On Friday evening, as I was driving back from Missoula after saying goodbye to dear old Dillon, Alayne called me in the truck to say I had just received an email about a blind Beagle named Briggs. He was on death row in a rural Georgia animal control shelter. The email, which came from someone we don't know, included a link to the Beagle's PetFinder page with a photo. Alayne said, "He looks just like Widget."
I got home, read the email and looked at the photo of Briggs. Yep, looked like the Widge. Alayne and I discussed it and decided we'd offer to take the dog. I planned on Saturday morning to email Morgan S., who runs Atlanta Beagle Rescue, and ask if she could go rescue this Beagle and help send him out to us. Morgan was the person who had sent us Widget, many years ago, and more recently sent us blind Willie as well.
Amazingly, when I got up Saturday morning and walked into my office, I had an email waiting for me from ... Morgan! The subject line read: "Widget's Cousin?" She was emailing to say, "I'm pulling this little guy today..." and it was Briggs. Morgan wanted to know if we'd be able to take him. I emailed her right back to say yes.
About 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Morgan emailed again. She wrote, "We successfully got Mr. Briggs out today. He's very sweet! I think you may get a two-for-one because aside from being blind he's also wobbly." Morgan attached a photo she took of him, which is what you see above.
On Sunday evening, Morgan emailed to say, "When he got up this morning he actually couldn't get up - he looked a bit like Bambi on the ice. Freaked him out and me! I carried him outside and once he "walked" around a bit it got better.... When I woke him up from a nap this afternoon he went in circles a bit before he got his bearings and walked out into the yard. Aside from his eyes he doesn't have any outward appearance of an injury or anything that might explain this."
She shot some video of Briggs so we could see him, and here it is:
As you can see, he clearly has some kind of neurological issue, but exactly what we can't tell. He's a "two-fer" indeed. Morgan is going to take him to her vet this week, and then we will work on his flight reservations for his trip to Montana.
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Alayne and I wanted to thank everyone who posted such kind and heartfelt comments about losing Dillon. We are very, very touched by your compassion. It's never easy to write those posts about the death of one of our beloved animals, but we are always overwhelmed by the emotional support we receive in response. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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Watch out labs and dachsunds here comes the beagle brigade!
Posted by: Kate and Luke! | February 15, 2008 at 01:09 AM
Well, you can HAVE Uno, I'll take Briggs as my Westminster winner any old day :)
Welcome to RDR Heaven, sweetie !!
Posted by: Bibi | February 13, 2008 at 06:06 PM
I agree with the comment posted by Carla and don't think it's corny at all, I'm sure Dillon had "a paw" in the whole Briggs saga. After all, isn't that what love is? A force that never truly leaves us and lives on. Dillon's unconditional love for you and yours for him lives on.
Here's to Dillon and his love that lives on!
Posted by: The Smiley Faces | February 13, 2008 at 10:58 AM
HAPPY VALETINE'S DAY every one . I for one think Steve and Alayne should be made PERMANENT icon's for Valetine's Day Well, hello Mr Briggs and welcome. What a cutie.There will be some fun times around the ranch with Briggs in residence. I have a hunch he will teach Widget a thing or two about being a BEAGLE!!! Joe and I were so very sorry to hear of the passing of your old and dear friend Dillon. We concur with EVERY one of the 63 posts about Dillon. You must know that with all that love and support , you are EXACTLY where you are meant to be on your life's road. That is one great gift!!!!!!! Hope your hearts are a little lighter as the days go by. Stay well
Posted by: The Taylor's from the Olympic Peninsula in WA state | February 12, 2008 at 10:53 PM
What a sweet Beagle Briggs is.
I just read your last post and I am so sorry for your loss, Steve and Alayne. Dillon was so blessed to have you both. He will always be with you in spirit.
Hang in there and take care of yourselves. I know you must miss him terribly.
Posted by: Linda O'Neill | February 12, 2008 at 07:39 PM
What a handsome face! So glad you are able to take this boy and give him a chance at life at the ranch.
Posted by: Nina | February 12, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Mr. Briggs is darling and SO lucky to now have a solid and loving home awaiting him. Thank you for taking him! I'm sure all your Beagles will howl with delight when he arrives.
Posted by: Boundforglory | February 12, 2008 at 09:24 AM
wow! when i first saw the pic i thought it was widget now bein called briggs for somethin she have done, but no, it was indeed another dog called briggs who looked like widget(except for the legs!)another addition to the RDR family! welcome briggs! you'll love it there! hugs to everyone at RDR!
Posted by: GiLe | February 12, 2008 at 07:05 AM
I'm not sure the world is ready for two Widgets living together. There might be a critical mass reached here and we will have a world dominated by fat little Napoleons in Beagle uniforms.
Posted by: Bob | February 12, 2008 at 06:08 AM
I know it sounds corny:-), but I can't help thinking that Uncle Dillon "had a paw" in sending Briggs your way...
I'm also positive that Briggs will love living at RDR!
God bless you all.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | February 12, 2008 at 04:11 AM
Congratulations on your adoption of Mr. Briggs! He is so cute!
Posted by: Amy | February 12, 2008 at 02:21 AM
Hi, I just wanted to say that it looks to me like Briggs also suffers from Cerebellar Hypoplasia. I've had quite a few dogs and cats with this condition come in to my rescue. I can't even begin to tell you how precious each and every one of them is and how quickly they will grow on you... but then I'm sure you've already found that out!
Posted by: Troy | February 12, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Briggs looks like he could be a perfect resident for RDR! The poor fella looks like he needs to be neutered. What a sweet boy and thank goodness somebody cared enough to call RDR. Thank God that the Sanctuary exists for these disabled but joyous creatures.
Anybody who has loved and lost a beloved animal feels the dagger in their heart when reading the losses you suffer at the Ranch. I cried many tears of sorrow the night I read you blog on Uncle Dillon.
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | February 12, 2008 at 12:24 AM