Cordelia's after bath

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

Cordelia's Day Seven

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

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

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

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...

 
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

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

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

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!

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!

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

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

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

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

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!!

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

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

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!