One week ago today, my daughter and I added a third Shiba to our pack. Please welcome darling little Brandy (who we’ve affectionately started calling Ms. Brandywine, as it seems to really suit her).
Last Friday, I received an email about this little girl. She’s 16 years old and had been surrendered to a shelter in Connecticut. This is a good shelter in a nice area with a policy of only putting dogs to sleep “that suffer from medical or behavioral conditions that are beyond treatment and render the pet unable to be placed with a family.” Basically, she wasn’t in any immediate danger, but Shibas don’t tend to adjust well to shelters and the idea of a senior Shiba most likely living out her last days in a shelter was more than I could stand.
Her Story
Brandy was at the shelter for about a month. The young woman who brought her in said that her owner had died. She’d had Brandy for about a week but "didn’t have time for her" and wanted her euthanized. The medical director at the shelter convinced the woman to sign her over as a surrender instead. Brandy’s teeth were in really bad shape, so the shelter removed most of them; she only has three left.
These are the photos that the shelter took for her kennel card. She looks like a little raggamuffin. Unfortunately, she looked even worse in person. 🙁
Meeting Brandy
Early Sunday afternoon, I set off on the two hour drive to go get Brandy. When they brought her out to us at the shelter, we were delighted by the spring in her step but dismayed at her physical condition. She’d had diarrhea, some of which was still matted in her fur. She was severely underweight and her skin is horribly dry. As you can see, she’s a "wooly (long coated) Shiba" and she was a dirty, matted mess. She kept looking around and checking every person that walked by as if she was looking for someone in particular, which made us feel really sad for her.
Making Progress
Our friend Zennia came over, Furminator in hand, the night Brandy came home. She brushed a big bag full of fur off of her that night and we’ve Furminated her several times since then also. She’s looking better, but she has some mats that need professional attention and her TAIL is a disaster area. Here’s a photo of her a couple days after she came home. Her eyes are a little cloudy and her tongue pokes out the side of her mouth where she has no teeth. Pretty cute really.
Brandy only weighed 11.5 pounds when she got here. The shelter was feeding her Science Diet I/D which, in my personal opinion is G.R.O.S.S. stuff. I’ve just finished transitioning her to what Snickers and Secret eat and, between that and having plenty of water to drink, she’s put on a pound already! She eats really slowly (only three teeth, remember?) but she’s gone from barely eating to cleaning her bowl in the past week, so that’s a great improvement.
She’s already easily walking twice as far on walks as she could go on her first night here. She’s gaining stamina and building muscle tone!
She’s stopped looking for whoever she was looking for and she seems to be growing attached to my daughter. Snick and Secret mostly ignore her and let her do her own thing. Snickers has snarked at her a few times for getting in his face, but he’s getting better. He even tried to get her to play with him once recently.
Here’s a photo of her looking pretty content a couple days ago.
What the Future Holds
We know that adopting a 16 year old dog is essentially setting ourselves up for a near future heartbreak, but we knew that when we decided to go get her. It’s worth it to us. She’s very well trained – house trained, gentle, an excellent leash walker, pees at the curb, enjoys grooming – and it’s clear that someone loved this little dog very much. After a lifetime of providing companionship to someone, having her life turned upside down must have been very traumatic. She deserves the best we can do for her in whatever time we have her.
She has an appointment with the groomer in a couple days. (A Shiba at a groomers? I know. Weird.) I’ll post more photos then and updates as she gains weight, grows stronger and visits the vet.
I am absolutely thrilled that you rescued a senior dog!!!! You post made me cry!! You and your daughter are amazing people for giving this sweet girl a warm and safe place to live the rest of her life!!! I commend you!! I wish more people would rescue seniors! They give so much for their entire lives-all they want is love!! Thank you for loving her!!
Congrats! She’s super cute and it’s great she’s getting a second chance.
Great news!!! In times when it often seems there is so much wrong with our world, it is so……. so….. so…. nice to hear stories that reinforce the goodness of life. I’m sure that previous special person in her life is smiling down on you and can rest peacefully knowing that Ms. Brandywine couldn’t be in better hands.
hello to Brandy, wat a lucky doggy and family to haz her in her golden years.
Ditto! There certainly is a place for folks that open their hearts and homes to dogs that are grateful for a forever home like the one you have given Ms. Brandywine, thanks!
Yay Brandy! She’s such a sweetie. You introduced her very well. 🙂
Oh, poor thing. Thanks for taking care of her.
Congratulations! I happened to be watching A Dog Named Christmas when I read your post on the list. How fitting!
Thanks everyone. She’s a real sweetheart and totally worth the small amount of extra effort involved with having a third dog. To be honest, we’re a little surprised by all the email and comments (here and on facebook and twitter) saying how awesome we are. It was just the right thing to do and a very easy decision to make. I wish more people would adopt and foster dogs in need, especially the seniors like Brandy.
Awww… she’s a cutie! I’m looking forward to meeting her at Christmas!
Hi, I’m PepiSmartDog. As the “Official” Poster Boy for Golden Oldies, I Salute you for giving this gorgeous, but homeless, fellow Golden Oldie her own Forever Home too !!! She is just GORGEOUS !! I’m so glad you took that step toward her when her heart called out to you. After being a loved pet & loyal servant to her previous family, she was not equipped to fend for herself. Thank Goodness for you & your Family !!! May you all enjoy many years of gentle walks, frosty faces and cosy nights all laying around together !! Don’t forget: at 18yrs old, I was still going with Mum 7 days a wk on our 6 mile run = I had a stroller to ride in while I caught my breath but would do 1/3 of the whole run on my paws…so Ms. Brandywine will also have lots of surprises in store for you too !! Us Golden Oldies are the greatest !!! On behalf of all “Golden Oldies”….Thank You !!!!!
Good on you Ms. Brandywine !!! You now have your very own “Forever Home” !!!! HUGS Woof Woof HUGS !! xxxxx
P.S. You should meet my Mum, Michele. xxx
Mickey salutes you! I would too but I can’t see very well through the tears, I’m so happy she found a really good home. She’s adorable.
Aw Jenna, I’m glad she ended up with you. It was absolutely the right thing to do.
what a beautiful old soul. she’s lucky you found her!
Such a beautiful old lady you have there. Give her lots of extra loves from us here in Texas. <3
I am so thrilled to see Brandy in her forever home! I received a few emails about her and seriously considered adding her to our pack. When I went to call she was gone! YAY for BRandy!
2 years ago we adoptyed a 17 year old Shiba, Tiko. Who BTW looks sooo much like your new girl it is uncanny. Tiko was in FAR worse condition than lovely Miss Brandywine, after a lot of TLC and vet care she graced us with her presnece for 11 months. I wish Brandy a wonderful life with you and your crew!
It is like seeing Alicia’s little Tiko all over again! I’m glad you found Brandy, and that she has your daughter to wrap around her finger…er, paw…and to dote on her for the rest of her days. Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking her in. I’m glad she has realized she is in a good place and that she doesn’t have to look for her family anymore.
She really is a beautiful lady – congratulations!!!
Jenna; I have always known you were special from the first post you wrote on Shiba-L
You will have many jewels added to your crown!
She will bring you a lot of joy and love. To Snickers too eventually.
Now I will be able to spend a day without thinking about her. We have 7 dogs and I knew she would not deserve to share so much.
Thank you.
LCC
Jenna, I am so touched by your story. Brandy is beautiful!! Looking forward to read more updates about her. Congrats!!
She’s so sweet looking!!! I’m so glad you were able to take her in… the old ones are the best! I hope I get to see her one day- I’ve always wanted to meet a “long hair” Shiba 🙂
Thank you SO much for taking Brandy in. I wish more people would be willing to experience the joy of adopting a senior canine companion. We’ve adopted three so far, they are so easy and always seem to fit in.
All the best to you and Brandy!
I’m so glad this was an easy decision for you, Jenna. Brandy’s story is so touching, and I can’t get over that picture of her tongue sticking out of her mouth! I want to give her a big hug 🙂
That’s such nice acts of compassion, Jena. Her “looking content” face looks pretty cute. She’s lucky that you found her and vice versa. Thank you for your kindness.
I just wanted to add my admiration for giving this pup a great late life. She looks very happy and it will definitely be worth it. Thank you for doing this and may your days/months/even years be fantastic.
She is so sweet looking, I can’t wait to see her when she comes back from the groomer. Thanks for taking her in to your home, she will love it.
You did a very, very gracious thing, Jenna. Hats off to you.
Sumi goes to the groomer all the time- Shari told me recently: “Sumi is the best Shiba I’ve ever groomed- except for the screaming.” 😉 Oh well, can’t have it all!
Glad to see Ms. Brandywine so content. She’s earned it.
We have just come across your site, and are pleased to see such a good ending/beginning for this dog!! She’s a cutie!
I am so very very touched by the story and photos of beautiful Ms. Brandywine. She is absolutely adorable and looks terrific for 16!!!! You and your daughter are such an amazing people for bringing her into your home and letting her live out her life in love and comfort.
As you know I understand her situation only too well after adopting my little Foxy at age 10 when her owner passed away. It is difficult to watch their confusion when their lvies are turned upsie down but I can tell you 110% that they do adjust with much love, caring and kindness. Patience is the key.
You will be rewarded in life tenfold for what you are doing for her and deservedly so.
Give her hugs and kisses from me and Foxy!!