3/3/20 – Snape showed up on a very kind woman’s porch drinking the water she kept out for strays. He was in very bad shape and had to be taken to an emergency hospital. Snape immediately had surgery to remove his eye and have two pins put in his upper and lower jaw. This very kind woman was able to raise money to pay for 2/3 of the surgery and she paid the rest. An unbelievable act of kindness for a stray cat. Well, yesterday, Snape was scheduled to have his pins removed and we were contacted to see if we could cover that surgery. We were happy to pay for that. Snape will also need tooth extractions in the future but it is one issue at a time. Because of the significant commitments we have already made, I couldn’t promise additional assistance at this time but asked Snape’s now mom, to keep in touch. Snape’s savior and mom, Janet, said that Snape is the “very sweetest boy ever”. – Diana
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Monthly Archives: March 2020
Chyna and Faith – Finally Caught After Almost Being Hit By Multiple Cars
3/2/20 – These two 4-5 month olds were running the street and were almost hit by multiple cars. A friend of 4 Paws 1 Heart was able to catch them. It appears they were dumped in that no one has claimed ownership. They have a severe flea infestation and need spayed, vaccinated, and tested.. They will be looking for a forever home and if you are interested, let me know through private message on this page. I introduce you to Chyna and Faith.
Without your donations we could not help these innocents on the streets. – diana
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Angel (aka Enzo) – Update
2/28/20 – A Happy Update for a a fun Friday. It was back in October when I was contacted by a long-time friend of 4p1h about a cat she had found in some bushes. His fur was missing in many spots, his tail was swollen, and he was limping. She named him Angel and we authorized him to be seen by one of our partner vets. Angel had to be put under to have x rays taken, so, while he was under, the vet took advantage and neutered him. In the mean time, it was discovered that Angel’s pelvis was broken. The doctor said the tail might have to be amputated because at the time Angel was not moving his tail. It would be a wait and see situation. Angel was given antibiotics and pain medication and our friend, Tonya, was told to keep him on crate rest. Well, this week, Tonya sent us an update. She has fallen in love with him and has renamed him Enzo because he reminds her of a “Grumpy Sicilian”. He gets along with the other cats, his tail healed and he’s ‘moving it like crazy’. Enzo is now living the great life. We are so very thankful we were able to make a difference in Enzo’s life. I told Tonya that I also have 3 Sicilian cats — Nunzio, Sophia, and Luigi and they’re only grumpy when they want to eat. Thank YOU, once again, to our many supporters, our amazing vets, and, as always, the caring people who don’t turn their back on an animal in need. ~ diana
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Sketch – Found with a Severe Eye Infection
2/27/20 – Please say a prayer for Sketch who will be having his eye removed today. Last week we received an e mail from a woman who has been feeding Sketch as an outdoor stray. One day he showed up with his eye badly infected. When Sketch was just a little guy she had actually trapped him and had him neutered but now she was concerned that he needed serious medical help. She did take him, again, to a vet who recommended eye removal and that is when she contacted us. Sketch went to one of our favorite vets yesterday and they scheduled his surgery for today. The rescuers have committed to socializing Sketch and making sure he never goes back into the wild. We’ve had several serious cases over the past few weeks and any financial help you can afford would be much appreciated. – diana
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P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI . 48080
Raggedy Ann – Found with a Severe Leg Infection
/26/20 – A week ago today I received the following message:
“2 years ago a beautiful cat started coming around my work. It was winter at the time and very cold. So, I made the cat a house to stay in and eat. Well he/she is still with me at work. Last week I noticed when I pulled up in the morning that she was not there. I looked over and the house next door has a wooden fence. And I saw the cat hanging from its back-left leg. I couldn’t believe it. I took my coat off, ran over to a waitress that works next door to my office and asked her to help me. I put my coat over the cat, and she didn’t even fight me. I lifted her and the girl lifted the back leg out of the wood fence. I wasn’t thinking and I let her down. I don’t know why I did that. I guess I never thought she would be hurt. Well I watched her run off dragging her back leg. I was crushed. I don’t want to see her suffer in pain. So, every day I put out food and clean her house and haven’t seen her since until today. So, I wanted to see how her leg was and when she walked away she wasn’t dragging it anymore but she was raising it, not putting weight on it. Can you help or tell me of my options. – Cindy”
Well, the difficulty was to first trap this beautiful cat and find permanent placement if she was domesticated. If she was truly feral, options would be different. I advised the finder that if the leg needed to be amputated, I would not support her going back outside. The two of us worked to find a rescue and in the mean time Cindy was able to get her into a room in her office. Fortunately, a couple of days later, I had a meeting with a 4p1h friend who has recently opened a low cost clinic in Redford, Comfort’s Place. Debbie, the owner, agreed to pick up Raggedy Ann, we agreed to pay for all medical, and Debbie worked on finding a rescue. Fast forward to today. Raggedy Ann has been seen by a vet and her leg is so infected, it needs to be amputated. Unfortunately, because of the infection the doctor doesn’t want to do that until the infection is clear. She is now on antibiotics and pain medication. Debbie will be fostering Ann until her surgery and throughout her recovery; Ann will then be transferred to our friends at the Ferndale Cat Shelter. If anyone thinks they are interested in giving Raggedy Ann a home prior to that transfer, please let me know at: [email protected]
Please keep in mind that we have had several serious cases lately and your donations and fundraising support is critical to our ability to give these animals a second chance at life. Without the caring of Cindy, our relationship with Debbie, and your support, Raggedy Ann would have died a horrible death on the streets. – diana
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Ashy – Possibly Hit by a Car or Caught in a Car Engine
2/25/20 – This past Sunday a kind woman contacted me about a stray cat she had been feeding. The cat showed up at her door crying and her face was swollen and her nose was bloody. She was taken to the vet yesterday and was given antibiotics, pain medication, ear drops, and flea treatment. Her temperature was slightly elevated and Ashy will be seen again when she has taken about 2/3 of her medication. We don’t know if Ashy was hit by a car or maybe got caught in an engine while trying to stay warm. I’ve been told that the finders have fallen in love with her and will be giving her a forever home. We will follow up until she is fully recovered and will make sure she is spayed and vaccinated. – diana
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Otis – His Owner Died and the Family Needed to Find a Home
2/25/20 UPDATE – Otis’ follow-up heart worm test was negative. YEAH!!!
2/24/20 – This past Saturday our friend Megan of Friends of Scooby contacted me about helping Otis. Here is her message:
“Meet Otis. His life has been turned upside down this past year. He was very loved and taken care of leading up to this last year. His owner fell ill with cancer and then had a stroke. He was often overlooked. I was contacted by the family after her passing, asking if I could help place him due to his current living arrangements. He’s been here two days and he’s feeling kind of punky with goopy eyes and itchy skin. Can you help? – Megan”
Otis was taken to the vet where he received basic vaccines, had heart worm and fecal tests, had an eye wash and was given drops and antibiotics. Because his heart worm test results were questionable, he is being tested again this morning. Prayers that the test results are negative. There are so many pets who find themselves in this position when their parents die. It’s such a very sad situation and we couldn’t keep helping without your support and donations. – diana
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Blackie – Update
2/22/20 – 4 Paws 1 Heart will continue to pay for all of Blackie’s medical needs as we have done thus far during his stay at two emergency hospitals. Very often we offer to take care of medical needs in order to find a rescue who can provide the shelter and adoption opportunities. Our plans are to have Dr. Z take over Blackie’s medical care when he’s ready. Here is an update from Jayne of Michigan Animal Crew. We are very thankful for her support.- diana
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“Michigan Animal Crew is the rescue that took Blackie in. Blackie has been with me since his release from the hospital. Blackie is the quietest, calmest most gentle dog I have seen in a long time. He is missing an eye and it is clear from reviewing the injury that the eye removal was professionally done. Therefore, Blackie was an owned dog at one time. Blackie is potty and crate trained and gets along with dogs of all sizes but he is being kept separate to allow him to decompress and rest.. At this juncture, he is sleeping, eating, pooping, repeat until his injuries heal more. I caught him snoring yesterday afternoon as he was sprawled out on a huge dog bed covered in fuzzy blankets. Blackie’s injuries are worst than the photos depict (he has been attacked a lot and have many old and new wounds), a string embedded wound around his neck, missing much of his 2 ears (besides the 2 ear infections) and he still limps badly due to the shoulder and leg bites and injury. Blackie is also skinnier than the photos show but he is getting a lot of healthy food and will be fatter in no time. Remember he is heart worm positive and we will work on that once he is healthier. Will send photos when he wakes up”
2/20/20 – Blackie Update – Blackie left the hospital late this morning and is now resting quietly in a home with the president of the rescue. He is resting well but is continuing to limp and his wounds are much worse than you can see in the photos. He is very mild mannered. We will wait a week or two before starting his heart worm treatment so that he can have time to decompress. We also want to make sure that the injection method will not be too hard on his old body and heart. Thank you for your continued prayers. 4 Paws 1 Heart will continue to cover his medical until he is fully recovered. – Diana
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Joy – RIP
2/20/20 – 
I recently became aware of some very sad news, and it is with a heavy heart that I am letting those who remember her know that Joy passed away.
About 5 years ago, Joy was rescued by 2 Michigan State Troopers who responded to a call where a stray dog had been hit by a car.
It was late at night and the very compassionate troopers took her to the Emergency where I had been working.
I offered to take her into my home while she recovered and 4 paws 1 heart, helped with funding medical for her extensive injuries.
I have fostered countless animals and loved them all, but Joy was incredibly special and close to my heart..
She fit into my home and into my pack, but I knew eventually her long term care required being with someone who had the ability to allow her to thrive.
The accident left her broken. She had multiple pelvic fractures, injured knees, internal bruising, and her pain was extremely hard to control even with even the strongest meds. She couldn’t walk without being in severe pain, and she cried often. At night I layered plastic underneath her and covered her feet with my socks, wrapped her body in a blanket, and held her all until the trembling stopped. I carried her to and from work every day, took her for CT scan, knee surgery, and physical therapy.
A couple months later, the time came to give her up and my chest burned.. Not everyone understands how hard it is to pour your heart into an animal that needs you so desperately, you get them better, and then you watch them leave with the next person… The person that you trust to take over where you left off..
Joy was given a very wonderful life that she deserved, but her health took a sudden turn for the worse.
I will never ever forget her..
Rest peacefully beautiful girl. ♡
Gina
Blackie – Updates
2/19/20 – Blackie Update. Blackie was brought to Advanced Animal Emergency in the early evening (2/18/20). Our friend, Shelley Emerson, transported her and reported the following:
“Body pictures do not show his severe underweight condition; his ribs are visible.
Ears crusty and slit 2-3 inches.
Inner ears infected with puss.
Right front leg and shoulder infected, not sure if that is cause of limp.
Left eye sunken. Status not clear yet.
Summary: no idea how this sweet male has stayed alive. Doubtful he ran away from a home.
More likely dumped and became a street bait dog.
More likely 8 years old”
Dr. Stomack called last night prior to her performing surgery. She advised that, along with everything else going on with poor Blackie, he tested positive for heart worm. She wanted to make sure we wanted to continue with the proposed surgery. This came as no surprise, really, because this poor senior dog has obviously been through hell and back. There was no way I was going to back out and abandon him at this time. So, last night Blackie had surgery by the doctor whose expertise includes pain and wound care.
I spoke with Lindsey, the veterinary technician, this morning for an update. Liindsey said that Blackie ate real well this morning and is doing good. He is a very sweet elderly dog. Both of his ears were severely infected and both had lacerations that had to be surgically treated. Blackie had many old wounds on his body that had scabbed over and those were ‘shaved’. A drain tube was also inserted in his infected shoulder. Blackie’s left eye is gone. He is on steroids and antibiotics and will be able to go to a home with the draining tube today. He will go back for a re-check in 3-5 days to have the drain tube removed. Once he completes the steroids, we will assess next steps for his heart worm treatment. I’m praying that Blackie’s rescuers can find a qualified home/rescue for Blackie to be transferred to today. 4 Paws 1 Heart will continue to pay for his medical needs. I sincerely can’t imagine how Blackie has survived on the streets and I pray for every animal out there. Unfortunately, there are thousands of Blackies needing us.- diana
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2/18/20 – Blackie is now at Advanced Animal Emergency and will be going into surgery soon. Please say a prayer for him. His wounds are extensive and the cost of surgery tonight doesn’t include anything that might be wrong with his shoulder. Anything you can do to help with his surgery would be greatly appreciated. – diana
4paws1heart.org/donations/
2/18/20 – Update on Blackie. Blackie was going to be on standby for major laceration surgery. Because it could take a couple of days, I have chosen to have Blackie moved to an emergency hospital that we typically work with and where he will get more one-on-one care. He will be transported a little later today and we will hear back from the doctor there around dinner time. Thanks for your prayers for his surgery and that he might be able to live in a home. – diana
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