Rebecca Susan byrne

Gender:

Female

Birthday:

April 18

Location:

Ironton

Occupation:

Disabled single Mother

Name:

Becca

Your dogs name/s:

Willow Eloise and Felix Xavier

Breeds owned:

St. Bernard mix and boxer

Other Breeds owned or previously owned:

Raised Great Danes, Boxers, Basset hounds, and Mastiffs. Currently have Boxer and St. Bernard Mix

Has owned dogs for:

More than 20 years!

Dogs Owned:

2

Number of dogs owned over the years.:

15 - 25

I have trained dogs to:

A high level (more than 20 different commands)

Believe in using positive training methods?:

Yes - but I will raise my voice if I have to

Have you ever shown any of your dogs?:

No I do not show

Have you ever bred your dog?:

yes - I am an ethical breeder who breeds an occasional litter to further my breed only

Other Animals I own:

• Cat/s
• Horse/s
• Reptile/s

Marital Status:

Single

Children / Grandchildren:

• 3 Sons
• 1 Daughter

Drives:

Chrysler Town and Country Van

My Story:

I grew up in a very loveless home, but we had a cocker spaniel, Garth and cats. They were my love. I filled my days teaching Garth tricks. As soon as I moved out, I had a baby, and wanted him to grow up with a dog. I chose a Great Dane, Hudson. He was 6 weeks old. He and my son had an incredible bond. My marriage turned abusive about this time. At 6 months old Hudson caught on. He would get between us and growl. He and my son, Dakota, were best friends. A few years later, I had had a daughter, Cheyenne, and was 7 months pregnant. Hudson was an escape artist. We lived about 100 yards from the police station. He would jump his kennel,snap cables, even thick chains. The cops here considered him their mascot. They always had him treats. After awhile they would bring him back. So in an effort to keep him up, he was inside his kennel, with a thick chain. One night my ex began beating on me while 7 months pregnant. This time was worse then before. He put my babies and I in a room with no exit but one door. He continued to beat me. I was blacking in and out, but desperately trying to find a way to run with my kids. I just couldn't, there was no way out. Dakota was then 3, and began yelling for my ex to stop. My ex would start approaching Dakota and I used all my strength to get between them. I blacked out again. The next thing I know, I hear glass shattering, and Hudson running full speed at my ex. I saw Hudson bite into my ex's ribs, and I grabbed my babies and ran using my hidden set of car keys. As I left, I saw Hudson had pulled his entire kennel about 20 ft to the front door, and snapped a tractor chain. He had to have started pulling his kennel the entire time. My ex stated as soon as we left, Hudson let go of him and jumped back into his kennel. My ex shot him a few hours later.
A few years later, now 2004. I had 3 kids and pregnant again. It was a beautiful day so I opened my screen less window. I literally had an 80lb boxer jump through my window and into my house. Before I had time to react, he began licking my one year old. My next door neighbor had moved and left him and his Momma behind. So I then owned 2 boxers, Sadie Jane and Junior. I ve had boxers since. I did at one point, after Sadie and Junior died, I bought an AKC Boxer, a flashy fawn Gracie. She had the most incredible personality. She was darn near telepathic. She would wrap up around my kids if they were sick or hurt. My friend had an AKC male brindle. She wanted to continue his bloodline that had been in the family for decades. So I agreed to breed Grace. It was so fun and entertaining,watching the pups grow.

Ive had Felix, Graces son, for 9.5 years. He is sadly on his last few months of his life. I'd decided to not get a new dog. My kids have grown up and moved out. I planned to move into an apartment, and leave my 4 bedroom home, whenever Felix passed. I've volunteered at the local animal shelter for years. I bring treats, play with them, and teach them tricks. They were a kill shelter, so on occasion, I would rescue a dog who was set to be euthanized, and find them home.
My grandmother, who was my everything, died in July. She kept saying I needed to get another dog when Felix dies. I told it would take a divine intervention.

So one day in September of this year, I walk into the shelter (they are now a no kill shelter), and see this beautiful 10 month old St. Bernard mix staring at me. I was immediately a goner. I like to think Mamaw played the part. Her name is Willow Eloise. Named after a willow tree she had when I was a child, and her middle name.