Brynn Boldemann, a fourth grader at River Homelink alternative school in Battle Ground, wrote a $100,000 grant winning essay for the Petco Love Stories contest about her connection with Biggie, her family’s rescued bulldog-mix from Texas.
The massive grant will help provide lifesaving funding for the rescue.
Since 2013, the Petco Love Foundation has celebrated the love that people share for their adopted pets by writing essays for the annual Love Stories campaign. Brynn Boldemann submitted her essay for the Petco Love Stories campaign in September with hopes of earning a grant for the Three Little Pitties Rescue in Texas. But Brynn and her mom, Meghan Boldemann, said they forgot about it until they received a call saying Brynn’s story was a finalist in the contest.
The mother, daughter and Biggie, the family’s rescued bulldog-mix, were also invited to a press event at a local Petco store along with representatives from Three Little Pitties Rescue.
“They didn’t really give us much details other than come and bring Biggie and bring Brynn,” Meghan Boldemann said.
During the press event on Thursday, Feb. 1, the Petco Love Foundation surprised the Boldemanns with the grand prize of $100,000 for the rescue organization, a pair of special shoes, Petco shopping spree and a year’s supply of Yummers Pet Supply Co. pet products.
“The people down in Texas, they burst into tears when they saw them,” Brynn recalled about the moment the grand prize was announced.
Brynn Boldemann added she was inspired to write her essay for the rescue because she wants the organization to save more dogs. Since Three Little Pitties Rescue began in 2018, it has saved over 13,000 dogs and cats. Biggie is just one of thousands of rescue stories between humans and pets, which is highlighted in Brynn’s essay.
“He came to us from Texas on a big rescue truck! When he got here, he was very sick and skinny. He needed two surgeries and lots of treats,” her essay states. “I was worried he was so sick he was going to die. He didn’t know I was going to love him no matter what. Luckily, with a lot of hard work, we healed him. Biggie is now basically an 80lb potato on legs. For real!”
Biggie has been through a lot in his life. Even after being rescued, he’s had tumors removed, bladder stones cleared and a multitude of other medical issues.
Brynn said the special bond she shares with Biggie has taught her a lot in life. Brynn said the 80-pound potato on legs has taught her a lot of patience as he’s still a six-out-of-10 listener after two years of being trained in the Boldemann household.
“... That’s pretty amazing for a bulldog who had never lived with a family before. So, he’s basically a genius!” her essay added.
Attending River Homelink in Battle Ground, Brynn has two teachers to whom she credits her essay-writing abilities: Mrs. Remmen and Mrs. Campbell. Meghan Boldemann said the two teachers were pleasantly surprised when they found out the success of the essay.
“When she did the essay … my husband and I were like, ‘If nothing else, it’s a great writing assignment,’ ” Meghan Boldemann said.
The story of Brynn and Biggie is soon to be told in an online edition of “People Magazine,” as well as other publications.
To learn more about Three Little Pitties Rescue, visit threelittlepittiesrescue.org/. To read more of Brynn Boldemann’s essay, visit petcolove.org/adopt/love-stories/unlikely-pair-companions-healing-joy/.
