Whisker Therapy

Some of our favorite hometown heroes saved the day again. This time it was for a tiny, four-month-old Pug puppy! The little guy and his family had traveled from Texas to Butte, Montana to enjoy the Christmas holiday.

However, this peppy Pug must have watched too many Christmas movies because he took a play right out of Kevin McAllister’s playbook and “accidentally” escaped from his family just as their vacation was beginning.

Little Pug In A Big World

If you’ve ever owned a Pug, you know three things to be true:

1. Their snore rattles the windows.
2. They shed enough hair to make your living room look like a snowglobe.
3. They’re surprisingly adventurous between snooze sessions.

The Pug, whose name remains unknown, was reported missing on Christmas Eve. It’s a classic move for a Kevin if you ask me.

The little guy’s family was of course devastated by his disappearance, but they held out hope for a Christmas miracle. As the wandering Pug presumably began making his way to Duncan’s Toy Chest, he ran into a bit of a pickle.

The curly-tailed escapee had wandered into traffic on Butte’s Harrison Avenue. The busy street is home to a Wal-Mart, an airport, and multiple large chain stores including a Petco (well played, little pug). You can imagine the volume of traffic, especially during the holiday season.

A Happy Ending That Took An Entire Town

He found himself dodging traffic, but luckily the local fire department was able to help. Like Santa’s big red sleigh at the break of dawn, their rescue truck rolled up just in time to pull off one last Christmas miracle. Plus, the locals were kind enough to stop traffic in order to spare the little guy’s life.

The terrified Pug stopped and hid under a car and firefighters were able to pull him out unharmed. He was given to the Chelsea Bailey Animal Shelter where he could be kept safe until his family could be reunited.

“He’s in great shape, he’s a young dog and he seems to be OK, we’re going to get him to the vet and update some vaccinations for him and get him back to his owner and he’ll be all good to go,” Butte Animal Control Officer J.D. Santifer told KXLF News at the time.

Thanks to the kind locals who stopped traffic, the firefighters who sprung into action, and the animal shelter who gave him a warm place to wait, this little guy was happily reunited with his family to ring in the new year!

h/t: kxlf.com

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Though K-9s put themselves at the same risk as their police handlers, they don’t receive completely equal treatment when it comes to healthcare. These dogs enter crime scenes, chase down criminals, and sniff out missing persons and weapons. They can be, and often are, severely injured doing this important but dangerous work.

However, when a human officer gets severely injured in the line of duty, they’re put into an ambulance or helicopter for fast transport to a hospital. When a police dog experiences similar trauma, their handler places them in the back of a squad car to speed through traffic to a veterinarian. This method allows life-saving minutes to tick by.

Kristin Uhlin, lead K-9 trainer for Houston Police Department’s narcotic detail, believes these dogs deserve more.

“We refer to them as our partners. A dog is there to save an officer’s life. If a bullet is fired at an officer, the dog is the one to take it. They’re such amazing creatures, and they don’t ask for anything in return for the job they do but love.”

That’s why Memorial Hermann Life Flight launched a helicopter service specifically for police dogs in early December. Thomas Flanagan, Memorial Hermann’s Vice President of trauma service line and system integration, explained:

“We all know how important K-9s are. A K-9 is integral for law enforcement — and the challenges law enforcement has to face for our personal protection. The K-9 is really considered a law enforcement officer, who serves and protects the public.”

About The K9 Casualty Care Course And Transportation Service

According to the Texas Operational Canine Committee, this new program is the nation’s first nongovernment agency program to provide treatment and transportation for injured K-9 officers. Flanagan said Life Flight will operate similarly for the dogs as it would for humans. The difference is instead of heading to a hospital, the ambulance will take the K-9 to a partnering veterinarian. Each of these locations has 24-hour access and a helipad or designated area for Life Flight to land.

Memorial Hermann also provides critical canine care training for officers that includes wound packing, CPR, poison control and tourniquet use. K-9 handlers learn which circumstances warrant a call to Life Flight, and at the end of the course each handler receives a K-9 specialized first aid kit. We Ride to Provide, an organization that honors fallen police dogs, donated the first aid kits.

Since spring of 2019, over 100 K-9 handlers and 40 emergency medical services and fire personnel have undergone the training to properly treat their injured dogs. With an estimated 200 police canines in the greater Houston area, The Life Flight team will continue offering three to five training classes each month. This program will save many working dogs’ lives!

A Long Time In The Works

Though new, the idea of a service specifically for K-9s has been on Memorial Hermann’s back burner since Life Flight was created in 1976. Flanagan explained that the late Dr. James Duke had always wanted Life Flight, the second air ambulance program in the country, to extend its services to K-9 officers. Flanagan noted: “That was his goal and his dream.”

“We’ve been working on this for quite some time. When you run an air medical program, you’ve got to be laser focused on what the objective is and all that’s involved. We worked really hard putting this program together.”

Though Sita, the K-9 who served the department for over 13 years died before the program launched, she prepared flight crews as the first dog to fly on Life Flight. Uhlin takes comfort knowing how many other dogs will benefit from groundwork Sita laid.

“It’s nice to know that dogs are earning the respect they deserve, to be treated in this way.”

What a great way to thank and value our K-9 heroes!

H/T: Houston Chronicle
Featured Image: @MemorialHermann/Facebook

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On December 30th, 2020, Midwestern Pet Foods recalled nine lots of their Sportmix pet food. The food is said to contain potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin in it. Many dogs have already fallen ill or died due to this contaminated food.

This recall is still an ongoing investigation. So, the numbers and details could change and expand as new information is discovered. If you feed your dog Sportmix pet food, please be cautious and keep an eye out for additional information.

What Was Recalled?

As of December 30th, 2020, nine lots of this food were recalled. However, the FDA and Department of Agriculture are currently researching to determine if other products were affected, including other brands with similar ingredients. So far, the FDA is aware of 28 deaths and 8 illnesses related to the recalled products.

Here is the list of recalled products:

• Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bag
  • Exp 03/02/22/05/L2
  • Exp 03/02/22/05/L3
  • Exp 03/03/22/05/L2
• Sportmix Energy Plus, 44 lb. bag
  • Exp 03/02/22/05/L3
• Sportmix Premium High Energy, 50 lb. bag
  • Exp 03/03/22/05/L3
• Sportmix Premium High Energy, 44 lb. bag
  • Exp 03/03/22/05/L3
• Sportmix Original Cat, 31 lb. bag
  • Exp 03/03/22/05/L3
• Sportmix Original Cat, 15 lb. bag
  • Exp 03/03/22/05/L2
  • Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Lot codes can be found on the back of the bag toward the top. They’re listed in three lines, with the top line looking similar to the lot codes listed above.

What is Aflatoxin?

Aflatoxin is a toxin that can cause illness and death in pets, especially when ingested at high levels. It’s produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, and the mold is not always visible. Pets are more susceptible to it than humans because they eat the same food every day while humans eat a much wider variety. If your dog eats a contaminated product, the toxin could accumulate in your dog’s system without you even knowing.

Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning in dogs and cats include sluggishness, a loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice. The toxicity can also have long-term effects on your dog’s liver, which could lead to death.

There’s no evidence that humans can be affected by the recalled dog food. But even so, it’s advised that you always wash your hands after handling any dog food products.

What Should You Do if You Have These Products?

Retailers selling this dog food are urged to contact the manufacturer for further instructions. If they’re able, they should also contact their customers that have purchased the affected products.

If you have one of the recalled products at home, stop feeding it to your pet immediately. You can contact the company for further instructions or throw the food away in a secure location. If you discard the food, make sure it’s in a place that’s out of reach from all animals and children. Sanitize anything that touched the food, including bowls, scoops, and surfaces.

Dogs who have eaten the affected food should visit the vet. Even if your pup shows no symptoms, they could be experiencing pain without you realizing it. Plus, it’s always better to be safe than sorry with your furry friend’s health. Tell your vet your dog’s diet history and show them a picture of the recalled food if possible. They can examine your dog from there for signs of aflatoxin poisoning.

You should contact the FDA if you suspect that your dog was affected by this recall. You can do this by visiting the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators in your state.

H/T: fda.gov
Featured Image: @sportmixpetfood/Facebook

The post RECALL: Pet Food Has 36 Cases Of Aflatoxin Poisoning And Counting appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.

When Bertha arrived at an Ohio shelter in November 2019, she weighed 63 pounds. That was about double what a healthy Puggle (Pug and Beagle mix) should weigh. A veterinary technician named Meredith Wille saw Bertha’s photo online and immediately fell in love.

She contacted the shelter to ask if she could foster the sweet rescue dog. She even offered to cover the costs for Bertha’s weight loss journey. Wille knew it would be a long and difficult road to recovery, but she couldn’t let this innocent dog down. She knew she had to help Bertha live her best life.

Bertha’s Incredible Transformation

The shelter quickly accepted Wille’s foster application, and she started Bertha’s weight loss treatment right away. She served a high-protein, low-fat diet and only gave low calorie treats. She also brought the pup in for biweekly underwater treadmill sessions at Steel City Canine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine where she works as a clinic director.

“She was like Jabba the Hutt,” Wille said. “She’d take three steps and have to lay down.”

Bertha’s progress was slow at first, but still prominent. When she began her underwater treadmill sessions, she could only walk for 15 seconds at a time before getting exhausted. Now, she has built up her strength enough to take 20 minute walks. On top of the treadmill exercise, Wille also has the pup practice walking up and down the stairs to improve her balance.

Bertha lost 20 pounds by the summer of 2020. Heading into the new year, she is down a total of 33.5 pounds and weighs in at 29.5 lbs, a healthy weight for her size. She had some ups and downs during her recovery—including surgery to repair collapsed tendons in her ankles—but she kept going strong. Now her weight loss has greatly improved her health!

Surrounded by Love and Support

Not only did Bertha have a life-changing transformation this past year, she also found her forever family. Wille fell in love with the charming foster dog and decided to adopt her. Wille was already a dog mom to five other canines, but she had room in her heart for yet another.

“She’s not going anywhere!” said Wille. “People say, ‘You did miracles for her.’ All I did was love this sweet little dog.”

Bertha also became the perfect office dog at Wille’s job at the rehabilitation clinic. Wille says that her clients are upset when Bertha isn’t around. Apparently, the rescue pup loves to comfort the other dogs at the clinic, so she’s a star employee.

Now, Bertha even has her own Instagram page where Wille shares plenty of adorable updates on her adventures. She is living the full, normal life of a loved, well cared-for dog. And it’s all thanks to Wille, who was kind enough to take a chance on her when no one else would.

H/T: people.com
Featured Image: @bertha_gets_bitty/Instagram

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Kevin Klosterman was at Grand Lake, Ohio taking photos when his brother called about a dog that had fallen into the freezing water. Klosterman grew up on Grand Lake and knew all too well the dangers of falling through the ice in winter. Hypothermia can set in in just five minutes, for people or dogs. That’s why he didn’t hesitate to put on a life jacket and drag a canoe out to the struggling 1-year-old Retriever.

In just four minutes, Klosterman was able to bring the canoe out to the dog, lure him into it, and bring him back to shore. Poor Gunnar whimpered the entire time, cold and afraid. Klosterman told 2 News:

“The stopwatch started before he gave me the phone call so you only have five minutes or so and I didn’t know exactly what we were going into. It would’ve been horrible if this had a tragic ending, we’d all be talking about that dog that died up on the channel.”

Though traveling over thin ice is risky, Klosterman didn’t even consider not going out to help a dog in danger. In the end, that brave spontaneous decision saved Gunnar’s life.

The Rescue Video Informed Gunnar’s Family He Was Missing

After Kory Klosterman shared the video of Gunnar’s rescue to the Friends of Grand Lake Facebook group, it received an outpouring of likes and comments. Lisa Aller revealed that seeing the viral video online is what informed the family their dog had escaped home in the first place. They didn’t even know what danger he was in at the time.

“That’s actually how we found out is that video being posted on Facebook and we were like, ‘Oh that’s Gunner.’ I was nervous for the guy too walking on the ice and I just was embarrassed, I was shocked and it was terrible.”

Lisa and Jeremy Aller were out of town during Gunnar’s fall-in. They had family members check on Gunnar, which was when he was able to escape through the back door. The Allers had no clue Gunnar was missing until they saw his incredible rescue video on Facebook.

Gunnar means the world to Aller’s son, and she offered her gratitude to the brave and kind Klosterman.

“He didn’t just save the dog, he saved my son also.”

Echoing Lisa, Ayden Aller thanked Klosterman for saving his best friend’s life.

“If he’s listening, I just want to say thank you very much and I say that from the bottom of my heart. If I would’ve lost Gunner, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

Needless to say, the back door at the Aller house will be kept securely closed from now on.

H/T: WDTN
Featured Image: Kory Klosterman via Facebook

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If you haven’t actually seen the 1995 animated feature film ‘Balto,’ you’ve probably at least scrolled past it on Netflix or Amazon Prime. Though he looks great in ink, Balto is more than just a cartoon character voiced by Kevin Bacon. He represents a real, heroic dog. A Siberian Husky and trained team sled dog, Balto made national headlines in January of 1925.

Balto and his team brought the diphtheria antitoxin to the small town of Nome, Alaska. They were on the verge of a devastating outbreak, so the skilled sled dogs were needed to bring the cure from Anchorage (a 674 mile journey). Despite these events occurring in Alaska nearly 100 years ago, leader Balto and his fellow brave sled dogs have been honored throughout the country ever since.

Balto’s Life And Legacy

Balto’s pre-hero origins aren’t totally known. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History indicates his estimated birth year as 1919.

“Balto was bred at Leonhard Seppala’s kennels in Nome, Alaska. But, because Balto’s body type didn’t match that of the small, fast Huskies that were typically bred for racing (Balto was stout and strong), no specific records were saved about him or his litter. Seppala was once quoted as claiming that Balto was 6 years of age at the time of the famous Serum Run.”

On his dedicated page, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History described Balto and his team members’ retirement in 1927.

“On March 19, 1927, Balto and six companions were brought to Cleveland and given a hero’s welcome in a triumphant parade through Public Square. The dogs were then taken to the Brookside Zoo (now the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo) to live out their lives in dignity. It was said that 15,000 people visited the dogs on their first day at the zoo.”

On March 14, 1933, at the age of 14, Balto passed away. Later, his body was mounted and it now resides in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s permanent collection. From Alaska to Cleveland, Balto went many places in between.

The Balto Statue In New York

By the end of 1925, a statue honoring Balto and his team was erected and dedicated in Central Park. Balto, who attended, maintained his regal composure. Parks Commissioner Francis D. Galatin called it “a most unique occasion in having a real ‘hero’ present at the dedication of a monument in his honor, as most heroes have to wait until after they are dead to be honored.”

Though NYC Parks noted Balto’s statue as one of the most popular monuments in Central Park, they were unable to confirm why he was honored in New York City specifically. Obviously, the message of hope and teamwork the Serum Run offers resonates with everyone, everywhere.

Noting The Other, Lesser Known Sled Dog Heroes

It takes a whole team to carry a sled. Specifically, 20 mushers and around 150 sled dogs ran the Serum Run mission. So, why was Balto the one who got the statue? Many point to two other dogs, Fox and Togo, as unsung heroes of this story.

Borough Historian of Manhattan, Michael Miscione, told Gothamist:

“While Balto’s likeness is certainly the featured element, the monument as a whole was meant to honor all the sled dogs who participated in the serum run. There were well over a hundred of them, divided into 20 teams. Balto was just the leader of the team that completed the last leg — and frankly, his claim to the role as lead dog is in some dispute.”

Miscione also said that Togo was “arguably the most heroic canine of the run… his team ran nearly five times as far as Balto’s, and through terrifying weather conditions.”

Fortunately, Togo’s musher later brought all of those dogs to New York City for a publicity tour too. There, Togo received a gold medal at Madison Square Garden from the Alaskan Society of New York. Eventually, he got a statue too on the Lower East Side in Seward Park, and a Disney movie of his own in 2019.

To me, the message and story mean more than the who’s who.

H/T: Gothamist
Featured Image: @gocnmh/Instagram, Just Balto!/YouTube

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December is supposed to be a time to spread holiday cheer and visit with loved ones. But many dedicated employees continue to work hard, even on the jolliest days of the year. Some of those hardworking individuals are our brave K9 officers.

This holiday season, many police K9s fought crime, uncovering illegal drugs and over a million dollars in drug money. Officers never would’ve been able to discover these crimes without the pups’ amazing sense of smell. So, thank you to all the K9 officers who helped keep the holiday season safer.

K9 Officer Beny’s Many Achievements

K9 Officer Beny from Merced, California has been on a roll this year. Merced’s California Highway Patrol (CHP) has highlighted Beny’s many achievements on social media over the years. And in December 2020 alone, the heroic pup helped with two major drug busts.

In mid December, officers pulled over a white Ford for speeding, but soon discovered that the driver might be engaged in criminal activity. They had Beny sniff the car, and sure enough, the pup alerted officers to narcotics in the vehicle. After further investigation, police found over 1 million dollars in cash. It’s believed that this money was related to drug sales.

Then, only days before Christmas, Beny successfully found more drug money. Officers pulled over a Chevy Tahoe for following another vehicle too closely. Beny quickly sniffed the exterior of the car and alerted officers of narcotics yet again. They soon found a suitcase full of cash in the back of the vehicle. They suspect that the total is about $300,000.

The officers took the money, and the man was arrested for possessing over $100,000 related to drug sales. It is then up to the district attorney to determine whether or not the seizure is justified. But no matter the result, Beny’s work in both of these situations was incredible!

Another Major Bust in California

But Beny wasn’t the only successful K9 this holiday season. On Christmas day, a K9 officer in Blythe, California discovered 25 pounds of methamphetamine, a handgun, and 50 grams of marijuana in one car. A vehicle with an Oklahoma license plate was crossing the border into California when the dog was instructed to sniff the car. Officers further investigated the car after the dog alerted them. They discovered about $60,000 worth of drugs.

“Smugglers often move illegal contraband on holidays, with the hope and expectation that law enforcement will have their guard down,” officials with Customs and Border Protection said in a statement. “Agents and their canine partners, however, work around the clock to secure our borders and to prevent contraband from making it further into the interior of our country.”

While this canine was credited for the drug discovery, his name wasn’t mentioned in the announcement. But like Beny, he worked extra hard during the holiday season, and his dedication paid off. Thank you to all the brave police K9s out there. Quickly finding illegal items would be near impossible without their assistance.

H/T: kmph.com and 8newsnow.com
Featured Image: @chpmerced/Facebook

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There’s nothing stronger than the bond between a kid and their dog. Even when everything goes wrong, it’s comforting for them to have each other.

A 3-year-old boy named Tony and his dog were abandoned at an Ohio cemetery only two days before Christmas. They were all alone in the cold, left to fend for themselves. But luckily, they had each other during these difficult moments. And not long after, help arrived to give the duo the Christmas they deserved. Despite everything, Tony remained a smiley and happy kid the entire time.

Alone for the Holidays

A witness saw a blue car speed out of the cemetery with Tony and his dog chasing after it. The driver didn’t stop or hesitate, leaving the 3-year-old boy and his furry friend alone in a scary place. The witness quickly called 9-1-1, and waited with them until help arrived.

When officers arrived at the scene, they were unable to catch the dog. But they brought Tony with them and asked him some questions. Unfortunately, he didn’t know the last names of his parents, but he gave them as much information as he could.

The Hinckley Police Department posted a photo of Tony on Facebook, asking if anyone knew him. A relative saw the photo and contacted Tony’s dad. His dad revealed that Tony’s mom had custody of him when the event occurred. The dad was very cooperative as police investigated what happened.

Tony is currently in foster care until the situation is sorted out. Officers also returned to the cemetery with Tony’s dad to catch the runaway dog. Thankfully, Tony’s furry friend was still there, and his dad was able to bring him to safety. It’s unclear exactly where the dog is now though. Some sources say he’s currently staying at a local animal shelter while others say the dad is currently looking after him. Either way, he’s being properly cared for.

Overwhelming Amounts of Support

Many people were moved by this story and wanted to help Tony in any way possible. Several families offered to adopt him, but officers don’t have enough information yet to decide where Tony will end up. However, the police department gladly accepted gifts for the boy with the big smile.

By Christmas Eve, the lobby at the police station was filled with Christmas gifts for Tony. While this Christmas wasn’t ideal for him or his dog, officers delivered the gifts to the boy in hopes to make his Christmas a little brighter. Jeremy Lowe was one of the many people who resonated with Tony’s story because he was also in foster care as a child during the holiday season.

“A little boy and his dog, Christmas time. You know, as heartless as it gets, really,” Lowe said. “I hope he’s young enough that he doesn’t carry this for the rest of his life.”

No charges have been filed yet, and officers are working hard to ensure that Tony goes to the best living situation possible. But no matter what happens, he should get to stay with his dog. His dog is probably one of the only things that’s familiar to him, so it would be comforting for the two to stay together. Hopefully, that’s what ends up happening in the end.

H/T: wgntv.com
Featured Image: @hinckleytownshippolice/Facebook

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A Michigan woman is facing the consequences of traumatizing dozens of dogs and puppies in a cruel breeding operation. In running a backyard puppy mill in deplorable conditions, she abused hundreds of animals that deserved so much more.

Local troopers in Michigan made a shocking discovery when responding to a call about an abandoned horse. Upon investigating the surrounding area, they were horrified by what they found.

Just next to where the horse was found was a cruel puppy mill harboring more than a hundred abused dogs. The conditions in this underground operation were so deplorable even shelter officials were shocked.

Rebecca Sue Johnson had cages of dogs forced into breeding and living in dismaying conditions of outright neglect and abuse. Delta County Officers removed a total of 65 adult dogs, 69 puppies, and 20 horses, all of which were in poor condition.

The dogs were found living in filth, covered in feces, and deprived of food and water. Not only were they forced to live in terrible conditions, they were all forcefully bred for the purpose of selling their puppies. Almost every adult female was either pregnant, currently nursing, or showed evidence of just weaning puppies.

By the time officials stepped in, each pup had suffered heartbreaking physical and emotional neglect. Almost every dog presented in severe mental distress, as well as illness that is common in canine hoarding areas. Thankfully for these furry friends, they are finally receiving the care they deserve.

The dogs were immediately pulled from the property and sent to the skilled team at the Delta Animal Shelter where they can heal from their traumatizing ordeal.

Over the span of two months, the multiple pregnant females gave birth to 100 additional puppies. The Delta Animal Shelter is now caring for over 200 dogs and puppies with the help of fosters. All will eventually need forever families to call their own.

In the time since this devastating discovery was made, Rebecca Sue Johnson was charged with animal cruelty and running an unregistered pound. Local police officials are also asking anyone that has purchased a puppy from her to come forward, as they work tirelessly to create a case against her.

We are so grateful for the endless work of the Delta Animal Shelter and every person who has offered support in this rescue operation. We hope each broken pup can find a loving family to heal their hearts.

H/T: ilovemydogsomuch.tv
Image Source: DeltaAnimalShelter/FB

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An avid animal rescuer named Valerie is being remembered for the many furry friends she rescued throughout her life. The families she helped are sharing their memories of this incredible woman who recently passed away from COVID-19.

Valerie Louie was deeply involved with animal rescue throughout her adult life. With also being a full-time nurse at Highland Hospital, her entire life revolved around helping others.

Valerie worked with local animal rescues for the last 20 years, helping to rescue thousands of dogs and find them loving homes. She especially enjoyed finding families for troubled pups with dark pasts, as she knew just how much support they needed.

“I cannot fathom how many dogs she saved, probably thousands.” – Valerie’s son

Valerie was known for being an incredible matchmaker when it came to finding families for her rescues. She had a knack for deeply understanding a dog’s personality and struggles, and finding the perfect home to suit their needs. She always kept a mental log of each family that was looking to adopt, and could immediately match them when the right pup came along!

Valerie rescued 80 dogs during the pandemic alone, finding them the perfect homes during such a challenging time. She worked on the front line for both humans and animals, making her death a devastating blow to the rescue community.

“Her passion for caring both for people and fur babies was evident in every waking moment.” – Valerie’s friend

Just a few of the many dogs she rescued include a Chihuahua named Mort who spent his life outside on a chain, a French Bulldog named Ida that was rescued in the mountains of China, and a lovable one-eyed pug named Tavish.

One of the many rescues that Valerie worked with is the Rocket Dog Rescue in Oakland, California. With being involved since the day they began, they are feeling her loss deeply.

“Over the years, Val’s influence on Rocket Dog has been incalculable. She had many different roles, and launched programs and initiatives, including our vaccination program.

As anyone who has adopted a dog from Val knows, she was a dedicated and talented matchmaker, helping thousands of people find their perfect dog.

Val’s legacy lives on at Rocket Dog, at other rescues she’s helped and mentored, and in all the dogs and dog-parents whose lives she changed forever.” – Rocket Dog Rescue

We are sending our deepest condolences to Valerie’s family and friends during this difficult time.

H/T: nytimes.com
Image Source: RocketDogRescue/FB

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Despite many protests and petitions, the dog meat trade continues in China and a handful of other countries. Not only do animal rights groups widely condemn the practice as inhumane, the dogs are subjected to cruel and horrifying conditions before they become food. Many of the dogs used for meat are actually stolen family pets. The bottom line is: these are dogs, and they deserve the love and life any other family pet has.

A rescue group from Florida recently saved 20 Chinese Golden Retrievers, all abused and at risk of ending up in the meat markets. Golden Rescue South Florida flew the dogs all the way to Miami to start new lives.

Kristine Minerva, coordinator for the group who spearheaded the rescue efforts, said:

“Unfortunately, they have meat markets, they eat dogs, so we’re saving them from the slaughterhouses, the meat markets.”

6 Months Of Hard Work Brought These Dogs Across The World

Saving these precious lives was no easy feat. Minerva took on a lot to get them to the U.S. Golden Rescue South Florida posted on Facebook, crediting Minerva for all her hard work:

“Months of paperwork, hurdles, refusals ([Minerva] was told we COULDN’T POSSIBLY fly them into Miami) … Medical paperwork, vaccinations, the list of details goes on and on. She handled all that! We know what her stress level was!”

Amazingly, Minerva already works 2 jobs on top of this. What an honest-to-God super human!

Not Exactly Smooth Flying

The rescue also revealed some of the hurdles the poor pups went through on their long journey. The dogs were originally meant to leave mainland China on Wednesday, December 16th. From there they would have an 11-hour layover in Taiwan, a stop in Anchorage to refuel, and would arrive in Miami at 4:30pm on Friday December 18th. That alone seemed like a lot of time to keep the dogs confined.

“But then, the worst happened. Mechanical problem. The flight was delayed, scheduled to leave and delayed AGAIN. The dogs were stranded in Taiwan for an additional 40 hours! Never allowed out of their crates. We were horrified and terrified. But look out Taiwan government. Kristine was all over it.”

Through the combined efforts of the Taiwan SPCA, PETA, and assisting rescue partners in China and Chicago, the dogs were cared for. They received food and water, but frustratingly still had to remain in their crates.

“No one in the Rescue slept Friday night or Saturday night.”

Though they had a 24/7 medical clinic prepared to take the dogs in upon their arrival, it turned out not to be necessary. As soon as they received customs clearance, volunteers quickly freed the dogs from their crates. They also had some… cleaning up to do.

“Now picture 20 dogs in their crates for almost 5 days! They were covered in their own waste. The smell was incredible! But our volunteers jumped in and helped bathe each dog at the one spigot that was there. Backs hurt, knees were sore…but all the dogs were clean when they left for their new homes.”

Finally, on Sunday, December 20th, 2020, these brave pups arrived at their final destination. The rescue summarized:

“After all they’d been through…out they came as Goldens are. Joyful, tails wagging…kisses given. OMG what a joy to see! What an incredible undertaking.”

From Death Row To Beloved Family Members

As of today, all 20 dogs have already been adopted. They met their new families upon arrival, though these families had already been interviewed and appropriately matched by the rescue.

You can bask in all the joy and see how happy they all are in their new homes in the dedicated Facebook group for the China rescue dogs. Here are just a few smiling faces:

“We had such a great first night with our boy! He also slept all through the night. We absolutely adore him!” -Hunter Hazleton

“Holly is pure joy. She fits seamlessly with her sisters!” – Samantha Lee White

After quite the ordeal, these formerly doomed Goldies all have homes and families. What a perfectly adorable holiday miracle!

H/T: Local 10
Featured Image: @GoldenRescueSouthFlorida/Facebook

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Oftentimes, animals can have a difficult time fending for themselves. They rely on their humans to keep them safe. But for shelter dogs, life can be even harder without a family looking out for them 24/7.

Luckily, there are still many people who would risk their lives for any animals in danger. One homeless man made that clear when he ran into open flames to save the lives of innocent shelter dogs and cats. He knows how much a dog can change your life, so he knew exactly what he had to do in that moment.

Facing the Flames

Keith Walker is very close to the staff at W-Underdogs in Atlanta, Georgia. They let his Pit Bull named Bravo stay there every night and they even help provide dog food for the duo. Walker and Bravo are incredibly close, so despite being homeless, Walker does everything he can to support his furry friend.

But when Walker approached the shelter one day, he saw that it was up in flames. He was terrified, but he knew he had to do what’s right.

“I was nervous as hell, I’m not going to lie. I was really scared to go in there with all that smoke. But God put me there to save those animals,” Walker said. “If you love a dog, you can love anyone in the world. My dog is my best friend, and I wouldn’t be here without him, so I knew I had to save all those other dogs.”

Walker ran into the burning building and rescued all the animals, which included six dogs and ten cats. The fire department later announced that it was an electrical fire. The entire building wasn’t destroyed, but it was uninhabitable.

Awarding a True Hero

Thankfully, the shelter was in the process of transferring to a new location when the fire hit. The new building wasn’t fully ready for the furry guests, but it was more secure than the older, damaged structure. Staff and volunteers quickly found ways to accommodate all the animals in the new space.

Soon, everyone was calling Walker a hero and a “guardian angel.” Thanks to him, the lives of many cats and dogs were saved. The shelter promised to continue supporting him and Bravo in any way they could, but they wished there was more they could do to help. They were unable to give him a place to live and a full-time job, which is likely what he needed most.

But the community refused to let Walker continue his life without proper support. Soon, everyone raised money to share their gratitude to the kind man. They’ve gathered about $35,000 and counting, which is far more than expected. Hopefully, it will be enough for Walker and Bravo to get a fresh start to life.

If you’re interested in helping this kindhearted hero, donate to the GoFundMe page. There is also a second GoFundMe campaign in place to help the shelter replace all the donations and items that were lost in the fire.

H/T: people.com
Featured Image: @WNDRDOGS/Facebook

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The start of the COVID-19 pandemic was stressful and confusing for many people. It left families wondering, ‘what more could possibly go wrong?’ But for radiation therapist Kelli Ketzler, the troubles just never seemed to end.

In the early days of quarantine, she was diagnosed with cancer for a second time. On top of that, her rescued Shih Tzu named Charlie couldn’t bear to be without her. So, he ran away from his dogsitter in hopes of finding his mom, but he only ended up getting lost for weeks. For Ketzler and Charlie, it truly felt like things couldn’t get any worse.

Shih Tzu Saves His Human

When the pandemic was just getting started, Ketzler’s traumatic experience began. Charlie spotted a lump on her neck one day. As a breast cancer survivor, Ketzler knew she couldn’t take any chances. So, she rushed to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with cancer for a second time. While Shih Tzus aren’t known for their cancer-detecting abilities, Ketzler credits Charlie for saving her life.

Ketzler knew she was in for a rough recovery, but she was even more worried about being away from Charlie. The pup not only spotted her cancer, he also served as a “therapy dog” for her on a daily basis. Despite their powerful bond, Ketzler had no choice but to have a friend look after Charlie while she was in the hospital.

Sadly, when Ketzler’s friend took Charlie out for a bathroom break, he ran off. So, her friend had to break the unfortunate news to Ketzler, who was already having a difficult year. Ketzler believed that Charlie took off in an effort to find her. She was so worried about him that she wanted to take out her IV and immediately search for him.

Luckily, Ketzler didn’t have to risk her own health to find Charlie. Many kind members of the community came together to help her search. Unfortunately, Charlie had no collar on when he ran away, but he was microchipped.

Humans Save Rescue Dog in Return

People made fliers and shared social media posts in an attempt to find Charlie. Ed Murphy, a friend of Ketzler, also came up with the brilliant idea of putting up yard signs. He knew that they were much sturdier and more weather resistant than fliers. Then, after 18 days of hard work, these kind people helped bring Charlie home just in time.

After leaving the hospital and returning to her lonely home, Ketzler received a life-changing call. A man found Charlie over two miles away, near a pizzeria. He offered a slice of pizza to the pup, and Charlie gladly followed him home. He called Ketzler at 11:00 at night, but of course, she didn’t hesitate to pick him up, regardless of how late it was.

When Ketzler reunited with Charlie, it wasn’t what she expected. While she was overjoyed to see her furry friend, he seemed traumatized from the experience. He trembled uncontrollably and was in a state of shock. But once he was in his loving home once again, he relaxed and started acting like his happy self.

“It was just so hard to imagine my life without him. And as each day went by it was just getting harder. Certain people were losing hope. And I just had to keep pumped up about it,” Ketzler said. “I’m sure that if he wasn’t home today, I would still be out there looking for him.”

Ketzler was declared cancer-free in September. Things weren’t back to normal quite yet, but at least they were on the right track. With Charlie by her side, life seems so much happier and more hopeful for Ketzler. After all, they saved each other during their darkest days.

H/T: freep.com
Featured Image: Kelli Ketzler Facebook

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