To the rescue

Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira and realtor/rescue influencer Alex Blumberg may be the charismatic couple at the heart of Must Love Dogs, a new half-hour docuseries steaming on CBC Gem, but the stars of the show are the dogs they rescue.

Especially a sweet pup named Stella, who will no doubt be an early fan favourite.

“She’s a special dog. Her rescue was actually very easy in the grand scheme of rescues because she basically just came right into my arms and we picked her up and put her in the car,” Blumberg says.

While it was an easy rescue, it was on a hard, big day. Some 40 dogs were rescued, and there weren’t enough people to foster them.

“Alex looks at me after a long rescue day and says, ‘I think we have to take her home,’” Oliveira says.

The couple already has four dogs, but they could make room for one more — or, at least what they thought was one more. Let’s just say when they take Stella to the vet, they find out some unexpected news.

That’s just one story in Must Love Dogs, the first four episodes of which drop today, with two new episodes available every Monday after that. The emotional roller-coaster nature of dog rescue makes for dramatic, compelling television; there are a lot of heartwarming moments, but there are also a lot of heartbreaking ones.

It was important to the pair to show both those realities in the show.

“Rescue work is not glamorous. You see things that you wish you could unsee, and you want to save them all, and you want to bring them all in, but the sad reality is that you can’t,” Blumberg says.

It helps, she says, to have a partner who is as passionate about the work as she is, as well as a network of people who are also committed to the cause.

“We have an incredible team of people we work with: K9 Advocates and everybody that’s involved on that end. It takes a whole bunch of people to make this happen and we’re just a small part in that,” she says.

“But, yeah, I mean, your heart breaks a million times. But I’d rather my heart break a million times if it means saving dogs.

“You take on that heartbreak so that they don’t have to.”

Going into rescue situations with compassion is also key, she says.

“You don’t know what someone has been through and what has led them to the situation of having to surrender their dog or a dog living in a particular situation that you may not agree with. You just have to be open-hearted and compassionate and understanding,” Blumberg says.

Letting a film crew into their lives was an adjustment, the couple says.

“Our biggest thing was, we really want this show to feel real and raw and to show what it really takes and what we go through, so we were very open to them filming all of that,” Blumberg says.

“It took some getting used to, for sure. They’d have to remind us sometimes, like, by the way, you’re still miked up. But all in all it was a great experience.”

Oliveira hopes the show inspires people to get involved, whether it’s through fostering, adopting or raising awareness about dog overpopulation in under-resourced Northern communities and the people doing important work there, too.

‘Alex and I talk about being purpose-driven in your life, having a calling and living that out, and if (your purpose) so happens to be dogs or animals, this show is perfect for you, Oliveira says. “You’re going to see two normal people that are living out their purpose of trying to help and save as many dogs as possible.”

Must Love Dogs isn’t just about the dogs. Bombers fans will get an intimate look at the life of a player — an early season injury and a playoff run are also storylines here — and the show offers a different view of the city, too.

“We’re both proud Winnipeggers and proud Manitobans and for me to play for my hometown team of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers has been a dream come true, honestly,” Oliveira says.

“So to be able to show that and show the beauties of Winnipeg — because I feel like Winnipeg is a place where people travel through and they don’t actually stop in and spend time — and show how amazing the community is and the people, is really exciting.”

“It’s kind of like a love letter to Winnipeg,” Blumberg adds.

winnipegfreepress.com/jenzoratti