Bertha’s Journey: From 170-Pound Chicago Shelter Mastiff to New Life in Oregon

A 170-pound mastiff

The individual who stayed for nine months at a North Suburban shelter is now settled into their new home.

A bit of assistance was provided by a few social media influencers.

For almost a year, the dog called Bertha remained unnoticed at a shelter in Northbrook, Illinois. Prospective adopters felt she was either too large or too senior.

However, now she has extended her journey to over 2,000 miles, all the way to Oregon.

CBS News Chicago initially encountered the 7-year-old mastiff at
Border Tails Rescue
in Northbrook last week.

“The dog had been used for breeding at a puppy mill, spending her entire existence confined to a cage before coming to us,” explained Harleigh Garcia, who founded Border Tails.

The shelter struggled to find Bertha a home until the intervention of Eric Noxon and Joey Masloski, a dynamic duo passionate about dogs who took matters into their own hands. Known as Eric & Joey on social media, they assisted in securing a new place for her.
Instagram
and
TikTok
.

Masloski stated that they tour across the United States with rescue dogs. They ensure these pups receive grooming, share their photos on social platforms, and help find them loving homes through adoption,

Eric and Joey uploaded videos featuring Bertha, which April Gaudenti viewed at her rural home located in Oregon, east of Eugene.

“I shed tears. I’m usually not one for crying,” Gaudenti stated. “But when I saw her and heard them speaking with her, sharing her story, I couldn’t help but start weeping.”

Bertha appeared to be an ideal match — albeit somewhat distant. Thus, the canine traveled alongside Eric and Joey.

When queried about their advice for driving across the country with a 170-pound canine companion, Eric and Joey both recommended having the windows open.

They were on the road for three long days — 33 total hours of driving time. Bertha, a canine known as an unmovable mountain, made it to the mountains. And Gaudenti sent a video of Bertha enjoying her Oregon grass.