OUR STORY
Better Life Canine Center started out as a traditional rescue. But over time we learned something incredibly important. If dogs were not trained and socialized properly, adoptions often failed.
To successfully unite animals with forever, loving homes we need to make certain the dogs are happy and balanced. Which comes from training and socialization. So a group of us decided this was the best way to save as many dogs as possible.
Today, Better Life Canine Center is a non-profit with a singular mission: To protect the lives of dogs by providing expert training to rescue groups and individual dog owners to ensure that adoptions happen – and last a lifetime.
To successfully unite animals with forever, loving homes we need to make certain the dogs are happy and balanced. Which comes from training and socialization. So a group of us decided this was the best way to save as many dogs as possible.
Today, Better Life Canine Center is a non-profit with a singular mission: To protect the lives of dogs by providing expert training to rescue groups and individual dog owners to ensure that adoptions happen – and last a lifetime.
The Importance of Socialization
Spending time with people, new surroundings, and other dogs is an important part of a happy and balanced dog.
SUCCESS STORIES
|
PETEY
Petey was adopted but was he
wasn't getting along with the other dog in the house. The family was going
to give him up because it was such a tough situation. But the rescue that was
taking him was going to euthanize. The family wasn’t going to let that happen,
so they took him back and started working with BLCC.
Petey was boarded at Healthy Paws and got plenty of was socialization and training. Now he's a great dog and loves his doggie brother now. We even received a wonderful update from Petey's mom! "I just wanted to take a minute and say thank you to Better Life, especially Brenda and Brian for helping me reunite my dogs and helping them to get along! Things have been going great, we couldn't be happier. This would not have been a possibility without you guys, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts!" |
BLUE
Blue has a lot to be happy about these days. Rescued by Dr. Steve of Healthy Paws Veterinary Clinic from the streets of Detroit, she was in rough shape. At 9 months old she’d obviously just had pups, and was bleeding due to deep cuts on her neck and part of her ear torn off.
She was stitched up and convalesced at Healthy Paws where she received training from BLCC. When it was discovered she was heartworm positive, a family offered to foster her through the treatment. Not only did she get well, but this little girl ended up staying – another foster failure, another forever home. |
Testimonial Letter
What it took to save one dog…
The story of rescue dog Truth.
Most people do not know how involved it is to place a stray, shelter or re-home a dog. The amount of money, time, energy and work it takes to complete an adoption correctly.
I have been volunteering for Brenda Woody founder of Better Life Canine Center (BLCC) for one year. I recently learned first hand the amount of work it takes for a successful adoption. I wanted to share my experience to educate and encourage the community. This is my journey with Truth:
Truth is a young male pit bull. He is beautiful tan and white with the signature black circle over his left eye; similar to the famous Petey from Little Rascals. Unfortunately for Truth, his current owner could no longer keep him. The owner planed to post this unaltered young male pit bull on Craig’s list.
My husband heard of this news and educated the owner on the potential outcome for Truth. My husband informed the owner that Truth would be used as a breeding dog, a fighting dog or a bait dog. My husband advocated to her to find a rescue. That is when the owner reached out for my help.
I contacted Brenda Woody founder of Better Life Canine Center with this information. Brenda Woody allowed Truth to attended Saturday training classes at no fee. Brenda Woody took photos and networked Truth on the BLCC website. BLCC volunteers began to network his picture and story for me on Facebook.
During one Saturday class Truth meet Rachel Long; a BLCC volunteer and foster for DAWG (Detroit Animal Welfare Group). Rachel Long connected me to Nikki Devlin a DAWG foster. Nikki and I discussed Truth and made arrangements for her to foster once he was neutered and cat tested. At this time Truth was living with his previous owner.
I needed the owner to agree to let me have him neutered and make arrangements to get Truth an additional day to cat test. It was becoming difficult making arrangements each week with the owner to pick him up for Saturday classes and now I need additional days with Truth. I networked through the BLCC volunteers to cat test. Barbara Davis (Adoption Coordinator for BLCC) offered to use her home and cats to test Truth. Finally some progress and I’m full of excitement!
Truth passed his cat test with flying colors. I couldn’t wait to tell Nikki Devlin. The next step is getting him neutered and convincing the owners to allow recovery at their home to reduce stress for Truth. Then, moving him to foster at Nikki Devlin with DAWG Rescue.
Good news came from Barbara Davis (BLCC) – an inquiry for Truth… Maybe I won’t need a foster?!!? Dawn Britcher is requesting to meet him. I called Dawn and speak to her, and I’m very pleased of what I hear. She is a current pit bull owner and knowledgeable of the breed. Dawn Britcher and Nicole Miller want to meet Truth.
I contact Jen Guthrie PRO K-9 dog trainer and arrange to meet during Jen Guthrie’s Thursday night class. Jen Guthrie does not charge me a fee to attend her class. Truth has now received fee training from both Brenda Woody and Jen Guthrie. Dawn and Nicole meet Truth and are interested!! One problem…his walk…his posture. Dawn and Nicole are questioning his hips and knees. Not only am I having scheduling issues with Truth’s current owner to have him neutered; there may be a orthopedic concern too.
A week later Truth stays over night at the Arnett house to ensure I can commute him to and from his vet appointment at Healthy Paws with Dr. Steve. Truth’s neutering surgery is a success and I receive the news that the pelvic x-rays revels no knee issues or hip dysphasia. The total of vet cost are $150.00 a discounted price for BLCC rescues. I immediately contact Dawn and Nicole with the news.
Dawn and Nicole bring Jerezz their female pit bull to a Saturday session to meet Truth. Poor Jerezz was stressed in class. I feared Dawn and Nicole would no longer be interested because the way Jerezz responded to class and Truth. After that session Joey Johncox (BLCC) spoke to Dawn and Nicole. Joey gave reassurance and built confidence in Dawn and Nicole. He explained to them that a in home training session needed to occur.
Before we move on Dawn and Nicole want a second opinion from their veterinarian they trust. Dawn and I make arrangements to meet at Unleashed Pet Care with Dr. Nugent. Dawn receives the approval she is seeking from her trusted veterinarian to move forward with the adoption. Dr. Nugent does Truth’s evaluation for Dawn at no fee. Things are looking good for Truth again but we are about to face another obstacle. Introduction of Truth to their pit bull Jerezz, and cat Gary, in their home.
I reach out to Trainers for help. First on my list is Jen Guthrie PRO K-9. Jen Guthrie agrees to do the initial in home at no fee to me as long as I’m there to learn. I gratefully agree and set up for Friday night. The session is a success!!! Next on the list is Brian Finn, The Detroit Dog Trainer and his partner, John Frisch.
I make arrangements for a all day Saturday home session. The Detroit Dog Trainers fee is $300.00. Brenda Woody donates $100.00 toward the session to help me. Brain and John bring Joe, Peanut and Little Dude their training dogs to help with the process. Dawn and Nicole’s dog Jerezz did great with the pack. I learned that Dawn had excellent handling skills and Nicole was a natural pack leader.
It was a difficult session for Truth, just before I was going to lose hope…he got it! Truth finally got it!! I could not express my emotions for Truth’s sake and interrupt the training session. Truth caught on…he began to play. It was the first time I’d ever seen him play. He was sniffing butts and even lifted his leg high to invite all the dogs to sniff and check him out. I was proud of him and knew his second chance at a good life was near.
Truth stayed the night with Dawn and Nicole. They updated me multiple times daily and sent me pictures. They followed the advice and training techniques that they learned from Jen Guthrie PRO K-9, Brian Finn The Detroit Dog Trainer and John Frisch. Truth was lucky that he was being placed in a home with two excellent handlers. Truth continued to stay at their home until the adoption contract was signed.
I made a appointment to have Truth micro chipped at Healthy Paws for $40.00. Dawn and Nicole brought both dogs to BLCC Saturday class for no fee. Barbara Davis prepared a owner surrender and adoption contact for me at no fee. Truth was adopted by Dawn and Nicole on 1-4-2014. The adoption fee of $300.00 was given back to BLCC for Truth’s life long continuous training and support shall Dawn and Nicole need it.
I wanted to write this testimony to show what it took to place one dog. A single dog that is young…only 1.5 years old, already crate trained, house broken, walks on a leash, no aggression to kids, food or other dogs/cats. I knew all of this information prior to this process of adopting him out.
It took six weeks, the founder of BLCC Brenda Woody, three trainers, two veterinarians, six training classes, two in home sessions, at least ten BLCC volunteers and another rescue as back up foster. It cost me a total $340.00 not including my time, planning and networking. It cost BLCC $140.00 not including the free classes with Brenda Woody and Jen Guthrie that would have cost $300.00 ($50.00 per class). If I did not have the resources from Brenda Woody BLCC I could not have placed Truth.
Truth was considered a easy dog to place due to his background. Yet, it still took that much work, time and money to ensure a successful adoption. I was lucky to have adopters that were excellent handlers and pack leaders too. Most adopters need to be trained prior to placement of a dog, which takes even more time and money.
Can you imagine the cost to place a stray or shelter dog? A dog with aggression, behavior or health issues? A dog that no one knows the past behavior or temperament? It would have cost me almost $1000.00 to place Truth if I did not have the support from Brenda Woody, Jen Guthrie and the resources from BLCC.
I hope this is informative to promote neutering/spaying and training. This is what sets Better Life Canine Center apart from all the rescue groups. I am privileged to be a part of a group that is setting the standard to change the system of how rescue dogs are adopted.
Thank you Brenda Woody for helping me save Truth. Thank you Jen Guthrie for your training and advice. My gratitude to all that contributed to Truth’s successful adoption. A special thank you to Dawn Britcher and Nicole Miller for giving Truth the life he deserves.
By Michelle Arnett
BLCC Volunteer
The story of rescue dog Truth.
Most people do not know how involved it is to place a stray, shelter or re-home a dog. The amount of money, time, energy and work it takes to complete an adoption correctly.
I have been volunteering for Brenda Woody founder of Better Life Canine Center (BLCC) for one year. I recently learned first hand the amount of work it takes for a successful adoption. I wanted to share my experience to educate and encourage the community. This is my journey with Truth:
Truth is a young male pit bull. He is beautiful tan and white with the signature black circle over his left eye; similar to the famous Petey from Little Rascals. Unfortunately for Truth, his current owner could no longer keep him. The owner planed to post this unaltered young male pit bull on Craig’s list.
My husband heard of this news and educated the owner on the potential outcome for Truth. My husband informed the owner that Truth would be used as a breeding dog, a fighting dog or a bait dog. My husband advocated to her to find a rescue. That is when the owner reached out for my help.
I contacted Brenda Woody founder of Better Life Canine Center with this information. Brenda Woody allowed Truth to attended Saturday training classes at no fee. Brenda Woody took photos and networked Truth on the BLCC website. BLCC volunteers began to network his picture and story for me on Facebook.
During one Saturday class Truth meet Rachel Long; a BLCC volunteer and foster for DAWG (Detroit Animal Welfare Group). Rachel Long connected me to Nikki Devlin a DAWG foster. Nikki and I discussed Truth and made arrangements for her to foster once he was neutered and cat tested. At this time Truth was living with his previous owner.
I needed the owner to agree to let me have him neutered and make arrangements to get Truth an additional day to cat test. It was becoming difficult making arrangements each week with the owner to pick him up for Saturday classes and now I need additional days with Truth. I networked through the BLCC volunteers to cat test. Barbara Davis (Adoption Coordinator for BLCC) offered to use her home and cats to test Truth. Finally some progress and I’m full of excitement!
Truth passed his cat test with flying colors. I couldn’t wait to tell Nikki Devlin. The next step is getting him neutered and convincing the owners to allow recovery at their home to reduce stress for Truth. Then, moving him to foster at Nikki Devlin with DAWG Rescue.
Good news came from Barbara Davis (BLCC) – an inquiry for Truth… Maybe I won’t need a foster?!!? Dawn Britcher is requesting to meet him. I called Dawn and speak to her, and I’m very pleased of what I hear. She is a current pit bull owner and knowledgeable of the breed. Dawn Britcher and Nicole Miller want to meet Truth.
I contact Jen Guthrie PRO K-9 dog trainer and arrange to meet during Jen Guthrie’s Thursday night class. Jen Guthrie does not charge me a fee to attend her class. Truth has now received fee training from both Brenda Woody and Jen Guthrie. Dawn and Nicole meet Truth and are interested!! One problem…his walk…his posture. Dawn and Nicole are questioning his hips and knees. Not only am I having scheduling issues with Truth’s current owner to have him neutered; there may be a orthopedic concern too.
A week later Truth stays over night at the Arnett house to ensure I can commute him to and from his vet appointment at Healthy Paws with Dr. Steve. Truth’s neutering surgery is a success and I receive the news that the pelvic x-rays revels no knee issues or hip dysphasia. The total of vet cost are $150.00 a discounted price for BLCC rescues. I immediately contact Dawn and Nicole with the news.
Dawn and Nicole bring Jerezz their female pit bull to a Saturday session to meet Truth. Poor Jerezz was stressed in class. I feared Dawn and Nicole would no longer be interested because the way Jerezz responded to class and Truth. After that session Joey Johncox (BLCC) spoke to Dawn and Nicole. Joey gave reassurance and built confidence in Dawn and Nicole. He explained to them that a in home training session needed to occur.
Before we move on Dawn and Nicole want a second opinion from their veterinarian they trust. Dawn and I make arrangements to meet at Unleashed Pet Care with Dr. Nugent. Dawn receives the approval she is seeking from her trusted veterinarian to move forward with the adoption. Dr. Nugent does Truth’s evaluation for Dawn at no fee. Things are looking good for Truth again but we are about to face another obstacle. Introduction of Truth to their pit bull Jerezz, and cat Gary, in their home.
I reach out to Trainers for help. First on my list is Jen Guthrie PRO K-9. Jen Guthrie agrees to do the initial in home at no fee to me as long as I’m there to learn. I gratefully agree and set up for Friday night. The session is a success!!! Next on the list is Brian Finn, The Detroit Dog Trainer and his partner, John Frisch.
I make arrangements for a all day Saturday home session. The Detroit Dog Trainers fee is $300.00. Brenda Woody donates $100.00 toward the session to help me. Brain and John bring Joe, Peanut and Little Dude their training dogs to help with the process. Dawn and Nicole’s dog Jerezz did great with the pack. I learned that Dawn had excellent handling skills and Nicole was a natural pack leader.
It was a difficult session for Truth, just before I was going to lose hope…he got it! Truth finally got it!! I could not express my emotions for Truth’s sake and interrupt the training session. Truth caught on…he began to play. It was the first time I’d ever seen him play. He was sniffing butts and even lifted his leg high to invite all the dogs to sniff and check him out. I was proud of him and knew his second chance at a good life was near.
Truth stayed the night with Dawn and Nicole. They updated me multiple times daily and sent me pictures. They followed the advice and training techniques that they learned from Jen Guthrie PRO K-9, Brian Finn The Detroit Dog Trainer and John Frisch. Truth was lucky that he was being placed in a home with two excellent handlers. Truth continued to stay at their home until the adoption contract was signed.
I made a appointment to have Truth micro chipped at Healthy Paws for $40.00. Dawn and Nicole brought both dogs to BLCC Saturday class for no fee. Barbara Davis prepared a owner surrender and adoption contact for me at no fee. Truth was adopted by Dawn and Nicole on 1-4-2014. The adoption fee of $300.00 was given back to BLCC for Truth’s life long continuous training and support shall Dawn and Nicole need it.
I wanted to write this testimony to show what it took to place one dog. A single dog that is young…only 1.5 years old, already crate trained, house broken, walks on a leash, no aggression to kids, food or other dogs/cats. I knew all of this information prior to this process of adopting him out.
It took six weeks, the founder of BLCC Brenda Woody, three trainers, two veterinarians, six training classes, two in home sessions, at least ten BLCC volunteers and another rescue as back up foster. It cost me a total $340.00 not including my time, planning and networking. It cost BLCC $140.00 not including the free classes with Brenda Woody and Jen Guthrie that would have cost $300.00 ($50.00 per class). If I did not have the resources from Brenda Woody BLCC I could not have placed Truth.
Truth was considered a easy dog to place due to his background. Yet, it still took that much work, time and money to ensure a successful adoption. I was lucky to have adopters that were excellent handlers and pack leaders too. Most adopters need to be trained prior to placement of a dog, which takes even more time and money.
Can you imagine the cost to place a stray or shelter dog? A dog with aggression, behavior or health issues? A dog that no one knows the past behavior or temperament? It would have cost me almost $1000.00 to place Truth if I did not have the support from Brenda Woody, Jen Guthrie and the resources from BLCC.
I hope this is informative to promote neutering/spaying and training. This is what sets Better Life Canine Center apart from all the rescue groups. I am privileged to be a part of a group that is setting the standard to change the system of how rescue dogs are adopted.
Thank you Brenda Woody for helping me save Truth. Thank you Jen Guthrie for your training and advice. My gratitude to all that contributed to Truth’s successful adoption. A special thank you to Dawn Britcher and Nicole Miller for giving Truth the life he deserves.
By Michelle Arnett
BLCC Volunteer
