9/11/17 – One of the vets we work with contacted us to ask if we could help with a dog just brought into the hospital. A couple saw this dog struggling to get into a commercial fenced in area. The dog was limping badly–forty minutes later the couple was able to get her. The vet asked if we could cover the medical and the couple was willing to foster and try to find the owners or an adopter.
We agreed to pay for x-rays and the exam and it was determined that Luna’s leg was broken and there were contusions to the lungs. Luna may have been hit by a car.
Luna was then taken to one of the hospitals we rely on for surgery and it was determined that Luna’s leg would need to be amputated and in another x-ray, the doctor saw what might be heart worm. YES, as if this poor girl hadn’t been through enough, she has what appears to be a high stage of heart worm. Two tests were taken and it was confirmed. The doctor did not want to put Luna through surgery, afraid her heart would not make it, and suggested Luna be seen by a cardiologist before any surgery. So, here we are — we have a very sweet dog, no owner, a couple willing to give her a forever home but who will need more than what we originally thought. The options??? Go all the way or euthanize. We are going to go all the way. We have also asked the couple to do whatever they can to try and raise funds. Please pray for Luna and share. ~ diana
Monthly Archives: October 2017
Fred – Severely Matted, Blind, and Had Trouble Standing
9/10/17 – I received an e-mail from an independent rescuer who we’ve helped before about a cat who showed up at her dad’s house. ‘Fred’ was severely matted, appeared blind, and seemed to have a problem standing. Of course, we had Fred seen by one of our favorite veterinarians. Fred was already neutered — so he must have had a home at one time — and had to be put under to be shaved. He does have an eye issue but is not blind. And, now that he is in the loving home of Nikki’s dad, he is eating and doing well.
Please understand that we are there for cats and dogs but, unfortunately, the number of very sick and injured cats continues to be overwhelming. Far too many cat owners. believe that cats can be put outside and survive. A domesticated cat cannot fend for himself in the wild. Also, there are far too many sub-humans who hate cats and will purposely injure or poison them. Please continue to pray for the cats and dogs (and humans) in the path of Hurricane Irma and all of the animals who are thrown out, neglected, and abused in our own communities. It has been heartbreaking to see the number of animal bodies being recovered in Houston. ~ diana
Josie and Baby – She Had 4 Babies but 3 Died
9/9/17 – As I’ve said before, our postings have not kept up with all of the animals we have been helping. Consequently, you will continue to see the stories of the animals we have been helping over the last month although we can’t take on new cases until we increase our bank account. Sweet Josie and her baby are two of the animals we committed to help. Josie was found on the street with 4 kittens. She was brought into safety but shortly after 3 kittens died. Josie was tested and examined and her remaining baby was also seen by the doctor. Josie had a fever and infection and was treated. Prayers Josie and her baby thrive. ~ diana
Sommerset (aka Sophia) – Trapped in a Recliner
9/7/17 – With a horrific hurricane threatening our Country and so many animals who continue to die because of neglect and cruelty, I wanted to share a happy update on our Sommerset, now known as Sophia. Here is Gina’s post from September 4, 2015:
“Sommerset is in need of a surgery that is “time sensitive”.
She is about 6 weeks old now, and she was brought to us after being found on the street 3 weeks ago. During the first week doctors noticed that a couple of areas on her skin began to blister and slough off. We don’t know the exact reason why, but due to her happy puppy spirit and daily improvement we decided to “try” everything within our means one day at a time.
Her body was healing very quickly with the treatment plan, and she was doing wonderful! All of the sudden, last Saturday we hit a set back when her affected leg began to swell. The swelling has gotten slightly worse every day, and I of course began to panic. I have watched this puppy thrive, play, grow, and heal from an injury so unexpected that I couldn’t imagine losing her now. I took her home the day after she was found, to foster, and she is literally a treasure..
One of our doctors recommended going to Michigan State University to consult with a Board Certified Specialist in Wound Care, so that’s what we did. Today we met with the amazing staff at MSU and everyone just adored Sommerset. They strongly feel that she will have a 100% positive prognosis with this surgery.
They believe that her body created this scar tissue during her healing process, and as a result it has caused so much tension on the affected areas (chest, shoulder, leg) that it’s now acting as a tourniquet which is causing the severe swelling and edema.
Surgery is necessary to relieve the existing pressure, accelerate the healing, and allow for complete granulation. If we don’t do this we are risking cutting off the blood supply to her leg, causing serious nerve damage, pain, and she could ultimately lose her leg. If you can find it in your heart to help us give this foster puppy every possible chance please donate towards her surgery. We love her to pieces and we want her to live.. Thank you, Gina”
Here are some photos from then and from just last month shared by her mom and dad, very good friends of 4 Paws 1 Heart. It is only with the donations and support from our friends that we can continue to make miracles like this happen. ~ diana
Coda – RIP – We Wish We Could Have Done More
9/6/17 – RIP Coda. You were found on the streets and diagnosed with heart worm. We just weren’t able to help you in time. ~ diana
Moe – Was Left Outside to Fend for Himself; Crossed the Rainbow Bridge
9/5/17 – RIP Sweet Moe. At least you knew love in the end of your young life. ~ diana
9/2
/17 -Around September 2012, our neighbor brought home a cat (Moe), who he said was around 6 months. He was a little cream colored thing, who loved being outside. Unfortunately, the neighbor thought that meant that he should leave him out at night, to roam. Several times, we saw him with scratches or dirt, from having fought the night before. Then, in January 2013, when temps were dropping, we noticed that the kitty had been thrown out of the house. Apparently, the jerk who’d brought him home moved out & the other people didn’t want him. We set up a shelter on our back porch & offered food, water & warmth. After a few days, as the temps dropped near zero, we knew we needed to figure out what to do with him. We already had 2 cats (13-year-old male & 10-year-old female) & really didn’t want to bring a new cat into the house. Didn’t want to upset the other cats & really couldn’t afford another. We asked everyone we knew if they wanted him, we called shelters & were told they didn’t have room. We were distraught & didn’t know what to do. I’d called our vet to see if they had any suggestions & spoke to someone who put me in touch w/ Gina from 4 Paws 1 Heart. We were able to bring him in for a check-up & 4P1H paid for his care. We were still trying to find him a home. But, while we searched, we moved him into a crate in our laundry room. After a few days, it was pretty clear…he was here to stay! There was a huge adjustment period for our other 2 cats & some shuffling of money, to be able to keep him. Then, he developed an eye problem (iritis) & we knew there was no way we could pay for the treatment. At that point, seeing how much he’d come to mean to us, my parents stepped in & offered to be his benefactors, so that we could get him the treatment. The following summer, the jerk who’d left him came back & asked to see him. I made him sign a form stating that he would never try to take him back. We had just over 4 years w/ our little Moey & enjoyed every minute of him. Sadly, he developed kidney problems this past March & we lost him. It happened so quickly. He may not have had a very long life & the first part wasn’t so great to him, but I hope that the years he had with us made him happy. If not for the help if 4 Paws 1 Heart & my parents, there’s no way we could’ve given him those 4 years. Thank you all so much! (The picture below is from when we first brought him in. My profile picture is from a few years ago.)
Pinocchio Babies – They Were Born in a Closet and Not Noticed for Two Weeks
9/5/17 – 
These babies, along with Twinkles, were born in a closet and were there for two weeks before the owner noticed. She was going to throw all of them outside but fortunately a caring person contacted me and two of my phenomenal Board members stepped up and saved them. Their medical has been and will be covered by 4 Paws 1 Heart. Please share and let’s get these beauties their forever homes. – diana
Mama and Her Kittens Rescued During a Rainstorm
9/5/17 – This little family of mom and six kittens was found during last Monday’s rainstorm. The finder’s cousin works at a veterinary hospital who works with us and she told her to contact us. The kittens were soaked and full of fleas and although the mom was not immediately brought inside she stayed near the rescue house, knowing her babies were inside. As all of you know, we are not a rescue; we fund medical treatment for abandoned/stray animals BUT we just so happened to have heard that a good friend of my sister and a former work colleague was interested in fostering SO you know what happened. Everyone was taken to the vet to be treated for fleas and our good friend took them in two days later. Some are already spoken for but they will be neutered/spayed and vaccinated and mama will be tested. Please contact me at [email protected] if you are interested in adopting any of these cuties and I will put you in touch with their foster mom. ~ diana
Bones – He had to Have His Eye Removed
9/4/17 – Rescued on the street with a severe upper respiratory infection.
“BONES UPDATE! Little guy is doing fabulous! He’s the funniest, sweetest, luckiest kitten I’ve ever met! He has no clue one of his eyes is gone, in fact he seems to think I’m the one who can’t see him lol! Some before & after pics so you can really see how much progress the little man has made.
Mac – Attacked by a Larger Animal and Needed to Have HIs Arm Amputated
9/4/17 – On this Labor Day I would like to share this very heartwarming story. Again it was all about teamwork — a Macomb County animal control officer, Brian Pylar, who cared enough to start a GoFundMe page, took the kitty into his own home to foster and adopt out, and who contacted us for additional help. Mac, a three-month old, kitten was found on the street, injured and very ill. It appeared he had been attacked by a larger animal; he had a broken, shattered arm which needed to be amputated. He also had an abscess which damaged nerves and caused an infection. His arm needed to be amputated. NOW THE GREAT NEWS – On August 31, I received a text from Brian. Mac, our little guy with the amputated arm, was adopted by a war veteran who lost an arm while serving our Country. Mac would have been euthanized had it not been for a caring person and 4 Paws 1 Heart. Now two lives have been changed forever! ~ diana