Help Delany
Donation protected
One year ago, we adopted Delany from Badass Brooklyn, a great local animal rescue organization. He was a lively, highly alert 18 month-old puppy who had been saved from a high-kill shelter in Georgia; his history prior to the shelter was unknown. When we brought him home to Brooklyn, he had heartworm, giardia, hookworm, and a bad case of separation anxiety. He was also the sweetest dog we could have hoped for.
We've loved him from day one, and he's been a wonderful, affectionate, eager-to-please companion. With training and a lot of work, he soon made big strides toward overcoming his separation anxiety. Unfortunately, the more he became comfortable in our home, the more he began to exhibit signs of protective and fear-based aggression toward others. Despite working with multiple trainers and our vet, trying various mood-modifying medications, and making significant lifestyle changes, his aggression has only continued to escalate. He has, to date, bitten four people -- a mix of strangers, friends, and family members, each under different circumstances. Thankfully, none of them were seriously injured or reported the incident. But, perhaps most troublingly, he has exhibited extreme aggression toward children, frequently lunging, barking, and growling at them as we walk down the street.
The result is that we have spent the last 8 months living with the constant fear and anxiety that he will eventually manage to injure someone. Not only do we worry about what these behaviors say about Delany's wellbeing and happiness, but the ethical and legal liability that would come with a future incident is a serious concern. We've come to the agonizing, heart-rending realization that the situation is no longer something we are emotionally or experientially equipped to handle.
Thankfully, the rescue organization is able to take him back and help find him a more appropriate home. But first, they'll be sending him to a board and train program in upstate New York for at least one month, where he'll receive the behavioral modification and intensive training he needs to succeed in the future. From there, they will determine the best environment in which he can thrive, be it in the hands of a more experienced dog owner or at a rural farm with other dogs. Regardless, once we sign our paperwork with them, they will be shouldering the legal and financial responsibility for him and we would like to do everything we can to help.
The cost of the board and train program is $2000, not including the time and effort that Badass Brooklyn will expend in transporting him to Plattsburgh, NY and then covering the expenses of fostering him upon his return. We're hoping to raise $2500 that would go toward the months, and possibly years, of care and training that the rescue organization is prepared to offer to ensure Delany does not have to be euthanized.
Any and all money that we raise will be directly donated to Badass Brooklyn and used toward Delany's rehabilitation and care. If you're able to help us give to this cause, we'll be eternally grateful. If you're not, we entirely understand. In any case, thank you so much for reading and feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.
Love,
Josh and Niki
We've loved him from day one, and he's been a wonderful, affectionate, eager-to-please companion. With training and a lot of work, he soon made big strides toward overcoming his separation anxiety. Unfortunately, the more he became comfortable in our home, the more he began to exhibit signs of protective and fear-based aggression toward others. Despite working with multiple trainers and our vet, trying various mood-modifying medications, and making significant lifestyle changes, his aggression has only continued to escalate. He has, to date, bitten four people -- a mix of strangers, friends, and family members, each under different circumstances. Thankfully, none of them were seriously injured or reported the incident. But, perhaps most troublingly, he has exhibited extreme aggression toward children, frequently lunging, barking, and growling at them as we walk down the street.
The result is that we have spent the last 8 months living with the constant fear and anxiety that he will eventually manage to injure someone. Not only do we worry about what these behaviors say about Delany's wellbeing and happiness, but the ethical and legal liability that would come with a future incident is a serious concern. We've come to the agonizing, heart-rending realization that the situation is no longer something we are emotionally or experientially equipped to handle.
Thankfully, the rescue organization is able to take him back and help find him a more appropriate home. But first, they'll be sending him to a board and train program in upstate New York for at least one month, where he'll receive the behavioral modification and intensive training he needs to succeed in the future. From there, they will determine the best environment in which he can thrive, be it in the hands of a more experienced dog owner or at a rural farm with other dogs. Regardless, once we sign our paperwork with them, they will be shouldering the legal and financial responsibility for him and we would like to do everything we can to help.
The cost of the board and train program is $2000, not including the time and effort that Badass Brooklyn will expend in transporting him to Plattsburgh, NY and then covering the expenses of fostering him upon his return. We're hoping to raise $2500 that would go toward the months, and possibly years, of care and training that the rescue organization is prepared to offer to ensure Delany does not have to be euthanized.
Any and all money that we raise will be directly donated to Badass Brooklyn and used toward Delany's rehabilitation and care. If you're able to help us give to this cause, we'll be eternally grateful. If you're not, we entirely understand. In any case, thank you so much for reading and feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.
Love,
Josh and Niki
Organizer
Niki Achitoff-Gray
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY