Bronson

Nov 21, 2011: I had my first reconstructive surgery today and got neutered! I am going to one of those dogs that just LOVES going to the vet because everyone at the clinic just dotes on me all the time.

Nov 15. 2011: Owner surrender wtih severe facial trauma and eye damage

My facial injuries are due to long standing porcupine quills (and not that many of them either). When quills are not pulled out (or if they are cut off at the surface), they lead to infection. If the animal is lucky the infection will push the quills out through an opening. However, if the infection continues to build and the openings become sealed, then abscesses form under the skin. Eventually, the abscesses grow so large and they need to be released - the skin ends up breaking open and this is what you are left with (very damaged, infected, and dead tisue). In addition, quills travel from the point of entry - quills can end up piercing internal organs if not removed right away.

The family that owned me did try to pull out as many quills as possible two months ago when this first happened. You can see how important it is to get vet treatment for porcupine quills immediately.

I am being transferred to the Crestwood Vet Clinic tomorow and I will also see a specialist from another clinic. My emerg vet has told Rescue for Life that my healing will take a long time - if it's going to happen....but Rescue for Life are optimists!

I was told that I would need daily bandage changes for the next 30 days and it would take at least this long to determine if I am healing.

I have a really long road to recovery but I am full of life. I know I don't look so good but I want you to know that I appear not to be in any pain at all and I am in good spirits.

Bernie the Bear

Hi!

On Dec 20. I got attacked by a pack of dogs in my yard because I got too interested in a female that also wondered into my yard. Today, Rescue for Life got a call to come help me. I was packaged into a big hockey duffel bag by my family and placed into a waiting vehicle where I was quickly rushed into the vet for treatment.

I am a submissive little guy and I got beat up pretty bad. Three of my legs are very badly damaged right now with bite wounds. I also have bite wounds on my stomach, my rump, and my privates too. I am very sore and am staying at the vet clinic to night to get IV antibiotics and pain meds too. I was told that I was such a gentle boy - I barely flinched when I was picked up or when they started shaving me. However, I am very sore right now - I can't even stand up because of all my injuries.

Once I'm feeling better I will get neutered and I know this will never happen to me again!

Bernie was attacked by a pack of dogs on December 15, 2011.  He suffered severe wounds that were initially left untreated.  This resulted in severe infection. 
Bernie has large abscesses on both sides of his body.  He is missing the majority of skin on his left front leg leaving 5” of bone exposed.  The bite wounds were so bad that his pelvis was damaged and is also exposed.  He has major tissue and bone infection.  He has undergone three surgeries thus far.
Bernie will require a tubular graft where he will become a 3-legged dog for about 2 weeks.  His severely injured front leg will be placed inside his skin on his side to regain re-circulation.  His leg will then be cut out with new skin attached to his leg. 

Bernie’s fight to live is amazing!  He is the gentlest boy ever with the quietest little personality.  Even though he has such severe injuries he is actually standing up and going for little tiny walks outside the vet clinic.

Please Help Bernie today by making a donation towards his vet care!

Donations can be made directly to the Crestwood Vet Clinic
(780)  444-7550 (under the Rescue for Life account)

Marcy

Permanent Foster

I was surrendered during the 2011 Spay/Neuter clinic. I am going to remain a permanent foster with Rescue for Life because I my kidneys are failing. My ultrasound showed that my little kidneys have decided not to grow and they can't keep up my body growing. I am on the best supportative care, so now it's really all up to how my body can handle everything.

I am still active and playing and enjoy life with my whole family!

This little puppy entered our lives when she charged down a gravel road and literally through herself into my lap, just wriggling with joy. She rode around in my car through the 2011 Spay/Neuter clinic and she was great company - although she enjoyed putting muddy footprints everywhere, and really did not like to be left alone. From the very start though, their was obviously something wrong - she peed in my lap a few times.

She entered foster care and is with an amazing loving family of two-legged and four-legged members.

She is now getting supportive care and we will keep you updated on her story.

She will be going in for regular bloodwork to see how she is responding to her meds.

Age: 8 months old (approx.)
Sex: Female (spayed)
Weight: 35 lbs
Breed: Shep cross

Nickita

It's Nickita here!

Niki sufferred bilateral trauma to her eyes - either intentional or by accident. It could have been simply by getting into a chemical. Or it could have been by the hands of people. We won't ever know what really happened but this is Niki's second chance at life.

Everything was done, including eye surgery to try and save her left eye, but after a few days the decision was made to remove her left eye. It just looks like I am winking all the time now.

My puppies were rescued 2 months before I was and they have all found forever homes. So now I am just waiting for mine. I am the sweetest girl and am actually fostered with a dog trainer, so I already know my manners!! Consider adding me to your family this Christmas.

So a bit about me...I LOVE people and I am great with dogs too. Although, I have not been around cats it's expected I will be fine. I am kennel trained but I am such a good girl in the house that I don't need to stay in my kennel. I am very well mannered and I don't let the fact that I only have one eye stop me from enjoying this great life I have now been given!

If you would like to meet me then please contact Rescue for Life today!

Age: 3-4 years old (approx.)
Sex: Female (spayed)
Weight: 48 lbs
Breed: Shep cross

Julian

Nov 23: Just a little over a month later, I have grown quite a bit of fur back! I am getting ready to go in for my neuter next week. I eat a bit slower now and I take treats more gently now because I know their will be more. My personality is starting to shine now - you can watch videos of me on the facebook page!

Oct 16: I was rescued today!!! My new name is Julian. I didn't like my former name - Rocky. I guess I lived up to my name....I had a really rocky past few years.

Today was my very lucky day. I got rescued. I am quite sad that my best friend did not make it. I think he passed away two days ago. My gaurdian angels are quite sad thinking that my friend died not ever knowing the love that I am now being showered with. He had the same health problems as me.

I am a 3-4 year old surrendered boy. I might be a Lab Rotti cross but everyone is going to have to be patient and wait till my fur grows in. My skin right now is like leather (like elephant skin) so it's very hard to tell what I really look like. I have a skin issue called demodex. It's really just a mite that ALL dogs have but because I am so malnourished my comprimised immune system could not keep everything in balance and these mites overtook me. I have severe secondary skin infections too and I will be on antibiotics for the next 2 weeks. This is totally caused by long-standing severe malnutrition. I don't have any type of survival instincts and with no food being provided I slowly went into very bad health. I also am missing my tail - it's believed that it was cut off when I was a baby (maybe because I looked like a Rotti puppy). I still wag it lots though to show you that I am really happy!

This evening people were calling my name but I was nowhere to be found. My guardian angels actually left without me but then they got a text that I had showed up at a home. My guardian angels came back for me! They started petting me and feeding me raw meat chunks - I just did not know what to think. They lifted me up into their SUV and I got to ride in the front passenger seat all curled up because they already had a pregnant dog in a kennel in the back.

When I got to my foster home I got to meet one of the dogs in my home - I was so terrified she was going to beat me up and I knew I could not defend myself so I just kept hiding behind one of my people knowing they would protect me. I got to have several big bowls of water which was a real treat for me. I was a little full from the meat chunks so I didn't eat too much food - I personally prefer the raw beef to the hypoallergenic food they were trying to get me to eat.

I got to have a bath and again these really kind people kept petting me (even though I'm quite stinky and greasy due to the demodex) and telling me everything was going to be ok now - so my first bath went pretty good! It was actually a VERY quick bath because I hardly have any fur to wash! But I made sure to do lots of shaking after my bath! I will get baths every 2-3 days to help with my skin issues.

I got some more cuddles and more treats. I found out what a kennel was and that's where I am now! I'm all tucked in and sleeping my first night ever without a worry in the world.

My story is just one of many. My friends are waiting to come in too. Please consider becoming a foster home. Please consider making a donation.

I'll be posting lots of updates as I heal - so stay tuned!

Age: 3-4 years old
Sex: Male (to be neutered)
Weight: 45 pounds (I am going to eat my way to 70 pounds!)
Breed: Lab Rotti cross (that's what people keep say but they really want to see what colors my fur grows in!)

Casey Klondike

Hello!

Are you wondering why I am special needs? Well, I'm not physically...but I am a little behaviorally - a little, not a lot!

I am an 18-24 month old girl and I know you want me to be a part of your life! I am working on my separation anxiety issues - I just LOVE people so much I want to be with them all the time. I am also working on sociazling better with other dogs - again, I'm getting better every day!

I am a beautiful brindle and white girl who was pulled from the pound as my time was almost up.

I am fantastic with all people and just want tons of belly rubs. I am extremely calm and already know sit, down, and am perfecting walking on leash.

Age: 18-24 months
Sex: Female (spayed)
Weight: 55 lbs
Breed: Lab Collie X

Rhodes

Hi! My name is Rhodes and I am BIG guy! I was found as a stray and then taken to the pound. This great group pulled me as my time was up and is now working on my manners and behaviour.

I was never socialized and I get really scared in new situations. So you have to go really slow with me until I am comfortable. My foster mom is working so so hard with me and I have a trainer that comes to help me with my behaviour.

I am not quite ready to go to my adoptive home yet, I am still being rehabilitated. But you can apply for me!! I would do best in a home with no kids and no cats.

Age: 4 years old
Sex: Male (neutered)
Weight 100 pound
Breed: Bullmastiff

Myracle ToBe

Passed Away November 22, 2010

Very sad news. Our little Myracle ToBe did not have her miracle come through with us. Very sadly, she passed away on her own shortly after 3pm today. I had been on the phone and email all day talking to the vets and a specialist when I finally I decided to go in and just see how she was doing as I had been told she had taken a turn for the worse.

When I got there, I quickly went to the back of the clinic, and they had her out of her kennel on the table. I could tell already that we had already lost our battle. Something neurologically had gone wrong with this little girl from the freezing. I touched her head gently and gave her a head rub. She immediately had a seizure and was gone within a minute.

I feel like she waited just so I could say a goodbye to her. I know that her miracle has come through for her on the other side. Her last few days were full of the love she should have received her full life. We did everything possible to save this little girl but it was just too much for her little body. Byebye for now Myracle ToBe.

Nov 19,2010:

Say a big prayer for Little Myracle Tobe. We want a miracle to bless this 5 week old pup and give her the ability to walk again. She is currently paralyzed from the neck down after being found frozen on the side of the road on a reserve. She was brought in and screamed in pain the entire night as her little body thawed. Now, she has no sensation or response under her neck. She is eating, drinking, peeing, and pooping. She is a fighter and we are optimistic that she will beat the odds and walk again.

We have done x-rays on her and there appears to be no injuries. She is on an IV at the clinic receiving the best supportive care a puppy could get. Thank-you to the Crestwood Vet Clinic.

She is one of the very many special cases we are trying to deal with currently. If you can afford a donation, now is the time to make one. We very rarely ever ask for donations but we are struggling with overwhelming vet bills currently.

Age: 5 weeks old
Sex: Female
Weight: 3 pounds
Breed: Lab collie cross