When asked how ABR was formed, she explained that it all started with a phone call back in 1991. Kitty Murphy, the then president of the American Brittany Club (ABC), received a call from an animal shelter that had a Brittany up for adoption. Kitty contacted Ann Murphy, an ABC member living near the shelter. With the rescue of this Brittany, the American Brittany Rescue was born.

American Brittany Rescue, Inc. is not part of the American Brittany Club. It is a cooperative effort of Brittany owners, breeders, and fanciers who believe they have an obligation, not only to their own dogs and the dogs they produce, but also to all dogs of the breed.

Amy began volunteering with ABR in 2004, approximately one year after losing her own beloved Brittany, Bud. She credits Bud for bringing her and her husband, Shane, together. If Bud hadn’t dragged her across the street to a neighbor’s house one day in 1995, she may have never met and fallen in love with that neighbor’s nephew.

Upon inquiring as to why she started volunteering for ABR, she explained: "It was because of my love for dogs and the Brittany breed that I needed to do this. I know I can’t have Bud back, but when I look into the eyes of a Brittany, I can almost see Bud in there."

I asked Amy what it means to volunteer her time, in practical terms. Her involvement consists of making house visits to prospective families, transporting dogs from shelters to foster families, assisting with the occasional fundraiser, and press release writing and distribution.

I have always questioned the benefits of breed-specific rescue groups versus local animal shelters. This is Amy’s answer to that. "I’ve volunteered with a dog rescue group. They wanted to help all the dogs they could, so the transports tended to be a little too much, too full, too busy, too chaotic. Their hearts were in the right place, but I think that by sticking with a breed-specific group, the work is just easier. There are fewer dogs to transport at one time. Things flow a lot easier and there’s not a mad scramble to stay organized. Working to save one dog breed at a time is more manageable, and it makes the goal seem like it’s attainable. Plus, we are able to give each dog the attention he or she needs, whether it’s veterinary care or just one-on-one attention. It’s also just nice to know there are like-minded people out there to do the work with you. You don’t feel alone or burdened."

Thank you, Amy. I am aspiring to be more like you – less selfish with my time. After all, in the end, it’s what we do with our time that makes us who we are.