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Tis the Season for

🎆🧨 F I R E W O R K S 🧨🎆

As we approach the upcoming Independence Day celebrations, it seemed a good time to remind our readers, or possibly inform new dog owners, or offer a refresher for those who are seasoned dog folks now sharing their home with a new-to-you rescue that fireworks (and thunderstorms) can be extremely troubling for our beloved pack members.

Dogs hear more than twice as many frequencies as humans. They can hear sounds from four times further away than we can hear. We can watch a fireworks display and know that it is not going to harm us. Many dogs, however, hear a bang... and then a boom ...follow by a flash ...and are uncertain if the next event is going to be the end for them. Fear isn't a behavior, it is an emotional response. Our responsibility is to lovingly manage that response.

Some useful tips:

Keep your pet away from fireworks - the prevailing belief is that Independence Day is when the highest number of dogs run away. Best to keep your pets inside. Exercise time should be planned prior to the evening's event schedule.

Create a Safe Space - dogs are den animals. Establish a quiet space where your dog can find comfort. Practice being calm in this space. This space should be away from windows so the sounds and visuals are less overwhelming.

Fill their ears with sounds OTHER than the celebratory explosions - white noise is recommended to provide cover. Turn on a fan, TV, radio, or sound machine. There is even a classical selection you could try called "Through a Dog's Ears."

Be there and be comforting - it is a misconception to think comfort reinforces their fear. Studies have shown it does not. Remain calm and speak to them in soothing tones. Long, reassuring strokes down their body are both soothing and reassuring. Be their friend during this stressful time.

Talk to your vet - there may be therapeutic solutions for high anxiety situations. There are also over-the-counter options to combat your fur friend's unsettled response. Your vet would be the best go to for advice.

Why do some dogs react while others do not? There have been many studies on this question. The overarching consensus is that it is based on conditioning. It has been found that counterconditioning was one of the most effective ways to alleviate a dog's stress during these events. If you have found your dog to be anxious during thunderstorms, there is a good probability that they will be stressed during fireworks. A study showed that dogs whose owners played with them, offering treats and expressing positive emotions during fireworks/thunderstorms, were on average, 70% less stressed than dogs who did not receive this counterconditioning. Counterconditioning is a great tool for all dog owners. Even if your dog isn't showing fear of loud noises, this measure ensures your dog remains unfazed by the booms and bangs - whether they be courtesy of Mother Nature or your local Parks and Rec Department.

It's never too late to begin planning and preparing!

It is our sincere hope that all of our readers and their pets have a Happy and SAFE 4th of July Holiday!

An offer so amazing we're calling it our

Summer Spectacular! 

This April, two Custom Portrait Commissions were raffled off at the BCOA National Speciality.

The LUCKY WINNERS were (...drumroll...)

Kristen Suhrenbrock and Patty Naulty!

The models featured above are the lovely Lexi-Rose and handsome Enzo Furrari

The extremely gifted artist, Joy Fulcanis, is again generously donating her time and talents to raise funds for Borzoi Rescue.

All monies from EACH PURCHASE OF A COMMISSIONED PORTRAIT

will be donated to NBRF.

YOU get a custom, personalized portrait of YOUR pet and 100% of the proceeds will be donated by the artist to NBRF. THAT is CRAZY, right?

The beautiful examples above are of NBRF rescues Lexi-Rose and Enzo Furari from photos submitted. They were used for display purposes for our raffle at the BCOA Nationals to demonstrate the lifelike quality and beauty of her work. Anyone who's had the pleasure of meeting Lexi and Enzo will tell you SHE NAILED IT!

And it's not just borzoi, she does ALL DOGS -- and kitties too!

This would make a wonderful gift for any animal lover.

Just imagine the look on their face as the portrait of a beloved pet is unveiled.

Or you can always TREAT YO SELF (with 3 snaps in a Z formation)

This is the kind of gift that will be special FUREVER!

By clicking on the GREEN BUTTON above, you will be redirected to the Artist's webpage where you can find more information, peruse her archives, and direct your inquiries.

PLEASE BE SURE TO NOTE

*NBRF* in your correspondence!

"Virginia is for (borzoi) Lovers"

In April, the NBRF team attended the BCOA National Specialty in Virginia Beach 

Our Executive Team is spread across three time zones stretching from North Carolina to Washington State.  That is quite convenient when it comes to our 24 hour coverage for Borzoi Rescue; but it definitely presents a challenge for potlucks and get-togethers!   Our all-volunteer staff is available 24/7/365 and happily puts in the time it takes to get the job done. Since borzoi in need have no schedule or time limits, we simply do what it takes to make sure they receive the attention required to meet all of their needs.  And since every call requires a coordinated National response, we have become a very close-knit group. We have learned when to zig and when to zag without ego or hesitation because each member is equally focused on our singular mission: doing anything and everything within our power for borzoi in need.  It was positively delightful for all of us to finally meet face to face in Virginia Beach!  Technology enables us to work “side by side;” but, and I think we can all agree, there is just something magical about giggling with teammates over a big plate of nachos. Every individual and every organization is the 'Sum Total of Its Parts" and every person brings something unique and valuable to this Executive Team. Having the time to share our personal experiences and memorable stories was an invaluable take-away from this excursion. Each Team Member came at their own expense – flights, car rentals, gas, food, and hotel accommodations.  That is pretty remarkable.  When we say, “Every Dollar Goes to The Dogs,” by Golly, we mean it!  

Throughout the duration of the week, our Team managed the activities at NBRF’s large table in the lobby just outside the main ballroom for 5-7 hours per day, depending on the Show’s schedule of events.  We were perfectly positioned to meet and greet all of the wonderful attendees and their gorgeous dogs as they headed to and from the ballroom.  We sold many, many figurines, hats and t-shirts, multiple pieces of framed art, mugs, and borzoi collectibles ranging from car decals to custom upholstered pillows -- all donated by YOU, our generous supporters.  We held a successful raffle for two commissioned oil on canvas paintings graciously donated by Joy Fulcanis.  We had a television setup with a PowerPoint showing many of the Before and After photos of borzoi who have been surrendered into rescue over the years.  We took the opportunities when they presented to speak about our continued efforts abroad and elaborate on our on-the-ground operations in Ukraine.   

We were all thankful so many people came to the NBRF table to introduce themselves!  It was wonderful to put faces with names. It’s impossible to guesstimate how many times our team members ran around those tables to embrace someone in a hug who had been an integral part of one of our rescue missions – the initial contact who recommended NBRF, a shelter pick-up, an overnight foster, transports, someone who did a home visit, adopters, etc.  We really ARE a village and it takes us all. 

Once we packed up the tables, our evenings consisted of meetings to discuss new business, placement statuses, rehash the day’s activities, and then we’d mosey over to the “living room area” in the lobby of the building where the hotel put all the borzoi folks.  There we would lie in wait for unsuspecting people to walk in the door from a doggy potty break so we could lure them in with puppy treats and human snacks and wine.  This reads like a joke but it’s really not far from what actually happened!   We visited with the greatest people and their beautiful babies. We ooohhed and we ahhhed.  We told stories and shared a lot of laughs.  It proved to be the perfect way to end each day at Nationals.

Wow, what a memorable week!

Ambassadors of Rescue

Liz Duncan, NBRF Secretary Treasurer and Rescue Goddess, was invited to speak at PawFest, an annual event in Mount Vernon, Illinois. It is a Market Day wherein vendors focus solely on pet products and fundraising. She was accompanied onstage by two dashingly handsome assistants, Aris and Rufus.

I mean, c'mon. Could they BE any cuter?! We think not.

They both managed the event well and drew an admiring crowd. Well done, boys!

NBRF-International's endeavors in Ukraine are ongoing.  We continue to fund food, transport, and humanitarian initiatives for the people and pets in hard-hit areas. Their needs are considerable.  We would like to thank those who have donated in support of this work.  We will continue to assist those in need so long as we are financially able.  Our next edition of the Borzoi Bulletin will feature some stories of the ongoing work there.

For your convenience and reading pleasure, all NBRF newsletters can be viewed at any time on our website under the NEWS tab at

NEWS | Mysite (rescueborzoi.org)