Weekly Update-Dec. 12-18, 2011-12 Adoptions!

   This was a very nice week.  The dogs were pretty good at the shelter-unlike the previous full moon week.  Not too many sick ones except for the little kittens.  We did 12 adoptions this week-Mila, Wilhela, Smiley, Max, Rocko, Finley, Nikki, Aida and Yoshi were the dogs going to new homes.  The kitties were Isidora, Corgan, and Bob.  Kisses got to go to a foster home with Sue and Walt!  Perry, Titus, Mango, and Zippity went to foster homes.  We were able to pull about 10 dogs and 4 kitties.  We were able to rescue a momma dog and her 5 babies that were strays.  This week we were able to rescue the other mom with 8 brand new babies so they will get to be safe and warm for Christmas.
   On Friday, we had a wonderful surprise at the shelter. Melissa makes the cutest hats you have ever seen.  She knits them with frogs, dogs, lambs, pigs etc. on them.  They are really great and people love them.  She sells her hats and on Friday she donated all her proceeds to P4P!!  I am constantly amazed at the kindness of people.  Thank you Melissa!! 
   Santa Paws pictures ended on Sunday at Petsmart.  Big thank you to Santa Rich and his elves for the Santa pictures.  Petsmart gives P4P half of the proceeds from the pictures we take.  Haven't got the total pictures taken but I'm sure it is near 300. 
   On Sunday we had a great Christmas present!  Hannah and Danielle, two teenage girls, brought us a truckload of supplies and a check for $250.00.  The supplies were 40 bags of kitty litter, food, towels, toys, treat, and more.  The girls had worked for over a year to raise money for P4P.  Very awesome!
   We have been getting all kinds of Christmas cards from people that have adopted from us with pictures.  It is really great to see a once hopeless animal all happy in their new home.  Check out Molly and Micah's story on the blog. We have also been getting some wonderful Christmas gifts from some really great people.  The animals at the shelter really appreciate all the presents.  Thank you!
   This weekend is Christmas so we will not be going to Petsmart for adoptions.  We have had several people call about fostering an animal for Christmas or adopting.  If you would like to foster please call Nev at 618-540-7387.  Merry Christmas to all from Partners For Pets!!

Danielle and Hannah with Santa Rich

All the supplies they collected

Katie's Kookies 4 Pets

Katie is one of our young volunteers that helps at adoptions, fosters some dogs and make dog cookies to sell to help the animals at our shelter.  Her Mom posted this on Facebook and I just wanted to share this with you.  Way to go Katie!!  Awesome!!

Katie's Kookies 4 Pets are being produced in bulk this week! $10 gets you approximately 35-2" cookies--- All profits go to @partners 4 pets. Katie has raised over $75 this fall with her Kookies. If you want a batch let me know ASAP! By the way...there are 25 ounces of biscuits in a $10.00 batch.  They are pretty popular around our house.  Would you like to help Katie reach her goal of $100.00 for P4P this fall?  Elizabeth Dugger-Riesberg   By the way... there are 25 ounces of biscuits in a $10 batch. They are pretty popular around our house... Would you like to help Katie reach her goal of $100 for Partners 4 Pets this fall? So close... So very close and I am so very proud of her!

Merry Christmas From Molly!

Merry Christmas from Micah!

What a great picture of Micah.  She was an older girl that was left at the pound.  I love old dogs.  They are so wonderful and the thought of them living their last days at the pound is hard to bear.  Micah was very dirty, scared and thin when we got her.  She will have a wonderful Christmas this year in her new home!  Thank you for giving her a second chance.  Merry Christmas Micah! 

Merry Christmas From Hannah and Danielle!!

On Sunday, Dec. 18,  two teenage girls, Hannah Stricklin and Danielle DeMay, brought a very welcome Christmas present to P4P at Petsmart.  Both girls, age 14 and 15, have worked for the last year and a half to collect money and supplies for the shelter.  They held yard sales, lemonade stands, did odd jobs, babysat, and collected money in their Piggy Bank to help the animals at the shelter. 

   The girls brought the gift to the volunteers at the adoption event at Petsmart.  There were approximately 40 bags of kitty litter!!, towels, dog food, toys, shampoo, blankets, treats and canned food along with a check for $250.00!  Everyone was so excited. 

   I think it is really amazing that these two worked so hard to help the animals at our shelter.  It is just really awesome and so kind.  Their accomplishment is very inspiring.  What great girls!  It just goes to show you how the work of a few can make a huge difference in the lives of the animals.  Thank you! 

Update on Kisses

   After spending two weeks recuperating, Kisses has left us to go with Sue and Walt.  Kisses was at the pound several weeks ago with a compound fracture of her back leg.  It had been broken for some time and infection had set in.  Dr. Ervin at Horseshoe Lake AH felt the only option to save Kisses was amputation so within hours of rescue the surgery was done. 
    When we got the call from animal control about Kisses they had said she was a Dalmatian.  We called the Dalmatian rescue group, SpotSavers, for help since we had had way too many emergencies and surgeries in the last month.  They said they would help with her medical costs and work on a foster home for her.  When Kisses arrived at the shelter after surgery, it was determined she was not a Dalmatian at all but a rat terrier mix with spots.  We emailed SpotSavers back to tell them thanks anyway but Kisses was not a Dal and to our surprise they still said they would help!  On Sunday after her surgery, Sue and Walt came to see Kisses.  They volunteer for SS.  Kisses loved them and even though she was in pain she curled up on Sue's lap.
   This last Monday Kisses got her stitches out and her surgical site was healed.  On Friday Sue and Walt came to pick her up and Kisses was transferred over to SS.  What a great bunch of people.  Very awesome!!

   We got an update from Sue and Walt and Kisses, aka Missey, is doing great.  Sue said she was running and playing like she had all her legs.  She has settled right in and thinks Walt is it.  Big thank you to all who helped Kisses go from a hopeless, seriously injured pooch to one that is really enjoying her life again.  Way to go Kisses!!

We are Rescue

Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary Inc. Vermilion, OH

We find beauty in the most incomprehensible places and the otherwise homely faces.
It is our gift to see beyond the dirt, terror, sadness and defeat and find the true soul that lies within.  We are Rescue.

Weekly Update-Dec. 4-11, 2011

Great week.  Terrible week.  Full moon.  First the good news-we did 20 adoptions!!! The dogs going home were:  Axel, Panda, Delilah, April, Ferd, Reeny, Barkley, Winter, Christmas, Noel, Frosty, Holly, Princess, Bruiser, Ava, Raffie.  The cats going home were:  Delta, Turkey, Phillip, and Elliot. We were able to take in about 25 dogs and cats for the week and able to put our name on several at the pound.  We took in a litter of 4 week old kittens who had been separated from their momma.  They were very happy to be reunited with the mom and all are doing well now.  We also took in 10 six week old puppies.  They are so cute!  There was also the two chi girls that were left in a home when the owners moved.  One is just a little crazy and had to be lassoed to get her out of the pound.  She was pretty happy with Nev on the car ride to our shelter and gave her a kiss.  She did climb up on my lap on Sunday.
   All the great dane pups have gone to their new homes.  I know Nev is very relieved.  That is really hard work to foster pups from birth to adoption and when you have 22 pound (yes, they were big), 8 week old pups it is really hard.  Good job Nev!!
   Update on our disasters.  Misty is doing very well and got her cast off.  She will get her pins out in a few weeks.  Bates is doing well except for his leg.  The infection has settled in the hock and is not healing.  They want to give him a few more weeks of antibiotics so let's hope it works or he may lose his leg.  Kisses is doing great and going to her foster home on Friday.  Her stitches are out and she is getting around just fine.  Virgil is in a foster home and doing well with only one eye. Scarlett the boxer is doing great.  She has gained about 7 pounds and is enjoying her foster home.
   Now the sad news-we lost our momma great dane-Cadence.  She had been through so much.  Found as a stray, having the pups, going thru heartworm treatment.  Last week she was spayed and developed bloat.  Within minutes she was gone.  Cadence was a great mom and did get to see her babies safe and sound.  She also got to enjoy the comforts of a wonderful home and love for the time we had her.  She was a beautiful girl and we will miss her.
   That's about it.  Have a good week.  Lisa

Skinny Scarlett or Don't Dump the Dog

   On 12/3/11 one of our volunteers, Denise, got a call from a friend of a hunter who had been hunting and a dog walked up to him.  He said the dog was skin and bones and didn't know what to do.  The hunter said he had called other rescues and they had said they were full.  The friend took her to a vet in Pontoon Beach and called Denise.  Denise went and got her. The boxer girl was probably around a 1 year old. 
    When Denise first arrived,, there were no words for the dogs' condition.  She could barely walk and was  so weak she had to have help to get in the car.  The boxer was about a year old and so emaciated.  She also had a bad wound on her leg.  When they first weighed Scarlett, as she was named, she weighed 32 pounds.  Denise said she knows "bye bye", and is house broke, kennel trained, good with kids, other dogs and loves to sleep in bed. She loves kids, men, women and dogs.  Scarlett was very hungry and ate well but the smallest amount of exertion made her very tired.  The vets at Creekwood Animal Hospital , where she was taken, gave her DHLPP, drontal plus, her wound cleaned and an Advantage. 

   On 12/6/11 she went back to the vet at Horseshoe and she weighed a whopping 35 pounds.  She is heartworm neg which is a big surprise. Denise said today is the first day she has had any energy and actually got excited and tried to jump up.  She also was able to get out of her crate without help.  Scarlett's tail is always wagging even though she was about at the end of her rope.  She has a sore on her foot and won't put any pressure on it.  It really hurts. Sue came by to take some pictures and she was getting some peanut butter which she loves.  

   Scarlett was found near Horseshoe Lake Park where people dump animals.  People have to understand that dogs do not know how to take care of themselves when they are dumped.  Dogs that have lived in homes do not generally know how to hunt.  They starve to death like Scarlett was about to do.  My other concern is she was dumped in that condition which is a terrible thought.  I really doubt she would have survived in that area for as long as it took her to get that emaciated.  Too many coyotes.  People need to understand it would be much kinder to take the dog to the pound than to dump it.  There are too many other options to dumping. 

   Lucky for Scarlett someone cared enough to help her.  She is now enjoying sleeping with the kids, eating some food and cuddling up in a big comforter.   

 

Here are a few pictures that Sue took at Denise's of Scarlett  on 12/06/11.  

 

 

Weekly Update, Nov. 28-Dec. 4, 2011-12 Adoptions!

   Very busy weekend.  We had adoptions on Sat. at O'Fallon and on Sunday at Glen Carbon.  We had 12 adoptions with the dog adoptions including Rio, Dora, Cooper, Killian, Ingrid (was returned and readopted), Rollo!!, and Chastity.  The kitties were Suzy, Gris, Nala, Clarrissa and Sorrel. 
   Santa pictures were this Sat. and Sunday at Glen Carbon.  P4P has the best Santa ever and we did about 100 pictures this weekend.  We will be doing pictures again next Sunday from 11-4 at Glen. 
   We also did the Holiday Magic event at the Edward Jones Dome with the Purina St. Louis PetLover Coalition.  It was very nice and fun.  There were all kinds of events going on, carnival rides, shopping, food, and adoptions. Big thank you to Purina for hosting our area. 
   Two rescues this week that were very sad.  Kisses, a rat terrier mix, came into St. Louis Co. AC with a severely broken leg.  It had been broken with the bone exposed for two weeks.  Not sure of the whole story.  We took her straight to Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital and Dr. Ervin said the only option was amputation.  Too much time and infection.  So within 2 hours the surgery was done.  Kisses is recuperating here and doing well.  The surgery area was pretty painful but today she is doing great and wagging her tail.  She also has heartworms but will have to heal well before she is treated. 
   Just yesterday a call came in that a boxer had been found by a hunter and the dog was in bad shape.  She was at a local vets office and they asked if we could take her.  One of our volunteers went to get her and was shocked at what she saw.  The adult female boxer weighed 30 pounds and could hardly stand.  She also has a bad cut on her leg.  Fortunately, she is eating and is warm and cozy in her foster home.  I don't know what her name is but will let you know with some picts when I get them. 

Chastity and her new family

Rolo and his new family

Ingrid and her new family

Killian and his new family

Kisses surgery

   Bates, our little pit pup that was terribly hurt, is doing much better at his foster home. He is eating and getting along with her dogs.  The wound on his back let is not healing well and the infection has settled in the hock. He is going back tomorrow for another check.  His ear seems to be doing better. 
   That's about all I know.  Have a good week!  Lisa
  

Sunday Best

Wilelha

Weekly Update-Nov. 21-27, 2011-17 adoptions!

   Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. Misty the little dog with a broken leg is doing well.  Virgil had to have his eye removed due to glaucoma but is doing well.  Adoptions went well.  No adoptions at O'Fallon but we did 17 at Glen Carbon.  Dogs that were adopted were:  Muriel, Cuddles, Ingrid, Petunia, Bella and Winslow.  The kitties were:  Carmelia, Logan, Dante, Clay, James, Robbie, Minnie, Cassie, Graycie, Sonny and Kia.  The kitties beat the dogs out this week.  Killion and Ava went on a trial.  Charlie got to go to a foster home after many months at the shelter.  He looked very happy.  The best news was Sleepy going to stay with Margie.  Poor boy had been at the shelter for at least 6 months.  Let's keep our fingers crossed he minds his manners.  We were able to pull 5 dogs and 4 cats today. 
   Last week we had a little pup that was most likely used as a bait dog come into the pound.  Nev scooped him up and got him to Horseshoe Lake AH.  He had over 100 puncture wounds and a severely lacerated ear and face.  His ear canal was severed and the ear torn from the side of his head.  He also had a bad puncture on his back leg but the leg was not broken.  He had surgery on Weds. to repair the ear and clean out his wounds.  He is now resting comfortably at a foster home.  I just cannot understand someone thinking that is OK or fun. 
   This weekend will be very busy.  Santa pictures will be this Sat. and Sunday at the Glen Carbon PetsMart.  We will be there from 11 to 4.  We will also be doing adoptions Sat. at O'Fallon and Sunday at Glen Carbon.  Also this weekend in the Purina Holiday Magic event at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.  P4P will be there from 10:00 AM til 4:00 PM.  There will be lots of events going on there and it should be alot of fun.  Hope to see you there.  Lisa


                                                         HAPPY ADOPTION PICTURES                 

Cuddles and his foster family

Bella and her new family

Winslow and his new family

Ingrid and her new family

Petunia and her new family

Cuddles and his new family

P4P Christmas Video on YouTube

Check out P4P's Holiday Wish with our rescues on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pc1oPjEh1Q.  Thanks Laura!!    

Rescue Thankfulness

On this Thanksgiving this is what I am thankful for with P4P.

-a great family that supports my passion.
-wonderful people that are willing to volunteer their precious time, believe in helping the animals and work together to help the animals at our shelter.
-foster homes that are willing to open up their homes to help rescue an animal.  It saves two lives-one at the shelter and one waiting at the pound.
-people who are willing to donate their hard earned money to help the animals at our shelter.
-Vets at Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital and St. Louis Veterinary Center that are generous and give their time and expertise at a very reduced price.
-the great staff at the vet clinics for their help, support and kindness to our rescues.
-Animal Control staff that work with us to rescue animals and do their best with an overwhelming problem.
-being healthy enough that I can still clean the shelter on my hands and knees.
-having a shelter to keep our rescues safe.
-Nev, Barb and Sarah that do a great job at the shelter.
-being able to really help a sick or injured animal that would have died.
-being able to see a terrified, biting animal turn into a sweet adopted pet.
-when the going gets tough being able to realize it's about the animals.
-really great friends that I have met in rescue.

Happy Thanksgiving!!   Lisa

Thanksgiving

I was so scared and hurt.  A big dog had bit me all over and I just wanted to get away.  Somehow I did.  Thank goodness.  Then this nice man came and put me in the truck.  I tried not to act like it hurt but it did.  I had bites all over me and my ear hurt really bad.  He took my collar off- it was so tight and felt so much better to be off.  He took me to a building where there were alot of other dogs.  I was pretty scared and hoped they wouldn't hurt me again.  I was pretty glad when they put me in a kennel by myself and gave me some food.  They also gave me some medicine and it helped the hurt.  Not too long after I got there this very nice lady came in to see me.  She looked really worried but I tried to cheer her up with kisses.  I was sad when she left.  Then she came right back!!  I was very happy and sat on her lap in the car.  I gave her lots of kisses to tell her I was glad to get out of there with all the other dogs.  She took me to a nice warm place and gave me some canned food.  Yummy.  I could finally sleep in peace.  Before long another lady came in to see me.  She looked kind of worried too.  I tried to kiss her to tell her I was fine.  She took me out and held me.  Next we were in a car going somewhere again.  We got to a big building and lots of really nice people came to see me.  Some of them were crying-I'm not sure why.  They were so gentle and cleaned all my bites up.  One lady in a white coat looked me over and gave me some more medicine.  They put me under a big machine which kind of scared me.  Someone said my bones weren't broken.  I really felt better.  I slept really well.  The next morning there were lots of nice people again.  They gave me a little bit to eat and lots of attention.  I loved it.  A little later they gave me a shot. I don't remember what happened.  When I woke up my ear was fixed.  It was all cleaned up and stitched.  I had this funny thing on my head.  They said something about my ear canal was severed.  Anyway, I am happy as can be to be here.  It is warm and safe.  No mean dogs.  Good food.  Nice people.  I am so thankful someone cared.  Bates aka Warrior

  On Tuesday Nev called to say there was a little 3-4 month old pit pup at the pound that was pretty beat up.  He had just come in and his time wasn't up til the 29th. She said they were going to check to see if we could take him sooner.  We could!  He went to Horseshoe Lake AH where they repaired his ear and cleaned the over 100 bites all over him and the embedded collar.  We don't know what happened but he looks like a bait dog.  He is doing fine and went home with one of the vet techs for care.  He will have a great Thanksgiving.

Weekly Update-Nov. 14-20, 2011-16 adoptions!!

   We had 16 adoptions again this week!!  We are going to the O'Fallon Petsmart on Saturdays and the Glen Carbon store on Sundays.  The dogs and cats were tied this week.  Dogs that were adopted this week were Crunch, Chicara, Babette, Wilma, Toto, Lucien, Kyle, and Camilla.  The cats were Victor, Teddy, Diamond, Itty Bitty, Jewel, Ramsey, Earl and Macy.  Chicara was adopted by her foster family.  We had Chicara a long time and she came from the Collinsville pound.  While there she ate a leash or collar and had to have surgery to remove it.  She recovered nicely and her foster home couldn't let her go.  Lucien had also been with us for a long time.  He was the coolest dog and every week we wondered why he wasn't adopted.  I guess he was just waiting for the perfect home.  His new mom is crazy about him.  Yea Lucien!!  We were able to pull 9 dogs and 4 cats last week from the pound.  Davy went on a trial.  Bella went to a foster home.  Wishbone went for a foster trial and so far so good.  They report he is a little gentleman. 
   Misty the dog with the broken leg is doing great.  The leg is mending nicely and she is pain free.  Virgil the Shihtzu, developed a very swollen eye.  The vet thought it was glaucoma and he had to have the eye removed on Monday.  The two pups with parvo are doing great and making up with their eating. Gus got a great groom job by Joan and has to feel a ton better. All the dogs with heartworms have been treated and are doing great.  Winslow, who was treated with the last treatment on 11/14/11 gets to go to his new home on Sunday.
   December will be busy with the Santa Paws Pictures on Dec. 3,4, 11, and 18.  We are also going to be at the Americas Center with Purina on Dec. 3 and 4 for the Holiday Pet event. 
   It was a nice, quiet weekend. Good adoptions. Good friends. Great group.  Remember-More Wag, Less Bark.  Happy Thanksgiving!
  
  

Another one lost-Yarman

Yarman

We have lost two of our elderly dogs this week.  First Spirit, now Yarman.  Yarmy had not been feeling well lately and getting worse.  This morning he went to the vet after he began vomiting and was acting lethargic.  Nothing could be done and it was decided it was time.  Margie and Liz, his foster moms, sat with him and held him.  He loved Liz especially and it was very hard I'm sure for her to watch him go.  

Yarman came to us from the pound.  He was very old when we got him.  Yarman was a funny little dog.  Kind of like a crotchety old man.  He loved to play in the hose water and had a blast.  It was kind of hard when you were trying to clean the kennels outside and he was around.  Yarm was very determined.  He would throw a fit if he couldn't get to the water.  Barking like crazy which he also did at adoptions.  He had an old mans bark. 

Yarman had been at the shelter for a long time and shelter life is not for old dogs.  Margie and her daughter Liz decided to foster him.  He looked and felt so much better with them.  He seemed very happy and made no effort to get adopted when he would go to Petsmart.  On the contrary he would bark and try to be annoying.  He was so cute with his little scruffy beard and would look at you like "what"?  Grumpy old man.  Margie and Liz had Yarman for at least a year.  They gave him a wonderful time at their home and he was loved.  They stayed with him thru thick and thin and at the end.  It is a very wonderful person that will stick with their foster for such a long time and when they are not the easiest foster.  Thank you Margie and Liz.  I will really miss the old guy and will always remember his cute little crabby face.       

Bella aka Spirit-We Will Miss You

Bella aka Spirit

Almost a year and a half ago Spirit came to us.  She was very elderly and had been turned into the pound by an owner.  She was at the end of her life and her last days would be cold and afraid.  I always hate it when old dogs get turned into the pound.  They are so lost and grieving.  It is the saddest thing.  At least take them to the vet and sit with them when they are put down so they aren't afraid.  But they didn't and so we took her so we could sit with her and hold her.  Spirit came to the shelter and we gave her a very comfy bed.   

She was in pretty bad shape with mammary tumors, matts and filthy.  We got her cleaned up and some food.  She surprised us with her "spirit".  But what to do?  She wasn't ready to be put down.  Then a miracle. A very nice lady wanted to foster her.  We figured it would be a short stay but Spirit now known as Bella decided she liked this new home and did very well.  Take a look at her cute little self.  Bella had nine lives and every time we thought this is it she would bounce back.  It is a very special person that will take an elderly dog into their home with some medical problems and give them love and a wonderful end to their life.  The way it should be. 

Thank you Rebecca.    

 

On 11/15/11 Spirit lost her life, she has now crossed the rainbow bridge. She had a foster mom who loved and took care of her until the end.  On 6/27/10 Spirit aka Bella foster mom wanted us to rewrite her bio. This is what she wrote:  Bella is a 15 year old female mix of unknow bred, whose owner relinquished her to Madison County Animal Control for euthanization. How sad for this little girl, who has so much life and love to offer. Lisa with Partners decided to give her a second chance. Bella is a beautiful dog with cream colored fur and expressive eyes. She wags her tail a lot, enjoys short walks and can manage steps (up and down). She seeks a family that will love her forever but not expect to much in the way of a playful pup. In human years Bella would be around 90-93 years old. She has cataracts but can see and makes direct eye contact. She knows where the water and food bowls are and recognizes her foster mom. She also has arthritic hips and small mammary gland tumors. Not one of the health conditions are life threatening. At 7-1/2 lbs, Bella is decidedly skinny with little muscle mass or body fat. She prefers human food and is a picky eater. Since modest weight gain is a treatment goal, her foster mom serves whatever she will eat. She is completely housetrained and sleeps throught the night on her foste mom's bed with other small dogs. She gets along well with other dogs,cats and although she doesn't play with other animals or people, she is friendly. Bella had a complete dental procedure to clean her teeth, no extractions.

Weekly Update, Nov. 7-13, 2011-16 Adoptions!

   This week we had a dog emergency.  A call from animal control that a dog had come in with a broken leg.  Misty, named after the ice cream shop where she was found, was in great pain and had two broken bones in her leg.  Dr. Ervin was able to put it back together and she is resting comfortably at Nev's.  We also had a rash of heartworm positive dogs. 
   This weekend was adoptathon and we did 16 adoptions!  Dogs that were adopted were Omar, Hobbs, Cooper, Bella, Koby, Baggins, Sophie, Diego, Bailey, and Max.  Kitties were:  Laci, Monster, Pat, Malia, Tye, and Tiger.  Wilma went on a trial.  Dreyfus went to a foster home.  We pulled several cats and 6 dogs from the pound.  Pretty good week all in all. 
   We have been going to the O'Fallon Petsmart on Saturday and it is very nice.  We could use some volunteers there to help so if you aren't busy come by.  We are there from 11 to 4.  Still at Glen Carbon every Sunday. 

Baggins and his new Family

Koby and his new Family

Omar and his new Family

Sophie and her new Family

    

What Does It Mean To Foster?

Misty-fostered with Nev

                                                        Gizmo-Fostered with Sue

   When we ask if you want to foster a dog or cat with Partners For Pets do you know what that really means? 

It is saving a life.  Actually two. Your foster and one at the pound.  When you take a dog or cat for a foster it means we can pull another one out of the pound that was going to be put down.  We only have so much space here at the shelter.  The pounds are always full.  We can only take what we have room for though we are always pushing it to the limits to take one more.  If we don't take them they will be put down.  Five days for dogs and three days for kitties and they are euthanized.  It is not the pounds fault-they can only keep so many and believe me there are so many.    

      

It is making them comfortable.  While our shelter is nice, keeps them safe and gives them love and care, it is not a home. There are alot of dogs and cats at the shelter.  It can be loud.  It can be stressful and scary.  They do get out in the yard to exercise but have to spend alot of time in their "spot" in the crate.  They do get good food, some attention, medical care, exercise, grooming but it is still not a home.  There are no couches, no windows to look out, home cooked meals, extra treats, long walks or kids to play with. 

It shows who they really are.   Our shelter is there for a temporary place to go so they are not euthanized.  And it does.  Very well I might add. Some just aren't cracked up to be in a shelter.  They act differently at the shelter than they do in a home.  They are more calm, well behaved in a home.  Many times a dog that is behaving badly at the shelter is fine once they get in a foster home.  Are they housetrained?  Do they like kids? Are they always this hyper? Are they afraid of men? Do they always walk in a circle?

It helps them heal.  Many of our rescues have physical and emotional injuries.  Dogs like Misty with a broken leg and two pins in her leg are so much more comfortable in a home.  The stress is lower and they get better faster.  Some dogs, like Gizmo, get depressed when at the shelter for a long time.  They really get happy feet when they get to go to a home.  Some dogs, like Major, have been through some emotional trauma and being in a home helps to calm them and make them feel more secure.  Some dogs when they have been dumped at the pound by their owners are just devastated and a soft couch helps cushion the blow. 

   Fostering isn't always easy.  Animals are messy.  They can tear things up.  They take alot of work. They are a commitment.  But taking an animal that has been rescued from the pound when it had no chance and giving it a little TLC and a new life is pretty great.  Even one foster makes a huge difference for that animal and one at the pound.  

   P4P provides everything you need.  Food, crate, toys, medical care.  And a really great foster dog or cat.  Please call Nev with P4P at 618-540-PETS (7387)  

Heartworm Heartache

Kelsey Mae

   This last month we have treated 4 dogs for heartworms-Iris the rat terrier, Winslow the Yorkie, Bizzie the jack mix, and Slade the Malamute.  Iris, Winslow and Bizzie are "little dogs" and not what you would typically think would have heartworms.  They are usually not outside much but it only takes one mosquito to infect them.  This is why they must be on heartworm preventative meds. 
   This week Cadence the Momma Great Dane, Kelsey Mae the chow mix and Dreyfus the Blue Tick Hound came up positive and will be treated. Cadence is nto nursing the pups anymore so she can be treated soon.  Kelsey had to wait a week to try to get more weight on.  We are going to do the slow treatment on her since she is older and the risks are much greater.  She probably has had them for a long time also.  Dreyfus will be treated soon. 
   When a dog is treated for heartworms they receive injections of imiticide.  There are different protocols.  The injections are given in the deep muscle on the back and it is very painful.  The imiticide kills the adult heartworms.  As they die hopefully they disolve and there are no problems.  This is why the dog has to be very quiet with minimal exercise.  Out to go potty and back.  No running around.  If the heart pumps hard the worms can break off and become in a blood vessel lodged like a blood clot in a stroke. The dog suffers a stroke or heart attack and can die.  The imiticide can also make them really sick.  It hurts when the injections are given and if they don't hold still or jump it is extremely painful.  After a month the dog is given a dose of ivermectin which kills the larvae in the blood.  They can have a terrible allergic reaction to the ivermectin.  Monthly heartworm meds have to be given each month to prevent them from getting infected again. 
   The imiticide had been unavailable for several months due to the manufacturer not producing the med. 
Luckily the imiticide is available again and we are receiving it.  In the hundreds of dogs we have treated we have been very lucky.  Knock on wood.  One beagle did have what seemed like a stroke after treatment but he bounced back.  Two very small dogs did die.  One was a small older chi.  The other was a small chi mix who had a reaction to the medication.
   All of this could have been prevented with one heartworm treatment a month.  If you would see the treatment the dogs have to endure first hand it would make you a believer. Bizzie, Iris and Winslow are almost done with their treatment and they are doing great.  Then the next batch begins.  Keep your fingers crossed.      
 

Misty-Hit By A Car

Misty right after surgery 11/9/11

Nev called at lunch to say that one of the animal control guys at Madison Co. had called to say there was a dog just brought in with a badly broken leg.  They said she was in pain and could we help.  Big thank you to Madison Co. AC for calling us.  So it was decided Nev would go take a look to see how bad it was and if we could help.  One look later and they were on their way to Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital for help.  Nev texted me and asked if I was shocked that she took her.  Yea, right.  I already knew she would take her.  Nev said she was in pretty bad pain even though they had given her some pain meds at AC.  She was drooling and very uncomfortable.  When they were at the vet the dog sat down and her leg back leg that was dangling about went out at a ninety degree angle.  Ouch! After a few xrays Dr. Ervin felt he could fix the leg.  He said it was broken in two places but the breaks were pretty good.  He thought if he put an external something or other in her leg it would work.  So off she went to surgery.  Dr. E felt the surgery was a success and she should do well.  Way to go Dr. E!! Misty will spend the night at HSL with some really good pain drugs and then hopefully to a foster for recovery.  The hardware has to stay on her leg for 6 to 8 weeks. She has to stay pretty immobile to help with the healing.  It is always amazing to me when you get a dog like this that is in such terrible pain and has had such a terrible trauma that they don't try to bite even though they have every right to. It is also amazing that they always know who rescued them and will always be happy to see that person.  Lucky girl today.  Lucky us to get to help her.  

The Rusty Chair

This portly beagle masquerading as a plump pillow is none other than Rusty.  We had Rusty for many, many months. On adoption days he would stand at the door waiting patiently to go.  Every week we would hoist him into the van for yet another trip to Petsmart adoptions.  No luck.  One day another dog at the shelter bit Rusty and caused a tear in his neck.  We had a terrible time getting it to heal and then it got ripped open again.  Due to his roly poly neck we had a terrible time getting it to heal and Dr. W had to restitch the area.  Finally it was fixed. We all felt so sad for Rus.  He was such a good dog and so sweet.  Why no home?  After many months of waiting he finally got his wish.  I guess he was waiting for the perfect home and looks like he got it.  Thanks to his new family for the great photo.  Way to go Rusty!!    

Weekly Update-Oct.31-Nov 6, 2011-18 adoptions!!

   A very nice week.  Good adoptions, nice foster homes, rescues from the pound-all is well!  Thanks to everyone who helped to make it possible to rescue these animals.  It is a very long list of people and each one does their part to help.  It might be for a few hours but every minute helps another animal out of the pound and into a new home.  Each person has something to contribute and I appreciate every ones effort. 
   Thanks to every ones effort we found homes for 18 dogs and cats this week.  Dog adoptions for this week were:  Diamond, Francine, Roddy!!, Sabina, Hersey, Pistol. Christian, Clint, Xena, and Shotzey.  Kitties were much better this week with adoptions for Willa, Simon, Evan, Tayla, Bear, Jade, Valerie and Trudy. A grand total of 18 adoptions.  Diego and Camilla went on a trial.  We were able to pull 7 from the pound last week and have several tagged at the pound to come to us this week due to good adoptions and foster homes.  Nikki, Rocky and Gizmo went to a foster home. 
   Gizmo has been at the shelter for so long.  I really don't know why.  He is so cute and a sweet dog.  He really looked down in the dumps.  While our shelter is nice it is not meant for the dog or cat to stay for a long time.  Sometimes we get some that stay with us for a while and that is why foster homes are so important.  On Friday, Joan came and spruced Gizmo up with a beautiful groom job. He felt so much better.  Then Sue started talking about taking him home.  He couldn't wait to get out of the shelter and hopped right in the back seat.  Off he went with Sue for some home cooked meals.  I think his first meal was chicken and dumplings. Sue says he is doing great and a very good house guest.  Thanks Joan and Sue for making his day!  We have about 9 dogs that have been at the shelter for at least 4 months and could really use a foster home. 
   Diamond was a rescue that came to us with Parvo.  She was very sick and I wasn't sure she would make it.  She is a tough little cookie and after 4 days she began to finally feel better.  Today she got adopted by a family with a little girl that wanted a friend.  Diamond will be in heaven. 
   As soon as Killian the little Pom is feeling better he will be going to a foster home too.  He had a rough go of it the last few days with a terrible upper respiratory infection with a touch of pneumonia.  He has been getting breathing treatments and I'm glad to say tonight he is much better. 
   Kelsey Mae came up positive for heartworms.  I really wasn't too surprised given the shape she was in when we got her.  I saw her today and she is a different dog.  She has life in her eyes and has gained at least 8-10 pounds.  She is a happy girl.  As soon as she gets a little more weight on we will start her heartworm treatment.  Rebecca, her foster mom, reports she is doing great at her house and will stay there during her treatments. 
   Tom took our van and updated the phone number, 540-PETS, on the side of the van.  Take a look next time you see it.  It looks great.  He also checked the oil and got it changed.  Thank you Tom!! 
   Several of P4P people went to the open house at the new St. Louis Co. Animal Control building.  We have been working with them at the Seven Hills facility for at least 7 years and the changes they have made is amazing.  In the last two years, under the direction of Becky Smail, the difference is night and day.  Their attitude is about helping the animals out of AC into rescue or adoption. This new building will help them even more to take care of the animals, do adoptions, provide medical care, work with rescues and further reduce their euthanasia rates.  It was really exciting to see this new building and I want to thank them for all their hard work to make this happen.  Good job!!   
  

Weekly Update Oct. 24-30, 2011-11 Adoptions!

   We had all dog adoptions this week.  Not a single kitty.  The dogs that got a new home were Eddie, Hooch, Duchess, Bella, Riley, Harry, Arvid, Booker, Britta, Lilo and Bianca.  We were able to pull 5 from the pound.  One return was Kyle the beagle.  Not sure why.  We also had 4 cats returned to us.  Each adoptor must sign a contract that says if they cannot keep the pet they have to return it to us.  This helps us to make sure they end up in a safe place and we can find a new home for them.  On occaision people will turn them into the pound but due to the microchip the pounds usually call us and we go and get them.  

Hooch and his new Family

Riley and new Family

Bella and Family.  Yea I got a brother!

Eddie and Family

   We also got a new little dog that was very pregnant and had her babies the very next day.  It was a little rough.  Karen D is fostering her and this was her first time to have babies.  Due to the stress and pain she was trying to hurt the babies.  Karen got her to Horseshoe and after the delivery she settled down.  She is still having problems keeping up with feeding them and they may need to be bottle fed.  Luckily we have a few very skilled people for that. 
   Kelsey Mae got to go a foster home and she is really enjoying herself with Rebecca and her family.  Anyone wanting to foster please let us know.  The dogs and cats really benefit from the home time. We have some really great foster homes and it makes all the difference.  We are able to see how the rescue will be in a home and give more info. to adoptors.  Plus the rescues love it.  Kelsey will get better faster and is finally relaxing and sleeping after months of just trying to survive.  Take a look at her picts on the previous story.