Category Archives: Miscellaneous

More Prayers Needed for Asher

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8/16/24 Asher update. For everyone following his story and my posts, I want to let you know the swelling around his elbow was an abscess. It ruptured around 1am Wednesday morning and fortunately I was able to get him seen as an emergency. Thank you Moore Veterinary Hospital especially Dr. Henry, LVT Trisha, and all who assisted yesterday.

Asher lost a large portion of skin from his elbow down and this will hopefully heal without a soft tissue surgeon specialist. The staff are doing wet to dry bandages daily and he is on meds for pain.

We added in a special ordered antibiotic for broader spectrum coverage. This poor guy has been on antibiotics for 1 month already! We don’t know the cause of this abscess and we won’t know how he will do until we take it day to day. As much skin as possible was closed. Please keep prayers going and please send in a donation if you can. https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ Gina Asher is 13 weeks old and he has been through so much.

Animals choose to come into our lives.

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8/5/24 – My sister shared this and I thought our many supporters might appreciate it. – diana Https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

“Animals choose to come into our lives. They are part of our karma and we are part of theirs. Sometimes they are found “abandoned” or wandering, in the middle of a road or in danger in the heart of the night; other times they are found at the front door of the house, as sent by fate; other times they arrive from loved ones, neighbors or strangers.

Animals were already in our karma at least. In this life, as in the others. According to Brian Weiss, the same animal often incarnates itself several times during our lifetime, simply changing shape and coat, and being recognized by small gestures, details and subtle habits. This is clearly seen with cats.

When a “new” animal enters our house and knows exactly where to go, it’s a sign that it simply says back. Many people, at the moment of death, receive the soothing vision not of a deceased relative, but rather of an animal. This means a lot. Because for our soul there is no difference between one species and another.

Animals are in our evolutionary path just like we are in theirs, for this reason we must respect them as sacred creatures and take the greatest care of them. They are part of us, in a different form of the universe.”

— Lionel Dupont

Mission of 4 Paws 1 Heart

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7/9/24 – The mission of 4 Paws 1 Heart is “To reduce the number of homeless animals by funding medical treatment for stray, abused, and abandoned companion animals.” Many on our Board take our mission one step further by assisting in adoption of animals we assist. Our Board member and Vice President, Gina DeLuca Jenio, is a licensed veterinary technician at Moore Veterinary. Gina will assist with getting stray animals into that vet, rescuing and finding lost animals, and very often fostering. Cynthia Wojtowycz coordinates our Petfinder site which is used to help independent rescuers of animals we help to find an adopter; she also rescues hospice and elderly cats and fosters independently. Many know Denise Najera,A Second Chance Chance and foster mom to special needs cats whom 4 Paws 1 Heart has helped medically and also created and coordinates a cat food pantry to help the elderly and those who care for colonies. And, Dee Gudenau, who created and coordinates The Kitty Room at the Pet Supplies Plus store on Harper and 13 Mile, St. Clair Shores, which again is used to assist the independent rescuers we assist with medical needs. These are just a few examples of how our Board members take on projects of their own to make a difference beyond their role as 4 Paws 1 Heart Board members. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Hoarding Cases, Mass Dumping, Contagious Diseases Amongst Stray Animals

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6/26/24 – Unfortunately, most municipal animal control shelters/offices in our communities are not funded to do anything more than follow up on ‘complaints’. Very little is done to actually improve the situation — such as in hoarding cases, mass dumping, contagious diseases amongst stray animals, etc.

What is needed is funding for TNR and to stop assuming that because a good Samaritan decides to feed strays, they then become responsible for medical bills. Too much is left to the independent rescuers and rescue organizations who must rely on donations and work as a village with each other rather than the municipal organizations.

And, lastly, the low-cost clinics are overwhelmed with the need for spay/neuter and vaccines so necessary appointment are months out. A couple of weeks ago we were asked to help with a situation in which we thought there were just 12-15 cats who were ‘dumped’. Well, it turns out to be closer to 40.

Animal Control has been out on two occasions and warned the person who was feeding the animals and trying somehow to provide shelter but did nothing to make the situation better (such as spay/neuter/vaccinate). Many of the cats are very sick, a couple cats have required euthanasia, and they all require spay/neuter/vaccines.

And, in many cases, a place to go. We are doing the best we can to help in this situation as is All About Animals to help us keep the costs down. But this is about the 4th hoarding/dumping situation we’ve been involved with this year w/multiple cats being in similar conditions.

Here are some of the photos of cats being rescued in the most recent case with more photos to come. – diana

https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ Double your donation during our $1,000 MATCH which ends July 4, 2024. Thank YOU in advance for your help!

Callie and Her Babies

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6/5/24 – Callie and her babies were rescued from very terrible conditions.

Callie was immediately taken to a vet to be examined, treated for fleas and parasites and scheduled to be spayed. Her babies were taken in for exams but are too young for spay/neuter/vaccines.

Ferndale Cat Shelter (rescue) will take in the kittens and we have offered to help with their medical if needed. Callie will be cared for by the rescuer. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

ALL ADOPTED!

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6/3/24So happy for these babies!! It takes a village! – diana

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

Just like that, 5 kittens found amazing homes !

I can’t thank everyone enough that donated, shared and helped me along the way with these little guys

Huge thank you to 4 Paws 1 Heart for supporting me during this process

Our spice litter is in a much better situation thanks to all of us

Congratulations to the new Families of these amazing little muffins

https://www.facebook.com/courtney.chisholm.7

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

ANOTHER HAPPY UPDATE (SHARIF)

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6/3/24 – Regarding a stray dog who was rescued with many issues, which included fleas, mange, an ear infection, heart worm, and neuter. 4 Paws 1 Heart was there for Sharif (Protector) throughout his medical needs. We love these happy beginnings!! – diana

“Hello Diana!

I just wanted to give you an update on Sharif. Your organization assisted him when he was a stray in October 2021. I ended up keeping him. The picture of him in the tire was when I brought him in and contacted you all. He’s absolutely spoiled. I just wanted to say thank you for helping him. He likes sitting on the porch and people watch. Playing with his Kong toys and walks. He’s not very fond of baths as you can see his face in when he’s in his robe – Ashaki”

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

SMUDGE

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6/3/24 – On January 19, 2024 I posted the story of Smudge (search our website for the post). In short, Smudge was rescued from under a mobile home in a park overwhelmed with cats left behind. Smudge’s rescuer, Melissa, had earlier rescued others, some of whom we helped with medical. Smudge was about 8 weeks old when rescued and was first taken in quickly to get proper vaccinations and an exam. She was later scheduled to have everything else completed at Patterson Veterinary Hospital. But, between the time of her rescue and spay appointment, Smudge got very sick with an upper respiratory infection and suffered high fevers. After a few vet visits and medication, Smudge was finally ready for her spay and updated vaccinations. Here is an update from Smudge’s rescuer:

“Smudge had her spay surgery. Patterson Veterinary did such a great job I can’t even tell she had surgery at all (besides the shaved tummy lol). I have a 15 year old senior cat I rescued under a mobile home years ago, and a 4 year old cat I rescued from a garage with 6 others. Smudge has grown on our 4 year old. Giving him company and a friend. I couldn’t bare to take Smudge from him, sooo she has a permanent and loving home with us, we decided to keep her. I want to thank 4paws 1 heart for everything they’ve done and continue to do to help these babies.-Melissa”

The first photos were taken while Smudge was being treated and the last are from this past Friday. – diana

MISS AURORA

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6/2/24 – Thankful that we can play a role in the rescue and the placement of animals who have been abused and abandoned. Your donation dollars change lives! – Diana

Location: Monroe, MI (but I’ll travel for a good prospective home and meet and greet).

Little Miss Aurora, aka Rory, has been with us for 6 days now. She went from an emaciated, neglected little girl who smelled like the rancid basement floor she went to the bathroom on, AND had to eat food from, to the cute little girl you see in these pictures.

She’s gained weight, gotten all of her shots and meds to make her feel better (thanks to 4 Paws, 1 Heart), and she got a puppy day at the spa yesterday and looks and smells so clean now!

She is so full of love and happiness and can’t stop giving kisses to Steve and I, almost in appreciation for getting her out of the hellhole she was in before coming to us. She did lose a big chunk out of her right ear, and I don’t even want to imagine how it happened.

She’s 6 months old, will be spayed soon, and will be ready for adoption! She is great with other dogs, cats, and kids. She’s almost completely potty trained and is crate trained at night and during the day when I leave for work, walks on a leash, (but has to hold a part of it in mouth like she’s walking herself ), and even knows how to sit and take treats nicely.

If I had to guess, I don’t think she’ll be much bigger than maybe 35 or 40 pounds. Please share her face with someone who may be looking for any awesome puppy to add to their family! https://www.facebook.com/shayla.weston

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

TILLY

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5/31/24 – It was in late March when we were contacted about a stray kitten who was rescued and being kept in the rescuer’s bathtub while she could find help in getting the kitten tested, vaccinated, and spayed. Although, the rescuer had just moved to the Ann Arbor, MI area, she was happy to take the kitty, Tilly, to one of our veterinary clinics. Tilly was tested, vaccinated, and spayed at Five Mile Animal Hospital where it just so happened the rescuer, Jessica, interned when she was in high school. – diana

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080