Medical bills

There are times that families ask us why we charge $200 to adopt out a companion and isn't that excessive?
 Our costs for vetting in itself, runs over $170. That does NOT include the heart worm prevention, intestinal parasite wormer, food,  harness, leash, or collar. Generally, our out-of-pocket expense is $300 per companion animal.

Then why don't we increase our adoption fee?
  We match the companion to the family to make sure they have a Forever Home. That is more important than covering our costs. We operate for the animals.

What happens when there is an emergency or unexpected veterinary bills?
  Since we are a small rescue, we do not have many funds in the bank account. We DO rely on donations. Unfortunately, we have had to dip into our own pockets to help save 5 dogs in 2013. Overall, that bill was more than $4,000!

Are there any medical expenses coming up?
  Yes, we have three dentals, a tumor removal, and four spays/neuters!

What about grants?
  Grants are fantastic, but they require research, time, and someone able to apply for them. Grants are very competitive and difficult to obtain.

What are some options as a volunteer?
  There are many positions a volunteer can have in our rescue!  Fund-raiser coordinator, attend events to socialize the companions as well as answer peoples' questions, follow-up phone calls on adopted out companions, photographer, website assistance, writing out thank you cards to those that have adopted and those that have donated goods as well as funds, and so much more!

PetCo January Event!

Our next event in January 5th at the PetCo in Granger, IN from 11am to 2pm!!

DECEMBER 15th EVENT!

Mark your calendars for this coming Sunday's event at TSC in Niles, MI. Bring your  pets for fantastic  holiday photos. $5.00 sitting fee only!!

We will be there from noon to three :-)

See you there 

APACHE

Apache in his new home!!

NADIA

Nadia in her new home in Michigan!!

MAGGIE

Maggie in her new home in Illinois!

December Events

December 1st: PetCo in Granger from 11am to 2pm

December 15th: TSC in Niles noon to 3pm

CORRECTION: Two events in November

Besides the November 3rd event at Granger/Mishawaka PetSmart, there is a SPECIAL event at TSC in Niles on November 16th. That is a SATURDAY!

November 16th: Niles TSC noon to 3pm Saturday

Be there :-)

November Event

In November there is only ONE event. Sunday November 3rd will be the adoption event at PetCo in Granger from 11am to 2pm.
Ann

Cassandra happy at TSC

Here is Cassie! She is so happy to be off that cold floor and up in my chair :-)

October Event!

October 20 from noon to 3pm, we will be at TSC in Niles, MI!!  Yes every third Sunday of the month, we are there with Anial Aid of Michigan and other rescues. Come find your ideal companion.

Ceasar needs a foster home ASAP!  He is a 6 month old Rottweiler/Shepherd mix and is in the Scioto County Humane Society. PLEASE help us save him.

BUSY DAY!

Today was an extremely busy day!  We had a booth at the Mutt March and there were many dogs and owners.
A huge thank you to Pet Refuge for helping set up and holding the dogs.
Thank you Leslie, Jennifer, Gary, and Liam for joining the event and helping out :-)

We miss you Merlin

Today, September 17th, Merlin passed away from an intestinal tumor. Barb and Jerry went beyond ownership to find out what was causing Merlin pain. Unfortunately, during an ultrasound an unknown object was seen in the intestinal area. During surgery today, the tumor was found to be attached to his intestine and more tumors were found on other organs.

To Barb and Jerry, may you have the greatest memories of your first Doberman.

To Merlin, we will miss you  coming to our house when Barb and Jerry go to field trials.

We will never forget you!

BG the Pug Update

It is amazing how wonderful people can be!  The cost of BG's heartworm treatment is $350 (yes, this is a discount). We have $325 raised and this amount was raised in LESS than two weeks. 
Amazing and wonderful!!
When BG's treatment is complete, she will be up for adoption.

Ann

Cassandra: GR and Catahoula

If there ever was a mix that I would love to keep... Uh, okay, that would be ALL of them, hee her.

Cassandra is a Golden Retriever and Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog mix. She has the gentleness of the Golden and the inquisitiveness of the Catahoula. YEs, Catahoula's are known to climb trees, but Cassandra has not shown that interest. Nor, has she shown interest in swimming, although she does place her feet in the water!

Cassandra can be seen at Joshica's Planet Canine Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 beginning September 4th. She will be beginning her Basic Manners Course with her handler, Mary!!

PUG: Heartworm Positive!

B.G. needs help ASAP. She is heartworm positive and the sooner we get her treated, the sooner we can get this lap-sitter spayed and adopted out!

B.G. gets along with other dogs, children, AND cats. She is also housebroken!!

The veterinarian estimates her age to be between 4 and 5 years. The picture makes her head look huge, but she is actually very petite, LOL.

Fran, Fred, and Duncan

Dachshunds, Dachshunds everywhere!  Two seniors and an adult have come into the rescue.  They are ALL lap sitters, love taking long walks, and little kissers :-)

Visit us at Rural King in Niles on the 31st to see these cute little snuggle-bugs in person.  They are a joy to have around, but would LOVE to have homes to call their own.

Duncan 4 year old smooth

Fred: 7 yr old wirehair and smooth

Fran's picture is coming soon!

Heidi

It is with a very heavy heart that we say goodbye to Heidi today. She had a wonderful last few months in her home with Carolyn and her Golden Retrievers. The horrible metastasized cancer that took our wonderful Heidi did not prevent her from showering Carolyn and her crew with love.

Rest pain free Heidi.

Warrick, Chelsea, and Brie

Warrick has successfully been adopted by the family that adopted his sister!  As of today, Warrick, Maddic, and Beau (labrador brother) have been playing nonstop.

Brie will be going to Basic Manners class at Joshica's Planet Canine on Monday evenings from 7:45 to 8:45. She will be there this Monday to get used to the environment prior to her big start.

Chelsea is on a two week trial with her potential Forever Home in Buchanan, MI!!

Ann

Miniature dachshund and 4 year old male Husky

We are in the process of bringing in a male mini Doxie AND a male Siberian Husky!!!  The husky is good with children, dogs, and cats. The Doxie is good with other SMALL dogs and children; not sure about cats yet.

Keep watching for pictures and bios:-)

Ann

Demise of Birds Save Adopter's Life

   One of our adopters had been experiencing headaches and nausea in her newly purchased home. Her dogs were beginning to argue with each other and sometimes even had to be separated from each other. The adopter attributed her symptoms to mold growth.
   Recently, one day after work, she came home to two of her parakeets dead at the bottom of their cage. It appeared as if they had just fallen off their perch and died. After some calls to friends, she was advised to call the fire department and gas company.
   Yes, there was a carbon monoxide leak.
   The death of her birds ultimately saved the adopter's life, her other birds, and her dogs. Her symptoms of nausea and headaches are all but gone and the dogs are getting along much better (just like they used to at their previous home).
   To all families that are experiencing behavior changes in your feline and canine friends, take a moment and check out your home's CO and CO2 levels.

Rest in Peace feathered friends

FOURTH ANNUAL YARD SALE

Our 4th annual yard sale is coming up soon!  May 31 and Jun 1 from 9am to 2pm. Location is 2319 Yankee St. in Niles, MI.

Last year we ended up having TWO sale events and this year we may do the same.  We are looking at July for a second set of dates!

Swing by and visit

Ann

TSC EVENT: May 19th

We will be at TSC in Niles, MI from noon to 3pm on SUnday May 19th. Other rescues will be there as well. Come join the fun,

FUZZ BUTT and BOXER Update

Fuzz-butt and the Boxer male have been ADOPTED!!!  Before they could be pulled from the shelter by our rescue, they went to their loving Forever Homes.

Te'o Visit

Te'o came to our home to visit for a few days. He has grown so much in the last few months! From a 4 pound little boy to a 50 pound teenager. Whew!
Kudos to his Forever Home for continuing his Basic Obedience. He is AWESOME.

Roxy UPDATE

Roxy is positive for EPI.  She will only be adopted out to a family that has researched or experience with EPI and the dietary needs. She will also need someone with experience in training.

Roxy: Gorgeous German Shepherd available (courtesy post)

Abbey with her Papa (LaPorte, IN)

Abby has been with NOVA since she was just a wee pup. After a recent trip to Purdue Veterinary, she was diagnosed with myeloma. 

Our positive thoughts are with you and your family for successful treatment Abby!!

Dogs available at our foster in Ohio!! Call now for information :-)

TSC IN NILES, MI

Wow, we had a HUGE turnout at TSC in Niles this Sunday. I can't believe we are actually getting ready to head to Animal Control in South Bend to look at pulling some more fur babies in need of rescue.

Ann

Logan has gained weight!

Logan is now 46.2 pounds!!!  He is going through his adolescent stage and we have to watch everything that is within his reach :-)

Ann

Thunder and Storm

Ironically, the dog and cat that are named after weather, are the most frightened by weather of the same name!
  Storm was found as a kitten in a storm culvert and just as X-Men came out on film.  Thunder, the Doberman, was given the name for strength.
  Last night's thunderstorm had Storm up on my head chewing on my hair and Thunder at my side shivering. I finally placed Tasha Yar's fleece coat on him.  I couldn't do anything with Storm so I slept with my head under the comforter, LOL..

Ann

Logan update

35 pounds!!!  I am now on solid Puppy Chow with a topping of Pedigree Healthy Digestion. I am timid around the big dogs and am still working on housebreaking skills, but I am getting there :-) .
For those interested in adopting me, I have a month or two still before I am ready to go up on the website.

Logan Berret
(Quiet Strength)

Thunder Update

Thunder is steadily gaining weight. Okay, by steadily, I mean 1 pound a week at the most.  He doesn't mind the kelp added to his diet to add Vitamin K.  He still hasn't had the tests done for hypo protein or Von Wildebrand's, but I will get him there. I want his weight to be higher in case he bleeds too much during the tests.

He now has to wear a citronella bark collar around the puppies. He scares them with his barking. Now he just growls at them (he likes his space).

Ann

Ryan Newman Books and Bat Houses

Available for purchase (tax-deductible donation):

1. Pit Road Pets books - 19 books remaining $10 donation. Read about the NASCAR staff and their rescued pets.

2. Bat houses - 20 remaining. Built by our wonderful Eagle scouts, these can house more than 100 bats!  
   $15 donation (comes with wood screws for attachment to a long four by four. The bats prefer to be up 14 to 20 feet with the opening facing Southeast in our area. They can also be attached to a building if so desired.  It may take a little over one year for the bats to frequent the house. They are kind of like bees. One bat tells another bat, which tells another bat, etc. :-)


Ann

Logan's X-ray

18 stones (pea gravel), a piece of rubber, and 1 rock later (1 1/2 inch diameter), he is at home recuperating.

A glove was being used to hold him in place. His knee is NOT damaged, it is blocked by the glove, LOL.

Weekly Saga 1

One week after Thunder came home from the emergency room (over $800 total with both offices), we took in a 6 month old Doberman puppy (Logan) on a request from a local shelter. When I went to see the puppy, he appeared timid. He definitely was not leash-trained and he didn't really show an interest in playing.

Two days later, I picked up Logan. When the vehicle began moving, he immediately vomited all over and had some loose stool. Okay, I thought maybe has was just one of those that gets carsick. At home I fed him in small amounts, but he continued to throw it up!

The next morning as he was drinking water, he bloated like a pot-bellied pig. In the crate, on the way to the vet, he continued to get sick. Once in the veterinary office, blood tests were run, a general exam, parasite exam, and a parvovirus were completed. All came back normal (well, he was a bit dehydrated). The next step was a series of x-rays. WELL, after one x-ray, the technician came in to the room and said to the vet, 'I think I know the problem'.

The x-ray was placed up on the viewer and besides an enormous amount of fluid in the stomach, there were also what appeared to be rocks!  Off to surgery Logan went.

The total bill including a night stay, tests, meds, abdominal surgery, x-rays, and antibiotics...
$1,043.

We are blessed to have a wonderful veterinarian that keeps the prices low and helps us out when we need to pay a day or two later, BUT our bills in February and March have already exceeded $3200.  We need donations!

Making Dreams Come True,
Ann

Lady: Courtesy Posting Heading back

Unfortunately, Lady and the kelpie in the home down south did not get along. They both had very similar personalities and they looked so much alike!  Alas, Lady is back with us temporarily and looking for a Forever Home or a rescue that specializes in herding breeds.

Thunder and his harem

Thunder has decided that the girls need to stay away from his couch unless they are invited in (bad boy, LOL). Piper does not care for his attitude and tells him what she thinks about him everyday. They do a lot of talking and boy can they talk!

He loves to dig in his blankets to make a nest every night before he settles down.

A new tumor has appeared next to his right armpit area. Of course, we are hoping that this is just another fatty tumor.

Ann

Final Vaccination Clinic Results

WOW< it was an incredibly long day February 24th. Besides being the last vaccination clinic of the season, people waited until the last minute to vaccinate.  The 'final' numbers are not in yet, but there were 400 pre-registered animals and over 100 'walk-ins'.

  A huge thank you to Ann (Beau foster), Denise (Little Girl foster), and Jennifer (McTavish foster). They stayed from 12:30pm until 7pm or after. An exhausting day for all involved (talk about sore feet!).

Today's Vaccination Clinic

A huge thank you to Shay, Ann, Sara, Randy, Barb, Val, and all the other volunteers that were able to help out in Benton Harbor today. I don't know what the final count was, but by 1pm, more than 100 vaccinations had been completed. Dog licenses were also sold as well as baked goods (yummy) and  some dogs even had their toenails clipped.

YAY!

Vaccination Clinic Volunteers Needed

February 24th is our last vaccination clinic in Berrien County (MI). It is going to be packed with people attempting to obtain their canine and feline vaccinations before March 1st. 
Volunteers are needed to direct people, transfer paperwork (legible handwriting needed: not mine!), hold animals, etc.
ALSO: if anyone has some walki-talkies we may borrow, please call 574-255-0131. Last year, the vehicle line was out over 1 mile and communicating which animals were pre-registered for the clinic was physically demanding.

Berrien County Animal Control Sunday, February 24
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

9204 Huckleberry Rd.
Berrien Center, MI 49102

Call 574-255-0131 to volunteer (or email us!)

Thunder Update 2

Here I am trying to find a place on the couch.  Yes, I have gained  pounds!  I receive 1 1/2 cups of Purina Dog Chow with 1/2 cup of Purina Puppy Chow, and a tablespoon of Embark twice daily. I am hoping my mom will go buy a big box of Embark. I love that stuff!

Thunder Update 1

 If you were able to visit the adoption event this weekend in Niles, you saw Thunder in his warm jacket. He welcomed all the attention and loving pats. He also received a visit from Tracey (Tracey picked up Thunder from the Capital Area Humane Society and then drove him to Coldwater, MI to meet me). Thank you Tracey for bringing this special boy into our lives.
  Thunder's lab results from last week reveal that he is in excellent health for his age! The only 'high' was in albumin and that may be his body trying to regulate protein levels with his new diet.

Ann

THUNDER

Left for dead by the side of the road, a family stopped to see if the object was an injured or dead deer. Imagine their surprise when they saw it was a dog and still alive! The family took him to the Capital Area Humane Society that has a veterinarian. After being stabilized, the dog had blood tests run. The results showed that he was in organ failure. The staff did not give up though and treated him with good food and kindness. After a few weeks, Thunder was up to 62 pounds.
The shelter kindly allowed Dream Paws Rescue to come in and pull him. Thunder is now in our home recuperating. He will be taken to our vet for follow up labs and other tests.

Ann & Thunder

First Update on Thunder

When he first had bloodwork done teh first week of December, the results showed that his organs were in failure. Thursday's tests results revealed that except for a slight increase in albumin, his organs are in perfect health!!
I keep trying to get pictures of him, but he is so camera shy :-))

Ann

Welcome New Additions and some Congratulations!

We have some new additions!

Welcome THUNDER!   Thunder is an Isabella Doberman who was left for dead on the side of the road.  She is skin and bones (I won't post pictures right now, as even us in rescue have a hard time looking at her).  She is the sweetest girl, but has a LONG road to recovery.  We will never understand how people can just throw their pets out like trash.  Here at Dream Paws she will get all the love and attention she needs!  We do however, need support to help her on her journey.  If you would you like to donate please click the paypal link below.  Anything is appreciated!

Welcome Irwin and Lady (both courtesy posts).  Both Irwin and Lady are currently not in a Dream Paws foster home, but we are helping locals to find homes for their pets.  Local citizens often contact us as a way to avoid taking their dogs to a shelter where they risk being put to sleep.  We try to help out when we can.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to CHANCEY who was adopted this week.  Fingers are crossed for Gingered Koko and Warrick, who both have adoptions pending. 

Donations are always appreciated and go for the care of all our dogs.  To donate, you can mail a check to 

Dream Paws

3015 Wild Cherry Ridge West

Mishawaka, IN 46544

or use PayPal