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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Gem of the Day: "Crises refine life.
In them you discover what you are."

~Allan K. Chalmers~

After reading this very important newsletter, perhaps the most important one we have ever sent, please scroll down for an open letter from Team Leader, Sara Pace. We are truly in crisis mode.

See Vet Bills Paid by Small Paws Rescue for the first 20 days of April, 2015, Coming to $12,997.51 which is an average of $649.88 per daye



To make a one time donation, or a monthly donation to Small Paws Rescue, you may use your major credit card securely, at this site.

If you've made a past donation by credit card, you may e-mail Louie Bertolino at smallpawsrescue.org to let him know the amount of your donation for the Bichons.

You may also call Louie on his cell phone at 1-424-442-9484
Louie is on Eastern Standard Time! He is waiting for your call!


(Please leave a message and Louie will return your call if he is not available!)

You may also send a check or money order to:
Small Paws Rescue Inc.
3316 S. 72nd. W. Ave.
Tulsa, Ok. 74107

Small Paws Rescue Foster and Volunteer Online Application

Click on the Bichon puppy to see page 2 of the Small Paws Rescue Newsletter, including fostering and adoption information.

Dear Small Pawsers,

Small Paws Rescue Online Newsletter, especially to those of you who may have recently seen us on December 19, 2014, on Fox and Friends in New York City , or on Animal Planet on "Dogs 101.", or you may have read about us in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Find Your Happiness, 101 Stories about Finding Your Purpose, Passion and Joy . You also may have seen us on "Inside Edition" with Deborah Norville!

If you missed our previous newsletter, here it is.

If you would like to share today's newsletter, this is the link!.

Small Paws Rescue is at a true crisis point, today.

You may have seen some of these articles in the national news.

Fox News: Chicago-area dog flu cases climb to over 1,100, including six deaths.

CNN: Highly contagious dog disease nears epidemic levels - CNN Video

Dog Flu - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dog Flu Outbreak: What You Need to Know : Discovery News

Canine Influenza FAQ - The canine influenza virus has been reported in 30 states and Washington, DC. American Veterinary Medical Association

I've spent many hours in prayer, asking for guidance on how to keep rescuing Bichons from shelters, how to keep them healthy, and how to keep our foster parent's own dogs healthy when they take in a foster dog, as our own dogs MUST come first.

I want to let you know that we have recently lost two precious Bichons to this terrible Canine flu, both rescued from Chicago area shelters.

One was named "Higgins", and one was named "Zipper". We fought it but it won.

In several other cases, we had sick dogs, but we fought it and WE won!

The problem is that it comes at a high cost. It costs approximately $1500.00 to pull one of these little ones through this devastating disease, and that's with our 30% rescue discount.

On top of that, we have had to change our quarantine policies to deal with this new, uncharted territory.

Instead of our normal quarantine, during which time normal vetting was also done, I have made an Executive decision that will be expensive, but it's the only thing I can think of to save both these dog's lives, and our funds, in case of the unthinkable.

Our Board of Trustees is in agreement.

Sara has brought in ten more from the shelters of Chicago.

So for now, we are quarantining for two-three full weeks BEFORE any vetting is done, in case we were to lose that dog to the flu.

Both of the dogs we lost were already vetted.

The American Veterinary Medical Association is telling us that after three weeks of no symptoms, we are in the clear.

But the extra quarantine comes with extra costs, and the costs of treating the dogs that break with it, is coming at us fast and furiously.

I want you to meet six year old Ella, who came to us from one of the Chicago shelters, already infected. She survived Canine Flu. Her vet bill, not counting the normal vetting of between $600-800.00, was $1500.00 just to pull her though this deadly illness. I think you will all agree she was worth it. She has been symptom free for three weeks now. She is being fostered with Sara Pace.

So along with fighting this deadly and very expensive illness, we have another truly heartbreaking case and I argued with myself whether to show you his pictures.

We've named him Baby Boo. His vetting estimate is for $2700.00

Two year old Baby Boo had a raging ear infection which went untreated, since he was a tiny puppy.


Baby Boo has ear abrasions which must now be surgically removed.
(Not his ears, the abrasions)


Miraculously, Baby Boo still has all of his hearing.

From Sara: I picked Baby Boo up from Cacc yesterday . He was released as a medical because of his ears. His ears are like this due to untreated ear infections . He is now on pain meds and antibiotics . He will need surgery on both ears.

He needs bilateral ear ablation after they get the infection cleared up. They will do one ear and than a few weeks later do the other ear.

Bilateral ear ablation is $1800.00 with our discount. Let me know if I can schedule it:) he also needs vaccinations , neuter, quarantine, heartworm , fecal and possible dental, which is an additional $650.00. He will also need additional quarantine time due to the flu epidemic which will run and extra $250.00.I will foster him when he is ready :) Boo Baby is 2 years old and the ear abrasions are $900.0 for each ear, including our 30% rescue discount. He was treated for 10 days for major ear infections. He has green and yellow pus draining from each ear! One of the worse ear infections our vets have ever seen!!

Many of you are asking why so many Bichons are coming in from Chicago.

I asked Sara Pace to write a letter to you about the unbelievable work she and her team are doing there. They have taken in ten Bichons in the last two weeks with an estimate of $900.00 each for additional quarantine and normal vetting, IF they don't break with Canine Flu.

If any of them do, add another $1500.00 for each one we can save.

>Subject: Update from Chicago
Date: 4/18/2015 9:54:33 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: pacess4@att.net

Hi Robin,

So we had been really busy again while you were in your vacation!
(I just knew it would happen) thanks Bonnie and Joanne for taking all my calls and emails.

This is what went on and everybody came from Chicago Animal Care and Control ( CACC).

First I want to explain briefly what is going on there.

Cacc is an extremely high kill facility, but because of CACC rescue groups (we are one) and the CACC transfer team, our goal is to rescue as many possible.

That being said, we continuously try are best. Linda Oschenfeld, Candy Staros, Julie Freeman and myself try to make weekly to
bi-weekly walk throughs so we don't miss anyone.

To the mailing list: If you have ever seen the commercial that the Humane society has running, and it is hard to watch all those sad faces saying please take me, well this is a hundred times worse, walking away from different breeds, knowing you can't save everyone, is more than heartbreaking!

I leave devastated everyday! Our team tries to help many other rescues and pull for them trying to save as many lives as we can!!

Cacc is trying to improve the conditions at the facility where they house up to 1200 animals daily.

Because of that. 2 pavilions (holding areas) are under construction which means that there are 100 less cages that are available for holding the dogs.

That means rescue or euthanasia.

We work daily trying to not miss anyone!!

These fluffs are sad, sitting in there own feces and crying out saying "Please take me!" It is just heart wrenching. We all hate going to the shelters but have no choice! If we didn't go these fluffs would not have any hope! We come home many days in tears.

So while you were gone I got a call from CACC medical.

This baby we named Boo!

His ears are the worst I have ever seen, puss and infection dripping from both!

Why? Because his previous owners did not treat his ear infections!!

He is with us now and will be okay with surgery, antibiotics and love !! His estimate is for $2700.00

We also got in several others (you have all their info)

Bria upon intake.


Bria after being shaved and bathed.

The one I want to tell the mailing list about is Bria (love that name you named her) Bria was soaked with urine, stool and mats) she was found by police in a crate in an alley garbage! Someone threw this poor baby away!! For all that she has been through , she is the most loving and affectionate fluff!!

Okay about the canine flu! It is a strain we have not seen here, it comes from China. It is getting better here but we are still having dogs come from the shelter with symptoms and they are SICK! Under SPR's instruction to help save these dogs and not spread to owners foster dogs we are quarantining for 2 weeks and giving antibiotics, fluids and supportive care to every dog. So the cost to save them is doubled, even with our 30 percent discount:( As you know we lost two, Higgins and Zipper! We were heartbroken and did everything we could to save them. I asked CACC why they weren't vaccinating and was told that with the amount of dogs they get there it is not affordable:( This is a city run shelter and funds are tight! Plus they euthanize . RESCUE is there ONLY HOPE!!

Also, the current Canine Flu vaccine is not effective against this new strain.

Rescue is rewarding, exhausting and heartbreaking . No matter how hard we try we just can't save them all, and believe me we are all dedicated and try really hard!

We are in desperate need of fosters in the Chicago area!

How to Become a Much Needed Small Paws® Rescue Foster Parent

I know fostering is not easy, but from experience, it is so so rewarding. We are the bridge between the shelter and their new lives being adopted by loving wonderful families! Anyone that says a dog doesn't know , hasn't rescued a fluff. The smiles that they have when you are leaving the shelter makes your heart so happy!!

I have adopted seniors , along with many others and they know!!

They know that now they are LOVED!! If you have never adopted a middle age or senior dog it is awesome!! The dogs are forever grateful and it shows everyday!!

I have Cuddles, my 10 year old foster that SPR saved, fixed his ACL and is just waiting for a home to call his own (oh, by the way, he loves men.)

So I hope this helps the mailing list see what is going on here and probably always will because there are so many people that have dogs and don't care for them!

I will never ever understand it but thank God for SPR and all the people who help and support these fluffs.

Thank you to my team who never gets a break!!

Thank you for everyone who donates, fosters and adopts!!

There is a special place for all of you!!

You should know that you are doing a wonderful job helping save these lives!!

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!

Sent from my iPhone
Sara Pace>

And now, another one needs to come in from Chicago.

This one is young. We don't know if it is a male or female yet. We do know that each day this Bichon stays there, it is a step closer to a death sentence, either by Euthaniasia, or by contracting canine flu. We desperately need to get him out. I don't know how we can keep doing this when we have over $11,700.00 in vet bills that will be billed to us soon, over just the ones I have told you about, and that's if no one else breaks with this flu.

We are truly at a crossroads here.

Many rescues are having to just leave them there to die, for a lack of funding, due to this tragic epidemic.

I'm choosing to take the road less traveled, and come to you, humbly, asking you to come with me.

This is the highest mountain I can remember climbing in a long time.

It's not just in Chicago we are seeing this flu. It's in 30 other states as well as Washington D.C.

We are taking every precaution, as expensive as it may be.

If you can't donate, please pray that someone else can.

Without your help, we can not save their lives.

I'm here and will issue all matching donation challenges for this most urgent emergency situation.

All My Love, Robin

P.S. This is my own opinion. Until this epidemic is over I wouldn't be taking my dogs to any dog parks, or to places like Petco or Petsmart, in case someone has just adopted a shelter dog, and they may not know it may be sick yet. The current vaccines are not effective with this new strain. We are NOT over reacting here. We have had dogs die and try to die. This is a real and dangerous threat.

See Vet Bills Paid by Small Paws Rescue for the first 20 days of April, 2015, Coming to $12,997.51 which is an average of $649.88 per day

Support SPR by shopping at Amazon with this link!

Companies Who Match Employees Donations

If you are going to shop at great stores anyway, why not help SPR at the same time and use Igive.com? Join now for free and select Small Paws Rescue Inc. as your cause!

This is the link to sign up for Small Paws Rescue!



The iGive Support Team

P.S. If you want to track how your cause is doing, please visit http://www.iGive.com//html/causestats.cfm.


We have links up there to our SPR Cafe Press Store for SPR Logo Items.



Try GoodSearch.com as your search engine and as your online shopping portal!
Small Paws is signed up and each time you use it, either to search or to go to an online seller, funds are sent to Small Paws for the Bichons! You can buy those shoes at Zappos and those books at Amazon *AND* donate to Small Paws Rescue! Try it out! So far, Small Pawsers have done over 100,000 searches and have shopped to raise $$2,641.38 for Small Paws Rescue!



How to Become a Much Needed Small Paws® Rescue Foster Parent!

See how we REALLY feel about our volunteers!

(Always remember. God loves you more than anyone else ever has,
and more than anyone else ever will!)

Prayer Requests and Reports

For Those Who are Broken of Heart from the Loss of a Beloved Pet

Information About Our Programs

Let Us Help You to Keep Your Pet During Tough Financial Times

"Trust, a Deadly Disease"
A MUST read, sent in by our Team Leader
to the Carolinas, Kathryn Smith
~By Sharon Mathers. Published 1988 in Canine Concepts
and Community Animal Control Magazine.~

>When these folks applied to adopt, and we asked how their Bichon was killed by a car, this was their response. We hear this on an average of once a week.

(These are NOT Bichons adopted from Small Paws.)

PLEASE don't take a chance with the life of your Bichon!
We do not adopt to people who allow their dogs to run loose.

To: bonnie@smallpawsrescue.org
Subject: Re: Small Paws Rescue

We had him for the last five years, He is very obedient normally when we say "stay" he will stop wherever he is, so some times we are used to play with him in the yard for he loves to run around the yard in circles, during that time we did not put him on the leash, this particular day he was not on leash and did not yield to the command when he saw some dog across the road. It took off so suddenly the on coming driver did not have time to stop the car. That is how it happened.>


Humphrey Sisco
Dec 26, 1993~ Aug 30, 2006

When I first saw this beautiful picture of Cheri Sisco's "Humphrey", I thought it was truly the epitome of what we do, and why we do it. I wanted to use this black and white picture of Humphrey, taken only days before his death due to congestive heart failure, to let those who may be new to Small Paws, know what we do and why we do it. Without Small Paws, Humphrey would have never known love. He would have died in a kill shelter, sick and alone. Because of Small Paws, and Cheri Sisco, he lived, he loved, and he smiled.

(All recipients of the Small Paws Rescue newsletter receive it voluntarily. Small Paws never gleans e-mail addresses from other e-mail lists. Small Paws never solicits e-mail addresses or shares them with other "lists" or organizations.)