Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary Inc.

WIGGLES BORN WITH NO FRONT LEGS

Photo by Marc Golub Photography Cleveland OH

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Please view the slide show of some of our animals. CLICK IN THIS SPACE.

Pippin is 17 years old and looking for a home.

He was diagnosed back in Jan 09 with insulin resistance and his new blood test came back about 2 weeks ago and all his cortisol and insulin levels are back to nearly normal with just a diet change.  He takes no medicine, just regulating his diet.  He does have corrective shoe right now but the farrier says he will be back in normal shoes with time (the diabetes had taken a toll on his coffin bones over the years, we were not aware he had diabetes because he did not show the signs until last winter).    He was a hunter jumper but the vet said no more jumping but he can walk/trot/canter.  He is a great pleasure horse or trail horse and loves to be ridden.  He got quite frustrated when he was on stall rest back in Feb/March.

Lady is deaf as a door knob! But can see well.

She just enjoys a good dish of food and a soft bed to rest on.

Lady has several masses on her under side.

This little Labby girl weighs 109.5 pounds! WOW!

Buddy ( 10 y.o. Yellow Lab ) has a new best friend

Their senior years will be spent here at Saint Francis.

Lady came to us wagging her tail and looking for something to eat! Poor thing!  She gets along with all the dogs and does not have a mean bone in her body.  When we get a new dog we like to match them up with a dog friend.  Someone to go for walks with and if at all possible stay with as a companion.  We found a great match the first day.   Buddy the 10 year old Yellow Lab who's owner took him to the pound a few weeks ago  to die, fell in love with this black beauty!  They live together and walk together in the fenced area.  When one is taken away the other searches all over for them. They eat together and lay on Kranda  beds together.  They now have found each other and love each other.  They will spend the rest of their lives together as residents here at Saint Francis. 

ARNOLD ( ARNIE ) THE SAINT BERNARD          OSTEO SARCOMA ( BONE CANCER )MAY 1, 2009

Arnold is a giant at 230 pounds

Molly is a full size 80 pound Yellow Lab girl.

Molly the Yellow Lab is Aronold's best friend.

They do everything together

Arnold after upper and lower eye lid surgery and his yearly shave!

Arnold before surgery on his eyes and his yearly shave!

Donations are tax deductible and very much needed. We are a 501(c)3 non profit.

Gunner has now found his forever home!

Gunner has come a long way from the gassing dog pound he was taken to a short time ago. THE FAMILY!

BUDDY HAS BEEN ADOPTED! 6-24-09

SAY A PRAYER FOR BUDDY THAT THINGS WORK OUT BECAUSE HE IS IN A WONDERFUL HOME!

**CLICK HERE FOR THE STORY ON BUDDY AND GUNNER**

Buddy and Gunner were rescued 45 minuets before the dog pound closed. They were to die at 7:00 AM the next day.  A phone call and a plea to hold them for me was very much welcome because the pound workers fell in love with these guys.  Buddy the 10 year old had a stroke that night before I picked they up.  He has neurological symptoms now.  His head tilts to the right and his tung hangs out of his mouth a little also to the right.  He will most likely stay with us forever.  Both boys are up for adoption after the are neutered, vaccinated, micro chipped and heart worm checked.  They will receive a complete dental also. 

In addition to the vet work listed above Buddy and Gunner's pull fee from the dog pound was an additional $100.00.  Please consider a donation to the animals of Saint Francis.

Matthew will have a home here with us forever.

Please say a prayer for this little guy... he needs all the help he can get

Matthew is a beauty - a real tail wagging love!

He almost had a home of his own and a family.

Last week an emergency run to the vet cost us over $600.00 He was having one seizure after another because of the blood sugar level which at the time we had no idea what was going on.  He had blood work, x-rays and IV medication valium and phenabarb to stop the seizures.  I have no idea how long he will live but he has a home with us forever.  We need donations really bad!  Please donate!  Below is the original story from a year ago. 

Matthew was a stray in Eastern Ohio

No one came for this little guy so the dog warden took him home to save his life.

Matthew was named by the dog pound workers.  They fell in love with this little guy.  He had long dirty hair that was so matted to his body they said it was hard to tell which end was which!  No one came for him and his time was up.  So the dog warden took him home and saved his life.  She took him to a groomer that was a friend of hers and cleaned him up.  They found a large tumor on his rear end at the base of the tail. 

His back has almost lost all of its hair.

The hair loss extends down his sides, tail, upper legs and face.

Saint Fracis Animal Sanctuary said we would take him into rescue. While he was at the pound worker's home ( waiting for transport ) they noticed he was drinking a lot of water and going to the bathroom several times a day.  When he arrived here it took about 30 seconds to look at him and think... "CUSHINGS DIESEASE".   I am no vet but if you look down a few stories on this page you will see "Ginny"  less then 2 months ago she was diagnosed with the same thing.  Matthew has  hair loss all over his back and very thin on the tail, legs and face.  His abdominal area is enlarged. With the increased thirst and urination it looked obvious to me. 

This "tumor" is located at the base of the tail.

You can see the veins making this tumor very vascular.

Three strikes and your out!  Not at Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary.  We will most likely have this little guy for the rest of his life.  You see he is so full of life.  Once we tend to his medical needs he can continue to be the happy little dog he  is.  His medication will have to be given for the rest of his life.  Once again I have to ask for donations.  We are a 501(c)3 non profit group and that is the only way we survive.  Please consider a donation if you can and a prayer if you like sure would help too.

We have PayPal for donations and regular US mail if you wish.  Donations sent by US mail can be sent to Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary Inc.  12516 Cherry Road Vermilion OH 44089.  Thank you very much.  Donations are tax deductible.

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE THIS! 4-3-09

     Molly is a 2 year old female purebred Yellow Lab.  She is full of energy and loves to puppy play as most Labs do.  She was picked up by animal control in Holmes County Dog Pound.  Molly has a tumor on her leg and one on her back.  This tumor really is one of the largest I have seen in my rescue life.

JAIL HOUSE PHOTO Look at her face!

Look at this baby if she only knew she was in a kill dog pound and her time was so short!

I received an email to see if I could take a "Lab with a tumor".  She was in a dog pound in a rural area of central Ohio.  I was told no one wanted her and a Lab rescue turned her down because of her tumor.  The dog warden would NOT take her to the vet to be looked at so a volunteer took a photo and sent it to her vet.  NO owner came forward and she would have been euthanized. Molly sat in her cell with this cantaloupe size tumor swinging from side to side as her tail wagged non stop. Within a few hours I was in my vehicle headed south!

This is a photo of the leg tumor.

Molly also has a very large growth on her upper back.

Molly is a mystery to me because she had very nice trimmed toe nails, well nourished, young, heart worm negative and the vet said she had a spay scar.  Someone took care of this baby and yet they let a tumor like this grow to such a size her life would have been in jeopardy if it had ruptured. I was very nervous as she jumped in and out of the vehicle and I worried the entire night before she went to the vet.  The tail never stopped wagging and I held my breath with each swing.  I could not let this girl die in a pound gas chamber. She has so much life to offer the world and we are going to see she has a chance.  Molly had the tumor removed from her leg and also the one on her back only hours ago.   The back growth was a large cyst growth.  Molly is in recovery and doing well.

HER NAILS WERE CUT AND SHE IS WELL FED.

MOLLY WAS SPAYED AND HEART WORM NEGATIVE HOW COULD ANYONE LET THIS GROW TO THIS GIANT SIZE!

We take special need cases here at Saint Francis and the request to take in animals is daily.  I just could not let this girl who is so full of life and energy die at the age of about 2.  We operate totally on donation's.  In the past couple of weeks we have had so many sick and injured dogs that needed medical care our vet bills are in the thousands.  We need help - donations are tax deductible we are a 501(c)3 non profit.  Please look at the faces of those that would not be alive today if not for your donations. 

Please help!

THIS IS WHERE THE GIANT TUMOR WAS LOCATED

SOME SWELLING REMAINS BUT WILL GO DOWN WITH TIME.

THE SMALL TUMOR / CYST WAS REMOVED

THIS IS MOLLY'S BACK AND SHE HAS A 14 INCH SURGICAL INCISION .

HI MY NAME IS WALLACE

I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE WANTED TO PUT ME TO SLEEP! THANK GOD I MADE IT HERE!!

Wallace has a fractured back

He was hit by a car and taken to the dog pound

Please consider a donation for Wallace.  His vet bills included several days of hospital care - x rays - blood work - urinary catheter that  he still has now and medication.  We really do not know if he is going to make it but we are giving it a good try.  Thank you.

We are not permitted to use a wheel chair for at least 6 more weeks.  This is because of the fractured spine.   We have a wheel chair too small and we have one that is too large.  It is imperative we get the correct size and fittings for Wallace.  We need to get him off of his hips to avoid pressure sores and also keep him up long enough to clean the urine off of him.  PLEASE DONATE IF YOU CAN….

The vet holds a pen to point out the fracture

His spine is broke in half... Wallace is in NO pain.

We had to have the left rear leg amputated

We could not use the wheel chair to keep him off of the leg because of the fractured back.

Wallace has a stump on the left side now.

He also has no use of the right rear leg so our work is cut out for us!

This pressure sore developed on his boney area.

We washed it , dressed it, put medication on it and did everything we could but it just got worse.

This did not come up quickly as we could see the problem right after the accident.  Wallace's surgery was over $1,000.00.  Wallace is young and will adjust!  We fitted him today for a wheel chair that will not provide mobility at this time but get him off of his rear end on the side that was amputated. He is on antibiotics right now and doing well.  He is such a happy boy.... If you can help us out please make a donation to Saint Francis by hitting the PayPal button for Wallace.  Soon he will be able to go out side and enjoy the summer sun in his wheel chair...  thank you.

MY NAME IS LIONEL AND I HAD A ROUGH LIFE

WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME GET BETTER AND MAYBE FIND A HOME SOMEDAY.

THIS INFECTION WAS GETTING BAD BY THE HOUR

HE IS NOW ON Zeni Quin AND Metronidazole ANTIBIOTICS FOR THE INFECTION IN HIS LEG.

Lionel was so happy to get a dish of food .... you can almost see the appreciation in his eyes.  This poor dog most likely spent his entire life out side.  He has hard rough callous formation the size of a silver dollar on his elbows.  He has severe arthritis in his old bones but still able to walk.  The tail never stops wagging!  While he was at the Humane Society in Indiana his vet records show he gained 30 pounds that was only a few weeks ago.

This boy did not have much of a chance at living out his senior years in comfort.  The heart worm would have been a painful death and his old bones and calloused arms could not have taken too much more!  We are going to do everything we can to make his life better and hopefully find him a home for retirement.   He will always have a home here with us!

Right now his medical bills are $ 660.00 after our huge rescue discount. He still needs another heart worm treatment injection which is $294.00 and much needed dental work when he is medically able to do the procedure.  We are desperately asking for donations to help with Lionel's medical expenses. Please consider a tax decuctible donation. 

Most of our special need dogs come to us from other rescues, dog pounds or humane societies. We get about 5 to 10 requests a day.  Please help us save the sick, injured, old and abused animals.

UPDATE MARCH 24, 2009

Rose was an ol' Coon dog with a broken tail

This photo was taken the day she crossed the bridge. Rest my dear Rosie in peace.

Rose passed away a few days ago.  She died in my arms while I held her close and loved her.  This posting is to tell everyone how one old Coon dog touched so many lives.  I do not want her passing to just fade away as a memory without knowing how Rose lived!  

One man from Milwaukee Wisconsin sent Rose  cards and called over the years to find out how Rose was doing.  Her story touched him.  Last year while on a visit to a family function in Ohio Del stopped by and he finally got to see his Rose.  They walked in the yard and he took photos.  He was unable to adopt her but loved her just the same.   Last fall Rose was adopted by Connie.  I like to think of it as "Rosies Vacation".  I truly believe Connie loved Rose and during her weeks with Connie she got all the attention and love in the world.  She got a bath and walked all day every day out on the shore of Lake Erie.  Thank you Connie.   Rose came back to us because you just cant take the Coon dog out of an ol girl like this.  This was Rosie's home and she was adjusted just fine.  Connie has come to visit Rose and bring her treats.  Her next visit was planned for this Spring. 

PHOTO OF ROSE PRIOR TO SURGERY

THE LARGE GROWTH IS A BREAST TUMOR

Rose had surgery to save her life July 14, 2006

DONATIONS CAN BE SENT TO : Avon Lake Animal Clinic 124 Miller R. Avon Lake, OH 44012

Jack and Jill will never walk .

We know this and love them just the same.

6 weeks old and taken to the dog pound in Texas

These little babies are the cutest puppies you have ever seen!

Jack seems to have the muscle mass to walk on his front legs and hold his rear up in the air.  Jill is smaller and is having major medical problems.  She has just spent almost a week at the vet ( October 08 ) for hydro therapy and antibiotics.  He tail has contractured under her and each bounce she takes hits on the tail dock causing a massive infection.  We have placed both pups on a Rx. dog food which is low residue.  We hope this will firm up the stool.  Jack and Jill were spayed and neutered a short time ago when they were 4 months old.  Our vet feels we may have to amputate Jill's tail if we cannot control the infection on a long term basis.  Jill did have a wheel chair to keep her bottom up off the ground for periods of time and take the pressure off her tail.  ON HER FIRST DAY IN THE WHEEL CHAIR SHE ATE THE STRAP HARNESS AND NOW WE HAVE TO SEND IT BACK TO DOGGONE WHEELS IN BOSEMAN MONTANA FOR REPAIR.  These 2 pups are high maintenance and high cost.  Antibiotics - hydro therapy - Rx. cream - Rx. dog food and chewed wheel chairs.....  please consider a donation to help! (October 2008)

Jack & Jill love each other and will stay together

They are so happy because they know nothing else in life. We love them.

Jack & Jill's diaper rash is all cleared up!

6-1-08 Jack went swimming even with no use of his back legs he still knows how to swim! You go Jack!

Jack and Jill are growing up fast!

These babies are so cute... they cannot walk but they are so cute.

UPDATE : MARCH 17, 2009

We have had Jack and Jill for almost a year now.  They require much care and are two of the most "special needs" dogs we have.  Both are paralyzed in the rear half of their bodies.  They walk on their front legs.  We watched them grow and watched the individual ways each of their bodies have developed.  Jill has developed a contacture of her tail. The tail wraps around under her and cannot be moved. The irritation from the loos stool has caused an almost constant infection.  A few months ago Jill spent almost a week at the vet getting antibiotics and daily hydro therapy baths twice a day.   The pups have had chronic loose stool since we received them from Texas.  They were wormed, vaccinated, spay and neutered.  They do not have parasites ( worms ) and have been on Rx. Low Residue food since they came here.  

We thought Jill ate a part of a plastic Cool Whip dish and her loose stool got wrose along with occult blood in it.  The vet did emergency surgery a few days ago and searched from one end of her insides to the other for that piece of plastic.  NO PLASTIC WAS FOUND.  He then did a biopsy of her intestines as long as he had her open. 

You can see how Jill's rear legs are tucked upward

Her surgery was done to search for a "Cool Whip" plastic piece.

TAKE A LOOK AND SEE HOW HAPPY JACK AND JILL ARE. XXXXXXXX CLICK HERE XXXXXXXXX ( VIDEO CLIP )

Please consider a tax deductible donation for dogs like Jack and Jill.  The unwanted and hopeless that have now found a home at Saint Francis.

                   LITTLE MISS MUFFIT( 2-25-09 )

Muffit is a small girl only 15 pounds

She came from Frederick Maryland

Little Miss Muffit came to us last year from Frederick Maryland.  She was picked up as a stray.  No one came to claim her!  This sweet little angel has some medical issues.  She has deformities like no other to say the least.  Upon her arrival here she was taken to the vet who said after seeing her running around the exam room " this is my face in shock".

This past month Muffit was spayed and had x-rays done to see how she was put together.  Muffit has a crooked head / neck, only about 5 inches from her shoulder bones to her hip bones.  Her anus is on top of her back ... yes that's right when she goes to the bathroom it comes out on top of her back and has to be lifted off ( most of the time ).  X-rays show us she is missing several vertebra in her spine.  Her legs are extremely long which makes her look like a daddy long leg spider when she walks.

Muffit's anus is on top of her back.

When she goes to the bathroom I have to remove it from the top of her back daily

Muffit is about 2 to 3 years old now

We did a complete blood work up on Muffit when she was spayed. She had x-rays done also to see exactly how she was put together.  He spine never formed correctly and she has several missing vertebra which causes her to have such a little body.  3 weeks after her spay Muffit became very ill.  This illness was not related to the spay.  She had developed liquid stool although she remained on her Rx. dog food which is low residue.  She was again taken to the vet where test after test turned up nothing that would be causing this awful problem.  She  had an appetite and no fever drinking water like normal.  While she spent almost a week at the vet they were giving her up to 4 baths a day.  Remember her anus is on TOP OF HER BACK and you can only guess what the liquid stool was doing!!   I was told it splattered on the walls and everywhere. 

You can see the curve at the end of her spine.

This is her tail which sits off to the side and the point her anus in located on her back.

Muffit's tiny spine is almost "U" shaped.

Please consider a donation to help with the medical cost of Muffit.  We are a 501(c)3 non profit and donations are tax deductible. We operate totally on donations.  Your gift can make a difference!

Dog pound photo from TN

Triton is a beautiful 2 year old Border Collie mix. with sleek and shinny hair.

We have several dogs that either have no back legs, no front legs, no use of back legs or an extra little arm sticking out of a shoulder.  We are not going to let him suffer but if he has any chance it will be how well he shows progress in the next few days.  Wallace is a loving and friendly dog that is only about 1 year old.  Struck down in the start of his life by a car that did not  even stop to see if they killed him.  The pain must have been awful and shock of it all unthinkable.

   Triton sat in a dog pound in Tennessee and no one came to claim him!   Triton has a front leg amputation that seems to have been done a long time ago as it is 100% completely healed.  We had sent out a request through the Internet to all our rescue friends in that area.  The response was great and Annette from Almost Home Again Rescue helped us out.  Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary contacted the dog pound and sent all required papers.  Annette pulled the dog and took him to her vet for a health certificate ( to travel across state lines ) and rabies.  Saint Francis then will reimburse her for the costs.  A person called a "Transportation Coordinator"  gets dogs from one place to another by use of the Internet and drivers all over the United States.   Triton caught a ride on a transport coming out of Georgia.  The next thing you know Triton is here and looking for a new home.

Wallace is young 1 to 1 1/2 years old.  That is the only thing on his side!  He spent several days at the vet.  All his blood work came back looking great.  We were looking for internal bleeding or things like kidney damage.  He was heart worm negative and already neutered.  No one called looking for him so he was sentenced to a death worse then getting hit by a car.  HEART STICK!  That is what the dog pound uses at Mahoning County.  If he makes it through this period we will have him fitted for a wheel chair and care for his needs as long as it takes.  He is home now and this is a day by day hope and prayer that he makes it. 

A little tiny Chihuahua did this to Baina

Baina minds her own business and would never hurt anyone.

As the blood and clots were washed away

you can see the eye ball was still intact which we never expected to see

Baina was put under anesthia for surgery

But as the blood was washed off ... here is what we found.

The blood was washed away and after a close inspection we found out Baina had a very small laceration to the upper eye lid! That's it folks!  All that blood and looking like her eye ball was hanging out ..... a few sutures later Baina was up and eating again.  Baina had to spend the night at the vet because of the anesthesia she was given.  She is now home and doing well. 

This little senior is up for adoption!

Baina is house trained and looking for a home without Chihuahuas!

All cleaned up and both eyes intact

What an ordeal for this little one

Baina's medical bills were hundreds of dollars.  It could have been much worse and we are all thankful for that! We still need help with  her emergency visit - sutures - pain medication - Rx. eye drops and over night stay.  PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION TO HELP US WITH THIS UNEXPECTED VET BILL. THANK YOU!

His right eye is very swollen we suspect trauma

He does have feeling in his legs but the muscles have atrophied

This little baby has gone to the Rainbow Bridge now ... he died in my arms at the vet.  Happy touched my soul and has put a paw print on my heart.  My wish is that you run free and sore with the  angels until we meet again my little buddy. 

Friday night November 28,2008 we made flight arrangements to fly Happy from Little Rock to Cleveland.  No direct flights could be found so we chose the one that would get him here as fast as we could. Continental Airlines is always my first choice but no flights were available in cargo.  We then scheduled him on Delta.

Happy was at the airport in Little Rock at 4:00 AM to catch his 6:00 AM flight then on to Atlanta Georgia for a short lay over.  His flight was due in from Atlanta at 11:50 AM.  He was taken to the vet Friday night and hydrated with fluids so he could make the trip.  He was fed at 3:00 AM just before leaving on his journey to us.  When the man from Delta came to the office with no dog....my worst fears were realized. HE WAS NOT ON THE FLIGHT!  The paper work showed he was on that flight so WHERE WAS HE?   NO answers from Delta.  A supervisor was called who carries a cell phone and HE NEVER RETURNED THE CALL TO THE CLEVELAND OFFICE.  No one could tell us what happened.  There was a delay due to weather in Atlanta and along with the Holiday weekend HE JUST GOT MISPLACED.

We were  told to wait and see if he would come in on the next flight but no one could tell us for sure if he was on the flight. Hours went by and the next flight came in and there was Happy. Soaking wet in his kennel and scared to death.  We took him to the vet right from the airport. 

Happy knows when he has to go do his business and will let you know.  He feels pain and loves to be held.  He will never walk again.  Our goal is to make him comfortable and feed him tending to his every need for as long as he is alive.  Happy is on Rx. dog food called AD and electrolyte fluid.  When he arrived from the flight he was so dehydrated he had to spend the night at the vets office getting IV fluids.  He had complete blood work done and it looked good.  He is heart worm negative.  His emergency vet bill and flight here to rescue along with a case of Rx. dog food was over $500.00.  Please consider a donation to help us with this medical cost. 

Please consider a donation for Happy he is only 18 months old.  Because someone dropped him and never took him to a vet for care he will never walk again.  We can care for his needs but we need your help.  Thank you from Happy and all the animals at Saint Francis.

Please make a tax deductible donation !

                                     RUFUS

Rufus German Shepherd Dog has been with us for almost 5 years now.  He was rescued from the Lorain County Dog pound where he sat in the back of his cage with his head down and very depressed.  He had about 50 growth like warts all over his body.

This is Rufus the day he was rescued 5 years ago.

He was thin, covered in fleas, growths covered his body and his ear was frost bitten.

Rufus had his growths removed. The flea situation was taken care of and he started to gain weight with good food and vet care. He quickly became our pet and worked his way to the bed room to sleep at night.

Rufus is now a senior and has lost the use of his back legs. He weighs around 115 pounds.  We are using a wheel chair daily to get him up and out of the house.  He can drag himself around the kitchen but loves to go outside. We would never turn our backs on a loyal and faithful friend and will continue to see Rufus through his rough times and senior years. Rufus is on daily medication to comfort him and reduce the inflammation in his arthritic joints. 

Rufus has come a long way from the dog pound days.

We like to think he has now spent the better part of his life knowing love and kindness.

Rufus's wheel chair was donated to us awhile ago.

You can see in the photo he is dragging his rear feet.

PUPPY BEATEN BY DRUG DEALERS(11-13-08)

Tiger is about 4 months.

He weighs less then 20 pounds.

            PUPPY MILL BABY CHIHUAHUA

                    MEGA ESOPHAGUS (11-10-08)

Princess weighs just 4 1/2 pounds

She is a little love bug!

Princess is 5 months old.

She is a puppy mill survivor

This leather like growth was caught early

We do not know if it is cancer but we did catch it early - after the HW treatment it will be removed

The vet called to say she was "really a nice dog"

Very easy to work with and the staff love her .... as she has now gone through heart worm treatment.

Angel is still at the vet where she has been almost a week.  Heart worm treatment is now complete.  The cost of her treatment was $530.42 .  In 2 weeks she will undergo a spay and removal of the leather like growth on her back.  The doctors taking care of her have told me many times how great this dog is to work with.  NO aggressive behavior of any kind has been noticed.   She is a wonderful young dog that will need a home when we get her all fixed up.  She has come so far from that dog pound in Tennessee where they were going to kill her.  The next step in her medical treatment will be over $500.00. Please consider a donation so we can continue to help this girl recover and find a loving home. 

This wonderful young dog was almost killed

The rescue person that pulled her from a dog pound in TN thought she may be a litter mate to her dog

Please help us - we depend on donations to care for the sick and injured animals we take from all over the United States.  Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary usually takes the dogs that no one else will take due to medical complexity or financial cost. For many this is their only chance at a home and life with a family someday.  Please consider adoption of a special needs animal. Thank you.

Corky is a playful - happy - Beagle mix 35 pounds

Corky had so many fleas covering his body and so little hair from scratching and trying to get them

We named him Corky

He has a large necrotic tumor on his head. Corky is only 5 to 6 years old.

Someone sent me an email with a photo of this poor dog sitting in a dog pound in central Ohio.  I could not sleep that night thinking of this poor soul knowing he would be passed up by every person coming to the pound to adopt a dog! His owner truned him in to a kill pound because they did not want to spend the money to take care of his tumor.  They let the tumor get so large the blood supply to the tumor could not keep up with the growing size.  The tumor became necrotic and started to rot while still attached to this poor dogs head.  When it became so large and ugly they did not want to look at it any longer he was taken to the pound to be killed.  We drove for hours not wanting to even wait for the transport to bring him to us.  He came out of the back of the pound on a make shift leash HAPPY, BOUNCING AND READY TO PLAY!   

This is a photo of the back of Corky's head

You can see the size of this tumor that will be removed today 10-30-08

11-4-08 Corky is home!

Tumor is removed and wound is closed. This baby is up for adoption to a safe and loving indoor home.

Please donate for Cork's surgery! Please help us give him a second chance at life! (WE ARE A 501(C)3 NON PROFIT GROUP AND DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE)  Thank you !

    LOOK AT THIS SAD SACK OF BONES!

Chiller has every right to be sad.  He found himself in a South Carolina dog pound.  He was tested "STRONG HEART WORM POSITIVE".  He had hot tar drip on his side which dried and caused a bacterial skin infection under the tar which was never removed.

This is Chiller at the dog pound in South Carolina

Under weight - heart worm ++ - bacterial skin infection ... no one wanted him!

Little did this dog know his life was going to change for the better.  Chiller was the perfect dog to have here at Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary. He got along with other dogs and never NEVER gave me one second of trouble.  Just a few days ago a women called and said she was looking all over for a dog.  Her dog had passed away a year ago and she was now ready for a companion again.  I told her "no matter how many dogs you look at please stop and just take a look at Chiller ". When she did stop to see Chiller and saw her 4 year old grandson walk him on a leash in the front yard with no problems.... she fell in love.  

Chiller has been ADOPTED! October 20, 2008

This is Chiller and his new mom... a perfect match....we love you Chiller.

Chloe can only open her mouth 1/2 inch

The specialist said most likely due to trauma

Chloe is only 1 year old

We want to give this poor girl a normal life....we think it can be done!

UPDATE: 10-1-08   CHLOE IS AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY ANIMAL CLINIC

Chloe was taken to the Ohio State Veterinarian Teaching Hospital yesterday.  We had her examined by several doctors that were intrigued by her condition.  They took her digital x rays to a board certified radiologist who said he feels this is NOT A TRAUMATIC INJURY!  The diagnosis of trauma came from a speciality hospital in Akron.  The diagnosis they came up with is : CARTILOGENOUS EXOSTOSIS ! 

Chloe at Ohio State University meeting the vet.

Chloe was nervous and did not know what was going on.

Chloe was found to be over all healthy

She was examined by several doctors for her rare condition.

I was told this is a conginital condition which is rare.  It was explained to me to be an over growth of bone in that area of the jaw that has now locked her jaw in one position and that is why she has no ability to open her mouth.  OSU is doing a CT ( cat ) scan today which will confirm her diagnosis.  When they do surgery to remove part of the jaw bone they may have to do a tracheotomy ( hole in her throat ) to let her breath while under anesthesia.  They will try to get the endotracheal tube down the throat if the can work it into the 1/2 opening of her mouth.

UPDATE 10-13-08  Chloe spent almost 2 weeks at Ohio State Veterinarian Teaching Hospital. She was released 10-10-08. Chloe can now open her mouth, pant like a dog and give kisses!  This poor dog can now live a long and healthy life thanks to all those who donated to her care and Ohio State's  Dr. Ball !

Chloe is one happy dog!

You can see the opening they made in her neck to help her breath during surgery.

Chloe can now open her mouth like a normal dog

her smile is a little off center but who cares!!!!

This is Chloe with Dr. Ball ( OSU Vet )

doing a last minute clean up of her treach opening before she was released.

Muscles tiny front leg is going to be evaluated

We hate the thought of amputation but this may be his only option

LOOK AT THESE BABIES TOGETHER !!!!

THIS IS MUSCLES AND HIS VERY OWN KID TO LOVE.....

Muscles has been adopted! ( 9-24-08)

This baby only 8 weeks old is named Muscles

His right front leg is cripped from birth and non functional

Muscles is a baby that came to us from Greenville South Carolina.  He has a birth defect to his front leg.  But his little heart is just 100% puppy!  He has been to the vet and nothing at this point can be done.  He uses his crippled front leg as a crutch.  He is full of love and puppy kisses.  Muscles is looking for a family that can see beyond the funny looking leg.  If you would like to adopt a special love please email mparke11@aol.com  .   Vaccinations up to date and he has been wormed. ( puppy worms)  Muscles is micro chipped.

 FAIRYTALE ENDING FOR CAPTAIN HOOK! (8-29-08)

Capt. Hook's photo taken at the dog pound.

His one leg is 1/4 of the normal size with one big toe nail at the end of it.

Captain Hook ( named by the dog pound workers )  was rescued from the Lorain County Dog Pound a few weeks ago.  With his physical deformity of his right front leg and a severe case of mange his chances of adoption were very unlikely. He was picked up as a stray most likely "dumped" at the near by quarries.  We wanted to give this little guy a chance at life!  Unlike the hartless people who left a 26 pound handicaped dog to fend for himself. 

Hook is the most loving little guy.

He is 26 pounds of love..he just needed a chance!

2 weeks after he was pulled from the pound he was sent to Orlando Florida to a foster home for Animal Sanctuary Refuge.  He flew on Continental Airlines.  Now he may have found his forever home because his foster parents love him!

Hook meets his new dad. very kind and loving man

Hooks new dad is fixing something good!

Hook is checking out his new home!

He smells something good to eat!!

This seems like a happy ending to a nightmare story of poor hook.  Who spent a great deal of time alone in the woods by the abandoned quarries in Ohio.  He now has a chance to be loved and that is the way it should be!  Hooks medical expense and flight to Florida is a little over $500.00.  The cost of saving this crippled innocent baby.... priceless!

We would really appreciate donations for Capt. Hook's medical care.  Animal Sanctuary Refuge in Florida has a fundable going now and we are still in need of donations to cover his expense. Please find it in your heart to donate today!

EMERGENCY:  LORAIN COUNTY OH DOG POUND "BOXER GIRL" RESCUE.(August 14,2008)

Dog pound photo taken about 2 weeks ago

She was marked a Boxer mix because of the swelling in her face....

The vet said the abscess was the size

of a canatloupe. It affected her eating & breathing

A punch biopsy tool was used to make an opening

in her neck and drian the fluid out of th abscess in her neck.

This was taken just minutes after the fluid was

removed from the canatloupe size abscess on her neck.

Here is the baby girl that had all that trouble.

She looks so much better then when we pulled her from a gassing dog pound on her last days.

Drainage tubes removed from the neck area.

You can see the swelling from the abscess is now gone!

Sasha is a baby she has her entire life to live!

She sat at the dog pound for 2 days in pain and unable to walk

In the right of this photo you can see a fracture

Sasha has several small fractures in the pelvis and the large fractures in leg.

We are working with Lake Erie German Shepherd Rescue in Huron OH to save this babies life.  She was picked up as a stray in Richland County OH.   One of the pound workers told me she was to be "put to sleep" because of the injuries upon her entering the pound.  She looked as if she was hit by a car because of the abrasions and lacerations on her rear leg and inability to stand or walk.  The pound attendent thought she was just too young to die and put her on Petfinder.  Here she may have a chance to be rescued.   Sasha has a severe fracture to the right leg bone and several fractures in the pelvic area. 

In this photo Sasha is getting the pin placed

2 vets worked for hours to place the 2 pins in her rear leg.

This pup had 3 vets there while in surgery

This is one of the doctors holding the pin that would be placed in her leg to hold the fracture

Sasha the 12 week old pup will need kennel rest for the next 6 weeks.  She then must undergo another surgery to remove the pins from the fracture site.  The doctors feel she has a very good chance of recovery. 
The estimated cost for both surgeries now and in 6 weeks is $2,300.00.  We are a 501(c)3 non profit group and donations are tax deductible.  Please consider a donation for this young pup.  She remains at the vet tonight.  Her surgery was done July 3. 

UPDATE : AUGUST 21, 2008   Sasha is at the vet clinic tonight for her pin removal.  The pins were placed in her leg 7 weeks ago.  She had another x-ray a short time ago that showed her leg was doing well.  Sasha will be spayed and receive her Rabies vaccination tomorrow and we hope well enough for adoption very soon.

UPDATE:PUPPIES COVERED IN MAGGOTS ( 7-5-08)

On June 8th. 2008 a 9 year old Lab had 9 babies on a farm in Oberlin OH.  She would never live to see her babies grow.  She died giving birth probably too old and too many litters.  Surrounded by her babies trying to nurse ....  she passed away.  As best I can tell from the story told to me by the owner she was dead for 2 days before they found her in a dog house by their barn.  The puppies were covered in maggots and the owner did not want them.  She brought them to Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary in a dirty old laundry basket.  

ALL OF THE PUPPIES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED!  THANK YOU!!

This photo shows all 9 babies after the first bath

They were dehydrated and starving covered in maggots and maggot larva.

3 males and 2 females are walking all !

These pups are eating on their own and up for adoption now.

Now 4 weeks old - eyes open and eating very well

This pup just had a bath and loved it. I have been these puppies mother since they were born.

MILDRED HIGGINS EYE SURGERY (6-30-08)

Mildred seems to be doing fine her surgery

Due to the chronic infection and corneal abrasion / laceration she was already blind in that eye.

Mildred Higgins had to have her right eye removed

In this photo you can see the sutures where her right eye use to be.

This is Mildred prior to her surgery / eye problem

She loves to play with toys - she has a rubber hamburger in her mouth... wishing it was real...

Mildred developed an infection in her right eye about Jan. 08.  She was treated with antibiotics topical and oral.  The vet said it was a corneal abrasion.  She was seen at the vet several times during the past 6 months as this is where she also  goes for grooming.  He eye infection became so bad at one point she had to stay at the vet clinic for a few days receiving antibiotics and eye irrigations.  Mildred had no sight in her right eye as result of the severe and chronic infection.  The decision to remove her eye came easy as it looked like the cornea ruptured and became very wrinkled along with severe drainage. Mildred's last vet bill was  $725.48 .  She seems to have adjusted very well as she was already blind in that eye and it was causing her discomfort.  Please consider a tax deductible donation as our vet bills have been close to $2,000.00  this week alone and close to $1,000.00  last week. 

Your donation is tax deductible - we are a 501(c)3 non profit group and operate totally on donations.  We take the animals that are sick - crippled - and unwanted - we need and appreciate  your support. Thank you!

         GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG  - SAD !
Ginger was found by animal control of Zanesville OH in an old trailer long ago abandoned. She found refuge in a place with  no windows or doors as  she lay on an old matterss to die. 
 

It took all she had to stand for this photo

while in the dog pound. She is always willing to do what ever is asked of her.

This photo was taken by animal control.

Too weak to find food in the wild and too tired to try this baby just found comfort as the winter faded into spring.  She has been on her own for awhile as evidence of her emaciated body .

Given up for near dead at the dog pound we were warned she was in bad shape!  When we moved her tired body from one transport vehicle to the next tears could not be held back by either of us. 

Resting at the vet now.

This dog will never have to worry about her next meal or where she will find shlter to survive.

Heart worm + , blood work normal , full of fleas.

Ginger ate a full meal while being examined at the vet. Her lungs are clear and heart sounds good.

Click here to see a short video of Ginger taken 1 week after arriving at Saint Francis.

We call her " Ma Ma Wolf Dog"

She was treated for heart worm September 2008 and did great. She has now gained about 20 pounds.

Please consider a donation to help with the medical care for Ginger.  We are a 501(c)3 non profit and donations are tax deductible.

Resting with a full stomach on a heated disc.

This little guy only weighs about 1 1/2 oz.

weight 1 1/2 oz. 6 days old and no front legs!

JUNE 3, 2008 - 26 DAYS OLD NOW! EYES WIDE OPEN!!

9 OUNCES - WIGGLES IS GETTING BIG... EATING FROM A BABY NIPPLE AND 10cc SYRINGE FILLED TWICE .

Wiggles is happy and playful with his friends