10.28.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:24 pm by LSSTLAR
The first few weeks in rescue, all the Humane Society Mill Babies have had to just get healthy enough to get all the basics. Between upper respiratory infections, fleas, worms, and ticks, their introduction to their new lives has been being handled and cared for non-stop. The first two that could be altered were Margo and Hugo, both now in their foster homes awaiting adoption. We expect most of the other to reach that step in the coming week.
Here are new photos after a day at the spa:
Anna (6) and Milla (5) look like twins
Mature gals Nadja (7) and Estella (10)
And newcomer Tyra Mills North who was too sick to make the transport.
There are more photos to come, so keep an eye out for the transformations. They are adapting quickly to inside living, wagging their tails and acting like normal dogs. They are all so small and will need people to help them grow as foster parents until their forever homes come along.
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10.19.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 9:11 pm by Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue
Dallas, Texas – October 19, 2007. While the rest of the world has been entranced by Ellen Degeneres and “Iggy-gate,” several dog rescue organizations in Texas were working hard in their “spare” volunteer time this week to ensure that shih tzu dogs rescued from horrible conditions of neglect were whisked away to foster homes and forever homes in California.
Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue, working with the Humane Society of North Texas in Ft Worth, the American Shih Tzu Club Rescue of San Jose, CA, STARS of Texas and other groups in the DFW area, helped ensure that the majority of the shih tzu dogs confiscated by the HSNT on early in October are looking at a bright future.
When the Humane Society of North Texas confiscated over 90 shih tzu dogs from a horrible breeding situation in Ellis county, the local rescue groups became extremely concerned. Having been overwhelmed with an extremely high number of dogs this year being left at animal control shelters and turned in by owners no longer wanting them, it was not looking good that there would be enough local foster and forever homes to save a huge number of dogs.
We were about to have an anxiety attack. Just in the past few months, since May, we’ve taken in close to 130 dogs and that, alone, was taxing our volunteer system. Trying to absorb more than 8-10 of the confiscated dogs would have been impossible. Many dogs that come from an over-breeding situation like this are very, very unsocialized. It often takes weeks and even months to get them to the point at which we can put them into a regular family environment.
After the HSNT was awarded custody, everyone got to work to find alternative out-of-area groups that could absorb the ones that the local rescues could not handle.
The Humane Society adopted out close to 60 to citizens of the area, Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue, STARS and other local volunteer breed specific groups were able to take in 21, but another ten had no committed rescue in sight. Thankfully, the American Shih Tzu Club Rescue of San Jose, CA stepped up for any and all that the local groups could not handle.
Lone Star ended up with ten. They are all unbelievably sweet, but extremely shy – like most dogs that come from such a situation – they are not socialized to just common living situations. Many have ulcers on their eyes, most have horrible skin and coat. After a quarantine period at our veterinary clinic, they will go into foster homes for rehabilitation.
Thursday night, excited Lone Star volunteers gathered at the HSNT to load up the remaining dogs to start what will be a 1750 mile trek west for these little dogs. Many of these dogs had skin issues, eye problems and upper respiratory conditions. Congregating at the home of one Lone Star volunteer in a Dallas suburb, the volunteers began the arduous task of grooming and bathing these ten tiny travelers.
Carmen, who worked unbelievably hard to get these guys safe.
Let’s get this party started
Ahhh. That feels good!
Before dawn on Friday, Lone Star volunteers started out on this trek of love to save these dogs. Late Friday night, they arrived in Phoenix, AZ where the ten shih tzu will be turned over to Loree Levy-Schwartz, the chairman of the American Shih Tzu Club Rescue.
Loree and her veterinarian husband, Monte Schwartz, working with friends in Phoenix, have set up a temporary “hospital” for these little dogs and Monte will treat all of the major problems before they set off for the final drive to his clinic in San Jose. There, the lucky little dogs, who started this journey matted, flea infested, dirty and ill, will be put into temporary foster homes while the ASTC Rescue searches for loving, approved forever homes.
“It is amazing that through the many miles between us, we are able to network and save lives,” commented Levy-Schwartz. “Networking is what it is all about. I want to thank everyone involved for all they do and are doing. I have to put in a special thank you to Monte, my husband, who dropped everything to come with me to Phoenix and donate his time, money and a ward in our hospital, for these little ones. Let their new lives begin!”
And we agree. This is an amazing cooperative effort among several groups, whose only thought was to ensure that the little dogs that had such a horrible start in life would live the remainder of their lives in the very best approved permanent homes. It’s so sad that there has been so much negative energy against rescue organizations caused by Iggy-gate or Ellen-gate, or whatever you want to call it – energy that should be focused on trying to save the lives of shelter dogs on death row. Preparation for this trip from Dallas, TX to San Jose, CA has consumed most of our DFW volunteers for the past week; and it just shows how dedicated volunteer rescuers are and the lengths they will go to save a few dogs.
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10.15.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:47 pm by Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue
Whew it’s been a whirlwind weekend. Two full days of fun at the Old Town Spring Petfest PLUS working day and night to get 7, no 12, no 16, no 25, no 27 shih tzu safe from the HSNT confiscation!
But, mission accomplished! At the end, there was a total of 27 dogs that were released rescue-only. After hours and hours on the phones, several visits to the HSNT shelter for pictures and temperament tests, we were able to find a place for all of the remaining dogs to go!!
YEAH!!
And, we met all the fundraising challenges over the weekend and have raised all we need, right now, for the little tzu babies we were able to take into our program!
YOU ALL ROCK.
Here is an update our the sick ones:
Milla – sweet adorable Milla was sent to a foster home on Friday because she was so sick and congested. As of Monday, doing much better. She is cleaned up and mat free now. She had a fever for most of this weekend but it seems to be gone now. She is also breathing normally and is not as congested as she was on Friday. She likes to eat and has a good appetite so it’s been easy to get her to take her medicines and supplements. She is past the worst, we think, and out of danger for pneumonia.
Tyson – Tyson had also developed an URI, but is also responding to baytril. He is coughing much less now and on the road to recovery.
Nadja – also was starting with a runny nose, but again the baytril has started her on the recovery path.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We were able to arrange to send seven of the NINE left at the shelter last week to an American Shih Tzu Club Rescue foster organization in California. They will be leaving the DFW are on Friday morning with two Lone Star volunteers driving them as far as Phoenix and the ASTC person coming from the Bay Area to meet them. YEAH!! The other two are coming to Houston to be fostered by another ASTC member here in Houston. This resolution made me able to sleep at night! ALL ARE SAVED.
Here are the NINE last ones to be saved:
These are some LUCKY little tzu. Aren’t they pitiful looking?
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10.13.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:48 pm by Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue
Wow, you guys really are ANGELS!! Today, we met the $500 New York Challenge thanks to all of you!! I thought it interesting that a cool guy from New York City jumped on the chance to help some little ole Texas pups!! Go NYC!!!
So, as of right now, the HSNT Puppymill Fund is at $4,380!! You guys ROCK!! So far, we’ve gotten aggressive on the antibiotics and the two that had URIs are slowly responding. One more, Nadja, just started coughing, so she’s on antibiotics now. The only expensive additional stuff so far is one eye enucleation – Nadja. That bumped the funding needed to $5,925.
Milla (with possible pneumonia) is in our extra-outstanding medical foster home under careful watch. We are hoping, hoping, hoping that she starts getting better and no ICU is needed. I’m sure you are hoping too.
Thanks to the following for their unbelievably generous donation!!
Wendy Reimer, Vicki Wakefield, Deborah Knoepfel in memory of Barkley and in honor of Harley and Chewbacca, another LSSTLAR alum, Ginger Guest-Warnick, Janet Bello, Brandy Zender, Rosemary Cody in honor of Brigitte and in memory of Tami and Sam, Jill Kirk, P Michael Shea-Zackin, Lisa Agnew in honor of Rocky, Scooter and Truman, Sherri Jewell, Janna Charette in honor of Pablo and Chester, Anne C Traylor, Jim Rosen In memory of Lance, Sherry Goodpasture, Pat Tulinski, Laura Douglas, H. Holmes Hendricks, Alina Wells, Christine Connolly, Stephen Plunkett in honor of Bentley, Jag, Bimmer and Mercedes, Dale Stone, Dana Woodruff, Linda Harrington, Kendra Smith, Doug Cameron, Barbara Grabell, Lael Ward, Wylene Dunbar, Impulse Devices, Melissa Avellan, Lorna Van De Weile, Karen Anderson with love from Riley, Ruffin and Taylor, Maxie Terry in memory of Goldie, Kara Saenz, Janet Jackson in honor of Melony Robichaux, Valerie Newman, Tricia Havis, Jennifer Rue, Natty Products, Elliott Lander from Spanky, Sammi, HuggyBear, Pepper, Casey, OB, Baxter, Mocha, Mango, Cocoa, Buddy, Squirt, Ginger, Hannah and Scooter Lander, Patricia Heitmann, Lisa Rike in honor of Maddie, Sunny, Lucy, Mike, Addie and Tia, Rosemary Cody in honor of Brigitte and in memory of Tami and Sam, Cat Martindale in honor of Chachacha, Chugger and Chiclet, Ann McDearmon, Christine Apple.
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10.12.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 10:10 pm by Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue
Our new Lone Star fluffers were checked out by the vet today, some good news, some not so good….
GOOD NEWS – ALL ARE NEGATIVE FOR HEARTWORMS AND WORMS, EXCEPT CUTIE PIE HUGO HAS ALL TYPES OF WORMS.
NOW FOR THE NOT SO GOOD NEWS:
Milla(in the front) - approximately five years old, extremely bad upper respiratory infection heading to pneumonia. Open mouthed breathing. Lungs have some fluid. Prescribed multiple antibiotics and a foster home took her home tonight. We are praying she does not need to go to ICU tonight for oxygen.
Margo – approximately three years old. Scars on both eyes, but looks healed. Horrible ears and she had ticks (testing now for tick disease) and a hernia that will be repaired during her spay.
Nothing new yet on Tyson. He has really bad skin, but we’re hopeful that this is just bad nutrition. He’s also coming down with an upper respiratory infection. Hopefully, just kennel cough. He’s on a lot of supplements and vitamins right now. Prayers needed. He also has a ton of worms and is making foster mom Carmen gag because of it. Oh well, the life and times of rescuers.
Nothing new on Nadja. Her right eye is shrunken and not functional. She will probably be winking at you the next time you see her. When the eye shrinks significantly, air pockets form inside the lid and trap bacteria. The result is infection. It’s better to simply remove the eye.
Hugo – has all types of worms – hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. Cute little tiny male – blonde – very sweet.
Estella – estimated ten years old. When Carmen went to the Humane Society, we told her to ask for the two worst first. Estella is one of those two. She has bilateral cataracts, mildly anemic, elevated liver enzymes and ear mites. ESTELLA NEEDS A GREAT NURTURING FOSTER HOME. She is one of those that just looks “checked out.” The HS described her as “not happy, needs love.”
Nothing new on Armani. He has ear mites, large protruding eyes and a hernia.
Anna – approximately six years old, corneal scar on left eye. Ear mites and an umbilical hernia that will be repaired during her spay. Look at these huge eyes. Seems to be a common trait among all of these dogs.
Just keep these “before” pictures in your mind. You will be so excited to see them after a few weeks.
So far, as of 9 pm, Friday, October 12, their fund is at $3,320. With their ear mites, umbical hernias, eye problems, worms, etc., their bills WILL run an average of $700 each. That covers immunizations, veterinary exam, dental procedure, bloodwork to test for kidney and liver function, bloodwork to check for anemia, heartworm test, meds for worms, antibiotic eye ointment, meds for ear mites, antibiotics for upper respiratory infections and two weeks of quarantine. Right now, we’re over 1/2 there, but really, really need more help FAST.
I promise, after this, we’re going to slow WWWWWAAAAAYYYYY down. I just cannot keep coming to you with story after story after story, I know there is a limit. But for right now, we have to get these babies vetted.
If you’d like to help one or more of these babies, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO USE PAYPAL.
Of course, you can always PLEDGE TO SEND A CHECK TO THESE SWEETIES TOO, just indicate “HSNT Puppymill refugees-Oct 2007″ on the form.
Or to use a credit card,
DOWNLOAD THE AUTHORIZATION FORM HERE, and fax it to 281-754-4851.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
PLEASE HELP US HELP THESE LITTLE GUYS HAVE A GREAT LIFE!
Thanks to the following for their unbelievably generous donation!!
Wendy Reimer, Vicki Wakefield, Deborah Knoepfel in memory of Barkley and in honor of Harley and Chewbacca, another LSSTLAR alum, Ginger Guest-Warnick, Janet Bello, Brandy Zender, Rosemary Cody in honor of Brigitte and in memory of Tami and Sam, Jill Kirk, P Michael Shea-Zackin, Lisa Agnew in honor of Rocky, Scooter and Truman, Sherri Jewell, Janna Charette in honor of Pablo and Chester, Anne C Traylor, Jim Rosen In memory of Lance, Sherry Goodpasture, Pat Tulinski, Laura Douglas, H. Holmes Hendricks, Alina Wells, Christine Connolly, Stephen Plunkett in honor of Bentley, Jag, Bimmer and Mercedes, Dale Stone, Dana Woodruff, Linda Harrington, Kendra Smith, Doug Cameron, Barbara Grabell, Lael Ward, Wylene Dunbar, Impulse Devices, Melissa Avellan, Lorna Van De Weile, Karen Anderson with love from Riley, Ruffin and Taylor, Maxie Terry in memory of Goldie, Kara Saenz, Janet Jackson in honor of Melony Robichaux.
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Posted in Uncategorized at 12:06 am by Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue
These little fluffs are now part of the Lone Star family and on the way to health and happiness!! Thanks to you.
Meet Margo North Mills – Carmen had fun naming thee pitiful ones after rock stars, supermodels and fashion icons.
This little tiny 2.5 pound boy is Tyson North Mills. He has really bad skin, but we’re hopeful that this is just bad nutrition. He’s also coming down with an upper respiratory infection. Hopefully, just kennel cough. He’s on a lot of supplements and vitamins right now. Prayers needed. He also has a ton of worms and is making foster mom Carmen gag because of it. Oh well, the life and times of rescuers.
This is gorgeous Nadja North Mills. Her right eye is shrunken and not functional. She will probably be winking at you the next time you see her. When the eye shrinks significantly, air pockets form inside the lid and trap bacteria. The result is infection. It’s better to simply remove the eye.
This is little Milla North Mills. Another tiny, sweet little girl with bad skin and eyes.
Say hello to Hugo North Mills. Cute little tiny male – blonde – very sweet.
Meet Estelle North Mills. This is the one in the worst shape. Her eyes are horrible and she is one of those that just looks “checked out.” The HS described her as “not happy, needs love.”
This adorable boy is Armani North Mills. He has ear mites, large protruding eyes and a hernia.
Anna North Mills – look at these huge eyes. Seems to be a common trait among all of these dogs.
Just keep these “before” pictures in your mind. You will be so excited to see them after a few weeks.
So far, as of 11 pm, Thursday, October 11, their fund is at $1,120. Remember, even without MAJOR problems, their vet bills will be $430 each. That covers immunizations, veterinary exam, dental procedure, bloodwork to test for kidney and liver function, bloodwork to check for anemia, heartworm test and two weeks of quarantine. Each of these has something that will most likely run that to at least $700 EACH. So we’re facing over $5,600 in bills. GULP. What in the world have I gotten us into. HELP! Oh, my husband still tells me I MUST start using my head and not just my heart. As I’ve said, I’ll always have to ask.
Ok, and now there is good news and bad news – other rescues took eight more of these little dogs – hitting what we thought would be the target number of 16. The bad news is that the HS identified another 11 that need rescue but were still there tonight needing rescue.
If you’d like to help one or more of these babies, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO USE PAYPAL (IT’S WORKING AGAIN)
Of course, you can always PLEDGE TO SEND A CHECK TO THESE SWEETIES TOO, just indicate “HSNT Puppymill refugees-Oct 2007″ on the form.
Or to use a credit card,
DOWNLOAD THE AUTHORIZATION FORM HERE, and fax it to 281-754-4851.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
PLEASE HELP US HELP THESE LITTLE GUYS HAVE A GREAT LIFE!
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10.11.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 12:37 am by Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue
Ok, we got the word late this afternoon, there are definitely 15 puppymill dogs needing rescue RIGHT NOW!! And, some are coming down with kennel cough so we need to get them quick and get them into a vet asap. The humane society was awarded custody this afternoon and sorted through the dogs one final time. They will try to adopt out all the healthier ones and need us to take the ones with eye problems, other physical abnormalities and those coming down with kennel cough. There are two other rescue organizations sharing the wealth, but we need to try to take 6-8 of these puppers.
HELP!! Historically, it’s cost around $500-$700 to vet puppymill dogs – most have ear infections, some have eye infections – and a couple of these will definitely need to go to the opthalmologist.
I know we’ve asked for help more times than we deserve, but guys, we really have to try to save these little guys. We’ve had some enormous expenses lately – Charo Worth’s Pneumonia, Chantilly Worth’s Pneumonia, Braysia’s ICU crash, Le’Poodley Worth’s ruptured disc, Barkley Turner’s ruptured discs, and more than 20 dogs with heartworms. Now this.
What to do? All we can do is ask. Ask if you are supportive of helping these pitiful little dogs.
Here are the ones we think need us…or as our wonderful Dr. Moore would say – they look like a LONE STAR dog.
Male – eye problems and mange
Female – one eye shrunken
Two Females – both with eye problems
Male
Female – eye problems
Male – eye problems
Female – eye problems
So, we know you’ve heard this before, but…
We can only save these babies with YOUR support. First, we need to be able to vet EIGHT dogs at $500-$700 each. Then we’re going to ask for foster homes. They need to be quarantined first.
For now, we desperately need donations.
The humane society wants us to come pick them up at 10:30 tomorrow MORNING!!!
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10.10.07
Posted in Uncategorized at 5:39 pm by Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue
We were called about 4 today to hear the joyful (did I say that, what was I thinking) that these little fluffs were awarded to the HSNT. YEAH. But, bad news, there are at least 15 that will need foster homes. Now, some of the other rescues will take some, but we need to get 6-8 probably.
More later. Our volunteer, Carmen, is talking with the HSNT about the dogs so we will know which are going to be Lone Star dogs.
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10.07.07
Posted in HSNT Puppymill Oct 2007 at 5:10 pm by Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue
Our volunteer Carmen, went to see the tzus yesterday and took a few videos. It’s amazing how much better the videos show the problems than just still pictures.
We uploaded them to YouTube. These fluffers are cute!
THIS VIDEO shows a couple that will need to be rescued.
THIS VIDEO shows some of the younger ones that are in better shape and will be adopted out straight from the Humane Society.
THIS VIDEO shows more that need to be rescued.
THIS VIDEO shows one that is very shy and will need to be rescued.
We’ll find out the disposition on the 10th, we hope.
Evidently all 96 of these dogs were in the care of one elderly woman and her husband who had Alzheimers.
More later.
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10.06.07
Posted in Valerie Vidor at 10:57 pm by Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue
We are OVERFLOWING with dogs. We have absolutely not a single place to put a new dog! Our foster homes are packed to the ceiling and cannot shove another one in. Then, we get this email….
Greetings,
I am writing you from Beaumont with deep concern about a little shih tzu that I pulled from the Vidor pound yesterday. My husband and I
help out often with transporting dogs from local pounds to Houston. I went there yesterday to pick up the dogs for transport, and there was horrible screaming coming from the washroom. The animal control officer there opened the door to show me the most pitiful little shih tzu I have ever seen.
Long story short, I couldn’t leave her there to suffer over the weekend, so I took her immediately to my vet. The story is that someone in a trailer park moved out and abandoned the dog. I don’t know what sick cruelty this little one has endured, but I do know that she has suffered tremendously.
She was sedated and had to be shaved to the skin. She is young, about a year and a half old. She weighs 6.5 pounds, and the vet could not
find anything wrong with her physically, but she is very withdrawn, and will snap in fear. One of the nails on her back feet is completely gone – just ripped out.
She has sores all over, and is very anemic due to fleas. She cowers and literally screams when you touch her. She is heartworm negative and her fecal was clean. Her eyes both have ulcers, but will heal with time and medicine. She seems to see just fine. I am giving her supplements for the anemia. She has a very good appetite. I also had to have her fully vaccinated including rabies, because she stayed at the vet’s last night. I don’t think she needs any expensive medical treatment, just a place to be ‘rehabbed’ and learn to feel love and trust people. She will be adorable once her hair grows in.
Is there any way you would accept her into your rescue program?
She really needs a special place and experienced, understanding people to help her heal. It says on your website that you often take in very needy little dogs – that you have a soft spot for those that REALLY, REALLY need medical help, so I am hoping and praying that you will give this little one a chance. I will send you some pictures later today. I wanted to give her a chance to settle down before I started flashing pictures. Please let me know if you are able to help her. I would be so very grateful.
You have GOT to be kidding me. There is that saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you strong.” But really?!?!? This is getting ridiculous. Even though we’ve had STELLAR adoptions, we have taken in way, way, way too many dogs and with the HSNT puppymill dogs on the horizon, what can we do. We MUST HAVE A FOSTER HOME FOR THIS ONE before we can take her in.
Can anyone foster this girl??
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