“Magnum” is an approximately 7 year-old male Boxer that was discovered at a small animal control facility in NW AR by rescuer Mandy Keenen. Mandy’s goal was to ensure this purebred dog was neutered prior to being placed locally or even with a Boxer rescue group. She requested that the animal control officer (ACO) take Magnum to a local vet for his check-up and neuter surgery. The vet who was to perform the neuter told Mandy and the ACO that Magnum had a perineal hernia and would require additional surgery. A perineal hernia is a condition in which there is abnormal displacement of pelvic and/or abdominal organs (small intestine, rectum, prostate, bladder, or fat) into the region around the anus called the perineum. He also had a couple of broken teeth and generally bad oral health. Further, Magnum also had hard calluses over his body, as if he’d lived on concrete his whole life. Clearly, this poor boy had not led the good life. Magnum now needed more than just a routine neuter, and he would need a rescue that was willing to take on a case like his. Everyone who encountered Magnum was very complimentary about what a great dog he is. Fortunately, Minnesota Boxer Rescue accepted Magnum into their program. Local AR rescuers arranged for Magnum’s surgery with a great veterinarian, found him a short-term foster home and made arrangements for his transport to Minnesota. Thanks to the generosity and financial assistance from individuals, rescue groups, and Jake’s fund from C.A.R.E., Magnum will enjoy well-deserved, newfound health and happiness. Our sincere gratitude to all for saving this fine Boxer boy!
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MR. MAGOO - THE BLIND MALTESE FROM A PUPPY MILL
I rescued my puppy mill dog on June 13th 2010 from a horrible Missouri breeder who had threatened to shoot Magoo along with another dog. I receive many email pleas from many wonderful rescue groups daily but this email made me want to do something for the blind Maltese that had such a horrible start to his life already so I agreed to adopt him. I did not care what he looked like or that fact that he was blind; I just knew he needed me..or maybe I needed him.
My husband and I met Mr. Pickles ( the name he was given originally) at a parking lot with other rescued dogs that came in on a C.A.R.E. transport. He was so scared and extremely thin. I guess he didn't get to eat much at the mill since he couldn't see. All the way home, he tried to squirm out of my lap as he never felt the love or kindness from a pair of hands until today. I had to finally allow him the space he needed and allow him to lay down curled up in his usual fetal position on the floor of the truck. He was content all the way home this way.
We brought him home to meet my other dogs; I was nervous because my dogs never like to allow new members to the club but when I put Magoo down, they all smelled him, a couple had licked him and they all walked away as if they knew he was " special". To my surprise, none of them even barked or tried to play with him. What a wonderful transition.
The first night I left Magoo in the bathroom so he could feel safe and have food and water; something I'm sure he was frequently denied at the mill. Camera and video in hand, I filmed his first meal at home...he ate like he had never seen food before. I was relieved to know that he would finally be gaining weight on that poor 4 1/2 lbs of bones to his sweet body.
After our first night, we took Magoo out into the real world; a world of grass, trees, birds chirping, neighborhood dogs barking..a world he hadn't known but was eager to learn about. We watched him spin non stop in the grass for the first few hours , and then he stopped to feel the grass and finally slowed down the consistent spinning. He explored this new found freedom all afternoon and to our surprise, wandered away from his spot many times.
After that first day, we allowed Magoo to hang out in the dog area of our home with the others; he was a part of the pack. He found a soft place to lay his head on finally and the other dogs allowed this..what a wonderful feeling to see Magoo fit in so beautifully.
My mill dog was feeling safe and loved and even ate at the same food bowl with the others...he made me laugh every time he went to the water because he would place his front paws in it and start barking loudly as if to say " Finally I have fresh water"...I have never seen a dog do that and made me laugh every time..
After he was settled in, we took him to a neurologist to determine if his blindness could be fixed with surgery. Sadly, he wasn't a candidate and the vet determined that his spinning was either neurological damage due to abuse to the head or behavioral as the mill dogs spin due to boredom.
We watched Magoo come out of his shell each day and become a more confident little dog...a dog that should have had this life since day one. Although I was never able to hold Magoo for long, he knew we were there and loved him each and every day. Many nights, Id come to the kitchen ad find Magoo curled up next to one of the older dogs and at times, he had even made a fluffy tail from the others his personal bed.
I started to notice Magoo becoming lethargic and tired so I put him in the bathroom on July 24th...at 3 AM on July 25th, I heard something horrible in my bathroom so I jumped out of bed and turned on the light to witness my sweet boy having a seizure. I calmly spoke to him, petted him and told him he would be OK...I wanted to believe he would be. He came out of it dazed and confused. I made sure he had water after this episode and took him to my bed with me...for the first time in 7 weeks, he layed spread out on his side next to me and allowed me to hold him, pet him and love him..he didn't try to run.
Magoo had 2 more seizures and after we took him to the vet, we all determined that he would be happier in dog heaven. The vet and I talked about how hard it was for me earlier in the month to administer meds that she gave us for his neurological disorder..we had to place a pill in water and try to give it to him in a syringe but each time I tried, he was vicious and would attack my hand. This is the sole reason I believe he was abused in the head by the puppy mill owner.
I think Magoo knew he was crossing the Rainbow Bridge as he let me hold him and didn't fight this ..he cried for the first time even before we got to the vet..to hear him cry broke my heart..when we walked into the vet, he didn't squirm or try to get away from me; he layed his sweet head into my chest and never moved from that position .
I held my baby the whole time as he was given the sleepy serum; he passed on my chest with love surrounding him; something he never knew in his short 2 years of life until he came to me.
I will always miss Mr. Magoo and know he brought out something inside of me that has given me more of a reason to be a voice for the others who live a life of hell in these mills. I know he is happy and that I could be his "mommy" even if it was just for 7 wonderful weeks.
Melissa from Lakewood, CO
Crystal and the Gem Stone Puppies
The Joplin, MO Humane Society Shelter, a kill shelter, is unusually overcrowded, and the director is frantically making phone calls to shelters in neighboring states. Not wanting to euthanize a red heeler mix female and her just born 10 pups, she calls Max Fund Shelter in Denver to see if they can take them. Max Fund is also overcrowded, but Jan, a Max Fund Board Member who supplies Black Canyon Animal Sanctuary (Crawford, CO) with dog and cat bedding, calls to see if BCAS can take them. BCAS agrees to take them if I can get help with transportation.
Jan puts me in touch with Colorado Animal Rescue Express, www.caretransport.org, an amazing volunteer organization that transports animals. After several days, and a flurry of emails, we finally have a detailed plan of action. A volunteer at the Joplin facility is willing to drive the mom and pups 2 hours out of Joplin to meet Chris from Kansas who will drive another 6 hours to Hays, KS to meet me. The drive will take me 9 hours. I'm so appreciative to C.A.R.E. for their part in saving the lives of these 11 dogs. It couldn't have happened without them!
Here’s a note from the foster mom who is caring for these jewels!!
Here's mom (red heeler mix) who is about 1 yr old with 10 pups that were born in early May and were 8 days old during transport. The pups had a bacterial infection in their lungs but all doing well now on an antibiotic. The mom, Crystal, is a really fabulous dog who is obedient, great off leash (she goes with me on the ranch to feed the horses, goats and cows) and very sweet. We named her Crystal because she's a gem of a dog and her puppies are the "Gem Stone Puppies". Their names are Ivory, Coral, Diamond, Amber, Opal, Beryl, Chrome, Feldspar, Zircon and Onyx. They are adorable!
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Update on Puppies from Joplin (7/14/2010)
Lisa, wanted to update you on Crystal (mom) and pups that came to the Sanctuary from Joplin, Mo shelter with the help of your organization back in May. The puppies are now 10 weeks old, and Crystal is ready to be spayed, microchipped and vaccinated. Eight of the 10 pups have been adopted. Amber is going to Parker, CO, Zircon and Diamond now live in Brighton, CO with their new mom and dad, Onyx and Coral live in Gypsum, CO with mom, dad and 21 month old brother, Ivory is living in Ohio City, CO and will go to work with attorney dad at offices in Gunnison and Denver, Chrome is in Snowmass with mom and dad and Opal is in Marble, CO with mom and dad. Only Beryl and Feldspar remain but folks coming this weekend to meet them. Here's some of the photos......
Thank you and your organization for helping save these 11 dogs from certain death and for paying for the puppies first set of shots! C.A.R.E. is truly an amazing organization. The Sanctuary has room for another mom and pups so I'll be calling you again for help transporting.
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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
