In November of 2008 we received a call from a woman in Greenville Ohio who was losing her home to foreclosure. She had 4 Dalmatians that she needed to relinquish before the end of January 2009.

FOUR Dalmatians! Lilly aged 8. Patrick, Skyler and Holly are 6 yrs old littermates. As we talked she mentioned that she took them to fairs and showed them in obedience in their younger years. We took a deep breath and made arrangements to take all four after Jan 1^st.

Holly is the shy one, Patrick, Skyler and Lilly lovable. Lilly had neck surgery (Laminectomy on C2-3) in 2006 at Ohio State. Skyler had a urethostomy done in 2006 due to bladder stones, is on UD and Allipurinol daily.　Holly came to us with a tumor (suspected osteoma) on her elbow. Patrick, thank goodness, only came with a smile.

We knew we were taking on a challenge. Their age, their medical histories didn’t make them easily adoptable but they needed us. We had their shots updated at their vet in Ohio before transport. They noted that, upon examination, Skyler had a palpable mass in his abdomen. A "cystic calculi" they could feel!? Rut – ro..

They arrived in PA on Jan 13 and Skyler was peeing blood from his ostomy site. He was rushed to the ER vet who did an exam, urinalysis and Ultrasound. Sure enough there was a stone and a raging urinary tract infection. He was put on antibiotics. Our vet wanted to give the antibiotics time to do their job and scheduled surgery for Jan 20^th. An incision was made beside, and under his penis and two very large stones were removed!!

Skyler is an absolute DOLL who is a whole lot happier these days! He has a foster home lined up and will be making his way there once his sutures are out.

His bill is $1541.37 and we have not been able to pay it as of Jan 27, 2009. We desperately need some financial help.

Boy, Sarcoma is a scary word and it was uttered on Jan 15, 2009 when our vet saw Holly and aspirated the lump on her leg. Stones can be removed, cruciate ligaments can be fixed, heartworm can be treated and those dogs will find homes. Usually, a dog with a diagnosis of cancer is not adoptable. Yes, if there is room in our rescue homes it will live out the rest of their lives with us, but there is little room to spare right now. Our vet’s tentative diagnosis was Osteosarcoma (a malignant tumor) or Osteoma, which is a benign tumor. We chose to have it removed and Holly had surgery today Jan 27, 2009. The vet also removed another small growth. Both are being sent out for pathology. We won’t have the results for a few days.

Holly’s vet bill is $1449.78 and is unpaid as of today (Jan 27). You may ask why we took the gamble and operated. # 1… biggest reason is that Holly has an EXCELLENT home waiting for her if it’s NOT cancer. #2…nothing is impossible for a willing heart – sappy, I know but we’ve lived by it for 12 years and it works for us. If it is cancer…she will come to live with me for whatever time she has left and I will have to continue to lie to my mother about the number of dogs I live with.

Believe in angels. Lilly is living under the wings of some right now. An adopter of ours, with children and grandchildren, who love the breed, stepped up to take Lilly in. It’s a foster situation that we hope will grow into a forever. Lilly has a 9 yr old child and a big lovable Golden Retriever making her feel loved and welcome. These kind folks want to take care of Lilly’s vet expenses.

What can we say? Patrick came in with a smile that placed him right smack dab in a forever home. If Holly’s test results are favorable she will be joining him in his forever home. It doesn’t get much better than that, folks.

I know times are tough. They are for us as well, donations are down. If you can find a few extra dollars lying around please send them along to us to help with Skyler and Holly’s vet bills?

You can donate using paypal – dalmatianrescue@comcast.net or by check to

WHDR

PO Box 11

Royersford, PA 19468

All donations are tax deductable.