3/16/16 – 
I wanted to post an update and let everyone know how she’s doing. The last 24 hours we have closely observed behaviors in Cookie that strongly suggests fear and pain. She is very traumatized and in need of someone who will hold her and love her. Last night spinal radiographs were taken because she has possible trauma to her neck/spine. The fact that she is super terrified on top of it makes it hard to diagnose pain from fear. She has not made a sound since she arrived and we know she is hurting. We started her on pain management and she is finally eating small amounts. She will only eat for a couple of us because she is very nervous about trusting anyone. I just got her to eat some chicken from my hand and last night she ate some turkey for me. Once she is healthy enough we will get her fixed and then address the mammary gland abscess. Thank you, Gina
Cookie – Given Away and Then Dumped
3/15/16- She was given away to a relative because her previous owner could no longer care for her. The relative kept her for 3 months, and then decided to dump her in a school parking lot. This dog didn’t realize she was being dumped and left on the street, so she followed the relative to another family member’s home nearby. That family member had this dog for 1-3 weeks and claimed they couldn’t get her to eat. Last night when the call came into the emergency vet hospital, the story was that a stray dog had appeared on this person’s porch 3 weeks ago and “it is now dying”. The hospital offered to see the “stray dog” and assess her current state. The family members that brought her in strongly smelled like Marijuana. They set her on the exam table. She was very thin, twitching, and off balance. It is possible that she was exposed to a drug or unknown toxin, but she did not appear to be dying.
That is when the story kept changing, and finally, what we now assume to be the truth, was told. We were able to get the owner to surrender the dog to 4 Paws 1 Heart so that we could try to save this little lost soul. That’s the best outcome for this very sweet girl who did not deserve this. It literally breaks my heart every single day, and when I held this little 12 pound life in my arms I didn’t want to let her go. She was wagging her tail at the slightest bit of attention given to her. She refused food and hung her head low when placed in a cage. I promised her a good life from now on…I told her that she will be ok now…and that we will make sure she is loved and treated right for the rest of her life.
I’m putting this story out here for awareness because the reality is that animals are getting thrown away. We can get upset and judge the previous family all day long, but at the end of the day this 7 year old dog is starting her life over. Her world is upside down and she has no idea nor is she holding a grudge. We can just be thankful that she found her way to our organization.
I would like to close by saying that I do not enjoy asking our supporters for donations, but this is another example of where your dollars are going and why we need you so much. This girl needs medical care that will consist of supportive care and surgery. I estimate it will cost between $600-$1000. Please consider helping her today even if you say a small prayer.
Thank you, Gina
Cookie – Dumped in a Detroit School Lot by Her Owners
3/15/16 – 
Cookie – Scared…lost…sick…neglected…dehydrated…possibly exposed to drugs…and DUMPED tonight by everyone who was once familiar to her. It’s a very sad story, but one you need to hear about because awareness is important. I plan to post the full story this evening. Gina
Buttercup – Update
3/15/16 – Buttercup is doing amazing! Although the pictures of her condition are too graphic to show, I’m very happy to report she is healing very well! Her rear area consisted of one very large open wound that resulted from untreated impacted anal glands. She is only 7 months old, and she has been through a ton! We were concerned that she would have long term issues, but she is healing wonderful. 4 paws 1 heart was able to give her a 2nd chance by paying for her medical care. She is expected to make a full recovery ♡ Gina
Georgina – Found in an Abandoned Home; Starving and Scared
3/15/16 – 
This puppy, named Georgina, was found in an abandoned home last weekend. She was starving and scared to death. A cleaning crew found her and brought her into emergency for help. We were in a position to take her and we had her fully checked out by the veterinarian. Our friends at, “Mutts of Motown”, connected us with the “Animal Welfare Society”. They offered to take over her care and find this sweet baby a forever home. ♡ Gina
Scarlett – Purchased for $12 from A Person on Drugs
3/14/16 – I just received an update on Scarlet and I realized that I may never had reported on her when we first came to her assistance last year. As you can see, she is doing great with her rescuer.
” Scarlett (AKA Little Girl) Exactly one year prior to rescuing Valentino..My husband and I bought her for $12 from a drug addict in SW Detroit. She was being dragged by a tow chain in bitter below zero temps till her pads were basically ripped off of her feet. She laid in my sons bed for 3 days before she could walk…it then was a week before I could coax her out of the bedroom and yet another week before she would go downstairs into the house…she was severely abused and after the first month of attempting to adopt her out…I couldn’t do it. She is my baby girl and if it werent for Diana…4 paws 1 heart…it would’ve made it nearly impossible to keep up the vet bills as she had multiple allergies and foot issues. She is my baby and her past time is tearing up leather couches LOL. – Rita”
Buttercup Requires Critical Surgery
3/12/16 Your Prayers and Donations are needed again… Meet 4 paws 1 heart “Buttercup”. One week ago today, we took her under our care. She is a 7 month old female yorkie that needed our help because she was critical and in need of aggressive medical care. Her condition consisted of “Perianal fistulas secondary to ruptured and untreated anal glands”. Without treatment, she was going to need to be euthanized due to her inability to have a bowel movement; this was caused by scar tissue build up. The other risk was incontinence forever and, of course, infection.
The pics are just to graphic to post, but she is now healing well, and the doctors feel confident she will survive. Huge thank you to Dr. Graves and the staff over at the Animal Urgent and Critical Care Center and Harper Woods Vet Hospital, for saving another 4 paws 1 heart animal! If you would like more information about Buttercup I can be reached at [email protected]. Donations can be made by using the donate button on this page or by sending a Check l to p.o. Box 84, St Clair Shores, MI. 48080. Thank you, Gina
Jake – Required Critical Surgery to Survive
3/12/16 – Meet Jake. He was rescued by Furever Tails Animal Rescue. The foster family he was with, not only fell in love with him but they suffered a tragic loss when the mother of the household tragically passed away. Jake unexpectedly required surgery because of a urinary blockage caused by crystals. 4 Paws 1 Heart was happy to be able to help in Jake’s recovery. ~ diana
Princess – Found Running the Streets of Flint
3/11/16 – Princess was found running the streets of Flint, MI. She had a mammary tumor and was very neglected. 4 Paws 1 Heart paid to have the tumor removed and for Princess to be spayed and treated for other minor issues. Her rescuer just noticed some questionable areas on her skin. Once again, 4 Paws 1 Heart stepped up and the questionable areas were removed and are being biopsied. Please pray for Princess; the doctor is concerned that it is melanoma. Princess is with Friends of Scooby Rescue~ diana
Chase – Found Eating from a Trash Can – Owners Gave Him Away Twice
3/9/16 – This poor dog was found going through the trash at a local establishment. The rescuer posted him on For the Love of Louie and actually found the ‘owner’. The ‘owner’ said he had given his dog to a ‘friend’ when he moved. It turns out that the ‘friend’ lost the dog two months ago but never said anything to the ‘owner’. This poor animal had been roaming the streets searching for food for over two months!!! Nonetheless, none of these people wanted him back; and now he has been found to be heart worm positive. This poor dog can’t catch a break. The rescuer can’t continue to shelter Chace because Chace can’t be neutered and the rescuer has a 10 year old female who is too old to spay. 4 Paws 1 Heart will pay for his heart worm treatment if a rescue could take him in or if a qualified person could give him a home. The rescuer says that he is very sweet and gets along well with other dogs; he hasn’t been cat tested. Please private message me if you can help or know of someone who can. ~ diana
