ASPCA Happy Tail: Old Dog, New Tricks

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 10:45am
Black dog laying down outside

When Britney came to the ASPCA through the Humane Law Enforcement department, she was in pain and suffering from multiple untreated conditions.

Fortunately, the veterinary staff at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital was able to nurse Britney back to health, and eventually she became available for adoption; we could finally find a home for this sweet dog who had suffered so much.

We knew it would be a challenge.

Statistically speaking, animals who are black, large or senior, as well as those who take medication or can’t live with other animals, usually spend more time waiting for homes. Britney was all of these things, and to make matters worse, she didn’t engage much with adopters who passed her habitat, preferring to rest quietly.

Still, we knew that the right person would come for Britney, and to speed things along, we spread the word about this special canine. After seeing Britney’s picture and reading about her, Kevin Bechard tells us, “I wanted to snatch her right up.”

A few days later Bechard was going above and beyond to help Britney settle in to her new home in suburban Connecticut.

“The first couple nights I actually slept on the floor with her because she can’t do stairs, and she would just reach out with her paw and make sure it was against me,” he recalls. “Only then she would allow herself to go to sleep. If I moved away a little bit, her eyes would open.”

The love and comfort of a forever home has revived Britney, who has blossomed into a trusting and happy pup: Bechard reports that at his house Britney loves romping outdoors and goes on multiple nature walks a day. 

In return, Bechard has gained a new best friend who, he says, never required house-training or manners instruction, thanks to her age. “I wish more people would consider older dogs,” Bechard says. “I was open to anything, but I was so pleasantly surprised.”

To read more happy endings, check out our Happy Tails archive.

Tags: 
Adoption

Comments

Thu, 11/22/2012 - 16:37 — RexyZelf (Visitor)
buy <a href="http://cheapdesignerbags1.medykblog.pl/ ">cheap designer handbags</a> with confident DDBpUkYJ <a href="http://cheapdesignerbags1.medykblog.pl/ "> http://cheapdesignerbags1.medykblog.pl/ </a>

Wed, 11/28/2012 - 16:15 — SPOSEKEW (Visitor)
vender <a href="http://2-store.net/ ">lv neverfull</a> para obtener nuevo cupón DEXYGKOr <a href="http://2-store.net/ "> http://2-store.net/ </a>

Wed, 11/28/2012 - 20:48 — pymnVene (Visitor)
get <a href="http://fauxlouisvuitton.blogg.se/ ">faux louis vuitton</a> to get new coupon lGKqfgUZ <a href="http://fauxlouisvuitton.blogg.se/ "> http://fauxlouisvuitton.blogg.se/ </a>

Tue, 12/04/2012 - 20:01 — ledeetly (Visitor)
look at <a href="http://www.ugg-coupon--code.com/ ">ugg boots online</a> , just clicks away zZqEzCnN <a href="http://www.ugg-coupon--code.com/ "> http://www.ugg-coupon--code.com/ </a>

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 22:21 — Bret (Visitor)
Being old, large and black, this dog could be very difficult to adopt out. However, labs are loving dogs. I was just talking to a lady who had one till she was 14 and now has another 14 year old lab. My dog is 14 too. He is much easier to care for than when he was a puppy, yet still is lively!

Sat, 12/15/2012 - 19:42 — tetesham (Visitor)
I'm sure the best for you <a href="http://e--store.com/ ">coach online outlet</a> with low price WHGpzBbO <a href="http://e--store.com/ "> http://e--store.com/ </a>

Tue, 12/25/2012 - 19:07 — Beaupene (Visitor)
cheap <a href="http://autoresponders.pro/free/monclerdownjacket/ ">moncler outlet</a> Czywwvks [URL=http://autoresponders.pro/free/monclerdownjacket/ - moncler online[/URL - for less nOWfyHtQ <a href="http://autoresponders.pro/free/monclerdownjacket/ "> http://autoresponders.pro/free/monclerdownjacket/ </a>

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 10:21 — Anita (Visitor)
What a great story. Lucky dog, and lucky Kevin!

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 10:49 — diane hill (Visitor)
Hi Kevin, I love this story. You are a super human. Thanks for giving Britney a forever home.

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 10:51 — Annette Geller (Visitor)
what a sweetheart!! You both lucked out.

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 11:30 — robin sanchez (Visitor)
Thank you for giving Britney a life filled with love and tendernes Kevin!

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 11:33 — michelle S. (Visitor)
Thank you Kevin! dogs absolutely know when they are rescued and loved! It happens all of the time, there are no bad dogs only bad owners

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 13:25 — Sherry Smith-Meyers (Visitor)
Kevin, your story makes me cry happy tears...thank you for having such a good heart! I recommend a song for you & Britney - one of my favorite singers, Emmylou Harris, has a foundation called Bonapart's Retreat dedicated to adopting older big dogs. She has a song on her last album about her dog Bella "Big Black Dog" - you should take a listen, I think you'll get a kick out of it. We love big dogs. After our precious Callie Rose, our 90 pound shepherd mix rescue, died at age 13 from cancer, we were heartbroken as you can imagine...we went to our local shelter & found our awesome siberian husky mix, not too old at age 4, but a big girl & of course she is now the love of our life. She actually was dumped at the shelter the day Callie Rose died & had been there 10 days...we believe Callie knew we were so devastated & missing her & that she sent Tabby (I know, our dog w/a cat name) to us to take care of us. Anyway, many, many blessings to you, Britney & all of your loved ones!

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 14:13 — Dennie Anderson (Visitor)
Hi, good for you & Britney--you are a hero. We adopted a 13 year old Chow from the Humane Society in August. His owner had no choice but to give him up. All but one of our many dogs have come from shelters. Bear-it is so wonderfully special & the current love of my life. I am so glad we found him. We support an organization in Washington called "Old Dog Haven". They rescue only older dogs from the entire western portion of Washington. Yeah for all rescuers!!!

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 14:35 — Pam (Visitor)
I'm so happy to hear about Britney's adoption. I love black, large older dogs and have adopted two. They are the best! Both Cody and Olivia are the sweetest, most loving dogs imaginable. I wish more people would realize that these dogs deserve loving homes, especially those who have never known kindness or love. They are not only forgiving but wise and deeply empathetic. Yay for older/old dogs. I'll take one any day!

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 15:16 — Lynne Jones (Visitor)
Keven, God Bless You. I love stories of older dogs being saved. They are more vulnerable to not finding a home. May you have many years together with good health for Britney.

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 15:50 — Amanda (Visitor)
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS! The world needs more people like this and everyone commenting!

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 16:11 — Cindy (Visitor)
Kevin, Britney's picture brought tears to my eyes;she looks so much like my Coco girl. She was 15 when we lost her a year ago. When I adopt again it will be an older dog, they deserve to be loved and taken care of in their later years and they have so much love to offer. Thank you for being such a kind hearted person. We need more people like you in this world.

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 18:42 — D McNamara (Visitor)
Kevin, our congrats to you and Britney for a wonderful match. I wholeheartedly agree that SR dogs have a great deal to offer us, the "rescuer". Some years ago I adopted a 12 Y/O, profoundly deaf, 4-toothed, Mill-girl, Maltese. Named her Kate, after Kate Hepburn. Of all the rescues in my 60+ year life, Kate taught me more about trust, grace, and dignity than any other experience in my life. She lived to be 17, which in Mill-Mom years is a miracle. Her secret: She learned to love life. I wish you and your "Wonder-Girl" a long and happy life together. Buddy and Dolly (Mill-mom) are nodding in agreement.

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 19:17 — Mary Ballard (Visitor)
Kevin, thank you so much for adopting an "old dog" - I have a 13 year old Rott/Char Pei mix, and he is the love of my life. He suffers from hip dysplasia, he's had TPLO surgery on one leg, and menicisus repair on the other, he suffers from insulin-dependent diabetes (injection, twice a day) diabetic neuropathy, and has gone blind. But he loves me, he's happy, he eats, has no accidents (even if he did, I wouldn't care) and he is the best companion I've ever had. Older dogs are the best.

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 21:20 — Diane (Visitor)
Thank you sooo much for giving Britany a chance and just to let you know your a special person may GOD BLESS THE BOTH OF YOU !!!

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 01:33 — Beverly (Visitor)
Thank God for people like Kevin who have the compassion to help a dog like Britney.

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 10:27 — Peter & Suzanne... (Visitor)
You sir have done the Clan Bechard proud! We love our two lab mixes as much as you do yours. Britney has a male doppleganger named Frankie who is younger but looking at your beautiful girl we know how Frankie will look once he is a happy and healthy mature dog. You, sir, rock!

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 11:53 — Tina (Visitor)
Bless you Kevin. So glad you found her and she you... Love and peace to you both.

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 02:35 — Isabel Brown (Visitor)
Well done Kevin! I also adopted a stray collie x from our local shelter after losing my beloved white boxer after 11 years. Jessie has filled the void and I adore her, although a piece of my heart will always be with Nobby.

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 20:24 — Jayne Morgan (Visitor)
I love the story of Britney. Such a beautiful story of love that animals give and humans reacting to unselfish love. Sleeping on the floor with Britney on the first nights and how the dog reacted, almost brought me to tears.

Thu, 01/10/2013 - 18:05 — janice (Visitor)
Hey Kevin that is just great. Im glad you adopted Britney. She looks like a great dog. I have a dog and cats. Good luck with her

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 21:42 — entelymn (Visitor)
click to view <a href="http://www.burberryoutlet-online2013.org/ ">burberry shirts</a> pcBKgPhX [URL=http://www.burberryoutlet-online2013.org/ - burberry wallet[/URL - and get big save fvIMhawD <a href="http://www.burberryoutlet-online2013.org/ "> http://www.burberryoutlet-online2013.org/ </a>

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 21:45 — Hooralok (Visitor)
buy a <a href="http://www.louis--vuitton-outlet2013.com/ ">louis vuitton knockoff handbags</a> kDZSJkVD [URL=http://www.louis--vuitton-outlet2013.com/ - louis vuitton discount[/URL - to take huge discount gykaurJQ <a href="http://www.louis--vuitton-outlet2013.com/ "> http://www.louis--vuitton-outlet2013.com/ </a>

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 22:18 — Brallivy (Visitor)
I am sure you will love <a href="http://www.burberryoutlet-online2013.org/ ">burberry store</a> vfTsMRfU [URL=http://www.burberryoutlet-online2013.org/ - burberry wallet[/URL - , for special offer JqNAQcDT <a href="http://www.burberryoutlet-online2013.org/ "> http://www.burberryoutlet-online2013.org/ </a>

Fri, 02/08/2013 - 19:08 — Mandyont (Visitor)
2qIrz <strong><a href="http://www.ghdnewzealandshops.com/" title="ghd nz">ghd nz</a></strong> tTqd <a href="http://www.michaelkorsoutletazu.com/" title="Michael Kors outlet">Michael Kors outlet</a></strong> yLft <a href="http://www.cheapfashionshoesas.com/" title="ugg boots">ugg boots</a></strong> 1dJba <strong><a href="http://www.ghdaustraliaxv.com/" title="ghd hair straighteners">ghd hair straighteners</a></strong> 6iEwr <strong><a href="http://www.nflnikejerseysshopse.com/new-york-knicks-17-nba-t-shirt-white-wholesale-4432-sell/" title="New York Knicks 17# NBA T-Shirt White Wholesale Sell">New York Knicks 17# NBA T-Shirt White Wholesale Sell</a></strong><strong><a href="http://www.nflnikejerseysshopse.com/los-angeles-lakers-rambis-31-yellow-jerseys-wholesale-2029-sell/" title="Los Angeles Lakers Rambis 31# Yellow Jerseys Wholesale Sell">Los Angeles Lakers Rambis 31# Yellow Jerseys Wholesale Sell</a></strong><strong><a href="http://www.nflnikejerseysshopse.com/oakland-athletics-joey-devine-33-green-mlb-jerseys-wholesale-800-sell/" title="Oakland Athletics Joey Devine 33# green MLB Jerseys Wholesale Sell">Oakland Athletics Joey Devine 33# green MLB Jerseys Wholesale Sell</a></strong><strong><a href="http://www.nflnikejerseysshopse.com/nfl-san-francisco-49ers-snapback-wholesale-3003-sell/" title="NFL San Francisco 49ers Snapback- Wholesale Sell">NFL San Francisco 49ers Snapback- Wholesale Sell</a></strong><strong><a href="http://www.nflnikejerseysshopse.com/chicago-bulls-nba-hat-black-red-wholesale-3546-sell/" title="Chicago Bulls NBA Hat Black-Red Wholesale Sell">Chicago Bulls NBA Hat Black-Red Wholesale Sell</a></strong> 0wGtj <strong><a href="http://www.coachfactoryoutletxz.com/" title="coach outlet">coach outlet</a></strong>,<strong><a href="http://www.coachfactoryoutletxz.com/" title="coach usa">coach usa</a></strong>,<strong><a href="http://www.coachfactoryoutletxz.com/" title="coach factory outlet">coach factory outlet</a></strong>,<strong><a href="http://www.coachfactoryoutletxz.com/" title="coach factory">coach factory</a></strong> 5cQlz <strong><a href="http://www.burberryoutletusaz.com/" title="burberry bags">burberry bags</a></strong> 6eLka <strong><a href="http://www.casquemonsterbeatsers.com/" title="beats by dre">beats by dre</a></strong> 2pAlu <strong><a href="http://www.buybeatsbydrdrexa.com/" title="monster beats headphones">monster beats headphones</a></strong> 3jJhq <strong><a href="http://www.bottesuggpascheri.com/" title="ugg pas cher">ugg pas cher</a></strong> 7hBcv 3bAga 5jHsp 6yAdi 3oPna

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 19:02 — CouttowRent (Visitor)
Instanter, I'll abandon that UGGs aren't relatively as sought-after as <a href=http://www.cheaptomssale.org/toms-classics-womens-red-shoes.html>toms classics womens red shoes</a> they were a particular years ago, but when the meteorological conditions gets hibernal and I amble with the comfort a college campus my market assay in the repair of all things up to the minute <a href=http://www.cheaptomssale.org/cheap-white-toms-canvas-flat-shoes.html>cheap white toms canvas flat shoes</a> , there are hushed heaps of overprivileged kids wearing sheepskin. UGG may not be the coolest fashion, but it has cemented its slant as a <a href=http://www.cheaptomssale.org/cheap-toms-boots-for-women-green.html>cheap toms boots for women green</a> insouciant, reliable, fashion-neutral foot accessory. Analysts and investors be subjected to also failed to see that this is a seasonal business. There superlatively isn't a phenomenal superstore because of irritable, flossy shoes <a href=http://cheaptomscheaptoms05.blinkweb.com/>cheap toms</a> in the ire of <a href=http://www.cheaptomssale.org/discount-toms-vegan-womens-skeleton-green-bottom.html>discount toms vegan womens skeleton green bottom</a> -- unless you are in the Southern Hemisphere and it's as a matter of fact winter. http://www.cheaptomssale.org/

Pages

Post new comment