8/24/18 – It was a Sunday morning in January, 2015 when I received a call from our friend, Melanie. She had been contacted by the Roseville, MI police about a dog who was tied up behind a local store — her paw had been eaten off. I immediately contacted the great staff at Advanced Animal Emergency and they immediately took in Courtney; as it turned out, it was necessary to amputate her leg. We could only assume that she had been tied up at some other location for a period of time and chewed off her own paw in order to get away. Although there was video of two men seen dumping and tying her behind the store, the case was never resolved Courtney was very sweet and recovered like a champ but probably because of prior abuse was never successfully placed in adoptive homes. Consequently, she was kept by her rescuer. Today, Courtney still has some food aggression issues and anxiety that she will again be dumped but after training, life has become much easier for everyone. Courtney watches over the baby, is a companion for her developmentally disabled son, and runs — YES runs – with her other son. She also accompanies Mel on visits to Meal on Wheels visits. Here is what Melanie recently told me: “She has chewed a new couch but couches don’t get excited to see you, they don’t have a heart that loves, and eyes that look for you. She is worth all we have been through with her. My oldest son likes to read to her and she doesn’t mind that he has such a limited vocabulary, most humans don’t have the understanding and patience she does. I would have loved finding her a home where she was the only dog but we don’t choose family, it just kind of happens. – Melanie” I have chosen not to share the very graphic before photos. ~ diana Donations: https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

8/22/18 – Another look back at 4p1h miracles. It was October 30, 2014, I remember like it was yesterday. Gina and I were meeting with a local TV station to tell the story of Katniss Everdeen. A very kind woman, moving out of the State, somehow saw a cage with a dog inside at a street curb during a horrible storm. The cage was next to the garbage left out for trash pick up. This very frightened and emaciated dog was brought into the emergency where Gina worked and then began the story of Katniss Everdeen. Not long after Katniss was brought in she had emergency surgery for an intestinal blockage; over 1 lb. of linen type material was found. When I saw her that morning, I cried. I have never seen an animal (at the time) with such dead eyes — no hope — obviously abused. Her spine was curved from being in a cage meant for an animal half her size; she must have been in the cage for a long time. But, once again, with love and care from Gina, our friend Carrie of Lil’ Dogs Resort, and the financial support of our friends, Katniss was adopted and today is a very happy and loved dog. Remember your donations will still be matched (up to $1,500)https://4paws1heart.org/donations/
Thanks, Diana