Beau, Dog Hero

Our Hero On Home. Er, At Home.

The concept of inspiring good deeds to be done for others by doing one yourself doesn’t just apply to humans – just ask Beau, a black lab/chow mix. Beau survived Hurricane Katrina and was left running the streets, where he was attacked by a pack of dogs and left for dead. If some wonderful people had not come along and saved him, he would not be here today. So when Beau heard that his best friend Bailey of Hailey (who had been adopted) was missing from her home in Las Vegas, he knew this was his chance to pay it forward. Beau didn’t hesitate for a second; he rallied two staff members to get a van and supplies ready, and then hopped into the crate in the back.

Beau's Beautiful Bailey

The ride to Vegas seemed to take forever as Beau worried about Bailey, knowing as he did all too well the dangers of living on the streets. When they finally arrived at the park Bailey’s dad took her to every day, Beau jumped out of the van and began searching. Beau searched tirelessly well into the night, leaving his scent everywhere to attract his friend. A trap was set, and Beau was forced to call off his search until morning. After four hours of shut eye, Beau was up and at it ready to start the search again, but back at the park there was still no sign of Bailey. Beau walked around for an hour or so, then hopped back in the van so the staff could drive around and hang up more flyers. Beau crossed his toes that someone would see one of the flyers and call with a sighting of his friend.

Lo and behold, that’s exactly what happened. Bailey had been spotted about two miles away from her home, in a trailer park. As the staff drove to the area, Beau was amazed at the busy streets Bailey had safely crossed – he had to find her before something terrible happened! Once at the trailer park Beau was raring to go again. He hopped out of the van and started combing the streets. As he passed a burned down trailer he paused; this would be the perfect spot for his friend to hide! He looked under and around the trailer, but did not see Bailey. He continued to walk down the street, when behind him… he heard a noise. He spun around, and there she was! Bailey had been hiding deep under the burned trailer, and when she smelled Beau she couldn’t believe her nose. She had poked her head out to confirm it was him just as he started walking away. Bailey ran right up to Beau, smiling at her long time friend. As they were enthuastically greeting each other, Bailey’s former caregiver was able to crawl on her hand and knees and grab Bailey’s collar. It was quite a reunion there in the middle of the street. Beau and Bailey are now both back at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary happily living together, waiting for the day that Bailey is able to pay it forward.

Bailey & Beau - Photo By Sarah Ause

Would you sponsor a real life hero, or maybe even take him home?

BF Loses a Legend: Blue Bear Has Crossed the Bridge

The dog, the myth, the legend: Blue Bear passed away on Saturday, May 23rd, 2009. He was 14 years old.

Blue Bear

Blue Bear arrived at Best Friends at around the age of one and quickly set about establishing a reputation as one of the toughest customers on the property. Fighting earned him a roughed up face, a split ear and the loss of a leg in an accident more than a decade ago. Caregivers who have been around for a while have told me outlandish stories – that he would attack his caregivers if he wasn’t the first in his run to be fed, and that he would pass his time with the dog in the run next to his taking turns grabbing each others’ lips through the fence and pulling – for fun.

Blue Bear

I didn’t know any of this when I became a caregiver and began to care for Blue Bear, who was at that point 13 years old and in failing health. He needed twice-daily medical baths because he was incontinent, which I was taught to do after muzzling him for protection. After a while when we had built a trust, I stopped using the muzzle and never went back – I never had a problem bathing him, although he didn’t like me to do it with strangers watching. He was a proud, stoic old man, but he also had a very affectionate side to him – he would eventually roll over for belly rubs for me and loved chin scratches. By that point in his life he was having some trouble walking, so instead I would lift him into my golf cart and take him on rides around the property so he could see and be seen with the wind in his face, resting on my lap. In his old age, Bluey had discovered human companionship, affection, and love.

Blue Bear

Bluey still had the old spark, though – 13 years old, weak and incontinent as he was, he laid down the rules in his run. A quiet growl of disapproval from the Blue Bear was all it took for his canine companions to drop their shenanigans and leave him alone. If he was feeling particularly spirited that day and he felt I had slighted or ignored him, he might mount an attack on my shoes when I entered his run. Affectionate as he could be, he still commanded respect from both people and dogs wherever he went.

At the end of last year, his health started to take a serious turn for the worse and we were afraid he would not survive the winter with us – our facility was no longer suitable for his needs. We scrambled to find a solution and eventually he was transferred to Dogtown Heights, to a building with extended caregiver hours that had a setup better suited to him. He thrived there, quickly becoming a favorite of his new caregivers, who doted on him. It was there that his caregiver Paul had the idea of getting him an all-terrain wagon so that he could once again go on walks in the company of other dogs, which he loved.

Blue Bear

By the beginning of May his health had declined to the point where his quality of life was seriously affected and he had run out of treatment options. The decision was made to let him go, and he peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge surrounded by friends and former caregivers who loved him dearly.

Blue Bear never let a day go by that he didn’t grab in his teeth and shake everything possible from. To the end he remained a proud, determined and independent-minded dog. I and many others loved him, and he will be sorely missed. Goodbye, Old Warrior. We will not forget you.

Bluey and John

Administrativa

Hello folks! John here, been pinch hitting for the canyoncritter while she’s on vacation (since the Starsky post, if anyone’s keeping track). I guess I didn’t do too badly since I now get to write as myself. Canyoncritter will be back today, but I may pop in from time to time to update you on the dogs of Conrad’s and Leopold’s! Thanks for reading, everyone!

Lili Beauty & Teddy

Sponsor Lili Beauty

Lili Beauty is a Lab’s Lab. Happy, bouncy, affectionate, water-loving (you should see her in her pool!), and irresistibly goofy, she’s a staff favorite and a sleepover star. As much as she loves activity, she also loves chilling out, being loved on, and getting belly rubs – her favorite thing in the whole wide world. Lili’s been here at BF for a long time, and although she’s a very happy girl, we would love to see her in a home of her own! Could you sponsor or adopt Lili?

Sponsor Teddy

Lili Beauty’s roommate, Teddy (we call him Teddy Bear) is just born to love. One of the favorite guessing games up at Conrad’s is “what the heck is Teddy?”. Border Collie, sure. A dash of Great Dane, maybe. But there must be some Casanova in there too, because Teddy is looking for love with everyone he meets. He’ll kiss you, lean into you and rub his head against you, a Teddy Bear come to life. Could you sponsor Teddy, or take him home, where he will love and protect you for all of his life?

Lili & Teddy

SNEAK PREVIEW: Digit

Okay, people: here’s a dog so new she still has that new dog smell. Transferred into Conrad’s and Leopold’s only yesterday, she is already stealing hearts from everyone she meets.

Digit!

Digit is little more than a puppy – just over a year old – and hasn’t had too much experience with people, which makes her a little cautious, but curious! She’s quickly learning to walk on a leash and is beginning to look forward to strangers appearing, because they mean treats, walks and attention, and she’s so charming and playful once she gets to know you! Although a mite shy, she’s making wonderful progress and she’s hungry to learn more about the world!

Digit!

Conrad’s and Leopold’s has an exclusive on Digit right now – she’s so new she doesn’t have an adoption link or a sponsorship link yet – so you’ll just have to come by and see her. Hurry, though… we don’t think she’ll be here long!

Cute & Cuddly Esther

Sponsor Esther

Shy – Esther’s heard that a lot. Rescued from a life ties to a tree in North Carolina, Esther is another one of Conrad’s and Leopold’s little secrets. You see, if you take Esther on a sleepover – maybe two – she begins to bloom, like a flower. Suddenly this shy, retiring dog is cuddly. Soft. Affectionate. Kissy. All it takes is a little time and some kindness, and she’ll open right up and roll over for some belly rubs. She’s so ready for a home with the right person – someone who will make her feel safe and loved!

Sponsor Esther

Is that you? Could you sponsor or adopt Esther?

Heidi Lu, Winter and Summer

Adopt Heidi Lu!

Heidi Lu doesn’t fall for just anyone – oh no. She can be picky about her people, but when you’re in you have a friend for life. A few minutes after taking a seat on a bed in her run, she walked up behind me and fixed a cowlick I’d been having trouble with since last week, then came around to the front and buried her head in my shoulder, inviting a hug. Heidi Lu loves hugs from her people.

Heidi Lu doesn’t have a sponsor link – yet – but she’d like to suggest that you consider sponsoring her beloved runmate, Lonnie. She thinks he’s pretty cool, for an old guy.

Adopt Heidi Lu

Winter or summer, you’ll find Heidi Lu up at Conrad’s and Leopold’s. Come visit her sometime – maybe she’ll fall for you and you can take her home!

Dakota the Happy Husky!

Adopt Dakota

Dakota is one happy, happy Husky (mix), and it’s not hard to see why. He was rescued from a hoarder who kept him in a home with 98 other dogs – 98! Now that he’s at Best Friends, life is much better – he’s got lots of good food, a pool to play in, trips around town, and his favorite thing in the whole world – attention! You see, Dakota is a people dog – meeting new people just makes his day. When he meets someone he really likes, he’ll even put his paws on their shoulders so he can lick their face!

Adopt Dakota

There’s only one thing that could make Dakota’s giant grin a little wider, and that’s a person of his very own for him to hang out with. His caregivers are hoping that someday soon, one of the people he rears up to hug will take him home.

Dakota doesn’t have a sponsorship link quite yet, but he is (very) ready for adoption, and sponsoring a dog in his honor would really make his day!

Starsky

Sponsor Starsky

We caught Starsky as he was out and about for a walk with his favorite toy – his Jolly Ball, which he takes with him everywhere he goes. This happy-go-lucky playful fellow is a giant (and I do mean giant) fan of any sort of toys, but he also has a softer side, when he’ll settle down for a snooze and (quietly) snore while offering his flank as a comfy pillow.

Sponsor Starsky

Would you sponsor or adopt Starsky?

Incitato, Chewy and Felix

Incitato is looking for some friends. Could that be you? Sponsor him here.

and how about Chewy

Don’t forget about Felix!

If you have a chance to visit Best Friends, come down for a hayride and feed!