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Precious ~
Precious we given to the Misfits dog rescue because she had become paralyzed and her owner had a full time job and was not able to take care of her. We took her to 3 specialist all who said she would never walk again, even if they performed an expensive surgery. Dr. Brubaker stood alone, when he professed she would someday walk again. She was adopted by Katherine Hughe with the understanding that her paralysis was a permanent condition. Christmas Day, One year later, We received n email with a movie attachment on Christmas day, 2016. Precious can now walk!!!
Please follow this link to view the KRDO Precious interview.
http://www.krdo.com//news/colorado-springs/disabled-puppy-walks-again/237196541
Lucy ~
It has been 10 months since our Little Miss Lucy first experienced freedom. Lucy was deaf from infected ears, blind and was having babies every 6 months. It didn’t take long to realize that Lucy had a breathing problem; a visit to Dr Brown confirmed that she had asthma so she was started on medication immediately. She still breaths loud and labored, at night when she is sleeping she is more like a baby elephant snoring, lol but her lungs are clear, in Dr Brown’s words “ This is as good as we can hope for”. Dr Brubaker did 3 surgeries on Lucy’s ears, she still has to have warm compresses on her ears everyday, she knows the routine and I think it feels good, her bark is distorted perhaps from being unable to hear. When Lucy first went to see Dr Roberts for her eyes she had a 90 minute exam, at the end he took me to the computer and pointed out several things on the exam and his statement was always the same “This does not happen to a five year old dog” at the end he told me that Lucy was probably 9 or 10 years old and had been blind for a very long time. One of her eyes had a cataract the other had an injury that would be challenging to repair. Before her surgery I tried to take her on a walk but it was much too scary for her, now that she can see she loves her walks, she wants to be on my lap or beside me and gives kisses. All those years of being deaf, blind, asthmatic, having babies every six months Lucy came out the winner, she made it out thanks to Sue and The Misfits Dog Rescue; she now has her vision thanks to all the Misfits supporters’ whose hearts she touched, it brings tears to my eyes when I think of what you all did for this little girl. Here is a little girl who had so much love to give but no one to return it, now that she has her vision she has the ability to see my hand signals as she has a sister who is deaf, her other brothers and sisters are also puppy mill survivors; she eats good food, she is safe, she has a soft bed to sleep in, right beside me, she has a yard to run in, she is happy and she is loved everyday. ~ Lucy’s Mom.
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Peaches ~
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Peaches came to us with several serious and immediate needs, although her previous family tried everything based on vet visits, they were finally advised to euthanize her. We were contacted and wanted to save her if we could!! She was (and still is) severely underweight with numerous physical problems needing ongoing medical attention as a result of having distemper as a puppy, undetected and unfortunately she was not vaccinated or treated! Her jaw is missing bone, is deformed and most of her teeth were growing up and out horizontally in her gums, causing pain and infection, we instantly got her in for a dental and ~24 teeth were pulled. She also suffers from neurological disorders and although continues to be painful, the vet said she is more than likely used to it so the pain is normal for her. We provide her with natural calming med's when it gets too unbearable or uncomfortable for her to help her relax and get rest. She currently has an infection in her liver, and suffers from a condition called Mega esophagus. We can treat it and manage it, we follow specific guidelines and eventually may be able to get her a special chair and other necessary accessories to aid in her safety but it’s not curable. Mega esophagus is defined as the muscles of the esophagus fail and it cannot propel food or water into the stomach. (Similar to a balloon that has been inflated several times and then hangs limp.) The result is that ingested food sits in the esophagus within the chest cavity and never makes it to the stomach. The most serious complication is that digestive fluid/food will at some point pool in the esophagus which generally results in aspiration of digestive fluid/food, leading to pneumonia. (Aspiration Pneumonia is a frequent complication.) We are doing several things (a lot of trial and error at this point) to help her gain weight, feeding her several times a day, blending up her wet food, adding veggies and fresh meat (add calories) and because of her jaw issues, it’s much easier for her to get nutrition when it’s in liquid form . She also takes her medication in food shaped as meatballs. She takes liver medication, antibiotics, an acid reducer daily and has routine blood work done to monitor her situation.
Sadly, we are told she will not have a long life, she’s suffered so much for a 1.5 year old puppy and we want to give her a great life no matter how many days are left. She loves playing with the other pups in foster care, she gives as many kisses as you’ll let her, she enjoys her daily walks, her treats, her tail never stops wagging, she loves all people and other animals… this sweet Misfit is simply a ray of sunshine!
Peaches was adopted and past away one year past this publication. May she rest in peace.
Sadly, we are told she will not have a long life, she’s suffered so much for a 1.5 year old puppy and we want to give her a great life no matter how many days are left. She loves playing with the other pups in foster care, she gives as many kisses as you’ll let her, she enjoys her daily walks, her treats, her tail never stops wagging, she loves all people and other animals… this sweet Misfit is simply a ray of sunshine!
Peaches was adopted and past away one year past this publication. May she rest in peace.
Nugget ~
We had a call about a dog who was a stray out in the country. A family brought the dog into their yard where it had been living for a while. They said it stunk too bad to let it into the house. Crusader, Cathe Gugliardo raced to his rescue. The rest of the crusaders where doing an adoption event at a Wag-n-Wash in Highlands Ranch at the time. Cathe drove a couple hours windows rolled down so she could breathe. When she showed up with the dog he looked to be a middle sized dog, it was impossible to tell what kind. He immediately created an audience. The groomers at the Wag-n-Wash took him in the back and began working on him. We all watched from behind the glass. As they shaved him down some minor injuries were revealed. His coat came off in big chunks of matting, some laden with feces. Before long we were able to discover it was a boy! He is a Maltese mix! The groomer shouted out “eureka! There’s a gold nugget under there!” We named him. “ Nugget” and a star was born. Nugget was neutered, micro chipped, given shots and had his teeth cleaned. Soon after, he was adopted. Nugget is no longer a stray, no longer a Misfit. He is in a warm loving household being worshiped for the beauty he is, and always was, underneath it all. Adopted 2016
Liberty, (Libby) ~
Found as a stray and turned into the Denver Animal Shelter.they called us right away because she definitely had behavioral issues. She was timid and aggressive. A lot of dogs are like this in shelter environments, but once they are in a home they calm down and are fine with some time. Not so with Liberty. It was clear she was going to be a hand full. She was people and dog aggressive. She had a strong prey drive and under stress, she was guaranteed to defecate. We sent her to live with a dog trainer for 2 weeks. Heather Hager was generous enough to work with her for free. Even she declared that Liberty was one of her toughest cases. We refused to give up on her. In the beginning she had to wear a muzzle to be around the other dogs. Under constant supervision and direction, Liberty now comfortably lives in a pack. She shares the bed with her foster Mom and other foster siblings, She waits her turn for treats, she is an expert at playing fetch, she goes for walks and runs free at the dog parks. She is still very energetic, but one of the most loving dogs we have ever had. Liberty is currently available for adoption. We are looking for someone who has a lot of time to spend with her and will keep her active. Liberty’s before and after transformation was dramatic in appearance, but ASTOUNDING behaviorally. We don’t know what horrible things she has endured in her past. But her future is looking jubilant! ADOPTED in June 2017!
Freedom ~
Freedom was also one of my favorite success stories. Although he does not have a shocking before picture, picture this in your head...... The Human Society of the Pikes Peak Region called us on him. He needed rescue or he was going to be put down for aggression. I ( SUE) went to pick him up. He was in a large maybe 8'x4' pen. He stood at the back of it snarling, and bearing teeth. I entered the cage. He defecated spraying the wall. I sat down, turned my back to him, and sat for a while. I showed him that I had treats and tossed him a couple. Not interested. I gave it time, still no improvement. The HSPPR gentleman stood watching shaking his head. I looked up from the floor at him, standing outside the cage and said," I'll take him". He was shocked, almost in disbelief. “Well," I said," He fear pooped. That tells me he's just scared." The attendant left to go get help. Now the problem was how to get him out of there. He returned with not just a slip lead, but one that was attached to a shepherd’s hook, and a medium sized kennel. I stepped out of the kennel and watched. He placed the kennel on the floor between him and the dog. After several attempts he managed to lasso the dog. Great! But he still had to get him into the kennel!. Growling snarling and snipping at his intruder. The man pulled the kennel back, and pulled the shepherds hook through it. Now the kennel was again between him and the dog and it was threaded with the slip lead. Standing from the opposite side of the kennel, the man pulled the lead. The dog trashed around, almost joking itself resisting the pull. Then he gave in, and into the kennel he went. The man tide off the slip lead so he could move to the front of the kennel to close it without getting bit. He closed it, and then came around to the front and loosened the lead. Out of breath and with sweat beading on his forehead, he said, “There you go. Good luck. You can bring him back, but we will have to put him down" We put the kennel on a cart and wheeled it to the car. The kennel was in the back seat and I was in the front. After about 30 minutes of driving I pulled over and opened the door. He excited and coward in the back seat quietly. I drove around some more. He grew increasingly curious of me. I pulled into the McDonald's drive through. Now I had his attention. I ordered a double cheeseburger and pulled over again. I offered a price, then another piece. Soon he was in the front seat. We finished off the last of the burger and I started driving again. After 30 minutes, I got a kiss. I pulled over again to where I was to meet a friend. He was already a transformed dog. We went for a walk. I returned home and slowly introduced him to the others. He was over joyed, danced and played with the others. Freedom got his freedom. Shortly after that he was adopted. He now lives happily in his forever home, aggression free. All it takes is love. Here is a quote from his new Mom, ".He is an amazing dog for me!! I have registered him as an emotional support dog, too. He goes everywhere with me. "
Butter Cup
On September 21 2015 we lost our beloved Brindle Stafford shire Terrier Rose to cancer. She was a rescue, loved everyone, lived almost seventeen years and was the apple of our eye. When we lost her we decided it would be unfair to adopt another dog right away, because we would always compare that dog to Rose, so we agreed to wait one year before looking for a new best friend. We did a lot of traveling for the next nine months, then one day my wife found this little hairball on the Misfits Rescue website (http://www.misfitcrusaders.com/) and it was love at first sight. It was June 17th 2016 when we finally adopted this mix breed dog by the name of Buttercup, a name which we promptly changed to Stella. She filled the bill of being smart, cute, funny, lovable and cuddly, but she did have a problem with house breaking, that just wasn't going well at all. Then on or about July 26th, my wife received the diagnosis of early stage Breast Cancer and everything came to an abrupt stop. My wife became understandably upset and Stella leaving her mark around the house was not helping the issues very much at all, so I had a brief mental breakdown myself and contacted the rescue about taking Stella back. After a night of rest I had a second thought about Stella and decided I would work through these issues and give her another chance, the look on her very expressive face made me do it and I'm glad we kept the little brat. My wife had her surgery a few days later, was back home the day after and was greeted at the door by Stella who from that day on never left my wife's side, slept with her, sat at her feet or next to her chair and.... She never had another mistake in our house since and turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It's almost as if she knew this was her place, her job and her responsibility to watch over her adopted Mom.
Princess Stella is Home to stay....
Princess Stella is Home to stay....
AUDREY
While all of our Misfits have stories, most being traumatic and sad, Audrey's stands out. Audrey had been with another rescue for a few months after being found in a dumpster. Yes, a little 7 pound, older Terrier with failing eyesight and hearing dumped like so much trash. She came to the Misfits unexpectedly several months later packed in the back of a plastic crate with 7 other dogs as the other rescue couldn't take care of them anymore. The Misfits couldn't turn their back on these poor pups abandoned again.
The other new pups were not as traumatized as Audrey and quickly found their forever homes. Audrey found a quiet place behind the bathroom sink and wouldn't come out. She would snarl and become feral if anyone or another dog came close to her. But she would eat and even take food out of the Misfit Director's hand. But this was no life for this adorable little pup. She also had 3 large mammary tumors that the Misfit's removed along with several rotten teeth.
A volunteer with the Misfits asked if she could take Audrey into her quiet home. She has two older dogs and hoped that would help Audrey not be so scared. The Director got Audrey into a kennel which was no easy feat. Audrey's first act in her new home was to rip the plumber's glove off her new foster mom's hand and give it a good shaking. Quite a ferocious display from such a little pup!
After she had calmed down and explored she sat down clearly exhausted. The volunteer laid down next to her, talking to her the entire time. It wasn't long before she was getting her head scratched and fell asleep. Audrey quickly calmed down in her new home and the snapping and snarling subsided. In fact, she was becoming an adorable, devoted little lap dog. So, it was time to put her up for adoption.
There was little interest in an older dog with cataracts but one applicant seemed particularly promising. After careful consideration, Audrey was adopted. We thought this was Audrey's happy ending but unfortunately it was not to be. The new adopter called early the next morning and said that we needed to get Audrey. Upon arrival it was clear that something awful had happened as Audrey was hiding behind an end table and was quite distraught. To make a long story short, another dog in the home had attacked Audrey and broken her jaw in three places.
Audrey was rushed to a local vet who helped her with her excruciating pain. Two Misfit volunteers telephoned numerous veterinary clinics to find someone that could perform an emergency jaw surgery on a late Friday afternoon. A vet was secured and Audrey was rushed there so that her jaw could be repaired. She was so scared and in terrible pain. She was taken immediately into surgery and kept over the weekend.
When the Misfits got her out of the hospital Audrey had a large epoxy cast around her entire jaw. It was so difficult for her to eat and drink water. Clearly this was painful for her. It was trying for her foster mother but no one gave up on Audrey. Audrey was trying so hard and just wanted to be loved. Slowly she started to trust again as she recovered.
Then approximately 2 months later someone put in an application on Audrey knowing her current physical disability. The applicants were told all about her and their hearts just melted. They really wanted to adopt Audrey and help her. When they saw her it was love at first sight for all. Audrey got her own home without other dogs. The couple that adopted her took her to their vet who removed the cast and have been working with her on her recovery which will include an additional surgery to repair teeth damaged in the attack. Once Audrey has recovered they are going to explore having at least one of her eyes repaired.
We don't know Audrey's story before she was found in a dumpster. But we know it wasn't good. Then all the trauma she endured afterwards is beyond belief. Yet, this little pup wanted to trust and be loved. She is a survivor. Today, she is loved and spoiled by her new parents who think she is the perfect dog. Audrey is so happy in her new forever home!!
The other new pups were not as traumatized as Audrey and quickly found their forever homes. Audrey found a quiet place behind the bathroom sink and wouldn't come out. She would snarl and become feral if anyone or another dog came close to her. But she would eat and even take food out of the Misfit Director's hand. But this was no life for this adorable little pup. She also had 3 large mammary tumors that the Misfit's removed along with several rotten teeth.
A volunteer with the Misfits asked if she could take Audrey into her quiet home. She has two older dogs and hoped that would help Audrey not be so scared. The Director got Audrey into a kennel which was no easy feat. Audrey's first act in her new home was to rip the plumber's glove off her new foster mom's hand and give it a good shaking. Quite a ferocious display from such a little pup!
After she had calmed down and explored she sat down clearly exhausted. The volunteer laid down next to her, talking to her the entire time. It wasn't long before she was getting her head scratched and fell asleep. Audrey quickly calmed down in her new home and the snapping and snarling subsided. In fact, she was becoming an adorable, devoted little lap dog. So, it was time to put her up for adoption.
There was little interest in an older dog with cataracts but one applicant seemed particularly promising. After careful consideration, Audrey was adopted. We thought this was Audrey's happy ending but unfortunately it was not to be. The new adopter called early the next morning and said that we needed to get Audrey. Upon arrival it was clear that something awful had happened as Audrey was hiding behind an end table and was quite distraught. To make a long story short, another dog in the home had attacked Audrey and broken her jaw in three places.
Audrey was rushed to a local vet who helped her with her excruciating pain. Two Misfit volunteers telephoned numerous veterinary clinics to find someone that could perform an emergency jaw surgery on a late Friday afternoon. A vet was secured and Audrey was rushed there so that her jaw could be repaired. She was so scared and in terrible pain. She was taken immediately into surgery and kept over the weekend.
When the Misfits got her out of the hospital Audrey had a large epoxy cast around her entire jaw. It was so difficult for her to eat and drink water. Clearly this was painful for her. It was trying for her foster mother but no one gave up on Audrey. Audrey was trying so hard and just wanted to be loved. Slowly she started to trust again as she recovered.
Then approximately 2 months later someone put in an application on Audrey knowing her current physical disability. The applicants were told all about her and their hearts just melted. They really wanted to adopt Audrey and help her. When they saw her it was love at first sight for all. Audrey got her own home without other dogs. The couple that adopted her took her to their vet who removed the cast and have been working with her on her recovery which will include an additional surgery to repair teeth damaged in the attack. Once Audrey has recovered they are going to explore having at least one of her eyes repaired.
We don't know Audrey's story before she was found in a dumpster. But we know it wasn't good. Then all the trauma she endured afterwards is beyond belief. Yet, this little pup wanted to trust and be loved. She is a survivor. Today, she is loved and spoiled by her new parents who think she is the perfect dog. Audrey is so happy in her new forever home!!
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PRINCESS ROO
Princess Roo was an owner surrender because the owner could no longer care for her. Her missing limbs were the result of a birth defect. St. Paws Thrift Store donated $500 towards a wheelchair for her. We collected the rest. She has to be fitted for it by making a plaster cast for a mold. She was adopted and will be spoiled the rest of her life.
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Cookie
Cookie was surrendered to us in real bad shape. She had a level 4 heart murmur, and congestive heart failure. She was 10 years old at the time. Her teeth were either missing or rotten and she was extremely overweight. Her owners were breeding dogs out of a tiny apartment. Cookie had never been outdoors. The windows of the apartment were even covered by sheets. We were able to have her mouth cleaned up and got her on a diet and some heart medication. Shortly after the previous owners demanded they get her back! Obviously we said ,"NO". About a week later there was a knock on my door and yes, I was served! They tried to sue me to get her back! We had to make a couple of court appearances in Denver. We took video of Cookies appearance when we first got her. The Judge almost dropped her jaw! We won! Now, 5 years later, this is Cookie today. Her forever Mom that went with me to do battle in court. Gloria says Cookie is still feisty! She has spent a lot of money on veterinary bills, but Cookie is well worth it all. If only we could have saved the rest of the dogs that lived or are being born in that apartment. We can't save them all. Sigh. ~SUE~
McKenzie Rae
McKenzie Rae was found roaming the streets, looking for food. . She was very pregnant and starving. She ended up having a C-section and was too weak and disinterested to nurse her puppies. We bottle fed all 8 puppies. They all got adopted and went to amazing homes. McKenzie remained ill for a while with a low red blood cell count. She eventually got her numbers up and was adopted. It is more than remarkable to see her today
Ivy
Ivy was a dog who was going to be put down by a breeder for a bad eye at 2 weeks old. We took her and bottle fed her for over a month. At one point she wasn't doing well and we took her to the Emergency Hospital. Their they said she had a seizure and again recommended we put her down. We took her elsewhere for a second opinion the next day. They agreed to give her some time, and we are so glad we did. We were planning on removing the eye which was suggested by several Veterinarians. Dr. Joel Brubaker, out of Penrose, told us to wait. He thought it would heal. With eye drops and gluing it shut for a while it did! Now she is 65 pounds and 5 months old. Her new Forever Mom somehow managed to get Ivy a gig as ambassador for PackLeash. It's a dog supply Co. They are going to do a photo shoot soon and she will be used for all their advertisement. Ivy is very happy in her new home and goes for many walks and mountain hikes,
