Do you want to smile?
Do you want to read a story overflowing with wonderful, positive, heart-warming vibes?
Please read on.
Porch Potty recently received a message from Donna, a proud Mom of five furbabies with the coolest names: Princess Barbie; Miss Punkinweasel; Baby Bane; Odyn Goliath; and Lucy.
Baby Bane and Odyn Goliath are English Bulldogs with special needs and Donna purchased from Porch Potty to make their lives easier. We reached out to Donna to learn more about her, Baby Bane, Odyn Goliath and her family’s amazing story.
Grab a box of Kleenex. You might need it to dab the tears!
Thanks for sharing your story Donna.
Meet Bane!
Q: Hi Donna, thanks so much for your time. Can you please tell us about your beautiful furbabies Baby Bane and Odyn Goliath?
A: Baby Bane will be 4 years old on February 16. I adopted him at 5 months old and he was a diaper baby at the time. I was his 5th and FINAL home! He has had rectal prolapse issues all his life, which caused him to have loose bowels especially when sleeping. He’s had four rectal prolapse surgeries and a partial colon amputation. He was a very thin, shy, timid boy when I adopted him, but with a lot of patience, love and care he slowly blossomed.
After 8 months and many food changes, I found the perfect food for him and he has been diaper free ever since! However, I knew I would always have to watch him closely whenever he needed to potty. I knew exactly what I was getting into when I adopted him, and I was willing to put in the time, effort and money required for his care. I love all my furkids, but Baby Bane came to me at a difficult time in my life, so we basically rescued each other. He is my total heart and soul.
Odyn Goliath a/k/a Chucky turned 2 years old in September 2020. Odyn was born with a midline defect. On the day he was born he had an open cavity that had to be sutured up. I adopted Odyn at 10 weeks old from the same rescue that I adopted Baby Bane, Moe Moe's Rescue of the Rockies. When Odyn arrived, I noticed he had a hernia, which required surgery, but within 2 months from that surgery another hernia appeared. My vet told me that there was no need for surgery as long as it maintained its size and consistency. So, my husband and I closely monitor him. Those health issues are the reason he developed a frequent need to urinate. He literally has to pee every 5 to 10 minutes and because of the hernia it is impossible to put a belly band or diaper on him. He also had breathing issues, which required palate surgery.
Odyn Goliath fits his name to a T!
Q: Can you please describe the first time you heard about Baby Bane and Odyn
Goliath, the day you met them and the decision to make them your furever babies? What do they mean for your family?
A: I am part of a group called Bully Nation and most members know me because of our first two bulldogs, Barbie and Punkinweasel, and all the crazy antics at the “Barbie” Mansion. I’ve participated in many bulldog auctions on Facebook to raise money for bulldogs in need. It’s through those connections I was put in touch with an independent rescue looking for a forever home for Baby Bane.
When I heard his back story and that he had already had 4 other homes at 5 months old, I just knew he needed me! Because anyone that knows me will tell you once they make it to the Barbie Mansion, they are here to stay forever. So, I immediately made the decision to fly him from Oregon to Chicago via flight nanny. It was the best decision I have ever made!
A year later the same rescue contacted me about Odyn. He had been returned to the breeder by his adoptive family within a week due to his potty issues. Once I heard his back story, I knew I had to help him, and I didn’t hesitate to fly him from Oregon to Chicago via flight nanny to the Barbie Mansion. He immediately made my husband his person. My furbabies are my life.
I work from home, so it’s easier for me to take care of the ones with special needs. My husband has been a trooper and helps out as well. We can’t imagine our lives without them. They bring us so much joy and are so entertaining!
Q: Tell us more about Bully Nation.
A: It’s best describe as Facebook community with thousands of members that support one another to rescue, advocate and raise funds for the bulldog breed. For example, if I need some help with a bulldog placement or funds need to be raised for a sick bulldog, I would make a post on Facebook that starts with “ATTN Bully Nation” and the post is shared across all channels by members to gain as much assistance as needed, whether it’s a Facebook auction to raise funds for a sick bulldog or a chain of volunteers to transport across state lines.
In 2016 I took on the biggest challenge ever with a friend of mine to raise money for an abused bulldog to save his leg. Bully Nation rallied together and we raised over $6,000 in one week in a Facebook auction (photo below of Maaco the bulldog and he got the best forever family - that’s a $10,000 leg!). The bulldog community is very tight and everyone is always willing to help one another out, because we all love the breed so much. We also assist with other breeds on occasion.
Q: Can you describe your pups’ personalities? Is one more outgoing than the other? Any other fun traits? Favorite foods? Favorite places to visit?
A: Baby Bane is a mommy’s boy. He’s very outgoing, super friendly, laid back and gets along with everyone. He loves car rides. He loves to cuddle, and he snores really, really loud! He loves people and food. Nana and Papaw are his favorite people! His favorite snacks are blueberries, peanut butter, apples, bananas and yogurt. He loves, loves, loves his big sister Punkinweasel, and they are two peas in a pod - always together. She has always been very protective over Bane.
Odyn Goliath is a daddy’s boy. He’s super shy and timid around strangers, so he follows his big sister, Barbie’s, lead. Because Barbie is such a people person, Odyn knows it’s safe if Barbie’s doing it. He hates the Roomba and any vacuum, but it gives him a good work out and makes him tired! He’s super smart and buck wild! His energy level is off the charts compared to any of our other dogs. He loves toys and playing tug-of-war with his daddy. His tongue is almost always hanging out of his mouth. He loves car rides. He has slept in a playpen at night in our bedroom since we adopted him (it’s his safe zone). He loves to bark, like literally he yaps most of the day. Peanut butter and yogurt are his favorite snack. He loves to cuddle and give kisses.
Q: How did you first hear about Porch Potty? Can you describe the decision to buy one and then a second one? How do they help your special needs pups?
A: I first heard about Porch Potty during an internet search. I knew I needed
something to put on our deck, so that I could monitor Bane going potty at night. At the time we lived in the country and it was pitch black out at night. I was on a search to find something to go on the deck so it would be easier for me to watch him. Once I found the Porch Potty, I felt like I had won the lottery! Baby Bane took right to it and it made both our lives much easier. When we moved to Missouri during the winter, we decided we needed another Porch Potty for Odyn. Moving to the new house had created some insecurities with him and he was pottying more frequently than usual. So, we bought a second Porch Potty and put it in the basement with the drain hose going down into the basement floor drain. He took right to it and it has made our lives much easier and saved our carpeted Man Cave!
Q: Is there anything else about your pups, family or Porch Potty you would like
to include?
A: I highly recommend Porch Potty! It’s been a lifesaver for our special needs’
bulldogs year-round, but also for our other dogs in the winter. They all love Porch
Potty!
Q: Thanks Donna! You are an angel.