Fab Feline Friday: Kendra

Adopted!
If ever there was a sweet little feline who deserved a loving forever home of her own, it would be Kendra. There is no way to adequately describe how truly wonderful she is - but she does a good job of explaining her story...

Hi, I'm Kendra. I'm glad to be here telling you my story, and healthy enough to be able to do so. I want to first thank Almost Home Foundation for all they've done for me, my babies, and my friends. They are angels for saving us from a horrible situation we never could have escaped ourselves. I was living in a place that was eventually determined to be a hoarder's. It was dirty, cramped, they couldn't take care of us. Food, clean water, clean litter boxes--didn't know what those were. I had my babies there, I tried to care for them the best I could. But with the way things were, it was too hard to avoid infections and we all became sick. My girlfriend Nacie and I were rescued by AHF, along with our babies and a couple other babies whose moms didn't make it. It was a godsend. We were well-cared-for, not to mention comfortable for the first time I could remember! Nacie and I were able to see our babies through kittenhood, everyone was given the food and medical care we needed to become healthy and strong, and we could look forward to having our own families to belong to. Nacie and many of the babies have found their forever homes. I feel good having made sure they were taken care of and found families, so now I'm looking for mine. I want you to know that I'm a gentle girl, very tolerant and easygoing, and I love to give back. I'm so grateful just for the chance to be able to do so! I love getting petted, love hearing you talk to me, love hanging around with other cats. They tell me I was a super-mom with my babies and the ones who didn't have one; all I know is that I really loved them so I did what a mom should do! Now I would love to do what a beloved family pet would do. And be "home."

If you or someone you know have fallen in love with this black beauty, you can find her at Almost Home Foundation.


Kendra is fully vaccinated, spayed and microchipped, and waiting patiently for a home of her own.









photo credit: Purr Photography

Fab Feline Friday: Jaguar

Adopted!
Nope, not quite the car - although his name was inspired by a set of wheels that nearly killed him, left him for dead. Jaguar is a boy who has an amazing story to tell. One that inspires, renews faith in human kindness, and ultimately warms your heart and makes you smile.

photo credit: Purr Photography

Jag was an un-neutered male about a year old.  Josh, who happens to be an animal rescue volunteer, saw a car hit Jag, and then keep driving.  Josh and his friend stopped and scooped up Jag. They brought him to animal emergency. When he was brought into the emergency room, he was dripping blood out of his anus and his temperature was 106. They immediately suspected internal bleeding.  Thankfully, the bleeding was from the trauma of the hit, and was not from internal injuries.

Jag's tibula was shattered. They weren't sure if they would have to pin his leg together (surgery) or if a cast/splint would work. Because of his age, the veterinarian thought we should try the cast/splint first.

Jag's first cast had a metal splint that came down through the cast & went up over his hip. Walking was extremely difficult.   Jag's foster mom had to crate him and work on supervised walks. he would fall flat on his face every few feet.

The cast caused an irritation on the inside of his this thigh.  He was brought to the vet to be checked. Since his foster mom worked, the appointment was a drop-off.  

While waiting to be seen, Jag chewed off his cast.

His second cast did not have the splint & left his toes free. It made it easier for Jag to walk, but every two steps, he puts his bad leg out sideways and tries to "shake off his cast". He is also chewing on it by his feet. He went in for a check last week, and although everything looks good, he has to wear the cast for a couple more weeks.

Jag is an absolute sweetheart. He loves to be petted. Since his mobility is not what he wants it to be, his favorite activity right now is laying in a cuddler and eating. In fact, if foster mom does not feed Jag as often as he wants, he walks (shakes) to the kitchen to remind her it is time to eat.

Jag can't wait for his cast to come off. Then, he wants a forever home of his very own. He will need physical therapy for a short while until he regains muscle mass in his leg. Otherwise, he should have smooth sailing for the remainder of his 8 lives!

Jaguar is available for adoption through Almost Home Foundation.

*This has been a guest post by Deanne Blenkle, animal rescue volunteer, freelance writer - and in love with Jag.*

Prescription Savings

I recently came across something interesting in our local township’s newsletter. Coast2Coast Rx is a prescription drug savings program with a nugget of surprise for pet owners. This program is free to join, and the card can garner you substantial savings at the drug counter. Whether you have insurance or not, there is a potential for a lower cost of your prescriptions, and it includes those you might fill on behalf of your pet as well.

There are no restrictions on who can be covered by the card. Although a minimum age of 18 is required to obtain one, parents can cover their children’s prescriptions with this card. For those with insurance, it is often less expensive to go through the insurance plan. However, if you have a deductible you must meet before the payments begin, you can use the card to save on your prescriptions, sending the receipt to your insurance company to apply toward that deductible.

This card works great, too, for those medications that are not covered by your insurance plan. And this is wherein your pet’s medical needs can be met. Many prescriptions for pets are carried by your local druggist, who often charges less than your vet would. There are also some products that your vet doesn’t carry but would prescribe anyway. If you don’t carry insurance for your pet, this is a way to still save a bit on any prescription medical costs.

Savings from this prescription card can be as high as 65%, although the typical savings generally falls in the range of 20 to 40%. Although not exactly a blowout sale, this is still great savings. It’s important to note that checking the various options available to you would be advisable, to ensure maximum savings.

To obtain this card, you only need go to www.coast2coastrx.com, choose “Print Free Card”, locate your local county, city or township, and then print it out and take it to your local pharmacy. This card may not be available in your area, although it is available in many, with more to come.  It’s nice to have another option available in the quest to avoid overpaying for prescriptions, especially if it will include those for your pet! 

Furry Friend Friday: Shelley

 A couple of weeks ago, I was at an adoption event. Walking past the “dog area” on my way to shop supplies for my feline fosters, I stopped dead in my tracks. The most adorable face had looked up at me as I strode by, making me back up and head over to check out this little furry friend I was inexplicably drawn to. 

Shelley

The little dog with a tiny and cheerful face was Shelley. She has the big round eyes of a Chihuahua, a very happy little face, and a torso that looks like it belongs on a German Shepherd. I laughed so hard! What an interesting blend – Chihuahua and something that would undoubtedly be larger. But what you get is this amazing little teddy bear of a pup – with a cute, tiny face that just melts your heart.

There is a quality about her that you can't get from the photos, but you can't miss when you meet her in person. Shelley has a very positive aura about her. The sparkling eyes and cheerful face lend to it, but she has an indescribable energy about her that you feel, and that instantly lifts your spirits.This is a dog that not only lives to make you happy, but actually does so merely by her presence. 

Shelley is a total love. She wants nothing more than to please you, to be with you, to give you kisses and snuggle with you. Shelley does not, however, take kindly to other dogs. Perhaps because of something from her past or just never having had the socialization when she was a baby, but for whatever reason she just doesn't get along well with other dogs (or cats). Maybe she's really just safeguarding her human.

Shelley

Because of this, She had to leave her foster home, and the poor girl has been living at the kennel. Now, it’s hard enough living in a home with other pets if you’re like her – but can you imagine how hard life must be for her at a kennel?? And this is added to having been given up by the family that adopted her just a couple of years ago. My heart just breaks for her.

Truth be told, it’s a good thing for me and all who live with me (human and otherwise) that she requires to be an only pet, because I so fell in love with Shelley when I met her at the event. I would have been taking her home to foster (and lord only knows, no doubt becoming a “failure” on that!)  But it’s just not fair to this poor little girl.

Shelley is an enormous sweetie-pie, who’s cute as a button and would make the most awesome best friend. She’s 3 years old, healthy (although she probably needs a diet), spayed, current on vaccinations, house-broken and great on the leash. She’s also great on the lap! If you or someone you know is considering adopting - or even fostering - a dog, and without any current or planned other pets, then you really must visit with Shelley! If I fell in love at first sight, I’m betting you will, too!

Shelley is available for adoption through Almost Home Foundation.

photos by Purr Photography

Recall: Purina One Vibrant Maturity 7+ Dry Cat Food

Purina is voluntarily recalling select bags of its Purina One Vibrant Maturity 7+ cat food due to concerns of possible salmonella contamination. Specific 3.5 and 7 lb. bags of the dry food are involved in the recall. Some bags from a single production run have been found to contain salmonella. This product was shipped to locations in 12 states in December, 2010; the following packages may be affected:

Product Code                                                           Size              Best-By Date                       UPC Code

Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+	3.5 lb.	MAY 2012  03341084	17800 01885
Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+	3.5 lb.	MAY 2012  03351084	17800 01885
Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+	7 lb.	MAY 2012  03341084	17800 01887
Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+	7 lb.	MAY 2012  03351084	17800 01887

If you have any bags with the above Best By dates and production codes, you are advised to discontinue use and discard any remaining product.

Both the pets eating contaminated food and people handling it are susceptible to becoming ill from salmonella. In humans, it is prudent to watch for symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea and fever. In rare cases, more severe conditions may occur. Should you have any of these symptoms, contact your physician.

In pets, symptoms of fever, loss of appetite and abdominal pain may indicate salmonella infection. As it progresses, the infection will cause lethargy, fever, vomiting and diarrhea or bloody diarrhea. Salmonella infection in a pet can be transferred to other pets as well as people. Should your pet exhibit any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian. It is important to note that some pets will be carriers with no infection symptoms.

Salmonella contamination is one example of why it is important to wash your hands after handling your pet’s food, and to note any changes in your pet’s behavior or physical condition.

The 12 states that were recipients of this production run are California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska Ohio and Wisconsin. Please check the Best By dates and code numbers regardless of where you purchased, as the product may have been reshipped to other areas.

For a refund, consumers may call 1-800-982-6559 or visit Purina’s website at www.purina.com.

  source: purina.com