Month: July 2024

A Miracle for Yenifer, Akemi, and Clifford: Saving a Family’s Hope

Yenifer’s life took a devastating turn when she suffered a stroke in September, followed by a brain aneurysm that left her unable to care for her two beloved puppies, Akemi and Clifford. These two 7-month-old pups, brought into Yenifer’s life to provide comfort during her recovery, contracted parvovirus, a potentially fatal illness. The disease devastated their little bodies, and their lives hung in the balance as Yenifer struggled to manage her own health while fighting to save them.

Despite her worsening condition, Yenifer refused to give up on her puppies. She had already exhausted her finances, maxing out her credit, but she couldn’t afford the treatment they so desperately needed. While one puppy received partial care, the other still faced a life-threatening gap in their treatment. Time was running out, and Yenifer was heartbroken at the thought of losing the two pups who had been her source of comfort during such dark times.

That’s when Guardian HEALS stepped in. We were able to assist Yenifer, providing the funding necessary for both Akemi and Clifford to receive their life-saving parvovirus shots and other medical treatments. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we helped Yenifer through this difficult time, ensuring her puppies received the care they needed to recover fully.

The journey was long and challenging, but with the help of our supporters, Yenifer, Akemi, and Clifford all emerged victorious. Akemi and Clifford recovered from parvovirus, and Yenifer was able to continue her healing process with the comfort of knowing her beloved puppies would be okay.In the end, Yenifer, Akemi, and Clifford were able to start a new chapter together, all thanks to the kindness of those who stepped up when they needed it most. This success story reminded us all of the strength of love and the incredible impact we can have when we come together to help those in need.

Saving Suga: Quick Action Makes All the Difference

Tia and her dog, Suga, have been through so much together. From overcoming personal struggles to weathering homelessness, Suga has been Tia’s rock, offering love and comfort when it was needed most. When suga faced a difficult medical emergency, it became clear that without immediate action, Suga could face a ruptured bladder or urethra — both potentially fatal.

When we learned of Suga’s condition, Guardian HEALS moved quickly, launching an urgent campaign to raise funds for Suga’s critical CT scan and potential surgery. Thanks to the incredible outpouring of support from our community, we were able to assist Tia in covering the costs, ensuring that Suga could receive the medical care she urgently needed.

In times like these, quick action can truly save a life. Because of your generosity, Suga has a fighting chance,. Together, we’ve given them the opportunity to continue their journey, one filled with love, hope, and the unbreakable bond they’ve shared since the very beginning.

Four-legged Companions and July Fourth

Patriotic pet lovers often like to include their perky (but never pesky?) companion animals in July Fourth festivities. While Independence Day brings joy, and pets add to that enjoyment, please know that quite a few well-honed holiday habits can be hazardous to your furry friend’s health. Because HEALS would like all pets to be kept safe and sound, we offer the following advice: 

  • Dogs (and cats) and drinks don’t mix. While mixed drinks may enliven the spirits, never mix pets with alcohol. Keep all spiked beverages way out of their reach. If enough alcohol is consumed, pets could become intoxicated, weak, severely depressed or go into a coma. Even worse, respiratory failure and death could happen in severe cases of alcohol poisoning.
  • Light up the night but not with lighter fluid. If you must use lighter fluid, keep it far away from your pets. If ingested in high quantities, kidney damage can result. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin; it can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. In addition, certain types of matches could damage blood cells, resulting in breathing difficulty.
  • Mind Fido, felines and their food. During the holiday, it’s best to keep your companion animals  on their normal diet. Cats and dogs have very sensitive stomachs that do best on a regimented and strict menu. Any change can bring about severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Certain foods can be toxic; some of the worst culprits are onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt, macadamia nuts, and yeast dough.  
  • Forget the fireworks! Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for four-legged companions! There are so many other good ways to celebrate. For pets, exposure to lit fireworks can result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws. Unused fireworks can also pose a threat. Avoid taking pets to crowded outdoor events where fireworks will be the main attraction. Keep your furry friends safe at home in a quiet, sheltered, escape-proof area. More companion animals go missing during fireworks displays than at any other time of year as they try to escape the noise and chaos.