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Too many dogs spend their lives behind bars, never knowing the warmth of a home or the kindness of a human touch. Bertha, a gentle seven-year-old Mastiff, was one of those souls. For years, she was trapped inside the cold confines of a puppy mill, her purpose limited to producing litter after litter. When her body could no longer keep up, she was tossed aside, discarded like she didn’t matter.
Her second chance finally arrived thanks to Border Tails Rescue in Northbrook, Illinois. They brought her in, hoping to give her the love and comfort she’d never known.
“Bertha’s story is heartbreaking. She spent her entire life in a cage as a breeding dog in a puppy mill—litter after litter, no love, no freedom. When she was no longer ‘useful,’ they tossed her aside. Just discarded,” rescuers Noxon and Masloski shared on Instagram.
Nine Months of Waiting
Even after leaving the mill behind, Bertha’s struggles weren’t over. At the shelter, the 170-pound Mastiff was often passed by. Her large size and inability to get along with other animals made her seem like a difficult match, and month after month, potential adopters walked right past her kennel.
The only familiar faces she came to know during her time there were Eric Noxon and Joey Masloski, content creators from Chicago. The pair, who run the Instagram account eric.and.joey, visited Bertha regularly. They were touched by her calm and loving demeanor and knew she deserved a chance.
One of their videos telling Bertha’s story spread across the internet and quickly touched the hearts of thousands. Despite all the affection Bertha had to give, she remained without a home until everything changed.
A Journey Across States—and Into a New Life
Bertha’s story eventually reached a woman in Oregon, who instantly fell in love with the gentle giant. She contacted the shelter, eager to adopt her, but there was one catch—she lived over 2,000 miles away, a 33-hour drive from Illinois.
Without hesitation, Eric and Joey offered to make the journey themselves. They knew this was Bertha’s chance, and they were committed to getting her home safely.
Before hitting the road, the rescue team organized a farewell celebration for Bertha. Volunteers showered her with kisses, treats, and a special cake to honor her departure. It was the loving send-off she had never received before but always deserved.
“We are so grateful Bertha gets this second chance, and while we’ll miss her terribly, we know her best days are ahead,” the shelter shared on Facebook.
From Cage to Couch
Eric and Joey made the cross-country trip with Bertha, turning it into an unforgettable adventure. With each passing mile, Bertha moved further away from the pain of her past and closer to a new beginning.
The shelter once again praised the two men who had done so much to help her.
“Thank you Eric & Joey for helping the world see what we’ve known all along — Bertha is truly one of a kind. Safe travels, sweet girl — Oregon is lucky to have you.”
Now in the care of a loving mom, Bertha has finally left behind the darkness that defined so much of her life. After years of loneliness and confinement, she has a home, a family, and a future.
