Help us literally save these dogs’ lives.
Have you ever wondered if you could really directly determine whether a dog lives or dies?
Dorothy was contacted several weeks ago by a representative of a breed rescue here in Michigan. She asked if SASHA Farm was willing to temporarily house a few dogs for the rescue. The dogs were coming from a situation where they were being bred and horrifically neglected, and upon hearing the details, she couldn’t say no.
Yesterday, just moments prior to their arrival, we were informed that three of the four dogs had tested positive for heartworm disease, and the rescue simply does not have the funds to treat them. The only alternatives are quick euthanasia or a slow death from heartworm disease.
As they were unloaded, we were all reduced to tears. No creature should ever be treated with so much disregard. When they weren’t being bred, they were ignored. The youngest, a nine-month-old pup, cannot even be touched. He is too afraid to even take an offered treat. The four of them have reverted to wolf pack-like behavior, fending off the others for every morsel of food, yet they haven’t shown any aggression towards us. The older three are very sweet dogs despite what they’ve been through at the hands of humans.
Heartworm disease is quite treatable, and we believe that these dogs deserve a chance to try to fight it. They may have other strikes against them, of course, but we believe that without a complete evaluation of their health by a veterinarian, it is unfair to give up on them.
Their care, even before they see the vet, will be expensive. They are filthy and so matted that before they can even be thoroughly examined, they will need hours of tedious grooming. They have external and internal parasites. If they need to be shaved, they will need protective jackets to shield their light skin from sunburn. In addition to the heartworm treatments needed, they have some bone and eye concerns that need to be investigated. At least two of them will likely need dental work. Of course, since they were breeding stock, they will all need to be neutered. Every aspect of these poor dogs’ health and welfare has been neglected. Three of them have never even had names. The rescue is willing to allow us to take over their care, rather than just give up on them, if we can provide the funding. This could easily run into the thousands of dollars. Can you please help?
We realize that these are not farmed animals, but we know that many of you love dogs as much as we do.I apologize that these pictures are bad, but these dogs are not used to being given so much attention and they were distrustful of the camera. Keep in mind that these are Great Pyrenees dogs. They are supposed to be white, not gray and black.
Scooby is 3-4 years old. He is the only one who was given a name. He’s huge, but we’re not sure how huge he actually is because his hair is so filthy and matted. He is calm and laid back, but appreciates a kind scratch behind the ears…if you’re careful not to touch the mats that pull painfully at the his skin.
This is the oldest male, about 8-9 years old. He wasn’t given a name. He is amazing sweet and gentle. He is considered unadoptable by the rescue because of his age, but he seems to believe he has a lot of life left in him. We’d like him to live out that life in comfort and happiness.
The only female, also nameless, is the most friendly of them all. Notice her different sized eyes? This could be a problem, and we need to have that evaluated as well. She is the mother to at least the youngest dog, and probably somehow related to the others.
The youngest is so unsocialized that I was only able to get pictures of him on the run. He is the middle dog in this picture. He has never know a kind touch from the human and has grown up fighting older, larger dogs for his meals. However, he is the only one not heartworm positive and is likely safe.
It’s up to us to make sure the other three get a fair chance at living out their remaining years in happy homes. It’s very likely that all they’ve known for their whole lives is living in a kennel with little human contact and scarce food, being exploited for the puppies they could produce. Can you help us show them that not all humans treat dogs that way?
Please go to our donation page and give what you can spare. In the comments box, note that your donation is for the heartworm positive dogs. You can also send a check. We’ll keep you updated on the fight for their lives.
Update: We have one local vet clinic who has committed to provide the evaluation and treatment for one of the dogs! Thank you, Chelsea Animal Hospital, for helping us save Freya.
And thanks to everyone who has given so far. We’ve added another way to donate. You can use this Paypal button in addition to the other payment methods above.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:14 am
I donated via paypal, I’m glad you added it as an option for donation. I am donating outside of powerpets, and through powerpets, for your cause. I hope the dogs get better, but this is also for all the animals you keep, love, and protect.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:46 am
I have donated through Powerpets!
And I may consider donating out of Powerpets, now I have seen this!
I hope we raise a lot of money as the staff have produced some adorable giftpacks for users to purchase!
I wil be keeping my eye out to hear of the future of these dogs!
July 10th, 2008 at 11:29 am
These poor dogs are so adorable, ive emailed this site to several friends and relatives to start a chain for donations, Ive also donated through powerpets and still doing so. Lets save these poor babies.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I donated through powerpets.com, btu I do plan on donating more, these poor dogs, I can’t believe anyone would ever treat ANY creature this way, I hope you raise enough money to pay for all the veterinary bills, and I hope these poor animals fund loving, safe homes, and learn to trust people. And to whoever did this to them, I hope they are found out, and I hope that they pay dearly for their horrible treatment of these creatures.
July 10th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
PowerPets, ( a animal site for all ages ) is helping by making giftpacks. One donates $5 and one donates $10. I hope to buy one in the future to save these dogs lives. I have also been updated due to the things that are happening to the dogs on PowerPets News.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:06 am
I wish i could donate but i am only 10.Powerpets is working on it to give these dogs a home.POWERPETS LOVES U!+ALL the donaters!!
July 11th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Wow, thanks powerpets! That’s so cool of you guys to help out =)
July 11th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I donated through powerpets myself. Those poor dogs. I don’t understand how any animal could ever be treated so bad. That is probably because any pet I ever had is just another member of the family, rather than being just a pet.
July 12th, 2008 at 6:00 am
I donated thru Powerpets, and hope to donate here also.
Thank You for taking in these dogs and doing all you can for them … the environment they were living in is absolutely CRIMINAL.
Sub-Humane is an understatement and the owners/operators should get a taste of their own medicine !
Again, THANK YOU for taking these beautiful creatures under your wings and I hope for the very best for them and all of you !!
July 13th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
oh how very sad for these and so many more in their situation. I’m thankful they were rescued, and I sure hope the breeder is shut down. I wish that the breeder responsible for these dogs being in this condition could feel what it is like to be forced to live like this, I surely do, and it would be a most appropriate punishment!
Thank you SASHA Farm for reaching out to help them!