| Why folks become involved in Mastiff rescue…
Welcome to the RFI Tribute page to honor rescued Mastiffs. For a $15.00 donation, you can post a picture and story about a rescue dog who entered your life. If you would like you rescued Mastiff to appear on this page refer to the below instructions.
Abe
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"A beloved mastiff who shared his gentle and unconditional love with all who knew him" |
Abraham Lewis Bergquist (Abe aka Big Head or just simply Head) was a beloved mastiff who shared his gentle and unconditional love with all who knew him. Although Abe was not a rescue d mastiff, his family wanted to contribute to benefit mastiffs in need of rescue in Abe's honor.
Abe was deeply loved and cared for by him mom, Andrea and his dad, Brian. Abe was Andrea's companion as a young adult in her transition to move to the city. Abe's most prominent characteristic was his love, which he displayed by giving and receiving affection. Abe was an avid Cubs fan and enjoyed dressing up in jerseys for game day. He was appreciated by many fans for his enthusiasm. Abe also had an affection for large stuffed toys, especially his hedge hogs and octopus toys. Perhaps Abe's only “fault” was he didn't like to share these toys with other canine family members. Abe was a people dog and loved to be where ever his family was. Even during the last days of his life, Abe would travel to wherever the family was gathered to be part of the action, watching the Olympics or just being around for dinner. Everyone who ever cared for Abe considered it a blessing and an honor. We will all miss him dearly! |
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HATTIE |
" We will never forget her and all she brought to our
lives. " |
Hattie was found by our City Police locked in the second floor of an abandoned house. She had recently had a litter of pit mix puppies and then was left to die. Luckily, our city shelter knows that we are actively involved in Mastiff Rescue. She was about a year old, she weighed 64 lbs, had several wounds and sores on her legs, she had lost considerable muscle tone in her front legs (when she walked her pastern was almost on the ground), she had scars on her face and around her eyes (the vet believes it could be a result of dog fighting) and she was unable to digest food. Our Vet questioned our decision to try to nurse her back to health - he warned us that it could be a lengthy recovery process with no guarantees she would ever be healthy or emotionally stable. Carol and I both agreed that although her body seemed so weak and frail, her eyes were of a dog that was full of life; we felt that we owed her the opportunity to recover. Carol used TTouch on Hattie, she obsessed about Hattie's diet, and cuddled her whenever possible. Despite her dog fighting background, Hattie never showed any aggression to our other two Mastiffs; instead she seemed to model their behaviors as much as possible. Her over protectiveness of not only Carol and I but of our other dogs showed she was probably not adoptable through the rescue program; however, this was a moot point. All members of our household, canine and human were so quickly bonded to her, we could never let her leave. Throughout her life Hattie continued to learn how to control her mistrust of strangers and situations. She would look to us for cues and learned to put her self in time out (She would head upstairs to out bedroom and wait until she felt calm enough to return to visit with guests). Her house manners were perfect and she became a valued companion. On one Saturday morning this February Hattie woke up blind. With in three days her health went down hill so fast she had to be put down. After overcoming so many obstacles, Hattie was beaten by a brain tumor. Her death left a large void in our home. We will never forget her and all she brought to our
lives.
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Owner: Don Crumb |
email:doncrumb@rochester.rr.com |
BEN |
"Ben is a reminder to that sometimes a miracle does happen" |
Ben was bought to be a companion for a man with some very challenging mental issues. When Ben turned seven years old, the owner’s psychiatrist decided it would be better for the owner to give Ben away rather than have him deal with and aging pet who would die. Unfortunately, because of his owner’s problems, Ben was never socialized and knew little of the world outside of his home. Fortunately, Laurie and Burleigh were willing to open their home and hearts to Ben. Their Mastiffs Cagney and Thor also welcomed Ben. The household cats a pair of rescued litter mates never really warmed up to Ben; however, Ben never tired of being amazed by them! Almost six year after Ben went to live with Laurie an Burleigh, I got the following update:
“ Ben is now an incredible 12.5 years old and slowing down, but really doing very well. He still walks daily, (but just up and down the street), eats with gusto, and will pester us for milk in his bowl anytime he sees a glass on the table. He really sleeps about 20 hours a day now, but he OOZES joy, contentment, and believe it or not- GOOFINESS - for a couple of hours in the morning and evening before he passes out sleeping and snoring. He is a happy, easy going dog, and has become more and more social over the time we have had him. Neighbors from all around the block always stop to visit him when they see him outside. He is SUCH a clown, he cracks us up at least once a day with his rumble-talking or the little "dance" routines he does... you have not laughed until you have seen a 170 pound fuzzy mastiff dancing like a lhasa apso. Sometimes he dances and rumbles at the same time....it reminds you of Joe Piscipo in the Lethal Weapon movies.”
Ben’s happy ending is a reminder to rescuers that sometimes a miracle does happen and a caring, qualified family will appear to take on a senior citizen with major issues. As we all know, the rescue folks do need these stories to keep them going and to give them encouragement..
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Owner: Burleigh and Laurie Chillcott |
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CLOEY
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"Life with Cloey is never boring!" |
I received a call that an elderly couple had a nine month old Mastiff puppy they could not control. I immediately went to meet Cloey. She was a skinny brindle girl who could melt your heart ; however, she had another side. She was produced by a “breeder” who bred two Mastiffs with very bad temperaments. Neither parent had AKC papers or any health testing. In addition to the problem of poor genetics, Cloey had no puppy socialization. The combination made her very fearful of new people and very toy aggressive towards other dogs. Many potential adopters were interested in Cloey because of her age (it is amazing how quickly word travels when there is a puppy in rescue). No one was suitable to help Cloey reach a higher level of behavior until the Kimpel family came along. The parents Dave and Elaine seemed perfect but I was hesitant because they had teenagers. Once I met Chris and Jena and saw them interact with Cloey, I knew they were amazing young adults. Their gentle and patient attitudes could be an inspiration for many older dog owners. All four family members worked hard to make a home for Cloey. Her challenging behavior has never detoured them and she has made amazing progress. A fifth family member, a senior citizen St. Bernard mix named Penelope, also helped Cloey adjust. Penelope has since passed, but I am sure there is a special place for her in heaven for putting up with all of Cloey’s oddities. Cloey is a character who will always entertain those who know her. From her frog hunting at the family pond, to dissecting stuffed toys, to sledding Cloey style, to mouthing off at strangers, life with Cloey is never boring!
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Owner: Burleigh and Laurie Chillcott |
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Zyta & Bear
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"Bear & Zyta are living the life every Mastiff deserves" |
Bear was owned by a young couple who were in the process of getting a divorce. The wife could not take Bear with her and because of her husband's temper, Bear was not safe with him. Despite his young age, his hips were a mess. He met Mark, Kathy, Amanda and Bear and they did not care at all about his special needs. He immediately fell for them and their lab Buddy. Through some modifications, they were able to make their RV “Bear–accessible”. The five of them did camping and traveling and bear learned how to be properly spoiled! Then a couple of years later I got a call from a girl in college regarding her pet Zyta. The girl’s mother had decided she was tired of dog ownership and Zyta had to go. The girl was devastated. She loved Zyta and had been so much effort into being sure she was a perfectly trained Mastiff. At a picnic, Mark and Kathy met Zyta, once again, they fell head over heels for another brindle. AT the next visit Zyta won over Amanda and then convinced Buddy and Bear that she was the sister they need. Now they are all living as one big happy family! It was nice to be able to tell the upset prior owner that Zyta had hit the jack pot and was living the life every Mastiff deserved.
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Owner: Mark, Kathy and Amanda Clifford |
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Stella
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"Stella filled the hole left by a loss companion" |
Little baby Stella was brought to the Shelter.. . at only 10 weeks old she had already seen the rough side of the dog world- She came from the “wrong side of the tracks”. Good friends who had been rescuer helpers were just getting over the loss of their girl Marley. What better to heal the hole left by the loss of a beloved companion- you guessed it- baby Stella. Stella caught on quickly that a Mastiff, even if she had questionable pedigree, deserved the better things in life. From swimming in an in-ground pool, to hanging out on real leather furniture, to sleeping on antique oriental rugs. Here is one or her baby pictures showing she knows how to relax. Now she is all grown up, spending the summers in upstate New York and the winters in Florida- what a life!
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Owner: Frank and Susie Routa |
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Jacob
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"Jacob didn't have a long life, but he made a real impact" |
In a small rural town, the cops found the suspect they were pursuing had fled leaving 33 Mastiffs inside his disgusting garbage filled house. The dogs were in horribly cramped quarters and some had never been outside. The local shelter could not handle the volume so everyone who could helped out. One day after the raid, Pearl an older Mastiff girl gave birth to a litter of pups. They were the scrawniest pups ever. Each week, they grew but not as Mastiff puppies usually do. They were always undersized. Jacob was the littlest. All three were full of personality and they each found great families. Jacob had a special job with his family. The family had two children. The oldest was a boy who was Jacob’s buddy and the youngest was a girl with some handicaps. She needed a puppy who respected boundaries and was always careful around her. Jacob filled the bill. At about a year old, something strange happened to the littermates. They became giants- each over 225 lbs and height of around 35” at the shoulder. Despite his huge size, Jacob always remained calm and gentle with his Sarah, his human sister. Unfortunately, Jacob did not have a long life, but in is short life he made a real impact on Sarah. I am sure she will never forget him.
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Owner: Bill, Lisa, Lucas and Sarah Burkovich |
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Cleo
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"The rescue folks instantly liked Cleo" |
Cleo is full of it! Her antics cost her the first home. Her owners failed to train her or teach her any manners. The final straw came when Cleo stole the Thanksgiving Turkey. The rescue folks instantly liked Cleo and found her wild child ways entertaining. Cleo went to her new home- empty nesters who were not deterred by Cleo’s reputation. Cleo still gets into trouble occasionally but growing up and getting some quality parenting has made her much better behaved.
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Owners: Trowbridge Family |
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Only $15 Donation for this spot |
To appear on the RFI Rescue Tribute please make a $15.00 donation and mail in the following information
Send documentation to:
(prefer pictures sent via e-mail)
Rescue Foundation, Inc.
Rescue Tribute
P.O. Box 166
Penfield, New York 14526|
RFI@rochester.rr.com
(Note: if you mail pictures and want them returned please
include self-addressed stamped envelope.) |
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