10/27/13: OMG – Look at how big our baby is getting??? We love you Snickers!!! xox ~ Aunt Di
10/26/13: FINALLY SATURDAY IS HERE!! Meet Pips and Jax who were brought into the Emergency last week. You can check them out at www.providingforpaws.org
10/25/13: As we’ve told our supporters so many times, as long as 4 Paws 1 Heart has the money, we will never turn down a request to spay or neuter a dog or cat rescued by a good samaritan. Here is the story of Mummee who we were happy to help with spaying, vaccinations, and de-worming. We wish her the very best in finding that forever, loving home. A big thank you to Patterson Veterinary for working with 4P1H. ~ diana
“This is Sweet-Mummee, abused and abandoned as a kitten… she had 2 litters of kittens back to back. By the grace of God, she wasn’t pregnant for the third time. She was extremely underweight when she was captured with her 5 kittens. Now, 2 months later her kittens are all in foster-to-adopt situations and Sweet-Mummee is on the mend. No longer can you see her pelvic bones, and her stool is coming back to the right color, due to rapid weight loss in the past.
When a door is opened this sweet child gets a worried look … Looking at her face, it’s easy to see she is saying; “please don’t throw me outside again”, and at that she runs away from the opened door. For such a young and petite little girl, she has an old soul… When picked up, she purrs like a roaring engine to show her love and appreciation. She is greatly loved, and will require a family that will love and worship her. She prefers NOT to ever have her food bowl empty and enjoys a large water bowl. It’s pure joy watching this child give herself a bath.”
10/23/13Our little Dewey keeps on fighting day by day to recover from his surgery. I am so happy to report that as of this morning he was doing much better! Please remember that he is on some pretty good post op pain medication in this video. ♥♥ gina
10/24/2013 – DEWEY: Unfortunately, although Dewey is holding his own it still is not clear whether he will be able to get through this very serious operation. He is eating and drinking on his own but he can’t seem to balance himself. Please continue your prayers and positive energy for the very sweet boy.
10/23/13: Dewey would like to wish a good morning to everyone.. He is still in recovery from his major operation on Sunday night. Thank u for all your prayers. We feel good that he is doing slightly better every day.. Again, we couldn’t have saved his life without our amazing Dr. Lutz and Dr. Maria.. gina♥♥
10/22/13 UPDATES:
1) Our little puppy who was thrown out of a car is now in a wonderful foster home with other little puppies and will be found a loving home through our friends at Home Fur-Ever Rescue. We received many e-mails on this guy, now named Boston, so if anyone is interested in adopting once he is available, please go to Home Fur-Ever’s facebook page.
2) We still need furever, loving homes for our little felines, Oreo and Spooky (formerly known as Sebastian). Both little guys are very lovable and would make a wonderful family members. Check out their stories on our page and if anyone is interested, please contact Gina or me. [email protected] or [email protected].
3) Our little Dewey still needs your prayers. He is not in the clear just yet. Gina is with him tonight and will let us know how he’s doing.
THIS IS THE BEGINNING – PART II: “THE GREATNESS OF A NATION AND ITS MORAL PROGRESS CAN BE JUDGED BY THE WAY ITS ANIMALS ARE TREATED” – MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI
What do you think should be done with cats who are found on the streets? First let me explain in somewhat simple terms how cats are defined– understanding that nothing is black or white. An example to this is our Sophia who would have been defined as feral because she was on the streets for 10 months living with her mom and brother and fearful of people (taught well by her mother). Had we trapped her and took her to the shelter, she would have been euthanized as a feral. But we were ‘stupid’ (?) then and brought her into our home. Today she is loving, can’t wait for her belly rubs, and never misses the opportunity to be with us.
Cats found on the streets may be considered either feral or domesticated. A feral cat is one who was born and bred on the streets and is usually fearful of humans. A domesticated cat is usually one who did have a family and either was abandoned or became lost. A kitten born by a feral mother is not necessarily feral until it’s been taught by its mom. If the kitten is taken in early enough after weaning they can be very domesticated. And if a family is patient enough, even those who start off being feral may be domesticated – as did our Sophia and Nunzio.
Cats are the most euthanized in the shelters because of over population which is a result of: 1) too many owners who fail to spay and neuter and also believe that cats (even their domesticated cat) should be let outdoors; and 2) the lack of communities who recognize the need to fund and allow managed cat colonies. Today, the majority of communities rely on euthanizing outdoor cats to reduce the cat population — as if the cats were cockroaches instead of loving, beautiful creatures. Many studies have proven that killing does very little to reduce the population of outdoor cats and it is not only inhumane but a costly strategy. Only by spaying/neutering and vaccinating can the cat population be controlled and reduced.
10/18/13: So Back to My Original Question – What should be done with outdoor cats who are found on the streets? Today, here is what is done in the many communities who do not allow cat colonies/free roaming animals. The cat is either brought into the shelter by a good samaritan (the person thinks they’re doing the right thing because they really just don’t know any better) or by an animal control officer. If the cat appears to be feral, it will be euthanized — in reality, what else is there to do with a truly feral animal? Either allow him to live in nature, find a family who might be able to domesticate him (nearly impossible when even the domesticated cats have problems being adopted), or kill him. If the cat appears to be domesticated, she may be held according to the stay laws of a community (just in case there is an owner) and then, more than likely, killed. Some people may think these actions are better than allowing an animal to roam the streets where they can be tortured, preyed upon, hit by cars, etc. But what do you think?
The solution, once again, is in your hands. If you truly want to make this a better place for you, your children, and your grandchildren, take these issues to heart and let’s become a well-informed and involved society. Thank You ~ diana
10/21/13 – I’M IN LOVE WITH SEBASTIAN (now named Spooky) BUT….Gina brought over Spooky this afternoon and what a little Loverbug. He spent two hours on either my shoulder, in my arms, or on a blanket being petted by me. His markings are unbelievable and he loves other animals. PLEASE SHARE, we need to find this sweetheart a home. ~ Diana
10/21/13 Dewey Update: He just got out of surgery about an hour ago (1:30 am) and he was waking up when I left.. Dr. Maddy Lutz came in on her own time and did an unbelievable job! His liver was adhesion to his heart and his diaphragm had a huge hole in it. The doctor literally had his heart in her hands and surgically dissected the abnormal tissue away from it, and because his chest was opened this surgery requires someone to breath for him until the chest is closed. This was a very risky surgery especially on a tiny 11 week old kitten, and these were congenital deformities. Dewey is truly a “miracle”, and I’m so honored we are able to give him this chance at life. The next 48 hours of recovery are very critical, so please keep prayers going for him. Again, thank you Dr. Lutz for doing this surgery and Dr. Maria Rivera for helping. You are the best! If he makes it through this he will make a very special addition to someones family:) This pic was just before he went into surgery. Gina
10/19/13: Dewey needs your prayers. It was discovered today that he has a hole in his diaphragm. This means he will need surgery to repair the hole. The diaphragm acts as a wall to separate your abdominal cavity and thoracic cavity. Dewey is stable at this time. Once I know more I’ll post an update. Gina