Dawhoo’s Fund is named after our big brown eyed chocolate lab who we lost to cancer at eight and a half years old. He was diagnosed in the spring when he had a 16 pound tumor removed with his spleen. Rather than subject our big boy to more invasive surgeries and chemotherapy we chose to enjoy the remaining 7 months we had with him. We had just recently moved up to the east mountains, where he loved to hike his entire life, a bit of an eternal homecoming for him. Dawhoo was not the smartest of labs, but his eyes continually shone with the love he always showed us. Dawhoo, you are forever in our hearts. We miss you every day big boy, and hope to help many labs in your name.
Following are Lab’s that have been helped by Dawhoo’s Fund.
AMOREE’S STORY
Amoree was listed on our site and at the Rio Rancho Animal Shelter. We called and offered assistance to anyone adopting her for her misshapen leg. She is in a wonderful home and blessed with wonderful folks. She just had what we are hoping is the last surgery for her, and Dawhoo’s fund paid for the surgery. Surgery is, of course, expensive, and this one went over our budget. Any help you can give us to allow us to continue on helping wonderful labs like Amoree would be greatly appreciated.
From Amoree’s family “Amoree is a beautiful 7 month black lab who was abandoned. She is a charming little girl with a wonderful nature and her angelic affection brings pleasure to everyone she comes in contact with. Unfortunately her leg has been broken in the past. It did not heal straight and she desperately needs an operation to straighten it so that she can lead a normal healthy life. Don’t be fooled by the photos, she still manages to charge around despite her leg. Her enthusiasm for fetch and carry, tug’o’war, and life in general is infectious. Sadly her leg will only get worse left untreated, so please, please help her if you can …. She will love you for it!”
To help Dawhoo’s fund continue helping Amoree, and labs with medical issues, please consider making a donation. Donations can be made via mail at:
Dawhoo’s Fund
Lodestar Dog Ranch
124 Gutierrez Canyon Road
Tijeras, NM 87059
Or via PayPal at the link below.
MICAH’S STORY
Micah … in his forever home!… is a 4-5 month old starved yellow lab picked up as a stray. He is very affectionate, but very weak. He wags his tail and tried to play but is just too tired. The black mark on his face is ink, paint or grease. Please help this wonderful little pup find his forever home and a never ending food bowl. She says he is a very sweet little boy who just lays there looking at you with his very sad eyes. For such a young pup he sure has had an awful life. For more information on Micah, or to help this little guy, please call 505/362-0331.
3/7/10 Update I picked up Micah from the wonderful shelter worker who kept him overnight and met up with some wonderful folks who saved and still have another dog who started out life like little Micah has. Micah is very weak, and was content to be held in my arms while wrapped in a blanket. The poor little guy was eating sticks and anything trying to find food. He has yellow paint all over him, bloody paws from traveling too much, and I’m sure the grease on his head is from trying to stay warm under a car.
Amid tears I handed him over, trusting that he will be well cared for and well loved. Tomorrow Micah will receive an evaluation at our vet’s. Stay tuned for more on the story little Micah and keep well wishes and thoughts going for this little guy? He is going to need all the help he can get.
3/8/10 Update I just dropped by to see our little angel. He was snoring away and has been eating 2 tbsp of food every half an hour or so. This is a good sign. His prognosis is fair. Immediate concerns are the 3 screws he ingested. One is in his colon in a good place, one is in his small intestine and one in his stomach. He ate anything because he was hungry. He will have xrays again tomorrow. Hopefully he will pass these without perforating his intestines. If his intestines were perforated he is not a good candidate for surgery. Thanks to all for your fundraising efforts. To his family … thanks for holding and loving this little guy and telling him he is a good boy. Hold this little one in your thoughts and prayers that he has a chance to be a puppy and play and eat to his hearts content? Laura and Dave are waiting hoping he is able to come home.
3/9/10 Update. The best news ever … Micah must of passed the screws, his xray was clear of any metal objects. Today he was up and actually ran down the hallway – I’d never even seen him stand before. The vet is hopeful he may be able to go home tomorrow. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and well wishes, and donations to help with Micah’s medical bills. He has so many folks that care about him, he is blessed! We are hoping Dave and Laura are able to take him home tomorrow : ) We will keep you posted with updates from time to time on Micah’s progression into a well fed puppyhood!
Micah today at the vet, look at those super alert eyes!
3/10/10 UPDATE Micah went home today, among well wishes from the wonderful staff at TLC Vet Hospital who have so tenderly cared for this little guy. Micah is still not out of the woods yes. He passed whatever metal was in him but we still have to get another blood test in a few weeks to make sure he does not have a liver stint, which is a very very serious problem. Keep the well wishes flowing? We will be creating a Micah’s page on the site this weekend so everyone who has been helping and watching this wonderful boy can watch his progress as he grows, and we sure hope, thrives. Doesn’t his mama Laura look happy?
3/10/10 Update … Micah has had a setback and is back at the vets for 24 hour care and more testing tomorrow. He may have a liver shunt which will require surgery at a specialists, we will find out more tomorrow. Folks, this is one of the hardest parts of rescue … how far do we go (how much do we spend) to save one little pup and give him the chance to have a normal life? That is certainly a question I don’t want to have to answer. Dawhoo’s fund could sure use some reinforcement to help pay for this little guys care. We are continuing his care on the faith that good folks will be there if we need them. If you want to help, if you can help, how about taking a look at our Take Action page?
3/12/10 Micah is spending another night at the vets. Today he had blood drawn for the liver bile test to see if he has a liver shunt. He does great on an IV and we are just waiting to see what the test shows. When I went to visit him he wagged his tail when he saw me, and when I opened his kennel he lunged out and into my arms. At the vets they are trying to feed him more to get his strength up. We will just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings for this little guy.
3/13/10 Update Micah went home today with Laura and Dave. We are all better prepared to deal with his care. His bile test showed positive indications that he has a liver shunt and will require surgery. We are in the difficult position of trying to figure out how far to go to save one pup. We are commited on going as far as our funds, resources, and helping friends will allow us. Monday we talk to Dr. Salas at TLC about trying to find a specialized vet to work with who will work with our rescue to operate on Micah. Micah was started on a prescription today to try to help his body detoxify from the excess of ammonia it is producing, and actually allow him to absorb some of the nutrients from his food. We remain hopeful …
3/15/10 Update from Micah’s Family: ”Micah will start some new medication tonight – Metronidizol and Denamarin (that’s how they sound, sorry if the spelling is incorrect, I am an engineer, not a pharmacist :) Both are recommended by TLC Vet Hospital and the DogLiverDisease weblist.
We watch him so closely because he scared us so badly that night last week and he has been in such bad condition from all the ammonia in his bloodstream due to the liver shunt. As a result of that endless scrutinization, we sometimes make our heart jump because we see the littlest thing. Our comfort is in this: we do our best to remember that the Lord is in charge of everything (even sick little dogs) so we give Micah and everything associated with Micah over to Him. That helps a lot!” Dave, Laura & Micah
Micah asleep by his food bag : )
3/16/10 Update from Laura “aaaahhh, puppy antics, yes, Micah loves my shoes. They are great fun to chew on. I took him upstairs and into the bathroom while I was showering. He was up and I did not want to leave him alone. He was not very happy about me being in the shower, so I opened the door so he could see me. That lasted about 1 sec. He is a lab, right! Do I need to say more? Micah got his second bath in a week. I used Redken for blonds on him. Well, he is a blond lab! By the way, he is 30lbs today. Yeah!!!”
3/18/10 Micah had a really rough night last night with high pitched yelping all night and is back at TLC again for evaluation, particularily of the medicines he is on ….
3/19/10 Update … I spoke to Dr. Salas today and the adjusted and reduced Micah’s medication and up’ed his food intake. On a different note, Laura and Dave have asked us to help Micah find a home where his puppiness, desire to play and overall exhuberance in his feel good moments is able to shine. Their home has older dogs who are not too thrilled with Micah’s rambunktous streak. Any of you looking to add this special little pup to your home will welcome a warm, loving little guy that loves to play and needs some extra TLC. Dawhoo’s fund will continue to support Micah’s medical condition.
3/23/10 Update Micah is doing well on his newly reduced meds. He can be seen in the video below playing with his packmates. Micah wears a diaper inside because he urinates very frequently. We still need to get a diagnostic ultrasound done, and determine if he is a surgical candidate or if he will continue to do well on his meds …
To help Dawhoo’s Fund to be able to continue to care for Micah and cover his medical expenses while we continue to try to save and help with other dogs please click here: Donate If you are unable to donate, keep the good thoughts and wishes going for Micah? He can use all the support! Thank you to all of you : ) Colleen & Marita
5/10/10 Update I had the opportunity to hang out with Micah a bit this weekend … his folks borrowed our horse trailer (dog trailer, we don’t have horses yet!) to pick up a kennel from Tom & Jean to use for Micah’s playground. He’s grown about twice his height, long legs, still just as thin but with rambunctous energy and sure loves his mom and dad. He cannot process food still with his liver shunt so he’ll never be a well filled out boy, but he sure is loved! Thanks for taking him under your wing and caring for this special needs pup so well Laura and Dave!
7/5/10 Update Micah needs to have surgery to save his life. He has a liver shunt and without the surgery he will fail to thrive … watch for fundraising efforts soon on Micah’s behalf.
CASSIDY’S STORY
formerly Hobble Along Cassidy
Cassidy was found wandering, limping out by the Gallup area. She was picked up by Rez Dog Rescue. Cassidy is only about a year and a half old yellow lab mix. This poor little girl has issues with 2 of her legs … she has started on antibiotics for her (right) swollen foot (with gaping wound) which if it doesn’t heal properly (bone is broken in one toe), that the toe may need to be amputated. She also has an old injury on her left leg (that hangs funny), maybe she was hit and there is nerve damage – the muscles haven’t been innervated and so have not been used – atrophied. Her rear leg will need surgery but we need to deal with infected right foot first. She is currently in foster and will be coming to the Albuquerque area for foster and vetting at our fabulous vet, TLC Animal Hospital. We are looking for a forever home for this little girl, as well as folks to open up their hearts and help us out with her medical bills. For more information on giving Cassidy her well deserved loving home please call 505/362-0331.
4/17/10 Update Cassidy was examed by the wonderful folks at TLC. She had xrays of both of her front legs. her right front leg is bandaged due to a deep cut and a broken toe. Her left front leg is atrophied from a fracture near her elbow. We are trying to get the funds together to do surgery on her left front leg to repair the fracture, but are trying to wait until her right paw heals. We’ve had 2 offers of reduced fee surgeries, one from our folks at TLC and another from a vet school in Missouri …. we are looking for folks to help us out, and help Cassidy out so she can have a chance at walking and playing and learning to be loved once we find her forever home! What a wonderful ending it’d be for her if she could simple be known as Cassidy, without the “Hobble Along”!!
4/23/10 Update from Cassidy’s foster mom “Little Hobble Along Cassidy is really coming along. She follows my cattle dog, Tonka, every where. Cassidy loves to go outside with Tonka and my neighbor’s dog, Spicey. they all get along great. (she is still a bit nervous around my great dane – Cassie rolls over in submission when she sees ShyAnn) Cassidy is still on antibiotics and pain medication. While she still hobbles around, she is definitely feeling better: more playful and confident. When my dog comes over to be petted, Cassidy comes over and wants to be petted. She has free range in the living room/kitchen all night and does not have any accidents. She holds it all night. If she is in the house during the daytime, she has been known to piddle on a puppy pad. Of course, she is a young girl and even though she isn’t supposed to be playing, she wants to play. She has been known to entertain herself by getting into the garbage – I had forgotten about puppy proofing a house. My bad. This just shows that Cassie is feeling better. It’s a good thing. Once little Cassidy has had her injuries taken care of, she will make the perfect family pet. She is very complient: lets me do whatever i need to – she just laid there while we changed her bandage last night and I know this was not comfortable for her.”
4/27/10 Update Cassidy is on her way to Columbia, Missouri tomorrow via some wonderful volunteer pilots who are coming all the way to Albuquerque from Trinidad Colorado to pick her up! She will be operated on by Dr. Cook at the Missouri vet school .. we will keep you posted on this little girls incredible journey!
We are currently fundraising for Cassidy to go to the Missouri Vet School to be treated by Dr. Cook who specializes in vertrinary orthopedics and has offered to do surgery on her atrophied leg and injured elbow at cost!
Cassidy smiling!
4/28/10 Cassidy on her way to Columbia, Missouri with Greg and Sharon Gempler of Pilots and Paws, the wonderful pilots who went miles out of their way to take Cassidy to Dr. Cook in Missouri for her surgery tomorrow! Thanks so much Greg and Sharon for helping this little girl to get to where she needs to be healed!!
4/29/10 Update … Cassidy had her surgery today and all went very well according to Dr. Cook. Dr. Cook’s email ”
Surgery went very well considering how bad it was and how much healing had occurred – postop films attached – I am pleased – the elbow is good and the reconstruction and alignment are fine and very solid repair – only major worry now is nerve damage – the radial nerve was completely entrapped in the fracture and callous so we just have to see if that comes back to full function or not… “(his is on her left front foot). On her right foot her metacarpals (toes) healed and wound fine there…this is great news!!
5/4/10 Update from Dr. Cook “Cassidy is doing great… I am very pleased with everything and confident nerve function is going to be ok!” Yea for Cassidy!
5/10/10 Update Cassidy is doing great and going to stay in Missouri in her forever home with a vet tech student at the University! Thanks so much to all of you who have helped out with Cassidy’s care. She is no longer going to be Hobble Along Cassidy, just plain Cassidy!
Click here for a News story on Cassidy!
6/4/10 Update on Cassidy from her new mama Kelli: ”I just wanted to give you a little update on Cassidy! On Tuesday, Dr. Cook took off her external fixator because that left leg is healing. We also had to remove one of her toes on her right paw because one of the broken metacarpals had become necrotic and pus was draining out. She also got spayed that day (she got the works!). She still has the bandage on her right foot, but she gets that off Monday, and they said the incision looked great. She is also using her left foot more and more each day!! She has also come out of her shell quite a bit. She’s become very very attached to me as I have become to her :) She’s very sensitive to people around her’s feelings, is very curious, and loves to lay outside and sunbathe. She seems very happy with her new home, which makes me happy! I was wondering, though, if she had a heartworm test while she was down there? I need to start her on flea and tick medication and heartworm prevention, but I wanted to make sure she was negative because I have a 3-in-1 topical that I am going to use on her. Thanks so much (Cassidy says thanks too…she is laying on her blanket on the floor sleeping next to me)!”
6/16/10 Update from Dr. Cook … “Cassidy is doing great – have to drop the “hop-a-long” part of her name now!! She is all healed up, spayed, and allowed to return to full function!! She has a GREAT home and is a NEAT dog!!”
Help us to keep on helping labs …
Donations may be mailed to:
Dawhoo’s Fund
Lodestar Dog Ranch
124 Gutierrez Canyon Road
Tijeras, NM 87059