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Thursday Morning July 29, 2010

Gem of the Day: "There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son.
I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's never possible."
~ Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird"


We just took in an entire littler of Bichon Puppies with heart murmurs.
Three girls and one boy.
One of them is critical and is being treated for congestive heart failure.
Her lungs are filling with fluid.
The rest are already sick.
You can see it in their eyes that they have no energy and feel terrible.
This is the most urgent situation we have had all year.
Help is needed to try to save these four young lives.

Click on this Youtube video To see what a difference this
life saving surgery can make in a Bichon's life.
Glennda Bruce, our South Texas Team Leader had this video made.
This tells the story that will bless your heart! It's OK to look!



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Small Paws Rescue Inc.
3316 S. 72nd. W. Ave.
Tulsa, Ok. 74107

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

Dear Small Pawsers,

Welcome to the newest members of our Small Paws Rescue Online Newsletter, especially to those of you who saw us live in New York City, on Fox and Friends, or on Animal Planet on "Dogs 101."

If you missed our last newsletter, here it is.
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/newsletters/images/july2910.html

I'm not sure I even have the words to tell you about this.

Please forgive me if this is coming out muttled. It's just so overwhelming that I don't even know how to go about even telling you what has happened.

I guess I'll just start telling you, like you were sitting here in my living room having coffee, and pray there is help out there for these four babies.

This truly IS the most serious situation we have had all year.

The four babies above, all came from an Amish Puppy Mill in Ohio.

They are between 7-8 weeks old. Just tiny babies.

This is a true story, what I'm about to tell you. I want to tell you the whole story so you will know how this has happened and why it is so urgent.

We first learned of one puppy with a heart murmur. A few hours later, we learned it was the whole litter and there were four all together.

Folks, we learned a long time ago that when there is an entire litter like this with holes in their hearts, a HEREDITARY condition, we HAVE to get BOTH parents too, or in another six months there will be four more babies just like this.

A local rescuer who had been working with this kennel, drove over to tell the owner that we had to take both parents if we take the puppies. (and yes, we have the name and location of the kennel so we know who had these dogs and we have proof that he has surrendered them to rescue)

When she told him that we have to take the parents too, he agreed to give them all to Small Paws.

But he had already given the Daddy to another Amish Kennel. He agreed to go with our rescuer to the other kennel. He was going to tell the other kennel owner to hand over Dad.

And he did.

Dad was now in the truck and on the way back to the first kennel.

When they got there, he told our rescuer to come in the back to get the Mom and babies.

That's when she saw the nightmare.

Folks, the Moma was stone cold dead and had been so for quite a while. She was already stiff. Her babies were all clinging to her lifeless body.

I swear to you all on all that is Holy, what I'm telling you is the truth.

Our rescuer hasn't done this kind of kennel rescue very long. She was of course horrified.

The kennel owner seemed unmoved and told her that the Mama dog had seizures a few days earlier.

HELLO??

Did he call a vet? Oh no. He left her with he babies, sick and alone, until she died.

To me, this was a sin. A sin like killing a Mockingbird.

It hit me hard and the vision of this happening has haunted me ever since.

Our rescuer swooped up the babies through her tears, and told the man she was taking these babies NOW and he did not stop her.

We have them now, and I'd like to think that somehow their Mama knows they are with us and safe, and that we will move Heaven and earth to save them if we can.

In honor of their Mama who gave her life, with her babies being the last thing she saw on this earth, I've named them after characters from the book, "To Kill a Mockingbird."

We have:

The Daddy, Atticus Finch--Male-6-8 years, transported to Groveport Animal Clinic-- Groveport, OH C/O OH. Team Leader Sharon King

The Babies:

Scout--Female -- to Sharon King, kingsall3@aol.com--Reynoldsburg, OH,
2 1/2 #'s.

Miss Maudie--Female--to Linda Fausey, lfausey@columbus.rr.com--Dublin, OH
2 3/4 #'s

Harper Lee--Female - 1.5 #'s to Susan Geier. pp816@aol.com, Worthington, OH,

Boo Radley--Male - to Susan Geier, pp816@aol.com, Worthington, OH,
3.65 #'s.

The smallest of the puppies "ways" only 2 1/2 #'s. (Yes, I know I'm misspelling the word. I have to change that word to get past the spam filters, who think if that word is there, it must be some sort of a "wait" loss scam. I asked have to use the symbol of "#'s" to tell you the "wait" of the puppies.)

What is a PDA heart murmur?

Click here to learn more. Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Regular PDA repair, a minimally invasive procedure using fluoroscopy and the "plug", at Medvet in Worthington Ohio, runs about $2000.00 each for Small Paws. This is heavily discounted from their normal fee and is almost $1000.00 less than we were paying before, at Texas A&M.

We got great care there and we get great care at Medvet.

Dr. Thainbinh Nguyenba is our personal cardiologist. He was instrumental in designing the plug that is used to repair these heart murmurs.

Thainbinh (pronounced Ty-Bin Win-Baw) and the Cardiology staff at Medvet, keep me updated by phone every step of the way with our heart babies.

I have Thaibinh's cell and his home phone numbers, and he's told me to call him day or night, if we need him.

Today, he saw Miss Maudie, one of the littlest of the babies. She is under 3 #'s and is in the beginning of congestive heart failure.

Her lungs are beginning to fill with fluid.

They are treating her with lasix to try to reverse this, as they can't do anything more until this is reversed.

After that, Thainbinh doesn't want to wait for her veins to grow large enough to have the plug procedure. You see, the puppy's veins have to be large enough to put the catheter through them, and Miss Maudie's are not big enough.

He thinks we should send her on to surgery and have one of their surgeons ligate her, meaning to do the crack the chest procedure and go in manually and close the hole.

The ligation procedure (crack the chest open) and the plug procedure both have the same rate of survival, and the odds are very good either way.

The plug procedure is much less invasive with a faster healing time, and for us, it is cheaper because it's Thaibinh who is doing it.

This surgery will cost us $3000.00.

There is another tiny female. He will see her soon and determine if she too, is "wet", meaning in congestive heart failure with her lungs filling with fluid.

We hope that the other two are large enough to use the plug procedure at $2000.00 each.

Either way, oh God, this is where my heart starts beating hard, we are looking at needing $10,000.00 to save these four little lives.

I need to breathe and I know you all are going to need to breathe.

You know how hard it is for me to come and ask you for money. For just the normal things we see in rescue, it's the least favorite part of my job.

But now, in the heat of the summer, with dreaded AUGUST looking us in the face, here I am asking you, yet again, to help us to raise an unbelievable $10,000.00 to save the lives of Harper, Scout, Miss Maudie and Boo Radley from assuming room temperature, as their poor Mama did, with all of them at her side. Plus we have their Daddy, Atticus Finch, to vet as well.

We've done this life saving surgery now, around 75 times. (I have to apologize. I need to update the Heart Murmur page with the latest Bichons we have saved who have not yet been added!)
The Heart Murmur Reunion Page

I don't know. There may not even be enough of you who are still at home to be able to help them.

I'm sending this out on the wings of prayer, asking God to do a miracle in the lives of these four babies.

We have the following matching donation challenges for the little "Mockingbirds."

Subject: Re: From Robin: Sue Hodges' Husband Has Died. Her Matching Challenge.
Date: 7/27/2010 10:02:07 P.M. Central Daylight Time
From: darred29@yahoo.com

Dear Robin,

I never met or corresponded with Sue Hodges, but my heart is broken for her. Please send her this card with my deepest prayers & sympathy.

I'd like to issue a challenge to everyone, whatever they can afford or whatever they can spare, for memorial donations to one of Small Paws Rescue, Inc's most faithful contributors. Buffy & I will start with $100.00, but no amount is too small or too big. This is for Sue, and SPR should be helping her through this time. We need to surround her with prayers.

Sue, if you see this, I have been an admirer of your steadfast courage for a long time, and you will most certainly be there in my prayers.

Blessings,
Melissa Swoager & Buffy>

<Subject: Re: From Robin: Sue Hodges' Husband Has Died. Her Matching Challenge.
Date: 7/28/2010 1:50:37 P.M. Central Daylight Time
From: southerncotton1@gmail.com
To: pup3@aol.com

Robin,
I will match Sue Hodges challenge. I will keep her in my thought and prayers. I enjoy seeing the names of familiar members when reading your newsletters.
Also I would like to issue a 25.00 challenge in honor of Sue. She is like you one of the many dedicated angels in your organization. God Bless Sue and her family and prayers to keep her strong.
MaLinda Rapier & my Rotten Cotton>

<Subject: Re: From Robin: Sue Hodges' Husband Has Died. Her Matching Challenge.
Date: 7/28/2010 11:15:08 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: grasshopper629@yahoo.com

Hi there. It's Susan, Chloe & Louie from Canton, Ohio again. We already made a $25 challenge donation for Blossom and Barkley. These two little fuzzy butts have really been praying on my mind. My 81 year old Mom (aka Grandma to Chloe & Louie) lives with us and they are so attached. I can't imagine what Blossom and Barkley are feeling without their Mommy who has always been there nor how she must feel about her loss. I know times are hard and for some of us it's really hard. But, long story short, I am issuing another CHALLENGE DONATION of $100.00. Please, everyone look deep into your heart and match my challenges or give what you can for these senior fur-kids. Thanks to all who give in so many ways for these precious babies.

Susan, Chloe and Louie
Canton, OH>

I don't know what else to say. I'm so sorry this is happening right now. It's never a good time for four heart babies to drop into your arms, but approaching August it is just really difficult with so many people being away.

August and January are the two slowest months for all non-for-profits, and we are no exception.

I just wonder if the need rises in other charities like it seems to with us, right smack in the middle of the long, hot summer.

All My Love and again, I am so sorry this is happening right now. Robin

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Companies Who Match Employees Donations  

From Small Paws Ebay!

1704 Positive Comments.



"Small Paws Rescue Ebay is open!


Come see this and many more items on SPR Ebay!
Check it out!

Thanks,
Patti

If you have items to donate to sell on Ebay, please email us! 

Visit the Small Paws® Rescue Online E-Store where lots of items are on clearance and we have some new items as well!!

Lots of items on clearance and now we have some new items as well


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 99,163 searches and have shopped to raise $1,837.82 for Small Paws Rescue!

How to Become a Much Needed Small Paws® Rescue Foster Parent!
See how we REALLY feel about our volunteers!

Remembrances:

Date: 7/28/2010 10:47:09 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: SueVDB@gswater.com

Many years ago I transported a little blind Bichon down to San Diego where they have a beautiful home overlooking the bay. Right away Fred rigged up a leash for the Bichon and his little terrier Ruffy(?) so their dog could be the Bichon’s “seeing eye dog” and they went on a short walk right away. I was so touched by both of them that I have never forgotten their overwhelming love for their animals. I have made many transports in my 9 yr history with Small Paws but Sue and Fred will always stand out as such gentle, warm and caring people.

God speed Fred, Sebastian is waiting for you. Sue, my prayers are with you.

Sue Van Der Blomen
Los Angeles, CA>

Prayer Requests
(God loves you more than anyone else ever has,
and more than anyone else ever will!)

<Stacie Hoyles in Ohio writes:

Hello,

I would love to help, but was just diagnosed with advanced uterine cancer and a brain tumor. I am finishing up a variety of tests this week so they can determine how and where the cancer metastasized. They know there is additional involvement with the pituitary, thyroid, and ovaries. They will need to biopsy my lymph nodes, and I have an MRI this Friday for further info on the brain and thyroid. An ultrasound today to stage/grade the uterine tumor was, well, not good. The tumor has engulfed the entire uterus and the uterus has grown to full-term pregnancy size. I have been referred to The James for aggressive treatment and surgery. Final staging of the tumor gets done after removal.
Prayers are being accepted, and obviously are much needed.
Thank you,
Stacie>

<
Subject: Re: From Robin: Sue Hodges' Husband Has Died. Her Matching Challenge.
Date: 7/28/2010 8:17:26 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: msstraley1@verizon.net
To: pup3@aol.com

Hi,

This is Mindy Straley in Harrisburg, PA. I was wondering if you could include my beloved Corgi on the prayer list. He was my first Bichon puppy over 11 years ago. I did not adopt him from Small Paws, but have since adopted 4 other Bichons through Small Paws.

He was diagnosed last week with a massive lung tumor on his left lung. He has no breathing capacity in his left lung, so breathing is becoming increasingly difficult at this time. The specialist drained 3 lbs of fluid from his chest cavity last week, but warned the fluid will continue to accumulate, which it has. There is no cure; only hope that his quality of life will continue just a few more weeks, as I am not ready to let go. I will take him back to the vet as often as I have to to have the fluid drained so he can breathe easier and is more comfortable. At this point, I have no idea how much longer I will have him with me.

Thanks very much,

Mindy Straley>

Hear the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sing "So You Would Know."

Will God let us have our beloved pet's in heaven?

Information About Our Programs

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

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.

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