1/11/21 – These little sweethearts wandered up from the Flint River to the home of a kind woman who is willing to give them a furever home but is unable to to have them spayed/neutered, tested, and vaccinated. Unfortunately, like so many others at this time, the homeowner was a server in a restaurant that hasn’t been open. Of course, we are thankful to have been contacted and to have the funds to make this union happen. Ash and Sammy are scheduled to get the works at the end of the month. – diana

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1/9/21 – I was first contacted about Sadie and her buddy, Gizmo in July, 2020. Their owners moved to Florida and left them behind in their home. It was difficult to get them into a vet because of the shut downs and backlogs but a doctor who has since retired got them in and took care of their immediate needs to be tested and vaccinated before going to a foster home. The other day I received the following message from Marci who was involved in the July rescue:

“She’s almost unforgettable, she’s so fat.

You helped me with her and a male named Gizmo. Their owners had gone to Florida, then decided to live in Florida for good. They didn’t want the cats. The new people moving into the house didn’t want them either, but had been leaving food & water for them. She said that’s when Sadie got so fat. Poor cat probably wasn’t sure if she’d get another meal. You covered their exams and vaccinations at Rakestraw. Both cats were already spayed/neutered. As I have a full basement, I took them in. Gizmo comes upstairs to roam around but Sadie hasn’t yet. She’ll sit on the landing thinking it over, then head back down. I haven’t done very well with getting her to lose some of that weight. She’s not a fan of laser pointers or toys. She’s my work in progress. ” She gave herself a hematoma. I have flushed her ears and, if it was from ear mites, I cannot tell. I am also treating with ointment. Do you ever cover the cost of surgery to fix ear hematomas? I understand that it rarely resolves on its own. – Marci”

Sadie has her surgery appointment scheduled for next Wednesday. The first photo is Sadie now. The next two are Sadie when she and Gizmo were rescued. Gizmo has been doing great in the home; as Marci said, Sadie is still reluctant. Far too many people believe that cats are not social creatures. They believe it’s ok to leave cats alone for days or forever. But just because some cats choose when to hang out with humans doesn’t mean they are not social animals. It is so very sad when an owner abandons their cats and they wind up living without any human interaction when they’ve been used to it. Praying that Sadie’s surgery goes well and that she can lose some weight. She may, in fact, be more social if her ear isn’t hurting any more. What we know for sure is that she is being loved and cared for. – diana

1/6/2021 – Snow and Rico are so close they caught each other’s upper respiratory infections. Snow was originally found dying on the side of the road. The 19 year old son of the person who contacted us had been running and saw the cat who was obviously struggling and very sick. He brought the cat, Snow, home and the family contacted us to help. Snow was seen for a severe upper respiratory infection and was given several medications. There was a serious concern that she could lose one eye and eyesight in the other. Her ears and eyes needed treatment and she needed treatment for roundworm. And, as much as the family tried keeping Snow and Rico apart, eventually Rico (who had been born to a stray female and was rescued earlier) found his way to Snow and caught her infection. With Snow not fully recovered and Rico catching the infection, we were again contacted for help and everyone was again treated Finally with much love and care everyone is now healthy and were ready for their full vet visit in December. Everyone is now tested (negative), vaccinated, and spayed/neutered. And I just heard that Snow and Rico are doing great doing great. The rescue family is very appreciative. Because of losing their family business and their work statuses being uknown at this time, the family would not have been able to save these beauties without our help. It truly takes a village. – diana

4paws1heart.org/donations/

1/5/21 – Big day today for our little Pecan!!! She has one eye left, and as you all know saving it has been our goal. Unfortunately, an appointment with the Eye Specialist is several weeks away because they are very busy. In the meantime, we have been fortunate enough to receive professional advice from our doctors at Moore Veterinary Hospital and Dr. Z of Lake Orion who handles lots of eye cases. Dr. Wright has also chimed in with her helpful experience. ♡ It takes a village!

Over the last few days the eye formed what looks like the start of an ulcer. One of the eye drops recommended in this kind of case requires a procedure of a blood draw using the serum spun down from the blood.. It can be frozen to last longer, but since Pecan is so small we needed a healthy adult kitty.

The hospital mascot “Maizey” over at Moore (beautiful long hair calico), donated the blood needed for Pecan. Our skilled tech Julie and assistant Tracey both did an awesome job getting 15mls of blood without needing full sedation!

This may significantly help to save the remaining eye, heal it faster, and reach our goal of saving any vision we can!!!! ♡

Huge thank you to foster mommy and Daddy Dee and Rick♡

I looked up the meaning of the name Maize and found it very fitting. ♡ Gina