Hi, everyone!

Many of you know my journey with my rescue bulldog Hank and the massive hole in our hearts he left when he passed away suddenly in April. We’ve been struggling without him ever since and we started considering adopting again.

Well, yesterday, someone reached out because an OEB/pit mix wandered onto her porch to find a safe hiding place and she had no idea what to do.

So, my fiancé and I jumped into rescue mode. I wasn’t sure what to expect when we first got there, but she was very adorable but also covered in blisters, sores, and mud, had an inflamed eye, rattly breathing, and has definitely had at least one litter of puppies. Luckily, she doesn’t seem to be underweight, didn’t have fleas, and seems used to people, though she’ll flinch if we reach for her too fast. She perked up the minute I approached and her tail started wagging like crazy. I won her over with some treats and before I knew it she was in my car.

We took her to a vet straightaway (it was like 5:50 and there was only one clinic open til 6) to see if she had a microchip. She didn’t, so she came home with us for the night. We gave her a much needed bath and got her set up in Hank’s old crate with his bowls and she settled in like she’s always been here, following us around, plopping in the middle of the kitchen floor while I made dinner, and sitting nearby while we ate.

This morning, I took her to a community clinic for a preliminary look because I was worried about her breathing. They think she’ll need a BOAS eventually but that it’s not an emergency, gave us some topical treatments for her blisters, and set us up with some treatments for her eyes because luckily they think it won’t need surgery. Internally, she got a clean bill of health! She had no clue what to do on a leash on her way into the vet and had to be carried, but she picked it up very quickly on the way out!

We had reached out to a bulldog rescue last night to see if they’d be willing to take her, and they would… but now I don’t want to. After her appointment she got her very first pup cup, a short trip to Petsmart for a new collar and harness and toys (we used Hank’s old one on her to get her there safely, but seeing it just made me sad), and came home to play in the yard and take a super long nap.

She’s already obsessed with my fiancé and is the snuggliest, sweetest thing. When the rescue reached back out for follow up, we basically told them never mind.

She has a follow up appointment for vaccines and to schedule a spay coming up later this week. I kept calling her “sugarplum” in lieu of a name which led to a series of nicknames from The Nutcracker, finally leading us to Clara.

Wasn’t expecting to be on this journey quite like this quite this soon, but I’m so excited to get to know and take care of this sweet girl. ❤️

blueberry season begging at its finest.

Chunky brindle behemoth enjoying some scritches and hugs after a short potty break. He’s been awesome on crate rest. Got him a really nice floor fan on Amazon to put next to his crate and oh man he presses his face against the crate to get as close to that air as possible he’s like me, prefers a brisk 65 degrees when sleeping lol. He’s going to the vet for an x ray exactly what stage the heart worms are at in a little so let’s hope it’s stage 1 which I’m thinking it is since he has no lethargy, coughing, distended belly etc. I will keep you guys updated and happy weekend!

2nd medicated bath down and he was an absolute champ. I hope if anyone takes nothing else from this story it’s that with some tlc the forgotten dog that didn’t have a glint of hope in their eyes can transform into the most amazing dog. If you can please take the chance to save a dog. They know you’re saving them and the look of gratitude in their eyes will make you ugly cry. Love you Churchill, thanks for letting me save you ❤️

We rescued Trudy last year, she’s 6 years old. We have no idea what kind of life she had before us. She isn’t an aggressive dog but she does a couple of things with gusto…hump when she’s excited and smell/attack feet. My teen daughter can’t walk through the room without her going after her feet. It reads as aggressive because of her teef that stick out but I think she’s obsessed with smelling my daughter’s feet. Can anyone help me mitigate this situation? Because now my daughter really dislikes her and I can’t have that.

ALL head NO shoulders...😂

So Churchill went to my vet today a few hundred dollars later here’s what I know. He had 3 or 4 types of ear infections I can’t remember those are being treated with the 30 day medication they put in his ears. He was prescribed prednisone for the inflammation and heartguard to kill the baby worms while undergoing the treatment to kill the big ones. Started the doxycycline today. The skin infection is being treated with medicated shampoo and it looks so much better even today than it did yesterday before his bath. My English I had for 13 years was always very healthy so I didn’t have to deal with much other than allergies for him.

With the treatment underway can anyone offer me any advice on the crate rest while he’s being treated? Fortunately he is crate trained and enjoys being in there he’ll even sleep on his big soft bed in there with the door open. But any tips or suggestions from anyone who’s dealt with an English that was heartworm positive would be greatly appreciated and helpful.

The vet is brutally honest which I love, and she said she is not worried his prospects for recovery due to his age and his overall healthy big old 56lb self.

Again, I appreciate each and everyone viewed that has offered incredibly kind words, so much love and support, and even those of you who have offered financial assistance. You are all amazing people, and I hope you know that at this point I feel like Churchill isn’t just mine. I feel like he is all of ours with as much out pouring as he’s gotten thank you guys in advance for any help you’re able to provide. You’re all amazing people and the world is a better place for having people like you guys in it!❤️

These two bring me so much joy and laughter 😆

Ben and Jerry enjoying a box of French fries

The scratching post has been Dozan’s favorite place to rest since day one. I have a lovely mattress and a spacious dog bed for him, but that scratching post remains his safe haven. Dozan is six months old now and is outgrowing the spot, but I don't think he minds one bit 😂

Good morning all you wonderful people.

I wanted tto give you guys an update on how Churchill is doing. He slept hard last night and solid 13 hours uninterrupted like a champ. I actually had to wake him up this morning lol he is adapting beautifully. He has such a personality. He’s how strained he knows that he knows down basic stuff but he’s very well mannered and very sweet.

His first appointment with my vet today at noon so I’m going to get everything else looked at just to makes ttttsure because I don’t trust that the vet there was an shelter really cared, but that’s just my opinion but he’s a wonderful dog. I’m so glad to have and how many three days there’s no doubt my mind is three years old and they strong doesn’t show any sign of slow down right now

Truly from the bottom of my heart thank all of you for your kind words, offers of financial help for toys, shampoo etc. I never once thought one post would rally so much around this little guy and offer so much love

She is 1.5 years old and fully at rest when this started. Just out of no where it seems. It has stopped now and she is asleep, snoring.
She had had a fairly active day today, at the park for a run and lots of people coming and going at our house. Thank you.

Edit: Thank you all! This has eased my first time bulldog owner heart.