Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary Inc.

Wiggles was born with no front legs

Photo by Marc Golub Photography Cleveland OH

PLEASE SEE SCOOTER'S UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS WEB PAGE!

CLICK HERE TO SEE SCOOTER IN ACTION!

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

ANGEL IS A REAL FIGHTER = FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE.

PHOTO TAKEN JULY 17, 2010 AFTER MANY SURGERIES.

UPDATE:  JULY 19, 2010   ANGEL IS HAVING A HARD TIME FIGHTING THE INFECTION IN HER ABDOMINAL CAVITY.  SHE IS STILL AT THE VET AS OF TODAY AND HAD ANOTHER SURGERY THIS AFTERNOON TO FLUSH OUT THE INFECTION FROM THE CAVITY.  THE PERITONITIS IS JUST NOT CLEARING UP AS EXPECTED.  SHE IS ON I.V. MEDICATION ANTIBIOTICS.  

Angel was picked up as a stray a few years ago in Springfield MO.  Her entire story is located on this home page several stories down.

Angel is in ICU with I.V.s going.

She has had 3 surgeries in 3 days.

Angel has had surgery every day for the last 3 days. July 7, 8, 9, 2010    They left her incision open and had to go in every day to clean the abdominal cavity out.  Please help by making a tax deductible donation.  We couldn't let her die or be put to sleep.  We save dogs from all over the United States and Angel is one of our own.

Angel's abdomin is packed with cotton filler because she is given anesthesia and her abdominal cavity is flushed to clear the paratinitis infection.  Her last surgery was this morning  July 21, 2010.  The doctors keep her abdomin open so they can go in every day or every other day without having to cut into her each time. 

July 21, 2010 Angel with "OPEN ABDOMIN"

She has had more then 8 procedures where her abdomin is flushed trying to clear the infection.

This is the sad little face I first saw.

Maggie sitting on her tumor with no bottom jaw or teeth.

Maggie came from a dog pound in Georgia.  She has a very large tumor on her abdominal area and between her legs.  Maggie came to us on an emergency transport Monday July 5th. 2010 and remains at the vet clinic.   We had an X-Ray done of the tumor and the doctors that looked at it said it was calcified. When I felt the tumor it was as hard as a rock and seems very heavy. 

Maggie walk all over the place.

The tumor is about 1/2 the size of the dog.

from the rear view this is the tumor.

She is skin and bones she was loaded with fleas

Maggie is missing her bottom jaw and she has no teeth.  However just put food in front of her and look out.  She eats everything in site.  Maggie has infected wounds on her back from the fleas eating on her.  She is on antibiotics now.  Maggie had blood work including heart worm check.  We are waiting for the results of her blood work.  Maggie will remain at the vet for now and if he feels she can go under anesthesia Friday then she will have the tumor removed. 

This is how maggie sits on her tumor.

She is alert and full of energy we have that going on her side.

UPDATE:  JULY 7, 2010.     X RAYS SHOW HOW LARGE THE TUMOR IS.   HER BLOOD WORK WAS NORMAL!  HEART WORM NEGATIVE.  THIS LITTLE GIRL IS GOING IN FOR SURGERY THIS FRIDAY! 

WHILE AT THE VET TODAY 7/7/10 I TOOK THIS PHOTO

I HELD HER UP SO YOU COULD SEE THE SIZE OF THIS GROWTH / TUMOR UNDER HER ABDOMINAL AREA.

THIS IS AN X RAY OF THE TUMOR ON MAGGIE

AS YOU CAN SEE THE VERY LARGE ROUND TUMOR LOCATED ON THE ABDOMINAL AREA BETWEEN HER LEGS

Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary operates on donations.  Once we found this pup we had her up to Ohio and in the vets office within 3 days.  Maggie has no fleas now and she received a medicated bath.  She is on antibiotics for the skin infections.  The X-Ray that was taken gave information as to the extent of involvement of the tumor.  As always we are providing the absolute best medical care in the world! (my opinion )    Please help with a tax deductible donation.

  I received an email yesterday ( 6-29-10 ) asking if anyone could take this poor Boxer.  I looked at a few photos the pound took and just broke down in tears.  This is neglect to the point of total abuse.  I named him Alex and when no one responded to the urgent pleas for help, I took him.  On his 8th. day at the pound he left for a better place.  He was facing heart stick at Mahoning County Pound and I just could not let that happen. 

Alex is at the Avon Lake Animal Clinic receiving exceptional care.  He was heart worm tested negative. The plan is to assess the blood work start an IV for hydration.  He was placed in isolation for now because of the possibility of kennel cough from the pound.  The large swelling under his neck is an animal bite.  Upon exam you can see teeth puncture wounds from an animal bite.   This is now a severe area of infection and the swelling was drained today releasing the abscess fluid.  His skin tested negative for mange or mites.  He is getting tested for "Cushings Disease"  by doing a blood test called " ACTH STIM" test.  That stands for adrenocorticotropic hormone  stimulation test.  

Cushing's Disease (hyperadrenocorticism)is a common condition in older dogs, often mistaken for the aging process itself. Dogs gain weight, lose hair, urinate in the house, and make owners begin to prematurely consider euthanasia. Yet Cushing's disease is treatable and that treatment can result in a longer, more comfortable life for the dog and its owner. Thus, it is important for the regular pet owner to learn the basic facts about Cushing's disease.

Alex got out of the transport car and walked into the vet clinic on his own.  His head was down and I could see the despair in his eyes.  He has all but given up on this life and who could blame him?  As he lay on the office floor waiting for the doctor I stroked his head and looked at the mangled broken body one tear fell from my eye to the top of his head and he looked up at me .... as if to say.... "please don't give up on me yet."

PLEASE HELP ALEX THE PUREBRED BOXER  BY MAKING A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION.  NO LIVING THING DESERVES TO END UP LIKE THIS.

UPDATE:  JULY 2, 2010   I JUST FOUND OUT FROM THE VET THAT POOR ALEX ONLY WEIGHED 34 POUNDS AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH. 

TIGER - CLEPH PALLET 6/2010

Tiger came from a dog pound in West Virginia.  He has a very large and involved cleph pallet.  When I look down at his face I can see his back teeth through his nose hole because he has no roof in his mouth.  He is most loving and when you pet him he acts like it is the first time in his life anyone every said "hello".   He gets along with the other dogs here at Saint Francis and we are just glad he found us!   Tiger is only about 1 to 11/2 years old.  Welcome home Tiger!

I received a call from the Lorain County Dog Pound yesterday June 10, 10.  I was told to come and get a little 4 to 5 pound Chihuahua that had a broken leg.  I went right to the pound in Elyria.  This was not an old dog.  He was found by a lady that had 2 Poodles and felt sorry for him telling the dog pound he had a broken leg.

This is Uno at the dog pound.

Thanks to this pound worker Uno made it to Saint Francis.

Uno most likely has been in pain for 2 weeks.

This severe fracture had to cause him such pain and he had no where to go.

The Tibia and Fibula are both fractured.

Uno's leg can not be saved. He must have an amputation.

Uno will be fine with 3 legs.

He is safe now. He has been through a lot for such a little guy.

I stayed with him until the surgery was over.

He had some bad teeth pulled and neutered all at the same time.

We really had no intention of taking on another dog.  However this pup was at a gassing dog pound.  He was going to the vet for his fracture but I feel they would not have spent the money on an amputation.  He more then likely would have been put to sleep.  PLEASE HELP US OUT.  WE NEED DONATIONS!  WE ARE A 501(c)3 non profit and donations are tax deductible.

Pops in a senior Chihauhua

He is 5.1 pounds. IV fluids and antibiotics were started right away at our vet clinic.

Pops was in bad shape although he flew on Pilots and Paws half way to Ohio then over nighted.  He  drove the rest of the way to Ohio by transport.  He was very hot and he felt dehydrated to me when he arrived.  On Sunday he was taken right to the vet for exam and treatment.  Pops had a temp of 104.8 and could not stop coughing.  He had blood work done a chest x ray and ultra sound of the heart.  His heart is very enlarged and the xray showed pneumonia.   This little guy was sick.  He was started right on I.V. fluids and antibiotics.  He stayed at the vet for almost a week.  Pop's teeth are so bad that we feel this may be some of the reason for his massive infection.  He is on several types of antibiotics along with cough medication.   Pops also has hair loss as a skin scraping showed he did not have mange but severe flea infestation. 

Pops chest x ray shows an enlarged heart

The vet feels he has pneumonia and severe dental infections.

The vet has estimated Pops to be about 14 years old.  He has been in a state of neglect for some time now and then to be taken to a "drop box" at a dog pound where he would most likely be euthanized.  How awful.   Pops is safe tonight and well cared for.  He is getting the best medical care that can be provided.  He did not deserve to die like that after all these years. 

His body weight is good but his skin is awful.

This pup is on antifungal and antibiotics medication.

Possum is a West Highland White Terrier.

He is only 7 to 8 years old. Severe skin infections from fleas.

The total vet bill for these two dogs coming from Florida is over $1,700.00   The visit was on an emergency basis and on a Sunday! Pops spent almost a week there.  Please make a donation to help us care for these neglected dogs.

BABY PUG - A MILL SURVIVOR IS DEAD   AGE: 3 MONTHS.

No idea how they got 50 feet down a cliff without injury. No collars no tags.  Well feed ( fat ) nice shinny coats and trimmed toe nails.  These are very small dogs and  not hunters.  So friendly they seem like house dogs and are bonded like glue to each other.  HOW COULD NO ONE BE MISSING THIS PAIR?  we are still looking for the owners at this time. 

These two Beagles will be taken to our vet if we are not able to find the owners.  If you would like to donate a portion of their medical care it would be appreciated.  SPAY / NEUTER / VACCINATIONS / MICRO CHIP / HEART WORM CHECK.  Donations are tax deductible.  Thank You.

This is the very large and strange tumor on Deet.

The tumor biopsy now shows he has the worst cancer possible.

Deet is a pure bred American Pit Bull Terrier

He is full of kisses and loves everyone! He is a good dog.

BAD NEWS:           Chondrosarcoma (CSA) This is the second most common primary bone tumor in dogs and accounts for approximately 5% to 10% of all primary bone tumors. It is a cartilage tumor, usually not as malignant as OSA. It generally occurs on flat bones such as ribs or skull bones, but can occur in the limbs, usually the thigh bone (femur). Symptoms are similar to OSA, and many cases are managed with removal of the tumor whenever possible. Chemotherapy has not been shown to be effective. Recent studies suggest that a specific type of antibiotic, called “fluoroquinolone” may be toxic to the cartilage cancer cells. Further studies are needed to see whether this antibiotic will have a role in treatment of this type of cancer. DEET'S VET BILL IS OVER $600.00  HIS PROGNOSIS IS POOR.  HE HAS A FEW MONTHS TO LIVE.  WE PLAN ON MAKING THOSE MONTHS GREAT!  WE MADE AN INFORMED DESICION NOT TO DO EXTENSIVE SURGERY.

Deet loves to go for walks to the lake.

He goes to the edge of the water but will only get his toes wet. I do not think he likes to swim.

UPDATE: DEET'S TUMOR IS GETTING LARGER

He enjoys walks by our lake and eating good food. Deet is not ready to go to the bridge just yet!

Zack's back had to be shaved for surgery.

The vet feels his back will get better and with proper food and baths the issue will be resolved.

Zack knows sit, shake and stay. VERY SMART.

Zack is a very smart dog !

4 to 5 y.o. and a wonderful loving dog.

Zack's medical bill was $559.50 and that is with our generous rescue discount.  Please consider a donation as Zack is just one of many taken in this weekend.  OUR VET BILL IS OVER $4,000.00 from this past week.  Thank you.

Molly forgives all who never took her to the vet

when her rear leg was cut off in a trap down in Kentucky.

Molly is a rescue from Kentucky where she got her rear leg cut off in an animal trap.  She was found as a stray and taken to the dog pound.  After seeing the scar tissue and swelling I can tell you this dog NEVER saw a vet.  The end of the long bone is just covered by a thin layer of skin and starting to stick through the skin.  There is a small open area right now. The amputated leg / stump  is also very swollen.  Can you imagen the pain this young pup went through as she had such a traumatic thing happen at such a young age.   Molly is only about 1 year old.   Someone had to see she her suffering with a cut off leg and yet she never was taken to the doctor. 

Molly is going in for surgery and receive a stump revision of the leg.  She cannot go on with the bone sticking through the skin for obvious reasons.  Her surgical amputation will most likely be about the leg joint.  But this time she will have a clean surgical incision with pain medication to make her comfortable.  This young dog is such a good girl and loves everyone!  She has suffered enough in her short life.  Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary really does take the ones that have little to no hope of adoption or rescue.   Please consider a donation to help Molly get the care she needs.  Molly will be up for adoption when we get her all fixed up! 

You can see the swelling in the stump.

Molly is using the leg as a crutch sometimes and this is not good. She runs the risk of infection.

The amputated leg has severe scar tissue

you can see the inside part of the leg where the tissue pulled together to close the wound.

UPDATE 4-13-10 AMPUTATION COMPLETE!

MOLLY'S AMPUTATION IS DONE AND SHE IS DOING VERY WELL. MOLLY IS UP FOR ADOPTION.

Please help Molly HAD surgery April 8, 2010.  If you would like more info on Molly or her condition please feel free to email mparke11@aol.com

These babies are 12 weeks old and blind!

They came from an puppy mill in central Ohio.

Tommy 3 pounds 10 ounces

Little Lola 2 pounds! She is the runt.

Mellow 3 pounds 3 ounces

Hendrix long coat ( long hair ) 3 pounds 2 oz.

We are asking an adoption fee to cover the routien cost of adoption, spay/neuter and vaccinations with microchipping.  Regular puppy medical care.  These pups came from a mill and MUST GO TO THE VET FOR EXAMS TODAY 3/8/10.  they were wormed and the diarrhea will not stop at this point.  THEY MUST BE SEEN BY THE VET.  WE NEED DONATIONS TO COVER THE VET BILL AND TESTING FOR PARVO THAT MAY BE NEEDED TODAY.  THANK YOU.

HARLEY - MISSING PART OF HIS SKULL & NEUROLOGICAL DAMAGE (MARCH 6, 2010)

Harley has a large piece on his head missing

His bottom right jaw has all the teeth missing and his tongue hangs out.

Harley came from Georgia where he was an owner surrender.   His owners were moving and could not take him along. They felt if he went to the pound he would be put to sleep because of his age ( 8 y.o. ) and his neurological problems.   I have to say I love this dog.  He adjusted well with all the dogs here.  He is very smart.  He has picked out his place to sleep in the house and there is no changing his mind! Harley sleeps in the bath tub!  He would like to eat and drink in the tub also but that is where we draw the line.  

Harley has such a personality you can not help but love him.  He is neutered, heart worm negative, all vaccinations are up to date.   He also had an extensive dental exam and work.  The front teeth were spotless and pure white.  The teeth that are on the bottom of the right jaw were black and he had to have several extractions.  This is the side his tongue hangs out. 

What can you say .... he loves the tub!

Harley's bottom right teeth were awful.

He had most of the rear teeth on the right bottom jaw removed due to decay.

MOLLY

This beautiful Yellow Lab girl came on a transport from Georgia last week.  She is only about 1 year old and sadly heart worm positive.  We had her to our vet for her spay discovered the heart worm status.  She was treated this past week and the cost is over $500.00 for the heart worm treatment.  When a dog is in heat and has to be spay it cost more because of the extra time and more complex surgery involved.   Because of her young age and early detection of her heart worms we went ahead and had her spay done also. Molly's spay was over $200.00.   She has been at the vet since last week and is now ready for adoption.  She is just a pup and acts like a pup.  If you know Labs then you know they seem to "grow up" or "mature" a little more slowly then other dogs.  Molly has an entire life to live and needs a family to love. 

Some people said to us " great you pick the heart worm positive dog "  but that is not how we feel.  We are glad we found her so now she can get the life saving treatment she needs to live many years.   All of our dogs that are up for adoption are vaccinated, micro chipped and heart worm checked.  Older dogs receive dental work, blood work and x rays as needed.

Please consider a tax deductible donation to help pay for Molly's medical care.  We are a 501(c)3 non profit group.

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.

The dog pound named her Ginger look how sad she looks.

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.

MA MA WOLF IS A WOLF / MIX.

SHE HAS THE COURAGE OF A LION AND THE PERSONALITY OF A LAMB. WE LOVE HER!

LOOK AT OUR BEAUTIFUL GIRL NOW!

HEART WORM TREATED AND FACE TUMOR REMOVED LONG AGO.

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.

IVs going non stop for fluids and antibiotics

Russell the 3 legged dog from Georgia is fighting for his life.

People have been coming to Saint Francis for years while searching for the perfect companion for their home.  In those years I have watched people over look Russell.   He came from Georgia with his girl friend Blossom.  Blossom got adopted and went to a wonderful home with a family that adopted from me in the past.   But no one ever wanted Russell the 3 legged hound mix.  Last week Russell got sick and vomited.  He was drinking water like crazy and then vomiting.  Russell spent the last week in the vet getting x rays, blood work, IV antibiotics, IV fluids for hydration.  Tests were run and his lab values just went south. 

Russell has been at the vet for over a week now.  The vet called me tonight ( Saturday 1-30-10 ) because Russell needed emergency surgery.   He has a hole in his diaphragm which caused some of his organs  like the liver and duodenum to go into the hole causing some of the tissue to die.  One major problem is the common bile duct was pinched off causing major life and death blood chemistry changes relating to his gallbladder.  The doctor had him open on the surgery table and called me to ask "what do you want to do?"  explaining to me how the medical surgical needs of Russell would take 2 doctors 3 hours to try to repair his problems.   I still want to give Russell a chance at a family life some day.  I just could not tell him to euthanize him because it cost too much.   Russell had surgery today and its touch and go for now but he would have died without the necessary procedures done today.

Russell's  surgery was a life and death decision and we chose life!  This 3 legged dog is only about 4 to 5 years old.   Please consider a donation to Saint Francis for Russell's surgery.

HER NAME IS INK SPOT!  SHE HAS A VERY LARGE MAMMARY TUMOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED RIGHT AWAY.December 3, 2009

Ink Spot came from a shelter in Eastern Ohio.  This poor girl was left in an over night drop box.  She was left like yesterdays trash.  How can anyone do this?   She has most likely had several litters of babies.  Now in her senior years she has a medical problem and needs help.  So what do her owners do?  They dump her where she had no chance of adoption because of her age and medical needs.  Well we want her!  This baby is at the vet tonight the very day we took her into rescue.  She is heart worm negative and vaccinated.   Tomorrow Ink Spot will have that massive tumor removed along with a spay.  She will have some much needed dental work done at the same time.

We know it is close to Christmas and money is tight everywhere but this poor girl found herself in so much need we just could not turn our back.  When you own a dog and you ignore the fact that she now has a tumor the size of a cantaloupe hanging down.... I call it abuse!  She will now get the care she needs.  Our space during the winter months in Northern Ohio is limited.  The medical bills are out of site!  This old, black dog who most likely has cancer will probably not get adopted!  She will stay here with us forever.  Saint Francis takes the animals that have little to no chance of being adopted or rescued due to complexity of care or age.  Please help by making a tax deductible donation for Ink Spot.  Honestly folks I have no idea how we are going to pay for this girls surgery.  Please help!

Ink Spot came home from the vet 12/7/09

Her incision is over 2 feet long. She lost both sides of her chest from top to bottom.

UPDATE:  ONE WEEK AFTER INK SPOT RECEIVED HER SURGERY SHE HAD TO GO BACK TO THE VET FOR ANOTHER WEEK.   HER INCISION OPENED UP AND THE SKIN WAS SO TIGHT THERE WAS NOTHING TO PULL TOGETHER AND CLOSE.   SHE HAD NORMAL SALINE SOAKS AND WE LET THE TISSUE GRANULATE IN.   SHE IS FINE NOW BUT  IT WAS TOUCH AND GO FOR AWHILE.

It is just too close to Christmas for me to tell the facility asking me to take this dog " we are full " but we are.  It is just too close to Christmas for me to say " we have no funds"  but we do not!  With a hope and prayer we will get donations to help Ink Spot!  Please consider a donation.

Blind - neuter infection - strong HEART WORM ++++

Jerry Lee is now safe at our vet getting the medical care he needs.

Please help Jerry Lee  CLICK HERE!

Scooter is a Lorain County Dog Pound rescue.  His little back legs were on upside down and turned around.  They had to be amputated as the circulation to the toes started to cause major problems.  We now have Ci Ci who is Scooter's sister. She has been to the vet and had x rays. She must have surgery to correct a painful bone deformity in her rear leg.  She can not walk on her rear leg and hobbles on 3 legs in pain.  We need $1,800.00.  Scooter can win the cuttest dog contest and help pay for his sister's surgery. 

Scooter is now entered into Week 7 of the twelve week Million Dollar Cutest Dog Competition (9/13 - 9/19). All votes from the previous week are now zeroed out and you have seven days to get as many votes as you can in Week 7.

HOW IT WORKS...
The dog with the most votes after 7 days wins $500 and moves on to the semi-finals. Send the direct link (below) to your friends and family and ask them to vote for you once each day - they may even have ideas on how to get you even more votes.  Launch your own little doggie advertising campaign and watch the votes stream in!

Ci Ci has a completely luxated patella.

Saint Francis has saved so many now we need help to save Scooter's sister from a life of pain.

CLICK HERE ONCE A DAY THIS WEEK. PLEASE HELP SCOOTER WIN MONEY FOR HIS SISTER'S SURGERY.

Ci Ci is Scooter's sister and walks in pain.

Her owner found us and surrendered Ci Ci so she could receive the medical care she needs.

CLICK HERE TO SEE SCOOTER DURING AN NBC-24 T.V. SPECIAL THAT WAS DONE TO SHOW HOW MUCH LOVE THIS ONE LITTLE CRIPPLED DOG CAN BRING TO SO MANY!

Yes we are still trying to collect donations for Ci Ci's surgery but having Scooter win would be so great!  Please vote for Scooter!  Donations welcome!

Jill's tail turned necrotic and infected quickly

This happened while she was on antibiotics and Rx. ointment. She was getting septic.

Jack and Jill came to Saint Francis at 6 weeks of age from a dog pound in Texas.  They were fat, cute and playful pups.  However they are both paralyzed in the back half of their bodies.  These 2 dogs go to adoption events with Saint Francis because they love everyone!   Jack is more "Pit" in the face then Jill and stronger so he lifts his body on his 2 front legs and gets along fine.  Jill is the smaller one and has had a problem with her tail since she was about 4 months old.  The tail contractured under her and every step she takes causes a pounding on her bent under tail bone. 

When Jill was 7 months old she got a massive tail infection from having liquid stool and bouncing in it.  We had them to the vet and could not find out what was going on with the diarrhea.  Both Jack and Jill were having the same problem.  Then Jill ate part of a Cool Whip dish and had to have emergency abdominal surgery.  The vet did a biopsy of the intestine at that time and we found out Jill was highly allergic to some components of dog food.  Both Jack and Jill were placed on Ultra ZD allergy dog food.  The problem seem to be solved.  However Jill had to spend a week at the vet getting hydro therapy treatments and antibiotics due to the tail infection. 

Jill was on oral antibiotics and Rx. ointment

This is her tail stump as the infection burst open and she was on her way to being septic.

We knew the time may come when we had to think about amputation of Jill's tail.  Last month she developed a massive infection and her tail turned necrotic ( tissue death due to lack of blood supply ).  Jill's tail was amputated in mid September.  The infection took over and it was like it exploded in a short time.  Jill has been at the vet ( THIS TIME ) since September 21,2009.  She almost died from a systemic infection.  The cost of her hospitalization is over $100.00 per day and we are at  25 days as of now.   Jill is receiving 2 powerful antibiotics to fight the raging infection and 3 hydrotherapy baths per day. She is on her Rx. dog food and doing better.

This was taken after 2 weeks of therapy

Tissue re-growth and granulation is seen around the tail stump. Infection is under control now.

PLEASE HELP!  JILL HAS TO STAY AT THE VET 2 MORE WEEKS AND NEEDS A NEW WHEEL CHAIR.  DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

Please take a look at this video clip of Jack and Jill taken several months ago. This is when Jill had a previous surgery.

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:  10-22-09  Jill had surgery last Friday 10-16-09 to close the opening of her tail.  The doctor pulled the skin around from the top and bottom to close the stump. 

Jill's legs have contractured and atrophied.

Crippled since birth she does not know she is different. We love her.

This is the tail after the last surgery 10-16-09

She has no legs to stand on so the wheel chair is needed to lift her up off the amputation stump.

Jill has been at the vet since the end of Sept.

She has been through 3 surgries in just the last 40 days of this stay at the vet clinic.

Jill has a special wheel chair now.

Her back legs are contractured up and she needed a special sling type of harness in her chair.

October 30, 2009   Jill had yet another surgery to close her tail 2 days ago.  The day her new wheel chair came.   The chair will provide support to lift her tail end up off the ground.  This is the reason her stump kept opening up.  Because Jill has no use of her back legs her tail end kept hitting the ground every movement she has taken.   Jill has been at the vet for 38 days now.  The cost is in the thousands for her medical care and several operations.  Please consider a donation to help us out!

Coco is a 3 y.o. Pit mix

She was born with no eyes and has a clef pallet

Coco is blind of course she has no eyes.  To watch her and Angel is heart warming.  Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary depends on donations.  We have several dogs like Coco that are very special dogs.  Please help if you can. 

Angel has a little extra leg, her story is below.

Coco follows Angel all over the place and if she is not with her she will cry.

Coco has missing and displaced teeth

She will also receive a dental at the time of the tumor removal

Please donate for Coco's surgery!  She is so attached to Angel and depends on her to be her eyes that Angel will go to the vet when she has surgery to be with her.

LUKE: CHERRY EYE & TUMOR Sept. 30, 2009

His little teeth were very nasty!

He had an extensive dental done and lost 8 teeth.

Luke is a Chi / Pap mix about 8 to 9 years old.

He has "CHERRY EYE" on his left eye. This is an over growth of one of the eye lids causing pain.

Luke is a 7 pound Chihuahua / Papillon mix.  He was found by a lady with a limited income last June.  She knew he needed medical care and could not spend the money on him.  She surrendered him to us 2 weeks ago.  He had severe flea allergies and his back had hair missing.  The little guy had fleas crawling all over his body and face.  He was treated with Capstar and a medicated bath.   Then we treated him with Frontline because the fleas just kept coming!   He was taken to the vet and is Heart wrom negative.  He had the tumor removed from the back of his neck along with the cherry eye.  He is now neutered!  So this little guy got it from both ends!  We did blood work prior to his surgery and he had extensive dental work done at that time also. Luke had 8 teeth removed due to infection.  He is on antibiotics now and doing well. Luke is friendly with other small dogs and is looking for a loving indoor home.  He is now micro chipped.

I really did not expect the area to be so large.

The tumor was removed with no problems. The incision is well approximated and doing fine.

This tumor / growth did not look that bad

but I knew it had to come off.

Luke's surgeries and medical care was $695.50.  ( and that was with our rescue discount)  He had several things done at one time.  We could really use some help with our vet bills.  Donations are tax deductible and very welcome!

PUREBRED WEIMARANER RESCUED FROM KILL POUND(9-18-09)

Cyber is 1 y.o. missing his rear leg.

This beautiful boy is up for adoption now and ready for a loving home!

This beautiful sliver colored boy is only about 1 year old.  He ended up at a kill pound in Southern Ohio.  He is a tripod missing his rear leg with a high amputation.  SO WHAT!  The grace he moves with is so beautiful and eloquent how could his owner never come and get him?  He was facing his last days when we pulled him with the help of other rescue people in Ohio that we work with.  Cyber is missing his rear leg but his owner never got him neutered perhaps because they wanted to use him for breeding.  This past week Cyber was neutered, heart worm checked and he is negative.  Now placed on Heart Guard preventative.  He is updated on his vaccinations, Rabies, Bordetella ( kennel cough ) and DHLPP.  Cyber has also been micro-chipped.  When I took him out for photos he knew the command "sit" and "stay" until I gave him a command to move. He rides in the car very well  and had no problem jumping into the back of an SUV from the ground, he went in one leap!

Cyber can keep up with the best of the walkers.

He does not seem to get tired and missing a leg does not hold him back at all.

Cyber is sleek and his coat shines almost blue!

He weighs 65 pounds and is a real gem.

www.pilotsnpaws.org click here to go to their web site.

WATCH THIS VIDEO CLIP Thank you to Pilots N Paws here is a wonderful video clip so you can see the work that is being done. ( CLICK HERE!)

         SANDY AND AGNES RESCUE!

Sue the night vet tech met us at midnight.

The dogs looked tired after their flight and transport.

Sandy and Agnes were pick up at the  Mansfield Ohio airport.  They went right to the vet clinic where we arrived at midnight.  We wanted them there so they could be evaluated and assessed first thing in the morning.  Sandy (Yellow Lab ) received chest x rays and blood work along with a physical.  His blood work looked great and his chest x ray showed an enlarged heart.  The over all opinion was to treat the heart worm.  He received his first dose of emeticide ( heart worm medication ) and stayed at the vet 6 days in a calm environment where he could be monitored and rest.  Agnes ( 3 legged Black Lab ) received a chest x ray and blood work along with a physical.  She had rectal bleeding which was noted while in Tennessee at her foster homes.  She was put to sleep and a rectal biopsy was taken.  We just found out tonight she does have cancer.  She is full of life and all the other findings on her exam were good.  The vet is making a decision and will consult with other doctors at the clinic on the result of the biopsy.   Because she is in such good shape physically we tend to think that a procedure called "rectal pull through" may be done.  She will have a few inches of intestine pulled out and resected.  Based on findings they do not think the cancer has metastasised to other places.

Agnes lost her leg and has buck shot in her chest

and a bullet in her leg. Now has rectal cancer. We can give her a chance for once to save her life!

Update 9-16-09   Agnes the Black  Lab 3 legged girl had a biopsy done of the rectal area just as soon as we got her.  Findings from Marshfield Labs Cleveland OH.  :   " Diagnosis: Colonic mucosa: Tublopapillary and solid intestinal adenocarcinoma."

Agnes also had a chest x ray which looked good!  ( EXCEPT FOR the BUCK SHOT IN HER CHEST AND A BULLET IN HER LEG!!) The blood work also looks great.  The vet agrees with the doctors doing the biopsy which said  " ... complete excision and clinical follow up to monitor for possible recurrence and / or metastasis are recommended." 

We need to remove a few inches of her lower intestin close to the rectum while maintaining the rectal sphincter.  She has a chance and we want to give it to her.  She is a very healthy weight, good lab work, good chest x ray PLEASE HELP US ON THIS ONE!  WE NEED DONATIONS FOR HER SURGERY RIGHT NOW!  Agnes has a very small bleed from the rectum and we cannot put this surgery off. 

Sandy and Agnes both almost died in a dog pound! Tonight when we walked through the woods they smelled everything as if they were finding life for the first time.  The tails never stopped wagging.  Yes they are happy!  We fully intend to give them every chance at a good senior life.  Many involved in the pull from the pounds, foster and transport of these special dogs cared enough to get them to us.  Now we are doing our part.  Please donate and help us continue our work of caring for special needs animals that many give up on.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated because we totally operate on donations! We are a 501(c)3 non profit.  Click here to donate. Donations may be sent to Saint Francis Animal Sanctuary Inc. 12516 Cherry Rd. Vermilion, OH 44089

She rested her head on my leg all the way home.

She is skin and bones nearly starved to death, deaf and blind - what she must have been thinking?

UPDATE 11-12-09 bottom of Dottie's story.

UPDATE 9-9-09  Dottie just spent a week at the vet.  We missed the whip worms in the first stool specimen that was sent out and she lost 4 more pounds, she got down to 33 pounds.   She had I.Vs for hydration and Rx. food which she is still on.  The worms were treated at the vet.  Dottie is still on antibiotics.  She is home now and we are trying to get her to eat and gain some weight.  Poor little thing.

This is Dottie when she was rescued

She is deaf and blind and she lay so still all the way home from the pound where she almost died.

Dottie has several infected teeth.

She is too weak and starved to have vet work right now .

Dottie had a bath and off to the vet she went!

She was so scared at the vet she would not move or get up for several minutes.

Dottie was taken right to the vet for care.  She is not a senior.  The vet said she is about 5 years old.  Just think of the neglect this poor girl was going through.  She is so loving!   Dottie is heart worm negative and her blood work shows a severe infection going on most likely her teeth.  She was so weak and in a state of starvation  we could not even vaccinate her at this time. She is on antibiotics now and we are trying to get some weight on her so she can have dental work and spay.  She was wormed with Panacure for 3 days and she loves her food.  

Post surgical repair of her wound.

The clean wound is well approximated and sutured.

This wound was on her leg when she came to us.

Antibiotics / topical medication / cultures it would not clear up.

This is the lower Penrose drain.

All this over 2 little puncture wounds from another dog.

Penrose drains placed in head and jaw area.

The drains will be irrigated several times before they are pulled.

11-12-09   We knew when Dottie came to us she did not like other dogs.  Perhaps fear and not being able to hear or see other dogs, who knows.  This past weekend Dottie most likely nipped at another dog and she got 2 little puncture wounds on her face and head.   She was immediately started on antibiotics as dog wounds are awful.   Now a few days later the situation required the dog go to the vet and have surgery !   She has 2 Penrose drains in her head and jaw.  The vet sent her home and we are irrigating the wounds at the drain site  with a Betadine / water solution.   The infection made her little face swell and it would not drain on its own. This can be a critical situation left untreated.   Dottie is OK right now but hates the irrigation process.

Poor Dottie look at her face!

As if she didnt have enough problems!!

She can't hear and she can't see but she can feel! Dottie feels a lot better now then she did facing a life of neglect. Please donate today!     (click here)

Click here to see a very short video clip of Dottie at the vet after her bath.

I KNEW NO ONE WOULD TAKE THEM

2 TERRIFIED  SENIOR TERRIER GIRLS ( 8-5-09 )

THE LARGE ONE WAS MISSING A FRONT LEG

THE SMALLER ONE HAD AN OPEN WOUND WITH MAGGOTS IN IT.

THESE TWO GIRLS WERE IN A DOG POUND

IN SOUTHERN OHIO NEAR THE KY STATE LINE.

The larger girl with the missing leg  ( Mighty ) weighs 13.5 pounds and the smaller girl ( Minnie ) weighs 7. 14 pounds.  They have severe liquid stool and have been started on 3 days of Panacur wormer.  They look like they were used as breeding stock because you can see they must have had several litters of puppies.  No spay scar noted.  The teeth are brown with tarter and dirt.  The nails of course were so long they curled.  They have been started on Clavamox antibiotic for skin infections and mouth infections.   They are both going to the vet tomorrow  8-6-09 for heart worm checks, vaccinations, spays and much needed dental work.  I took them because I knew no one else would and I pray that Saint Francis receives donations to help with the vet care.  Once they were cleaned up look at these beautiful faces in need.  Please help and send a  tax deductible donation to Saint Francis for Minnie and Mighty. They are the most bonded loving souls I have ever had the pleasure of taking into rescue.

DONATIONS REALLY NEEDED FOR MINNIE AND MIGHTY! PLEASE HELP!

MOLLY 3 LEGGED LAB GIRL WITH RECTAL TUMOR(7/28/09)

This area is very painful for her and hard to see

Her tail is lifted slightly to examine her rear tumor area.

6 Y. O. Molly is a rescue from an Ohio dog pound

She is missing a rear leg and has a golf ball size rectal tumor / growth

We depend on your donation to continue helping special needs dogs like Molly find safe and loving homes.

This is Carmalita a few days ago.

She was dehydrated, starving and all alone with flies eating away at her ears. She almost died!

Carmalita was taken to our vet within 12 hr. of arriving at Saint Francis.  She is tested negative for heart worm.   We are giving her quality food and when she gains a little weight she will be spayed.   Carmalita will be up for adoption after her spay and micro chip.  Her vaccinations have already been done because she had to be transported across State lines.  The vet at our clinic feels she is young and said between 1 and 2 years old.   If you would like to adopt this poor baby after her spay please email  mparke11@aol.com  

Donations are tax deductible.   We operate totally on your donations.   Please help!

This is "Creek" after a bath and some food!

His nails were curled and long + how did he survive?

Click here XXXXX to see Judy and her dogs as she first saw the Chihuahua on the side of the creek.

click here XXXXX to see a cell phone video Judy took when she went back to pull him from the creek's bed.

Saint Francis could not turn our back on this little guy who needed a place to go.  Please help!  We are a 501(c)3 non profit group and donations are tax deductible.

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.

Lionel is good with everyone!

He is in foster now and loves the mail man and begs for hot dogs at cook outs ...

Lionel and his dad Paul

Gaining weight, yeast infection gone! very much loved.

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