Faithful Friends

Long time, no blog!

2010-02-09T13:22:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to introduce this new guy who is joining our rescue. He was dumped today at an animal shelter by people who said he was a stray. We'll be getting him help immediately for a deformed front left leg and a bowed front right leg. Send some good thoughts for this cutie! We'll send an update as soon as we can.

He is a 4 month old male shepherd/lab mix (that is a guess). Welcome, little guy! You are in good hands now!

Welcome American Bulldog puppies!

2010-01-31T12:00:00.000-08:00

We are happy to help this litter of American Bulldog puppies (and even happier to spay their mom to avoid another unwanted litter). The puppies - Bella, Buttercup, Bailey, Blaze, Buckley and Blossom - have already had a lot of interested adoptive families. That's great!! Thank you to our awesome foster homes for taking on such a task!!

Chi-Chi Update – May 1, 2009

2009-05-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

Chi-chi (or Cha-Cha-Chi-A-Pet, as I like to call him) is doing awesome now. He’s gained so much confidence that he actually tries to play with other dogs! It’s completely funny to watch him try to play and I can’t help but laugh.

When he wants to play he kinda moves around in circles near the dog he’s trying to play with and then kinda backs his butt up to the other dog. One night I wasn’t paying much attention until I heard my dog Oliver growl (a dog that is normally easy going with the other dogs) and when I looked over, I saw Chi-Chi with his front paws sitting on the floor and his back end on top of my dog Oliver. Oliver seems to be Chi-Chi’s favorite and Chi-Chi was trying to get Oliver to play with him and when Oliver didn’t respond, just gave up and sat on him instead. It was so cute!

~Denise

The Story of Chi-Chi – A Puppy Mill Survivor

2009-04-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

Chi-Chi’s story begins sadly, in a puppy mill where he was born approximately 6 years ago in Missouri. For those of you that don’t know, a puppy mill is facility whose sole function it is to breed dogs for profit and for profit alone. For those of us in rescue, the word puppy mill sends a shiver down our spine because we know the conditions and treatment the animals are subjected to.

There are 2 outcomes for dogs born in a puppy mill:
1. Be sold as a puppy to a pet store somewhere in the country or …
2. Stay at the puppy mill and become a breeding dog.

Neither outcome is desirable, because nearly 50% of puppies sent off to be sold to pet stores die in route, never having the opportunity to even find a home. Those left behind to breed don’t come close to living a quality life. They live in cages their entire lives and often go without proper veterinary care. Unfortunately for Chi-Chi, he was kept by the mill so he could be used as a breeding dog.

What was his life like before coming into rescue? Well, no one can say for certain but we have a pretty good idea based on those mills that have been fined or closed down in the past due to the conditions animals were found in. Chi-Chi lived in a cage, probably crammed with too many other Chihuahuas and there he ate, slept, eliminated, and mated. That’s it. That was his life. No play time in yard. No frolicking in the sunlight with grass underfoot. No cuddling on someone’s lap. Does it sound like much of a life to you?

The living conditions were likely very grim as well. You must remember that the “millers” are mass breeding dogs in an effort to make money so they aren’t going to spend money on ensuring comfortable living conditions and proper veterinary care. This fact was evident when Chi-Chi came to us. After his initial exam by our vet, it was determined that he had suffered repeated and significant ear infections throughout his life. So bad were his ears that he required major (and quite expensive) surgery because the scar tissue and infection had all but closed both his ear canals.

Chi-Chi came to Faithful Friends on January 27, 2009, and it wasn’t more than a week before he received the surgery on his ears. The surgery, difficult for even the most well-adjusted dogs, was very traumatic for Chi-Chi. In order to go through the surgery and subsequent recovery he was constantly being handled by people, something he had never experienced before. Because Chi-Chi had never been properly socialized with people, he was terrified of everyone, especially those people bothering his overly sensitive ears. At times, he would turn into a little statue and not move except for the little terror quivers going through his body whenever so much as a finger touched his skin and other times he would try to flee at all costs.

Even though I’ve fostered many dogs born of similar conditions and suffering similar fears, my heart breaks anew each time one of these guys walks through my door. I think of the agonizing life they came from and my heart bleeds, not so much for the dog I have in my possession because I know they are safe and will finally get to live a “normal” dog life, but for the nameless thousands that will never make it out and who will only ever know a life of suffering and misery.

But getting back to my “little man” … I just know there was a higher being looking out for sweet little Chi-Chi. Not only was he liberated from the puppy mill but he was lucky enough to be brought to me, someone who knows that this 5 lb, terror ridden boy will someday learn that life can be good and that not all people need to be feared.

I know that all he needs is time and a structured daily routine. These dogs are scared in the beginning because they don’t know what to expect. They’ve never lived in a world where they were free and have no idea on how to act. They have no idea how to live like a normal dog. Once they come into my household, they learn the new routine by watching the other dogs in the home who aren’t fearful and slowly their confidence builds up. They progress in what I would call “baby steps”, learning when to eat, where to eat, where to eliminate, etc. Then suddenly, one day when you are least expecting it, they have a breakthrough. They will suddenly approach you for affection or eat food from your hand – things they would have never done in the past. Why will they suddenly do this? What makes them decide that one day, they are not going to be scared anymore? I don’t think I’ll ever know? For whatever reason though, something has finally clicked in their mind and they begin to move towards that normal dog life.

Chi-Chi recently had one of these breakthroughs. After spending the months of February and March in my home recovering from his painful surgery, he began learning the new routine and watching his foster doggie siblings interact with me, their “mamma”. During this time, he wouldn’t go outside on his own and had to be carried out. He didn’t like to be carried though, so he would cower in the corner until I picked him up and placed him outside to do his business. Then one day, when I opened the door for the dogs to go outside, Chi-Chi followed. A pleasant surprise for me, his foster mom.

The next morning, I was greeted at my bedside by a hesitant Chi-Chi. Although all the dogs sleep in the bedroom on their various dog beds, Chi-Chi had never approached the bed where I sleep before, so needless to say, I was taken aback by his bravery. I rewarded him by a little rub on his back – something he wasn’t sure he wanted me to do but he did not turn and run away like normal. I kept the rub short but decided now was the time to push the envelope a bit and expose him to more one on one attention. Later that evening, I picked up Chi-Chi and placed him on my lap while we watched TV. He didn’t really want to be there but I started off giving him a gentle rub and found that he stopped trying to flee and actually seemed to be enjoying the pet. After a few moments, I put him down so he would realize that he wasn’t being held prisoner and that nothing bad was going to happen (as it had at the vets office). The next evening, Chi-Chi came to me on his own for the rub and now it’s a daily occurance.

Chi-Chi seems to be having little breakthroughs all the time these days. Just last week, he greeted me in the evening when I was getting into bed, with a tail wag and made it clear he wanted to be up in the bed with some of the “big” dogs. I know for most folks, this probably doesn’t sound like much but to see a dog that had been so terrified in the past he completely shut down to a dog that was wagging his tail and wanting to sleep with a human, it was like winning the lottery.

It’s all downhill from here for this “little man”. He’s climbed that huge mountain of fear he had lived with all his life and seen what is on the other side of the mountain … the road to his new forever home. He’s not completely recovered yet but the really hard part is done. The light has come on – someone’s finally home in his little brain and he’s gets what being a dog is all about!

~Denise

THANK YOU to Joey's Comedy Club and to you!

2009-04-09T16:25:00.000-07:00

Aaaaahhhh, what a fun night! Faithful Friends hosted a fundraiser at Joey's Comedy Club in Livonia - thank you to Joey's for having us! We laughed our butts off and raised money for many future rescue dogs and cats. The comedians - Gilbert (last name? sorry), Justin McClure and Jarrod Harris - rocked! If the tables around me were any indication, we never stopped falling over laughing. :) Check our any of those guys if you have a chance!

We sincerely appreciated all of our friends, adopters and supporters who came out to Comedy for a Cause! We hope you all had as great a time as we did! Thank you on behalf of the animals we'll be able to save because of your support. Thank you, thank you!

A couple puppies adopted...

2009-04-05T13:51:00.000-07:00

It is always happy and sad to report adoptions. Of course, happy because we have found stellar homes for homeless dogs and we can go on to save more. But sad for the foster homes...

Sweetie will spend her first night in her new loving home tonight. It is the first time she's been away from her litter mates, so it might be rough. And we will sure miss her here.

Sebastian has spent one night at his new forever home, too. Let's hope both puppies are on their bestest behavior and when they're not, let's hope their forever homes can put up with it! :)

Puppies are spayed and neutered!

2009-04-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

Well, our remaining puppies went in for their spay/neuter appointments on Friday 4/3 at All About Animals Wellness Clinic in Warren. The whole concept of AAA is awesome! Very affordable vaccines and spay/neuters for rescues and for the public.

My two girl foster pups were kind of pathetic on Friday night, but their incisions looked perfect. They were acting almost normal, but just a little quiet. Well, look out! Saturday morning they were bouncing off the walls which made me question the need to keep them quiet for ten days! TEN DAYS?!? My friend who is a vet confirmed the importance of keeping them on leash, in a crate or otherwise quiet while their soft tissues heal. So, that has been our latest struggle. I am thrilled that they feel good, but try telling a 4 1/2 month old puppy that she can't play! :)

Snow!

2009-03-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, it is snowing again. March is very unpredictable...

Just a quick post to tell you how funny Sissy and Sweetie are in the snow. It has been a while since they have seen snow. They woke up from their afternoon snooze and were so excited to figure out what the white stuff on the ground was! They have been eating snow, sliding on the deck, etc. Very curious and very cute! They would love to run and play in a forever home, though for now, they are doing great in their foster home.

Kids' Day at Parisian

2009-03-28T17:03:00.000-07:00

The Parisian Store at Partridge Creek in Sterling Heights has been so good to our group. First of all, they allow dogs in the store! :) They have been so kind to us. We participated in their Community Days fundraiser where the store allows charities to sell $10 worth of coupons for only $5. And the charity keeps the entire $5 as a donation. How generous of the store.

So, we have had our adoptable puppies at the store a handful of times...the staff definitely recognizes them and us. :) The puppies and Missy were at the store with us on Saturday for Kids' Day. We were set up in the children's clothes section upstairs in the store. I have to brag - our puppies were SO good! No potty accidents, no jumping on kids. They took treats nicely, put up with all kinds of hugs and pets, ignored strollers...I am so proud of them!! They played with toys, stretched out and slept, visited with everyone (dog and person) who came by. They were just perfect angels. I can't believe we still have three from the original litter of eight. Sebastian, Sissy and Sweetie will make three families very lucky! They are just wonderful pups.

Youth Making a Difference

2009-03-16T18:15:00.000-07:00

FFAR was so honored and excited to participate in a Youth Making a Difference presentation at Riley Upper Elementary in Livonia! Two of our volunteers talked about pet care, animal rescue and brought two lovable, furry "spokes-dogs" to illustrate how important rescue is! The kids loved meeting the doggies.

The two 6th grade classes that participated collected much-needed food, toys, bedding, treats, leashes/collars and other goodies for many needy dogs and cats in our area. A big thank you to all the students that participated!

FFAR is in the 21st century!

2009-03-01T16:12:00.000-08:00

Hi all animal lovers! Faithful Friends Animal Rescue (FFAR) is so excited to have a blog...but more excited that you are reading it. Thanks.

We are a foster-home based animal rescue; no, we don't have a location like the Humane Society does. :) Our foster homes are located everywhere - Novi, Westland, Shelby Township - and we're always looking for more foster homes. We are only limited on how many dogs (and some cats) we save by how many open foster homes we have.

Hopefully a blog will help you keep up on how our current adoptable pets are doing in their foster homes. We'll try to update you on any behavior and health milestones.

Thanks for reading and thanks for your support!
FFAR

www.ffar.petfinder.com