Tuesday Evening, January 18, 2022

Dear Small Pawsers,

Gem of the Day: “Everybody needs a passion. That’s what keeps life interesting. If you live without passion, you can go through life without leaving any footprints.” ~ Betty White~

Dear Small Pawsers,

We have two special needs Bichons, both located in North Texas, who need homes. (They aren’t together.)

First, I told you in one of the previous newsletters about a little Bichon Mix who was a “frequent flier” at the Austin City Shelter, in Austin Texas.

Animal Control had picked him up as a stray several times and his owner finally surrendered him to the shelter. Then the shelter contacted us.

I think I know why he was a frequent flier. He is an escape artist and his Foster Mom says he will “bolt out the door if given an inch.”

One of our great volunteers, Holly Noel, drove him from Austin TX. up to Dallas, to our vet, Dr. David Shepherd at Roanoke Animal Hospital near Dallas.

There were no vets available in Austin. There is a national shortage of Veterinary care due to Covid and we are just having to maneuver around it. Our volunteers are driving HOURS to get to a vet who has room and staffing for one more dog. And I’m not kidding.

‘The hardest year’: Vet clinics face staffing shortages amid pandemic pet boom.

This is 4 Year Old “Monkey Small Paws” and he is a doll!

Monkey did great during his initial vetting and quarantine, but after 11 days in Foster Care, he had three Grand Mal Seizures in about six hours.

Of course we rushed him to the ER where they started him on IV Anticonvulsants, a seizure drug called “Keppra”.

They sent him home on oral Keppra and he hasn’t had a seizure one time after being released from the ER.

The generic medication for 80 days worth, three times a day, is only $19.00. He will need to take this medication for the rest of his life. He’s doing wonderfully on it!

We have Members of our Board and Adopters who tell us they’ve never seen another seizure with this drug. 

Click Here to see a video of Monkey in Dallas

This is what his Foster Mom, Charter Member of Small Paws Rescue, Vicki Furstenburg, has said about little Monkey.

“Monkey is a 4 yr old, 16 lb Bichon mix. He is a super lovable boy that always want to be close to you. He loves walks and is 100% housetrained. He is also the quietest dog and does not bark….ever. He gets along great with other dogs, but we are not sure about cats. Monkey LOVES men! He sleeps in the bed with us. He needs a home where someone is home with him. He is located in the Dallas, Texas area. A future adopter would need to be able to drive to come and get him, and Rae Steeb, our North Texas Team Leader,  may be able to find a transport to help drive some. He is the absolute sweetest little guy! Seizures are under control so the meds are working.”

If you can give Monkey a forever home, this is an application to fill out. He is ready for adoption.

Online Adoption Application

(Be sure that you get an autoresponder back, or it means we didn’t get your app. All of the questions need to be answered or it won’t come through to us.)

Next, again near Dallas, we have a precious 8 year old Bichon Mix named “Blitzen” who was rescued in December from a Texas shelter. He doesn’t seem to know that he’s blind.

At the time of his rescue he was so matted that we couldn’t see that he is blind, BUT it may be only temporary. I had a feeling he was white. Please keep reading.

Click above to see a darling video of Blitzen, coming to Ardy’s voice.

In addition to being blind, he has Heartworms. OF COURSE HE DOES! (I try to tell them, “Only ONE major ailment, per dog! Do you think they listen to MEEEE? Nada! Like I am chopped liver, I tell you!”

Blitzen’s being treated for that, this month at Roanoke Animal Hospital.

After that, we will proceed with his eye issue. We are hoping this IS a cataract and that it can be removed to give him his site back,

The left eye suffered some sort of trauma and it’s dead, although it doesn’t cause any problems for him.

The right eye has what our vet believes is a mature cataract and that’s where his lack of site may be only temporary. (Blitzen’s, not the vet.)

We have an appt with an eye doctor to see if it IS a cataract and if so, if we can remove it so that he can have vision in one eye! Wouldn’t that be wonderful for him?!

We will let you know what they say, after his heartworm treatment.

He’s being fostered with another Charter Member of Small Paws, Ardys Adams. This is what Ardys says about him.

“What Blitzen lacks in sight, he more than makes up for in a myriad of other ways! So playful yet gentle, he’ll softly bump into things, but then he’ll just head another direction or follow his human’s voice to be sure he’s on an obstacle-free path. He’s completely housebroken, very smart, and his gentle tail-wagging self will follow you everywhere.  Thanks to his sharp sense of hearing, he doesn’t miss out on anything! 

Blitzen loves to explore the house and yard, checking out everything.  He adapts beautifully to new surroundings and is the happiest guy. Very gentle and affectionate, he’s remarkably easy going, easy to care for and even easier to love!

He gets along great with other dogs and is very well behaved. Weighing in at a soft and cuddly 26 pounds, Blitzen is a gorgeous bundle of love!”

At first, Ardys thought that Blitzen was a genius! Smartest foster dog she’d ever had! He would ring a bell at her back door to go outside! Amazing!

But then she discovered he was just bumping into the bell. (Don’t laugh. I dare ya.)

Below are a few of our January vet bills coming to $13,052.70 with almost half of a month left to go.

I want to show them to you just so that you can see what we are doing with your donations.

I think we are alright for right now, thanks to your help in December.

I’ll let you know the next time we have a need or emergency. You know we don’t ask unless we do.

So that’s the news for now. Is there anyone who feels led to give either Monkey or Blitzen a forever home? I’m happy to answer any questions! All My Love, Robin

We have also now added Text-to-Donate feature! It’s simple and secure. You can use any major credit card as well as Google Pay and PAYPAL! Text the number 44321 (how easy is THAT number to remember?!) and type the letters SPR ( all capitals) in the message area. A secure link will come up with simple instructions. After that, you can text a donation of any amount to Small Paws anytime without filling out your information again! We hope you enjoy the ease and security of Text-to-Donate, to help the Bichons!

 

 

 

Humphrey Sisco