Can you imagine going from being hungry, wet, cold and neglected to warm, snuggled, full and loved?
Of course, you can! That’s why you’re on this website and why you are reading this page. You “get” us. YOU want to see the HAPPY! Oh, kids, we “got” happy for you.
Let’s talk about LUKE!
Luke. He’s huge, a St. Bernard. Marj took him as an emergency foster. Those are supposed to be temporary, but an undeniable bond formed quickly between the two.
Luke is a young dog around 2 years old. He’s a real sweetheart and such a good boy in every way! Marj got an emergency call on Super Bowl Sunday asking her to meet up with a board member and they found Luke in a kennel outside in the freezing cold. His neighbor had contacted us about Luke who had been abandoned and left outside for weeks, alone with no food or water. Luke was surviving by eating snow.
He was emaciated at 110 pounds. We ran our hand down his back and all we could feel was his spine and ribs. He stunk. His fur was matted. His nails were far too long, which caused his feet to be splayed, causing a great deal of pain. He drank “a lake of water” when he arrived at Marj’s temporary (ah-hem) respite. Marj could tell that something wasn’t right with his peeing, so she took him to the vet to be evaluated. Luke had a severe UTI that without treatment would have affected his kidneys and eventually killed him. Luke also had hind quarter atrophy. His muscle mass was far less than it should be due to malnutrition and zero exercise from being in a kennel 24/7 for weeks, or more likely, months. Again, we don’t just “take” dogs. Once the owners were finally located, we worked with with the prosecuting attorney to convince the owners to surrender him.
Luke should weigh at least 140 pounds (or more). He’s now up to 125 pounds and still gaining weight. It doesn’t happen a lot (and Marj already has a yellow lab), but bonds sometimes form and emergency rescues find themselves forever homes.
Luke is such a sweetheart! He loves every person and every animal he comes in contact with. He’s as gentle as he is big. Luke is living the high life with his canine sister, Desi and feline sister, Star. He loves just being lazy and laying around in the house on his comfy bed, playing chase and trying to keep up with Desi, and sniffing around the yard and woods.
~Marj
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HELEN, our Fearless Kitten, Beats the Odds
Sweet, four-week-old Helen came into our care through a concerned animal lover. This wee one was born not only blind, but without eyes. As if that wasn’t bad enough, she was found alone along the side of a country road.
We quickly found this little spitfire to have a strong, fighting spirit and to be quite the little adventurer. Helen’s other senses are keen; she keys in on voices and listens for floor vibrations. She was an incredibly smart kitten that continually proved to us she would not be defined by her blindness.
During Helen’s medical exam it was suggested to suture her eyes closed for cosmetic reasons. Helen’s foster (and adoptive) mom Jennifer, declined and opted for daily salve to keep the eye sockets moistened along with massage. That was the perfect decision; and we are so thankful we didn’t put this kitten through surgery.
Helen’s journey just keeps getting better and better. Helen showed her fighting spirit right from the start and that she wouldn’t be defined by a disability. She is fearless. Remember, our sweet kitten Helen came to us totally blind. We were told by the medical professionals she didn’t have eyes; just empty sockets. Well, are you ready? Helen’s one eye partially opened and she has some vision!
Helen proves time and time again…never give up. Persevere. Fight. Enjoy life. Have fun. Make friends. And be the best you possible.
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OHANA … “family” in Hawaiian
Abandoned by his owner when he went to jail
Oh, Ohana, you sure did stretch us as an organization. This big guy came to us from a horrible living situation where his owner abandoned him when he went to jail. Alone and living outside, sick and unsocialized, this poor dog was covered in fleas and chewing his skin raw. He had a raging ear infection that took weeks to get under control — and whipworm. All of this along with receiving very little food had Ohana a pretty sick guy.
We were hopeful once Ohana was placed with a foster he would transition to being a loved and cared-for dog, as we had seen no signs of aggression. We were wrong. He loved his foster mom but quickly became protective of her and had no desire to share her with the other dogs in the home (her own dogs).
A family reached out to us that heard Ohana’s story and had interest in adopting him. After seeing a bit of aggression toward dogs in his former foster home, we were committed to getting this right for him. We hired a trainer to work with Ohana and the family in their home to teach them techniques to make the transition for him comfortable. But also, to arm THEM with the skills to be the “pack” leader, and not Ohana.
That nice family went on to adopt Ohana and he is now a loved and valued family member. Thank you Jamie Triplett for falling in love with Ohana’s story and ultimately with him.
Ohana was confused when the rescue got him, and he had abandonment and trust issues. They provided a trainer who worked with both us and Ohana to help him learn how to be an indoor dog again. Ohana is a smart guy who is eager to please and quickly learned to trust us to never leave him alone. Ohana, you are HOME.
~ Nikete and Jamie
OHANA, you are family and will never will be alone again.
(click on a thumbnail to view photos)
TRILLIUM … You can’t keep this kitten down
This young kitten came to us with a broken back and a kneecap that was beyond repair. We fretted about doing an amputation on a kitten this young but quickly learned that we could not dampen this kittens spunk and love of life.
Trillium was an inquisitive and bright kitten right from the start. That tenacity served her well as she quickly learned how to balance and get around on three legs. The day out of surgery she was busy exploring her foster home and learning how to navigate steps.
Trillium went to live with a family with young kids who became Claws and Paws Rescue DOUBLE ADOPTERS last year by adding a puppy to their animal loving “pack”.
We feel blessed to have been there for this silly funny little kitten when she needed someone to be her hero.
