The Sweetest Warrior: Seal’s Battle for a Better Life

6/21/25 UPDATE: Seal has been through more than most dogs I know and he still remains the sweetest, most affectionate gentleman. He started with emaciation, wounds, a bullet, and Heartworm Disease. He gained weight, started Heartworm treatment and then became neurological and began regurgitating.

He needed exploratory surgery at Emergency to remove the bullet that was embedded in the lining of his stomach nearly causing perforation. They saved his life. He finally recovered from that, put weight back on, belly incision looks good and he had his final 2 injections for Heartworm treatment this week.

Seal began regurgitating again, likely having a reaction to the treatment or the combination of meds along with still having a head tilt and dizziness. Here we are into June and I pray he is over the hump and able to live a happy life from here on out.

Here he is napping with foster mom and amazing Vet Tech, Trisha Petersen ♡

The medical for Seal has been extensive but we never gave up.

If you would like to help Seal and others like him please donate today.

Your Monetary Gift = Their Second Chance

6/12/25 UPDATE: I’m sorry it took so long but we were waiting on the lab results. The gastrotomy surgery to remove the bullet was under two weeks ago and the report from Michigan State just came back that there is no metal toxicity.

We are unsure why he still has a head tilt and he is slightly off balance, but the regurgitation it has stopped. He has put weight back on and he is HAPPY!

We are so grateful for Dr. Maria at Advanced Animal Emergency for saving his life. Now we have to move forward with the heartworm treatment. He has two injections left and he is scheduled to have them done next week. Please keep Seal in your prayers as the treatments are major on a dog, but necessary. He has been through a lot and he will still need a home.

Here he is the other day playing with his foster friends. If you would like to help us with the medical for Seal you can donate at our link below.

Your Monetary Gift = Their Second Chance

6/3/25 UPDATE- Seal is recovering from exploratory surgery. He had a gastrotomy which means they went into his stomach to look for foreign material. A fragment that resembled a bullet kept appearing on his Radiographs and Seal was showing neurologic symptoms (Nystagmus, ataxia, and regurgitation).

The doctor was able to remove the object from the stomach. It had caused damage to the lining where there was an ulcer that formed.

I just called to check on Seal and he is stable and resting comfortably. We are awaiting the test at Michigan State to determine if the object contained a type of metal causing toxicity in his bloodstream. That could take several more days, but we could not wait and risk his stomach perforating, or sepsis.

Right now, we are incredibly grateful for Advanced Animal Emergency, the staff, and especially Dr Maria Rivera for saving Seal. They understood the urgency of the situation, and they treated a stray homeless dog with compassion because his life matters. His foster mom and I are hoping to pick him up this evening.


5/18/25 HEARTWORM TREATMENT HAS BEGUN- On April 16th, we posted the story about “Seal”, a dog that was found with a gunshot wound, emaciated, heartworm positive, and the SWEETEST BOY EVER.

My co-worker took him home and has been fostering him until he gets through his Heartworm treatment. The 1st of 3 injections was started 2 days ago which is why his back is shaved. It’s an injection that goes deep in his back muscle. He is an older guy and he needs a forever place to call HOME.

Seal gets along with everyone he meets including other dogs. If you would like to make a donation towards his heartworm treatment, upcoming neuter, and tale amputation, we would be so grateful. Also please share to help him find a home he so desperately deserves.


Seal, the Emaciated Puppy

4/16/25 Here are some pics of the emaciated pup that I posted in the video earlier this morning. Seal is thriving, yet he has a LONG way to go with treatment for Heartworm Disease, standard vetting, and other medical issues his doctors at Moore Veterinary Hospital are trying to figure out. His joints are swollen, he has a bullet lodged in his chest, he has skin issues, and he may have diabetes insipidus.

Sweet happy Seal obviously went a VERY long time neglected and now here we are trying to pick up the pieces. His foster mamma Trisha Petersen loves him and she is giving him the BEST chance possible.

Please donate if you can and your donation will go to “Seal”. I’ll post a video of his adorable Seal sounding song bark. https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Your Monetary Gift = Their Second Chance

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Dejango: A Tragedy Turned Into A Treasure

6/7/25: Dejango was found alone in his home with his owner who had passed away. There was no family, no friends, or anyone nearby who could help. The Veterinary hospital who took care of this long-time client and pet, stepped up and took Dejango under their wing providing shelter, food, and a safe place.

He was also a 90-pound dog who could not live in a cage. He needed a home, and he was behind on shots, neutering and standard care. The staff at Groesbeck Animal Hospital did NOT want to see him wind up at a shelter or worse yet, euthanized due to lack of space.

One of the staff members reached out to 4 Paws 1 Heart asking if we would back his medical which would give him the best opportunity while they tried to network finding him a forever home.

WE SAID YES and I am happy to say that shortly afterward they found him a home! Dejango LOVES his new family, and he is thriving!!!It It is heartwarming to see people come together in times of tragedy. His owner can rest peacefully knowing that his best friend was given a chance.

Your Monetary Gift = Their Second Chance

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Animal Control Officer Reaches Out For Help

5/29/25 – A caring and compassionate animal control officer asked if we would help save this guy from euthanasia. He was dumped with an old fracture injury that was never treated properly. His front leg had a plate and broken pins which left him unable to bend or use the leg. We agreed to cover the cost of surgery to give Archie a chance to live. Amputation was scheduled but the veterinarian was able to replace the hardware with a fresh plate and pins allowing “Archie” a chance to recover and learn how to use the leg again. He is currently with a rescue group while looking for a forever home. Archie is proof that donations save lives.

Your Monetary Gift = Their Second Chance

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Sheba Was Hit by a Car — She Needs Help to Heal

5/21/25: On May 8th we were contacted about a husky that was seen hit by a car on the expressway. The good Samaritans and some bystanders were able to get the dog in the car and transported over to emergency where she was diagnosed with a fractured femur.

Estimates were from $2500-$5000 for surgical repair which was not something they could afford. We offered to help with a portion of the cost so that Sheba could have a chance.

She is about 1 year old and they are looking for a permanent home once she is fully healed.

Your Monetary Gift = Their Second Chance

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Sophie And Her 7 Puppies!

5/12/25 UPDATE: Sophie is doing great and all of the puppies are ready to go or already in their forever homes! Thank you to our 4 Paws 1 Heart supporters for helping us make a difference in so many lives!

Sophie Had Her Seven Babies

1/18/25 – It was 11/30/24 when we were contacted about Sophie. She was rescued while on the streets in the freezing rain. Her rescuer, Kelly, estimated her to be about 1 year old. Sophie was seen at our partner veterinary clinic, Five Mile Animal Hospital, Unfortunately, Sophie was pregnant but thankfully, Kelly was willing to make sure Sophie had her babies while in her care and she would foster the family until everyone could be fully vetted and adopted out. We committed to finishing Sophie’s medical when appropriate and making sure the babies were vaccinated and neutered/spayed when of age.

Today, Sophie had her babies!! SEVEN!! Rosie is being a great mom and I’m sure that these photos will melt your hearts on this very soon to be frigid day. – diana

https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

Hunting Beagle Given a Second Chance

4/23/25 Her first toy, first bath, first time in a house, first time watching tv, rolling in the grass and having chew toys. Lady and her sibling lived their entire life in a cage outside because they were used for rabbit hunting. Lady was fortunate to have a 2nd chance, and we are happy to help with her new beginning that she desperately deserves. She has an appointment on May 1st, 2025, for her surgery. Here is the email I received and if you would like to donate towards Lady here is the link. https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Hi Gina, my names Nicole and I’m reaching out to you about a Beagle I rescued last week. My brother called me and told me about a friend at work that was moving and had outdoor rabbit hunting beagles he needed to find a home for or they’d have to go to the pound. He ended up putting one to sleep because she had huge mammary tumors. I took the other one. She is 11 years old, has never been in the house. I’ve had her since last Tuesday. She’s absolutely the sweetest thing and is so grateful to be inside. Wednesday I took her in for a heartworm test and it was negative (thank God) and she got a steroid for a skin infection. She also has several mammary tumors but they’re smaller. The vet at all about animals that seen her said there’s a 50/50 chance if they’re cancerous or not. She is not spayed. I’m having a hard time finding somewhere to spay her that isn’t $600+ because of her age, and I absolutely cannot afford that unfortunately. I’m also worried about pyometra because with her age, if she got it I’d probably end up having to put her to sleep. I’m just trying to give her the best life possible for however long she might have left. Thank you so much for your time and all that you do to help all the babies that you can! I’ve attached some pics of her and a video of her seeing a TV for the first time ever, which is funny and so sad at the same time.

Kindle and Thanos Surrendered to Make A Difference Rescue

4/17/25 – It was in mid-February when Kindle, a 13 year old basenji and Thanos, a 10 year old lab were surrendered to Make a Difference Rescue. They were in horrible shape. Kindle was having surgery that day to have a mass cell tumor removed and to have infected teeth pulled. He was very underweight. 4 Paws 1 Heart was thankful to be able to help with the majority of the bill. These senior dogs will be well taken care of and find furever, loving homes. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Miss Gracie Is Doing Amazing

4/13/25. People have been asking about “Miss Gracie” so I thought I’d update! She is doing AMAZING in her foster home playing, happy, loving the yard, learning, enjoying her new fur friends, and getting unconditional love and structure. She is ready for a HOME!

4 Paws 1 Heart is NOT a rescue or associated with placement. All medical which came to around $5,000 was covered by our organization. Emergency care adds up fast and she was very critical.

Please consider donating if you can, so that we can continue to help more cats and dogs who need us. https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ If you want more information about Gracie please email gina.4paws1heart@gmail.com.

SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY. Have a blessed Sunday!

Rosie Lived Her Entire Life Outside

4/10/25. Rosie lived her entire life outside Here is the email I received describing her rescue mission. We donated towards her Heartworm Treatment. God bless this person for stepping up and never giving up. Your donations give 2nd chances. Gina https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Hello, I was walking my senior dog Truman around our neighborhood and saw Rosie in the backyard of a home. I made contact with the owner who kept her outside 24/7. The yard was cluttered and she had no straw and many times I never saw food or water. I personally started bringing her straw, and feeding her through the fence multiple times a day for five years! She wouldn’t let me get too close but was so grateful for the food. I created a bond with her and one day noticed that the owners were moving. I asked if he had plans for her and he said he didn’t and that I could take her if I wanted to. I immediately jumped in and asked if I could take her home right then. He said yes, and I thought he would go and get her but he never came out to help me. She was so scared she hid and the weather was going to drop down to 7 below that night!!! She hid from me and ran every time I got close. I called DogAid to see if they could send someone experienced to help, they did, they never gave up and helped me bring her home. We were out there in that cold for a long time which seemed like forever! Since being in the home she has been doing absolutely amazing , we got her fixed and vaccinated which is unfortunately where we found out that she was heartworm positive.

I cried when I was able to finally pet her. I knew she couldn’t live in that yard any longer with no one caring about her. She’s now happily inside and loved daily. Jeanne

Gracie is Doing Amazing

3/29/23 – Gracie is doing amazing and will be going to her foster home today. I’m sure she will be so happy to get out of the hospital and into a home environment. Now, she just needs a forever home.

Her medical was extensive but she is a perfect example of what our purpose is as an organization. 4 paws 1 heart gives animals like Gracie a 2nd chance. Please consider donating today. Thank you from all of us on the board! Gina https://4paws1heart.org/donations/