Success Stories Archives - Sponsor Adoptions, Inc.

Gizmo’s Fight

Mon, 06 Oct 2014 15:04:00 GMT

Gizmo is the baby of an avid rescuer, foster, and volunteer!

Gizmo, or Gizzy, as her family calls her was attacked by her pack. This was completely out of character for all of the dogs involved. Her owner let them all out in the backyard to play and something was triggered that led to her being the victim. We all love our pets but we have to remember that they are always animals first, then our beloved pets. Whatever happened we will never know.

Her owner found her gasping for breath and quickly drove her to the closest animal emergency vet. She ran into the clinic with Gizzy in her arms, she had no shoes on and was frantic. This quick action however helped to spare her life.

Gizzy was immediately seen and they began the task of saving her life. After many touch and go moments, Gizzy slowly regained strength. However at this point, her vet bills were astronomical in the range of $6,000. Her family spends all of their extra money on helping other homeless animals in the community. They are a hard working family, with two little boys and simply do not have that kind of extra cash. They exhausted their CareCredit account. The rescue community quickly banned together for their fellow friend and started raising funds. Within hours thousands were raised. This gave them hope that they could continue her care.

Just days later Gizzy began recovering and getting back to her goofy self. They released her back to her family who continued care at home.

This is by far the largest amount we have seen come through Sponsor Adoptions from generous people all around the country coming together for one dog’s survival!

Her family is incredibly thankful and is paying it forward by helping other animals have the same outcome that Gizzy has had.

Thank you to everyone who donated, shared, and kept them in your thoughts. Your continued support and donations to Sponsor Adoptions allows us to be able to be a solution for pets like Gizmo!

From all of us at Sponsor Adoptions!

Layla & Khloe

Tue, 08 Jul 2014 16:14:00 GMT

Back in March a young lady contacted Sponsor Adoptions regarding her puppy Layla. She noticed that she was lethargic, not eating or drinking water, and not playing. We all knew, most likely, this was parvo. She did not qualify for CareCredit and was not financial stable enough to afford the hospitalization of parvo. We sent her to the good people at Arlington Animal Health Care Center and Layla was given a take home parvo kit. Her owner paid for half of it. She administered the medicine and quarantined her while she recovered during those very scary first few days. Layla got better day by day.

However, her other dog Khloe was showing the same symptoms. Once again, an at home parvo kit was sent home. Her owner paid half of the cost of the kit and then Khloe got better! It was simply a miracle that these two young pups actually survived such a deadly disease and by using a lower cost method, that is not guaranteed. The owner is now educated on the importance of vaccinations to prevent this. Both dogs were spayed and are doing wonderful! Cases like these would not exist if it were not for monthly continuous donations from our amazing supporters! We are not able to keep helping once funds run out, and these were two lives that were able to be saved and prevent euthanasia.

Snafu

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:22:00 GMT

It was business as usual that Monday afternoon in May. I was going to Arlington Animal Services to pick up a pug for DFW Pug Rescue, bailing a four-year-old male out of jail and driving him to the rescue’s designated clinic to be examined and processed into the system. It was pouring rain, and I was the only guest in the shelter. I went to the desk and requested the dog by his identification number. At that point, it stopped being “business as usual.”

The kennel worker entered the meet and greet room with a wiggly, chubby, fawn pug, who immediately relieved herself in a corner and made it quite evident that she was a girl! She was a beautiful, older female with gray cheeks and a cute little under bite. Gender, age or condition were of no consequence since DFW Pug Rescue does not discriminate and I was just doing my job, so I proceeded to the desk and began filling out paperwork to take her for rescue. But wait! They found a microchip in her, and her stray hold had to be extended until Friday. I jotted that down on my calendar and drove home with no dog.

By this time, I had named her Snafu, and I spent the rest of the week thinking about her. I was first in line when Snafu became available that Friday afternoon, but now others were waiting to meet her, too. I must have been more smitten than I realized, because I was determined that Snafu was leaving the shelter that afternoon with me, and I was adopting her. I paced the floor, waiting for the results of her heartworm test, and my heart sank when the walkie-talkie said “positive.” Well, now she would have to go to the rescue, because I would have to save up to pay for heartworm treatment, and I didn’t want her to wait that long to get well.

I was relieved and delighted to have been offered the option of treating Snafu through a grant from PetSmart Charities and Sponsor Adoptions, Inc. At no further cost to me, the adopter, Snafu had an appointment for treatment just ten days after I adopted her, at a wonderful clinic right here in town. The veterinarians and staff are competent, professional, kind and considerate. Snafu has successfully completed her treatment and is living a happy, normal life here with her new pug brother. Thank you for helping me give Snafu the life she deserves.

– Ms. LeBoutillier

Molly

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:19:00 GMT

This is Molly. On the early evening of February 1st, Molly was viciously attacked by a human. I was inside my home when all of a sudden I heard a commotion among my dogs. My husband ran outside to bring the dogs in when he noticed Molly running into the wall repeatedly. He noticed blood on her face. When he yelled her name she turned around and ran. He grabbed her up and realized her right eye was popped out of the socket. We took her to the animal hospital immediately. After her exam we were told that her right eye would have to be removed and the cost for the surgery would be around $1200 including meds. Her left eye was swollen and questionable. My daughters and I all applied for care credit. By God’s grace my youngest daughter was approved for a $500 credit. Her mother in law also donated $100 and my other daughter donated $50.

The veterinarians came in and let us know that they had found a few organizations to donate the meds for Molly so our bill was lowered to $699, but there would be quite a bit of aftercare that we wouldn’t be able to afford at all. My husband and I both had just begun new jobs as bus drivers and didn’t have very much money, on top of being behind on our mortgage. We left Molly to have the surgery done. As we were leaving at 2am to pick her up from the animal hospital, we noticed 3 teenage boys coming out from our backyard. As my husband approached them, they ran. We called the police and went to pick up Molly. The vet then notified us that there was neck trauma and his conclusion was that she had been strangled. She was strangled so violently that her eye popped out of socket. There were no other scrapes or cuts. Molly was a very vocal dog and we feel she was strangled to shut her up because the same night she was strangled, our neighbor was burglarized. The city of Hurst hired a detective to work the case, but no arrests were ever made. Molly came home and was much traumatized. She needed follow up care that we could not afford at all. My daughter then learned about Sponsor Adoptions from a parent at her child’s school.

We decided to write them in hopes that they could help us with follow up care. The very next morning I got a phone call saying they would be able to help. It was such a blessing and huge relief. With their help, Molly had her stitches removed from her eye, (which had to be done under anesthesia), she was given more medications to fight infection and in hope to help her see from her remaining eye. Molly was also sent to an ophthalmologist with help from Sponsor Adoptions. That’s where we found out that she was permanently blind from her remaining eye. Although this wasn’t the news we’d hoped for, we would’ve never known any of this or had been able to prevent infection or even have her stitches removed without Sponsor Adoptions. Today Molly is happy and healthy. She’s adjusted very well to her disability. She’s a fighter indeed. We are so thankful to Sponsor Adoptions for all they’ve done for us and Molly. Thank you Sponsor Adoptions for saving our Molly.

Success Story, Molly

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 17:33:00 GMT

“This is our sweet Molly before and after her attack on Saturday February 1st. She was viciously and violently strangled by someone to the point that her right eye came out. She had to have it removed. Her vision in her left eye is very doubtful now but thanks to Sponsor Adoptions Molly will have

Juno!

Mon, 17 Feb 2014 17:33:00 GMT

Juno was rescued from the Prairie Paws Adoption Center in Grand Prairie. Sponsor Adoptions was able to raise funds for her broken leg and sponsored her heartworm treatment. She came home with a broken leg, heartworms, roundworms, pneumonia & doggy influenza. A specialist near Austin performed the leg surgery. We had originally thought that the leg had been broken for about two weeks. Once they got her into surgery they discovered that the leg had been broken for about 6 to 8 weeks and that the bone had already started to fuse back together. Because of this they had to re-break the leg, shave down the ends of the bone and insert a titanium rod and pins to set the bone. After about six weeks of healing she was up and running around the backyard. Next she went in for the heartworm treatment. She handled the heartworm treatment like a champ and after another six weeks of rest she was back up to full speed. Throughout all of the vet visits and tough treatments she has remained as sweet and docile as any dog I have ever met. We never heard her cry or whine and she is always wagging her tail when you walk in the room.

As you can see in the pictures she gets along GREAT with her brother and sister (Buzz the cat and Taps the dog) and all of her other dog cousins. She has taken a very keen interest in cat toys. Juno has no interest in squeaky chew toys or tennis balls but she will go nuts over a small stuffed mouse. We are so glad to have her as part of our family and are sincerely grateful for all that you and your volunteers did to make sure she ended up in a safe and happy home.

The impact your donations have on veterinarian costs to rescuers!

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:10:00 GMT

Chris Bartch took the chance to help save the lives of three puppies that were too young to be saved at the Arlington Animal Services. A litter of nine collies and retriever mixes came into the Arlington shelter back in October of 2012. All of puppies were rescue only as they were six weeks old and not allowed to stay in the shelter. The city of Arlington agreed to allow them in their foster program. Chris Bartch took three of the nine home and the other six went to a private rescue group. She picked the three puppies up late in the day and it was apparent by the early evening that all three had severe diarrhea and one had an enlarged tummy and was vomiting She did not feel that she could wait until the shelter opened the next morning to have the puppies checked out. She decided to take them to her vet’s after hours clinic, and would worry about the costs later. The vet was very concerned the puppies may have had Parvo. Chris started worrying for these little lives and found some support in PAAS and Sponsor Adoptions volunteer, Janie Nelson. After a while of waiting to hear the diagnosis the veterinarian told her they had coccidiosis, which resulted in each one of them needing three different types of medication. The next day, Chris received a relieving email from Janie Nelson expressing that Sponsor Adoptions would like to help her with the vet bill.

I was truly surprised, relieved and very appreciative that they were helping me. Thank you again Sponsor Adoptions! By the way all three puppies recovered completely and were adopted 3 weeks later. – Chris Bartch

Your monetary donations have helped Chris Bartch and many other families, rescuers, and foster parents with aiding in veterinary bills which sometimes seem so overwhelming and unmanageable. Every amount you donate is appreciated and counts to assist in sponsoring animals in the shelter to receive the adequate care they need and the ability to give them a chance at finding a forever home. With out you, this would not be possible! Thank you!

Success Story: Silva

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:29:00 GMT

Silva is a female pit bull terrier mix who is one of several lovable dogs that Joe has a part of his household. Unfortunately, Silva got lost and ended up at the shelter missing her family. Joe found her there and Sponsor Adoptions helped to reunite her with her family and provide some yummy treats. Joe and his family are thankful they were able to get Silva back home with her other fur-baby friends, just in time for Thanksgiving!

Sister Cats Ommi & Priscilla

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:06:00 GMT

Vicki Gaston has two female cats at her home in Arlington that needed their annual checkups and to be spayed. Vicki, like many Americans, became disabled and lives alone with the minimum to get by. However, she absolutely adores her cats like they are her children and knew they needed their basic veterinary care. Vicki reached out to Sponsor Adoptions for assistance to get her family members their necessary care.

Sponsor Adoptions arranged an appointment for Priscilla and Ommi at Arlington Health Care Center. Since Ms. Gaston cannot get around easily Sponsor Adoptions arranged for a volunteer to pick her cats up and take them to their appointment where they were spayed and received their full vetting. Vicki was overcome with gratitude when she got to see her kitties again.

“Sponsor Adoptions and what they do is a God sent. It was wonderful how much they did for me, the whole experience has been rewarding and I thank them from the bottom of my heart,” Vicki said. “They have made a new friend with me and I did not know people that nice were still around these days. They took care of my babies and words can’t describe how truly greatful I am to them.”

Reuniting a lost pup – Meet Silva!

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:31:00 GMT

Silva is a female pitbull terrier mix who is one of a huge number of loveable dogs that Joe has a part of his household. Unfortunately, Silva ended up at the shelter missing her family. Joe found her there and Sponsor Adoptions helped to reunite her with her family and provide some yummy treats. Joe and his family were so thankful they were able to return Silva back to her home with her other furbaby friends!

The Fab Four!

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:41:00 GMT

On September 25, 2012, Natalie Gibbs Croy, a frequent PAAS Facebook follower and net worker saw four, sweet Boxer-mix puppies on the euthanasia list scheduled to be put down that day because they were afraid. These poor babies were dumped at the shelter, of course they were afraid. Natalie already had her own dogs, one

Meet Rhett!

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:16:00 GMT

Please let everyone know that Clay, Rhett, Ranger (border collie bro in tow), Lexi (yorkie diva sister) and I really appreciate everyone’s contribution to this wonderful boy. We have found that he is the most obedient dog and so willing to please. The vet and the office fell in love with him today and even gave us a discount on some of his treatment. I had him in the park today for a small walk and he was a hit with the kids. I wasn’t sure as you just never know but his tail never stopped wagging from all the attention. He has taken up with our border collie and they hate to be apart but we have to make them go to separate areas so Rhett can get some rest. Every morning I find that Rhett is waiting in Clay’s hall and whining until Clay gets up. It’s really touching to see such a bond forming in such a short few days. We absolutely love this dog and are so grateful for all those who honored their chipins/pledges to help out with his treatment.

It would have been such a shame if he had been put down just because of his heartworms. I’m sure everyone says their dog is the best but I’ve never really had a dog like Rhett.

He is such a sweet boy and someone obviously took the time to train him very well. We introduced him to my grandson yesterday and he was so gentle when Caiden (2 1/2) was around him. He would stop playing with the other dog until Caiden had moved away from them. I am so glad that we found him. He is the perfect dog!

He is such a wonderful animal and we cannot thank each and every one of you for your gift that they have given us with this loving creature!

You can follow him on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/RhettTheRescueDog

– Melissa Schaefer

Meet Frankie!

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 21:11:00 GMT

I was checking out my Facebook and because I have befriended many shelters, rescues and animal causes my news feed is pretty much all animals in need of homes. I share with my friends and try to find homes for the ones I can. On this day as I was looking through many of the pics

Dallas in Connecticut

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:31:03 GMT

This is Dallas, the Lab/Border Collie mix that we adopted from AAS. She was surrendered by her owners on her 6th birthday due to a “life style change” when they moved and their new home had a detached yard, in which she would jump the fence and was found lying on the steps. She was so nervous in the shelter environment, that she was swiftly put on the euthanasia list. I don’t know who shared the PAAS Facebook page with her posted or how I got their posts but it must have been fate.

We had 3 rescued dogs already but what’s one more? A great “selling point” with my husband was that she was from Dallas, named Dallas and he’s a HUGE Dallas Cowboys fan. We live in Connecticut but that didn’t stop us from adopting her. Someone pulled her for me and made arrangements for temporary foster while I made arrangements for transport to New England. I am also a transporter so I know that if there’s a will, there’s a way. All of our dogs come from out-of-state.

Please don’t let demographics keep you from adopting! There are transports! Dallas is a solitary dog living in a multi-dog family. At the beginning, she didn’t trust anyone. My husband was worried that she’d never come around but I told him, “Be patient. It’s on her terms.” Seven months later, a beautiful, loving, trusting, super intelligent Dallas has emerged! She wags her tail now. She may not be BFFs with our other dogs but she no longer warns any of them to stay away. Also, we found that she loves people!

-Laura Mirmino-Jones

Lincoln

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:45:16 GMT

This is Lincoln, formerly known as Chandler. I adopted him within minutes of him losing his life on August 27th. He had already received a few reprieves and I knew this was his last chance. After sharing his picture from PAAS with everyone I knew, a friend of mine decided she was going to get him and save him before his euthanasia time at 2. I told her to let me know if anything changed and I would make sure he got out. I patiently waited by the phone and at exactly 1:37 she texted me and said “plans fell through, I can’t take him.” My heart sank. I didn’t need any more dogs as I already have a rescue male Dobie and a female Boxer, but I knew I had to do something.

I got on the thread and let everyone know I was heading up to AAS and to pray that I would make it in time. I walked through the doors a little after 2 and my heart sank AGAIN. The line was SOO long, I figured surely I was too late. That’s when I saw a smiling face walk up to me, who I now know as Lindsey Hurr and asked if she could help me. I rambled off his ID# I had written down on my hand and she started crying and mumbled “Chandler? You are coming to adopt him?” Tears ran down my face as I told her yes. It was a VERY emotional moment. She took me to him and we took him outside and it was love at first sight. Such a gentle giant with a broken soul, he looked so sad but managed a tail wag that someone was there to see him. I signed the paperwork and left, AAS then called me to let me know he was heartworm positive..once again…my heart sank.

I have worked for clinics but have never dealt with heartworm with one of my own and as a full time student and part time waitress I questioned if I had gotten in over my head. Many thanks to the PAAS volunteers, Sponsor Adoptions and all of the strangers who donated, shared and pulled for this boy and raised enough money for his heartworm treatment, we are forever grateful and I could not have done it without each and every one of you. Lincoln has been with me over a month now and it feels like he has been here all of his life. He gets along with my dogs and my cats and is so eager to please. He has started his heartworm treatment and after he is well we will work towards earning his CGC (Canine Good Citizen designation) and doing work with the public to see if we can’t change some people’s minds about this wonderful, misunderstood breed. I can’t say thank you enough to ALL of you, please do not let a heartworm positive dog scare you away, anything is possible and these shelter dogs have a HUGE fan base, do not underestimate them, I have seem them do wonderful things! I have gained some amazing friends throughout this journey…and as for Lincoln…well I am still trying to figure out who rescued who. I have included a collage of him including his intake picture, his freedom picture and a few from around the house.

– Destani Leverett

Charlie formerly known as Beau

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:24:00 GMT

Beau, now named Charlie, is fitting in nicely with the family. He had to stay at the vets this week for kennel cough and an upper respiratory infection but he’s home now and he’ll go back to the vet to start his heartworm treatment. He is a great dog who is kind and beautiful and we are blessed that we were able to give him a home. He just needed a good home and he is so kind to our other dogs ages 15,15,8 and 2. We hoped he would be a playmate for Max and he loves him. I could not be happier to add him to our family.

– Kathy Applegate