Hank is still looking for a home.

We don’t know much about the first two years of Hank’s and Lucy’s lives, but it’s hard not to imagine the worst. They were rescued in June of 2009 as part of the notorious “Hartford 14,” a group of 14 pitbulls who were found living in tiny cages lined up and stacked in crates in a small outdoor shed in Hartford, Connecticut. The police raided the property and took the dogs to the city’s animal shelter, which put out the word that the dogs had 10 days to be adopted before they would be put down.

Several of the dogs were unfortunately returned to their owner, but Hank and Lucy were rescued and taken to a boarding facility in Queens. One person who visited them described them as “completely wild, incapable of walking on a leash or socializing with people or other dogs… Their paws were splayed from perpetually standing in the cages and they had parasites.”

Lucy found a wonderful home!

When Friends of Animal Rescue learned about their situation, Hank and Lucy had been sitting in the boarding facility for more than six months, with no prospects of being adopted. FOAR sprang into action and moved them to Bark & Play, a cageless boarding facility where they were given medical treatment and taught how to walk on a leash and socialize. Friends of Animal Rescue paid the costs of boarding, treating and training them, and began aggressively working to find them new homes. They both gained weight and became playful, affectionate dogs. In March, Lucy was adopted. Hank is still seeking a home.

It’s hard not to be moved and amazed by the story of Kikogue. This black-and-white papillon is only four years old, and she has  already cheated death twice. Her name is derived from the Korean word for “dog meat,” because as a young puppy in Korea she was given to a U.S. Army soldier by someone who feared Kikogue was going to be killed and eaten. The soldier shipped the little papillon to his mother in Queens, New York, believing he was saving her life. That was just the first time Kikogue’s life would be saved.

Kikogue

The soldier’s mom, Oliva, adopted the little dog, and cared for her as best she could. But in 2009 Kikogue became ill, experiencing bleeding and trouble urinating. A veterinarian told Oliva the dog had bladder stones, and that surgery would cost as much as $2000. She did not have the money, and began administering aspirin to Kikogue for the pain. In February of 2010 she decided she should put Kikogue to sleep. She couldn’t afford surgery and couldn’t bear to watch the papillon suffer.  One day while walking Kikogue, she revealed her desperation to her neighbor Carol, who sought guidance from a local animal rescue group Bobbi and the Strays. Carol had only met Oliva and Kikogue a few times, while walking her own 3 dogs, but when she heard Oliva’s plan she knew she had to do something.
Carol reached out to Friends of Animal Rescue, at the recommendation of Bobbi and the Strays. Kikogue had surgery on March 24th, paid in full by FOAR. The surgery revealed a stone that was as big as the dog’s bladder.  One day later, Kikogue was able to urinate freely, without blood for the first time since July of 2009.  And Kikogue sleeps peacefully each night now, which actually alarmed Oliva at first, because she had sadly become accustomed to the sounds of Kikogue pacing the floors at night, unable to sleep from discomfort. Carol considers herself Kikogue’s godmother, and she sent FOAR this email: “This whole event has been amazing. From the day little Kikogue crossed my path, my eyes have been opened up to the goodness of people.”  Oliva speaks very little English, but Carol tells FOAR that Oliva feels she’s been blessed by a miracle.

Gidget and Ray

Two lives in crisis.  But fate and luck were waiting in the wings to change their lives in amazing ways.

Gidget, a young, pit mix found herself at the Brooklyn NYCACC.  Her odds of leaving the shelter alive were slim.   Gidget, on the euthanasia list for the next day, caught the eye of a rescuer who scrambled to find a foster and eventually placed her in long-term boarding. The month’s dragged by but the loving home willing to accept a sweet, shy pit bull with little training didn’t materialize.

In upstate New York, Ray was struggling with equally life-threatening circumstances.  Diagnosed with full-blown AIDS, he spent months in the hospital- his independence and spirit  shattered.  When Ray decided to get back on his feet, he went to Craig’s List to job search but found himself drawn to the pet category and one particular posting.  It said, “Gidget has hard a hard life and needs a loving home.” He immediately fell in love with the freckle-faced pit bull and decided to adopt her.  He was fearful about being able to properly care for a dog, but still wanted Gidget.

“Gidget has given me the most unconditional love I’ve ever experienced. She made my life worth living.  I recently got a good job and we’re living in a brand new apartment.  Gidget gives me a reason to go home after work.  Being responsible for her every need has taken me from my deathbed to living life to the fullest. I recently took Gidget, dressed in butterfly wings, to my nephew’s special needs class. The kids went crazy for her. Gidget and I are inseparable!”

Dedicated rescuers played a major part in saving Gidget’s life and finding her a forever home with Ray. From long-term boarding, to medical exams, spaying and shots, and transporting, most rescuers go into great personal debt to do their work.   Friends of Animal Rescue provided the badly needed funds for Gidget’s boarding and gave rescuers the time necessary to find her perfect home with Ray.   We keep the dream alive that individuals can make a difference. There are so many other Gidgets out there looking for their Ray.    Please donate!  Help us help rescuers save more lives and make happy endings.