2/18/20 – UPDATE on Piper. You can check out Piper’s journey on our website 4paws1heart.org – just search ‘piper’. Long story short was that a wonderful young woman tried for weeks to rescue this very sweet injured girl. She required orthopedic surgery which would involve the surgical removal of the head and neck of the femur (FHO) once she was well enough. Well, she had her surgery yesterday and everything went well. Her new mom (and rescuer) picked her up this morning and she is recovering in her loving home. As many of our pet parent/followers know this surgery is not inexpensive but we believe Piper was worth it. God bless those who rescue and donate to us so that we can help those who are rescued. ~ diana
4paws1heart.org/donations/
P.S. A huge thanks to Emily, Piper’s savior and now mom, for fundraising which helped to pay for this surgery.
Monthly Archives: March 2020
Blackie – Found at a Vacant Automotive Plant After Being Attacked by a Dog
2/18/20 – Please pray for Blackie. Last night I got a call from Kimberly W. about a ‘feral’ dog who had been attacked and was taken to an emergency hospital who we no longer work with on a regular basis. His story is that he is one of many dogs who run the Mack Avenue corridor (Detroit) near the old Packard Plant, known for it’s abandonment and destruction over decades and for being the ‘home’ for many homeless people and animals. A kind woman from Warren has been feeding the dogs, including Blackie. She has known Blackie for about two years. She contacted our friend, Kimberly W., who truly is an animal angel, and told her that Blackie was attacked by other dogs and was in very bad shape. She was on her way to the emergency hospital. Thankfully, a vet tech, Lisa, who I’ve worked with in the past, contacted me once Blackie got there and was stabilized. The bottom line is that Blackie has severe new bite wounds and many old wounds that have ‘healed’ over. His ear has a gaping hole in eat from what appears to be a bite. He may have been hit by a car because his arm is very swollen. He is about 5-6 years old and the finder felt that Blackie had been a pet at one time who had either escaped or was dumped. I provided enough money last night that would cover medical until we knew more today. I talked with Lisa this morning and Blackie was given pain meds and antibiotics; his new wounds were also treated. This morning he will be assessed and will have x rays taken of his arm and possibly have a drainage tube installed. Although, his finder, said Blackie licked her hand through his muzzle and he has been kind during the years of feeding him, we really don’t know his temperament because he has been on pain meds. Hopefully, we will have more information later this morning and I will give you an update. Anyone who wants to help with Blackie’s care should donate directly to 4 paws 1 heart. Our hearts break for these animals on the streets. I pray that Blackie is one who can find a forever home and be loved for the rest of his life. – diana
4paws1heart.org/donations/
Meadow and Brooke – Fur & Eyelashes Were Growing Into Their Eyeballs
2/17/20 – Saving Cats & Kittens Rescue found a mom and her kittens, Brooke and Meadow (1st photo), born without eyelids. Fur and eyelashes were growing into their eyeballs and their eyes looked to have cataracts. Brooke was in the worse shape of the two. Brooke needed two consecutive surgeries and needed significant rounds of medication. Unfortunately, the cost of that was more than we could afford and I made a suggestion where they might find that level of assistance; fortunately, that group came through. The surgeries were done for Brooke and she is healing. The rescue now needed help for Meadow to have her much needed surgery. We were happy to provide that help. Meadow was scheduled for surgery. Anyone interested in these beauties should contact Saving Cats & Kittens who will be finding Brooke and Meadow their furever homes.- diana
4paws1heart.org/donations/
Otis – Found With a Swollen Paw, Broken Tail, an Upper Respiratory Infection, and Flea/Mites Infested
2/15/20 – On Thursday I received the following message about this little guy:
“I have found a hurt kitty on my porch. I do not believe he is anybody’s. I live in an area where apparently some people drop their cats off in the field across the road. The lady across the street stated she had seen someone do this I do not know if this is one of those cats. I do not know. We do have coyotes that have been unfortunately taking them out. This cat’s foot is swollen three times the size and his tail looks as if it could be broken; he has ear mites, a runny nose and his tail seems to only be half there. I do not know what happened or when it happened; it looks like it might could have healed. I am just worried the poor guy has an infection and I cannot keep him as my cat will not allow him to enter my house and I do not want to risk them for any sickness. He is in my pool room, as you see in the picture. I do not have much wood ready to burn for him left. Maybe overnight if I’m lucky. He needs medical attention that I am unable to afford is there anyway you could take him and please help him. Amanda”
She named the poor little guy Otis. Our dilemma was that we are not a rescue and she did not live in an area I’m familiar with. I told her if she could find him a rescue, we would pay for the medical. May God Bless this wonderful woman, after searching high and low and making many calls, she found an amazing veterinarian in a small town near Frankenmuth, who also has a rescue and a sanctuary for cats who are not adoptable. I spoke with one of the staff members and Otis was taken there that day and we paid for his medical needs. I am confident that Otis will be well taken care of. Once again, the village comes together and Otis will be safe and free from danger and the frigid temperatures. – diana
4paws1heart.org/donations/
Noel, Mack, Bentley, and Lollipop – Happy Updates
2/14/20 – 
Here are some happy updates we recently received from their loving families:
NOEL – It was around Christmas, 2015 when Noel was brought into the emergency room where Gina was working. She was dying of parvo virus. It turned out that Noel had a sibling who died of parvo but the backyard breeder still used the mom to breed. In January, 2016 she was adopted by a loving family. Unfortunately, Noel was diagnosed with Lymphoma this past year but she is getting lots of love and medical care by the beautiful people who adopted her.
MACK – It was 2015 when we were contacted about Mack. He was found on the streets and found to be positive for heart worm. Heart worm treatment is very expensive but we were happy to give Mack a second chance. Here he is today.
BENTLEY (AKA ALI) – It was 2016 when, at just 2 days old, Ali was “smashed” in a recliner. He was brought into the emergency where Gina worked and Ali’s owner surrendered him to Gina. Ali had several surgeries and trips to Michigan State Veterinary School/Hospital. Gina cared for him until he was fully recovered and then found a wonderful mom who gave us this photo the other day. Gina still visits her little Ali (aka Bentley). By the way, Gina named him Ali after Mohammed Ali who had recently died at the time.
LOLLIPOP – She was one of a number of cats who was cared for by greenhouse owners. Somehow she broke her leg and no one could afford to help her. We received a call from a rescue group we’ve helped in the past and they were able to get her and take her to one of our favorite vets. Unfortunately, she had to have her leg amputated but today she is doing great. – diana
Sara Lee – Hit By a Car
2/13/20 – Our friend, Shelley E., got a phone call about a dog hit by a car. She immediately went and picked up the dog but not before contacting me. Sara Lee was taken to one of our partner vets where she was x-rayed, tested, vaccinated and treated for fleas and worms. After spending the night at the vet, Sara Lee went to POET Rescue. Animals are saved when the village works together. ~ diana
4paws1heart.org/donations/
Lodge – Found on the Side of the Highway; Has Successful Surgery
2/12/20 UPDATE – Lodge Update. He was picked up yesterday morning and he is doing great. He is resting comfortably in a large dog crate with a low litter box. Lodge’s leg was “wired back together” and he was also neutered during the surgery. Lodge is negative for fiv/felv; he was also vaccinated and dewormed. As his rescuer, Thomas, said “Lodge is a wonderful cat. Very Friendly. His 6-8 week road to recovery starts today.”. Lodge is in very good hands with a very loving man. Please keep in mind that without the financial support of our friends, animals like Lodge would be euthanized. The average rescuer could never afford to pay for some of the medical needs we come across. Maybe for Valentine’s Day, instead of giving your Valentine candy or flowers, you can make a donation to help the many abandoned and abused animals who need your help. Thank You – diana
4paws1heart.org/donations/
2/11/20 – Please send a prayer and some positive energy for Lodge. Remember, he is the little guy that was rescued from the side of the Lodge Freeway in Detroit, unable to walk. He is having surgery this morning with one of the best, Dr. Zalac, of Orion Animal Hospital. Lodge has been doing good since seeing Dr. Z last week. He has been eating and drinking and, very importantly, moving his bowels on his own. I am so glad that we didn’t take the first doctor’s recommendation to euthanize and had Lodge seen by Dr. Z who saw something different than the first vet. As in the human world, it always pays to question and thankfully, Thomas, the rescuer did just that. And, thankfully, we were able to pay for not only a second opinion but surgery. Thank you for your donations which make this possible. ~ diana
4paws1heart.org/donations/
P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
Joy – Attacked by Two Dogs – Found Heart Worm Positive and With Tumors
2/10/20 – Late last month a woman witnessed 2 dogs attacking another dog. Her boyfriend was able to scare the 2 dogs away and the dog being attacked, Joy, ran under a bush on their property, injured. The couple was too scared to handle a stray dog with injuries so they reached out to Make A Difference Rescue.
Joy was used for breeding, she had sagging nipples and her coat was in bad shape. She had bite wounds around her neck and ears and was just exhausted from the attack. The rescue got her to their vet where she was found to have several medical problems. First she’s heart worm positive, second she needs to be spayed, and third she has tumors on her paw that have to be removed and biopsied. And on top of all of that, she is between 8-9 years old. Our friend at the rescue told us that she is “about as sweet as they come”. The first priority is addressing the heart worm so we were contacted to see if we could help with that. We were happy to take care of that for this very sweet and abused animal.- diana
4paws1heart.org/donations/