Rescue influencer Alex Blumberg and CFL superstar running back Brady Oliveira have just returned to their hometown of Winnipeg from Bali, where they spent the last three months doing animal rescue work in local communities. Now they’re shifting gears, not just in preparation for a new season with the Blue Bombers, but for their new television series, Must Love Dogs, now streaming on CBC Gem.
“This was our fourth winter heading to Bali — we’re trying to escape the winter here and go somewhere where Brady can continue his training, but more importantly, where we can also focus on our dog rescue missions overseas,” Blumberg said. “We focused heavily on sterilization clinics out there, putting on mass clinics in remote villages, helping the locals afford vaccinations. We did some frontline rescue work as well.”
Helping as many animals as possible
Must Love Dogs focuses on Blumberg and Oliveira’s life together and their animal rescue work in their home province of Manitoba. Blumberg, a Winnipeg-based realtor, has been involved in rescue work for nearly two decades.
“I was always the only kid that had rescue dogs, because it just wasn’t the norm back then,” she said.
She volunteered with several rescue groups around the world before eventually starting her own. Oliveira came to rescue work later, but it’s since become a significant part of his life — and it’s how the two met.
Their work began attracting attention on social media, particularly after one rescue saw Oliveira venture into a flooded rural Manitoba community and retrieve a dog stranded in rising waters.
He said the television show goes deeper than what’s shown on social media, with both in service of their ultimate mission: helping as many animals as possible. “We just want to get as many eyes on this issue as possible. Alex and I definitely had some manifestation sessions of like, ‘Okay, how can we make this into something even bigger to get more people involved, to inspire and to raise more awareness?’”
Winnipeg is a city that shows up
Watching the show, it’s clear how much pride Blumberg and Oliveira have for Winnipeg — and what it means to represent their hometown and its beloved football team. Oliveira has played for the Blue Bombers since 2019, winning two Grey Cups and numerous individual accolades.
“I love Winnipeg, man.” Oliveira said. He called it “the greatest city ever,” adding that being able to showcase it “in such an amazing light” makes him proud.“
Alex Blumberg applauds the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ home opener. (FH Productions Ltd.)
Blumberg echoes that sense of pride, pointing to how willing the city has been to support their rescue efforts. “You really get to see the people and how they show up — whether it’s for the Bombers game or whether it’s because we need 60 volunteers to foster dogs because we just did a massive pull in one of the communities,” she said.
In one memorable moment in the series, Blumberg and Oliveira enlist the help of a local youth, Lance, to retrieve a dog trapped in a narrow space beneath a house.
“When you see Lance just being so willing and open to helping in that situation, it was really heartwarming,” Oliveira said. “I really hope it inspires more young kids to get involved, and especially in these northern communities.”
Just as the pair aim to inspire others, they’re encouraged by the people around them.
“We want to make a difference and inspire people everywhere that we go,” Oliveira said, adding that their work across Northern Manitoba is about not only impacting dogs’ lives, but also inspiring the next generation.“We always say if you want a better future, it starts with the youth and them making a positive impact in this world.”
The emotional toll of animal rescue work
Blumberg is honest about the emotional toll of their work. While social media more frequently focuses on the animals that are rescued and find stable homes, she said the reality is often different. Many animals are found in poor health and execrable conditions — and not all of them survive.
(L) Foster puppy Jack Jack recieves oxygen at the vet. (R) Brady Oliveira waits at the vet for news about Jack Jack. (FH Productions)
“There’s always dogs that you have to leave behind and there’s always dogs that you can’t save,” Blumberg said. “There’s always heartbreak, but within that, there are those small moments where, even if you only could save one, that dog’s life has changed forever, and you have to celebrate that moment.”
She said the strength of their partnership helps them maintain a positive outlook. “Brady’s really good at being positive and always saying we have to celebrate the small wins because that’s what rescue is.”
In keeping with the theme of the emotions, I asked which was more exhilarating: a scene in the show where Oliveira helps deliver ten newborn puppies in their garage, or the Blue Bombers’ 2021 Grey Cup victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in overtime.
WATCH | Brady becames a ‘canine midwife’:
Brady Oliveira helps foster dog Stella birth ten puppies | Must Love Dogs
Brady Oliveira and Ryan Klassen watch foster dog Stella nurse her newborn pups.
“Oh, dude, those puppies were definitely more exhilarating. It was absolutely insane. I went to work, and she wasn’t giving us any signs that she was going to give birth to these puppies. The next thing you know, they’re on our couch… There were times where I’m like, ‘Okay, an hour and a half in between puppies — this isn’t right,’” he said. ”We kind of felt all the emotions, but then we were able to enjoy a nice cold beer or two in the garage and we waited around for eight hours. It was quite the day.”
Blumberg missed the birth but followed along from afar and was proud of how it all unfolded. “It was just complete chaos. I was on FaceTime for the majority of her birth. It was definitely a roller coaster and the boys were having their beers and being the little midwives — and they did a good job.”
Watch Must Love Dogs, now streaming on CBC Gem.