Foreverhome Pet Rescue Needs Your Help!

We have never, in all of ouryears of rescue, been in such a position. Once in a while an animal will require extensive
veterinary care for one reason or another… but we have recently been hit hard with three major vet bills as follows:

Budweiser (formerly known as Harvey) is a 10 month old Golden Retriever mix – he was found on the side of the
freeway after having fallen from the back of a truck. He severed the nerve in his shoulder and without use of his entire
leg, it had to be amputated. We took him in to our adoption program to prevent him from going to a very high kill shelter
where his injuries would have meant certain euthanasia. He’s just a puppy, has no idea he’s now missing a leg…
he’s very waggy and wonderful and thankful to be alive. He is now in a loving foster home and available for adoption…
but of course his vet bill for surgery and after-care was enormous.

Hanna was a 4 year old Shnauzer/Silky mix that was rescued from the Lancaster shelter where she was scheduled
for euthanasia. She only had one working eye because at some point in her life someone kicked her in the head and the
injury was never treated. Hanna came to us scared and skin and bones, but quickly settled in to her foster home and
enjoyed some love and company and quality food. Only a few days into her rescue, Hanna became very ill and was
diagnosed with pneumonia and stopped eating. She spent several days at the vet’s office and after xrays and ultrasounds
was further diagnosed with an intestinal inclusion (her Intestines wrapped around eachother). She also had several
underlying congenital issues and would eventually need to have her eye removed because of that earlier injury. She was
miserable – and because of her condition was not a candidate for surgery…. because intestinal inclusions are re-occurring
and because her system was so weak from a lifetime of trauma – after much heartbreak and over a thousand dollars of
medical care, we had to let Hanna go.

Daisy is a 4 year old Corgi/Eskimo mix that wandered into someone’s backyard two years ago pregnant. She had her
puppies and when the puppies were about 4 months old the family decided they didn’t want them anymore and they
opened up their gate and turned the hose on them… but they wouldn’t leave. We were informed of the situation and rushed
over to get Daisy and her pups out of that nightmare. Her pups were all adopted, but she has been overlooked all this time.
Daisy was diagnosed with bladder stones this past weekend and requires surgery to remove them this week… which,
ultimately will cost over a thousand dollars. Daisy will also require prescription food for the rest of her life – and she
still needs a home…

Foreverhome Pet Rescue is a “mom and pop shop” grassroots nonprofit organization… we don’t receive any regular
funding – and easily half of our operating costs come out of our personal pockets. We are not an organization that
brings in 100K per year either – in 2007 we brought in 24K in donations, and spent well over 40K on the animals. We do
not have paid staff – we are all volunteers and we all work normal full time jobs like the rest of the world… but our
evenings and weekends are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of abused, neglected and abandoned
animals in our communities…. and sometimes in that mission we “get in over our heads” and must ask for help.

If you are able to assist us with a donation towards these recent veterinary expenses, we can certainly provide you with a
tax deduction letter and a BIG waggy lick on the face! (or not!) J

The link to our Paypal donation page is here: http://www.foreverhomepetrescue.org/donate.html
please specify that the donation is for Buddy/Hanna/Daisy

Or, if you are more comfortable calling in a donation directly to our veterinarian with a credit card – please call:
East Valley Veterinary, 818-767-7116 – please specify donation for Foreverhome Pet Rescue, Inc.

Thank you for supporting our mission…. and thank you for caring about the animals!

Please also forward this email to anyone you know who loves animals and may be willing or able to help!
Posts on MySpace and Facebook would also be appreciated!

(Note: we BCC’d everyone on this email to protect your privacy)

Foreverhome Pet Rescue, Inc.
http://www.foreverhomepetrescue.org

Sorry we haven’t blogged in a while…

we’ve been obsessed lately with Facebook! Check us out on facebook for more regular updates…. pretty much daily!

An article that EVERY dog owner should read…

and certainly every rescuer should read:
HE JUST WANTED TO SAY “HI”

“We cannot expect our dogs to be saints – at least not until we can rise to that level of tolerance ourselves. And that’s unlikely to happen any time soon. We can expect our dogs to be tolerant to the degree that we educate them, socialize them and protect them – with respect to their individual needs and boundaries. ” – Quoted from “He just wanted to say hi” by Suzanne Clothier

Marley and Me: TWO PAWS UP!!!

By Lisa Lange
MCT FORUM

I recently attended a screening of Fox 2000’s new movie “Marley and Me,” which opens nationwide Christmas Day, and I left the theater hoping that everyone would go see this film. The movie’s important message — that adding an animal to the family means making a lifetime commitment to treat the animal like a family member even when he or she is unruly, hard to live with, ailing or old — is something that all of us need to hear.

Unless you work at an animal shelter, you’d probably be surprised at the reasons people give for getting rid of their dogs and cats. The animals, they say, are a bother. They bark all the time, take too long to house train, have fleas, keep getting pregnant, are too aggressive or are too timid. Countless people toss out their “pets” as they would an unwanted piece of furniture when they move or have a baby.

As the number of foreclosures goes up, the problem has gotten even worse, and some people are simply leaving animals behind to starve inside empty houses — although they manage to pack up their televisions and video games. Local authorities have found starving cats and dogs locked inside abandoned homes or chained in backyards; in desperation, some animals have tried to eat drywall, plastic and garbage just to survive.

When I lived in Louisiana, I used to volunteer at the local SPCA. One Saturday, I worked at the intake desk and watched as people came in and gave one sorry excuse after another for giving up their animals. “I got new furniture.” “She just sits there.” “She’s no fun now that she’s older.” One man brought in two sweet Doberman pinschers who’d had their beautiful Dobey ears chopped into triangles and their tails whacked to a few inches. As he dropped off his dogs, he said simply, “I am moving.” These are the people I hope will see this movie.

Dogs (and cats) are a part of the family, for better or for worse, and when we bring them into our homes, we have a responsibility to love and care for them the way that Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston (playing John and Jenny Grogan) love and care for Marley in “Marley and Me.” The Grogans stuck with Marley through tipped-over tables, shredded couches and eaten necklaces. They took the time to properly introduce him to their children and were with him as the aging dog began to falter and it was time to say goodbye.

I also applaud the filmmakers for changing the plot of the best-selling book by having the Grogans adopt Marley from a rescue group instead of buying a puppy from a breeder. Every puppy who is purchased from a breeder or pet store means that a potential home won’t be available to a dog in an animal shelter or a breed rescue group whose life depends on being adopted. People who are determined to have a specific type of dog or cat can adopt the breed of their choice at a rescue group or an animal shelter. And although I recommend giving an older animal a second chance at life, if you have your heart set on (and the time to spend with) a puppy or kitten, rescue groups have those too.

In the trailer for “Marley and Me,” Owen Wilson reminds us, “A dog doesn’t care if you are rich or poor. Give him your heart, and he’ll give you his.” I hope this movie inspires people to stand by their animal companions — even when it’s not easy — and to love them unconditionally, just as they love us.

So please, go see “Marley and Me,” and take a friend. And when you have the time, money and patience to bring a dog or cat into your life — after the hectic holiday season — visit your local animal shelter and adopt one of the many animals who aren’t as lucky as Marley was.

Last Year’s Christmas Present…

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
With no thought of the dog outside filling their head.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Knew he was cold, but didn’t care about that.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Figuring the dog was free and into the trash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of midday to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa Claus – his eyes full of tears.
He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick,
Last years Christmas present, now thin and sick.
More rapid than eagles he called the dog’s name.
And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain;

“Now, DASHER! Now, DANCER! Now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! On CUPID! On, DONNER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Let’s find this dog a home where he’ll be loved by all”

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year,
For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear,
The gift of a dog is not just for the season,
We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons.
In our haste to think of giving the kids a gift
There was one important thing that we missed.
A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don’t give a gift, then put it on a chain.
And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight,
“You weren’t given a gift! You were given a life!”

—Author Unknown

 

 

Rest in Peace, Daisy….

Sweet, Soft, Daisy….

Tears have fallen for you. We’ll see you at the Rainbow Bridge.

 

 

The week before the 4^th of July a very good friend of Foreverhome asked if she could bail a couple of dogs out of a city shelter. All of us in rescue know that 4^th of July brings in many, many stray dogs due to the fireworks – and every year hundreds of animals in the shelters are euthanized to make space for the influx of 4^th of July dogs…. so the lives she wanted to save were in imminent danger. Of course we agreed, and she bailed out two senior Cocker Spaniels – both from different homes, and both dumped by their families at the shelter.

 

Daisy was a sweet, waggy, wonderful Golden Cocker girl who had the best temperament of any Cocker we’ve ever met. She was so happy to be out of the shelter, to have a place to call home, to have someone love her, walk her, play with her, talk to her – just to be with her. Right off, Daisy had mastitis (tumors on her chest) and needed surgery. Her first surgery ended up pulling her chest skin too tight and she required a 2^nd surgery. Her savior, Bernice, took care of her during all of her down time and she knew that this sweet girl had love and life in her that could not be denied. She finally healed from surgery and and started to behave like a normal, happy, dog. She started to come to adoptions to look for that special family that will adopt a senior dog.

 

Then, a few weeks ago she began to have trouble walking. She was diagnosed with a herniated disc in her back and began a regimen of arthritis medication and holistics. She had good days and bad days – but she always had Bernice – and Bernice always had visions of Daisy one day sitting on someone’s lap on the couch and watching tv in her “foreverhome”….

 

Yesterday Daisy stopped getting up and was clearly in horrible pain trying to stand…. after two emergency vet visits overnight for morphine, today our veterinarian determined that her back problems were more than just one disc and she simply was not a candidate for that type of surgery and rehab given her age. Her pain was too much to be managed with any kind of medication or alternative medicine… so, sadly, early this afternoon Bernice held her sweet little head as she was released from her pain.

 

Thank you, Bernice – for giving Daisy a loving, comfortable, wonderful home her last few months – and thank you for letting her go when it is so heartbreaking to have to do.

 

Thank you, East Valley Veterinary – Dr. Hohne and Staff – for helping us make Daisy’s last few months as comfortable as possible.

 

 

Thank you, Daisy – for blessing us with the opportunity to know you… even if only for a short time. 

 

 

And…. Thank you, Karma, for whatever ill will falls upon the family that dumped this sweet, wonderful dog in a shelter with tumors and a bad back in the last few months of her life.

Daisy still has outstanding vet bills from her care – if you are able to donate to help with her vet costs (total to date of over $1500), please visit our donate link: http://www.foreverhomepetrescue.org/donate.html

I rescued a human today….

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them. As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one. I rescued a human today.

 

– Author Unknown

Some New Doggie Additions!

We currently have SEVERAL puppies available for adoption – and some recent additions.

The Chihuahua puppies (the grey one and the black one) are still available for adoption. They are super tiny and super cute and little balls of wags and fun! These puppies are “pet store”  type puppies and they will be shown at our South location in Long Beach this coming weekend.

We also have a new Pit mix puppy named Chiquita who is the spitting image of our mascott – she is SUPER sweet and kissy. She was purchased by someone who “didn’t realize” that she would have teeth, I guess, because she relinquished her to us saying that she was “biting” the kids. This puppy is NO biter – she’s just very playful and still very small and wiggly. She has a FANTASTIC personality.

In the next couple of days we will be getting three 8-week old German Shepherd puppies from someone in the south bay who had an “accidental” litter (of course, mommy and daddy will be fixed immediately). Although we don’t yet have them, we’re told that daddy is a purebred black/tan GSD and the pups look just like him… they will be shown at our NORTH location in Porter Ranch.

Tonight we will be taking in a sweet 3 month old Pit mix male puppy who was found running the street with a nasty wound on his tail. Someone had cut off his tail with a knife – and he was probably headed for a life of fighting when he managed to get away from his owners. Fortunately they hadn’t tried to cut his ears of with scissors yet. He is very sweet and darling and his tail is now healing nicely.

Another new addition is Schatze – an absolutely wonderful 5 year old Miniature Poodle. He is healthy, calm, sweet and housebroken. He’s also been around very small children and seems to be fantastic with other dogs and cats.

We have several other mixed breed puppies for adoption – have a visit to our website and find a new family member!

Adoptions Cancelled This Weekend – Porter Ranch

Our North location has cancelled adoptions for the weekend of October 18 and 19 due to bad air quality at the Porter Ranch Petco location. We will be back the following weekend.

Our hearts go out to the residents of Porter Ranch and surrounding areas who have lost their homes to the Sesnon fire. We have limited availability to help with boarding animals that have been misplaced in the fire, please contact us if your animals need a place to stay for a while.

Adoptions as usual at our South location in Signal Hill / Long Beach.

Meet Our Mascott!

Meet Candy (also known as Banana) – the Foreverhome Mascot:

 

Candy was unfortunate enough to have been “rescued” by a man who had a kennel up in the desert where he took dogs and left them. They had food and water – but that’s really all they had other than a 6×9 dirt pen. Many of them were there for years. This is where Candy spent 3 years of her life before we got her out of there with the intention of finding her a home. Find her a home we did – with the President/Founder of Foreverhome (me!).

Yes, I broke the number one rescue rule…. no keeping. I kept. Just one. She is my ONLY personal dog – and she is my best friend and is with me all the time – at work, at home, at adoptions. Candy has been blind all of her life – she does not have pupils – and she is currently 12 years old. She is the most balanced dog I have ever met – reacting to nothing, she allows puppies and kitties to climb all over her and bite her ears and face.

Candy is absolutely wonderful – and, yes, a Pit Bull. She is the same age as Cesar Milan’s dog, Daddy – and has a similar temperament. She has never met a dog or cat (or rabbit or rat) that she didn’t like… except the feral in my house that whacks her in the nose every now and then.

Her temperament leads me to believe that this dog had love when she was younger. Someone spent a lot of time training her (she knows sit, down, stay, come, shake) and someone spent a lot of time socializing her with other animals. I hope that the family that had her prior to me isn’t still wondering where she is… I can’t imagine losing a dog like Candy. She’s my everything.

In the short time that Candy has lived with me, she has slowed down a lot. She sleeps about 20 hours per day and her hips are starting to give out on her. She has gotten grayer and grayer in the face and often requires help these days to get into the car. She barely has any teeth at all.

Everyone has, in their lifetime, one pet (or maybe two) that are their “heart” – and Candy is my heart dog. There will never be another Candy. I hope she stays with me for many more years… I’m not sure what I’d do without her.

Stop by one of our adoption events in Porter Ranch and you can meet Candy (although the odds are that she’ll be sleeping!)….

 

I suppose that a dog that becomes blind may miss running at full tilt – but a dog that has been blind all it’s life probably wouldn’t know the difference.

It’s sad, in a way, that this is the case.