Ohana's story
This is Ohana ( Oh on a ), her name is part of her story's beginning. The word in Hawaii means family, the meaning in Hawaiian for family means never left behind.
Today June 28th 2010 Ohana will know the meaning of her name, we did not leave her behind.
I will now tell you how she came to be with us. This is the beginning of her story and it will be hers to write. We do not know of her former life, but we know she has been delivered and begins to live a new journey.
My daughter and I spotted a cat way out on a back road in a game preserve. Knowing its full of raccoons and coyotes it would not last long. We came home to get our humane live trap to catch him. When we went back we called to the kitty to come for food and could hear the meow in the woods. A friend who came with us alerted us to a little dark dog way in the distance of the game preserve. At first I thought is was a cross with a coyote or possibly a sick fox coming toward us. It was limping and slow moving. But soon we realized it was a little dog looking for help. Where we where at a animal would have been dumped. One look at her and we knew why. This baby had been badly neglected and needed medical treatment. She limped not walked on raw paws, possibly from a combination of chasing her owners car, being an inside dog who loved her family and the mange. Oh yes, this poor girl has a serious case of mange as well as polluted with fleas. She would take a couple steps and then stop and scratch, cry in pain and scratch more. This was so needless. How could someone just dump a little dog who had been faithful till the end and still come wagging a sore tail as though we where angels? This is what makes me cry every time. I will never understand.
I did not have a carrier with me for her and had no way to take her back, so I gave her my unloaded groceries that I knew she would eat and drove home as quick as I could to get the truck and a carrier. My husband went also. I prayed the little dog would still be there, waiting for that owner to come back. She laid in the weeds when I returned about 20 minuets later. I called to her and she tried to come but she was too itchy and sore to walk more. I think she was trying to make it back to a abandoned trailer seen then the back ground of the first picture ,( I think its used during hunting season) So my daughter picked her up and carried her. We placed her into the crate and said Ohana --Oh A na- lets go home.
I gave her some medican to calm the itching and will try and raise the funds to get her into our vet with in a few days. In the mean time, I have shampooed her in oatmeal and provided relief from the insane itching from both the fleas and mange. Currently I have quarantined her in a crate away from all animals. This is for everyone's safety because this mite is passed threw contact and we must keep everyone safe here in care.
Today June 28th 2010 Ohana will know the meaning of her name, we did not leave her behind.
I will now tell you how she came to be with us. This is the beginning of her story and it will be hers to write. We do not know of her former life, but we know she has been delivered and begins to live a new journey.
My daughter and I spotted a cat way out on a back road in a game preserve. Knowing its full of raccoons and coyotes it would not last long. We came home to get our humane live trap to catch him. When we went back we called to the kitty to come for food and could hear the meow in the woods. A friend who came with us alerted us to a little dark dog way in the distance of the game preserve. At first I thought is was a cross with a coyote or possibly a sick fox coming toward us. It was limping and slow moving. But soon we realized it was a little dog looking for help. Where we where at a animal would have been dumped. One look at her and we knew why. This baby had been badly neglected and needed medical treatment. She limped not walked on raw paws, possibly from a combination of chasing her owners car, being an inside dog who loved her family and the mange. Oh yes, this poor girl has a serious case of mange as well as polluted with fleas. She would take a couple steps and then stop and scratch, cry in pain and scratch more. This was so needless. How could someone just dump a little dog who had been faithful till the end and still come wagging a sore tail as though we where angels? This is what makes me cry every time. I will never understand.
I did not have a carrier with me for her and had no way to take her back, so I gave her my unloaded groceries that I knew she would eat and drove home as quick as I could to get the truck and a carrier. My husband went also. I prayed the little dog would still be there, waiting for that owner to come back. She laid in the weeds when I returned about 20 minuets later. I called to her and she tried to come but she was too itchy and sore to walk more. I think she was trying to make it back to a abandoned trailer seen then the back ground of the first picture ,( I think its used during hunting season) So my daughter picked her up and carried her. We placed her into the crate and said Ohana --Oh A na- lets go home.
I gave her some medican to calm the itching and will try and raise the funds to get her into our vet with in a few days. In the mean time, I have shampooed her in oatmeal and provided relief from the insane itching from both the fleas and mange. Currently I have quarantined her in a crate away from all animals. This is for everyone's safety because this mite is passed threw contact and we must keep everyone safe here in care.
Her walks today have been eased by a little medication I have that I can give her until I can get her into the vet. She is a really nice girl, I think despite what looks like a recent litter of pups she is very young. I bet she fetches. She walks great on a leash and did not mind the cat who was crated. I think possibly they where dumped by the same family. I can't allow them to touch or anything, but they really seem to know each other. We have a great vet for our shelter fur guests and I can't wait until this sweet girl has some sponsors so she can be treated more aggressively., grow in her coat and play ball with me. I would dearly love to see her in a home before fall begins so she is home for the Holidays that quickly advance on us.
If you would like to help sponsor this baby, you are welcome to call our Vet with a donation of any amount. They will take it over the phone which helps us to get those with medical needs cared for faster. Or you can mail check or money order to:
Medical Donations can be called in ( Preferred ) or sent to
Grand Valley Veterinary Hospital
31 W. Main St. Orwell, Ohio 44076
(440) 437-8367
We will keep you updated on her recovery. If you would like to adopt this sweet 30 pound chocolate Lab mix, please contact us. It will be a little while before she can go to a new home, but it would be wonderful if she had a forever family waiting.
If you would like to help sponsor this baby, you are welcome to call our Vet with a donation of any amount. They will take it over the phone which helps us to get those with medical needs cared for faster. Or you can mail check or money order to:
Medical Donations can be called in ( Preferred ) or sent to
Grand Valley Veterinary Hospital
31 W. Main St. Orwell, Ohio 44076
(440) 437-8367
We will keep you updated on her recovery. If you would like to adopt this sweet 30 pound chocolate Lab mix, please contact us. It will be a little while before she can go to a new home, but it would be wonderful if she had a forever family waiting.
Update: 6-29-2010
GREAT NEWS, Ohana does not have mange!!! She has a sever case of an allergy to fleas and a bad skin infection. Dr. Valerie is treating her with antibiotics, gave her a huge shot of steroids, antibiotic, and an anti itch combination. .Its working really good. She also had a Heart worm test and its NEG!!! So we started her on Advantage multi because it is an all in one and better for her. Ohana is an awfully sweet girl. She is going to be gorgeous once her coat comes in. We will be taking her back in a couple weeks for a check up and in a month or so we will have her spayed and ready for a home. I would love to have a home waiting for her. She is a perfect personality and size. Sweet and just the right portion. :o)
Will update after her next appointment.
Will update after her next appointment.
Update: 7-23-2010
Ohana has been doing very well. She is healing and getting a beautiful coat. Her favorite past time is spending daily visits with her little friend. She walks well with out pulling her to the ground, also the gentle companion with children. She lays on the grass and listens to the stories and basically enjoys being spoken to. I think it makes her feel special, and that she is. Ohana was at the Vets yesterday for her spay, so it will not be too long before she will be able to be adopted by a devoted family. The photo's below where taken the eve of her spay, Isn't she beautiful. Your support and prayers have worked a special magic for this little princess.
Update
The date is 1-11 and Ohana is doing well these 6 months, unfortunately she still does not have a home. We suspect that she also has a food allergy. So we have been doing trial dog foods and will be doing allergy testing if this continues. Besides this little detail, Ohana is a fantastic girl and has been a joy to my grandchildren and is always eager to please. We hope that this will be her year and not only will we find what she is allergic too, but she will also be gifted with a dedicated family who will love her a life time and not mind her special needs.
UPDATE 8-1-2011
Ohana has still not located a family, with the economy hit hard some of the animals in shelters have yet to locate homes despite how wonderful they are. Because we are a NO KILL rescue sanctuary, she has no risk of death while with us. She is a fantastic girl, has been thru much and still adores the human race inspite of her past treatment. We still hope this wonderful girl is united with a special family, she truly deserves to be loved and have a family of her own.
ITS HAPPENED....OHANA got a home!!!!!!
With tears of joy in my eyes and my heart breaking of the lost with additionally a swell of total happiness for this girl we named Ohana, this girl finally got a fantastic home. The family had been looking thru petfinder and other places for quite some time. They knew they wanted to offer a home to a dog who needed them as much as they needed a new family member. While browsing they came across Ohana's photo, the connection was made right there thru the photo. The family came to meet her along with many other would be relitives. It was LOVE at first meeting. They spent a number of hours with her. The next meeting was at her vets, where we updated her medical care a couple months early so her family could focus on developing a relationship and as she walked away with her new family, she never looked back. The moment she became a part of her new family, Ohana knew she was home. Although my throat constricted and my eyes burned as tears formed, I knew this family was who she was waiting for. Ohana is home........
A quick note........I recieved a short note just to let me know how it was going. I wanted to post it as well for all of you who have followed her story.
Just wanted to let you know that Ohana is doing well. She is a fantastic dog and we love her dearly. I was looking on your site and saw Buttons. I think she would enjoy a companion. Thanks again for saving this wonderful girl. Her story is still evolving!
Kim
Just wanted to let you know that Ohana is doing well. She is a fantastic dog and we love her dearly. I was looking on your site and saw Buttons. I think she would enjoy a companion. Thanks again for saving this wonderful girl. Her story is still evolving!
Kim