs, or therefore doing active fundraising. While we continue to care for the dogs in the rescue, that does not mean there are a lot of funds to do so. To provide Benny the surgery and rehabilitation he would need would be in the $10,000+ range, which is beyond out of our reach - even WITH fundraising. The Board of Directors, in collaboration, consultation, and recommendations with/from Benny's foster mom, has decided to purchase Benny a wheelchair, and to continue acupuncture and treatment as needed. His veterinary bills have run into the thousands. That does not include his K-9 cart, diapers, wee wee pads, and other supplies needed for a paralyzed dog.
Benny has not regained function to his back legs, but can get around in his K-9 cart, and continues to receive his acupucture treatments. He has experienced complications of "phantom foot" resulting in biting/chewing his own foot, causing recurring infections, but he still seems to enjoy his life and getting around in his cart. This sweet dog has been dealt an incredibly unfair hand, and we will continue to try to give him the best life that we can.
Guardian Angels Program
“I believe there are angels among us, sent down to us from somewhere up above. They come to you and me in our darkest hours, to show us how to live, teach us how to give and guide us with the light of love” ~ Alabama “Angels Among Us” lyrics
People often ask of our volunteers/foster homes, “What do you do when a foster dog isn’t adopted?” That’s a good question. When you start a rescue, you honestly probably don’t think about this, because – well, why would you? That’s the whole point of doing this work – to find them homes! Unfortunately, though, although you would hope that this would never happen, there are some dogs that are not ill or dangerous enough to warrant euthanasia (something to be reserved for only the most extreme cases in the best interest of the dog), but yet remained with us month after month… year after year… to where it eventually seemed unfair to them to try to rehome them given the bonds they developed with their foster families. In fairness to our foster families, however, we could not expect them to adopt the dogs, so this program was created. So long as the foster home is willing, these dogs remain with their foster families, but are still financially cared for by Beagle Rescue League.
We accepted all of these dogs into our rescue, at the time under another name, and when BRL opened, each of these dogs was transferred to us from that rescue, but sadly without even a dime of their accompanying sponsorships and/or any financial support (and some of them had thousands of dollars donated for their care). They were all long-term, special needs dogs, and Beagle Rescue League has been committed to them from the start. Each of these beloved dogs has been lucky enough to find, within Beagle Rescue League, a Guardian Angel to watch over them…
Cammie came to us in 2007 at the age of 1 year when we were with another rescue. She was brought in by her owners to their veterinary practice in Warren County, NJ for boarding while the family vacationed in Florida. However, when the office manager tried to call her family she found they had relocated and left little Cammie behind, abandoned. To add insult to injury, Cammie had behavior issues that were not disclosed to us when we pulled her into rescue to help her. By all accounts, Cameron would have been classified as a special needs dog. She was fearful, anxious, and could not tolerate being handled. We had to make the difficult decision of euthanizing her or putting her in a very experienced foster home. We chose the latter, along with some help from the University of Pennsylvania Behavior Clinic.
Fast forward years later and today we have a very different dog, all for the love of her foster mom. Cammie is an ambassadog for BRL and has been living with any number of other dogs that come in to temporarily share her foster home. Cammie can now attend public events with other dogs. Cammie has learned many basic skill commands and is on her way to becoming a dog that is a pleasure to be around. Cammie still requires a very patient and gentle hand. She may never totally be over her anxieties but she is light years from where she started off.
Cameron was loved and cared for by her BRL foster mom and BRL continued to support her. A cancerous tumor of her skull was treated with palliative care until Cammie had told her foster mom she needed to cross to the Rainbow Bridge and would watit for her there.
Bred for research, Geoffrey was retired from laboratory research in 2008 when he was just 2 years old due to issues with his kidneys. He was born with a condition which did not allow him to be used in the research studies. The laboratory contacted us since the only option for Geoffrey was euthanasia - OR the Lab to Leash Division of Beagle Rescue League. What Geoffrey has is called glomerulonephritis (GN), an insufficiency of kidney function which causes him to lose protein (proteinuria) through his urine. He was likely born with this condition since his kidney values were not normal when he arrived at the research facility when he was a year old. There are dogs that can live many years with "GN" with basic support, but his condition is life long. Geoffrey has semi-annual bloodwork to monitor his kidneys and has been on varying doses of ACE inhibitors (Benazapril), an otherwise holistic approach nutritionally, and most recently added an angiotension II receptor blocker (Telmisartan). His levels have been on the rise since 2014, but we make medication and diet changes to try to slow it. Geoffrey routinely has blood work done to monitor any changes to his condition.
Beagle Rescue League has invested quite a bit of time, effort and of course financial resources to make sure that Geoffrey receives the optimal health care as any disease involving the kidneys has to be very closely monitored. Geoffrey sustained an ACL tear in his left leg in Aug 2014, and had surgical repair for that in addition to the removal of a benign lesion on his torso. As happens with many dogs, Geoffrey then tore his other ACL, and underwent surgical repair for that in late March 2016. Geoffrey has needed frequent dental cleanings, and had another growth removed in January 2018. After monitoring another growth in August 2018, the tumor's growth and size warranted removal in January 2019, which was wise since it was determined to be a peripheral nerve sheath tumor (low grade sarcoma). Geoffrey then had difficulty walking in April 2019 and x-rays revealed some calcified areas of spine in the lower thoracic area. Strict crate rest, multiple medications, and the start of acupuncture and Chinese herbs led Geoffrey to a surprising recovery which for now, has him on no medication for his spinal issues - just bi-monthly acupuncture and Chinese herbs! Geoffrey has been dealing with recurring ear infections for several years, which may be due to his diet, but given the balance we have to strike between his kidneys and his ears, a diet change is not really in consideration. Geoffrey had recurring flare-ups resulting in rear end paralysis, which we were always able to get him through. Unfortunately, in early May 2020, his little kidneys had decided they had had enough. When their kidneys finally shut down, there is just nothing left to do for them. Although we initially treated with palliative care until we knew for sure what was going on, we had to finally give Geoffrey the last act of love we had to give, and helped him pass over to the Rainbow Bridge.
Geoffrey was ADORABLE, and just loved to be near/on his favorite people. While initially afraid of just about everything - including his own shadow and reflection in a mirror, and years of submissively urinating at the sight and/or sound of new people, he had come a long way since he was brought into rescue. We were never able to find an adopter willing to consider Geoffrey with not only his medical needs, but his behavioral ones as well. That is OK, though, because Geoffrey was in the care of the Director of Beagle Rescue League, where he has been loved and cared for since he arrived. Geoffrey never seemed to know that he was a very special dog, but we did and we were happy to have him as a permanent Beagle Rescue League "guest".
We can say so much about Savannah! She is one of our true service dogs, who was used in a surgical kidney transplant procedure and today has just one kidney (her own!). Retired from a biomedical research facility at the age of 1 year in 2008, Savannah is one of the shyest and sweetest dogs you'll ever meet. She LOVES other dogs and loves to play and romp in the yard. Not a fan of handling at first, Savannah brought to us a new challenge - to have a dog with severe fear issues learn to trust another person enough to allow them to interact with her on a new level. Each time her foster mom approached Savannah, she would bolt. Strange sounds, strange sights - so many small everyday things caused her great distress. With an astronomical amount of patience, proper handling skills and a gentle touch, Savannah gives her "guardian angel" kisses all the time, and is as typical a dog now as you would ever find.
In new environments and with new people, though, Savannah would revert to her old behaviors and fears. She is a very beautiful dog who has, over the years, met several prospective adopters but when they had the chance to adopt Savannah, each one declined, partially due to the difference in her interactions between them and her foster mom. Despite explaining that she has the potential to develop such a relationship with an adopter, adopters were not comfortable taking on this challenge, and the uncertainty they felt with her only having one kidney. This led to years of failed meet-and-greet disappointments. Soooooo... Savannah has remained with the one person (her foster mom) she has learned to love and trust.
BRL has provided all veterinary care and supplies for Savannah, including a major laceration repair to her leg (from cutting it in her yard) in 2009, as well as a major intestinal blockage surgery in 2014 after she ate a rope toy that was intended for one of the foster puppies in her foster home. She continues to enjoy a healthy, loved life.
WALKER 8/27/05 - 5/14/08
Walker was released for retirement from biomedical research in 2009 at the age of 4 years. Within a week of arriving at his foster home, Walker accidentally pulled out of his collar and was lost in Princeton, NJ for 8 agonizing days. Volunteers within BRL organized search parties, plastered posters all over Princeton, and worked cooperatively with the amazing animal control officer. After setting up several humane traps, and getting daily sightings, Walker was eventually trapped and returned to BRL on the 8th day. Walker seemed a bit traumatized by his experience. When he was brought to a new foster home, he was terrified to go outside. Environmental noises increased his anxiety, and thunderstorms and fireworks were incredibly frightening for Walker. We worked through these anxieties, as well as dog aggression with him, but finding a home to help him was difficult. After several years of little adoption interest in Walker, he was placed into our Guardian Angels program. Walker's behavioral issues improved dramatically, and he became a bit of a "momma's boy" with his foster mom. Over the years, he came to enjoy being around new people and seeking out affection. At the end of March 2016, Walker needed to undergo an emergency intestinal surgery for ingesting strings of carpet from a throw rug he ate in his foster home. Unfortunately, he decided to do the same thing (different throw rug!) in August 2017, needing yet another emergency intestinal surgery. As he aged, Walker experienced issues with vestibular disease, often with nystagmus. In May 2018, Walker started acting strangely - resistant to waking, lethargic, not interested in eating, etc. An evaluation and x-rays with our vets, and an ultrasound done at a specialty hospital later that same day showed metastatic thyroid cancer, with two masses on his thyroid glands, multiple (6) small masses in his lungs, and possibly one on his liver. We could not believe how he had hidden this from us. Heartbroken, we were told there was nothing they could do for him. We were hoping to make Walker comfortable for the 2-3 months he was given, yet were robbed of that when just two days later he started showing significant neurological effects suggesting spread of the cancer to his brain. That morning, Walker's foster mom signed his adoption papers, and after a last ditch effort of medication and day long observation at the vet's office, held him as he crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge. His foster mom wanted to make sure that Walker had a last name and knew whom to wait for at the Rainbow Bridge. It is important for all to know that he was loved while he was with us.
BENNY (AKA JUNIOR)
Surrendered to a shelter because of a misunderstood medical condition, a death sentence is what this beautiful 1 year old beagle was facing in February 2011. BRL was contacted to help him because frankly, we had experience with RBD (REM-sleep Behavior Disorder).
The shelter described him this way:
"This adoring beagle is a juvenile, neutered male, who was surrendered to us. He is very sweet, but has been diagnosed with sleep tremors, though the vet that saw him is expecting him to grow out of it. The sleep tremors were described in detail by his first owner. "When sleeping day or night, our dog would awake suddenly and bark alot. Not the beagle's typical howl, but a more alarming type of bark. He would instantly stop and settle down as we called his name."
The shelter thought that they had an appropriate home for this little guy but only days after adoption, he was returned again. Though the staff had explicitly explained his medical condition, symptoms, behaviors, and warned the new adopter that he had to be routinely crated for sleeping, the family did not follow the counseled advice and had him sleeping in their bed. They reported that the dog suddenly woke up, bit his owner's hand, and caused some property damage, so he was returned.
With a bite report now on his file, the shelter felt hopeless and turned toward a series of beagle rescues in hopes of finding one that would be able to give them what they needed to find the proper home for this dog who had thus far been so misunderstood. Luckily, they found BRL, and having had experience with a beagle named Sam, BRL recognized Benny's story right away. It was pretty clear that like Sam, Benny had REM-Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD). (You can read about Sam's story in Dr. Carlos H. Schenck's book Sleep: The Mysteries, The Problems, and The Solutions.)
Towards the end of October 2018, Benny started having some issues with his back and hind legs which overnight turned into complete paralysis of his rear legs. After evaluation by our vets and acupuncturist, surgery was recommended. During this time, due to unfortunate circumstances, BRL had not been actively bringing in dogs, or therefore doing active fundraising. While we continue to care for the dogs in the rescue, that does not mean there are a lot of funds to do so. To provide Benny the surgery and rehabilitation he would need would be in the $10,000+ range, which is beyond out of our reach - even WITH fundraising. The Board of Directors, in collaboration, consultation, and recommendations with/from Benny's foster mom, has decided to purchase Benny a wheelchair, and to continue acupuncture and treatment as needed. His veterinary bills have run into the thousands. That does not include his K-9 cart, diapers, wee wee pads, and other supplies needed for a paralyzed dog.
Benny has not regained function to his back legs, but can get around in his K-9 cart, and continues to receive his acupucture treatments. He has experienced complications of "phantom foot" resulting in biting/chewing his own foot, causing recurring infections, but he still seems to enjoy his life and getting around in his cart. This sweet dog has been dealt an incredibly unfair hand, and we will continue to try to give him the best life that we can.