8/8/25 Update: I love updates like this. Gracie is the girl who was on our newsfeed for a few months as she recovered from her injuries after being found unresponsive in the street. She was in shock from severe bite wounds after being attacked by dogs. I ended up taking Gracie under my wing to manage her medical with fostering help from Jude and Phil. It took some time but it was worth the wait. Gracie landed with a friend who ADORES HER. She sends me updates all the time. Here is the most recent:
“I want you to know that Miss Gracie is shiny, lean, fit, rambunctious, silly and very dear. She is trim, a better walker, a sweetheart, and has filled my void to the brim. It is a match sent from heaven.” -Dinah
4/13/25. People have been asking about “Miss Gracie” so I thought I’d update! She is doing AMAZING in her foster home playing, happy, loving the yard, learning, enjoying her new fur friends, and getting unconditional love and structure. She is ready for a HOME!
4 Paws 1 Heart is NOT a rescue or associated with placement. All medical which came to around $5,000 was covered by our organization. Emergency care adds up fast and she was very critical.
Please consider donating if you can, so that we can continue to help more cats and dogs who need us. https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ If you want more information about Gracie please email gina.4paws1heart@gmail.com.
7/28/25: Allie and Jax came from heartbreaking circumstances. Allie was nearly hit by a car when she ran into the road, chased by kids claiming she belonged to their mom. When the woman got home, she yelled that she hoped the dog would get hit—then grabbed the dog by the head and tried to throw her. Thankfully, a kind passerby stepped in and took Allie to safety.
We stepped in to cover spay/neuter surgeries to give both dogs a chance at a better life. Jax, the male on the right, is still looking for a forever home. If you’re interested in helping, we can connect you with the rescuer. None of this would be possible without your support.
7/22/25: It was a Friday when I received a call about a little dog who had a descemetocele ulcer which is a serious type of deep corneal ulcer that can lead to the eye rupture or vision loss if not treated promptly. The family wanted to surrender him because they could not look at him if he had to lose an eye, so the following Monday they signed him over with all of his belongings after having him for 3 years.
This is not something that I typically do, but I honestly didn’t think they were going to follow through. The paperwork was signed and I took Fluffy to a cage. He was crying so loud, you could hear him throughout the entire hospital for 3 hours. I took him home and treated his eye aggressively for 2 weeks but it was too far gone and it ruptured. The doctor surgically removed the eye that day and Fluffy recovered really well, physically.
Emotionally, my husband and I watched this little dog completely shut down and look for his family for over two months. I have never seen a dog with a heart so broken 💔 There was absolutely no way that we could break his heart again. EVER. My husband and I didn’t really even talk about it, we just had a silent understanding that Fluffy wasn’t going anywhere.
I see a lot happen and I put a lot of broken animals back together but this one was a little bit different because I have never seen a dog go through such depression.
I encourage anyone who considers surrendering a dog to please explore all possible options before doing so, because it can be very damaging.
Eventually, Fluffy knew he was safe and his family wasn’t coming back. He made best friends with his current siblings and he is attached to both my husband, and I. He brings so much joy to our life and we adore him. It still chokes me up every time I think about how shattered he was. 4 Paws 1 Heart gave Fluffy a second chance by paying for his medical. If this organization did not exist, we don’t know where a lot of these animals would be today.
7/20/25: Lawa is with Make A Difference Rescue. “She was rescued from a life outdoors where she was used for breeding – her ears raw and bleeding from flies, her fur caked in layers of dirt, and her spirit still somehow intact. Her exam revealed a hanging tooth with exposed nerves likely from trying to defend herself, old wounds on her body, hip dysplasia, and Heartworm Disease positive.”
The rescue is looking for a foster. We helped with the funding towards the medical bills for Lawa because it is more important now than it ever has been to work together in this world of rescue because of the endless need and countless neglected animals. This girl is safe now.
If you would like to help Seal and others like him please donate today.
6/21/25 UPDATE: Seal has been through more than most dogs I know and he still remains the sweetest, most affectionate gentleman. He started with emaciation, wounds, a bullet, and Heartworm Disease. He gained weight, started Heartworm treatment and then became neurological and began regurgitating.
He needed exploratory surgery at Emergency to remove the bullet that was embedded in the lining of his stomach nearly causing perforation. They saved his life. He finally recovered from that, put weight back on, belly incision looks good and he had his final 2 injections for Heartworm treatment this week.
Seal began regurgitating again, likely having a reaction to the treatment or the combination of meds along with still having a head tilt and dizziness. Here we are into June and I pray he is over the hump and able to live a happy life from here on out.
Here he is napping with foster mom and amazing Vet Tech, Trisha Petersen ♡
The medical for Seal has been extensive but we never gave up.
If you would like to help Seal and others like him please donate today.
Your Monetary Gift = Their Second Chance
6/12/25 UPDATE: I’m sorry it took so long but we were waiting on the lab results. The gastrotomy surgery to remove the bullet was under two weeks ago and the report from Michigan State just came back that there is no metal toxicity.
We are unsure why he still has a head tilt and he is slightly off balance, but the regurgitation it has stopped. He has put weight back on and he is HAPPY!
We are so grateful for Dr. Maria at Advanced Animal Emergency for saving his life. Now we have to move forward with the heartworm treatment. He has two injections left and he is scheduled to have them done next week. Please keep Seal in your prayers as the treatments are major on a dog, but necessary. He has been through a lot and he will still need a home.
Here he is the other day playing with his foster friends. If you would like to help us with the medical for Seal you can donate at our link below.
Your Monetary Gift = Their Second Chance
6/3/25 UPDATE- Seal is recovering from exploratory surgery. He had a gastrotomy which means they went into his stomach to look for foreign material. A fragment that resembled a bullet kept appearing on his Radiographs and Seal was showing neurologic symptoms (Nystagmus, ataxia, and regurgitation).
The doctor was able to remove the object from the stomach. It had caused damage to the lining where there was an ulcer that formed.
I just called to check on Seal and he is stable and resting comfortably. We are awaiting the test at Michigan State to determine if the object contained a type of metal causing toxicity in his bloodstream. That could take several more days, but we could not wait and risk his stomach perforating, or sepsis.
Right now, we are incredibly grateful for Advanced Animal Emergency, the staff, and especially Dr Maria Rivera for saving Seal. They understood the urgency of the situation, and they treated a stray homeless dog with compassion because his life matters. His foster mom and I are hoping to pick him up this evening.
5/18/25 HEARTWORM TREATMENT HAS BEGUN- On April 16th, we posted the story about “Seal”, a dog that was found with a gunshot wound, emaciated, heartworm positive, and the SWEETEST BOY EVER.
My co-worker took him home and has been fostering him until he gets through his Heartworm treatment. The 1st of 3 injections was started 2 days ago which is why his back is shaved. It’s an injection that goes deep in his back muscle. He is an older guy and he needs a forever place to call HOME.
Seal gets along with everyone he meets including other dogs. If you would like to make a donation towards his heartworm treatment, upcoming neuter, and tale amputation, we would be so grateful. Also please share to help him find a home he so desperately deserves.
Seal, the Emaciated Puppy
4/16/25 Here are some pics of the emaciated pup that I posted in the video earlier this morning. Seal is thriving, yet he has a LONG way to go with treatment for Heartworm Disease, standard vetting, and other medical issues his doctors at Moore Veterinary Hospital are trying to figure out. His joints are swollen, he has a bullet lodged in his chest, he has skin issues, and he may have diabetes insipidus.
Sweet happy Seal obviously went a VERY long time neglected and now here we are trying to pick up the pieces. His foster mamma Trisha Petersen loves him and she is giving him the BEST chance possible.
Please donate if you can and your donation will go to “Seal”. I’ll post a video of his adorable Seal sounding song bark. https://4paws1heart.org/donations/
6/7/25: Dejango was found alone in his home with his owner who had passed away. There was no family, no friends, or anyone nearby who could help. The Veterinary hospital who took care of this long-time client and pet, stepped up and took Dejango under their wing providing shelter, food, and a safe place.
He was also a 90-pound dog who could not live in a cage. He needed a home, and he was behind on shots, neutering and standard care. The staff at Groesbeck Animal Hospital did NOT want to see him wind up at a shelter or worse yet, euthanized due to lack of space.
One of the staff members reached out to 4 Paws 1 Heart asking if we would back his medical which would give him the best opportunity while they tried to network finding him a forever home.
WE SAID YES and I am happy to say that shortly afterward they found him a home! Dejango LOVES his new family, and he is thriving!!!It It is heartwarming to see people come together in times of tragedy. His owner can rest peacefully knowing that his best friend was given a chance.
5/29/25 – A caring and compassionate animal control officer asked if we would help save this guy from euthanasia. He was dumped with an old fracture injury that was never treated properly. His front leg had a plate and broken pins which left him unable to bend or use the leg. We agreed to cover the cost of surgery to give Archie a chance to live. Amputation was scheduled but the veterinarian was able to replace the hardware with a fresh plate and pins allowing “Archie” a chance to recover and learn how to use the leg again. He is currently with a rescue group while looking for a forever home. Archie is proof that donations save lives.
5/21/25: On May 8th we were contacted about a husky that was seen hit by a car on the expressway. The good Samaritans and some bystanders were able to get the dog in the car and transported over to emergency where she was diagnosed with a fractured femur.
Estimates were from $2500-$5000 for surgical repair which was not something they could afford. We offered to help with a portion of the cost so that Sheba could have a chance.
She is about 1 year old and they are looking for a permanent home once she is fully healed.
5/12/25 UPDATE: Sophie is doing great and all of the puppies are ready to go or already in their forever homes! Thank you to our 4 Paws 1 Heart supporters for helping us make a difference in so many lives!
Sophie Had Her Seven Babies
1/18/25 – It was 11/30/24 when we were contacted about Sophie. She was rescued while on the streets in the freezing rain. Her rescuer, Kelly, estimated her to be about 1 year old. Sophie was seen at our partner veterinary clinic, Five Mile Animal Hospital, Unfortunately, Sophie was pregnant but thankfully, Kelly was willing to make sure Sophie had her babies while in her care and she would foster the family until everyone could be fully vetted and adopted out. We committed to finishing Sophie’s medical when appropriate and making sure the babies were vaccinated and neutered/spayed when of age.
Today, Sophie had her babies!! SEVEN!! Rosie is being a great mom and I’m sure that these photos will melt your hearts on this very soon to be frigid day. – diana
4/23/25 Her first toy, first bath, first time in a house, first time watching tv, rolling in the grass and having chew toys. Lady and her sibling lived their entire life in a cage outside because they were used for rabbit hunting. Lady was fortunate to have a 2nd chance, and we are happy to help with her new beginning that she desperately deserves. She has an appointment on May 1st, 2025, for her surgery. Here is the email I received and if you would like to donate towards Lady here is the link. https://4paws1heart.org/donations/
Hi Gina, my names Nicole and I’m reaching out to you about a Beagle I rescued last week. My brother called me and told me about a friend at work that was moving and had outdoor rabbit hunting beagles he needed to find a home for or they’d have to go to the pound. He ended up putting one to sleep because she had huge mammary tumors. I took the other one. She is 11 years old, has never been in the house. I’ve had her since last Tuesday. She’s absolutely the sweetest thing and is so grateful to be inside. Wednesday I took her in for a heartworm test and it was negative (thank God) and she got a steroid for a skin infection. She also has several mammary tumors but they’re smaller. The vet at all about animals that seen her said there’s a 50/50 chance if they’re cancerous or not. She is not spayed. I’m having a hard time finding somewhere to spay her that isn’t $600+ because of her age, and I absolutely cannot afford that unfortunately. I’m also worried about pyometra because with her age, if she got it I’d probably end up having to put her to sleep. I’m just trying to give her the best life possible for however long she might have left. Thank you so much for your time and all that you do to help all the babies that you can! I’ve attached some pics of her and a video of her seeing a TV for the first time ever, which is funny and so sad at the same time.
