SHADOW was a wonderful Neapolitan Mastiff that was kept in a cage most of her 5 years until she came to us last summer.  Shadow came to us a cripple - having been crated for nearly two years by her previous owner's nurse, who didn't want to deal with such a large dog while caring for a quadriplegic (Shadow's previous owner was in an auto accident that resulted in her quadriplegia. The nurse dealt with the dog by throwing in occasional scraps and left her to soak in her own waste for weeks at a time. Finally, unable to stand the smell any longer, the nurse turned Shadow out and had animal control pick her up as a stray. One of our members was called to pick up Shadow as she was due to be euthanized due to protracted illness.  When we arrived to pick her up, she immediately urinated bright red blood in the shelter lobby. We took her immediately to an emergency veterinary clinic where she was diagnosed with severe dehydration and a significant urinary tract infection. In addition, the pads of her paws were peeling due to due a fungal infection , most likely contracted from her having to live in her own waste for long periods of time.  In time and under strict veterinary care, we were able to heal Shadow so that she could walk again and play as she was most likely never able to previously. Special tests done during on of her regular veterinary visits showed that Shadow had bladder cancer and that it had metastasized into her lymph nodes. Sadly. we were unable to save Shadow as her cancer was too advanced, but while we had her, there was no doubt in her mind or ours that she was loved and cared for as she never had been before. 

LIA ROSE  was taken in a bucket to the animal shelter as a "stray". As it was evident to the shelter workers that this was not the case, she was vetted and one of our members was called to pick her up. Lia Rose had bilateral hip dysplasia and could only walk a few feet before falling, rolling over and trying again. She was put on pain medication as well as anti-inflamatories. Lia Rose needed two new hips and fundraisers were being planned to raise the huge sum of money required for her surgeries, when, during another of her regular veterinary visits additional test showed that she also had an inoperable brain tumor.   She was put on medication and given fluids and as much comfort as could be had. Sadly, Lia Rose passed on in her sleep when her tumor ruptured.  

BABY was a wonderful 4 year old Jack Russell Terrier who was an owner turn in that came to us bubbling with life and love. Along with her partner in crime MILO, she was quite the explorer and playmate! Unfortunately we only had a week with this precious angel before she suddenly began having seizures and soon after arriving at our Vet's office she suffered a heart attack and passed on.  It was determined by our Vet that she had internal organ damage and congenital malformations that contributed to her passing.  We will miss her playful, kind nature and beautiful demeanor.