Safe Hands Animal Rescue

Cordelia's after bath

2011-03-04T10:00:00.000-06:00

The aftermath of Cordelia's bath. Such sad eyes!

Cordelia's Day Seven

2011-03-04T09:58:00.000-06:00

Day Six brought a trip to the vet and the A OK for Cordelia to get a bath. This was a great boon for me, I'm not sure Cordelia felt the same way - at least initially. I think it had been a v e r y l o n g time since Cordelia had a bath. She smelled. The hair on her feet was yellowed from walking through urine in the pen with all those other dogs. She had been spayed prior to being released to Safe Hands so I'd had to wait. But Day 7 was the glorious day!

Yes, those eyes are heartbreaking aren't they? My poor little drowned rat girl. She was a trooper though and took the bath well. Afterwards wrapped in a blanket she fell asleep on my lap. And I think when she woke up, even she realized how much better she felt all clean and new!

Cordelia's Day Five

2011-01-27T00:40:00.000-06:00

So this is Day Five. (or was last Saturday when I actually started this!) I know you are looking at the pictures and thinking to yourselves...hmmm....that looks a lot like Day Four and Day Two. But, I say, you miss one thing - Cordelia has a blanket on! A small step, yes, perhaps even a teeny tiny one. But it's a step and I'll take it.

Day Five dawned to Cordelia having, well, spewed the entire contents of her dinner (and probably lunch too) all over my kitchen floor. Besides not being the most welcoming of sites first thing in the am (or any time really) I was pretty worried about our little girl. She is painfully thin and had not been a great eater since joining us. But thankfully, it was also See the Vet day for Cordelia.

Baby step one today happened just after Dr. Brenteson finished examining Cordelia. I knelt on the floor, she was sitting in front of me and pushed out a bit so the good doctor could look her over. With the offending exam completed - hold breathe - yes, Cordelia nudged herself closer to me and leaned into my lap! She looked to me for some comfort and I was better than the rest of the Big Scary Things out there!!

Before we all get too excited, mostly me, it was a temporary and contextual comfort she took. But again, I'll take this too. It's a step in the right direction. Cordelia is learning to trust. She is learning to have a relationship with a human.

So this evening as I was sitting with her and petting her I was worried about her not feeling well, the extreme cold, her frailness, her lack of any body fat whatsoever to keep her warm. I gently pulled the blanket over her as I had tried to before. And this time, this time she stayed put and she let me! Baby step two.

So there you have it - Cordelia's Day Five.

Cordelia's Day Four

2011-01-24T00:55:00.000-06:00

Can you even stand how adorable this face is? How much I wish Cordelia knew what a sweet girl she is and how much she is loved. Cordelia is still terrified. We are still at the beginning of Cordelia's new beginning. By now I know this is how starts, this is how it is. I know progress starts out slowly, trust takes time, Cordelia has barely had time to decompress and stabilize.

The "right now" though is this - every time I enter the kitchen she cowers and looks away. Every time she does my heart breaks a little more for this timid little girl. She is begging for the Bad Things to be no more. She is afraid to believe they really are.

She really does WANT to be loved. She just can't believe yet that she IS. I know this because if I approach slowly, carefully, without looking at her and lay down next to her she'll let me. I can slip my hand under her chin, start rubbing her chest, scratching her ears and head. She'll relax into it and eventually I'll hear a really big sigh. If I stay that way long enough she'll tumble off to sleep.

I watched her tonight as she slept and I wondered what her past life was like. Was she ever loved? Did she ever have a family that cherished her? Did she ever go for walks on sit on someone's lap on the couch? Was she played with as a frisky pup? Where has her journey taken her? What has she seen along the way? I am sure I will never know. The truth is, wonder as I might, it doesn't matter. What I do know is enough. What I do know is starting last Tuesday Cordelia is loved. Starting last Tuesday, Cordelia gets to start again.

I also know where to look for the little signs of encouragement and forward motion in the journey. Tonight, Cordelia learned that the bed is soft and warm and HERS. It took a little trust for her to let me put her gently in the bed and to sit there, at first tense and nervous, while I stroked her ears and head. I could feel her start to relax and I swear I could see the moment she gave in to the pleasure of being snug and cozy in the velvety goodness.

So today Cordelia learned that this good thing is all hers and she likes it. I'll take that.

Cordelia's Day Two

2011-01-19T23:38:00.000-06:00

Cordelia has a ways to go...but she's going to get there. What we've learned so far - Cordelia likes to be loved. The world is still big and scary. Loud noises are no fun. Bright blankie is the safest place to be. Pretty plush new bed is a foreign concept. Same for toys. But in spite of it all, Cordelia likes to have her head rubbed, her ears scratched or her side softly stroked. She'll even fall asleep to it.

Starting Today...

2011-01-19T00:51:00.000-06:00

This morning as I left the house I selected a pretty plush new bed in dusty rose and cream and one of my favorite puppy blankets. The blanket is warm and soft in bright colors and was handmade with much love by a Safe Hands supporter. As I choose these items specially for Cordelia I thought, today, maybe for the first time, Cordelia will be loved.

Cordelia came from one of those situations we hear about all too much these days - a case of way too many dogs living in inappropriate conditions. Like many such cases, this is one where good intentions went awry and one dog led to another led to 70 small breed dogs living in one home with one couple. But that was behind her now. Cordelia was on her way to a new life. I was picking her up after work and she would become our newest Safe Hand's kid.

Finally the time arrived for Cordelia and I to meet. I took the skinny, shaking dog, wrapped her in the blanket and carried her away. As we drove home together I spoke gently and told her that it was going to be OK now. I told her that I knew it was all scary right now. I told her that although she didn't know it yet, her whole world just changed. I told her that it all starts over today. I told her that starting today, she is loved.

Like most dogs that come from these circumstances Cordelia has some residual emotional baggage. Cordelia will need lots of encouragement and love to leave that behind. Today though, Cordelia begins to heal. Starting today, Cordelia is loved.

Thank You! Harlan Bound

2010-10-12T09:29:00.001-05:00

THANK YOU! Big thanks to all those who contributed to our Chip In. We reached our goal and we are Harlan Bound. Tomorrow am, bright and early. There is so much to do in the next 21 hours...

Pictured above is Ryder Lee - he is one of the many dogs and pups that will get to come home with us thanks to all of you!

We are still looking for foster homes - if you think you have it in your heart and home to help a homeless dog for a little while please let us know. You can fill out the foster application on the website - www.safehandsrescue.org or email us at safehandsrescue@gmail.com for more information!

Here are a few more kids hoping someone will be open to giving them a helping hand!

Roxie - about 40 - 45 pounds - loves everyone and good with other dogs!

PUPPIES! A girl and a boy - looking for a new start to life.

These girls would love to find families to call their own.


This brother and sister are hoping for a ticket to ride the freedom train!

These girls were left on the mountain to fend for themselves or die. Super skinny when found and brought to the shelter. I would love to show them love, kindness and a better life.

Happy Anniversary, Looking Forward - Looking Back

2010-10-01T13:02:00.003-05:00


Goldberg & Biscuit wait for rescue Oct 2006

Voices & the Journey

There is a Native American Proverb that says: It takes a thousand voices to tell one story. We’ve all heard that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

I find myself contemplating the Safe Hands journey and story as we approach our four year anniversary next week – October 7^th. Our journey, the Safe Hands journey, began with a vision to save a few doomed dogs in a small, rural county shelter. Little did we know over a thousand more would follow. Our journey and our story are told in their voices.

There are SO MANY truly great dogs who didn’t stand a chance but defied the odds and are now loved, cherished, integral members of their own families. Dogs like Goldberg who started it all, Chance who saved Barb from a charging dog and won a chance himself, Charles Wallace Martin III of the Walmart Parking Lot and amazing Two Tone Larry the Tough who arrived with a broken body but not a broken spirit. Each has their own story to tell.

Chance at arrival in Minneapolis

These kids have been given the gift of life and they have given the gift of joy to the lives of the people who have helped them and who brought them Home. There is nothing like seeing our “kids” happy, healthy, luminescent, adoring and adored. It is the best feeling in the world. It is a rush better than any drug. It makes you feel like your heart might burst wide open and that you are floating on air. These are the stories that keep us going. This keeps us doing what we do. Knowing the difference we can make. Joy. Life.

Moving forward, looking back

I am often so caught up, moving forward so fast that I don’t find time to reflect, to share the stories with you as I should. My very wise friend Laura Gonzo wrote these words once, “Instead of looking up the mountain at the terrain you have yet to cover, try to see behind you to all of the lives you have saved, the lives you have tried to save, and the innumerable lives you have touched.”

Indeed, we need to remember the lives that we have touched and that have touched ours. It is the success stories that bring tears of joy, that motivate us and keep us going. It is seeing Shug, left behind in the shelter, head hanging low, eyes lost and then seeing her smiling, bouncy, happy and loved with a family of her own and a place called Home. It is seeing the young puppies like Tulip, Rosie & Aurora, so full of life, energy and promise, big eyes and bubbly spirits. It is preserving their innocence and zest for life by providing a place along the way to that place called Home. It is taking in baby boy Griffen who was shot clean through and left for dead on the side of the mountain and seeing him now the love of his new parent’s lives, happy, healthy, Home.

Shug in Shelter

Shug - now Goose - today

“The number is unknowable, but I assure each of you that it is profound and it is precious beyond words.”

Tonight I do have a number to share though. And that number is 1135. This is the number of dogs that have passed through our hands so far. Over one thousand sweet souls have been given an opportunity to live. Over one thousand dogs feeling the sunshine, the grass under their feet, running, playing, loving and being loved. It is difficult to comprehend and it is truly precious beyond words.

Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean. . – Ryunosuke Satoro

Together we are ordinary people coming together to do extraordinary things. A total of over 5500 dogs have gotten out of the shelter, into rescues and into homes thanks to the efforts of this team of people. We have taken action and that action has enriched the lives of over 5500 dogs and an innumerable amount of people. Many of us once strangers, we are united for a cause and ideal that we believe in and hold dear. I am so proud of our family and I hope you are too. We have helped provide hope and a measure of optimism to people and animals in a community that previously had very little. Collectively we have made a difference.

Shelter stats

In addition to the dogs we have brought out of the shelter and into homes there have been great changes at the shelter too. Many of you will remember that when we started working with Harlan they did not have a washer and dryer at the shelter so the dogs could not have blankets to lie on. They do now. While there were windows, there were no lights in the back of the shelter. There are now. There was no room for small puppies to be kept separate and safe. There is now. The ACO then did not have a vision to create a better future for the animals of Harlan County. The new ACO does.

We have been able to help bring Woodstock Animal Foundation to Harlan County to offer low cost spay and neuter. So far over 2000 animals have benefited from those services. The county government has seen the improvements at the shelter and the effort that Safe Hands, Starfish Rescue and shelter staff put into saving lives and they have joined in the crusade. They have dedicated resources to improving conditions and circumstances at the shelter and to support the rescue efforts. The shelter was just awarded a state grant for a new heating, cooling and air exchange system that should dramatically cut down on illness in the shelter.

All Terrain Vehicle

So yes, we can look up the mountain, and there is a lot more terrain to cover, many more dogs waiting for their chance to be saved. We know we can all make a difference in some way. We all have choices to make, we can choose to lament and wring our hands or we can choose to act. We can choose to do nothing or we can choose to build. This group is made of builders and doers.

Harlan bound so they are homeward bound

And so both looking forward and looking back we find ourselves preparing to embark on a trip back to where it all began. It is time for our fall trip to Harlan. It’s time for us to stand in the shelter, breathe in the Kentucky air, roll up our sleeves and get to work. However, our trip is in jeopardy. Safe Hands has always believed in doing all we can to heal the dogs and pups in our care. We have also been unable to avert our eyes or hold back our hands from dogs suffering physical wounds in the shelter. This year we have had a phenomenal amount of medical bills to heal broken legs and hips, amputated damaged tails, cure heartworm disease and parvo. Sometimes, usually actually, we win. Sometimes, we don’t. We give each one the best chance they can have. But this comes at a cost.

We need your help…

Last week, we spent our saved up “trip money” trying to save a dog that in the end we could not save. This alone was devastating. If we are unable to make our trip and unable to save the dogs we would bring back it will be even more devastating. So once again, we are asking for your help. If you believe in the mission of Safe Hands Rescue and the work we do to save the dogs of Harlan and to help the community there please contribute to our trip Chip In. Any amount helps. The chip in is posted on the top right side of this blog!

If you are comfortable please post on your Facebook pages or forward along.

Additionally the mailing address is:

Safe Hands Animal Rescue

PO Box 19623

Minneapolis, MN 55419

Thank you so much for everything you’ve done so far. We hope to earn your continued support as we move forward to save more lives.

Lynne Bengtson, Co-Founder Safe Hands Animal Rescue

On behalf of all the dogs and pups!

A Moment Changes Everything

2010-08-08T23:35:00.000-05:00

A moment changes everything

I heard this song on the radio and it struck me, how true those words are. A moment can change everything, the entire course of a life.

I picture in my head that moment the device was snugged into place in Hailey’s heart and I picture the chorus to this song blasting in the operation room – A Moment Changes Everything. I picture them cheering, high fives all around. You would have heard my screams a mile away if I had been there. That moment, that one moment changed Hailey’s life. That moment gave Hailey life. A moment changes everything.

I think a lot about Macy. I think how that moment she was hit by a car, that moment, horrific and violent, changed everything for her. That moment set in motion a chain reaction. Macy was a homeless pup, born to a homeless momma, running the streets and trying to survive. Macy was a fearful girl, who did not know safety or security, just trying to survive. Macy is a joy to behold. Macy’s smile lights up the world and she greets each day with a heart wide open. A moment changes everything.

Clementine was terrified in the shelter, drooling in the corner. Initially she was deemed a lost cause. I walked in her kennel run, crouched down, she climbed in my lap and laid her head on my shoulder. A moment changes everything.

Griffen and his littermate were brought out to a backwoods mountain road to be shot and killed. The bullet went through Griffen’s shoulders and missed his heart. A moment changes everything.

Roger, sweet Roger, with his seizures and diminished mental capacity and giant heart full of love arrived in Safe Hands and had nowhere to go. His foster home bailed when his condition was discovered. A phone call, Tris says yes to Roger. A moment changes everything.

Grayson crawled in Stephanie’s lap. Heratio reached out of his kennel, tapped Janine on the shoulder and looked in her eyes. Sammy would not take a treat but melted his giant frame right into me.
Winnie licked canned food from Janine’s hand. A big yellow dog lay down in the Walmart parking lot as the Safe Hands crew arrives. A little pup named Aggie arrives at the shelter just as the transport is leaving.
Tracy & Bert say yes to Smushy Face aka Marnie. The Stano’s email – they can foster Benjamin. The vet in Bell County says please take Moxie and onto Janine’s lap she goes. A dad, his son in tow, drops Ella at the shelter on the day we leave.

Happenstance, circumstance, kismet, serendipity, generosity, family, hearts wide open. These are moments that changed everything. These are moments that changed lives.

Hope Reigns Supreme!

2010-07-30T14:07:00.000-05:00

Hailey Sue is doing great!!! I apologize in the delay in updating you. It's been a busy few days.

Hailey had surgery as scheduled Tuesday am. The surgeon said the procedure went better than he could have even hoped for. She rested through the night and late morning on Wednesday had an echocardiogram to ensure the piece implanted to seal off the extra blood vessel was in place and holding steady. The echo looked great and Hailey was on her way home!

Foster momma Sue reported that Hailey was very happy to see a familiar face and probably happier when she got walked right out the doors of the hospital. It was a joyful reunion with her sister Makayla.

Hailey has about a one inch incision on the inside of one of her back legs. The procedure was done going up through the vein and into the heart. Poor little Hailey can't seem to leave her stitches alone so soon had to done her "cone of shame" - the E collar. Blue is such a pretty color on her though, don't you think?

Reports are that Hailey is playing with Makayla and has settled right back in like nothing ever happened. A few days ago Hailey faced a death sentence with months left to live at best. Today she faces a long and promising future full of happiness and love. It is almost impossible to believe.

I don't know how much Hailey knew about the danger she faced. I know she got tired easier than her sister and I'm sure she knew that too. She slept more. She got wiped out. But I don't know how much she really comprehended. I can assure you though, that Hailey does know she's happy to be here. She embraces each day, is excited about so many things, and makes the most of every minute she has.

Hope carried the day. Because we had hope, because you had hope, Hailey has a future.

I cannot thank you enough.

Hailey Update!

2010-07-27T13:20:00.000-05:00

Great News!!! Just got word from the surgeon that Hailey's surgery went even better than they expected!! They said she is resting comfortably right now. She has to spend the night and have an echo mid morning tomorrow to make sure all is well. If so she will come home tomorrow afternoon. Will post updates as we get them.

Hailey's Big Day

2010-07-27T08:46:00.000-05:00

Today is it. The Big Day. This morning foster momma Sue and I brought Ms. Hailey to the U of M for the surgery to fix her heart. I think Hailey remembered the U of M, perhaps not so fondly. She was a bit nervous and as you can see, apprehensive. We sent her off with hugs and kisses. Now is the hard part. We sit and wait. I'll update the blog as soon as we have any news!

Hailey's Hope Part II

2010-07-27T08:43:00.000-05:00

Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.

Today is a slightly less sunshine-y day than the last time I sent you but it is no less a beautiful day to me. We have achieved that for which we hoped… Today is the day I get to tell you that we have raised the money for Hailey’s surgery. That you all have found it in your hearts and already strapped pocketbooks to give hope to a little girl most of you have never met.

I still have no answers to the randomness of life. But I am once again reminded how great human kind can be and how much goodness can be found in a world that can sometimes seem cold. People never cease to humble and amaze me.

If Hailey were a person I think they’d make a book or movie out of her life. Hailey Sue started her life facing great adversity as a puppy mill dog. She was born into a hopeless situation with bleak prospects for her future. Much like little orphan Annie, Hailey never lost her spirit or enthusiasm for life though. Just when things looked up and she was “saved” – her bad heart threatened her new found happiness. Once again Hailey faced an uncertain future. Now, thanks to all of you Hailey Sue will undergo surgery tomorrow to fix her heart.

Hailey remains in good spirits, eager to live each day to the fullest. Tomorrow is Hailey Sue’s biggest and most important adventure yet.

We had hope in the kindness and generosity of friends, family and even strangers and our hope was rewarded. Tomorrow we put our faith in the good doctors and staff at the U of M Small Animal Hospital. We ask that you join us in sending prayers, well wishes and healing energy to Hailey tomorrow and during her recovery. I will keep you posted on her progress!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and trust me when I say, Hailey would thank you too!

Take care and best to you and yours,

Lynne and the Safe Hands Team

Hailey's Hope

2010-07-08T08:24:00.001-05:00

Hope. There is so much contained in this tiny four letter word. There is also so much contained within the tiny four pound package that is Hailey Sue.

Lately, I have been thinking about how random life can be, where chance fits into the universe, why things happen as they do. Sadly, I have found no answers...sorry folks.

But Hailey Sue’s life found its way into Safe Hands by chance. I know there are so many dogs like Hailey Sue living in squalid conditions with little chance, little hope. It seems so random that Hailey was somehow selected to receive the gift of her freedom.

Hailey Sue is one of the many victims of bad backyard breeders, mini puppy mills, that exist all over the South. Jobs are scarce, money more so, but somehow people manage to scrape together a few hundred dollars to buy small purebred dogs, the smaller the better. Therefore, folks set up shop to accommodate and eek out a living. The dogs are not so lucky. Their existence barely qualifies as living.

How and why “her” breeder in Harlan happened to be discovered and investigated allowing her that chance to have a better life is a mystery. But happen it did. Originally held as “evidence”, the county court then signed her over to the custody of Safe Hands and six weeks ago she joined our ever growing family.

When she was rescued her physical condition was deplorable. Skinny and bedraggled, she had two sets of teeth, a full set of baby teeth and her adult teeth too. Her coat was matted, toenails overgrown and she was not eating well. She was about 8 months old and had never had any toys to play with. She had lived in a plastic crate her entire life. Nearly full grown but bred to be small - she was not even four pounds.

But perhaps even sadder to me was her unhealthy obsession with feet. What I mean is that she got so excited any time feet approached. She did not have any connection with faces or people...just feet. Living in a plastic crate, she would have seen feet coming to bring food or water - feet meant good things. Living in a plastic crate, she would not have been able to look up into anyone’s face. Faces did not mean anything at all.

Fortunately she was young and somehow still very open to happiness, joy and wonder. She has flourished in foster care and while remnants of the past remain, she “grows” more every day. Hailey learned to attach to foster mom, follows her everywhere and developed confidence. She lives life with enthusiasm and has true joy in her spirit. Each day is an amazing adventure and life is good now.

But here is where the hope comes in. Hope is defined as a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hailey has a serious heart condition called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) that threatens her new found life. In short, this means there is a extra blood vessel that is attached to the heart in utero that should go away when the puppy is born. Hailey’s did not. Most pups born with this condition do not live to turn one without surgical correction.

Hailey’s heart needs help. The PDA is causing problems and if we are not able to provide the surgery Hailey’s newfound life will be a short one. The veterinarians say she only has months left. The good news is the surgery has a very high success rate (only one complication at the U of M to date) and Hailey has had all the tests and work ups to be deemed an excellent surgical candidate. The U of M is even donating the piece that is the “plug” to be implanted to fix her condition. Still the surgery is costly. The estimate is $3200 for the procedure.

Hope is also the feeling that something desired may happen, when the outlook may or may not warrant it. We have hope that we can raise the money for Hailey to have her surgery which can be done on Tuesday, July 13^th provided we have the funds. We have hope that you will help give Hailey the chance she was provided to have a full and happy life with many, many more feet…or just maybe even faces!

If you can contribute we have started a chip in (http://safehandshailey.chipin.com/haileys-heart-surgery) and are also able to take donations via mail at:

Safe Hands Rescue

PO Box 19623

Minneapolis, MN 55419-0623

Hailey's Heart Surgery

2010-07-02T15:36:00.000-05:00

2010-06-24T21:51:00.000-05:00

I loved Angelo before I even met him I loved him the moment I looked at this face in this picture. This photo, this puppy, so poignant. You can simply tell that life had not been kind to this tiny being, so young to have so much sadness and uncertainty. Our transport was booked, our foster homes full or eagerly awaiting their new arrivals. I tried to tell myself he'd be fine, another group would take him and he'd be fine. Nonetheless, Angelo's face haunted me, haunted my sleep, and was the first thing I thought of upon waking. I worried and fretted over this little babe I'd never met, so far away. He had me captivated and even then, wrapped around a tiny toenail. I couldn't help it, I called the shelter, "He should come to Safe Hands, send him on to me, keep him safe".

And so Angelo arrived. Trumpets and fanfare, skin and bones. OK, well there may not really have been trumpets and fanfare anywhere but in my head, but I was so relieved to have him here. I was so shocked to see how tiny he really was. Weighing not even four pounds, he was skin and bones.

And so of course the worry and fretting began anew. Unfortunately, this worry and fretting proved to be with merit. Just two days after he arrived I was at the clinic with Angelo who tested positive for parvo. He had no reserves to use in the fight, he was so small and so young. I hoped for the best but tried to prepare for the worst. I knew his chances were so slight. I updated the Safe Hands folks who had met him already and we formed a family around him sending prayers and healing energy. I visited him twice a day and it's true that there was much darkness before the dawn.

But an odd thing happened. Two days after Angelo was admitted, when things were really looking down, I was visiting and holding him. I was thinking about all the people pulling for him, telling him how loved he was and how wanted he was, and all of a sudden I felt a sense of peace. I knew that Angelo would make it and he would be OK. I won't lie, there were moments afterwards when my faith wavered. But I just felt it, I knew Angelo was a survivor.

Survive Angelo did and a week ago Sunday he came home! The pic above is his first night home. He had lost more weight, he'd been through hell, but he came out on the other side, and he was home!!

In the week that's followed he has been loved, cudled, fussed over and generally spoiled rotten. He thinks dogs eat 93% fat free black angus hamburger boiled and with rice please - that other stuff - it's for the...cats?? He is pretty sure puppies belong carried around perched on your shoulder. Can't wait until he's adopted and 30 pounds or so, still expecting his new parents to carry him around on one shoulder! He loves to play with his toys, snuggle in your neck and give sweet kisses. He makes the cutest squeaks and cries when he plays and "attacks" stuffed pheasant or Mr. Blue Bear.

He's such a good boy. He loves other dogs and is so sweet following the big dogs around and trying to get them to play. He is not rough and tumble though, he prefers to persuade with his charm and charisma! He enjoys and appreciates his beds (all four of them - spoiled?? what makes you say that?) and all of his toys. Pink piggy is his favorite pillow.

Every day Angelo gets bigger and stronger. The missing hair on his front legs where his IV's were are the only reminder of his not do far distant ordeal. He is amazing Perfect. Precious.

YODA!!

2010-05-16T09:50:00.000-05:00

OK, so Yoda has a new (and dare I say improved?) name....it's Oliver or Ollie. Yoda arrived in Safe Hands with his mom and three siblings in a very cold November last year. This is the tiny boy just a few days after arrival at about 3 weeks old...

It was this face that earned him the name Yoda...

But our little man grew to be more handsome each day

When he was old enough to leave his mom & siblings he went to a new foster home

And he never left! This is the beautiful boy just a few months ago.

He has a new name, Oliver, and a new sister, Chloe - who was also adopted from Safe Hands!

Update on two of Ruby's pups

2010-05-16T09:22:00.001-05:00

Readers of this blog and followers of the rescue might remember last summer when Ruby surprised us with a litter of 12 pups. Here is young Moby (really, really young, less than one hour old!)

Here is our guy and four weeks old....

And here is the incredibly handsome guy today! His mom & dad say he loved the snow and cold last winter and is just an all around great kind of guy. He has playdates sometimes with his sister Nelly (formerly Sassafras)

One more of his handsome mug!

Sassafras, now Nelly, at four weeks old, just learning to eat and getting as much in her nose perhaps as her mouth!

And Nelly today! She looks JUST like her momma!!

Macy's Medical Marvels

2010-02-22T00:47:00.000-06:00

Macy is a marvel in more ways than one. I wanted to update everyone on her medical status.

The vets in Kentucky realized that Macy had partial or complete vision loss in her left eye. When she arrived just over one week ago she did not seem to see anything on that side. Last Wednesday Macy saw veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Olivera. If anyone ever has a pet with any vision issues, this is the person to see. Dr. Olivera was so kind and gentle with sweet, scared Macy. He literally had her eating out of his hand in no time! I suppose it didn't hurt either that he offered good news. It seems that Macy likely suffered a concussion when she was hit by the car. Not that a concussion is good, but it means there is a good chance that Macy will regain normal function of the eye. The great news is that she can already see out of it again!

Currently Macy's left eye is dilating instead of constricting when light is shined in it. However, in the weird and wacky ways of the brain, if light is shined in her right eye, both pupils constrict as normal. Hopefully with time the wiring in her brain and nerves on the left side will repair and the left eye will always constrict as it should. Even if it doesn't, the worst thing is she'll squint in bright light. Maybe we can get someone to make her a cool pair of doggie shades!

Macy had a big trip to Keller Lake to have radiographs retaken of her pelvic injury. This time Macy decided to sit on the car seat beside me instead of in her bed. What a big girl!

She did so great at the clinic and even though she was scared she let me get her situated for the x-ray without having to be sedated and let Dr. Melissa and Angie hold her in place. These rads clearly show all of the pellets or bbs in her hindquarters and legs, there are at least 21 of them! If you look just under her tail at the back of the bone there you can see the break. We are waiting for word from the orthopedic surgeon about whether she will require surgery.

Let's all hope that Macy can heal without a painful surgery and plating of the bone. She's been through a lot and I am really hoping that she can continue her forward progress without more difficult times to get through. I'll post as soon as we know more!

Full of surprises

2010-02-21T23:40:00.000-06:00

A few days before the last transport was to arrive we got a call from the shelter - they'd just gotten in a terrier mix mom and her five pups, all nearly the same size as her at just three months old. They sent this picture along.

We were able to make arrangements to get them all out of the shelter and into rescue with "mom" and one baby coming to Safe Hands, the rest of the pups to another rescue. My favorite part of that night's intake will always be when the foster mom sweetly asked me if I was sure this was the mom of the pups. "Oh yes," I assured her, "the shelter called me when they came in and sent the pics along, I know it's odd that the babies are so big but yep!". And then, she flipped Henry over and pointed to distincly male anatomy and asked - "then what's this?".

OK, so, that's one way to stand corrected! I wonder what poor Henry thought in the kennel run with all those pups in Harlan! He's such a good natured guy though I'm guessing he took it all in stride. He's super sweet and loving, he loves everyone human and canine. He is a bundle of sunshine and a true joy.

But Henry had one more surprise in store for us. Foster mom noticed the first night that he seemed to be limping and one leg seemed slightly smaller, atrophied. X-rays revealed Henry has a fracture in his hip, the ball of the joint is broken off! I can't imagine how much pain our little guy has been in and still to be so happy go lucky. So tomorrow, Monday, Henry will have FHO surgery. Lucky Henry has a loving foster home dedicated to helping him recover, heal and regain strength in his leg. Please send well wishes and healing energy his way!

Macy's baby steps

2010-02-18T22:25:00.000-06:00

Macy has made tremendous progress in just a few short days. My heart feels like it might burst when I watch each baby step forward. Two nights ago I watched as Macy met Safe Hands member Valerie and made a new friend. She learned that she likes to have a head and face massage a whole lot. I could see her visibly relax the tension in her little body as she leaned into Valerie's hand and softly blinked her eyes. Then it happened, Macy had a breakthrough, she head butted Valerie's hand. Macy asked for more. Such a small gesture but it means so much. Macy asked for more!!

Last night I watched Macy play with Safe Hands member Heidi. Yes, Macy played with her. She wrapped her front legs around Heidi's arm, nibbled on her hand and grabbed hold of her sweater - all very gently mind you. And Macy played, with a person, for the very first time.

Today, Macy is off to the races, she played with me and she played with Vyto. And tonight she wagged her tail at me. After we played she took a nap and when she woke up and I was still there with her, she wagged her tail!! I'm not sure I've ever seen anything more beautiful than Macy wagging her tail at that moment!

As I sit with Macy and watch her blossom and grow I can't help but reflect on the life she previously led and how she ended up here, in Safe Hands now. I keep thinking of the chance encounters, the connections, all the actions and events that happened in this universe to bring this little black girl dog, born in a small rural area in Kentucky with little hope for a good life, to our rescue halfway across the country. What is the probability that born into her circumstances, she'd find herself here?

I can't get Chances out of my head. I just keep thinking of the chances she had, which in her situation were slim to none. Macy's radiographs show her body is full of buckshot, a minimum of 15 pellets throughout her abdomen, hind quarters and back legs. What are the chances that she would survive being shot at? Some of her siblings were no doubt less fortunate. Macy's mom and siblings died and she was alone in the world at no more than 8 months of age. What are the chances she could endure on her own? Macy was hit by a car. What are the chances she would last, with a broken pelvis more than a few contusions and bruises and a concussion that left her vision compromised, in the cold, on her own? What are the chances someone would care enough about a little stray dog to find her in a drain pipe and reach out to ask for help. What are the chances that help would be found?

I don't know what it was or how the interconnected web of the world works it's mysterious ways. I don't know how or why exactly things worked the way that they did. I just know that it seems like it has to be more than Chance that saved Macy and brought her here. Macy has touched many lives already and I think she has more work yet to do.

And so, this Five for Fighting song loops through my head:

Chances are when said and done
Who will be the lucky ones
Who will make it all the way?

Today it is Macy who will make it all the way but I will tell you who are the lucky ones. We are. I am. Those of us who get to spend time with Macy are the truly lucky ones. Her life has not been easy and yet there is a sweetness and innocence about her. This little girl who has been kicked even when she was down, is still willing to engage. Macy is willing to look forward to better days ahead. She is eager to believe. She is eager to believe that a warm home, soft beds, exciting and entertaining toys, good food, head massages, ear scratches, soft words and company are hers for good now. She has had nothing and no one. She has not known what it is to trust. And yet she is still willing to learn. Macy thinks she might be ready to no longer be alone in the big, scary world out there. Behind those enormous liquid brown eyes, beyond the uncertainty, there is a soul that radiates with a purity and an honesty stripped bare of any preconceived notions or pretensions.

Chances are all they hope to be....

To be part of Macy's new beginning, part of the circle that now surrounds her with safe hands and open hearts is an honor and a privilege. We are the lucky ones.

Macy's new beginning

2010-02-16T23:57:00.000-06:00

Sweet baby girl Macy arrived on Saturday night, February 13th. Getting her here was no small accomplishment and much thanks are due to all the good hearted folks along the way who made time in their lives at the last minute to ensure Macy arrived safe and sound, to URKY for helping her and getting her stable at the vet clinic in KY, all the folks who donated to pay her vet bill there and to Karen H. who's devotion to Macy and much time, effort and miracle working are the reason she is here now.

Thanks to first time transporter Mick (welcome to the Underhound Railroad!), to Kim and Margie and Judy Walton (yes, one of our Edgerton Angels who once again came to the rescue) and to Safe Hand's member Tess who drove to WI Dells to bring Macy on the last leg home.

Macy arrived hungry, tired and very shy but overall doing very well. She was interested in her surroundings and happy to have a meal and some new toys to play with. This will be a big week with an orthopedic consult and an appointment with the eye doc too. All this while we get to know Macy and hopefully make her more comfortable too.

Meet Macy

2010-02-15T21:42:00.001-06:00

I'd like to introduce you to the newest Safe Hand's member, a baby girl in need who joined our rescue just last Saturday night.

I was first introduced to Macy with this heartwrenching photo:

Macy's story:
Macy was born to a stray dog in Rock Castle, KY - near Harlan. Her mom got handouts from some neighborhood folks where she primarily lived. She had babies and soon they were following her around. One by one the babies disappeared - hit by cars, succumbing to the elements or perhaps to other animals. In the end it was just Macy and her mom left. Then a few weeks ago her mom too was hit by a car and killed. It was just Macy on her own. I imagine it must have been pretty lonely and pretty scary for her. A local woman was trying to leave food out for her and keep an eye on her.

On Tuesday, January 26th this woman came home and saw blood smeared on the street. When the little black dog didn't come around any more she became very concerned. She finally tracked her to a drain pipe where she had crawled in and curled up. The woman could not get her out. She checked on her every day but Macy would not move. Finally on Saturday the 30th she got help from a friend and they were able to get Macy out of the drain pipe and into an outdoor dog house on the woman's porch. She curled up in the house and would not move. The woman had no money to take her to the vet and she knew enough to know Macy needed more than she could give her. She sent out an email plea for help.

The email made it's way to a group called United Rescues Kentucky (URKY) of which we are a member. URKY board members were able to get her to a vet in a nearby town. They started a Chip In to pay for her medical expenses. She was dehydrated, very thin, in immense pain and very, very afraid. Radiographs revealed that she has a broken hip. At this point the surgeon they consulted felt the injury would heal on it's own with cage rest and that surgery was not recommended as it would be a severe procedure requiring installing a metal plate around the bones..

And this is where we come in. Macy needs a rescue that give her every chance to heal both physically and emotionally. She needs to be enveloped by the love of good people who care about her. URKY has heard great things about our group, about the people that make up our group, about how hardworking and dedicated we are. They have heard we have big hearts and gentle hands and that we go above and beyond what even we thought was possible to provide care and comfort to the dogs who's lives we agree to be responsible for. They would like us to take Macy. They feel we can give her the best chance to be happy and whole.

Macy is estimated to be around 8 months old, she weighs just 21 pounds. She is extremely frightened and lies curled up in a ball. She will not even eat in front of her caregivers. Right now Macy thinks she is alone in the world. She does not know how many folks already care a great deal about her. The folks of URKY are all pulling for her and let me tell you that these are mighty fine folks who work really, really hard to save dogs (& cats!) in Kentucky. What they see and deal with and what they do on a regular basis has me amazed and in awe.

And so, with much thanks and gratitude to the "think tank" of folks I consulted about this decision, I agreed to bring Macy into our fold. Macy needs us. A wise man told me, this is what we do. I'm hoping you will join me in finding room in your hearts, minds and busy lives for a scared little back girl who has nothing right now in this really big and terrifying world. I am hoping you can join me in forming a cocoon of love and safety around her. She is going to need us all.

Elijah & Rahja's Best Silly Faces

2010-01-15T23:20:00.000-06:00

Elijah Eskimo Einstein Ali is growing up. He has discovered that he likes it outside and thinks he should be an Eskimo. He has mastered the "sit" for his treats and is doing a pretty decent "watch me" (sans distractions mind you!). Just today started in on "leave it" and progressed quite quickly for his first lesson. And every time I walk into the room he is so dang happy to see me he bobs and jabs just like Ali. So Elijah Eskimo Einstein Ali it is (Oh and he says his favorite poet is ee cummings so sometimes he likes to be called just "ee"). And by the way, our little ee, who arrived 1 pound 13 ounces, weighed in at a full and whopping 10 pounds this morning. He's pretty darn pleased wih himself don't you think?

Rahja Mahal Madame Currie Butterball has grown up so much I tease her and ask who she is and what she did with my tiny baby Rahja. She too has mastered stairs, a mean "sit" and a decent "watch me" (unless the other dogs are around and who can blame her - they are way more fun to watch then me!). Rahja got off easy today and missed her lesson as apparently distractions get me too! She is brave, adventurous and really, really wants to play with the big dogs. Until they come charging at her in the yard to engage her in a game of chase. She gives a little shriek and runs away until at a "safe" distance she stops and starts sniffing around like, "oh, I meant to just run over here because there is something really interesting, not because I'm still afraid of a dog five times my size charging at me, play or not...really, it's just so interesting over here". She has turned all round and puppy plush with soft, soft fur and a belly of puppy jelly. She weighed in at 9 pounds 4 ounces this morning. Elijah is all legs, Rahja is all roundness and full.

The kids got to go for a big adventure today, an outing to the pet store, their first! They did very well on their leashes and meeting new people. It was great socialization and I was so proud of them!

Finley Day Two

2010-01-15T23:01:00.001-06:00

So these pictures were actually taken one week ago. Day two, day after Finley's surgery to drain as much of the infection from his shoulder as possible. Here Finley is one happy guy because I visited and let him have his cone off while I was there. He looks strikingly handsome in Momma Heidi's blue T don't you think?

Finny was pretty tired and worn out. In case he wasn't worn out enough before I got there he and I played a rousing game of "Keep Finley from trying to pull out his drain tube". That was exhausting. He finally fell asleep with his head in my hands. Unfortunately since I was the only one there (with my hands under Finley's head remember) I could not get a picture of that. Not having mastered taking pictures with my feet yet and all.... Here are Finley's sad eyes though when I had to get ready to go. Yep, try walking out on that face. It sucks. If we didn't have new kids arriving that day I'd likely still be there now....

And then I really had to go and Finley had to put his broken e collar back on. Yep, he managed break his e collar within 12 hours. Momma Heidi had to duct tape this one up so it was even more, um, unique. We got him a new one. He beat his own record breaking the new one in less than 8.

Princess aka Addie update

2010-01-14T09:16:00.000-06:00

I can't say enough how much we love to get updates on our "kids". It makes our day, bring sunshine when there is gray, it reminds us why we do what we do, it makes it easier to give up the next kid (although the giving up is never "easy"). I had a great experience this month with my foster puppy who we simply called The Princess, as that is what she is! The Princess was just a few weeks old when she arrived at my house with her mom and siblings. As I cared for her and watched her grow she just reminded me so much of another pipsqueak that I helped Momma Taschio raise, her baby Irene. I couldn't get Irene out of my mind and I emailed her new family to say hi and sent them pictures of The Princess telling them that I just couldn't stop thinking about Irene so wanted to send a note. Was I surprised to get a very excited email back very quickly. They had been thinking about getting a sibling for Irene, now Lilia. They were waiting for the right pup to come along and they thought the Princess was it. I also couldn't have been more thrilled. They are a great family and I know they adore Lilia and take great care of her. A meeting was arranged and as soon as she was old enough The Princess became Addie and joined her new family.

I've had a few updates and Addie is doing great and Lilia has been a really great big sister. The two are adorable together.

Here is the Princess when she first arrived.

Growing up...

Here she is now, Addie in her new home, so beautiful!

With big sister Lila, I LOVE this picture of the two of them trotting off together. I feel so much better knowing my princess girl has Irene to watch over her (besides her parents of course!)

Finley

2010-01-09T11:20:00.001-06:00

Finley Finnegan Begin Again needs your thoughts, prayers and positive vibes. Finley has not been feeling the best since he arrived here but we were unable to figure out exactly what was wrong.

Yesterday his shoulder ballooned to three times its normal size and x-rays revealed he had been shot and a pellet resides in his shoulder. Massive infection had set in. Dr. Melissa went to work quickly, sedated him and drained as much of the infection as possible. A tube drain was inserted and Finley was started on strong antibiotics. We are hoping for a speedy and thorough recovery for our sweet big guy.

Rahja update

2009-12-31T12:45:00.000-06:00

Rahja arrived three weeks ago at just 2 pounds 2 ounces. Now she weighs in at 5 pounds 2 ounces of spunk and spice. She is hysterically funny, very brave if perhaps a bit foolhardy, trying hardest to play with my dog who likes puppies the least. She is dedicated to the cause and I bet she gets her way very soon.

Rahja the night she arrived.

Rahja day one in foster care.

Rahja Christmas eve in the toy box.

Rahja Christmas Day.

Elijah Update

2009-12-28T22:22:00.000-06:00

Elijah arrived just an itty bitty bundle. He is now all legs and I think if you watched close enough you'd see him growing! Three weeks ago he weighed in at 1 pound 13 ounces. Now he is 5 pounds 13 ounces. Four pounds in three weeks!

Elijah the night he arrived, a tiny baby.

Elijah two weeks later on 12/19/09, a handsome young man don't you think?

Elijah on Christmas Eve, in the toy box!

Hamming it up for the camera.

On Christmas morning, wondering what I had in my hand (the presents!)

Azalea's first Christmas

2009-12-28T00:14:00.000-06:00

I got the such a great update on one of my favorite former foster puppies:

We thought you might like to see and hear an update about Zaley - She is loving the snow and chasing the snowballs. She is very attentive and so playful - always busy! She is a hoot to play with. She plays frequently with a handful of other dogs at the nearby field, chasing and even tug of war with kongs and rope toys. She is feisty and engaging! She is an essential part of the family. I thought you might enjoy these pictures of her first Christmas.

Look how happy she is!

What a pretty big girl now.

It makes me all misty and warm and fuzzy at the same time to see her now with a family of her own where she loves and is loved.

Elijah & Rahja's first Christmas!

2009-12-27T10:22:00.000-06:00

Here are a few more shots of Elijah and Rahja on Christmas morning.

Christmas!

2009-12-27T10:17:00.001-06:00

To back up a little before I even begin, Elijah & Rahja actually arrived several weeks ago. We met the transport and I found the crate that was supposed to have our litter of six pups in it. I opened it up and began removing puppies but I was only counting five. I asked the transporter where the sixth puppy was. But then I saw him, tiny baby boy, Elijah Blue, a tiny, bedraggled, black baby boy puppy. He huddled at the back, underneath the other puppies, sat on, squashed and very scared.

Elijah arrived at just under 2 pounds. He wouldn't eat, he was dehydrated, and every time I went into "his" room in my home he buried his head into his bed. If he couldn't see me, then clearly I couldn't see him either. He played hard to get. I was in love.

I have said it before but never underestimate the power of hand feeding. The next morning Elijah ate some soft food out of my hand and for that day he only ate out of my hand. Within 24 hours boy baby came running, tail wagging, whenever he saw me. Elijah has this little bit of white between his nose and mouth on the left side only, it makes him look like he's always wearing a smile, or a smirk at least. He is an imp, funny, adorable, and a really great snuggler. He pounces like a cat, twists his little head to look at me all innocent (even when he's not), runs like the gangly puppy he is.

After Elijah was doing better sister Rahja joined him and they have been fostered with me ever since. She is as impossibly beautiful as he is impossibly cute. She is all fluffy creme caramel colored fur with a slender, dark nose. Rahja is the kind of adorable usually reserved only for children's stuffed animals. She is brave and has helped Elijah be brave too. She is pouncy and flouncy, a busy little bee with a lot on her agenda each day. She knows there is a lot of world out there waiting for her and she's ready for it.

Enter Christmas morning...and as these two are good little boy and girl, Santa left them each a gift. Their wild abandon and uncontained joy at these fabulous things called presents and wrapping paper was a sight to see. They jumped and ran and pounced and tore at the paper and generally moved around so much it was hard to get any photos that weren't a mass of blur. However, I got this series of shots below that I wanted to share. Elijah's first Christmas!

Henry's New Beginning

2009-11-17T15:30:00.000-06:00

It has been almost 3 weeks since I did Henry's home visit and adoption with his new family. Today I received this update from his mom and wanted to share it:

"Hi Janine,

Thanks for the pictures. We are sending some of our own. We absolutely love this little guy. WE cannot get enough of him. He is with us all the time. Thanks for doing such a great job crate training him, he sleeps through the night and is an angel when he is in there. The potty training is a little challenging but getting better. He is a little dolly and we just love him to bits. Tell your husband we will love and take special care of this little guy, we adore him.

He is much better on the leash and loves to go for walks. He runs in circles around here and keeps our cats on their toes. We weren't sure how the cranky old cat would be but as it turns out he is just that, old and cranky. He leaves Henry alone and Henry tries to push his buttons but for the most part it is peaceful. We did realize very quickly he doesn’t like to share his toys and often sits with them all around him. He has learned how to pick up more than one at a time and carry them away. We bought him a little bed to sleep in under my desk and he wanted nothing to do with it, he wanted to sleep in the cats big bed, so our big fat cat took over the new bed and now I catch them sharing it. Henry didn’t want it, but he didn’t want the cat to have it either. He is really funny. We will keep sending updates as he gets older. Thanks for bringing him back to health and taking such good care of him, we feel very lucky to have him. Our only fear is that one of our friends or family will kidnap him because he is so cute. Thanks again.

Tara, Jim and Henry"

Fostering is hard. Falling in love with your foster "kids", bringing them back to health, loving them up like one of your own and then, when it's time, letting them go. Updates like this are what keep us going when things get difficult. This is why we do what we do. Henry's story started with being tied in a plastic bag and tossed in the trash like garbage and now he is healthy, happy and has a great family of his own who love him. I miss him terribly and as difficult as it was for me to let him go, I know I made the right decision for him when I read this update.

Henry aka Walmart puppy

2009-10-11T23:23:00.000-05:00

Henry came to Safe Hands the same night as Angeline. To say that he was a mess would be an understatement. The shelter in Harlan had sent us his picture earlier in the week, and the moment I saw him I knew we had to get him here. He looked so sad and pathetic and...hairless. (For anyone who doesn't know me very well, I am a sucker for the mangey hairless dogs.) I thought of little else in the days leading up to his arrival and waited anxiously to hear any updates. I knew he had been given fluids at the shelter for dehydration, and I was praying that his little body that had been through so much already would be strong enough to make it to Safe Hands, where he could heal and find the forever home that he deserved. My greatest wish that week was that he make it here and I could see him happy and wagging.

For anyone who doesn't know his story from our updates, Henry was found tied up in a Walmart shopping bag in a dumpster. Thankfully an employee who took out the trash heard a squeaky sound and located the ailing little boy and took him to the shelter.

I was handed his crate the night he arrived and peeked inside to see the saddest pair of watery eyes staring back at me through the kennel door. Henry was nearly bald all over from sarcoptic mange. His stomach was enormously bloated. He had a raspy cough and wheezy lungs. He was dehydrated. He was, in short, a mess. But he was. He was still here, still alive, still wanting to be. We believe all life is precious, even 2 pound puppies with no hair. They want to live too.

I took him home that night and got him settled in the spare bedroom. Because of his upper respiratory I had to keep him quarantined from my dogs until it cleared up. I had never had a foster pup that slept as much as he did for the first 3 days. I knew his little body needed the rest to heal itself, but it was still nerve wracking for me, who just wanted him to be a normal playful puppy.

Caring for Henry was both easy and daunting. Easy in that he was a very good little patient when I had to give him sub Q fluids and antibiotics, which is not usually the case with the tiny pups. Daunting because I had to turn into a chef (a very big stretch) to try to entice him to eat. I tried nearly everything I could think of to get the baby boy to eat. At one point he had 10 little custard bowls with various canine and human foodstuffs in them...like a tiny puppy buffet table, in the hopes that while I was away at work he would eat....anything. After much trial and error on chef Janines part (liver was a big nose turning NO), he finally settled on boiled chicken, plain yogurt and nutrical as his foods of choice for the first 2 weeks. Not balanced, but nutritious enough on a temporary basis.

Gradually the wheezing and coughing has cleared up and his eyes have stopped watering. His hair too is nearly all back. I'm proud to say that he is very happily eating dry puppy food and gaining and thriving. He's nearly 4 pounds now. The only real remnants of his former life are his slightly crooked front legs, a bit malformed from malnutrition, but even those have improved greatly in the weeks since he has been here. Henry is a little spitfire. He's got the heart of a big dog in his tiny little puppy body.

I look at the pictures of him, before and after, and marvel that they are of the same dog. He's turned into quite the handsome boy, but then, I knew from the moment I saw his picture that he would be with a little time and tlc. I get angry when I think about his past, but I try not to dwell on it.. the panic he must have felt before survival mode kicked in and the horrible kind of person that would just throw him away. What matters is that he made it to Safe Hands and he's amazing. I've been caring for him for just over a month now and I gotten my greatest wish ...to see him happy and wagging. It's pretty much all he ever is when he's awake. I have a new greatest wish now and that is for Henry to find the perfect forever home he deserves.

Pick me up, buttercup

2009-10-08T23:31:00.000-05:00

This is Angeline doing her prancy dancy pick me up moves. If I haven't mentioned it yet, she is sure that she is a Princess with a capital P and that she really does belong in someone's arms 95% of the time. I'm pretty sure she's right.

Sweetest Angeline

2009-10-08T23:29:00.000-05:00

Here is sweetest Angeline in her new sweater. She loves this sweater. After our vet visit yesterday Dr. Baho told me she liked the sweater. I told her Angeline did too and she didn't like it if you tried to take it off. She told me they already found out the hard way...they had to take it off to weigh her. She was not a happy camper about that and I guess she let them know.

The good news is that her fecal yesterday showed no intestinal parasites and her urinalysis looked good. She has now gained two whole pounds from when she arrived, that's almost 50% of what she weighed when she got here. Way to go Angeline!

10-3 Angeline!!!

2009-10-03T11:11:00.000-05:00

I would have updated you yesterday but I was very busy with an Angeline in my arms! Angeline is back at my house and she is pretty sure she was made to be held, oftentimes wrapped up in a blanket. I am pretty sure she is right. Of course, it's really hard to get anything else done though.

Angeline spent the last week and a half being tended to and cared for round the clock by Wendy & Tina. Slowly she put on weight and regained her energy. She began to be curious about her surroundings and to interact more with the outer world. Last Thursday she had an appointment with Dr. Baho, her new doctor, an Internal Medicine Specialist. She has gained well over a pound and is currently 5 lbs 12 ounces - way to go Wendy & Tina! We owe them big thanks, her feeding and medicating schedule was insane with something going into her at least every few hours.

Angeline's ultrasound showed some improvements in her tummy but also a thickened abdominal wall. However, Dr. Baho said that with what she's gone through that is not unexpected. Her bloodwork was excellent except she still has elevated white blood cells, also not unexpected or really unusual though. We are switching some of her meds around to see if we can improve her stool and stop the straining she does to go. (yes, again, it is all about the poop). She'll go back for a few more tests to be sure the new medicine regime is not causing trouble with kidneys or liver. So onward and upward we trudge.

Meanwhile, she has become quite the snuggle bunny. I think she is making up for lost time. I imagine that she thinks, "now THIS is what I am talking about, THIS is what I held on for." I confess to holding her while she sleeps and staring at her in amazement. I can't believe she is really here, that she survived. Dr. Baho said she is one lucky girl, very lucky to be alive and very lucky to have come into Safe Hands. I think we are lucky too. She is a beautiful little miracle inside and out.

She still hardly makes a peep. She prefers to be held and sleep on a warm body but she'll stay in her bed if I'm busy. She is timid around my dogs and will avoid them unless cornered. Then she will raise a lip but she has not done anything more than that. She watches them play and her head cocks from side to side. I wonder if she has played with other dogs, if she knows what that is. Is she conjuring up memories of a time that was her or does she wonder what on earth they are doing? After watching them play on Thursday night she play bowed at my (while standing on my belly) and then gave a little play bark and (very gently) bit at my nose. She continued to play with me! She has done this on several occasions now. She pokes at my with her nose, dodges in and out, likes it if I try to touch her feet or face while she dodges out of the way while she play bows away. Then she'll lick my face and I swear if a dog could laugh that's what she's doing. It feels really good to see her this way.

Angeline video

2009-09-25T12:00:00.000-05:00

This is a little video Wendy made of Angeline's first morning in her home, showing her meds, feeding schedule and sweetness herself taking a nap!

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/9e13363a7dfb98cccfec3230128695ae/video/6297683

Angeline 9-25 Ups!

2009-09-25T11:33:00.000-05:00

Today is a good day. Angeline's morning weigh in was a good one. She gained back the last weight she lost plus 1/2 ounce. Go Clinicare! Go Angeline!

Angeline 9-24 Ups & Downs

2009-09-23T09:35:00.005-05:00

We continue to have ups and downs with little Miss Angeline. The good news is that she is alert, active, and has bonded well with both Wendy & Tina. She enjoys checking out her new house and has done well with the cats. The not so great news is that we continue to struggle with her weight. She maintained for a day, then dropped again, despite upping her caloric intake slightly. We solicited a second opinion from an internal medicine specialist and have added Clinicare back into her diet mixing it with her E/N food at each meal. If you've followed Safe Hands for a while you will remember Minnie, baby girl, skin and bones, who also spent time in the ICU at the U of M. She was sent home on a diet of E/N and Clinicare and this is what worked for her. We are hopeful it will work with Angeline too and allow her to put some weight back on her tiny frame.

Angeline 9-22-09

2009-09-23T09:34:00.002-05:00

Have you ever seen a face so beautiful?

So Sunday night and all day Monday I revelled in Angeline. I admired her beautiful face and her beautiful and strong spirit. I let her take her time to feel comfortable in her new space and with me. It didn't take long before she was crawling in my lap and giving more sweet Angeline kisses. Unfortunately since I have a job I need to pay my bills and I was not allowed to bring her with me I had to find someone else to care for her. Her crazy med and feeding schedule requires round the clock care.

Tuesday morning dawned bittersweet. I was over the moon that Angeline was "home", eating all she was allowed, taking her meds as well as a girl can be expected and overall doing well. But I had to hand her care over to someone else after building a bond of trust. I consider Angeline and Safe Hands very fortunate to have the excellent care of Wendy Vankerhove of Fresh Air Training and her partner Tina in which to place Angeline. Wendy and Tina are dedicated animal lovers with experience dealing with critically ill and injured animals. Wendy re-arranged her dog training schedule to accommodate Angeline's needs with Tina taking evening shift. Big thank you to both of you for taking on our little girl!

Of course, things rarely go as smooth as one would like and Angeline's weigh in revealed that she had lost five ounces. I was panic striken. It took 45 minutes to get through to anyone at the U of M and longer to get any answers. They determined that my panic was perhaps a bit misplaced and felt that it was natural since she was off all the feeding tubes and having to digest all her solid food herself now to expect this. It wasn't an answer I liked but hey, it's what I got.

So off to Wendy and Tina's house. Angeline got all tucked in to her new area with her familiar bed and toys and I had to leave Wendy and Angeline to get acquainted. I left my heart on the stairs on the way out.

Gazelle

2009-09-23T09:33:00.004-05:00

Doesn't she look like a little gazelle?

Angeline 9-22

2009-09-23T09:32:00.004-05:00

This is one of Angeline's favorite positions to sleep in, legs straight and tucked right up to her body, feet under her head. So funny and so cute.

I am delinquent in filling you in Angeline's progress. The truth is that Sunday night and Monday I felt like I imagine it is when you bring a newborn home. I couldn't stop staring at her. I watched her sleep for hours. If I managed to drag myself out of the room I'd be back peeking around the corner minutes later just to be sure she was still there and get a glimpse of her sweet, sweet face. For several hours I laid on the kitchen floor, my head in her bed, Angeline sleeping soundly on my stomach. There was no place I would have rather been. With Angeline's warm (albiet very scrawny) body resting contentedly, warm, safe, the world seemed like it was OK. We got her in time and we are fortunate that we have a place like the U of M that can provide top of the line lifesaving care. We are also fortunate that we had doctors there who cared about our little orphan girl and who would not give up on her.

Angeline is being fed every four hours round the clock and has an impressive array of medications. Her care schedule is intense with some medications needing to come one hour before a meal, others 1/2 hour before a meal and yet others with a meal. I put everything into an Excel spreadsheet, printed it out, set my phone alarms for each next "event" in our day and crossed each off as we accomplished it. Angeline ate all she was allowed and took her medicines like the little trooper she is.

So my apologies for the delinquency, I was very busy revelling in Angeline!

Sunday night

2009-09-23T09:31:00.004-05:00

Here is Angeline, finally at home, finally without that dreaded cone, finally able to really sleep and sleep she did. Look at how happy and peaceful her face looks!

Angeline at home in her new bed

2009-09-20T20:46:00.001-05:00

Feeling sleepy...just about to nod off to dreamland.

Angeline checks out her new friend

2009-09-20T20:45:00.001-05:00

In the car on the way home.

Angeline is home

2009-09-20T20:29:00.003-05:00

I got back about an hour and a half ago with Angeline. She is such a brave little girl. Most of the dogs leaving the ICU are ecstatic to go back to their family and home. Angeline doesn't have a family or home she knows to go back to. This is why I have visited her at every opportunity, so she has at least something sort of familiar. How scary it must be though to be so small, have fought such an epic battle and have nothing you know in this world. She was pretty happy to leave the hospital in any case. I set her in her bed in the passenger seat. She sniffed the blankets and the stuffed bunny friend I brought with for her. She looked around and decided her best bet was to have a walk about in the car and find something to eat. This was not going to work and she has a strict doctors orders diet to follow so I ended up wrapping her in her blanket and holding her with one arm while driving. I know, real safe right? She was content to look out the window and seemed fascinated at watching the big world go by outside.

When we arrived home it was feeding time. I put Angeline's bed in the kitchen and set her in it. She ate all her food and promptly nodded her tiny head off to sleep. That's where she's been ever since. She is resting contentedly and I can't stop staring at her. It's hard to believe that she is here and I want to scoop her up and never put her down but I know she needs to rest. So I sit and watch.

Angeline's morning visit

2009-09-20T17:06:00.003-05:00

I must confess that my morning visit with Angeline left me feeling less than ecstatic. She came to the front of the cage to see me but stood there looking wide eyed and a little glum. She let me put a blanket over her shoulders and lift her into my arms. I held her while she slept. A far cry from yesterday morning's little energetic monkey butt. But her breath came deep and regular and I thought back to the first visit I had with her in the ICU when her breaths were just wisps against my arm and I thought about how grateful I was for them, then and now. When I left she was looking equally glum at being put back in her cage. My feelings mirrored the look on her face.

Angeline breaks my heart. She has gained over 1/2 pound since she arrived in the ICU but I don't know where she put it because to look at her one still has to marvel that she is alive and walking around. She clearly wants to be held and snuggled, she knows what that is, she knows that it is good and that she likes it. But she has also clearly learned not to trust in the goodness. Someone has done things to her, bad things. The conflict on her face and in her body is obvious and, well, heartbreaking. Wanting so much to feel safe and comforted in someone's arms but being so afraid to believe in that goodness. She is always waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop, she startles easily, I have to move my hands slowly when I am holding her and even then her eyes get big and she watches me closely.

She is one scrappy, sassy, spunky girl, she's had to be to survive.

I also want to say that you did it, the prayers, voodoo magic, energy waves, healing energy, whatever it is, you did it. Angeline's fever is dropping and I'll be picking her up in an hour to come Home.

Angeline 9-20 first am update

2009-09-20T09:53:00.001-05:00

I have not gone to see Angeline yet, leaving soon. But this morning's report has me all anxious and edgy. She spiked a fever late last night. They took out her central line with delivered the TPN. She was almost done with that anyway and eating well. She is already on several antibiotics. But this morning her fever persists and her stools are looser again. I'm told she is still perky and active but this is not going in the right direction. We were really pushing the envelope keeping Angeline in the ICU this long, only able to do due to a loan that we need to fundraise to pay back. I don't know what we will do if Angeline's fever doesn't go down.

If anyone is reading this and you are praying kind of people, now would be a good time. I'll take any healing energy, positivity sent to the universe on her behalf, heaing spells or whatever your beliegs are as well.

Angeline 9-19 pm

2009-09-20T09:49:00.003-05:00

This evening I decided I had to be quick to offer an alternative to Angeline's flying leap so I knelt down next to her cage and made my lap even with the bottom of it as I opened the door. Angeline could then just walk out onto it. She really didn't like this idea as much as her own. She wasn't so sure if she could trust stepping right onto me. Finally she did though and I had the girl out. Her lines were once again all tangled and one of the techs came over to tediously unwind them all. Angeline is a busy girl I guess.

They gave me a tall chair and I sat in it with Angeline. We got to take her cone off for this visit! She was nervous at first as she always is but then settled in and napped contentedly for about an hour or so. She loves one of the techs there who I believe has shown her some special attention. Angeline's eye follow her everywhere. I am glad to know she's being loved.

She continues to do well and so far it looks like she can come home tomorrow.

Angeline 9-19 am

2009-09-20T09:41:00.003-05:00

Mutual understanding be damned, this morning Angeline took matters into her own hands. Apparently the flying leap thing was working well for her. I opened the cage, she ran to the front in her sort of stumbling gate and launched herself towards me. I caught her and landed her safely in my lap. We have to work on this...

This morning Angeline was not content to sit in my lap and watch the world go by. She was ready to participate. She wanted down and she wanted to go on a walk about in the ICU. Thing is she is not allowed to do that. Our visit started with Angeline trying to find a way out of my lap, me trying to make a fence with my arms to keep her in. Relentless, persistant, Angeline wanted what Angeline wanted. I decided this was not going to do and stood up thinking if I held her she could see more and surely wouldn't try to jump from that height. She did survey the kingdom she'd been living in for a brief period but then the struggling resumed. So much so that she kept getting her lines tangled and setting off the alarms on her IV monitors.

Too many alarms cut our visit a bit short. I went to put her back in her cage and she craned her body hard against me, craned her neck and face away from the cage, clearly expressing her desire NOT to be put back. Since she more or less owns me this was a problem. Who am I to disobey Angeline? A kind tech seeing our problem brought over Angeline's meal and she was all too happy to go in her cage to eat. I had to take advantage of the opportunity to leave without her huge, pleading eyes tearing at my heart.

So the morning report was that Angeline continues to feel better and better. No more formed poo but they said that is to be expected. After all she's been through it will be quite some time before Angeline is anything close to normal.

Angeline 9-18 pm report

2009-09-18T23:37:00.002-05:00

Here is Angeline, once again in my arms, here I am, once again all gowned and gloved up so that they let me hold her.

Mutual understanding. Angeline and I are trying to come to a mutual understanding. We are trying to close the gap from her cage to my lap, her fear to my confidence in her ability to overcome. A kind tech in the ICU tried to explain to me her mutual understanding with Angeline and how she picks her up but sadly she was not really able to demonstrate because Angeline came flying out the front of the cage so I think the woman just really had time to catch her and help her land gently in my lap. It seems Angeline was going to take matters into her own hands.

Once in my lap Angeline snuggled in, periodically closed her eyes and slept and otherwise was quite alert and attentive to all that was going on around her. She seems to crave the warmth, the heartbeat, the security of a lap and blanket, but calmly please, not too much fuss. Wrapped in the blanket she stops quivering, she is comforted.

The evening report is that she continues to eat well and that they discontinued using the feeding tube to her stomach instead letting her just eat (and still get the TPN directly to her bloodstream). This is a step towards coming home. They have also switched most of her meds to the oral formula, also a step towards coming home. She is so much brighter eyed, she is awake so much more. Three Good Things.

The kind tech who caught flying Angeline told me she'd taken Angeline outside (TPN line and bag trailing) for a short time today and she reported Angeline sniffed the air vigorously and walked around tentatively. The tech also let Angeline snuggle in and held her while she slept. I was amazingly grateful to know Angeline had that kind of care. One of the ICU doctors told me she has become the unofficial ICU mascot, she said they will miss her when she goes. I am amazingly grateful also that we have a facility here with committed individuals that could save the life of a tiny little girl dog.

Next steps for Angeline are to finish this bag of TPN which will be done by Sunday am. To continue eating on her own and to be able to eat enough on her own to sustain her daily caloric needs. Soon she will need to be off IV fluids too and able to sustain herself that way as well. Then she can Come Home. Her care will be monitored closely. She will need small, frequent meals, her calories will be counted and gradually increased so she can put weight on her tiny, emmaciated little frame. But soon, she can come home.

A week ago tonight at this time I was just getting my first real look at Angeline, at her unbelievable condition, I was about to get in my car and take her right to the e vet. A week ago tonight we didn't know if Angeline had a chance to survive. This week has been a year and a minute both. In the living it out it felt like it lasted an eternity, each day agonizingly full of decisions, angst, worry. In the looking back it feels like a dream, like walking through a foggy whirlwind and popping out on the other side. It feels like time stood still, like one big breath in and no out breath until just today.

Still, every time I see Angeline I am horrified by her body condition. I have seen her every day for one week now but each time it's like a punch in the gut all over again. I should be used to it but I am not. Her body looks so wrong and I can't get my head around the fact that she can look that way and still be alive. It simply does not compute, like an inalienable truth that has been breached. The new inalienable truth is that Angeline is one tough cookie.

Angeline 9-18 am

2009-09-18T22:44:00.009-05:00

So I don't know why I can't get this picture on here horizontally as it should be, it is saved as a .jpg in the correct, horizontal position but no matter what I do this damn blog turns it on it's side....sigh. So here is a twisty up picture of Angeline at our morning visit. Yes, that is me all gowned up holding her.

Welcome to the world of rescue where happiness is....firm poop. Yep, that's right, only in the fun and fascinating world of rescue can entire conversations be had and worlds revolve around the consistency of poo. And today, Angeline had formed poop. I was there, the entire ICU cheered!

This morning we decided to stay the course, costs be damned, and keep Angeline on TPN for two more days. Without this she would "potentially" remain stable and be OK. After all we've been through "potentially" will not do. So onward and upward (the bill for sure) we go.

The morning's report brought these Good Things:
Angeline's total protein's levels are up
Angeline continues to eat and continues to have to "go" less often indicating that her body is starting to absorb the food she is eating
The salmonella test came back negative
She continues to be more alert, inquistive and active

Four Good Things.

My morning visit was an interesting one. Angeline came to the front of her cage and clearly wanted to be in my lap. She did not, however, want to be picked up to get there. So there we sat, my lap and Angeline so close and yet so far. If I tried to pick her up she got scared and shrieked. The staff said she is deathly afraid of having her little bum touched as it had gotten so red, raw and incredibly painful. Couple that with the fact that so often when she gets picked up it's for some unpleasant or even painful medical "thing". So there we sat, her prancing at the cage front, staring at my lap, nosing forward and then shrieking and backing up. A nice thick blanket to the rescue and I was able to wrap her up and scoop her quickly into my lap where she lay contentedly for quite some time. When visiting hours were up and I had to go I tried to put her back in the cage and my poor baby girl turned her head away and pushed back from my arm in clear protest. Break my heart.

I learn things about Angeline every day. The truth is that we don't really know much about her, what she likes or does not, what her fears or anxieties might be, does she know how to play? We know she gets spooked easily by loud noises or fast movements. We know she likes to be held in someone's arms or lap but does not like to be picked up to get there. She seems to take great comfort in being held and in particular wrapped in a blanket. She's curious about the world around her. We know she will give little kisses but it has to be when she's feeling brave and it has to be on her terms. We don't know how she's been treated, if she was mistreated or just neglected (because the neglect is obvious). We do know that we will do everything in our power to show her the good in the world, show her what it is liked to be loved and help her be the happiest and most confident little girl she can be.

Angeline's little upturned nose

2009-09-17T23:52:00.001-05:00

How can anyone not love this little face? Don't you want to scoop her right up? I know I do.

Angeline 9-17 Evening Report

2009-09-17T23:36:00.004-05:00

Although they are ever present I don't need the blue dots any longer to find Angeline, I know how to find her in my sleep. She haunts my dreams, is my last thought before sleep and the first thought before awake fully claims me. But today, when I think of Angeline I am quietly jubilant. I am trying to maintain reason, afraid to be overly optimistic, but I want to laugh out loud and sing (really, really off key) because today I believe that Angeline is going to live.

On our evening visit the little pixie girl was tired after what I'm told was a big day of being much friskier and more perky than she's been since she arrived. She was laying down but all too happy to be fawned over and to have her beautiful little head stroked. Her eyes were so much brighter than they have been. She was very attentive and taking in everything.

When her eyes closed and she slept I sat and stared at her beautiful face. Angeline's little nose with the pink spot right at the base, the slightly turned up nose, the three little freckled dots on the right side. The tan on her head surrounding one eye completely and wrapping ever so gently around the other, slightly more on top like eyeshadow, slightly less on the bottom like eyeliner. Her features so delicate. She is mesmerizing, captivating.

The Good Things are that she has continued to have a good day, continued to eat, continued to maintain her blood pressure and continued to be more active. Tomorrow morning we have big decisions to make about her care but if she continues to do well she'll be home from the ICU in a few days. Soon there will be no more blue dots between Safe Hands and Angeline.

Angeline!!

2009-09-17T12:17:00.002-05:00

I'm trying to contain myself and not be overly excited or too optimistic but I am failing miserably. Dr. Melissa just went to visit Angeline in ICU. Our girl pretty muched jumped into her arms, snuggled in, demanded to be stroked and loved up. She's much peppier and happier and Dr. Melissa is feeling really good about her. It takes about 30 seconds after meeting Angeline to be madly in love with her by the way. She's a charming, charismatic little character. Our big struggle now is being able to pay to keep her in the ICU a few more days. Angeline thinks she'd like to come home today. We'd like to keep her in the hospital three more days, this would allow her to have two more days of TPN and one day off TPN to be sure she will not only remain stable but continue to improve. If we can find the money to do this though, barring anything unforseen, Angeline will live!! I want to scream it from the mountain tops.

Angeline 9-17 - Good Morning!

2009-09-17T11:56:00.002-05:00

This morning's Angeline report from ICU is the best yet. She is perkier today and has maintained a stable blood pressure since yesterday morning. She took an interest in food last night and has been eating small amounts frequently ever since. She is also having to "go" less often, less diahrrea. Her CBC numbers look better too. If anyone has the scorecard, that is four more Good Things! Her albumen in still low but they feel it will take a long time for that to return to normal.

Keep the good thoughts coming. If Angeline can continue to improve to she can come home in a couple of days.

Angeline 9-16

2009-09-16T23:14:00.003-05:00

I have been remiss in my updates today. It is hard to keep the faith sometimes and maintain a positive outlook. The morning report on Angeline was that things remained largely unchanged but the TPN she needed didn't arrive until early this morning so she was off it for 24 hours. This meant we couldn't really expect any major improvement. I have no idea if I will spell these things right but they ruled out three more things, giardia, cryptosporosis and histoplasmosis. This leaves salmonella or IBD or "simple" starvation. Or it leaves something even more twisted...

I found out yesterday that Angeline came from a meth house. I called the shelter and asked them to call her previous owners and appeal to any love they had for her and any sense of decency to tell us about her medical history, anything that would help us help her. They denied there was ever anything wrong with the "damn" dog. But then, someone at the shelter overheard the conversation and after some uncomfortable shifting and stammering finally revealed that the couple were known to make, sell (and use) methampetamine. So this brings us to this - did she ingest something used to make the meth? Did they simply not feed her because they are more concerned with other things and she was forgotten?

So it's just one more piece of the puzzle to her past and it just makes me her seem so much more vulnerable. Has she ever known anyone that loved her?

This evening when I visited she was sleeping and did not get up. I covered her with the blanket I brought and stroked her head. If I stopped stroking she would open her eyes and shoot me an indignant sort of look until I started again and she drifted off to dreamland. The doctor said she was sleeping more today, we don't know if this is a Good Thing or a not so good thing. Her vitals are still the same, her blood pressure was good today.

We will see what tomorrow morning brings with 24 hours of TPN in her bloodstream and Vivinex in her stomach for the "little gut cells". Heal little gut cells, heal.

Angeline 9-15 evening report

2009-09-15T21:25:00.003-05:00

Angeline, sweet Angeline, how happy I will be when there are no more blue dots between you and me. Went to see our girl this evening. She was much perkier, jumping up when she saw me, stumbling as fast as she could to the front of her cage and tumbling into my arms. She settled right in, I wrapped her in a soft blanket brought from home, she fell asleep while I stroked her head. About 1/2 hour later she stirred and needed to "go". I set her in her cage and after she was done she started sniffing about vigorously. I saw a little bit of canned food fallen near her water bowl, scooped it up and she took it lustily. They had offered her some canned food shortly before my arrival and she had taken a few bites. Now though, our girl was ready for some serious eating. She inhaled all they would allow. Go Angeline.

So for those playing at home, that's three Good Things:
Perkier = a Good Thing
Sleeping soundly (hopefully indicating she is more comfortable) = a Good Thing
Eating vigorously = a Good Thing

The not so good things are that we are still no closer to figuring out how she got to the point she is at and if there is something still wrong other than starvation. Tomorrow am we should have results of three more tests. For tonight pray that her appetite continues and those "little gut cells" continue to mend themselves. Angeline is doing her part, she is holding up her end of the bargain and fighting the good fight. I have to hold up my end of the bargain and be strong for her and work to find the resources to help and give her what she needs to continue. But for right now, I am bleary eyed, my head is foggy, and I must sleep.

Angeline 9-15 am update

2009-09-15T10:22:00.002-05:00

The good news about Angeline is that she seems to be a little perkier this morning. She was up at the front of her cage when the doctor came and not curled up in the corner. The other good news is that she licked a little food. She didn't really eat much but it's good that she is interested in eating food again. The bad news is that she ripped out her central line last night. I guess perkier has it downsides too. The central line delivers the TPN directly to her bloodstream and that is what provides her the nutrients she needs right now. They are trying to put a central line back in but her veins are tiny, her blood pressure is still down, so it's difficult. Which means the other bad news is that I can't go visit her this morning. They need to get the line in and they need to work on it now and this is visiting time. For those counting, that's two more Good Things.

Angeline's medical bills are astronomical. They will easily approach $5000 by the time she can come home. They are about $3300 as of this morning. We had about $2000 and we raised just over $1000 yesterday. If we are going to be able to keep Angeline in the hospital which is where she needs to be, we need your help. If enough people give even a small amount we can give Angeline her life back. There is a chip-in started, I'll try to figure out how to get that on our blog and we can take donations at paypal: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MN206.html or by snail mail at: Safe Hands Rescue - P.O. box 19623 - Minneapolis, MN 55419-0623.

Angeline 9-14 evening report

2009-09-14T23:04:00.003-05:00

Tonight Vyto came with me to follow the blue dots that end with Angeline. The walk down the hallways feels surreal. It feels like this is a scene from a movie and at any minute someone will yell "cut" and life will resume as normal, all of this just a bad fantasy. But the scene is not interrupted, our progress is not delayed and one foot after another we follow the blue dots.

Angeline looks so small in her cage in the ICU. It takes my breath away. There is one really strong little girl inside that frail body and she is really fighting to stay alive. I wonder how it can be that I can love this tiny thing so much, a stranger to me just days ago. But I do. I say exactly that to her attending veterinarian. She tells me she knows, she just met Angeline a day ago and already she loves her too. She loves Angeline too. It so good to know that Angeline is being cared for by someone there that loves her too.

As I hold Angeline snuggled in, her eyes close and her head drops and she sleeps soundly in my arms. I don't want to put her down, ever. I want to send everything good in me right into her through my skin and warmth and energy. After a while she starts to get restless and I know she has to "go". I put her down and she stumbles around on her pee pad while I try to keep all the tubes and lines out of the way. I think afterwards she might want to curl up and rest in her cage but she does not. She teeters over and nearly pitches herself off the edge of the cage to be back in my arms. She settles back in and I hold her while Vyto strokes her head gently. We tell her how much we love her, how many people are pulling for her. We tell her how brave she is and what a good girl too. When it is time to go I kiss her head and breathe her in and it's so hard to put her down.

The news tonight is that doctors have now ruled out another thing, Addison's disease. We have added yet another supplement to her regimen. Tomorrow we hope that the TPN and the "good stuff" they are pumping in her stomach to heal those "tiny gut cells" can work their magic and that Angeline can start to turn a corner. We know she has a long road, we just want her to be walking in the right direction. And we'll be right by her side every step of the way.

I am aware that we don't want to make her suffer unnecessarily. Losing Angeline would be very painful but Angeline comes first. I had a frank conversation with the vet about this and she believes that Angeline has a fighting chance and it's too soon to wave the white flag of surrender. She believes Angeline wants to be here and if Angeline has not given up then I don't want to give up on her.

She seemed more alert tonight than last night. She clearly wanted to be held, to have that connection. She's still in there, still wanting to be here. For now, I'll take that.

Angeline Update 9-14 3 pm

2009-09-14T14:56:00.002-05:00

I just received a call from the hospital. The treatments they started this morning have stablized Angeline for now. This is a Good Thing. They have so far ruled out kidney disease for the loss of protein, they have ruled out an intussuseption (where one part of the intestine slides back into the intestine and creates a blockage) and pancreatitis. Ruling these things out is a Good Thing. The nutritionist said we can move forward with the IV TPN for nutrition directly into her bloodstream. This also will allow them to put a different liquid food directly into her intestines that should provide better support to her "little gut cells" and hopefully give them a better opportunity to heal. Hopefully this will also be a Good Thing. I have decided I need to start counting the Good Things and focusing on them. So here are three Good Things.

Angeline 9-14 am

2009-09-14T09:17:00.002-05:00

I just got a call from the U of M. They are more guarded this morning. They still speak in terms of "in a couple of days" what we might be looking at for treatment or "in a couple of days" what we might expect in terms of signs of improvement, but I'm not sure Angeline has a couple of days. Her protein level has decreased slightly and they think she seems a little listless. They are adding something called Hetastarch to her IV and switching some of her medications around to see if they can make a difference. They are also consulting a nutritionist about giving her something called TPN which goes in IV and provides some nutritional support. It won't help her gain any weight but may be able to keep her stable while they work on settling down her guts and getting them able to absorb nutrients again. She will continue to get Clinicare nutrition through her feeding tube. They said her "little gut cells" need to be coated in nutrition to heal themselves. No results from the tests yet, they expect one back this morning to tell us if she is losing protein in her urine (very bad), one this afternoon hopefully to tell us if she has Addison's (normally treatable I guess but not likely in her case), and are starting another one to culture for a few other gastrointestinal things like camplobachter or salmonella. That test takes "a few days".

So I'm not sure where this leaves things except that it leaves me feeling a sense of helplessness, desperation and rage. It is not right that she should fight so hard all on her own and not make it when she is finally someplace she can get help. I try to remember Minnie, she was so thin and weak she could not stand or even sit. It was a few days in the ICU before she took her first three stumbling steps. But Minnie made it and she is healthy, happy and here. I am hoping Angeline can follow in her predecessor's footsteps.

I'll be visiting Angeline this evening and will update afterwards...sooner if I get any other news.

Thanks for reading, thanks for caring about Angeline and please keep her in your prayers.

Lynne

Angeline, Sweet Angeline

2009-09-14T00:37:00.002-05:00

In doing animal rescue there are sometimes great highs and sometimes great lows. We relish the happiness and the success stories, we struggle through the hard times and the horrible things we sometimes see. Without mincing words, today is not a high, today is a low. And I'm writing to ask for your help. Here is the story so far...

Angeline

I am following the blue dots to Angeline. I have been instructed to follow the blue dots on the floor which will lead me to the ICU unit of the U of M Small Animal Hospital. The memories flood back from the last time I made this trip, to visit another Safe Hands kid named Minnie who's condition was similar to where Angeline finds herself now. As has happened before I breathe deeply to be strong for this strong little girl.

I first met Angeline less than 48 hours before when she arrived on the latest transport of dogs from the high kill shelter we work with. We knew she was "thin" and we'd been told she "doesn't feel well" with the only details that she lay curled up in a ball in the shelter - a behavior as likely to be anxiety and fear based as anything else. I had, in fact, been told it might just be her nerves. So nothing really prepared us for what we found when we found Angeline.

I had set up a wire kennel for her in a quiet room with a bed and blankets. I wasn't there when she was let into it so when I first saw her she was, as described, curled up in a ball on the bed. I could tell she was mighty thin. She was also mighty scared and resented any intrusion into her new soft, safe space. I set about gaining her trust and making friends. Then, finally, it was time to gather her up and take stock.

When Angeline's tiny body unveiled itself, well there are no words really. I want to write something beautiful about this beautiful girl. I want to be clever but my heart just aches and I am not sure I'm over the shock quite yet. I'm not sure I ever will be.

It was immediately clear that Angeline needed more than we could give her at home. I wrapped her in a blanket and held her close. I could feel the fear melt as she leaned into me, relaxed and rested her head on my chest. Her relief at being held, feeling the heat and the heartbeat of another revealed the vulnerable little girl underneath the tough, scared exterior. In an instant I understood how strong she is, how strong she'd had to be, and that she needed someone to take over now. She entrusted her life to us.

I can tell you this: Angeline arrived very alert, very aware of all that was going on and very interested in preserving her life. There is clearly a spunky, sweet spirit inside this girl. Some may question the wisdom or audacity of trying to save Angeline. As I held her in my arms I questioned that too. But Angeline wants to save Angeline. She's worked really hard at it. I can't be the one to take her life away or to deny her the chance to see the fight through to victory. I thought about how much I love the name of our group, how much I love to say "you are in safe hands now" because once they are in Safe Hands that is true. And so I told Angeline that she was in safe hands. That we would support her fight and give her all that we could give. I do not lie when I tell you she looked into my eyes and gave me the softest kisses before snuggling her head back under my neck.

So Angeline is at the U of M in ICU. She is fighting to live. There are no good answers yet about what is wrong. There are possibilities, some with better prognosis than others. The doctors try to support and stabilize her while they figure out the what and why of how she got to where she is now which is not much more than skin covering bones. It is amazing she is still alive, still alert, still trying to save herself. She has a nasal-gastric feeding tube supplying her with a special liquid nutrient rich diet and an IV tube pumping in fluids, antibiotics and pain medication. She still watches everything when she is awake and remains alert to her surroundings. She sleeps a lot and she needs that. We hope and pray that her body can heal.

I visited her this evening and was shocked all over again at her condition. They handed her to me, a quivering mess of skin and bones wrapped in a faux sheepskin blanket. As before I took her in my arms and held her to my chest, the quivering stopped, she breathed deeply. I stroked her head, she loves this. Her eyes got heavy, she laid her head down. I sat in a chair. leaned back and let her rest on my belly. I told her that we all love her. I told her, over and over, that I love her. I told her she was brave and strong. I told her we were all pulling for.her. And I also told her that if she needed to go she could go, that it was up to her and we loved her no matter what. Then I just held her while she slept. I could feel the whisper soft exhale of her breaths against my arm. I became entranced in the rhythm of the tiny puffs of air and thanked God for them. When it was time to hand her back I stuff my face inside her cone and kissed her head and she rested her forehead against my cheek. I managed to hold back the tears until the moment her tiny body left my arms.

I want to put her in that bubble with the boy that will keep her safe from everything. I want to cast a spell of healing and protection. To meet her is to feel the overwhelming desire to make her world right again. I want to hold her close and roar the mighty roar of momma Lioness that will chase all the Bad Things away. I want this to be enough. Of course it is not.

And so Angeline is in the ICU with a team of doctors that can hopefully give her what I cannot. I'm told she has not deteriorated since she got here, however, there are no major improvements either. I'm told that if Angeline survives it will be many months before she is fully recovered and to expect her progress to be slow. I'm told she remains interested in food and that she continues to have a will to live. They try to keep my expectations realistic and my spirit optimistic.

We should have more test results Monday morning which may give us clues that will help the doctors help her. Tonight I try to find the words to tell you about Angeline and to ask for your help. Times are so damn tough. Everyone is struggling. It's hard to ask anyone for anything. And yet, Angeline's life depends on it and so I'm asking. We can keep her in the hospital another couple days with the funds we have (her medical bill is already over $1200) but she is going to need more than that. Our ability to provide what she needs depends on the generosity of others. I know many people really don't have anything to give but healing thoughts and prayers and those are also gratefully accepted.

As I sit here and write a cover version of Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time plays on the radio. I listen to the words, "if you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting, time after time". Angeline was falling, I want Safe Hands to be able to catch her in a net of security and bring her safely home. Please help us help Angeline if you can.

Donations can be made via paypal by clicking the link on this page:
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MN206.html

Checks can be mailed to:
Safe Hands Rescue - P.O. box 19623 - Minneapolis, MN 55419-0623

For now I will follow the blue dots to Angeline and I will pray that when Angeline is feeling lost she can look and she will find us, the Safe Hands family, standing strong behind her, to bring her home.

Thanks for listening and best to all of you in these hard times. I will post updates on Angeline to our blog which can be found here:

Lynne

What puppies do best - Day 26

2009-08-03T08:40:00.007-05:00

Our big guy is quite handsome

He has decided he likes belly rubs before bedtime

So tired

Can barely hold my head up

Getting that glazed over, sleepy time look

And we are out! What do puppies do best? Naptime!

Day 26 - It's Good to have Friends

2009-08-02T23:11:00.005-05:00

Babies start to play with each other and pal around

Baby boy says, "let me help you with that blanket there."

How innocent, "who me"

Yes, you there, biting your siblings face!

Mischief Maker

2009-08-02T23:05:00.007-05:00

Little Miss Mischief what goes on in your pretty little head?

Look at the brown pup in the background, see that glint in her eye?

Oh yeah, wonder what this pool tastes like?

Hmmm, it's sort of...hard

Mmmm, a nice blanket to chew on, now that's what I'm talking about...

When you change with every new day...

2009-08-02T23:01:00.003-05:00

The puppies seem to change daily. Each day they are a little more alert, ever so slightly more coordinated, they can stand longer, walk further and they are seeing better each day. This is our big guy. The biggest of the pups, at just under 4 weeks old he already weighs 4 1/2 pounds. He moves around the best and is a sweet boy.

Day 25 Photos

2009-08-02T22:41:00.018-05:00

This is our littlest girl

She is impossibly cute

But then, they all are really...

Ice Cream Sprinkler Puppies

2009-08-02T22:32:00.002-05:00

Day 25 and the puppies are more fun than the sprinkler on a hot day, the ice cream truck and fireworks. If they were at my house I am sure I would get nothing done. Watching them is so much better than Top Chef or Army Wives or whatever else you might find on TV these days. They are ambulatory, all but one. One little girl still flops about like a seal. She can get her legs under her but can not make them move. She tries valiantly, but sadly her back legs just splay right out. I am hoping she is just a Leo(na) the late Bloomer. All but two are eating their supplemental food with vigor. And today, they discover toys. So many times we see adult rescue dogs who do not know what a toy is or how to play with one, and yet these babies know. It's amazing.

Day 25 Feeding Time at the Zoo

2009-08-02T22:25:00.005-05:00

Piggy trough - this is what Ruby nursing looks like on

Day 25

Puppies all in a frenzy to feed

Day 20 Photos

2009-08-02T21:27:00.008-05:00

The Chipmunk

Little Brown Boy

Puppy Bowl

Puppy Bunch

Momma Ruby!

Day 20

2009-08-02T21:04:00.004-05:00

Day 20!

Puppies were 20 days old on July 26th. They had open eyes although they had that sort of glazed over morning after a long, hard night look. Some of them are standing on wobbly little legs and taking a few wobbly little steps before tottering over. They plop to the ground or slowly tilt over to one side then push up to sitting and look around trying to figure out what just happened. Non-plussed they'll start all over again. Today was a Very Big Day. Today babies got their first non-mom food. Eleven babies is a lot for Momma Ruby to support and she needs some help. We mixed up puppy formula and some baby rice cereal and introduced it to the babies. We had to put it on our fingers and put it in on their tongues at first but when they got a taste look out! They could quite figure out how to lap it out off the plate but most were frantic to lick it off our fingers. They made a big mess walking through the food dishes, toppling over into them and getting formula all over their faces. I really regret not getting pictures but my hands were full of formula. Momma Ruby was only all too happy to come in and clean off babies after their big adventure. Exhausted from the effort and excitement and will full bellies our babies promptly fell asleep. There is still a lot of eating and sleeping and eating and sleeping.

Day 14 Photos

2009-08-02T20:49:00.017-05:00

Big baby belly

Big spoon, little spoon

Chipmunk

Little mole face

Peekaboo

Spotted heads!

Trio of Tykes

Sibling Snuggle

Nuzzle nose

Freckled nose

Yawn

Big Mouth

Happy Two Week Birthday

2009-07-23T00:01:00.005-05:00

Two weeks old - On July 20th the pups turned two weeks old. Their eyes just starting to open they motored around their makeshift whelping box and were surprisingly quick. Momma Ruby entering the room produced mayhem and madness as all gave their best army crawl sprint in her direction. Momma Ruby take great care of the wee ones and they are healthy chunky little peanuts. Of course really all they do is eat and sleep and eat and sleep and sprint to mom and eat and sleep. They love to snuggle up with each other either all together or in their little groupings. I'm going to post some pictures but I wish I could figure out how to post them where I want them to be. Since I can't, I'll put a new post up in a sec...

Brand Spanking New

2009-07-22T23:53:00.008-05:00

These are some of Ruby's babies on the night of their birth...brand spanking new.

What I Did On Summer Vacation

2009-07-22T23:02:00.004-05:00

Here's what I did on summer vacation...OK, actually it is what I did on the night of Monday, July 6, 2009. It is what Ruby, Jake and Annie did on summer vacation. But first, we must go back just a bit, start at the beginning, or at least we must start at Ruby's new beginning. This is actually Ruby's story after all.

"She's my favorite dog at the shelter, it's not that she's all that much to look at, I mean she's sort of pretty but nothing really out of the ordinary, she's kind of plain, it's just that there is something about her face, something in her eyes..." This was my introduction to Ruby. A mixed bag, a sort of oddly unenthusiastic enthusiastic review. It was followed up with the written word, "Pretty golden coat, silkier than it looks in the pictures. 65-70lbs, around 2-3 years old.I know she doesn't look like anything very exciting, but I really liked this dog - she's just very sweet, affectionate, and intelligent." A little better? Perhaps.

Fortunately for Ruby someone I know and respect was behind these words. Trusting my friend and reading between the lines (where it really said, "I like this dog, I really like this dog, please save this dog, even if she isn't the prettiest girl out there, please save this dog"), Ruby got her ticket on the Freedom Train.

And so it came to be that Ruby joined the Safe Hands family on June 5, 2009. She arrived bewildered and overwhelmed. Her silky hair covered the fact that her bones jutted out of her malnourished body. Her pretty eyes were clouded with fear and uncertainty. Fate, destiny, kismet, whatever you want to call it, Ruby managed that night to find Jake and work her way under his skin. His calm demeanor and patience were what Ruby really needed and she went home with Jake and Annie to foster.

Ruby blossomed in Jake and Annie's care. She enjoyed her walks and was equally happy lounging around the yard and home with her new found friends. But funny things started to happen. Ruby gained weight but it soon became apparent that it wasn't very equally dispersed. She started to be a little slow getting up and seemed to sometimes have trouble. Did she have hip trouble? The day she was to be spayed I saw her for the first time in two weeks. Reality came and smacked me in the face as it has a way of doing. It was undeniable. Ruby's trouble was not in her hips, it was in her belly. Ruby was about to be a mom.

A vet visit predicted that babies would be joining us within the week and prepared us for a minimum of 8 pups. A make shift whelping box was prepared, supplies were gathered, and we waited. Ruby's girth seemed to expand as we watched. And on the sixth day, it was time.

If anyone tells you about the "miracle" of birth in happy, glowing tones, don't trust them. It was a messy business. It was a very colorful but still messy business and it smelled like damp earth and musk. It lasted all night long with the first puppy making his grand entrance at about 2:00 am and the lollygagging , eleventh, last one out joining the rest of us at 6:30 am. Yes, if you are reading closely you read that right. Eleven. One more time, Eleven. Seven bouncing boys, four bubbly girls and one EXHAUSTED momma. And one long and sleepless night for all.

Check back for updates on Ruby's pups progress and watch them grow!

A Sad Day for Safe Hands 3-24-09

2009-07-17T21:08:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to update anyone who is following the blog.

Ditto passed away last night after a courageous battle with an unknown illness. Thanks to everyone for the thoughts, prayers and kind words.

The rescue is in desperate need of funds to cover Dittos medical costs. If you are able to donate, you can do so here: http://safehandsrescue.org/donate/

Thank you, on behalf of Lynne, Janine and the Safe Hands Family.

Tess

Critical Mass 3-22-09

2009-07-17T21:05:00.005-05:00

We all know that these are somewhat desperate times. We all know folks who have been laid off or perhaps have been laid off ourselves. The economy is in the proverbial (toilet) tank. And yet I come to you desperate in these desperate times. We need to reach a critical mass.

The dictionary describes critical mass as "The smallest mass of a fissionable material that will sustain a nuclear chain reaction at a constant level" or "The amount of matter needed to generate sufficient gravitational force to halt the current expansion of the universe." Pretty impressive indeed. The specific critical mass we are looking for is the one that will stop the universe from contracting for one really small puppy named Ditto.

Ditto is just a little dude. A puppy that arrived here one week ago full of life, vim and vigor. His antics as he wrestled with his sister Izzy and brother Doc were fascinating. His jumps, twists, spins and dives in the bed were worthy of Olympic Gold. The mischievous sparkle in his eye, his endearing tilt of the head and his expression that always seemed like a smile had us all entranced. He zoomed around so fast, he never stopped moving, we thought about naming him Speed Racer or Indy 500. He was just 2 pounds 12 ounces but his persona filled the entire room.

But a few days after arrival Ditto stopped eating and was listless. He tested parvo negative and was given fluids and antibiotics and sent home He was under watchful foster care. He maintained but didn't really improve until Friday when he had a good day, played with the cat, ate on his own. Things seemed to be looking up. And then he crashed. He crashed hard and fast. Foster mom and dad found him at 6 am Saturday all but gone, cold, limp, unresponsive. Their quick actions revived our little dude and soon he was at the emergency clinic.

Critical on it's own is defined as "being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency" or "so seriously ill or injured as to be in danger of dying". There is no other way to say this. Ditto is in a state of emergency and Safe Hands is in a state of crisis. Ditto is in danger of dying. We do not have the money needed to allow Ditto to fight for his life.

Ditto is currently in the hospital. He remains a medical mystery. His bloodwork indicates infection but he does not have parvo and they do not know where. He has developed a severe case of pnemonia. He is on IV fluids, broad spectrum/multiple antibiotics and on oxygen. His foster parents and I have visited him and this is what I can tell you. Ditto does not understand what is going on. But Ditto wants to be well. He wants to come home. He wants to be held and loved. He wants to run and play. He wants to feel good again. You can see it in his face and you can tell by how he tries to snuggle up, rests his head in your hands and seeks comfort and understanding while staring in your eyes. Ditto wants to be well. He needs our help to get him there.

Please help us help Ditto fight for his life.

Right now Safe Hands is Ditto's family and Safe Hands is every one of us, every one of you. We are all he has. I know what Safe Hands folks are capable of. I know we can move mountains. I know there is room in everyone's heart for a little dude named Ditto. He is an absolutely amazing little creature absolutely unique in the universe.

One final definition of critical is "urgently needed, absolutely necessary". If Ditto is going to live donations to support his ongoing medical care are critical. They are urgently needed and absolutely necessary. The doctor told me tonight that we were looking at a minimum bill of $2000. If you can help donations can be made via paypal at our website http://safehandsrescue.org/donate/ and if anyone prefers checks can be made to the hospital directly (please email and I can provide the information).

It is late Sunday night (March 22, 2009) and I will get an update on Ditto in the morning. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

How Could You

2007-03-01T08:35:00.000-06:00

This came to our inbox yesterday. Like me, you may have read this before. It's worth passing on. This is the story of entirely too many dogs. They deserve so much more than they sometimes get. Like it says at the end, dogs love unconditionally. They want to make us happy, they will learn to do what we ask if we teach them, they are always happy to see us.

How Could You? By Jim Willis 201
When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad", you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling in your bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because, "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually you began spending more and more time at work, on your career and searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.

Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love". As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would have defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time when others asked if you had a dog that you produced a photo of me from your walled and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "Just a dog" and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a career opportunity in another city and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family" but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter, it smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her". They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers". You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one too. After you left the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked, "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a seperate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.

As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmerd "How could you?".

Perhaps she understood my dog speak, she said "I'm so sorry". She hugged me, and hurridly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American & Canadian animal shelters. Please use this to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shetler and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decison to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing and encourage spay and neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.

Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but it could save maybe, even one, unwanted pet.

Remember...They love UNCONDITIONALLY...

I would add that not all dogs go peacefully to the put down room. They often know what's coming or have a sense of foreboding - probably from sensing the trepidation from the person bringing them there. They are often terrified, sometimes they struggle and fight to not enter the room. Some have to be restrained by multiple people so that they can get the needle in for the final injection. Not all people performing the task are kind and soothing. Not all dogs die by lethal injection - many places still use the gas chamber which is a whole different kind of horror.

Dewey, the dog in the photo at the top of this blog, represents the dog in this story. He was picked up stray and brought to the shelter. The first time he was one of the lucky few, he was cute and charismatic and he found a home. A few years later his family decided they didn't want him anymore. They turned him back in to the shelter. This time Dewey was not so fortunate. His time ran out. There were other dogs arriving at the shelter, there was no space, out of time and chances he lost his life so that they might take their chance to find a home.

This piece is a good reminder to anyone considering adopting a dog to consider the decision carefully to be sure it is a lifetime one! For those who can and will give a dog a lifetime home and will consider him or her a furry family member, please save a life! Adopt a rescue dog or cat.

Transport Trials & Tribulations

2007-02-28T00:20:00.000-06:00

We've been working pretty much non-stop since last Thursday to coordinate another massive transport of dogs from uncertainty and peril at the shelter to safety and new homes in Minnesota. Transports are never easy to coordinate. There are entirely too many pieces of the puzzle to fit together and the decisions are never easy.

I don't sleep much during this process. My mind can't seem to shut off, the logistics, the one last person I forgot to contact, the one more thing to add to the to do list, and all the faces in the pictures. There are foster homes to contact, new ones to find, the process needs to be explained. The drivers and vehicles need to be coordinated - times, meeting places, space, potty breaks, feeding schedules. There are crates to worry about - how many are needed, how many do we have, how many does each driver on the trip have and how can we get them what they need? We need to have volunteers to help us with intake when we get back, we need to coordinate with the vet and determine what supplies are needed. We stock up on food and puppy pee pads and make foster care packets. We worry, we look at the pictures, we talk to shelter staff, we try to make good choices in the dogs whose lives this group will save.

We are currently trying to get 56+ dogs here with this next transport. About 20 or so going to Safe Hands, the rest to two other rescues we work with. Many of these are puppies. Puppies will sucumb to disease quickly in the shelter - there only chance to survive is to get to rescue quick. Many of these are adults too though. Some of these dogs we met in January and are so happy to be getting to safety now.

There is a whole other blog that needs to be written with some thoughts on the euthanasia of healthy but homeless animals. Not tonight though, it's late, I'm tired and need to attempt some semblence of sleep. I just wanted to keep this blog up and to let everyone know what we've been up to. Between coordinating this mission and keeping up with the pups currently in our rescue and the daily operations we are stretched mighty thin this week. It's the faces though, like the ones above - part of the 56+, that keep us going.

The Beginning

2007-02-16T22:23:00.000-06:00

How do you begin a blog? How do you sum up four months when the last four months have seemed like several lifetimes? Begin at the beginning? And when was that exactly? Was the beginning when Janine & I met during our Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescue experience in Tylertown, MS? Was it when my friend Kim recruited me to volunteer for a local animal rescue group? Was it when we arrived back in town with two vans full of the first 33 Safe Hands dogs, greeted by Stephanie T. and Dr. Charlie and our first volunteers? Was it further back in our childhoods filled with family pets, collecting the baby frogs that lived in the yard to save them from the lawnmower each week and saving the baby rabbits who's hutch was destroyed and momma ran away?

In any case, our paths have led us here. To Safe Hands Animal Rescue. To 116 dogs rescued and rehomed through our group in the last four months and transport arranged for an additional 72 to other rescue groups.

Safe Hands Animal Rescue started with an email. A plea for help. There were dogs in Harlan County, KY that were going to be euthanised - a lot of them. The shelter was completely full. The community adoption rate was very low. There weren't many rescue groups pulling dogs from the shelter. We wanted to help, we wanted to save them. We were particularly struck by the pathos evident in the photo of dog named Goldberg. We didn't want to let him die.

We planned to work within the framework of another organization but their resources were already tapped. We had to come up with foster homes, crates, food, gas and van money and more to pull off the rescue. I sent an email to friends, I included photos of Goldberg, Helena, Buster and Shaycee, four of the dogs that were supposed to come home with us. I asked for help. I asked for foster homes, food donations for the shelter, crates for transport. I hoped to get maybe six or eight homes and maybe some supplies. The email went viral. The pictures struck a chord in the people who saw them and they were forwarded on and on. Over 30 people volunteered to foster dogs. The donations came pouring in. In one night my yard was transformed into a sea of crates, dog and cat food, kitty litter and more. We were on our way.

They say necessity is the mother of invention... Somewhere between here and Kentucky it became apparent that the size and scope of this rescue mission had grown to something that the other group was not entirely comfortable with. Janine and I had talked about forming a rescue group that would focus on one community where we felt we had the potential to make a difference. We wanted to provide assistance in the community with spay and neuter and education and outreach and shelter improvements as well as saving dogs already in danger. We wanted to work on prevention as well as the cure. We had only just talked about this in the abstract, we didn't even have a name. It was time to leap and we had just begun to look. But as the saying goes, the future has a way of arriving unannounced.

One of my favorite quotes has always been this one:
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe - “The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”

Of course I'd always been afraid to really test the theory. However, we were committed to saving Goldberg and the pieces had fallen into place to make this rescue happen. Every time we faced an obstacle we thought would abort our mission the solution appeared. Kismet? Serendipity? It was entirely too much to be coincidence. We were excited by what was happening, by the energy that seemed to be moving us towards the goal of saving these precious lives, by the goodness that came out in people. Thank God for the exuberance of our youthful project, the kindness of strangers who I've come to think of as family I hadn't or haven't yet met, and for faith and hope that we carried with us. We would come to find we really needed all these things before our journey's end.

So it was on this trip, with this rescue mission and the group of people who took time out of their busy lives and schedules to read an email, to care, to let it affect them. to drop everything to get supplies or dig out an old crate and drop them off to a stranger and be part of a life saving effort, that Safe Hands Animal Rescue was born.

We have learned so much and we continue to learn every day and every week. Some lessons come harder than others. There is much work to be done. We hope to use this blog for updates on SHAR (Safe Hands Animal Rescue), to offer our perspective on issues in rescue, the homeless pet problem and animal rights issues in general and hopefully to educate, explain and no doubt be educated in the process. We hope to provide a greater understanding of why we do what we do - both in the broader sense of animal rescue and in the narrower sense of our policies and procedures and why they are what they are.

We don't know everything. We know a fraction of what there is to know. We make no claims to be the be all, end all, expert in the field. We have made mistakes. We will make mistakes. We are babies taking baby steps. But we are learning to walk so that we might run.

So I leave you tonight with these two quotes.

I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do
The something that I can do.

-Edward Everett Hale

A lot of people are waiting for Martin Luther King or Mahatma Gandhi to come back -- but they are gone. We are it. It is up to us. It is up to you. - Marian Wright Edelman

It is up to us, each and every one of us. We can all do something that will make at least a small difference. Together it all adds up to something pretty powerful.

2007-02-16T00:17:00.000-06:00

This is Goldberg - now Ely. This is the pup that started it all.

Welcome to our brand new blog.