12/15/24 – This pup was found in an abandoned garage around the end of October. He was malnourished, with a wounded toe and scars on his legs. The rescuer contacted us for help and we have authorized Diego to be seen and treated for his injured foot along with vaccines heartworm testing and neutering.
Often times dumped animals like Diego never knew love, but I’m sure his rescuer will make sure he finds an amazing home. His face says it all. https://4paws1heart.org/donations/
12/14/2024 An early Christmas story that I could not wait to share! This 14-year old girl named Cocoa Bean was living her life on a chain, tied to a tree, until someone cared enough to make a difference.
A kind, compassionate animal lover, Rachel, noticed Cocoa Bean when she would be driving to and from work every day. Finally, when Rachel saw that nothing changed, she contacted the authorities and a warrant was issued by a State Trooper to remove Cocoa Bean from the premises. She was taken to Detroit Animal Control Shelter where they assessed her condition, began necessary treatments, and made sure the owner would be charged with abuse and neglect. Rachel then contacted me about this old girl being at the shelter and told me the story behind her. I started making phone calls to my contacts and a long-time friend and supporter of 4 paws 1 Heart, Dinah B, said that she would adopt Cocoa if needed. We first met Dinah when she and her husband adopted Ruby Slippers (read her story on our website), a dog in very similar conditions who was rescued by me and my husband in 2011. Dinah was open to helping Cocoa Bean if I could pull her from the Detroit Animal Control. With that assurance the next step was going to the shelter.
On Halloween, my husband, me, and Rachel met at the shelter and Cocoa Bean was released. Then Cocoa Bean was taken to Moore Veterinary Hospital in St. Clair Shores and 4 paws 1 heart took over her follow up medical needs which involved a bladder infection, a skin condition, intestinal parasites, and she was malnourished with severe arthritis. The first thing I did was give her a nice warm bath, and the filth ran off of her old, brittle body. You could see in her eyes and feel in your heart that she was broken, defeated, depressed, tired, and had given up.
I cooked a huge batch of chicken and rice and another long-time friend and supporter, Rebecca Booth, donated a ‘ton’ of wet food. At that point I put a plan in place to get Cocoa Bean into a permanent, loving home. Before she could get to Dinah, one of our Board members, Dee G., told me that she knew someone ready to rescue and adopt another senior dog. This person’s home was quiet, safe, ready, and perfect for Cocoa Bean. Just after Thanksgiving, we made it official – Cocoa Bean went to her new loving, furever home with Nancy and, in keeping with getting a fresh, new start, she was given a new name –JoJo. JoJo loves her new life with Nancy.
She enjoys cheese, looking at her reflection in the stove, playing with the neighbor’s dog, and she knows her new name. Her fur has grown in, her skin and coat looks great, the infections are gone, parasites treated, she’s put on some weight, and she has expression on her face.
JoJo will spend her first Christmas ever in a warm, loving home because a village came together – Rachel, the caring State Trooper, Detroit Animal Control, Dinah B., Rebecca B., Moore Veterinary Hospital, Dee G., 4 Paws 1 Heart, and her new mommy Nancy.
The message here is to speak up, advocate, and be the voice of change. Never underestimate the power of compassion. It takes a Village. When we come together, we can all make a difference. – Gina MERRY CHRISTMAS
12/12/24 – We received a call from one of our friends at Orion Animal Hospital asking if we could help with Hippo’s surgery. The rescue who saved his life had received donations. but not enough to schedule the surgery. We were thankful to pay what was needed to get Hippo’s recovery started.
Here is his story as provided by the rescue, Purrs Abound Siamese Rescue of Michigan: “For those who don’t know Hippo, this sweet soul came from local animal control where he had been taken after being found living in a hot garage with many other dogs. This poor guy has significant issues with his upper airways due to his breed, and he has already had his nasal passages widened to help him out.
He will go in to our friends at Orion Animal Hospital to have a palate revision done to hopefully make his breathing a little easier. The surgery itself will be quick, but the recovery is risky and can come with complications.” Hippo had his surgery December 4. He has been with Courtney from Orion Animal Hospital and will continue to be fostered by her until he is either ready for adoption or is adopted.
His surgery went well and he’s getting lots of love at Camp Chisholm (as Courtney call her lovely safe house). – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080
12/8/24 – I got to meet this sweet girl who was found 2 weeks ago in Detroit freezing and wet.
No owner has been found and she needed a basic exam and check up. We got her started on her vaccines, deworming, and parasite check. Her rescuer was very nice and Sophie warmed up with treats pretty quickly.
We were happy to help get her some protection against Parvo, Leptospirosis, and Parasites. https://4paws1heart.org/donations/
11/26/24 – I’ve often talked about the value of the ‘Village’ and once again we were thankful to be there when this handsome dude needed just a little bit more funding to get him his recent surgery. 4 Paws 1 Heart is very proud of the partnership we’ve had with Orion Animal Hospital and the amazing doctors, veterinary technicians, and supporting staff. When we’ve needed advice or a quick appointment, they have always been there. And, sometimes when an abandoned or stray animal came to their doors or one of the staff members came across a stray/shelter animal needing help, we were happy to reciprocate with funding the medical. This is Hippo’s story from the rescue, Purrs Abound Siamese Rescue of Michigan, Inc.:
“11-12-24 Hippo the Siamese Dog checking in! As you know, we pulled a handsome little House Hippo from the Oakland County shelter just a couple weeks ago with the help of our amazing foster, Courtney. Hippo has completed a two week quarantine and was able to visit our friends at Orion Animal Hospital yesterday for his airway issues.
Hippo had his nares widened while still at the shelter, and he now needs a palate resection to complete his airway care. Unfortunately, this is common with brachycephalic breeds, and he will eventually be in search of a home with experience and understanding of his needs to keep him safe. On top of this, he also has some allergy issues requiring Cytopoint injections which were started today. This may be an ongoing issue that he will need monthly injections for – time will tell! Hippo is scheduled for surgery the first week of December. Once recovered, Hippo will be on his search for a forever family. We can’t wait to see him feeling the best he can feel!”
As an additional note, Courtney, who is mentioned here, is a team member at Orion Animal Hospital. I’m proud to say that we’ve developed a very special relationship with the entire staff as well as Dr. Zalac and Dr. Blasses when it comes to working together to make a difference in the lives of those animals who have been abandoned. We may be assisting Hippo a little more in the future before he gets adopted, but word is that he is well worth it. – diana
https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080
11/21/24 -Bruce came to someone’s door, very underweight and with his rear left leg partially cut off and bleeding at the hock. It’s unknown who or what did that to him; the photo is too graphic to post. Streethearts Animal Rescue got the call and rushed him to OVRS where they treated him overnight then then he was transferred to another clinic for complete amputation. Unfortunately, during the medical process, Bruce was found to be heart worm positive. Streethearts asked if we could cover his heart worm treatment and we said ‘yes’.
Bruce is estimated to be about 5 years old and everyone who has met him, loves him. Once recovered he will be looking for his furever home but for now he is being fostered by the veterinary technician who assisted at OVRS when Bruce was first brought in.
He will be starting his heart worm injections December 19, 2024. We continue to thank our donors who make all of this possible.
Diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ P.O. Box 84, St. clair Shores, MI. 48080
11/18/24 – Coco is one of 4 dogs who were potentially going to be surrendered to a shelter due to a divorce. A friend of Courtney’s (whom we’ve assisted in rescue in the past) agreed to take in Coco but needed our assistance with vetting.
We are not sure if Coco is spayed but we will make sure that she is. Coco will also be tested for heartworm and be vaccinated for distemper and rabies.
She will be ready for a new life because of caring people and our generous donors. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
11/13/24 – This is the second case that we would not have been able to significantly help without the donation from our amazing supporter. *Meet King, a Miraculous Survivor* who was rescued by our friends at Make A Difference Rescue.
King, is an 11-month-old puppy. He was abandoned outside after being deemed too big. His harsh solitude ended when he was rescued but the journey was just beginning. Initial vet checks revealed the need for neutering and vaccinations, but unforeseen complications arose. King’s health took a dire turn, vomiting a brown liquid, leading the rescue to rush him to the vet. X-rays exposed bone fragments lodged in his intestinal tract, requiring emergency surgery.
The bill was significant and we are thankful we could help with some of the bill and also very grateful that King was rescued in time, saving him from a tragic fate. This sweet boy endured unimaginable hardship in just 11 months. His story highlights the plight of discarded pets. UPDATE: After undergoing intense surgery yesterday to remove the lodged bone from his intestines, King remains under observation.
Thank you to Make a Difference Rescue and to our generous donors for truly making a difference. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/
11/12/24 – We were contacted by a volunteer for a local rescue and the coordinator for a municipal shelter regarding a dog, Bo, who was found on the streets and taken into the shelter but his eyes needed medical attention.
The coordinator found a family to adopt Bo and they promised to have his eyes treated but when they found out the cost, they brought him back to the shelter. Both the shelter and the local rescue did not have funds to cover what turns out to be surgery for entropion of both eyes. We were contacted for help. Thankfully, we are able to help Bo and he will have his surgery at Orion Animal Hospital.
As we’ve discussed several times, without treatment, this condition is very painful and an animal will go blind if surgery is not performed. Prayers for a successful surgery and that Bo finds his furever loving home. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/
10/10/24 – Her finders believe she was thrown out of a car. She sat in the front of a house for 10 hours while the homeowners tried to find her owner.
She was taken in by a kind woman whose daughter has fallen in love and we were thankful to have Sweetie seen by one of our partner veterinary clinics, Five Mile Animal Hospital. Sweetie tested negative for any diseases and will start her vaccines in two weeks.
A huge thanks to those who responded to a call for help for this very sweet puppy. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/
