C.A.R.E. has transported thousands of wonderful animals from Midwest shelters to rescues. We have waited almost a year to update you to Macy, one of our Jake's Fund recipients in 2009. Macy has pulled on the heartstrings of everyone she has met in her journey to adoption. We hope that more shelter animals have as bright a future as Macy.
MACY, a/k/a Lil Miss
In March of 2009, Shannon from the Joplin, MO kill shelter, a shelter that gasses furkids to death, called Sandi Hughey, a MO rescuer who spends a great deal of her time rescuing and pulling furkids on death row in MO shelters/pounds. She asked her if she could take a little blind Maltipoo that had been a stray and was destined for the gassing box without rescue. Sandi contacted Judy at The Healing Journey rescue in WY and we immediately said "Yes. Please send her to us" When she arrived, we realized that Lil Miss, as we came to know her, had cataracts. She had no fear, and would take off in a dead run when outside, so at some point she had probably been able to see. Lil Miss came west via a C.A.R.E. transport, riding all the way on the lap of Lisa Mendelsberg.
But by the time she got to WY,we realized that she had only minimal peripheral sight and only in very bright daylight or sunlight. She was the perfect houseguest: she was impeccably housetrained, loved to snuggle, and slept through the night like the trouper she was. She was independent to a fault, and she loved to be held and to go for rides. Soon whenever we were going somewhere, she was bouncing up and down, ready to go with us.
She was treated at the Animal Eye Center in Loveland, CO, and Dr. Stephen Roberts said that eventually her cataracts could be removed but the inflammation in her eyes had to be addressed first. About two weeks before Christmas, something told me it was time to put her on the Petfinder.com website to see if we could find the perfect home and family for her. And one of the conditions of her adoption was that it be someone who could pay to have her cataracts removed. Prayers were said and we posted her on the site.
In less than 48 hours we received a call from a wonderful lady near Denver, CO. She has lost her own furkid, a little poodle who also had had cataract surgery, so she knew the cost and the care it would take for Lil Miss to see again. She simply said "I want to adopt Lil Miss and I will get her eyes fixed". I knew even from that first phone call that Lil Miss's guardian angels were working overtime.
Lil Miss, now known as Macy, went "home" to CO about 10 days before Christmas and in late January, she had the sight restoring surgery that we had all prayed for. Today she lives a wonderful life with her mom and big sister(human type) near Denver, CO. She follows them all over the house, sleeps with her mom and has greatly enriched the lives of everyone who has met her. What great news it was when her mom sent out an e-mail that she had played with her first toy! She could see!
This little girl's journey has been followed by so many from the gassing shelter of Joplin, MO to her transporters to Denver and beyond, and ultimately to her forever home with a mom who cherishes her and loves her so much. So many of us prayed for a wonderful home for her and for her to see again. And we were not disappointed. She has touched so many lives in her journey, and while at times it must have been scary for her, she never lost her spunk and her wonderful personality. She still does her little "butt wiggle", her lying on her back, twisting her butt back and forth to scratch her back, and her little hop and that are her trademarks. We are so grateful that she is home, happy and so loved. All this was possible because of vetting in MO, C.A.R.E.'s transport service and their supporting Jake's Fund donation for Macy to visit an eye specialist, special needs care at the rescue, and a wonderful lady who saw the beauty in this little girl and took her into her heart and her home!
For those who ask "Why do you do this?", the answer is obvious in Macy's journey from despair to safety, from MO to CO, and from blindness to sight. There is no greater reward than knowing that a little soul, thrown away by uncaring people, found safety and love and a chance to live the life that was intended to be. And we, the rescuers, are blessed!
Every quarter, C.A.R.E. gives Dr. Wendell of Best Friends Animal Hospital and Pet Hotel in Fayetteville Arkansas a certain amount of funds to use for vetting rescue animals. These funds are from a grant from a private family foundation. Here is an update on how 1st Qtr. funds for 2010 will be used.
These dogs will be going to National Mill Dog Rescue in Colorado. The 16 dogs will be groomed, sterilized, and vetted. All dogs have been given candy themed names! This quarter's CARE funding will be going towards their medical needs in preparing them for rescue and adoption.
Update by Dr. Wendell on 2/14/10
Skittles the Black/Tan male pom was adopted this week by one of our clients. He joins Annie the pom at his new home.
Bit-O-Honey has fully recovered and moving on with life after her traumatic spay surgery. She is currently enjoying being fostered at my home and seems to be adjusting well. Her new pics don't even look like the same dog as her intake photo. She still has a snaggletooth as it appears her jaw had been previously broken and healed incorrectly - possibly from getting her jaw stuck in the cage?
The dogs in Dr. Wendell’s care were rescued from two southern MO mills and one in ARK. On that particular rescue, National Mill Dog rescue gathered 152 mill dogs in MO and ARK. 80 dogs went to one of our northeast rescue partners (St. Hubert’s AnimalWelfareCenter), Dr. Wendell took 14 and the remaining 58 came back to our facility in Colorado. The dogs that Dr. Wendell took are actually going to stay with her and be adopted out by her, in her community.
The 4 HW+ dogs, Gumdrop the deaf Cav, Willy Wonka the Poodle, Jelly Belly the cocker, and Pixie Stix the sheltie, all started their first round of treatment this week and are doing great. We'll do the 2nd and 3rd treatments in 30 days. Pixie is going into foster care on Monday.
I didn't realize this until we started doing exams, but Ghiradelli, the chocolate cocker, was missing her ear under all that hair. It appears she had had is sliced cleanly off at some point. It made for some creative grooming.
Fresh Pet foods donated a half of dozen cases of food for these guys, so we have Taffy the skinny parasitized pom, Pixie the skinny HW+ sheltie, and Camille the younger Cav are all dining high on the hog. Don't know if you are real familiar with their food, but they just released the vital line and part of what we got it Salmon & Whitefish with Pomegranate, berries and spinach.
We've still got 8 to spay and clean teeth, but we are down to just one more cocker to groom. We've gotten a lot of attention and getting a number of apps, so they seem to be a hit.
"Celebrating, protecting, and sharing the special love of animals." ******************************** Michelle D. Wendell, DVM, MS Best Friends Animal Hospital & Pet Hotel 4175 East Mission Blvd. FayettevilleAR72703
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REESA FROM ARKANSAS
Reesa is an approx. 4-5 y/o Boxer girl that was dumped at a shelter in central AR with severe generalized demodectic mange. She also had secondary skin infections as a result of the demodex. Reesa had apparently been a breeder of some type and also had old knee injuries that had healed. She was somewhat lame on one leg, but Dr. Wendell thought she could manage with just anti-inflammatories.
That was one of the pics I took of Reesa at her shelter, and two more are attached. She was such a pitiful-looking gal, but she is the SWEETEST dog ever. Truly, I am a Boxer lover but do not like cropped ears. Her look is so harsh, and yet it is completely opposite of her temperament. I kept her a couple of days here before taking her to Dr. W. Had she stayed any longer, she’d likely have not left. Very special dog, and everyone who met her along the way just loved her. She not only had all the funky skin, saggy boobs and such, but she also had a crooked, wry mouth with an *extra* long tongue. It always sticks out. Our local Boxer rescue has not been accepting dogs for the past couple of months, and I found a Boxer rescue in MN to take her. That’s where Dr. W and C.A.R.E. funds came in, to try and get Reesa feeling better and under medical supervision in preparation for travel to MN. Just being on meds for a little over 10 days and in Dr. W’s clinic was a big help!
Reesa is still with MN Boxer Rescue (they call her Petunia, which is what I named her initially). She is still undergoing treatment for the mange but is doing much better. I’m sure they’re hoping to get a clean scrape soon… She’s now been on oral ivermectin for about two months. I talked to them about a week ago, and her foster was considering keeping her. I don’t know whether she will or not, but a couple of families have expressed interest.
Thanks for your help and support, as always. It definitely allowed this girl to find her way to safety. She’d never have been adopted from the shelter with skin like that.
Karen
FAITH – THE MIRACLE MAMA
PREGNANT, ABANDONNED, HEARTWORM POSITIVE, STAVING AND COVERED WITH FLEAS
On 7/20/09, Georgina Kirkham, a rescuer from Waterville, Kansas went to a condemned house in southern Missouri after hearing a desperate plea about abandoned dogs.This is Faith’s story….
First, a rescue pulled a poodle, but there was no place for the shepherd or pit bulls to go. The pit bulls would not allow the shepherd near the food bowls.A Schnauzer mix baby was found inside the house. It had been there at least 2 weeks without food or water.
Georgina writes…I decided right then and there that I had to go get the white Shepherd girl. When I set out in my van I turned on the radio and "Have A Little Faith In Me" by Joe Cocker came on the radio.......I knew right then and there that had to be the Shepherds name. She was "Faith" and she had "faith" in us to save her.
Another rescuer brought Faith to me and we pulled at least 60 grape size ticks off her. As soon as I bathed her, I could see at least 100 more ticks on her frail body.
My vet gave her shots and, sadly, she tested positive for Heartworm.Despite looking so thin, an ultrasound showed she was pregnant.My husband and I felt responsible to take care of her and her upcoming babies.We immediately canceled our 2 week vacation.We had planned on nursing her back to her own health then having her spayed and the HW treatment done before seeking a rescue group to find her a home.
The bills are mounting but the vet has been super about keeping her rates very low for us. After a most difficult labor, Faith gave birth to 9 puppies. C.A.R.E. has made Faith a Jake’sFund recipient to help cover the costs of her upcoming heartworm treatment.Please help defray some of the other costs.Donations can be mailed on Faith’s behalf to: The Prairie Valley Veterinary Clinic 821 Highway 9 Blue Rapids, KS. (Phone - 785-363-7903)
I feel so much better after my surgery
Thanks to PILOTS FOR PAWS, Mette arrives 1st Class!!
Mette: A Survivor’s Story
Hi! My name isMette.The most adorable little girl if I do say so myself.Other words that describe me are affectionate, silly and sweet (those came from my foster mom).Just a perfect kid that found herself part of this imperfect world of pain and suffering.Let me tell you my story…
Some details are known, some are assumed but one thing’s for sure - I am lucky to be alive.Based on my injuries, I was hit by a car over 1 month ago.Considering my completely starved frame, I have been fending for myself since that devastating event.Simply bones and unable to walk on my rear right leg, I was taken into the shelter and of course deemed un-adoptable.The wonderful folks at Missouri German Shepherd Rescue (MOGS) saw me and instantly went into action to get me safe and West.They even found a wonderful man through Pilots for Paws to fly me out to Denver so I could get care that was so long overdue.Now my story continues…the wounds that once covered my body have healed with time however the amount of injury that I suffered is evident from the new hair growth that covers about 40% of my body.To think that I fended for myself all this time in just so much pain makes my foster mommy cry.I kiss her tears as we cuddle on the couch.I was taken to see Dr. Broad at DeerCreekAnimalHospital and upon reviewing my x-rays he could see that my hip had been fractured.So much time has passed that I have lost about 50% of my muscle mass in my right rear leg and need surgery to repair my hip.
This stumbling block on my way to Happily-Ever-After means a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) will be performed on July 30th.They tell me I will feel a lot better after the surgery, but I am still scared.My foster mom promises to be by my side - not like my previous owners - and you know, I believe her.The surgery is really, really expensive and I worry how SCSR will find the money while needing to care for so many others.So I am sharing my story with you with hope that you will help.Would you please consider donating to my care?My friends at SCSR could really use your help and need to raise around $1,500.I promise that I am so worth it!!
I will keep you posted on my recovery as I have a lot of healing and food to eat in the next few months.While my history is a sad one, I am a survivor and my future is bright.I just know that I will blossom into the lovely princess that my foster mom already says I am.And when ready, I will need a family worthy of a princess…will that be you?Can you wait for me?Keep watching the website as I write the happy ending to my story!Maybe you’ll be part of it…
Please consider a donation to Mette’s care.These tough economic times have taken a toll on all of us, but especially on homeless pets – the voiceless victims.We need your support to make Mette’s recovery possible.To see her well…to see her run without pain…to see joy erase all memories of her suffering.Your generosity is greatly appreciated.Mail your donation to: Snow Capped Shepherd Rescue, POB 270981, Littleton, CO 80127.
Henry (Now Max) Has Been Adopted
Just wanted to let everyone know that Henry, the crippled poodle from the Logan County puppy mill has found his forever home!
Henry received his corrective surgery for his luxating patellas, funded by C.A.R.E. (Colorado Animal Rescue Express) and the Powell Foundation, about a month ago. He has been undergoing physical therapy at hospital and making good progress.
This past weekend a family took Henry out for a trial and they have decided to keep him! He joins 6 pampered longhair Chihuahuas as his new siblings. Since one of their Chihuahua's have had the same surgery as Henry, they are experienced and comfortable in providing his rehab needs. They have renamed him "Max".
In honor of their new family member, Max's new family have planned his first real vacation this weekend. They are flying on their private jet, to their private condo, on their private beach in Destin, FL for the weekend. I wish I could be Max!
A wonderful ending for a wonderful dog!
Michelle Wendell, DVM
Best friends Animal Hospital, Fayetteville AR
TOBY - A Jake's Fund Kid
Toby was supposedly 'dropped off' at the home of a breeder who was forced to sell all of his dogs and dog equipment by the state of MO. I first met him on one trip to his place to get some dogs we had gotten from his place. This scrawny pup would follow me from the car and back, lying down at each stop for belly rubs. Since the pup was his personal pet, so he was allowed to keep him. A week later, when I was making arrangements to get the last of the fencing I had bought from him, the puppy miller asked me if I'd be interested in taking his puppy, cause he got one of his chickens (that got out of its coop). It was that or he'd kill him. When I arrived to pick up my fencing, I felt I had no choice, cause I knew what the alternative was (being shot). I didn't know WHAT I was going to do with him. I brought him STRAIGHT to my vet for shots, deworming and a much needed bath (he had fleas). My vet estimated him to be no more than 4 months of age.
He came home with me later that day and got along well with all the dogs and ignored the cats. Although he wanted to play, most were either not interested in playing (seniors) or a couple that were too small (he'd play and potentially hurt them unintentionally though). He loved my daughter and LOVED being with people more than other dogs. He would NOT go potty on back deck (fenced in) by himself...I had to take him out front to the grass, and THEN he'd pee and do his business. Out by himself, he's sit and stare at the door and sometimes even bark at it. But out with him in the grass, he'd be done with his business in less than 10 min. at most. He just wanted to be with people as much as possible.
Next, I set out to find a rescue for him, since I specialize in Newfoundlands, and this pup was FAR from a Newfoundland as can be. In the meantime, he was fostered with a family with a lot of kids..and that was HEAVEN to him. He was having a BLAST there. However, we all knew he had to find a forever home. With some effort, I found a rescue in the northeast willing and a transport company contact who donated his trip to the northeast. I really wanted to make sure he got neutered, but having spent $80 on him so far, on a pup I wasn't keeping nor placing, not to mention being short funded as is, I was lost. Linda Fox came to my rescue and offered to pay for his neutering ($75) and we got the health certificate and a week later he was on his way to the northeast.
Thanks to Linda, Lisa, C.A.R.E. and Kelly of Alpha Dog Transport, he is on his way to having a happy life with a family of his own. I was just informed as I was writing this that he got adopted already with a family with two kids. Whoo-hoo!!
Thank you all!
Donna from Autumn Acres Rescue
Colorado Animal Rescue Express (C.A.R.E.) is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
