chipin
ChipIn Campaign for Training and Rehab
Female Weim-Lab Mix Raya in Lake
As a result, Raya has been tranferred to a dog behavior specialist, and initial feedback is positive. The purpose of the ChipIn campaign covers boarding, training, and rehabilitation.
ChipIn link: donate for training and rehab for Raya.
On rare occasions intakes of stray dogs from public shelters come with surprise problems affecting a dog’s health or behavior. The problem of being heartworm positive is treatable with medical care and weeks or months of treatment, rest, and relaxation.
Staff in overcrowded public shelters have time constraints and limited resources to prescreen dogs. Most will do an evaluation of health and temperament before advancing dogs into their adoption program.
New intakes at Lifeline Dog Rescue enjoy an environment where dogs are not caged and roam free. Our 3 acre fenced facility with private lake offers freedom, comfort, and safety, yet some dogs may need more transition time than others to adjust.
The staff of Lifeline Dog Rescue has over 30 years experience, so ongoing evaluation is done to identify and correct health and behavior problems of new intakes, dogs in rehab for medical issues, as well as dogs in the adoption phase.
Without any knowledge of Raya’s past history it is difficult to determine the cause, yet we quickly realized she did need help with aggression towards dogs. Help us help Raya. She is aggressive for now. She is not vicious.
Please follow the link above to the ChipIn campaign to support the training and rehab for Raya the female Weim-Lab mix. Watch for updates on this blog and our Facebook page.
We expect to write a happy ending for Raya to include being a trusted and loyal companion when adopted into a forever home.
Momma Dog Chelsea Photos and Story
Female Pit Mix Chelsea Side Portrait
Our Facebook fans are likely familiar with the story of “Momma Dog” who we renamed Chelsea to honor a special fan and financial supporter.
Inserted throughout this post are a selection of pictures of Chelsea taken at Lifeline Dog Rescue Saturday, 22 Sep 2012. We look forward to more as she continues to improve.
For now, here are more details on her story.
Chelsea was a stray and evaded humans for at least 3 months on the streets of Lake Worth, Florida, had puppies, was captured by local dog rescue advocates, and then accepted for rehab and eventual adoption by Lifeline Dog Rescue.
NOTE: View larger versions of ALL photos in this post except the last one. Click any others to enlarge.
Her puppies were easier to catch and 7 were taken into foster yet 1 was grabbed by persons unknown, so besides the trauma of life on the streets, she suffers that loss, as well.
Chelsea is not vicious, yet very scared and timid around humans. That trust will be earned over time by Lifeline staff.
Chelsea is heartworm positive, so the medical care, required rest, and rehab socialization will take months. It is a challenge that Lifeline has accepted with success many times before.
We truly appreciate the public support for Chelsea. A ChipIn campaign quickly met the donor goal of $1000, and we are very grateful to Juliana for starting the ChipIn, plus all the donors and cross posters who promoted “Momma Dog” Chelsea’s rescue and funding for her medical care and rehab prior to adoption.
She is making progress. Her mistrust of humans made the photo shoot last Saturday especially difficult. Denise, and our webmaster Jim, relied on zoom settings to get the photos shown here.
At times they felt like paparazzi watching Chelsea react as they moved about trying for the perfect shot.
She was wary while staring intently and countering their every move to keep her distance. It was painful to watch though we can understand her behavior.
While trying to get quality photos of Chelsea, it makes a person feel guilty and selfish being so obviously intent on her. We would much rather been giving her hugs and kisses!
After all, regaining trust in humans is difficult when you think you’re being stalked and must assume the worst based on prior history!
Chelsea aka “Momma Dog” has fun running free at Lifeline Dog Rescue
Denise and Jim captured some great photos, so we won’t be needing more of Chelsea any time soon. Thank God she has Kim on site to develop human contact, and Denise visits often to gradually reinforce the love and trust.
Thank you, again, to all the dog lovers who have stepped up to help us help Chelsea. In the end she will prove the cost, time, and energy were well worth the effort.
We look forward to the day when we can list her for adoption, and get her in the forever home that she deserves!
Urgent Help for Pit Mix Hope
Please donate and share our ChipIn campaign started today requesting urgent help for female Pit Mix Hope who is having surgery. Life was looking up for our sweet and friendly rescue dog Hope 90 days after being rescued within hours of certain death and undergoing an emergency hysterectomy in May 2012.
Female Pit Mix Hope Poses at the Edge of the Private Lake at Lifeline in August 2012
The photo above shows Hope 2 weeks ago at the private lake on the 3 acre fenced rescue shelter facility of Lifeline Dog Rescue. She has done well in recovery and rehab, and was ready for the next phase of becoming adoptable when disaster struck.
Quoting the ChipIn Campaign post:
Mammary growths discovered at the time of her other surgery could not be explored then because of risks associated with being under anesthesia for an extended period of time. During the mammary examination this morning her glands were diagnosed as cancerous.
Immediate emergency surgery was needed now! As of 1:00 p.m. US Eastern time today, 24 Aug 2012, she is still in surgery.
ChipIn Link and Animal Hospital Contact Info
Visit the ChipIn campaign entitled Emergency Surgery for Pit Mix Hope to donate now, or make credit card donations by phone directly to the animal hospital:
Claunch Animal Hospital
665 SW Pine Ave, Stuart, FL 34994
(772) 221-1680
Hope deserves this second chance. She adjusted well during the 90 days of rehab, and was really enjoying the safety and freedom of the Lifeline facility, as well as socializing and playing in our private lake with our other dogs.
Again, please DONATE plus cross post and share on Facebook and Twitter to give Hope more hope, and the life she deserves.
We truly appreciate all the rescue dog advocates who came forward in the past to help us help more dogs.
Thank you, all.
Dermot the American Bulldog Rescue
Male American Bulldog Dermot on Freedom Ride
Dermot is a male white American Bulldog with black specs, and was estimated by the public animal shelter as 10 years old. Another handwritten note in their records said Dermot was born approximately 2005, so he may be as young as 7.
Dermot was a stray picked up by animal control and taken to their public kill shelter on the west coast of Central Florida. His condition includes evidence of starvation, extreme weight loss, open wounds and sores, internal parasite infestation, skin damage, and obvious abuse.
At the time of this post Dermot is in transit on his 3 hour freedom ride from NW Central Florida to the 3 acre Lifeline Dog Rescue facility in Okeechobee, Florida. The photo shown was taken by the driver, a Lifeline staff member, who emailed several pictures within the last hour.
Dermot was found by animal control without a collar. Not obvious from the photo, yet Lifeline staff transporting Dermot to our facility noticed an indentation around his neck that has embedded rust as evidence of a hard life chained up.
The health issues are extreme. Dermot will be taken to our local vet for a full checkup tomorrow, yet based on our experience and his condition, we posted a ChipIn goal of $2500 for his medical care and ongoing treatment. Rehabilitation is estimated to be several months. As we know more, the ChipIn goal may be adjusted after the thorough exam and exact future costs are known.
Read his story in this Facebook post about Dermot and his ChipIn, and then please follow the link at the top to DONATE and SHARE to help us provide the care this very special dog needs.
This beautiful male American Bulldog deserves to enjoy a new life in safety and comfort without fear, and get healthy again at Lifeline where our slogan states “Where dogs learn to smile again.”
Dakota Update and Chipin Countdown
Husky Dakota and Surgical Incision
Please continue to promote donations and support Dakota by cross posting her Chipin on Twitter and Facebook.
Dakota has proven worthy of that outpouring of support by fighting back after being struck by a car and having urgent and critical surgery on Saturday, April 12, 2012.
She’s shown posing here earlier this week after having staples and stitches removed and resting quietly to allow a photo of her surgical incision.
The inset at the lower left is a happier and healthier Dakota on her way home after that procedure.
Dakota will make a full recovery. At 2 years old she has youth and the determination to survive on her side. She received excellent emergency medical care from the surgical team who brought her back from the brink of certain death.
Public support with funding has been generous and is greatly appreciated. Please note that as of this date and counting today, there are only 10 days left in the Chipin countdown before her campaign for donations expires.
Brief History of the Rescue of Dakota
Lifeline Dog Rescue stepped in to take action in response to an urgent alert as an adoption partner to Pasco County Animal Services. We had to act quickly yet responsibly because medical cost quotes were significant. An early proposal was $11,000 up front and no service until funds cleared. We passed.
The best solution was an estimate at $8000 with half down and the balance due post-op regardless of the outcome.
At times the prognosis and odds of survival ranged from 20% to 80%, yet medical staff cautioned that without exploratory surgery they could not guarantee survival overnight at various phases including before, during, and immediately after surgery.
Once surgery was done and the critical first 48 hours passed, the odds for survival became 100%. Dakota still needed 45 days for recuperation.
Though some might argue that the cost-benefit-risk analysis required considering euthanasia, more than once someone stepped up and said “no”. To date more than 100 heroes have made the difference.
List of 100+ Heroes Who Helped Save Dakota
- Pasco County Animal Services are heroes for the urgent call for a rescue or adopter.
- The foster mom near Pasco County willing to take care of Dakota is another hero.
- The veterinarian, Heather, who located a weekend emergency clinic at a practical price.
- Dr. Kim Cox, surgeon, and her medical team at Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists are heroes.
- The 100+ animal advocates who donated funds for saving Dakota are likewise all heroes.
- Finally, literally 100′s of Dakota fans promoted and cross posted on Twitter and Facebook.
The exploratory surgery and procedure went well. Internal injuries were serious and critical, yet took less time than anticipated to repair. The final bill for pre-op, surgery, and aftercare came in at $6000 which was $2000 less than the original estimates.
The choice by Lifeline Dog Rescue to push forward and fund prepayment of the medical treatment for Dakota was driven by 1) our mission as a non-profit dog rescue, 2) the sweet and gentle temperament of Dakota, and 3) confidence that public support would help with funding.
We do not regret the choice to save Dakota. Please help us help more dogs. Please donate, share, and continue to promote the Dakota Chipin Campaign to meet the $6000 goal by the expiration date on May 10, 2012.
Thanks, again, to the 100+ heroes whose time, skill, and generosity saved our precious Dakota.
Dakota Emergency Rescue Still Urgent
Husky Dakota Bandaged After Surgery
Please don’t forget our beautiful Husky rescue dog.
We are still below 40% of the total goal. The other 60% of the funding needed was already spent by Lifeline on credit cards to save this dog, and must still be paid.
That dent in the budget could mean we can’t help another urgent high risk dog.
Since her release from the hospital on 16 April 2012 the donations for Dakota have tapered off to near zero as of April 19th and shown here.
The goal is $6000. Imagine the horror last weekend when one clinic quoted $11,000 up front and no service until payment cleared.
Here’s more about the donations history for Dakota.
Dakota Chipin Donations
April 13: $310*
April 14: $590
April 15: $1005
April 16: $315
April 17: $110
April 18: $25
April 19: $10
To Date: $2365 (39% of $6000 Goal)
* Includes April 11-13
We can understand the reluctance to donate expressed in comments on some posts found on Facebook pages when her condition was critical without a clear answer about her chance for survival. She survived because more than once in the last 10 days someone said “no” to euthanasia. She survived because more than once she defied the odds when told “She may not live through the night”.
Some may think: Dakota will live. The medical bills are paid. Time to help another dog.
In truth, generous donors HAVE contributed $2365 for Dakota to date. She will live. The payments to the great team of medical professionals that made this happen were paid by Lifeline up front. However, like most private rescue organizations who pour personal resources into their non-profit, the charges to Visa and other credit cards likewise must still be paid.
We still need people to help. Without meeting the $6000 goal for Dakota, the shortfall may limit our resources to accept other dogs at high risk. Unlike some public dog rescue organizations that cannot react quickly to helping dogs in urgent situations because they must first seek approval of a board of directors, Lifeline decides and acts immediately.
The Cost to Save a Healthy Rescue Dog
From experience, when we take in a healthy rescue dog that passes evaluation and is made adoptable, they stay at Lifeline for an average of 3 months at $100 per month. That includes shelter, food, monthly heartworm and flea prevention, and routine medical care, so each costs us at least $300. A $3600 shortfall meeting the goal for Dakota could mean the difference between saving another 12 dogs at $300 each, or affect decisions to accept new cases with urgent medical conditions.
Please, don’t let this happen. A special thanks goes out to ALL donors including Allison, April, Bailey, Barbara, and Rachel who each contributed more than once as of today, as well as Barbara, Lynn, Paul, Richard, and Terri who each donated $100 or more. Last names are kept anonymous, yet you know who you are. Likewise, we truly appreciate the other 68 contributors who have helped Dakota.
Lost Dog Owner Inquiries About Dakota
Special Note: Two parties have contacted Lifeline about lost white Husky dogs thinking Dakota might be theirs. One was described as 5 years old, and the other as a 1 year old born in March a year ago. Dakota is 2 years old as verified by veterinarians and the surgeon who performed her surgery.
The lost dog closest in age to Dakota responds to her name according to the owner, yet Dakota did not react or respond to that name including variations despite repeated attempts over a period of time.
We wish both the best for a happy outcome in search of their lost pets.
Please continue to promote, cross post and share Dakota’s Chipin goal to help us help more dogs. Thanks.
Set of Harley Portraits on Flickr
Fans of Harley the 8 year old male Weimaraner recovering from surgery may now view a set of 6 Harley portraits on Flickr. These are pre-op photographs taken 3 days before his surgery on February 16, 2012. Most are close up shots.
Harley the Weimaraner Portrait Collage
Follow this link to view photos tagged Harley, and then select thumbnails on Flickr to enjoy large photographs including the one with a huge big smile.
Unlike our blog or posts on Facebook, the versions on Flickr include full size originals suitable for printing on photo quality paper at home or from a professional service. While we will continue to update his progress including photographs on this blog and Facebook, we will wait for his recovery before adding anything less than high quality photos of a healthy Harley to Flickr.
Please view his photographs and share with friends. There’s a share option on Flickr so you can post them on your Facebook wall or tweet about them on Twitter. Harley has been through a lot in just one month, and he faces another two months of recovery, so please help us help him by keeping his story posted and cross posted.
Efforts to promote his cause and motivate donors to help will continue. Harley deserves as much.
However, we’re tempted to apologize for the frequent reminders for people to donate and promote Harley’s open ChipIn campaign, yet there are reasons for needing support to cover his costs for pre-op, surgery, and aftercare. We are a non-profit. Our staff is all volunteer. Every dollar collected will go to Harley.
Until we’re better established, the majority of funding for the rescue work we do comes from personal funds. Operating in the red is expected for up to 2 years, yet until we generate more private support, that means that every dollar our fans donate goes 100% to the dogs.
Keep in mind that without donations for Harley we’re helping fewer dogs. At an average of $100 per month and 90 days to place dogs for adoption, the $3000 plus for Harley (minus donations to date) equals personal funds spent for him that could have helped 10 other dogs.
Harley is a great dog and deserves proper care. We will not deny him anything less than the best. We’re thrilled his surgery was a success. Final results have confirmed the benign growth was not disease. The specialist determined it was due to trauma, and he is confident the tumor will not return.
In 8 weeks Harley will be back to running, playing, and swimming as good as ever. Our sacrifices now ensure many more happy days in Harley’s future. Please enjoy his photos on Flickr, and then join us in promoting his $1500 campaign. While that’s less than half of Harley’s actual cost, those bills are due and paid at the time service is rendered.
Meeting that $1500 campaign goal is still important because it is the equivalent to allow us to fund the food, shelter, vet care, and promotion to place 5 more dogs!
Again, a special thanks to all the people who have donated and promoted for Harley to date. Please continue. If he could talk, Harley would say “Thank you”, too!
Harley Does His Weego Dog Impression
Harley Does His Weego Dog Impression
Our 8 year old Weimaraner, Harley, may have missed his opportunity. Harley could become a rescue dog star if he didn’t have more serious problems on his mind. He’s recovering from surgery before becoming adoptable, or famous.
Check out the photo here and the big Weimaraner smile as Harley does his Weego dog impression. He needs your help.
The average cost for food, shelter, and medical care including meds for each of our rescue dogs is $100 per month. For Harley, his first month here approached $2600 in medical costs.
Followup care for another 8 weeks could add $1000. We do have a campaign for donations going.
Without royalty checks for Harley in Super Bowl commercials, we’ll have to depend on the kind and generous donors who have become Lifeline Dog Rescue fans.
For now and just for fun, compare Harley the rescue dog doing his Weego impression in the photo above to the photo of Weego the rescue dog star from his Bud Light page on Facebook. Harley has the good looks and smile to be featured in a commercial. Again, he has been distracted lately.
For those who may not know about the background of Weego from the Super Bowl commercial, his real name is Nugget. He is 4 years old and weighs 9 lbs., and was dumped on the street and then rescued from a kill shelter before becoming a star. Maybe Harley still has a chance at stardom. Harley was an owner surrender, yet even though he avoided going to a shelter, other perils must be overcome.
For readers following the odyssey of Harley, it began in Ohio on January 14, 2012 as featured in this blog post about the Incredible Journey of Harley the Weim. In 1-2 hour segments he passed from 1 to the next of 16 volunteer drivers in a complex and very well coordinated transfer to get from Ohio to Florida.
Harley had what was described as a boil before leaving Ohio that the Lifeline Dog Rescue veterinarian and later a surgeon determined was a tumor. A biopsy and lab tests confirmed it was benign. Ka-ching $800.
The specialists recommended surgery, estimated at $1500, to remove the growth on his right back paw that was larger than a golf ball on top plus intertwined between toes and the pads around the bottom. Surgery was done on February 16, 2012. Ka-ching, the estimate with meds became $1800.
8 weeks of followup visits, exams, and bandage changes will be necessary. Ka-ching $1000.
The initial $2600 for medical costs alone was more than expected. A $1500 goal was previously set on a donations page for Harley’s surgery to help fund the unexpected costs. To date, people have donated 43%, or $650, so we have a way to go to make the $1500 goal.
Harley did well. He walks on 3 legs and tires easily. He needs to be tricked into taking his meds and antibiotics, yet after his first followup with the surgeon, his prognosis is back to normal in 8 weeks. You can read the blog post with the Harley the Weimaraner Surgery Update for additional details about his progress.
Readers are asked to keep the Weim Harley Surgery ChipIn campaign active by sharing, tweeting, and posting to encourage people to donate for his benefit.
Lifeline Dog Rescue’s mission is “all about the dogs” and our slogan is “Where dogs learn to smile again”. Please help Harley smile again.
Who knows? Harley may be the next Dog Rescue Super Star, much like Weego in the Super Bowl commercial, once he has healed and gets back to his former health.
ChipIn Campaign: Weim Harley Surgery
Readers are asked to open their hearts and wallets to help Harley our male Weimaraner owner surrender who requires $1500 for surgery in February for a huge benign growth on and between his toes on one back paw.
This does not include more than $800 in veterinary care already spent for office visits and lab tests including a biopsy prior to being referred to a specialist for surgery. Likewise, the $1500 for surgery does not include followup post-op visits during his recuperation.
| View the Weim Harley Surgery profile, and then use the ChipIn payment button to donate securely through Paypal. | |
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Weim Harley Surgery ProfileCampaign: Weim Harley Surgery Countdown Timer Please note that ChipIn campaigns automatically expire in 30 days from the original date created. Expired campaigns will display the clock countdown data in red. |
Harley the Weim Surgery ChipIn Portrait
Harley the Weim Surgery ChipIn Paw
Donate Here or Visit Harley’s ChipIn Page
Donations are processed by Paypal, the secure online way to transfer funds. Select the ChipIn button above to donate here or visit Harley’s ChipIn page. His page includes more details about his story, and may have updates on his condition, new photos showing progress, or comments if any from donors.
Harley arrived with a growth on one paw which tests prove is benign. He is available for adoption immediately, however, Lifeline has been referred by our veterinarian to a specialist to have the growth surgically removed. View the adoption page for Harley’s story. We will pay medical costs and transport him round trip from his new home for preliminary office calls and the surgery.
Please ChipIn and donate to help Harley recover. Any amount as little as a dollar will add up to reach our goal. You may view all ChipIn blog posts for Lifeline Dog Rescue and others we selected to support.
ChipIn Campaign: Rehab Vet Care for Ernie
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This ChipIn campaign entitled Rehab Vet Care for Ernie was selected by Lifeline Dog Rescue to promote donations for this cause. Dog rescue donation requests through ChipIn featured in blog posts are chosen from our existing network of dog rescue individuals and organizations. View the Rehab Vet Care for Ernie profile, and then use the ChipIn payment button to donate securely through Paypal. |
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Rehab Vet Care for Ernie ProfileCampaign: Rehab Vet Care for Ernie Countdown Timer Please note that ChipIn campaigns automatically expire in 30 days from the original date created. Expired campaigns will display the clock countdown data in red. |
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Ernie the Lab Mix Front View
Ernie the Lab Mix Skin Closeup
Donate Here or Visit Ernie’s ChipIn Page
Donations are processed by Paypal, the secure online way to transfer funds. Select the ChipIn button above to donate here or visit Ernie’s ChipIn page. His page includes more details about his story, and may have updates on his condition, new photos showing progress, or comments if any from donors.
Ernie is a resident at Lifeline Dog Rescue temporarily in our group for rehabilitation, and is expected to be fully recovered and available for adoption within the next 5-6 months. Ernie is a lovable dog who is well adjusted with an even temperament, and will make a nice companion in his forever home.
Please ChipIn and donate to help Ernie recover. Any amount as little as a dollar will add up to reach our goal. You may view all ChipIn blog posts for Lifeline Dog Rescue and others we selected to support.
