Tag Archive for: dog rescue

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Benjamin, An Overcomer

It was a very good day for Benjamin on Wednesday! He woke up with clean ears, he wasn’t starving, the fleas had died off, his breakfast was awaiting and he received his very first toy which he absolutely loves! The vet said he’s between one and two years old. His bloodwork results weren’t really bad, as the good nutrition he’s been getting for the last week has really helped. The many bite/puncture marks on him are healing – he may have been a bait dog. He has decided he really likes human attention now, and follows me everywhere. He is also warming up to others as well, since he has learned that the humans here at the rescue are very kind and caring.

Benjamin has truly morphed into a very sweet and inquisitive boy who wants to go everywhere and be a part of everything.

After working hard these past few days, in preparation for the open house tomorrow, we were all so totally exhausted last night. As we were completing last minute tasks in the barn, I looked down and there was Benjamin, fast asleep! He looked so peaceful and I just wanted to curl up next to him. What a difference there has been in just one week! It’s so good to see him play and not run away from everyone or be frightened of new things. As you can see in the video by clicking on the image above, Benjamin is truly an overcomer!

Thank you, all, for helping us to make all of his tomorrows everything his past should have been…

Sincerely,
Theresa

Open House Tomorrow!

We are looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow at our Annual Open House in ‘Celebration of the Horse,’ from 11am – 3pm. Ivory Pal will be performing between the hours of 12:00 – 1:00 pm. For event details, click here.

You Did It!

Thank you to everyone who contributed a story to GreatNonprofits! We are honored to be included, once again, on their Top-Rated List for 2022.

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Benjamin Part I

Last Tuesday morning, we found this sweet boy in one of the south paddocks. Someone must have dropped him over the fence. He stayed in the paddock next to the road most of the day, but would go to the fence line now and then and look around as though he was expecting someone to come back for him. Whenever someone approached, however, he would run into the next paddock. We opted to feed him – he was very hungry – and decided to give him more time.

I was concerned that he may be sick or injured as he laid down the majority of the day. I have named him Benjamin.

On Wednesday morning, Benjamin was still under the shelter in the paddock by the road. He kept his distance, but came a bit closer than previously. I fed him and was able to get a Capstar in him as he had been scratching terribly. We had a horrible storm and I was so worried about him. After the storm, I went down to check on him and he was fine. I fed him dinner and this time, he approached me instead of running the other way.

I sat for a bit while he ate and thought how sad it is that anyone would abandon him, if that is what happened.

We have no explanation as to how he could have gotten onto the property for when we walked the perimeter, there is no place under which he could have dug.

On Thursday morning, I thought we might be able to get Benjamin in the golf cart by the end of the day. He might have made it had it not been for the rain. On Friday, Benjamin and I had our first nose bump – actually it was a nose to hand bump, but that still counts! He kind of ‘mumbles’ and looks like he’s smiling at times. Sadly, he has indications of bite injuries that are healing over and he’s very reactive with a sudden or new noise – especially coming from behind him.

It appears that he has not had a very good life. We believe he may be a Belgian Malinois or a Malinois/Shepherd cross.

Benjamin is now doing much better at overcoming his anxieties! Now that I’ve had a really good look at him, up close, I can see many puncture marks all over him. Some are hard to see because of his coat – but they are there. But he’s going to be okay.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Home from the Hospital!

Guess what? I’m back from the hospital!

I only have two toes left, and half of my paw is gone, but I still have my leg! My paw looks different but Mommy Theresa says it makes me special and that I’m still cute!

It’s been a long day for us so we’re going to be tucking in soon. We have a very busy day planned for tomorrow but I’ll check in when I can! Have a good night everyone!

Love,
Kiah

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Keeping up with Kiah

Kiah is still at the hospital and today, if she is up for it, she will be microchipped, some blood tests will be performed and she may receive her vaccinations. She won’t be spayed, however, until she has fully recovered from her surgery. Dr. Schirmer advised us that getting healthy granulation tissue to grow over the exposed bone is the next step and if this is not possible, Kiah may have to have another surgery.

Keeping Kiah’s foot clean and bandaged and monitoring the healing over the next few weeks is going to be very important. She’s not 100% out of the woods yet from losing her leg, but if it comes to that we will know we did all we could, and she’s one that would keep going and never give up. she would adapt, I’m sure. We don’t know when we will be able to bring her home, but it is very possible it may be today.

We are very thankful for everyone’s support and I know Kiah would thank you, too, if she could.

She’s precious and is like a little kid experiencing new things. The expressions on her face are priceless. She’s the most photogenic dog I’ve ever known! When I talk to her, she looks at me like she truly understands what I’m saying. While it may be a long healing process (due to the bone healing issue), we believe Kiah will recover and be a happy girl. You all made this possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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Kiah Update

We were happy to learn on Sunday morning that Kiah had a calm night at UF. After we left her at the hospital, she received IV fluids together with pain medication. After evaluating Kiah, we were advised that her left leg would need to be amputated. However, after we received a morning update call, we were informed that our private practice vet could very well perform Kiah’s surgery for less (and that it may be less stressful for her as well) and we were asked if we wished to explore this option.

Dr. Schirmer of West End Animal Hospital in Newberry performed both Max’s and Kitty Cat’s surgeries and did a wonderful job on each. He gave us several more months with them for which we will be forever grateful. We sent Dr. Schirmer photos of Kiah’s injury and he believes it’s possible that he can save her leg! He can’t guarantee it, but he will try. She will lose three toes but still have enough foot left to enable her to have a fully functioning leg. However, if the leg cannot be saved, we are quite confident that she will successfully adapt as a tripod. Either way, she will be having surgery on Tuesday.

Kiah returned to the rescue late Sunday afternoon. Watching her… well, it’s like watching the wonderment of a child experience new things. She’s really warmed up to the human touch. She’s a good girl when taking her meds and we are thrilled with the possibility that she might be able to keep her leg.

Kiah weighs 16 pounds and is about a year old. She’s heart worm negative so that is a plus. She was covered with fleas which have been treated. Her bloodwork results could have been better but she’s getting the medications that she needs at this time. She’s young and has a positive spirit about her, and most importantly, she’s tough. I can’t imagine the pain and neglect that she’s endured in her short life, while being all alone, but she has made it this far without any help from humans.

We believe Kiah will recover and be able to live a happy life with or without her leg. She will never know hunger again – her needs will always be taken care of, and she will be forever loved.

A very dear friend of the rescue recently offered a Match Game in honor of Bonnie Blossom, who sadly passed a few years ago. That match game was completed in a blink of an eye, but yet another very special friend of the rescue has come forth to offer a second Match Game to assist with Kiah’s veterinary needs and all donations up to $500, will be matched dollar for dollar. If you would like to help Kiah while doubling your donation at the same time, simply click on the ‘Donate’ button below.

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Thank you for your outpouring of love for sweet Kiah and for making an incredible difference in this precious little girl’s life.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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She was wandering alone on the side of the road


This is how we ended our night last night, helping this little girl. She was wandering along the side of the road, alone, thin, hungry and in pain. Her front paw is nearly severed and the smell of infection is extreme. She may have gotten her foot caught in something and had to chew her way out. We’ll never know. She’s as sweet as sweet can be and she truly, deserves a chance. We have named her Kiah.

Kiah was rushed to UF in the wee hours of the morning and has undergone many tests, but the vet said it is most likely she will need to have her foot amputated. Hopefully, the infection can be successfully treated. It’s estimated that Kiah is about a year old.

We hate having to repeatedly ask for help, but we must. UF has estimated her bill to be between $3K to $4K but they will try to keep it at the lower end ($3K). Can anyone help us help Kiah? If so, please click on the ‘Donate’ button below. All donations are so greatly appreciated and no amount is ever too small.

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Please keep Kiah in your prayers. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Theresa

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