Reba writes...

Hi all! This is Reba letting you know what's been going on.


My foster Mom has been home a lot more than she used to. (She said she lost her job. I'll help her find it!) She's not real happy about that, but, it makes me REALLY happy! We spend a lot of time together. We watch tv together. (She always lets me get the good spot on the couch, closest to her.)

Is Foster-Mom's job over here?

I'm still a little pushy with my foster brothers, but, Mommy says it's part of my charm. Nothing makes her laugh more than my "vampire smile". (I just get so happy, my nose wrinkles up and my canine teeth really show. I can't help it, I'm a happy girl!!)

See that birdhouse? It's where I keep my birds.
I AM a birddog, after all!

I've really enjoyed going to the dog park more often. It helps me behave better, and I enjoy myself. I'm always surprised how much people comment on my tail wagging. They talk about how it's always going. Doesn't everyone's?

Can we go to the dog park now?

I'm always grateful, happy, and exuberant. I love it with foster Mom, but I can't wait to find my forever home. Please contact me--I'll make you happy!

Sniffing out my forever family - is it YOU???

Ready to go whenever you are...

P.S. This is from Foster Mom. I just want to let you know that it looks like Reba is healthy. She's putting on weight, (in her case, that's a good thing!), and 2 local vets have said that they believe she had mastitis from being a stray with infections for so long, rather than having had breast cancer. Her vet that initially diagnosed her never had the histology done. (Sending in the cells for testing.) I just wanted to share relief and happiness with you.

Healthy girl.

P.S. from Reba -- I FOUND IT! I found my foster-Mom's job! It was right over here! Now she can go to her job every day again! I miss her at home, but she is much happier. I TOLD her all she had to do was ask me. I'm available to help YOU find true happiness, too. Just fill out the adoption application. I'll make your life complete!
For those who apply from MN, yes, this is the right application. Minnesota Birddog Rescue is the MN chapter of Illinois Birddog Rescue (IBR), so our application says IBR on it.

Now where's that application...?

A fabulous girl!

Reba is a beautiful 40 pound English pointer with snow white fur and liver face and ears. Poor Reba has already suffered more in her 4 years than most animals have in their lives, but she remains completely sweet, trusting and grateful for every kindness shown to her.


Reba started her life in the state of Georgia. We don't know anything about her life prior to rescue, except that she was found as a stray, extremely thin, covered in fleas and ticks. Her spay surgery revealed the remnants of a long-past incomplete pregnancy attached to her intestines that must have been causing her a lot of pain, and she lost a lot of blood during that surgery. After a cancerous tumor was found in a mammary gland, she had another big surgery to remove all her mammary glands to prevent future cancer risks to her. In spite of all the pain she had endured, sweet Reba remained completely loving and wagged her tail in gratitude no matter how bad she felt! That's our special girl.


Reba is now completely mended and has learned to love the good life as an indoor dog at her foster home in Minnesota. Her foster mom and all her human friends adore her loving gazes and her very snuggly nature. Reba is so happy to be allowed on the soft couches and beds in her foster home that we will be looking for a forever home that will allow her the same privileges. She will bark an "alarm" bark if she hears sounds outside that need your attention, but other than that she is a quiet couch potato in the house. She would like at least one good walk for her health every day, but she wants people to know she has outgrown those troublesome "crazy puppy energy" years and knows the difference between exercise time and quiet time.


She is completely housebroken, gets along with the standard poodle and English setter in her foster home, and is well-behaved while her foster mom is at work. She spends every evening on the couch watching TV with her humans, and sleeps on the bed when it's time for "lights out."


One of Reba's most wonderful traits is her special doggie smile. When she is happy or wants human approval she lifts up her upper lip and gives a special vampire-like smile that always gets her some laughs and hugs. Reba also likes to give doggie kisses


The right home for Reba will have a fenced yard to keep her from following her nose to chase birds or squirrels, but other than that the most important need Reba has is for a home that will make her feel loved, wanted and important for the rest of her life. She has many years ahead of her and it will be such a pleasure for some lucky home to have such a constant tail-wagger in their family. Please let us know if you think you have the love and affection to give this sweet survivor her happily-ever-after home.

HUGE THANKS!

Reba sends out a grateful bark and a thankful woof to everyone who has kept up with her story and all those who have contributed to her vet bills. She is truly the "little engine that could", remaining sweet and loving thru-out her ordeal. A huge sigh of relief at our foster home as we enjoy having Reba healthy and happy-a darling and loving little houseguest. And isn't she lovely???

Reba-the explorer

Now that Reba is 100%, she has to catch up! Check out who has been in her yard...

We've been waiting for this!

A sunny day & happy, healthy pointer!

Poor little girl--stitched up like a Teddy-bear

Here is Reba with her whole set of stitches! Don't worry, they are coming out in 2 days (!) and she doesn't seem the least bit bothered. Just hanging out on her couch watching Idol!

Continuing to do well!

Reebs is doing great. Going in tomorrow to get her 3 drains removed. Her "hospital bed" is the doggie couch. She really wants to go outside and PLAY! She tugs on her leash in hopes we can run all over the backyard, sorry Reba, not yet.

re-couping on the couch

REBA is home w/ us after her final surgery!!!!

Thanks everyone for sending healing wishes Reba's way. My whole vet's office is amazed how well Reba is doing. She basically was basically cut all the way down the middle on Tues. After a nite at hospital, the staff expected a sad and forlorn looking doggie this morning, instead she was wagging her tail and barking for attention! She has eaten for them all day and is looking happy, happy, happy! So, they told me to bring her home! She is not happy to be confined to her crate, but that's the way it is:(
Reba is wrapped in a series of towels that are taped to her so she can "drain" into them (yuck) and I am taking her back tomorrow for a bandage change. And apparently we will do the bandage change for a few days, well they will, I am frankly not up to the task!
Way to go, Reba! In the words of Dr. Maryanne, "You can't keep a good dog down."

REEBS says...

Hi! Reba here again. Are you reading my blog and wondering how I am doing? Thinking I could be the ONE for you? My foster mom says that I would do really well in a couch potato family, because even though a nice walk and visit in yard makes me happy, I am most content snoozing on the couch with my head on someone's lap. If you worry that I won't like your cooking, let me put your fears to rest. Foster mom makes eggs, mixes up a cottage cheese concoction, roasts some chicken pieces, and I eat any of it without complaint. I have learned a couple tricks that my family thinks are useful. One, I know "couch," that means go to my bed on the couch. It works out since I have had to take it easy after surgery. I also know "lay down" and "sit." My foster mom thinks I am a clever lady. I even have enjoyed some outings lately. I was really good at the carwash-so good that a little girl let me lick her lollipop (don't tell mom!) and I go to mom's office. She has a cool couch there that I lay on and greet visitors by beating my tail against the cushions. Talk to you again soon. love, REEBS.

Medical updateon Miss Reba

Reba will be going in for surgery in a week to remove the rest of her mammary masses. My vet is optimistic that all will be well. I have to say that I agree with him. Her xrays and blood work look good, and she is feeling great, full of pointer spirit and exuberance. So what can a family expect post-surgery? Well, according to my vet, they can expect a healthy dog that may or may not ever get a cancerous mass back. Just like any other canine or human, there are no guarantees. But I personally guarantee that you will never have been so loved before! Reba is absolutely a people pleaser and a people lover. A raised voice in her direction practically brings tears to her brown eyes:(
It is my hope that no one look over Reba when searching for their special pet. IBR has done the utmost to care and treat this girl. She is most deserving of a furever home to rest her head.

OK, enough of that, now let me in!

On warm sunny days, Reba likes to hang out in the yard and watch for squirrel intruders, but snowy, cold days... she says-Let me in!

Snow? What is Snow?

We don't think Reba had much experience with snow before she came to Illinois. Our special pre-Easter inches really confused her. At first she walked like on tip toes, but as you can see in the pix, she soon got into it, just like her foster bro and sis.

Reba bunny!

Happy Easter from Reba!

Looking for True Love?

Well,are you?? Looking for love, that is? Have you been searching for a slim, trim, lady to share your life with? This brown eyed southern belle has a heart of gold, infinite kindness and devotion, and a generous spirit to share with you. Reba continues to surprise us with her good manners, not a jumper or a counter surfer. She appreciates fine cuisine, actually, any cuisine! She has been known to gobble down her scrambled eggs before they are completely cool! Reba will make a great addition to a family searching for a mellow, easy going, pet. She enjoys being near her people in a companionable way. If you are looking for a ball chasing, hyper hound-then Reba is not your dog. She is content to watch the action from the sofa. Reba enjoys her yard, simply hunting around doing squirrel patrol. We have the best things to say about our little pointer gal. A fan of pointers in general, and Reba specifically, I have to say that in our opinion, no home is complete without a companionable pointer snoozing on the sofa:)

Our little lady is tough!

Here is Reba, just 2 days post surgery. I am enforcing bedrest, but couldn't resist a little time outdoors in the (relatively) warm air. Reba is doing just super! The vet thinks she was probably in a lot of pain before. But you never would have known to meet her-so sweet and happy. Today she is happy times 10! Her eyes are bright and shining, her tail is going a mile a minute-this bedrest thing is going to get old fast.

yard inspector

Reba and Cole (foster bro) hanging out in the backyard. Unbelievable how fast Reba has bounced back from surgery. This dog has the most amazing fortitude!

Reba-post surgery!

Reba did just amazing with her surgery-tough spay plus removing a mass. She looks slim and trim and seems to walk with a lighter step-relief probably! She spent a little time trotting around the yard-long enough to chase a squirrel off the fence.

What does Reba have to say for herself?

Hey ya'll, Reba here: "I appreciate that all you good folks have read my story on Petfinder and now you are visiting my blog! As you know I will be having surgery in a few days (today is March 6). I trust my new doctors-I was there the other day and I was wagging my tail and giving kisses left and right! Illinois is cold compared to Georgia, but the people make up for the weather:) Foster mom and her daughter cook yummy meals that I can't get enough of-I even turn my empty bowl over to see if there is food on the other side. I am very interested in our family's huge standard poodle. He is a handsome guy. Mom says I am getting spayed Monday, so don't even think about it! My foster sis is a gsp who steals my toys. None of this bothers me too much. I am pretty easy-going. I follow Mom and her daughter Annabel all over-they keep a really good eye on me so I can practice "going" outside. Wherever my new humans are, I curl up near them. I walk pretty well on a leash, and even on my first day here, I was going for a long walk. I enjoy walking with my new pack-I do not bark at cars or people or other dogs-mom says I am a good girl that way. I also like to ride in the car-nice and quiet! I have been thinking about where I want to end up forever and I think I see myself in a home with any number of people (even kids), a dog or 2 is fine (even kitties), a couch or chair to call my own, a yard to jog around in, and more than anything some kisses and cuddles! Talk to ya'll soon!"

time for a mid-morning nap!

Reba is definately a mellow girl. She sleeps all nite in her crate, laps up breakfast, has a little trot around the yard, and then time to hit the couch for some beauty rest:)

couch time!

With Summer, another IBR foster doggie that we are dog-sitting! It is a full house for a few days!

REBA, quick stats

Our little lady is probably 3-5 years old, according to the vet. But that is just his best guess! She is about 40 pounds-nice size, bigger than a beagle, but smaller than our gsp and alot smaller than our standard poodle! As you can see, liver and white coloring, big brown eyes, short and soft fur (especially after a nice warm tubby). LOVES-sitting on couches and chairs, wants to be by her humans, eats every morsel of food, interested in her new gsp sis, has been looking in every mirror she can find!

becoming a house dog...finally

Well Reba will be an inside dog probably for the first time in her life. We know she will treasure having comfy furniture to lay on, warm food, and plenty of cuddle time. She has to work on her inside manners, too. Reba is housetraining thanks to my dogs showing her the ropes. She has figured out where to wait for her food bowl at mealtimes. Reba crates beautifully, and sleeps quietly all nite, thank God! She doesn't know what to do with dog toys yet. We threw her our gsp's fave, a big green squirrel, but no reaction. That's ok, Ceres quickly stole it back and is showing by example how to "kill" the toy.

Reba's medical situation

Illinois Bird Dog Rescue heard about a lady pointer in GA that had been kindly taken in by some kind GA folks on the very day she was supposed to be PTS. The story from Carolyn and Mike Taylor-this dog was found running down the street with a chain still attached, skinny, rough looking! The Taylors rescued her from certain death at the county animal control and took her home. Calling her Gracie, they removed 200 (!) ticks from her, gave her her first of many good meals, let her spend days recouping on their front porch while they waited for IBR to come and get her. The Taylors had only the kindest words to describe Reba, giving her high marks for staying in range (they have a big yard and no fence), getting along with their two boy bird dogs, walking on leash, being well trained with guns and basic hunting dog commands, and generally being a real sweetheart!
So, this is where her story takes a dramatic turn. Reba, our name for a southern gal with true grit, has mammary cancer! Of course, you would never know to look at her-sweetie pie disposition and plenty of spunk. I just got her today, and whisked her off to my vet for the expert diagnosis. My vet is suggesting a radical masectomy and spay next week! Well, of course, IBR says, go for it! This little lady will most likely heal up beautifully and start life anew as someone's treasured pet. It will be a tough surgery with a long road to recovery, the cancer will mean she is cut practically from one end to another! Reba already has a special place in our hearts-her tail wags easily-for even the slightest bit of attention.
I will document her recovery, yes I am optimistic, on her blog. IBR will be offering fundraising items. I urge everyone to keep Reba in their thoughts and prayers. Our family will be here to offer the best post-surgery care we can.

MY chair...

Our house has one dog couch and one dog chair. Wouldn't you know, the first nite, Reba has claimed her spot. Notice that even though it is technically a really BIG chair and she is a pretty small 40 pound dog, she has stretched herself out so NO ONE else can fit, clever girl!

Reba, our georgia peach

We want to welcome Reba to Illinois. She had a nice Southern couple who held onto her and fed her and showed her some sweet southern hospitality. But now she is in the big city, well not all that big, but still... We sure are happy you made it here, little lady!