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Mikko's Story

Lion was adopted in late 2003. He lost his leg to an injury that was not taken care of properly by his original owners. Then they did not want him anymore so they sent him to the shelter. He is quiet the boy. He can run fast and loves to play. He is housebroken and likes most dogs. He is not good with cats. Very mellow and as long as he can see you is contented to lie down.

This is Murphy. He was adopted in spring 2003 when he was a one year old puppy. He was found by the side of a road, left to die after either being hit by a car or falling from the back of a pickup. Animal Control picked him up and took him to the vets where they bandaged his abrasions but did nothing for his broken hip and took him to the shelter. He was left at the shelter for nine days without my medicine or a bandage change. We picked up Murphy from the shelter and took him home. We pulled bandages from infected skin and cleaned up the abrasions and re-bandaged him He never complained. A few days later we took Murphy to the vets and had his hip x-rayed for surgery. When we examined the x-rays it was discovered he had also been shot. The following day Murphy had his hip surgery (hip ball removal and muscle connection) and came home. He is recovering nicely but will never be able to hike or jog as most labs can. Murphy is looking for a mellow home. He gets along well with other dogs, cats and children and is house-trained.

Valentine was adopted in December 2003. She is a little three-legged black and white short haired cat born about December 2002. She was found by the side of the road by a disabled woman who took her home and tried to find someone to help. By some miracle Valentine survived having her left hind foot nearly severed, possibly by a fan belt, and her right front leg fractured. The injuries had mostly healed by the time she came to us, requiring some surgery to remove the dead hind foot and clean up the remaining leg. Her missing hind leg and her healed front leg give her a strange appearance, but don't let that make you look away!

This sweet girl is called Mazy and she was adopted in December 2003. She was found wandering in the middle of a highway. She was skinny and very shaken. Mazy is a four year old purebred American Staffordshire Terrier who is partially blind. Since being rescued Mazy has been spayed, received all her shots and is on heartworm preventative. Mazy is housebroken, knows commands and walks very well on a leash. She gets along well with other dogs but is not fond of cats.

Leo is a Boxer Mix adopted in 2003. He is a wonderful dog. He is handicapped - but most people that see him don't notice he only has three legs until they really take a good look. He gets around great and can run and play like any other dog. He loves to have his tummy rubbed. He's great with kids. Before he came to us, he was living on the streets with the homeless, and it's guessed that he was hit by a car - which resulted in having to have his leg amputated. He's a dog that loves life and always has a smile on his face.

Joey is a Rottweiler adopted in 2003. He came to us at eight weeks old with a broken tail and one foot missing. He was walking on his leg stump and it was getting bloody and eventually would have become infected. We had the rear leg amputated by an orthopedic veterinarian. He is also neutered and current on shots. He is a year old now. He loves everyone and is good with other dogs - his best friend is Puppy Boy - a terrier mix. For having been through so much, but still has wonderful outlook on life. He now looks for a home with someone who can give him the life he deserves. We are looking for someone who is experienced with a 'dominant breed' - a Rottweiler is not a dog for the first-time owner. He is sweet and loving and should be kept that way. His only special need is someone with a home without many stairs. He needs help getting up steps. (Holding a towel under his back-end for support when he uses stairs would be all he needed.)

Wilbur was adopted in the first half of 2003. Wilbur is a Boston Terrier. He is neutered, UTD on shots and on Heartworm preventative. He weighs about 30 pounds, is not very active (sleeps and snores a lot) and he is hard of hearing but not deaf. He is house trained. He only has an accident if he is not let out often enough. He gets along well with most dogs. He loves chewy bones, treats and cheese. (He does not know his medicine is in the cheese.) He will go in a crate but prefers to be with people. He loves to be scratched behind his ears. Wilbur's disability is Cushing's Disease. He is on Anipryl and is doing well on this medicine. The monthly cost of this med is about $70.00. Dogs with Cushing's Disease generally live about two years. Wilbur has had some problems with his eye. He had a bad ulcer in his eye.

Maggie was adopted in November 2003. Maggie has had her right eyeball removed; the eye is sewn shut. She is an otherwise normal one year old, female German Shepherd mix. She would like some basic training; she jumps on people in excitment. Maggie was relinquished because her owners were "moving."

Patrick has been adopted. He is a Shepherd mix. He weighs around 35 pounds. He was bailed our at the last day from Camarillo, California shelter with a broken leg which was amputated due to a severe nerve damage. He is very playful and does need training, but he aims to please. He loves to play with other dogs. However, he likes to chase cats and small dogs, He would not hurt them, just annoy and scare them, so we wouldn't recommend him to a home with cats and small dogs. We would like to have him in a home with another larger non-aggressive dog. He's very energetic and playful. He loves attention. He likes to play ball, although, he doesn't always bring it back. He likes to chew, especially a pressed rawhide.

Crosby, a schnauzer, has been adopted. Crosby was found as a stray and is blind. He is extremely affectionate and loves to cuddle on your lap while you watch television. He is located in Houston, Texas.

Dusty has been adopted. Dusty only has one eye, so in that sense he is disabled, but most of his special needs are from some behavioral issues.

Dusty's main behavioral issue is that he engages in violent tail chasing which is triggered by several different unrelated factors (eg. food, unexpected petting, waking up, nightmares). He finished a month of treatment at the Academy of Canine Behavior and they surmise that it is a learned defense mechanism to abuse. When he is in his spinning mode he will bite anyone who tries to touch him, which makes him an unlikely candidate for a regular adopted home. His treatment at AOCB has helped this condition but he needs to be adopted into a home that is experienced and willing to continue working with him.

Wesley was adopted in early November 2003. Wesley is a two or three year old year old blonde neutered male.He is heartworn negative and current on all his vaccinations. He weights 62 pounds and has a big beautiful block head and great big feet. He is a medium color golden with beautiful light eyes. Wesley is very calm and a little timid. He is very sweet and loves to be with people. Wesley underwent extensive testing to learn why he has urinary dripping. Veterinary specialists discovered that his bladder neck is over large. This allows small amounts of urine to drip out. Wesley had surgery in May to correct this problem. The surgery resulted in a significant decrease in urinary dripping. However, Wesley happily wears a diaper when he is inside -- even standing and waiting after coming inside while you put it on. The diapers use disposable pads. At night, we use washable pads in his crate to keep him dry. Wesley gets along well with other dogs and though he chases cats that run from him he never tries to hurt them. He has learned to walk on slippery floors but still moves rather cautiously. He is housebroken and crate trained. Wesley loves to snuggle and rub up against you for loving.

Frosty was adopted in October 2003. He is an Australian Shepard mix who is deaf and nearly blind. He was rescued from an animal hoarder who kept Frosty in a station wagon most of his life. He was totally blind when he came to us, but we have had surgery on one eye and he now has some sight. He loves to look at himself in the full length mirror, it's so cute to see him with his head cocked to the side looking curiously at his image. He gets along well with other dogs, but is very curious about cats and if he smells one he just can't think about anything else. He is good with children. He rides well in the car and is crate trained and house trained. Once he learns his space he is very comfortable and can even navigate stairs to the second story. He is fully vaccinated, neutered, negative for heartworm and microchipped.

Vinnie was adopted in the sumer of 2003. He is a mixed breed about one and a half years old and weighs about 30 pounds. He suffered a broken spine, which has completely healed. After four months of close confinement he is learning to use a wheelchair. He loves it and it's actually hard to slow him down, he just flies around in it. He is starting to use his legs but can't bear weight on them very much yet. We are hoping that with lots of excersize he will get strong enough to get around free of the chair someday. He loves attention and is eager to please. When he is in his chair he has the biggest grin on his face. Vinnie needs someone that has the time to work with him and help him to gain back his strength.

Q was adopted in October 2003. Q fell from a four-story roof and had to have his left front leg amputated. Q's owners didn't want a 3-legged dog, so they surrendered him to his vet. Q has fully healed from his operation and is ready to leave the veterinary hospital!

Q is a nine month-old, 35-pound, neutered pit mix. He has adapted beautifully to life on three legs; he runs and climbs stairs without trouble and he loves to take walks and chase tennis balls. He's completely healthy (up to date on shots) and housebroken. Q loves people and is very affectionate and cuddly. He is a playful, happy, outgoing pup. Q is used to being around dogs and cats at the animal hospital. He gets along with both. (He's curious about cats.) He hasn't had much experience with dogs outside the hospital. With all that he's gone through, Q deserves to be spending his puppyhood in a loving home, not a hospital cage.

Suypa was adopted in September 2003. Sheis a "special needs" gal. She is 10 months old and started her young life by being hit by a car. She sustained a gren line fracture of her leg, a broken hip and fractured pelvis. She seems to have healed, but has a definite limp in her walk. She most likely with need surgery in the future or meds. Suypa is so in need of a forever home. She is great with people, children, other dogs and even cats!

This is Ewok. He was adopted in September 2003. He has a little trouble going to the bathroom by himself. He gets very constipated. He has been like that since he was four weeks old, maybe since birth. It may cure itself or it may not be curable. He lives in Southern California.

Zack and Zane were adopted in September 2003. These two adorable kittens were found in an alley. Some bad person (we think) had gouged out one of each of their eyes. A wonderful woman in Sherman Oaks, Cal., who owns Purrfect Solutions Feline Rescue, immediately took them to her vet, who removed what was left of their little eyes. They each have one good eye, and can see well. In spite of whatever these tiny babies were subjected, they are sweet, loving little creatures. They come right up to the door of the cage to be held and loved.

Sassie was adopted in August 2003. She has had some sort of accident and has two screws in her left hip. There must have been some nerve damage as she has to wear doggie depends and does not mind them in the least. Sassie was found abanonded in a grocery store parking lot. The shelter tried for a month to find the owners. This is a kill shelter so her time was near and someone let me know about her. She can get around well and runs like the wind on that right leg. She not only has the sweetest doxie face, but she is also very smart. She is only two years old and is a real lovey cuddly girl.

Rexy was adopted in July 2003. Rexy - the dog who wrote his name! This gentle guy is four- year- old Rexy, a Boxer/Setter mix who came to Best Friends when he was rescued from a research facility. On his way to Best Friends, our staff person asked this handsome guy what his name was and he wrote "R.E.X.Y." on the window with his nose. (We aren't kidding here!). What makes it even more of a miracle is that this dog has escaped almost being euthanized three times before he came to the sanctuary and that he was born neurological! This sweetheart of a dog is good with cats, dogs, ferrets, and loves to play. But Rexy is looking for a patient home with someone who can be with him almost all of the time due to his unusual "idiot savant" behavior and he is also on a seizure medication, which has his seizures under control.

Rosie was adopted in July 2003. Rosie suffers from Manx Disease or Manx Syndrome, a genetic defect of the spine caused by the Manx gene, which causes taillessness in Manx cats. The gene's action in shortening the spine (making them tailless cats) may go too far, resulting in spinal birth defects often characterized by severe bowel and/or bladder dysfunction. In Rosie's case, Manx Syndrome has caused nerve damage resulting in bowel and bladder incontinence. The vet thinks Rosie may regenerate additional nerves and regain continence, but nerves grow very slowly, so this process (if it happens) could take months.

LBK - for little black kitty - was adopted in July 2003. She is a very sweet, healthy, little girl, less than a year old, that does not have the use of her hind legs. She was struck by a car when she was a kitten and never recovered the use of her hind legs. This does not stop her, she pulls herself around and enjoys what all cats enjoy. . .toy mice, warm laps, special hiding places, and cuddling. She is a trooper and gets along well with kids, other cats, and dogs! She has been spayed and all vaccines are current!

Gretta was adopted in early July 2003. She is approximately eight years old and was left homeless when her elderly owner died and none of the family wanted to care for poor Gretta. Gretta has known nothing but the comfort and care of a loving home until now. She is confused and understandably distraught having gone from a nice warm couch to a shelter cage surrounded by barking dogs. Gretta has a skin condition that requires weekly baths. However it is not contagious to other animals. Gretta is a three legged dog but has no difficulty getting around. She is sweet and affectionate. She loves human companionship but isn't too fond of other dogs. Gretta is housebroken and low maintenance. She longs for a nice warm sun spot to spend her days, lots of love and a cozy bed to curl up in at night.

Sweet Pea is a Special Needs Calico Kitten. She was adopted on May 17, 2003. She was found by a security guard at a Compton California Industrial Park when she was about eight weeks old. X-rays revealed she has a broken spine at L5. We think this injury happened very early in her life since the break is already healing (at a 45-degree angle) and she doesn't seem to be in any pain. This injury has left Sweet Pea with limited back leg usage and total bowel incontinence (due to nerve damage from the spinal break.) She does not dribble urine, rather she has no sense of when she "has to go", and only makes it to the cat box about 10% of the time. Despite the injury to her spine, Sweet Pea has feeling in her back legs and toes, and is surprisingly mobile for a kitten with a broken spine. She can go up and down small flights of stairs and is very adept at using her front legs to pull herself around the house. She even manages to hop (like a bunny) and loves to play with my other foster cats. The vets think Sweet Pea will regain some nerve sensation in time, but we don't know if it will be enough to remedy her incontinence issues.

Franklin was adopted in late May 2003. Franklin aka Frankie or Frank is a big Tom, at least three years old, ten to twelve pounds, and FIV positive. He seems very healthy other than the typical ear mites which are being cleaned out! He is a very good and gentle patient. Frank was an outdoor cat and unneutered until recently. Since his neutering, Frank has become an indoor kitty and seems quite content. He has some battle wounds from earlier days but, will melt your heart. He will greet you at the door, talk to you, follow you around, and flop on his back for your attention.

Helen was adopted in early May 2003. Helen is a mix breed puppy (GSD/ACD?). She's seen two vets who both think she's mostly blind (perhaps seeing shadows at best), and both agree that her disability was probably the result of either disease at a very young age or from physical trauma/abuse (being dropped, kicked, thrown, etc.) When she first arrived, she had some serious issues with having her head and face touched or even petted. She's much better now. It seems much better if she gets a home without children. She's extremely active, responds well to voices and is crate-trained. She's current on her vaccinations and will stay at her current home until a permanent one can be found for her.

Bear was adopted in May 2003. Bear is a Australian Cattle dog. He is a happy, loving and faithful canine that needs a special home environment. Bear is blind but he really doesn't know it! He loves to chase tennis balls and his famous trick is picking up two at the same time! Bear loves kids and even cats. This is one special boy.

Angel was adopted in April 2003. Angel is a spayed female, pure bred Anatolian Shepherd. This beautiful girl is not yet two years old. She is a loving and sweet natured creature who would love to have a home of her own. Angel's original owner let her wander loose, and it resulted in her being shot and losing one of her back legs. They also had her spayed on their kitchen floor and she almost died from a severe infection. Despite her handicap, she is very agile and athletic.

Snoopy was adpoted in April 2003. Snoopy is a little tiny tricolor chihuahua/rat terrier mix. She weighs a chubby seven pounds, and stands about 7 1/2" at the shoulder. OK, that number could be a little off, everyone loves to hold her so much, it is hard to find her feet on the ground to get a good measurement! The vet says Snoopy is about seven years old. She does have cataracts, and is blind in one eye. She can see a little from the other eye, and gets around OK, but has no depth perception so can't manage stairs. She adores people, loves to be held, and does well with other dogs.

Bella was adopted in April 2003. Bella is a gorgeous little domestic longhaired cat, tabby and white. She has a beautiful plume of a tail, and although full grown at about 4 years, she is a tiny little thing. She is wonderfully affectionate and likes to be held and snuggled.

Gandalf was adopted in early April 2003. Gandalf is a two year old neutered male. He was hit by a car and suffered a serious head trauma. He had a broken jaw and had to have one eye removed and is blind in the remaining eye. He is a sweet kitty who is adjusting well to his blindness and knows how to follow the sound of your voice. He gets along great with other kitties and adores being held, petted and sitting on your lap.

Kate was adopted near the end of March, 2003. Kate was found last August in NC crawling and asking for help. Kate spent five weeks at the vets ... no sign of spinal or pelvic damage (BB seen in her chest region), but she couldn't use her hind legs, move her tail, or empty her bladder. Since October 2, Kate has gained a lot of strength and can move her back legs though not to stand on. She does sometimes walk on her knees but is faster dragging her legs behind. When her bladder is expressed (which she is fine with), she arches her tail. She can be stimulated to pee like an orphaned kitten as well, but full expression is needed to completely empty the bladder. She weighs eight pounds and is FeLV/FIV negative.

Sparky ws adopted in March 2003. He is a purebred Field Spanile, born May 23, 2002, He has a mild case of megaesophagus. Most of his esophagus is functioning normal. He does not have a problem with drinking water. He does need to be feed in an elevated position and held for 20 to 30 minutes in an upright position after each feeding. Also, he doesn't do well with any dog food except canned with no chuncks.

Snowshoe was adopted early in 2003. Snowshoe is a pure white Australian Shepherd. He is blind and deaf, though he can see light and shadow. Snowshoe is housebroken and is good with dogs, cats and kids. He loves to snuggle and play.

Nady was adopted in March 2003. Nady is a six year old Australian Shepherd mix. She knows basic commands, gets along with other dogs, cats, and children. She is a breast cancer survivor and has undergone two radical mastectomies. She is in good health now.

Tasha was adopted in late 2002. Only five years old, spayed, she lost her eyesight to glaucoma several years ago when she was really young. She loves cats (grew up with one), loves dogs and every single person she has ever met. After she gets to know you, you can tell her the coast is clear and run with her. She may have a tiny bit of sight in one eye, but her nose and ears are just fine. She is the most housebroken dog I've ever met!

Harley was adopted on 2/12/03. He is a Catahoula puppy. He is about four and a half months old and is deaf. He needs room to run. And someone who can give him the time it takes to train a deaf dog. He is beautiful with glass blue eyes.

Tiny Tim was about ten weeks old when he was adopted. He is a Fox Terrier/Beagle mix. He was turned in to the local kill facility because he is not perfect. Tiny Tim was not taken care of when he was very small so his muscles are taking longer than normal to develop properly. He kind of hops around like a bunny. The vet says he should grow out of that once he gets the right kind of nourishment. He has Corneal Dystrophy also. That means that he may lose his sight one day. He can see now, but everything is a little hazy. Doesn't bother Tiny Tim, he hops around and plays with stuffed animals just like any puppy. Life is good now that he has someone who loves him and keeps him warm, but Tiny Tim would love to have a permanent family who will cherish him forever. Tiny Tim has had one set of vacinations and has been de-wormed twice.

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