Bunny
Bunny and Brie were found running together as strays and they were brought to Hamilton Animal Services. It was obvious to shelter staff that the dogs had been used for breeding, as both had signs that they recently had puppies. Their teeth were rotten. Brie was suffering from severe urinary infection and her legs were swollen. Their ears were infected and their fur was matted and dirty. These poor dogs were in rough shape.
Shelter staff discovered that the girls were extremely bonded. They stayed close together in their kennel and when outside for bathroom breaks and exercise. If one wasn’t in view of the other, they would panic.
We were happy to get these two sweet girls out of the shelter when a foster home stepped up. At the vet appointment on their rescue day, they both had blood work done and it showed that Bunny has Lyme disease. Thankfully she didn’t have any symptoms of the disease, but she was put on medication to treat it.
We got Bunny and Brie the spay and dental surgeries they desperately needed. Bunny’s rotten molars were removed and her spay went well. Brie didn’t require any extractions, so her teeth just got a good cleaning. She had two cysts removed from her back and both were sent out for testing. When Brie was opened up for her spay surgery, it was discovered that her ovaries were massive. The vet had never seen anything like it. The ovaries were removed and were also sent for testing just to be on the safe side. Results showed that the removal of the ovaries and the two cysts was thankfully curative.
X-rays showed that Brie has a condition called Osteochondromatosis (Multiple Exostoses) This is a rare disorder characterized by multiple bony growths (known as osteochondromas) that arise from the surface of the long bones, vertebrae, and ribs. At this stage, the condition isn’t impeding her mobility, but pain medication is helping with discomfort it may cause. After two rounds of medication for a UTI, Brie was still urinating frequently – sometimes in the house. Urine tests showed that the UTI was cleared up, and it was initially thought that once her hormones leveled out after being spayed that the urine issue would stop. When it hadn’t even after weeks went by, we scheduled an ultrasound. Sadly, the ultrasound showed a massive tumour in her bladder. The tumour is a transitional carcinoma, which cannot be removed by surgery or even specialized treatment. Unfortunately the tumour will eventually lead to Brie not being able to urinate properly, which will cause renal failure. Ultimately her health will decline rapidly and decisions will need to be made at that time regarding her quality of life. We’re obviously devastated by this news, but as of right now, Brie is still the happy, sweet dog she has been since coming into our care. Other than the frequent urination, she is not showing any other symptoms of her condition. She still bounds around the backyard, rolls in the snow, and has a happy smile on her face at all times. Though this does change things as far as the amount of time Brie will have in a new home, we still want to give Brie and Bunny a chance. A very kind person has offered to cover their adoption fee, and we’re very grateful to that person. Bunny and Brie’s adopters will still need to be prepared for the ongoing costs associated with senior dog care, but we hope having the initial adoption fee covered will give a potential forever family the nudge they needed to consider applying for these two special dogs.
Here’s a note from Bunny & Brie’s foster family:
“These dogs are pure love. They want love and they give love – both consistently. They are attached at the hip. The most bonded pair you’ll meet. You’ll need both hands to pet each one at all times.
They’re velcro dogs. Everywhere you go and everything you do, there are these two goldens. Trying to make dinner? Goldens. Trying to do laundry? Goldens. Walking from one room to another? Goldens. On the toilet? Goldens. They’ve only been with us for a month, so they may become more relaxed and less clingy in their new home over time, but consider yourself warned that you now have two goldens following you everywhere, always. Definitely not the worst thing. 🙂
They are not fans of being left alone, so a home where their humans are home more than they’re out would be best for them. They are not crated when we’re out of the house, and they are mostly very good. But they are opportunists. If there is food in reach on the counter or on a table, they will try to get it. If you leave any kind of paper, tissues, or paper towel within reach, they’ll happily shred it for you. If you have a toilet paper holder that does not hold in the roll securely, they will remove the roll, take it to their bed and happily shred the whole roll for you. Also in danger of being stolen and carried around are socks. Socks on the floor? Not any more! They’re now in Bunny and Brie’s bed being slobbered on. They’re not out to chew your socks to bits, but you may find a new hole or two when you retrieve them. Speaking of slobber, they’re very messy drinkers. A large rug or mat under their water bowl is suggested. They’ll drink a bunch, and then half the water they’ve taken in will pour from their mouths as they walk away. A super fun trait of a lot of dogs, but these two are particularly skilled at it.
When we aren’t home, Brie is very good about only peeing on the large pee pads that are by the door that leads to the yard. Thank you again so much to the kind folks who donated pee pads when the call was put out! They’ve definitely been a lifesaver. Brie can hold her pee overnight and for many hours during the day. Getting them outside frequently during the day helps immensely. It’s sort of akin to housetraining a puppy – letting them outside first thing in the morning, after every meal, when they wake up from a nap, a few more times in the evening, and last thing before going to bed, etc. Their adopters will need to be sure a routine is followed to help with Brie’s condition. It is a bit of added work and extra laundry (if you use reusable pads) but will very much be worth it.
Feeding in slow bowls is a must, or they will gulp down every kibble at top speed and then throw the whole meal right back up because they ate too fast. They should also be fed at opposite ends of the room, or whoever finishes eating first will push over the other to eat up all their food too. Goldens are allergy prone, and these two are no exception. They are on a vet prescribed food called Derm Complete which is helpful for their skin itching and yeast. Brie is on pain meds for her Osteochondromatosis disorder and for the bladder tumour. Their adopter will need to monitor her mobility and keep an eye out for signs of discomfort. As of now though, she runs and plays like there’s nothing wrong at all. Bunny is done with her meds for Lyme disease, and her adopters will need to do a blood test at their vet in July to see where she’s at. She isn’t showing any signs of the disease at all.
Both dogs do have a bit of prey drive, so we’d recommend a home with no small animals or cats. Though they’re seniors, they can still speed towards a running squirrel at high velocity if they spot one, so they need to be watched closely when outdoors. Brie is more outgoing and when in the yard or on a walk, she’ll trot off to explore on her own. Bunny sticks to us like glue, and is normally only one step behind us. If we stop, she stops and sits and looks up at us. Not sure if this was trained into her somewhere, or if it’s a natural behaviour for her, but she doesn’t often stray far from us – other than to do her business. Unless there’s a squirrel in sight. Then she will bolt towards it. When their prey drive isn’t in high gear, they are great listeners and will come when called. You’ll need this recall to keep them from eating their own poop, or each other’s. They don’t eat every poop, but they do attempt it at times.
It goes without saying that they’ll need regular brushing and trips to the groomers. The more you brush them, the less tumbleweeds of golden fur you’ll have rolling around the house. They’re both very good for nail trims.
We’ve never met such loving dogs. They are truly a special pair. Worthy of all the love they will demand from you. If you’re apt to get annoyed and will be swatting away their constant demands for attention, these are not the goldens for you. Pure, unconditional love is what these two are all about. They love each other, and they love humans. They stare lovingly at you and you can feel the love in their eyes. They’ll make the most wonderful friends for the right home.”
Please adopt Bunny and Brie!
-
- Bunny
-
- Brie
-
- Brie and Bunny
-
- Brie and Bunny
-
- Brie
-
- Bunny
-
- Brie and Bunny
-
- Bunny & Brie
-
- Bunny & Brie
-
- Bunny & Brie
-
- Brie and Bunny @ foster
-
- Brie and Bunny @ foster
-
- Brie @ foster
-
- Bunny @ foster
-
- Brie
-
- Bunny
-
- Bunny and Brie
-
- Bunny and Brie
-
- Brie and Bunny
Wow! Look at all these gifts! Thank you so much to everyone who sent items from our Amazon Wish List and bought items at Pet Valu Dundas for Bunny and Brie (and for our other animals). We have been overwhelmed by the abundance of love you’re sending our golden girls.
❤️
Visit this page to see all the ways you can make a difference for Bunny, Brie, and the other animals in our care. Your support is what makes this possible!
-
- Bunny & Brie Gifts
-
- Bunny & Brie Gifts
