Walter & Wilma
In September, 2021 it came to our attention that a brother/sister pair (dachshunds mixes) were in immediate need of placement. We waited for other rescues to step in, but they did not. Wilma was within days of delivery, so we decided to bring her in right away so she could deliver safely and receive proper veterinary care. A week later, after a long night of labor, five healthy puppies were born to Wilma. The puppies all found loving homes and Walter & Wilma will spend their lives on the Farm.
Eddie
Eddie Comes to us from Dachshund Rescue of North America. He is a Jack Russel Mix. Eddie is a faithful companion up on the Farm.
Gus
Handsome Gus came to us from Dachshund Rescue of North America as a Sanctuary Dog. Gus was abused and a very fearful dog. We are working with him to be less fearful of people.
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IN MEMORIAM
These dachshunds lived out the rest of their days at Birch Hill Farm feeling loved and appreciated until that time that their Journey Ended. They will be missed.
LEE
We were contacted to assist in helping an 8 yr old standard dachshund find placement due to severe aggression issues. Lee had been deemed a "dangerous dog". According to his family, Lee was aggressive and caused injuries to the family's other two dachshunds. Lee was purchased by the family as a puppy, they later added two other dogs ...one being an alpha. Their vet supported euthanasia, ALL of the dachshunds rescues they contacted agreed that euthanizing Lee was in his best interest. We didn't agree. Even though the family consulted with a behaviorist and they suggested that a new environment might be beneficial, their vet said it would be irresponsible to place Lee since he was so dangerous and a liability. Not ONE rescue group took the time to consider or evaluate Lee's needs or other options.
Just days away from the family opting to euthanize Lee, we told the family that we would try Lee with us. They drove him to us immediately. Lee came with his crate, his favorite toy, his food, and medication (for a skin condition). Lee loved his family ...it was evident with all his tail wagging and kisses. He was visibly scared, after 8 yrs in the only home he'd ever known, Lee was left with strangers.
We took every precaution necessary to introduce Lee to our group ...one dog at a time. We watched Lee for aggression issues and his body language around our pack. We also noticed that our dogs had no real interest in Lee .... often when a dog is "the aggressor" they put off a vibe that will stir up other dogs.
Within hours Lee was positively interacting with 2, then 3 dogs. He bonded immediately with my husband, Dan and choose him as his "person". After several weeks, we've yet to see any behaviors that would indicate that he is a problem dog. During his lifetime, Lee was officially part of the BHD herd and I'd say he was happy to be here.
BIRDIE
Meet Birdie. Birdie was a red smooth miniature dachshund. She lived her entire life with an older couple and was truly loved. When she was 11 years old, her human daddy passed away and her human mom's health was so bad she was unable to take care of her. Over the Thanksgiving Holiday that year, her forever family made the most difficult decision to surrender Birdie to a shelter in Virginia. It was a hard and confusing time for Birdie. Kim immediately put the wheels in motion to assure that Birdie would never feel abandoned again. With the help of a local dachshund rescue, Birdie made her way to her new home at Journey’s End at Birch Hill Farm. She became a permanent resident of the Sanctuary and was loved every day for the rest of her life. Birdie was a typical Dachshund, who could be snippy and standoff-ish at first, but once she got to know you, she loved you forever. It didn't take her long to bond with Kim. She never left Kim’s side until the day she crossed over to the rainbow bridge.
PENNY
Penny was loved so much that her owner, after losing her job, made the painful decision to surrender Penny as she could no longer afford to support Penny. Penny was a sweet lovely dog and had a loving home for the rest of her life here at the Farm. Although she looks like a chiweenie with backward ears, Penny was actually an registered AKC dachshund. Penny was the product of extremely poor breeding.
ELVIS
At the age of 18, Elivis was left by a pet sitter at the vet afterwhich his owner decided she could no longer take care of Elvis' many medical needs. Elvis was a cranky old man to the younger doxies and loved to bark out his displeasures, but he was part of the Birch Hill Family, and dearly loved in until his journey ended in 2017. Elvis left his footprints on our hearts.
MAX
Meet Max. His family was moving ... he was not. The family tried to find a home for him but couldn't so he was dropped off at the local shelter. Max was a beautiful red sable long hair dachshund, but was afraid of humans.
TANNER
Tanner was an owner surrender to Dachshund Rescue of North America. Listed as a dangerous dog, he was slated to be euthanized. Journey's End at Birch Hill Farm stepped in and gave Tanner sanctuary. As it turns out, Tanner was not a biter, but a jumper! This dachshund could jump from the floor to a kitchen counter in no time flat. Tanner will be remembered as a sweet dog who loved to be around people.
LACEY
Lacey was left behind in a trailer with no food or water when her family moved. Fortunately a neighbor heard her barking and called animal control. Journey's End at Birch Hill Farm stepped in and Lacey lived out the rest of her days cared for and loved.