6/11/25 AWESOME ADOPTION ALERT! From Bree Renee’s foster momma: From the moment she woke up this morning, Bree Renee seemed to know something special was about to happen.
We gave her an Adoption Day cake plush, and she proudly carried it around all morning—like she knew exactly what it meant.
When her new mom, Kelly, arrived, Bree Renee’s joy was unmistakable. And when it was time to leave, she didn’t hesitate—she hopped right into the car, settled in quickly, and was ready to start her next chapter.
We’re overjoyed for Bree Renee and Kelly and wish them a lifetime of love, cuddles and adventures together!
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INTRODUCTION: No matter how many times I witness abuse and neglect, it never gets easier.
Meet Bree Renee, a Bulldog who has literally been starved to death. She was rescued by animal services, and despite everything she’s been through, she is as sweet as can be.
When you touch her, she flinches and lowers her head, a heartbreaking reminder of her past. Her body tells a tragic story — she was likely used as a breeding dog and then discarded. You can count every rib, and her spine is clearly visible.
She’s incredibly cautious around food, as though she believes she doesn’t deserve it. You can see the anxiety in her as she anticipates each meal, almost shaking in fear. My heart breaks for her, for the life she endured, and for the cruelty she suffered.
Welcome to rescue, Bree Renee. You’re finally safe.
2/15/25 update: Bree Renee had been staying with Rebecca as she recovered and gained strength after being rescued. Having come from the shelter and likely dealing with illness, we didn’t want to risk exposing other animals to kennel cough, so Rebecca kindly offered to care for her.
Yesterday, when Rebecca checked on Bree Renee, she discovered something alarming—a 3-foot leash was coming out of Bree Renee’s rear end. When Rebecca called me, I knew we had to get Bree Renee to the vet immediately. We also knew not to pull on the leash, as it could be tangled with her intestines.
I made the call ahead to the clinic to prepare them for what was coming, but they certainly weren’t expecting a Bulldog on the brink of death with a leash hanging out of her. Bree Renee hadn’t been eating well, and Rebecca had been hand-feeding her small bites to try and help her gain strength.
Dr. Shiplove’s call confirmed my worst fears. He said, “Bree Renee is dying. Her gums are white, the leash is stuck, and if we operate, she most likely will die on the table. The kindest thing might be to let her go.” I told him to start an IV and give her a fighting chance. At the very least, we would know we tried.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Bree Renee last night. And as I walked out the front door to go to work this morning, I saw a box addressed to her, delivered overnight. I cried all the way to work, feeling like life had been so unfair to her, and that she’d never get to see her prayer blanket from the Fur Angel Blessing Blanketeers.
But then, I received the news I never expected—Bree Renee passed the rest of the leash overnight. By the time I got the call, she was walking around and eating! The photos include one of the vet tech holding the remaining part of the leash that Bree Renee passed on her own, after receiving the IV. Dr. Shiplove even played a song of thanks for Bree Renee.
Today’s photos show a different Bree Renee than the one we feared we might lose. She came running down the hall when she saw me, full of life.
Today, I witnessed a miracle.
2/20/25 update: I had the pleasure of visiting Bree Renee today, and she was beyond excited to see me! She kept pawing at her crate door, eager to get out and say hello. Bree Renee is eating and drinking like a champ—her appetite is huge, and they say she’d happily eat around the clock if given the chance.
She’s been wonderful with all the dogs she’s met so far, as well as the resident cat. Bree Renee is definitely ready to continue her recovery in her foster home. Thank you for all your well wishes for her.
2/26/25 update: Bree Renee has arrived at her foster home. There’s not enough time in the day for me to tell you how wonderful she is and how much I love her.
Somehow, even through all the trauma she’s been through, Bree is so sweet and trusting with the people in the house. She eats all her meals quickly, but not so fast that she needs a slow feeder. Her favorite activity is to snuggle under her blanket next to someone on the couch. Bree is not a fan of sharing toys, but she’s learning that all of the dogs in the house can play with a toy and she doesn’t have to be jealous because there are enough toys for everyone.
It took Bree a day and a half to figure out the doggy door. She hasn’t had a single accident and will do just about anything you ask of her in exchange for a doggie cookie.
Bree is 4 years old and weighs just 30 pounds. A strong gust of wind could probably blow her over. We are working on feeding her multiple small meals and high calorie treats throughout the day. I can’t wait to see what she looks like with a little weight on her!
3/7/25 update: Bree Renee is loving life!! She knows exactly when mealtime is, and will give just one reminder bark if foster mom is a few minutes late with the morning meal.
Bree Renee has put on a whopping 4.3 pounds since her arrival in rescue. It’s so wonderful to see those ribs disappear under some much needed weight.
Bree Renee has come out of her shell and has started sharing toys and playing with the resident dogs. She is a little sneaky. We found her trying to steal the treat box from off the top of her crate, but when she realized it was sealed, she gave up and pretended she had nothing to do with relocating the treats to the floor. She also likes to roll around in the grass and shake off the excess grass at your feet.
Bree Renee is such an amazing dog. She’s fully potty trained, good with kids, loves attention, and listens well. I can’t wait to see what the next week brings for her!
3/20/25 update: Bree Renee is doing great in her foster home. She’s gained a few more pounds, and now weighs 39.4 pounds. Her once-visible ribs are now hidden under a layer of love.
Foster Mom has worked hard over the last few weeks to adjust Bree’s wake-up time so she doesn’t bark for breakfast before 6 a.m.—now she gives her one morning bark between 7-7:30 a.m.
Bree’s spay has been scheduled for Monday, March 24, and after that, she’ll be looking through our approved applicants to find a family perfect for her.
3/27/25 update: Bree Renee was scheduled for her spay on Monday, but when the vet did his pre-surgery check, he found a surprise that Bree had been hiding from us—a small, nasty, infected spider (?) bite on her leg. He drained the infection, prescribed antibiotics and pain meds, and sent her back home.
Bree Renee is up to 42.6 lbs., and looks like a completely new dog. She does great on walks and loves car rides. She’s not a fan of male dogs, but seems to get along with other females.
Bree Renee still loves toys and treats, is perfectly potty trained, and sleeps in her crate like an angel at night.
Once Bree Renee has completed her antibiotics, we will get her back on the schedule for her spay and then we can look through the approved applications to find her perfect match!
I included some of the “before” pictures from when she arrived at our home so you can see how far she’s come!
4/2/25 update: Bree Renee continues to do well in her foster home. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to get a good picture of her because she’s always wagging her tail so hard and fast that she looks blurry! So, please enjoy these two pictures of her sleeping and two of her playing her heart out. I will try to get more pictures of her this week.
4/14/25 update: Bree Renee finished her round of antibiotics for that yucky spider bite. She took every pill like a champ (or maybe foster mom just disguised it in her food like a champ)!
Bree Renee has been in her foster home for almost seven weeks and this week, she decided to let loose and show her stubborn side. Bree has decided she no longer likes her crate and even the highest reward treats won’t get her to budge.
When necessary, foster mom becomes taxi mom and carries her to the crate, but for the most part, Bree can stay out and enjoy some freedom. She sleeps on her dog bed all night long and because she’s never chewed on anything other than a dog toy, we feel comfortable letting her stay out when we run quick errands. Honestly, I’m happy to see she’s comfortable staying out of the crate and has found a safe space on her dog bed.
Bree loves to look out the front windows. I can’t tell if she’s admiring the new spring flowers, or if she’s looking for her forever home. I’m hoping we get her spay re-scheduled soon so she can find that perfect family.
4/18/25 update: Bree Renee was scheduled for her spay yesterday and she did not want to get off the couch!
Thankfully, when I mentioned there’d be a car ride involved, she hopped up and was on her way.
The procedure went well, but she won’t return home until after she gets her boosters. We didn’t want to overload her with everything all on one day.
When she gets home, she’ll get plenty of rest and look through the approved applications to find her next family.
By the way, look at her new little love wrinkles!
4/23/25 update: Happy Easter from the Bree Bunny! Bree is home and resting from her spay. She’s terrified of the cone, so we let her have as much free time without it with a few limited rules: no licking the incision site and foster mom must be awake to monitor her.
Bree is such a love bug and just wants your attention. She listens well and knows “go to bed” means it’s time to lay down on the dog bed for quiet time or nighttime. She also loves to lay at your feet when you’re relaxing at the end of a long day. I hope she finds her family soon!
5/8/25 update: Bree Renee is officially available for adoption! In addition to her spay, Bree Renee had a small mass removed, and great news – the mass was benign!
Bree Renee has recovered well and cannot wait to join her next family. She loves car rides, belly rubs, and chewing on her Nylabone.
Bree Renee is perfectly potty trained, uses a doggy door, and goes in the crate when properly bribed with treats, but she stays out of the crate almost full time now. She’s great with kids and plays well with female dogs.
5/23/25 update: Bree Renee has had another great week in her foster home. She is so loving and playful. It doesn’t take much to make this girl happy—belly rubs and Nylabones are her favorite things.
There were tornado/bad weather sirens at our house last night and she wasn’t scared a bit. Bree Renee followed the kids to our safe place in the closet and she thought we were having a snuggle party just for her.
Bree Renee is waiting to be matched to her next family—she’s ready to go and you may be her perfect teammate. What are you waiting for?
