First of all, I want to THANK EVERYONE who has helped with our fundraiser in April and May.  You were/are amazing.  So many people looked at the opportunity to help but clicked off.  You didn't.  Do you know how amazing that makes you.  Angels in my eyes...(If you missed any of the update/photos, or want to read about why the Rescue Ranch is not an "ordinary rescue--even of special needs animals," everything is still posted--you can see, too, what happens to an animal with cancer who didn't get treatment and then was surrendered: https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/s682/rescueranchneedsangels)

It's been a difficult week dog-wise.  Mama Mia developed a weird shape to her eye--it was the beginning of a corneal ulcer.  The normally easy-to-see animal eye doctor when the clinic opened, now is booked for a month in advance--but if you want to see him sooner, instead of $155 you can pay over $400...I asked when the policy changed since it seems the pricing seemed more like blackmail than not.  "In January, we decided to change our pricing..." Unbelievable.  A dog, with an eye emergency, cannot wait a month to see a doctor.

The ulcer is better after two weeks of medicines but she still has a big blood spot under the cornea. Eye issues are my Achilles heal--I get weak when I have to deal with these type of injuries.  I think it happened to me after we helped Precious, a few years ago, whose eye ball was ruptured.  Seeing eye parts--and her skull underneath--all over her cheek was just a lot to handle.  I had to be brave for her, in order to help her, but I think it really affected me.  

Ada, sweet Ada, is still bravely fighting mammary cancer.  She has had two treatments to the tumor itself--to shrink it--IT IS NOW HALF THE SIZE!--and is due for two more, once we raise the funds we need (she had special angels that sponsored her first few months of treatment).  She is on cancer meds and the tumor has reduced by half--which is fantastic.  The next set of treatments, done back to back, may totally dissolve it, leaving "only" the mass behind it to be treated.  (Mammary tumors feel like very, very hard, lumpy lava rocks under the skin (do regular teat exams in male and female animals--the tumor will be on the smooth surface of the belly but you can only feel it by gently rubbing. Behind the tumor itself, is usually starting with the back teats/under the back legs, they block the lymph drainage and cause "stuff" to back up and cause, sometimes enormous, sacks or masses.)

Ada's mass behind the tumor is about six to eight inches by three inches (like a long, full water balloon but it is soft tissue),  it is possible that is can be treated with special cancer medicine that just came out called, http://www.immunocidin.com/   The problem is that the bottles are tiny--2.5 ml each--and Ada is over 70 lbs (still, thankfully).  She has to be treated multiple times but our fundraiser fell $2520 short--and we need this to get Ada and Kasey (bone tumor and two tumors on either side of his mouth) and Mama's eye and so many other special needs animals treatment and medicine. (Even Dr. Sears, our Distemper Cure discoverer, is excited about this new medicine and the hope it could bring for Ada.)

Why help Ada? Why help any dog at the Rescue Ranch?  What we learn here, I share with you.  So, if the Immunocidin works--and of course, I photograph all progress--then, if your dog gets mammary cancer (males do, too) you'll know right away what to discuss with your vet!  (Piroxicam is another medicine that is helping her a lot, too, and has great success on mammary cancer in dog--Google the studies--FYI--but it must be taken with Tagament, about a half hour prior and with food or it tears through their stomachs. I had to learn all of this, too.) But learning and helping animals costs money...never mind the cost of feeding them all special diets/food!)

I am not a vet--but I share what the vets teach me--and they do go into great detail with me, since they know I write for the Houston Chronicle and want to get this information out to as many animal lovers as possible.  

This week, Mike had a close call--he was on the highway when the wheel joint broke--but thank God, he was getting off on our exit, thankfully so his speed was slowing down.  The news would not have been the same had he been going full speed ahead on the highway.  We just know that Angels and prayers saved his life--and we thank you all for that.  Having put himself through college and grad school fixing cars, he was able to go back the next day and fixed the car himself--out in the store parking lot! (Eek!)

Me, well, I never sleep.  The nights are long--every animal who was every sick/disabled/injured, always needs medicine, to eat, to go out, for me to bring them a drink, change their blankets, warm them up with my body heat...well, this starts around midnight and goes on until five or six AM.  Then, the morning shift starts all over again and if I am lucky, I'll get a cat nap sometime during the day.  Last night, I was eating salad and triscuits for dinner--at midnight--and was working on email--and actually feel asleep sitting up, with triscuits still in my mouth (dangerous)!  But the time I woke up, the computer was pretty hot and the triscuts were really soft!  I know I can't keep this up forever, but when lives depend on you, you have to keep going.

I don't think people fully envision what taking care of a farm of special needs animals is like. You are used to animals running over, needing to go out, drinking and eating from their bowls. playing fetch, going to sleep.  

Here, we have to bring the water dish to them and sometime even hold it until they are done. Sometimes, it means syringing the water into their mouth--do you know how long it takes to do that all the time? Some days it seems like forever.  A lot of times, the water spills, which means lots of clean up.  Food, sometimes is eaten by the animal, but a lot of times, it involves putting on sterile gloves and feeding the animals bite by bite--until they feel up to eating again on their own.  It is a never-ending cycle with each.  Animals who don't feel well don't drink or eat on their own.

Going out--well, if they can't walk on their own, they have to have a harness or wheelchair and then they need help getting outside.  If the ground is muddy or bumpy, that requires supervision so they don't tip over. Medicine time--just basic every day maintenance meds--takes three to four hours to mush up/add to food/feed--twice a day.

Let's just say I could go on--and on--but I think you understand now, that this is not a picnic.  There is no working another outside job to support the animals.  They are a job--all by themselves!! Our personal income pays for the overhead--the mortgage, the utility bills, the general supplies but there is no way on this green earth, that a family could pay to support--especially special needs animals--all alone.  We need you to help--and to help regularly.

Thanks for listening.  For some reason, I felt like I had to share all of that today.  Please help if you can--and if you really can't, prayers are always much appreciated.

Hugs from the Herd!

To Help, Click Here or go to: http:www.firststop-laststop.com/help.html  We still need $2520 to catch up on everyone's (the animals) needs.

Ada's lungs cleared up so I can finally take her out without walking with a stretcher next to her (yes, really)--although she still has to take multiple medications twice a day to prevent the infection from returning (Yesterday, it cost over $700 to order enough for the next month.)

She can even now get up on the much beloved "white quilt"--here, she is cozy and snoring not feeling ill. Everyone wants to be on it!! She got up with just a little help jumping up on the bed.  Now, we have to help her get the next set of treatments--but without more help, it is not possible.

PS Please check the RR facebook page for the latest posts--including today's funny story about "Dog Confessions" and how to help the dog, Princess, in California who had a terrible accident/intentional? on Mother's Day--and lost her eye.  Just click on the link above or go to our fb page, especially if you want to read or leave comments--you can't do either through our feed above.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Everything-Animals/364705123628544 

Please always click "like" and always use your "Share Power"--don't let that go to waste!

WE all...

Mailing Address: Rescue Ranch, 945 McKinney Street, Unit 242, Houston, TX  77002

Link to our Wish List: www.firststop-laststop.com/wish.html (ANYTHING is appreciated!)

Since I am so far behind on my "Thank You's"...

Thank you to Melissa, who sent a surprise gift of four cases of Merrick canned dog food--it was such a blessing! Ada must have canned food every time she has the Piroxicam--and this morning, I told her that is was a special present from Melissa!

Thank you for the donation in memory of Peach from Florida!  Please send me her photo so I can love her, too! My email: hopeformany@gmail.com

Thank you to the Something Unique Angel for the drop-off of lots of different things--hopefully, I can find your email in the box and let you know that your gift was received.  Michelle and Rick delivered it this week. 

Thank you both to the customers and store owners, of Something Unique and The Spirit Quest Center, for their hard work on the RR Christmas/Hanukkah Collection!  You have made the animals so comfortable, love the soft treats for the dogs who can't eat the hard treats, like Millie who had a broken jaw (and surgery and many procedures afterward); toys, Special beds for Pasha and Bunny--blankets, quilts and more! (Even a few doggie outfits came in--you know how I just LOVE them!)  I owe you all photos--please just be patient!! (We still ADORE our stroller from the year before--everyone should have one with elderly or sick or disabled animals.) Both stores are still drop-off spots for the Rescue Ranch...and are contining to allow customers to help/provide a deliver service for them! (See our Wish List Link below).

Thank you to John D. from Houston for sending in a check--in April!

Thank you to Grace for submitting a matching funds grant through her company! I'll let you know when it comes through.

Thank you Ali and De and Doro for always being there (names abbreviated for your privacy)--month after month, year after year.  I hope more people become inspired to help regularly like you do.  It doesn't matter what the amount, just that you do! 

Prayers for our RR Angel, "D", who is fighting a very serious case of cancer...(please email your number to me! I lost all of my contacts in my organizer when the batteries died/I didn't know about it.)

Thank you Dingo Angel from the Midwest for sending three bags of little knot bones for the bitties--they were thrilled beyond thrilled.

Prayers for my mom (and dad). She quickly and unexpectedly passed--whose loss has caused me to find it hard to just type my name some days.

Thanks to God for always being there when we need Him--as long as we continue to have Faith and Hope, and of course. Love.  We have lots to share, too, if you ever need some!

I've long since known that mothers were special--they bring life into the world, comfort us, make our favorite soup when we're sick and more. Animal mothers are very similar.

The animal mothers that I have had the honor of caring for--with or without their puppies--have been amazing animals.  They are so diligent about the cleanliness of their babies and their pen/whelping box; make sure their babies are fed and happy; even play with them (that is a site to see!)...

On Mother's Day, I honor all of you/them.  Your spirits are so caring and loving enough though each birth or child--or puppy or kitten--takes a little piece out of you.  Every band-aid hurts you--even though it is on them. Every boo-boo, sick stomach, injury, heartbreak, all hurt the mother's, too. But, instead of making the mama's hearts smaller, it makes their hearts bigger, more compassionate, more loving, caring--I've even seen many a mama dog co-parenting and in one case, co-nursing two litters when one couldn't help her own.  That just about made me sob my heart out, I was so touched.

No matter how hard life at the Rescue Ranch is/has been, my life is forever changed for the better. I have such a respect and love for the mamas, who before they got here, have risked their lives to keep their babies safe, not eaten but continued to nurse--that would make you so sad to see. But instead of being sad, I tell them how proud I am of them, because I am. I really am. They are the role models that I wish everyone had the opportunity to spend some time with.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom, too.  She's been in heaven awhile now but she comes to check on me in my dreams. Instead of crying, I make sure to smile when I think of her. I know how very sad she was at the end to leave her children and grandchildren but I pray that heaven is really the heaven that we all strive to reach--and I am happy that she and my dad are there together.

I remember that she always looked great in red; she always made my "favorite" soup or dinner whenever I went to visit (whether it was my favorite or not, I was grateful and just ate it, smiling inside); she and my dad gave us the best Christmases--and it wasn't all about the "stuff" either, the happy memories of which, will carry me through my lifetime; a foundation of faith that I have leaned heavily upon my entire life; and at the end, my parents told me that they were proud of me.  That meant everything in the world to me. Everything.

Those simple words, "We are so proud of you," just one short sentence, have sured me up through many difficult moments, and to this day, make me happy every single time I think of their message--and gives me strength to carry on. I am proud of them, too, but never got a chance to tell them before they were gone. I regret it every single day. My hope is that maybe they already know?

Please do the same for your children, your parents, your animals. Look into their eyes and tell them that you are proud of them, but especially tell them that you love them--your mothers, fathers, children and pets. It does make a difference, even the difference of a lifetime.

Thank you for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

Jane

(((((((((((Sending Love and special Mother's Day Hugs from the Herd)))))))))))

Flowers for our Angels...from the RR Herd

PS Thank You to our angels who have helped along the way--I am managing the best I can right now, but to my regret, my emails are behind.  Know that I "thank you"--out loud--when you send help; pray for you daily; and when you email me that you have a problem or illness or death--I pray and grieve and/or celebrate with you every step of the way.  You are a part of our family--one made up of mostly four-legged creatures, or "angels in fur" as I see them.  Just pull up a chair and stay awhile and I'll make us some tea...(Hopefully that can really happen if we can ever fulfill Our Dream. We're leaving that in God's hands, just like we put everything else there.  There is no better place to be. Much Love...)

Normally, I would tell you funny stories (boy, have there been some hoots this week) or share things that I have learned taking care of hundreds upon hundreds and probably thousands of animals over the years but when faced with critical care animals needing HELP--that I stay up all night hand-syringing water, trying to get them to eat something/anything, trying to sustain life, waiting for the funds to take them for an ultrasound or to buy the cancer meds that they have had to go without, because the group more critical got last weeks more than $1400 in meds, I feel sick--and not much like telling stories. I can't eat or sleep.

Yes, I still find it hilarious when I am stressed or worried and start to sing my Irish ballads and the dogs all chime in.  We must make cats hide! Yes, it is great fun to have little bitty Bits, who almost died back when, come over and tug off my socks,quarter inch by quarter inch--all six or seven pounds of him.  It is also sad to see a cancer lump growing and knowing my hands are tied until help comes in--and then I can get it taken off or treated and get the supplements needed to boost the immune system.  We had three cancer dogs--and today, found out we have another. Two hip dysplasia, burn victims, advanced heartworm cases, broken backs/fixed but...four in wheelchairs, so much more, it is hard to even say it out loud. Human neglect and abuse prior to getting here contributed to a large part of the animals who found their way here.

The vets who help, most are having mercy and giving us almost free or mosty free care--and the meds at their cost thank God--but it still is costing a fortune. The others, well, I wonder if the Grinch stole their hearts, too...

Euthanasia is not the answer, it is just a quick fix but not a real one in these situations--I think/know we can help these animals both physically and spiritally. They have had enough bad breaks in their little lives (or big/giant ones) and need to experience as much time as possible singing and laughing, dancing and fresh air, green grass and burgers, pizza crust and Dingos--oh, yes, Dingo bones--as many as is possible before they arrive at the Pearly Gates--and that will be when God calls their name. 

Until then, we have committed morally to making them well or as comfortable as possible: getting braces, wheelchair, kuranda.com beds (we need two more washables/that allow liquid to flow through for dogs that pee in their sleep...), soft blankets, toys even if they can't walk--and hugs, love, kisses, being told how wonderful, marvelous, and especially how brave they are AND how proud we are of them. Yes, we talk to dogs like that--and they do understand. They need to fully heal before they move on.

I truly hope that you can help the Rescue Ranch--GiveForward or Back for something good in your life; if you are really truly financially unable to help, pray--we believe that that is powerful and that God hears you.  Ask for angels to be sent to help us--both from heaven and on earth.  Share our website link, my Houston Chron PETS blog link, the Give Forward link--that doesn't take any money, just a little time and some love and caring. Do you have that?  If not, I'll share some of mine--and we'll pray for you.

The animals constantly replenish my exhausted body with their unconditional love, tail wags, kisses and cuddles and I think God keeps a special "eye" on the Rescue Ranch, too.  We have been able to do incredible thing beyond rescue--(see GiveForward link below)--and have been working (gratis) on a bigger disease that plagues us all--with the best docs and vets. I'll share what we discover when it is time--with tidbits along the way--once the RR animals are taken care of--so I can concentrate again. 

Here are the links to share:

The May, 2013 Give Forward Link: https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/s682/rescueranchneedsangels

Rescue Ranch website: http://www.firststop-laststop.com

My Houston Chronicle PETS blog: http://blog.chron.com/fromunderthebridge

I hope that you join the legion of angels that is forming that helps the Rescue Ranch animals.  There have only been a few to date who regularly helped--for whom I am so very grateful--but you, too, can join us and be a part of the blessing of an organization that truly is a one of a kind in the entire world...) See Give Forward Link to read why). 

Thank you everyone for caring. REALLY caring.  I pray that you hear the urgency and act today...I don't want to lose animals that I know we can help/the vets can save because we can't afford the tests and meds, etc. (See the GiveForward link for more photos/stories.)

IF you want to use a "GIVE NOW" button on this site, the funds willll be immediately available for use instead of waiting for the fundraiser to finish. 

...AND if you want to do a matching gift/grant/anything corporate, we are NOW eligible! Just go to www.firststop-laststop.com/linensforanimals.html and donate through that page and then send Lori@linensforanimals an email requesting whatever your company needs for paperwork/info. Any and all help is needed. Please don't let those opportunities go to waste.

(Ideally, we'd like to build Our Dream--which would allow a lot more animals to get well and those that can, get adopted--so if you own a company or want to bequeath the Rescue Ranch to enable this to happen, we would be thrilled beyond thrilled!)

Is it that nobody cares? Bank balance this AM/farm disabled animals needs eat/meds/etc. http://www.firststop-laststop.com  HELP HELP & HELP

Help. Please.

ANY "Give Now" button on any page on this site works immediately/by the end of the business day.

For Corporate Giving/matching funds, Click Here to give online and then send me an email to get the matching paperwork info/mailing address, etc.. We are now eligible for non-profit gift status/giving but it will take weeks to months to get the funds back to us (apply as soon--and as often--as possible, please!)

Lives are at stake and so are their hungry bellies! We live in one of the most well-off cities in the country--plus, people can help from anywhere in the world literally--but the Rescue Ranch, who has saved thousands and thousands of animals from distemper and parvo--maybe hundreds of thousands or millions by the time our time has passed, can't buy a bag of dog food.  It just does not seem morally right.  Just something to think about.  Sad.

We need another $3686 least week--to get the medical treatmens, rest of the meds, food, etc. that we fell so far behind on.  We had to spend our personal income on the utilities, property mortgage, new air conditioner (eek), taxes, insurance, leaving a roof over the dogs' heads but in great need of Angels to step up to help.  WHERE ARE YOU ANGELS?  A few helped last month and we thank God saved lives that were on the verge of passing but still have others hanging in the balance.  I know this does not need to happen.

Please be an angel and "Give Now" or "Donate" on the Linens for Animals page--today.  It will make a H-U-G-E difference.  Thank you.

If you missed this story about WHY the Rescue Ranch is different than ALL others, please take a moment and read it.  Maybe it will open your heart and you will understand why it is so important to keep this going and the animals provided for.  It should not be a month-to-month struggle every single month of every single year...

Story: "That's It! A Rescue Ranch Ah-Ha Moment"

Story Link: http://blog.chron.com/fromunderthebridge/2013/04/eureka-rescue-ranch-ah-ha-moment-distemper-parvo-naturalpetworldmagazine-help-rescueranchanimals-saveanimalsandtheirsouls/

As an ordinary pet owner, please take your pet's health early on very seriously--from what type of food you feed them to the quality of the water (nice spring water-not tap) to their heartworm program and the use of natural flea repellents (not so much the easy topicals/chemicals). 

All that you put in for years, will impact their later years.  That's when the medical issues start to show up from what you did or didn't do--from hearts full of worms to bone tumors and cysts to teeth and gum issues and more. That's when the heartache, bills and lack of sleep all seem to come together--and people have to surrender their animals because they cannot afford all of the damage that has been done. 

All of the animals at the Rescue Ranch are rescues.  We had no control over their early years--at least most of them.  However, we are now dealing with the affects of every accident, bad food, lack of heartworm meds, etc.etc., all amplified not only by their aging but by the number of animals who are aging at the same time.

What I see, night after night, as I clean up after them, comfort them and take animals out to potty because they are incontinent or semi-continent, getting cancer or diabetes or this, that or the other thing is that a lot of these things could have been prevented if the owners had taken their health very seriously early on.  

When I hear, for instance, that an animal "only" gets to eat dry kibble and no table scraps, my guts cringe literally.  That is not something to be proud of but something that really needs to be reconsidered.  Your animal is not getting the proper nutrition eating dry rendered food that is sprayed with coloring and fat to get them to eat it.  They are full but not well.  The day you are holding them in your arms as they are pre-maturely dying, you will remember these words and regret every penny you had but chose the lesser or the taste of sweet potatoes that you didn't share.

They need to eat fresh fruits and veggies; taste new things to stimulate their minds and bodies; take vitamins and get a swirl of some good quality olive oil for their coats. They need to experience "fun" foods, too--even if it is just the crust of the pizza (with some cheese and sauce--no onions--left on it) and burgers. 

If you want to control begging during meals, just train them to wait 'til after you eat--feed them some great quality kibble or good canned food that doesn't included meat made from euthanized animals (and all the euthanasia chemicals, too--yep, the cheaper foods do indeed)--and add the leftovers from your meals into theirs, just make sure that are "safe" foods for the animals you have.  They will be happier and healthier in the long run.

And, as I take care of these animals, I also think about the damage that the topical flea meds do to their little lives--they are not so good.  Do your research.  They may work now but when your beloved gets cancer at four or five, you'll regret it.  So, maybe try to lessen their use to once a quarter or even a year--and find other things you can use, especially in the south. 

Heartworm treatment has to be given johnny-on-the-spot--like a clock, every 30-ish days, no hype.  Why?  At six weeks, the babies become adult worms that cannot be killed by the Heartguard--and go to latch on in their heart.  That is totally preventable if you mark your calendar and make sure to follow it.

So, on all of these nights, for months now that I have not slept a wink, I hope my heartache will at least help you to prolong the life of your animals.  You do not want to be prematurely nursing or hospicing your animals, especially if better nutrition and care could have prevented the heartache, the expense, the lack of sleep...and the tears.  

Thanks for stopping by, for listening and for caring. Especially for caring.

PS  The GiveForward fundraiser is at 4 percent for the second half of April.  Adding in the 26 percent from the first half of the month, we are at 30 percent.  Last week, we spent $900 in medicine ( at vet cost) and have another $700 of it needed yet--not including medical supplies, food food and food, chews, and more.  Two dogs need ultrasonds, x-rays, bloodwork, probably surgery...two dogs have cancer and need expensive meds and care. One has heart issues that are needing to be reevaluated--meaning tests, etc. and two have hip issues that need constant supplements and medication.

We just don't have the resources for all of this.  I am trying everything I know how to sustain life until people have mercy--but WE NEED HELP N-O-W.

WE ARE FALLING DOWN by the weight of so many special needs animals who have extra special needs all at once. Please pitch in if you can. If you can't, or won't, we'll include you in our prayers, too. God can do so much more to move your hearts than my words can. 

The blessing is yours that you gain when you help--and it is yours to walk away from, too.

Please help us to help the animals.  We ask for nothing personally--only help with what the animals need.

GiveForward Link (updates/photos/to help): https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/s682/rescueranchneedsangels

Thank you so very much.

This weekend, we had to take Ada in the car--which would have been impossible a month ago to get her to even walk to the garage--and go to the doctor.  Although she would have rather been home in her cozy bed we set up for her, it was a "Thank God" moment that she could even get out. 

After two treatments to the mammary tumor, it is reduced at least by 1/3--an optimist may say closer to one half...The mass that the tumor causes is reduced, too, by 1/3--and has "crawled" back up, from sending tendrils down her leg to extend the tumor, back into up into the tumor site on her abdomen--hopefully they are going away, too.  (This is a very layman's description of what is happening but it is the easiest way to describe it with words. It feels like three? thick cords that were extending are not anymore.)

She does great on her meds--but they have to be given every 12 hours--and if not, there is a definite decline.  You can tell that she is in pain when the meds are not johnny-on-the-spot--and not pain meds, but meds to treat the infection that comes with the tumor.

For Ada, and for about eight other animals who are on maintenance dose meds, I literally either had run out or had just two or three pills left.  My stomach hurt so badly from the stress of running out, especially with heart dogs and cancer, that blood was literally coming up--out of me--from stress.  Not a good thing.  

The angels that helped on the first part of the Give Forward--we raised just over $1400--gave me a much appreciated/wanted-to-hug-you sense of relief Friday--I was able to order enough medication and foods and medical supplies to cover this week.  Whew.  I know as the week goes on, my belly-ache is going to get worse as we approach the financial crisis again...

We needed $5500 two weeks ago--of that, $!400 from GiveForward and another $250 came in off of the GiveForward which was usable right away--by check or by using a "Give Now" button on this site/anywhere--and allowed us to immediately get the sick dogs "magic" food we get by the case/s--Hill's a/d--that we feed to animals too sick or too injured to chew--we also cover pills or even capsules in it--the animals gulp them right down!!  Running out of that last week, was also an OMG moment.

Now, we have more meds to order/to catch up ordering food, from kibble to a/d, to order supplies from sterile gauze to literally a catalog of stuff that we use.  Because I had to make what we had go around, on one medicine for instance, I bought 50 when I really needed 250, etc. etc.  We get the wholesale discount on it all but you have to place miniumum amount orders or you don't get the reduced prices or discounts or free shipping.  Bascially we have to order in advance for the month or pay a small fortune buying retail.

So, first and foremost, I want to THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for helping the RR so far.  I was able to eat a little bit and keep my stomach under control for the weekend.  Friday night, I actually slept without terrible worry for the first time in weeks!  But now, we need to move forward and fulfill the GiveForward original need--and catch up.  (We had to close the first one so the company would issue funds and they told us to open a second one for the balance.)

This is a hard job to do--even without financial worry.  We gave everything we had to make sure the cures for distemper and parvo were perfected and the full protocol was developed--BUT in doing so, placed ourselves in jeopardy.  We had to use all of our personal resources, like retirement, etc. to take that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity--that no one else was offered or was willing to do--and just do it!  Now, we are working on something even more impactful--that may extend beyond animals--but how can we devote our time and attention to curing X (yes, a big one), if we have to worry all the time about financing the Rescue Ranch animals' well-being?

PLEASE help.  It doesn't matter if your gift is small or large--or the whole "everything" or a gift of "something"--it just matters that you help.  Together, they all add up--and we will achieve our goal! And then, in the future, we hope that there will be angels to help regularly so we don't wind up in such a crisis.  It would be such a grace to live knowing that we can provide for the dogs and continue our work with abundance rather than lack..It costs almost $10,000 to run the Rescue Ranch a month.  You don't even want to experience the personal sacrifices we have made to be able to do that.  We do it/did it, knowing that heaven is just a blink away and somewhere, we hope, there will be hundreds of thousands of happy, wagging tails waiting for us...

The link to the current GiveForward fundraiser is:

https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/s682/rescueranchneedsangels

OR you can look ABOVE for the "Give Now" button--and give with your credit card or paypal account.

You can also drop a gift card (any and all) in the mail or have one emailed to us--now how easy is that!!

Our mailing address and email is:

hopeformany@gmail.com

Rescue Ranch

945 McKinney Street, Unit 242

Houston, TX  77002

We'll take any gift cards you aren't or can't use--and will find a way to help the animals with them.  If you are buying a new one, Walgreen's, Target, Petsmart, Petco, Walmart, generic VISA or AMEX, Amazon.com etc. would all be greatly appreciated and well-used.

This is an opportunity to be blessed.  Please don't let it pass you by. 

I don't say this just because I volunteer at the Rescue Ranch--I say this because I know that there is something very blessed about helping special needs/disabled animals who cannot help themselves--and because there is no human benefit from doing so--no salary, no awards (wouldn't want them), nothing but--the only reward is the love of the animals and improved quality of life and the Love of God--but we don't do this for either.  They are the unseen benefits.  We do it because it is the right thing to do--and we feel blessed to be chosen for this purpose.

Thank you to all.  I hope God Himself moves your heart to help, too.  Think about how amazing that is.  You, too, will join in our blessings, just by helping--you don't even have to get your clothes dirty or spend a day cleaning up X, Y or Z! You can just send help and be blessed!

Good morning! 

Find out what happened with our GiveForward fundraiser that closed at midnght last nght:

Story Link: http://blog.chron.com/fromunderthebridge/2013/04/giveforward-closes-tonight-26-reached-so-far/

Thank you so very much to all who helped--and thank you in advance for those who are going to help! (I am going to stand on faith!)

Check out our Facebook page/feed to see some new posts and story links--especially the one about Deskunking--no more tomato juice baths!!  Story Link: http://blog.chron.com/fromunderthebridge/2013/04/deskunking-a-more-practical-approach/

A long day is ahead of heping animals--and the night hasn't even ended yet--I hope I have the energy to just keep going right through to bedtime tonight!  Animals, vets and treatments/care don't care if you need sleep or need to eat or anything else for that matter!

I'll write more in the next day or so.  Keep up with the updates on the new GiveForward link--which is in the first story above!  It is even the first story on their new format--something new again for me to learn.  I wish programs and software just stay still for a month or two.  Just when I have it all down, it is different again!

Have a great day--we can finally place the first order of meds--THANK YOU!!--and some food (we were approved by a wholesaler so have to buy in bulk with minimum order amounts--sometimes, like right now, the prices are great, but meeting those minimums is tough.)

Update on Ada, sweet Ada: She got up around midnight on the 15th and was eating someone else's kibble when I looked in on her!  You could have knocked me over!  I just stood there and watched her.  It's been over two or more months of hand-feeding, syringing, watering, special cooking, etc. etc. and there she was, wagging her tail, happily eating--and then drinking on her own.  It was truly a "Thank God" moment.  She had had two treatments the week prior to the mammary tumor--and things were touch and go--but I am hopeful.  We have a long way to go but we won't stop unless God steps in.  Hopefully, He'll just send us some more blessings to continue.

Hugs and much love to all--

One of my fav photos of Poppy and Mebs--they had just raced in from doing figure eights out in the new grass--and landed on the stuffed dog that many a puppy has used to cuddle against.  The day was so perfect--and the dogs so happy--that every single time I see this photo, I feel so happy inside.  I hope I can share some of it with you.  This is a picture of just innocent joy and happiness. 

Enjoy it and Smile big, too!

(I'll tell you their stories another time...They all have one at the RR.)

Yippee! We have 13 angels so far...

...and with just a day and a half left. they have gifted $700 of the $5400 on the fundraiser!

We are extremely grateful for those who have helped.  You will be forever in our prayers.  You came through; you cared; you acted...you didn't just shake your head and say, "Gee, that's too bad..." You are HEROES!

The other hundreds of people who have viewed the fundraiser and clicked off--I am hoping that they were waiting 'til the end to bail us out at the 9th inning.  Here's to hoping--and praying.

We are depleted.  This is not just a monthly plea for help--although that need will continue.  This is an "oh no" moment--where compounded emergencies literally left us with nothing to spare and with a whole bunch of expenses and orders and prescriptions and food bills and and and that can't be/are outstanding.  

I have said over and over again that I believe God watches over us and somehow it will work out.  He creates situations like this to give others a chance to be blessed--for how do you gain a blessing if it is not by helping someone/an animal/s that comes before you?  That's what this is, I think.  A chance to do good, to help those who can't help themselves, to join in the magnificent blessings and victories that we have at the Rescue Ranch.  Turn away--well, that's certainly your choice--but what are you really turning away from? Help--and who are you really blessing?  Yourself AND the Rescue Ranch animals, which is a great thing!

This is a (((((((((((((((((((((HELP)))))))))))))))))))))))))) situation.  I don't know how else to stress the urgency in words.  

Please click on the UPDATES link on the left side of the GiveForward fundraiser link below-read today's update about some of the work that we do that NO ONE else will do.  See why it is so important for us to continue.

http://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/my52/helprescueranchspecialneedsdogsspring2013

Thank you ever so kindly for caring. Really caring.

PS  As a dog caretaker, I used to dread canine distemper and parvo. Because of our work--our work--with Dr. Sears--I go to bed resting easy because I know the treatment protocol exists now for both--and now, there are no worries.  You can also rest easy, too, and I'll bet you know who to email should your animals ever God-forbid get sick. Many of you do reach out, for much more than those two illnesses. What if this safely net weren't here any more? Would/could your vet help you? If your animal had something as serious as a tumor or cancer, wouldn't you want someone to have solved that answer, too?  Our work is VIP to the future of animals.

All we are asking you to help with is the expenses of the RR special needs animals--nothing more.  The rest we finance personally but personally, everything is at a stand-still until something changes for the better at the RR. 

The $5400 is the minimum we need--not the maximum.  Someone who is getting a great tax refund or inheritance (oh, the promises I've heard--I hope some day they really come true) or lottery or...could send a gift to the RR that exceeds our minimun, allowing us to breath easier/sleep without constant worry--and fulfilling God's promise that He will give us more than we can hope for ourselves--and it is only for the animals not for us at all.

Thank you for listening--and for giving--even if this is in advance.  God is calling angels to help right now.  Can you hear Him?

I have been missing Mebs, the mascot of my Houston Chronicle blog, a lot lately.  She passed away in just days from being diagnosed with lymphoma--after going to vet after vet after vet after vet--but before I knew Dr. Sears, the genius vet (now retired) who has helped us save so many animals.  Yesterday, I decided to go and pay a visit to where she is buried.  I took two dogs along with me for moral support--Big Mandy at 160 lbs and little twenty pound Junie. They are best friends.

Knowing that I would be saying a few prayers and "talking" to Mebs to have a few, "remember when..." moments, I took a few Milk Bones with me to keep the dogs busy.  I didn't want to be needing to throw a frisbee when I wanted some quiet time.
 
When we got there, the girls walked with me to within about twenty feet of Mebs' tree that we planted as a memorial and I gave them each their bone.  Mandy lay down immediately and began to eat hers.  Junie, who has NEVER been there nor did she know Mebs (she was before her time), took her bone and began running around, doing beautiful figure eights.  I had to just stop walking to appreciate the speed and sleekness of her body and her turns.  Junie was so beautiful to watch, the sun was shining and their was a little breeze on my face.  It was a beautiful snapshot in time.
 
Then, Junie started to "hit the breaks," so to speak, and slowed down.  She ran under a few trees, went potty and then went right over to Mebs' gravesite.  I was still standing far away, just watching. I was wondering what she was doing and why she stopped at that particular spot, since I knew that she had no prior knowledge that that was the place I was going to visit.
 
Little Junie, still holding her giant Milk Bone in her little mouth--she had never put it down--slowly and carefully dug a little hole in the front of where Mebs is buried and placed her bone in the hold with care.  I put my hand on my heart. It was a breath-taking gesture.  Then, she slowly and gently covered it up, using her nose.  She seemed to pause a minute as if to be saying, "There. I brought you a present," and then came back to me--still in the same spot, with tears running down my face.  Her little nose has a circle of dirt on it and her tail was wagging as she sat next to me, just looking at Meb's grave.
 
It was the only bone that she had.  I didn't have any others with me and she never knew Mebs but she some how knew that Mebs was where I was going and that her gift would be precious to the "receiver." I just hugged her, for I knew this was a very, very special moment in time, one that I will never forget.

Having the time to learn about animals in a very special way has been an amazing experience.  I have to get to know each one deeply and personally in order to help them.  We do through very hard times to get to good days and in the process, I see how special each one is individually.  They are not "just" animals.  They are unique gifts which enhance our lives. I often wonder if they are angels really in disguise... 

(Please post/share/tweet/email/get the Give Forward link/and this website--www.firststop-laststop.com--to as many others as possible.  Somewhere out there are angels who love animals and who understand the importance of the Rescue Ranch. 

No other organization in the world has worked with Dr. Sears and developed the full protocol and published the treatment for Canine Distemper and Canine Parvo. Think about that--in the entire world...We are working on other things now but it is too soon to publish the work. 

This is your opportunity to not only make a difference in this world but to be blessed--and all we are asking for is help providing for the needs of the sanctuary animals.  Not for overhead, no salaries, etc. In a big oil town, it is stunning that we can't raise $5500.  Hope that changes.)

Note: IF you give on the GiveForward link, we can't access the funds until the fundraiser is reached--we were hoping that was a week ago but we are at 12 %.  IF you give on a GIVE NOW button (above) or on just about any page on this site, the funds will be available IMMEDIATELY which would help so very much right now. We needed to order the dogs' medicines a week ago Friday but there is no money to do so.  Not even personally anymore. 

We have depleted ourselves developing these treatments to save YOUR dogs should you ever need them--and given the choice, would do it all again. At the end of our lives, we can say that we have made a difference with our lives--and you can, too, by helping us continue this work. The protocols we developed have saved hundreds and hundreds locally, thousands worldwide so far. Please become a part of our ministry and blessing. God doesn't give us a job to do without providing a way to do it.

As of almost 6 PM CST Friday night, we are up to $650 on the fundraiser of the $5500 that we need. We had a lovely note and a $25 gift come in today on the site. Nothing came into the RR via the Give Now buttons (see request below).  I'll wait til after 6 when the banks close to confirm this--maybe there will be a surprise.  Here's to hoping.

I have a neat RR animal story to share overnight--please stop by over the weekend.  It touched my heart to the point of tears. 

Living this life, well it has been shocking, amazing, life-changing--I never knew how brilliant animals were; how caring; how sensitive. They can learn to count; speak out fairly when something is not equitable between them--like, "Hey--she got more treats than me!..."--take care of each other when sick, grieve when the time comes and are happy to play, dance, sing and laugh with you--yes, laugh. You just have to look into their eyes and start learning all about them.  They are more than couch potatoes or running buddies.  I would not have known all of this had I not spent 24/7 working with them for many years now.

Hugs from the Herd--PLEASE HELP.  Links below.  Thank you!

The Great News is that we are at 11 % of the funds needed on the GiveForward fundraiser--thank you to all who are helping/have helped.  We are so incredibly grateful.

The not so great news is that we have another 89% to go--and we need help getting to the finish line!  

IF you could please put in some "volunteer" hours over the weekned--tweeting, posting, sharing, emailing either or the Give Forward direct link--which has new photos and updates every day--or today's story in the Houston Chronicle about this fundraiser:

Rescue Ranch: Impact Not Just Local

Story Link: http://blog.chron.com/fromunderthebridge/2013/04/rescue-ranch-impact-not-just-local/

GiveForward Direct Link:

http://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/my52/helprescueranchspecialneedsdogsspring2013

It apparently takes more than a village to get this done--and reading your notes (some left privately), I appreciate your sacrifices, your troubles and your generosity.  I know that you have given from your heart and for that, a tear of thankfulness flows from my eye with each new gift.  Times are tough all around, we know.

Somewhere out there though, are people who can, in one click of a button, help without sacrifice.  If we keep spreading the word, maybe we will reach them or if enough people give something, the total will go up until we reach the finish line! But it is going to take work--the work of more than my little laptop and fingers.

So, if you want extra brownie points, please find message boards, websites, facebook pages and post the links and encourage people to help.  We do not get to use or even get the funds released until the fundraiser is reached and so the urgency is really urgent. (I am sick about the great urgency actually.)

I have to leave this in God's hands. I can't do any more.  I have put this before you, asked for help, for prayers and now it is time to let Him move other people's hearts.  One day, I hope I will wake up and the total will be 100 %--then I know we can order medicine and foods and supplies without having to go through my wallet day by day trying to count change and find dollar bills that were hidden. 

I can't concentrate on finding cures for deadly diseases spending so much time trying to ask for help...and just like you can rest easy if you ever hear Parvo or Distemper, there will be others that will come out of the work of the Rescue Ranch and Dr. Sears and local vets but only if I can go back head first into the pending projects.  Once the solutions are reached, I publish the formula--and you can get your vet to use it to save your animals should you ever need them.

I am not Einstein--but what did he do?  Somehow, he was able to eat and live while he worked but he didn't have a farm of special needs dogs needing help.  We do.  HELP please...

((((((((((Sending Hugs from the Herd))))))))))

PS  Please use our Amazon page to do your online shopping.  So far, we have a $7 credit for the month! Do you know how much more shopping needs to be done through our affiliates page to pay for the food bill at the RR?? A WHOLE LOT!    Please spread that page/link, too.

It doesn't matter what you do--it just matters that you do something.

xoxoxoxoxbarkbarkxoxoxoxoxox

********VIP PLEA*********

IF YOU CAN HELP NOW, WOULD YOU PLEASE CLICK The "GIVE NOW" BUTTON ABOVE?  THE FUNDS WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DEPOSITED TO OUR ACCOUNT AND AVAILABLE TO USE SO I CAN ORDER SOME VIP ITEMS TODAY. WE HAVE NEEDS THAT CANNOT WAIT A FEW WEEKS FOR THE FUNDRAISER TO REACH ITS TOTAL.  EVEN THREE to FIVE HUNDRED NUNDRED DOLLARS TODAY WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE WEEKEND--AND I WILL DEDUCT THE AMOUNT FROM THE FUNDRAISER TOTAL. 

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CONSIDER THIS.  THANK YOU.

Update: As of 4:30 PM, Monday April 8, we're at 9% of what is needed--or $470 of $5500....

To Read More/see Photos/GiveForward, please click on this story link:

Rescue Ranch: GiveForward or Back

http://blog.chron.com/fromunderthebridge/2013/04/rescue-ranch-giveforward/

I almost fell into despair this weekend--with all of the readers I have, and animals that I have been asked to help in some way or another, it is simply baffling to me that we can't raise the funds as needed to help the RR--but I am choosing to stand in faith and refuse to believe that people just don't care--or would take advantage, by loving to learn from me but not give back in some way--especially to help these helpless animals when I sound the alert that it is VIP/URGENT. It just doesn't seem right that I even have to say it.

I thank God for those who have helped so far.  You are my heroes!  (We have had $125 in checks sent in as well that has been already been put to good use.)

I hope that He moves your heart to help, too.

This is a very, very hard life--hard physically, emotionally, spiritually--but it is the right thing to do.  For some reason, unbeknownst to us, animals who need healing or needed hospice, find their way here.  We have vets, vet chiropractors, healers, homepathics, naturopaths, even some herbal support from professionals locally and in the U.S. and even as far away as even Australia helping.  But, although they waive or greatly reduce their fees, the medicines, supplies, equipment, supplements, etc. etc. etc. costs a small fortune--even at their cost.  (We've already given an "arm and a leg..." )

We have nothing left personally to give without jeopardizing the RR roof itself--which then would leave the animals homeless.  So, although we would rather not have to ask for the help, we must.

A need that comes before you, is a blessing in disguise.  Remember that.  When you help someone else--person or animal--you are giving but the GIFT really comes back to bless your life.  It could be in an immediate blessing, the blessing of a loved one, or they could be accumulating for use another day, on earth or in heaven. 

We don't see or reap any blessings per se from doing this work--we are exhausted, depleted, financially wiped out, even our clothes are worn out, our cars need work--we gave up and continue to give up--literally everything to do this because for some reason we were called to do this--it came before us and we had the split second chance to say, "yes" or to turn away, meaning that many would lose their little lives.

BUT in return, we know that our legacy, along with Dr. Alson Sears and Ed Bond, is having left behind the cure and proof to kill Canine Distemper through Project Hope; and we know that every tail that continues to wag because of our (collective) efforts is a blessing we'll catch up to some day--and those who came to just learn about love and then passed on, are our angels (collectively) in heaven. 

We are willing to do the work--and it is 24/7 work--but we need angels to fund the animals' supplies.  On our sole outside income, we pay for the overhead, utilities, everything else possible and the gifts you give go 100% to the animals--no boarding, no rent, no salaries, no electric, and on and on and on.  Can another organization say that?  The Red Cross?   Other rescues?  Best Friends? And yet, they get millions of dollars each month, of which only a percentage reaches the people or animals in need.  

I hope you spread this website and GiveForward link far and wide--people can help from anywhere in the country, even world.  You can post it on facebook and ask others to help and share and post.  If everyone just did something--and not just say, "That's too bad...," we'd be in better shape to take care of the animals AND continue to help you and yours by example. We should be able to continue this mission without all of the worry...

Thanks for listening and for caring. Really caring.

GiveForward Direct Link:  (updates, photos, give button)

http://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/my52/helprescueranchspecialneedsdogsspring2013

 Thank you kindly!

IF your dogs love dingo bones--or if you would be so kind as to send a DINGO surprise box to the Rescue Ranch dogs, there is a FANTASTIC deal going on today and maybe tomorrow--but I would call as quick as a bunny to make sure they don't run out!!

First, open a browser window for www.amazon.com  (you don't have to use our link to buy--in fact, Don't buy them on amazon...this is going to be a price matching deal--with free shipping if your order is over $85.)

DO a search on Amazon like this: "Dingo Entirely Pets"

You will come up with about 12 deals that they have listed.  

Now, keeping that page open, call Entirely Pets at: 800 889 8967

Tell them that you want to order Dingo bones for dogs--and have them PRICE MATCH their own prices on AMAZON--and if you are going over $85, it will be free shipping (or minimal if not).

IF you'd like to know what we need at the Rescue Ranch, it is the following:

The number we could use of all of these three is literally infinite--so just figure out your budget and order a combination of the above!  If I had my first choice, we really need the one on the right--they are a good size for the disabled dogs to eat, even if they don't have front paws that work to hold a bone...

IF you want to spoil the BIG DOGs, then this next one, the double meaty large bone is also on sale and an excellent price for all three of these!!  For less than a dollar, you get double meat--and a bigger bone--but again, figure out your budget and if you want to send a surprise box, this would be the A#1 thing that they need--aside from twin comforters and 50 x 60 fleece blankets.  But that's a story for another time...

Remember, place your order through Entirely Pets--have them price match and be insistant that you have the screen open--and if you can't, you can tell them exactly what to search for themselves on Amazon to get these prices.  (Some of the other products on that page are not such a great deal--these three ARE.)

The RR dogs have been Dingo fans since the beginning of time--I can tell you that these three items should be scooped up.  The prices are almost better than fantastic!

If you need it, the Mailing Address is: Rescue Ranch, 945 McKinney Street, Unit 242, Houston, TX  77002  

VIP: Please ask the customer service person to put a note in the box so we know who the box came from--if you can include your email address (I think they will do that), I will email you and let you know when they arrive/post a photo here in a blog post, too, for you!

Thank you so much for caring. Really caring.  Having these bone to keep the dogs busy, who can't do much by themselves, would take such a burden from my heart.  Whatever you want to send is much, much appreciated--from one to infinity, they will be loved and all used!!  (But don't wait long because they may change the price at least on Monday, especially if people are ordering them--or they could run out.)

Hugs from the Herd.

This one week, we have a GiveForward fundraiser running--the replacement for ChipIn (who was bought out a few weeks ago).

It is URGENT--and I am not kidding.  I have 80 cents left on my credit card.  Ugh.

Last month, personally, our RR a/c unit went--it had about 12 holes inside it and we had to replace it, which just devastated our personal ability to supplement the RR monthly.  The heartworm positive treatment meds went from $45 a bottle to $2400 bottle.  Yep.  While we don't have to buy a whole bottle at a time, we also can't stop treating all eight of them.  Several dogs went critical and that means having to cook special food and buy cases of Hill's a/d at $49/case.  Meds and medical supplies are running at about $600/week right now--and that is at cost--and that doesn't include kibble or chews.

I had to order medicine Friday, and the funds are not there.  WIll they be there by Monday--I can only pray.  Otherwise, do I tell the heart dogs, no more heart medication? or blood pressure? or bladder infection? or...? Do the heartworm dogs not get treated? Should we have not replaced the a/c unit--personally--and then everyone would have been miserable.  No one can go hungry but things shouldn't even get this bad. 

Just because we can't spend millions of dollars on heart-wrenching commercials (and the people at those organizations get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in salaries, too), I don't understand why you wouldn't rather help an organization that uses 100 percent of your gifts to acutally help the animals, not to pay for all that other stuff...

The opportunity to help stands before you.  Kinda like a chance to be blessed or to turn away from one.  I have to give up if we can't get the support that we so desparately need.  I can't keep writing, helping the animal world/you and entertaining/teaching and not have the RR animals taken care of.  I will close the computer and move on.  Whether it be standing on the corner with a sign that says, "HELP," or getting back to working--All of the time that I give to the community will need to go into helping the RR.

I had a dog come to me the other night.  In the middle of the night, she curled up behind my knees.  Her heart was in tach--racing really really fast.  It scared me awake.  I ran to get the meds I needed and oxygen and in a couple of hours, she was stable again.  I think it all took a year off my life (again)--the stress of it all--but I was so grateful that I had the supplies that I needed to instantly save her life.  I don't want to imagine that happening and knowing what I needed but not having it. OMG. (There was no time to drive to an emergency vet--and if there was, where would the easy thousand dollars to pay them come from...I would rather do it myself if I am able to just work with our vet.)

As the dogs age or even just day-to-day with special needs animals, it is always something.  If the resources are not there to be able to save them, treat them per the vet's instructions, etc. what then?  We are giving our lives--and it is really, really, really, hard--while those other organizations get paid to work just 9-5 not 24/7 and don't deeply care about the animals.  They also don't turn around and teach YOU what they know/learned/share what would help your animals and are certainly not at the end of an email to answer your animal questions.

Here is the link to GIVE FORWARD:

Help the Rescue Ranch Special Needs Dogs: Spring, 2013

http://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/my52/helprescueranchspecialneedsdogsspring2013

You can read the page, too, and the other people's comments.  We are at $360 or so of a $5500 fundraiser.  Thank You to the Angels who cared enough to give--and pray.  God hears those prayers for sure. (I wish the vets took them as payment but they don't--so we need to have funds to get the things that we need.)

Please copy and paste this link and start sharing it/posting it/volunteer this way to help the RR right from home.  Hopefully, others will be moved to help, too.  You've been asking how you can volunteer to help the RR--well, here is your chance!!  Social Media/Internet volunteers needed ASAP. Just take the link and post away--sites, fb, social media, bulletin boards, emails to contacts, etc. etc.

Thank you for caring. Really, truly, caring.

This is a one week fundraiser--we need HELP and it is urgent.  No kidding.  Please...

This is URGENT. Please please please help!

This is the link to help. It is good for one week.  My credit card has 80 cents left on it and the account has a little over $40.  Last month was just overwhelming...

All money goes 100 percent to help the dogs--no overhead, no utilities, no salaries, etc.  

GiveForward Link to HELP:

http://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/my52/helprescueranchspecialneedsdogsspring2013

Thank you for caring. Especially for caring.

Hi!

Please go to my Houston Chron blog to read the latest RR update:

Urgent: HELP will Bring Blessings

Story Link: http://blog.chron.com/fromunderthebridge/2013/04/urgent-help-will-bring-blessings/

Hello God...Praying for Angels!

Hugs from the Herd--

Jane

PS  Please say a prayer for little Pixie the ferret, the beloved baby of "Glenda"--who you have helped in the past.  Sweet Pixie passed away in her sleep last night before we really got started on helping her with cancer alternatives.  Her mama is devastated but thankful that she got up to pet her in the middle of the night/kinda say good-bye.  If you want to email a message of comfort to her/or send prayers, I will forward them. My email: hopeformany@gmail.com

Pixie and her BFF, Clifford, the little Red Dog, would wait for their mama at the back door at night.  He went to heaven a few years ago after having an anesthesia reaction the night he was neutered.  They will be buried together.  Please say a prayer for the animals and for their mama to find some peace.  Thank you kindly.

For more photos of Pixie and Clifford--and the Rainbow Bridge, please see my other story:

Rainbow Bridge: Pixie the Ferret

Story Link: http://blog.chron.com/fromunderthebridge/2013/04/rainbow-bridge-pixie-the-ferret/

With a change in meds and a gratis healing from England--yep!--and all of your prayers, for the first time in weeks, tonight Ada drank some plain spring water BY HERSELF.  This is huge. 

We have to stabilize her lungs/bacterial infection in her uterus and then deal with her tumor/giant cyst around it. It is a journey that requires setting the alarm on my phone every half an hour, almost 24/7 for the administration of, feeding of, walking, nebulizing of...etc. with about a three hour break once a day when things are quiet and all seems well.

What I have learned dealing with so many rescue animals that need help, is instead of trying to heal them yourself/with your vet, that you have to say/think that you are only the instrument and let God and the angels if you so believe do the work.  It is far less tiring/drain on your energy, you still do the same things physically but you almost turn on more power to the things that you have been told to do/are doing.

While I still think prayer support is needed, I am thankful that we have gotten as far as we have and will continue to do all that is possible to help Ada--and Girl, too.  (She is the nurse dog, but I have to watch that she doesn't get sick...)

We had one Easter bunny for all of us--and didn't take any photos until Ada was well enough to sit up.  Today, was better, and hopefully tomorrow a little more.

Please help the RR if you can--saving animals like this is extremely expensive--even just for the supplies/doing most of the work myself instead of say, hospitalizing the animal--and we need help.  I love sharing what we've learned--in fact, many a reader of mine has asked me to help their animals--and I always share what I know--but I would appreciate that same kindness in return or even if it is "paying it forward..." so to speak.

Just Click on any "Give Now" button on this page or any page of this site--or our mailing address is: Rescue Ranch, 945 McKinney Street, #242, Houston, TX  77002  As of Friday, I think we had $40 in the account.  Ugh. Eek. Help. April is here but the animals don't stop wanting to eat if there isn't any money.

Thank you for your continued prayers.  God amazes me every day and so do the animals.

PS  The Houston Chron is having some technical difficulties.  Hopefully, in the next day or two, they will be fixed.  In the meantime, you can scroll my blog and read the most recent stories:

From Under the Bridge/Houston Chronicle Pets

http://blog.chron.com/fromunderthebridge

Thank you kindly!

URGENT URGENT URGENT PLEASE HELP. 

WE ARE ALMOST OUT OF FUNDS

URGENT URGENT URGENT

It's been a really difficult week.  Big Ada--is so very sick--and needs prayer support. 

She can hardly breathe when she tries to walk just to go potty--but she is fine (breathing) when resting.  It is so scary taking her out that early this morning, I found my stomach in knots--and got sick from the stress of it all.

Ada has been such a sweet, patient dog--not demanding much at all--just a Dingo bone when we have them and dinner.  She is happy to be with Clifford the puppy, who she co-mothered with Beauty, her BFF; and Girl, who is now her amazing doggie nurse.  It is Girl's constant jumping/licking Ada's tummy non-stop to me, to Ada, to me, to Ada that got me to see past where the vets had diagnosed "just" mastitis--to find the mammary tumor, they didn't find.

On Easter, I hope we have a miracle.  I have help many an animal on their last days and kinda just want Ada to have more time with Girl, on Earth, with us but I have to lay down my own wishes and leave it all in God's hands.  Saying it and truly doing it are very different--it is one of the hardest things ever to do.  It doesn't mean that you stop helping as much as you possibly can, but it means that you literally have to trust God to either make your loved one--dogs, included--well, or to take them to heaven, which is really where we all want to be anyway.

I have to leave now--back to my nursing duties.  All prayer support appreciated--and whatever way God decides is the path of Ada's life, we'll accept.  I know I can say that she knew love--and for even a minute, that is the most important thing to me for any rescued (or "regular") animal.  She knows pizza and McDonald's, car rides and the wind; friendship and mothering, and is the best doggie mother in the world.

Thank you all for your moral support.  I wish there more angels to help with the RR in general.  Maybe God will move them to help the animals, too.

Hugs from the Herd and much love--

Jane

PS There have been some programming kinks on the Houston Chron site--once that is fixed, hopefully, I can get back to writing again.  

Here are some photos and Ada's story if you missed it:

http://blog.chron.com/fromunderthebridge/2013/03/rescue-ranch-please-pray-for-ada-mastitis-pyometra-cancer/

So much has happened since Christmas Eve--thank you for being patient with me!  I'm almost back to writing about the little extras that happen at the Rescue Ranch in addition to my Houston Chron blog.  Please be sure to check that for the latest stories: http://blog.chron.com/fromunderthebridge.  Taking care of critical animals comes first and foremost and we've had a few.

Please help the animals if you can--we'd sure be grateful.  Just Click Here to go to our HELP page or our Wish List page.  You can Give Now online--on any page--or send help or a package in the mail.  Thank you for caring. Really caring.

Sending Hugs!

PS A Special "THANK YOU" to our drop-spots: Something Unique in Pearland and to the Spirit Quest Center in Old Town Spring.  A TY letter to your customers will be on its way soon...