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Bookender Bundles of Borzoi

Within 7 days of each other, NBRF received two calls requesting our intervention.  First, five seniors and then second, five youngsters.  If you're familliar at all with Rescue, you know that is a lot of phone calls, coordination, extrication, mobilization, investigation, verification, interviews, and placements in a very short period of time.  It was all hands on deck! 

We are pleased to report to our readers that ALL TEN dogs have successfully been placed into their "Happily Ever Afters."  

A Safe Landing for Seniors

NBRF was contacted by an associate of a woman who had passed away in her home in Nevada.  The elderly woman had 9 borzoi on the property.  She was discovered by a handyman and law enforcement were called in.  The officers on scene could not find any information which specified what was to be done with the dogs in an emergency circumstance.  Animal control was contacted and all dogs on the property were taken to a local shelter.  The owner had granted authority to the individual who contacted NBRF to make decisions concerning the animals.   She had decided that the 4 young dogs, who had been chipped, would be returned to their breeders and the five senior dogs, four of which had been bred by the decedent, would be released to NBRF. 

These seniors ranged in age from 8-11 years, four females and one male.  They were all in very, very poor condition – each underweight with bad muscle tone. They were also absolutely terrified.  Our placement coordinator, Vicki Stone, took the initial call and immediately began working closely with Animal Control and the shelter to which the dogs had been transported.  Animal Control did an amazing job in handling the rescue/removal.  The shelter was beyond capacity.  Their compassionate staff recognized the anxiety in the pack and actually created a space in an outbuilding where the dogs could remain together rather than kenneling them individually.  Time was of the essence and the NBRF Team understood the assignment.  Each of these poor creatures needed the perfect landing spot with just the right family to live out their days in dignity, with proper care, a gentle touch, and lots of love.  It was a tall order but we did it.  They are improving every day in their new, loving environments. 

Two of the females (Joy and Taki) now live in Oregon.  Their new family drove from Oregon to Reno, Nevada to pick them up and take them home.  They're doing very well!  They've put on weight and now like to explore.

The male (Myka) remains in the Reno area with his new family.  Myka was reunited with one of his littermates.  They got to spend two months in each other's company before she crossed the rainbow bridge.

The other two females (Layla and Elsa) now live in Las Vegas with their new, wonderful family.  They're happy.  They're up and moving and steadily improving from what must have been a very sedentary life. 

It was clear to all involved that these dogs had not been socialized and had not been exercised, most times coming in from a potty break and returning immediately to their beds.  They did not know what treats were.  They made no attempts to explore their new yards or homes.  Slowly but surely, that is changing.  As they grow stronger in mind, body, and spirit, the dogs have been beginning to wander their yards on their own.  They are showing the confidence to explore their environments.  As they gain strength and muscle tone, they are engaging more with their new families.  One of the elder ladies has even begun playing with her whippet sister.  We are beyond thrilled to hear these updates!  It proves the resilience of these beautiful creatures and the rehabilitative POWER of compassionate care.

Each of these five dogs will remain “Forever Fosters.” 

Due to exorbitant costs of caring for these senior dogs, NBRF will continue to support them financially for the rest of their lives.  Those deemed to be Forever Fosters have special needs, extensive and/or expensive medical conditions that require surgeries, medications, dentals, pain management, and supplements throughout their lives.  For these dogs, their teeth were in such an abysmal state that they have had to have most (if not all) of their teeth removed.  The burden of these types of costs are well beyond what would be a reasonable expectation for an adopter.  By assuming the financial responsibility for this level of care, it better ensures the senior dogs will be placed ONE time and live out their last chapter in a loving, caring home where they are cherished.   

“Forever Foster” Parents are truly special people.

Two important points worth highlighting:

1.  Make a plan. Have the plan posted in your home and on your phone.   Designate an “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) person for your pets.  You may want to consider someone in addition to your spouse/partner as they could well be involved in the same emergency situation as you.  We recommend carrying a laminated card in your wallet *attached to your Driver’s License* to let first responders know “I have animals inside my home. Each of the contacts listed on the back of this card needs to be called to make arrangements to care for my animals if I am incapacitated.”  Make sure your ICE contact has a key to your home so they can respond immediately as well as clear instructions as to how your animals are to be cared for in the immediate, short term, and long term.  Your animals and your loved ones will thank you for these proactive measures.

2. If you would like to contribute to the financial costs of caring for NBRF’s “Forever Fosters” or would like to become a “Forever Foster” Parent, please visit our website.  www.rescueborzoi.org.   Click on the HOW CAN I HELP? drop-down menu and complete an application or make a donation.  You can specify in the comments section that you want to make a difference in the lives of these deserving Forever Foster’s lives.

The following account is from one of NBRF's wonderful volunteers who served as the "Boots on the Ground" for this puppy rescue effort.  We could not do what we do without the incredible support of our network of volunteers.  We are so thankful for each and every one of you who help us make a difference in the lives of our beloved breed!

It Takes A Village

Five Big Borzoi Pups in Northern California Rescued and Adopted from Coast to Coast

By Keith Sharward

Katie called me in early April about a couple looking for homes for some borzoi puppies. It seems some challenging life circumstances led to this person needing some help. Katie is a friend and fellow adopter of retired racing greyhounds, and she knew we had a borzoi in our pack as well, so maybe I knew someone…?

Well, I know several someones whose love for borzoi has no bounds, and many of them are connected to NBRF. After a few compassionate conversations, the lady agreed to surrender five seven-month-old male borzoi puppies to the organization. A date was set for us to bring them in, and I assembled a top-notch team of volunteers to assist with the intake – one person per puppy.

On April 23, the five of us in three vehicles entered the rural property and were graciously greeted by humans and dogs alike. Having lived in a sheep barn and never moved from the property before, it was a little challenging getting them loaded up into big unfamiliar shiny wheeled boxes (we call them cars) by unfamiliar people, especially given how little leash training they had until then. But that's why we had one person per dog! After they were safely boarded and paperwork was completed, we caravanned for an hour to a first-come first-served veterinary wellness center, where each pup received wellness exams and vaccinations. Weighing in at an average of a whopping 86 pounds each, our plan to bathe them at the dog wash stations inside the store was scrapped, since the dogs were rather clean but very frightened – we didn't want to add to their stress.

Katie took two home with her for fostering, and I took two as well. The fifth went home to Southern Oregon to a wonderful adopter who drove over 350 miles that day to meet us at the clinic.

I fostered my pair for nine days, showing them how to get in and out of their crates and do their potty business outside – and they learned fast! The way they played with each other in the backyard was delightful to witness. Our greyhound Jazmine became quite enamored of them and became their referee, chasing them around during their neck-bitey play sessions and barking fouls as she saw fit. Zoë our borzoi was somewhat intimidated by their antics and preferred to admire them from afar. I brought them to Southern California and handed one off to a fabulous adopter from Arizona and equally fabulous fosters from Las Vegas who was adopted to a great home in Southern Oregon weeks later.

Katie fostered for ten weeks, although one of her foster boys was adopted about halfway through that and went to a super home in Central Oregon equipped with a greyhound playmate. When Katie and her husband made travel plans for Independence Day week, I had the privilege of hosting the last of the five for two weeks until his fateful adoption day, when I had the pleasure of handing him to an amazing adopter who went the extra mile for him – actually, 3,200 of them! We followed his epic adventure across ten states, all the way to coastal Connecticut! His adventure now includes being on a path to become a certified therapy dog.

Every rescue NBRF performs has its own unique set of challenges, but with the support of its village of donors and volunteers, such challenges are always met with dedication and resolve. It was a privilege and an honor to be part of this fivesome's story and to bring the joy of borzoi puppy love to adopters from coast to coast. My heartfelt thanks goes out to Katie and the rest of my invaluable rescue day team, David, Jennifer, and Julian, to Las Vegas fosters Nancy and Ed, and to placement coordinator Vicki and treasurer Liz. Together we made it happen for these five big boys and their new loving families.

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A few photos of the pups in their new lives.   

Nellie Doodle Card Sets

Presented as a GIFT SET of five blank notecards with envelopes

featuring one of each unique and whimsical design.  Perfect for any occasion.

$18 per set (shipping included) SAVE by ordering two sets for $30 (shipping included)   

You will be redirected to the NBRF website to place your order via PayPal. 

While you're there, check out the Borzoi Life merchandise still available for order.

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 able.  Our next edition of the Borzoi Bulletin will feature some stories of the ongoing work there.  Together, we ARE making a difference.