Author: Andrew Tonra

3 Easy Safety Tips for Walking Your Dog in the Snow and Cold

It’s cold out there, and the forecast is calling for plenty more on the way. This time of year, it’s essential to ensure your furry friend stays safe and comfortable during outdoor adventures. Cold temperatures, snow, and ice can pose challenges for dogs, but with a little preparation, you can make winter walks enjoyable for both of you. Here are three easy things to keep in mind as you venture out this season.

Protect Those Precious Paws

Your dog’s paws are especially vulnerable during winter walks. Snow, ice, and salt can cause burns, abrasions, or discomfort. Consider using paw balm, wax, or booties to protect their sensitive pads. Trimming the fur around their toes can also prevent painful ice balls from forming. After your walk, wipe their paws clean to remove any harmful substances they might have picked up.

Keep Your Dog Warm

Just like us, dogs feel the drop in temperature, especially smaller breeds or those with short hair. A cozy winter coat or jacket can help keep them warm and comfortable on walks. Pay attention to their behavior. If they seem hesitant to stay outdoors or shiver, it’s a sign they may need extra protection from the cold.

Avoid Hidden Dangers

Be cautious about ice, ice-melt chemicals, and snow. These can be slippery, toxic, or harmful to your dog’s health. Additionally, avoid letting your dog eat snow. It may contain hidden hazards like salt, antifreeze, or debris.

With these precautions, you and your pup can enjoy the beauty of winter while staying safe and comfortable!

From Cruelty to Compassion: How We Helped a Puppy Find Hope

This four-month-old puppy’s life started in the most unimaginable way. He suffered severe abuse that left him with broken ribs, a skull fracture, spinal injuries, and part of his tongue missing. Despite the trauma, he showed incredible resilience, and with the help of law enforcement, he was surrendered to a rescue before being transferred to Guardian Veterinary Specialists (GVS) for urgent care.

Thanks to the power of our network and the generosity of our supporters, we were able to quickly raise the funds needed to cover his medical bills and ongoing care. Using our infrastructure and outreach, we spread the word, and the community rallied behind this puppy’s recovery. Though his physical scars may take time to heal, the kindness and compassion shown by everyone involved have begun to restore his trust in humans.

With your help, this puppy now has the chance at a bright future, free from fear and filled with love.

Giving Tuesday 2024 was a Huge Success!

This Giving Tuesday, Guardian HEALS came together with supporters, animal lovers, and compassionate individuals to make a real difference in the lives of pets and families in need. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we raised a significant amount to further our mission of ending economic euthanasia—ensuring that no beloved pet is lost simply because their family cannot afford the care they need. While the funds raised are a wonderful step forward, the work is far from over. Every dollar raised brings us closer to building a future where financial hardship is never a barrier to lifesaving care.

We’re committed as ever to not just helping those in immediate need, but also creating long-term solutions through outreach, education, and support. However, our mission depends on the continued generosity of donors and supporters like you. The funds from Giving Tuesday will go directly toward providing grants for veterinary care, keeping pets and their families together, and empowering communities with resources to navigate challenging times.

If you missed the opportunity to donate on Giving Tuesday, it’s never too late to make an impact. Your support can help us save more lives, provide a lifeline to families in crisis, and ensure that no pet is left behind. Whether through a one-time donation, a small recurring donation, or simply spreading the word about our cause, every action you take brings us closer to a world where economic euthanasia is a thing of the past. Together, we can continue to make a meaningful difference—one paw, one family, and one act of kindness at a time.

Saving Mandy: Helping a Family in Need

When we learned about Mandy’s serious kidney issue and the heavy financial burden it was placing on Rose, we knew we had to do everything we could to help. Rose’s love for Mandy goes beyond words — Mandy is her baby, her companion, and the light of her life. However, with the cost of Mandy’s treatment being far out of reach for Rose, we knew something had to be done.

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our community, we were able to raise the necessary funds to ensure Mandy received the urgent care she needed. Your donations made a life-saving difference, allowing Rose to focus on what truly matters: being there for her precious dog during this critical time.

Today, thanks to your support, Rose and Mandy are on the path to recovery, and their bond is stronger than ever. The love and compassion you’ve shown have given them a second chance, and we are incredibly grateful to have been a part of their journey. Your kindness has made all the difference, and we thank you for being the guardian angels they so desperately needed.

Guido’s Heartfelt Journey: A Family’s Hope Restored

Guido, the beloved five-year-old kitty who has been a constant source of comfort and joy for his single mom, Gina, suddenly found himself fighting for his life. After collapsing from heart failure, his family was devastated, but their hope remained strong. With limited resources, Gina struggled to afford the life-saving treatment Guido desperately needed.

Thanks to the compassion and generosity of our supporters, we were able to help Guido’s family with some of his medical bills, ensuring he received the care he needed. Guido’s playful spirit and unconditional love have always been there for Gina.

While Guido’s road to recovery isn’t over, we can proudly say that, with your help, he’s one step closer to a healthy future. Your donations made all the difference in providing Guido with a fighting chance.

Cupcake: A Helping Hand in a Dark time

Cupcake, a cherished family dog, found herself fighting for her life in the hospital after being diagnosed with heart failure. Her lungs were filled with fluid, and she couldn’t breathe on her own, requiring around-the-clock care. The cost of her treatment quickly soared, and her family found themselves facing a bill that could easily reach $10,000 — an impossible sum given their current circumstances.

The family, already dealing with the challenges of a stay-at-home mom caring for a husband recovering from back surgery and a young son, was at a breaking point. They had recently lost two other pets to illness, and Cupcake was everything to them — especially to her three-year-old. With no other options available, they reached out to the community for help.

Guardian HEALS was able to step in, providing funds to help ease the financial burden of Cupcake’s hospital bills. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, we helped ensure that Cupcake received the care she needed during this critical time. While the outcome was uncertain, the family could breathe easier knowing they weren’t facing this battle alone. Every donation, no matter how small, made a difference in giving Cupcake a fighting chance.

Macie’s Fight: A Heartfelt Effort That Didn’t Go Unnoticed

Macie was in a desperate fight for her life, and her family was doing everything they could to keep her going. The bills were overwhelming, skyrocketing from $2,300 to $3,800 overnight, and estimates reached as high as $10,000 for the treatment she needed to survive. Her condition was critical, but despite her severe illness, there was a glimmer of hope as she became slightly more responsive, keeping her family hopeful.

Guardian HEALS sprang into action, quickly rallying to raise the funds needed for Macie’s care. Our community came together in an outpouring of support, contributing what they could to give Macie a fighting chance. Unfortunately, despite everyone’s best efforts, Macie didn’t make it. But even in this heartbreaking outcome, we can be proud of the swift, compassionate response from the community.

While it wasn’t the ending we hoped for, we can take comfort in knowing that we moved fast to give Macie the care she deserved, and so many people stepped up to help. Sometimes the outcome is beyond our control, but the support we showed her family made a world of difference during a very difficult time.

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.