Category: Updates

Buddy Nation, I met with Bailey and her mom and dad on my lunch hour today. They are concerned about her recovery in their van. I looked inside and there is truly barely enough room for the 3 of them. Plus it’s not the kind of clean that Bailey should have while she recovers. This is a major surgery. She is going to have 3 large incisions. One on her leg, one on her abdomen, and one inside her mouth, plus the one to fix her ear hematoma. She cannot jump into the van, especially with a cone on her head. Mike cannot lift her and neither can Lisa. Our only option is to put them up in a motel for a few nights. I’ll have just enough leftover from the cost of the surgery for two nights. Can you help me get them one or two nights more? It’s a little over $68/night with my discount. I told them I would try. I think we can do this for her. Please share this plea in hopes of getting Bailey her much needed recovery time. I know we can.

If I raise more than the two nights, it will give me enough to take Max to Ohana for XRays, which is going to cost $175. It seems to never end, I know, but I have to keep the faith that the miracles will keep on happening.

Thank you my doggy angels

I just wanted to post a thank you to all the wonderful people who donated towards this precious girl’s surgery tomorrow. Without your help, I’m not sure what her outcome would have been. Your loving and generous support has once again given another homeless Pibble a chance a happy and healthy life. THANK YOU BUDDY NATION! I would especially like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Flying High Pet Resort who donated the majority of funds needed for Bailey. They are one of the constant angels alongside me on this journey. I will never be able to fully express in words what your support has meant to me. There are many MANY others who have been unbelievably generous, not only for Bailey, but from the very beginning with Buddy, Bella, Wilbur, Chico, the puppies, Shadow, Bully, RJ, and Deuce. Have I forgotten any? Probably, lol.

Yesterday I learned of two new Pitties that I will be meeting in the next couple of days. Max lives in the harbor river bottom, and I found out about him through Wilbur’s family. It appears he has a broken toe, but it’s too hard to tell from photos. So I will meet him tomorrow or today after work and see for myself what it looks like. I already contacted Ohana, and they might need to do XRays. I will hopefully have enough money left over after Bailey’s surgery to get this done for Max.

They other Pittie is Nickel. I met him and his owner, Benny, briefly last year. I got a call from my friend Cappi who said they had stopped by the CARL Thrift Store looking for a warm coat and possibly some food for Nickel. Unfortunately, the store was closed yesterday, but Cappi told him I could help him, and found out where their camp is. I will try to go by there today on my lunch hour and see if I can find them. I don’t have a coat or jacket for him, but I do have some warm sweatshirts. Thanks to SPARC I have a huge bag of dog food, and I also still have a couple of sleeping bags from Dawn Lopez, so they should be good for a little while. Next on the agenda for Nickel is a neuter! I believe he is the father of many of the Pits around here, and maybe even Buddy’s dad.

Still on the future agenda is Sadie, the mother of the puppies, and Hogs. Still have not met these two, but made sure they got the free spay/neuter and vaccine literature from Wilbur’s family, and can only pray that they call. Sadie, unfortunately, has had another litter about a month ago, and has killed two of the pups and rejected the rest. I gave formula and bottles to Wilbur’s mom to get to them. We’ll see what happens.

So, my friends, it’s never truly over…the story simple continues…the journey leading us down the path to each new dog that needs our help. Thank you for allowing me to help them with your gifts of supplies and monetary donations.

Debi

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone upon the waters to create many ripples”

My dear friends in rescue, and all the dog loving angels out there who have followed this journey from the beginning with Buddy, I desperately need your help. I feel like I’m back-peddling in getting the funding together for sweet Bailey’s surgery. 2 other dogs…no, make that 6 other dogs, ended up needing help since Friday.

I threw up a quick post about Shadow on Friday, the dog that was handed from person to person, ended up in a fight, and finally was given to Bella’s family, which was actually a darn good choice, and most likely saved him from being abandoned. I got him in to Ohana (they squeezed him in as a favor to me) for his bloody and infected ear and several puncture wounds on his body. They cleaned him up and gave him antibiotics and pain meds. He is doing 100% better today, and is a happy waggy boy again, but that set me back $350. Money that was slated for Bailey’s surgery.

Poor Bailey’s hematoma has filled up 4 times since she first went in to get checked out. Each time Dr. Jill or Dr. Nikki has to drain it costs $40. Again, that takes away from her surgery funds, but has to continue to be done until both the surgery on her ear, and her mast cell tumors are removed on April 9th.

And now Capone has an ear infection. His ear is hanging down and stuff is coming out of it. He needs to see a vet but I can’t take him there. I don’t want to use any more of Bailey’s surgery money. I feel quite helpless.

To top it all off, the thing I dreaded has happened again….Sadie, the dog that had a litter last year, and whose pups I was able to bring into the rescue and adopted into loving homes, has had another litter. I know, I know, why didn’t they get her spayed?! I talked myself blue in the face about it to them. She is reacting the same way with this litter as the last one. She has killed two (probably survival of the fittest), and has officially rejected the rest of the puppies. So off I went to the river bottom on Sunday with bottles and puppy formula. How can I not help? These puppies will need formula for a few more weeks, then worming and their series of vaccines. I’m trying to convince them to let me take them to the shelter where they will be cared for and found a real home. Not just sold on a street corner for $150 apiece. Meanwhile, they will die if they don’t have formula, so I am getting it for them.

I’m just so darn tired, and feeling so helpless. I am asking you to help me spread the word about these dogs, especially Bailey. I will pay for it all somehow, even if I have to make payments to Ohana and use my tax refund. But I sure wish I didn’t have to do that. I’m struggling myself, but I can’t turn away. These dogs are in my life for a reason, and I have to keep moving forward on this journey.

So please, if you can share the fundraiser, and the need to help these dogs, I would be so grateful. And again, I ask, if you can skip one fancy coffee drink or that purchase for something you really don’t need, and donate that $5.00 towards Bailey’s surgery, it would be a God send to me and all these dogs right now.

I feel like all I ever do is ask for your help, but the truth is, I cannot do any of this without you. The more people that know about these dogs and their needs, the more dogs I can ultimately help.

Thank you ~ Debi

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone upon the waters to create many ripples”

Some of you know it was my birthday last week…I turned 26 lol. A dear friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, texted me asking what on earth she could give to someone she loves for their birthday. Something that would ease their stress and allow them to do what they love to do. This amazing friend decided she was going to send a check in honor of my birthday to help Bailey get her surgery! Now THAT’S reason to celebrate!

But we’re not quite to goal yet. We have raised $800 towards the now $1,080 it is going to cost. The cost went up because Bailey’s ear filled up three times since the first time it was drained. Each time it was drained cost $40. Of course I paid it, because I have faith that the dog loving angels of Buddy Nation will come to the rescue and help me finish what I have started here for Bailey.

So please spread the word, and share on your facebook page so we can accomplish another miracle for a sweet dog who otherwise would not have had a chance at a healthy, long life. If everyone who reads this donated $5.00, we would be so very close. Her mast cell tumor and hematoma surgery is scheduled for April 9th. Can we do it? I think we can.

My heart is eternally grateful for all that has been done for these dogs since last year, and we’re not done yet. I have more news but am waiting to get details before I decide to help. More on that later…right now Bailey is at the top of the list. Let’s get this girl back to her healthy, happy self.

Thank you Buddy Nation ~ Debi

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone upon the waters to create many ripples”

I received a text yesterday from Brandi, who as you know is Capone’s mom. She told me there was another homeless Pit she had met that had something wrong with her ear. I texted the number she gave me while I was at work and got hold of the owner. He told me his girl’s name is Bailey and she has a hematoma on her ear that is getting bigger. he sent me a photo and it was VERY large, and I’m sure quite painful. I called Ohana and told them about it, and asked if they could fit her in for an exam today. I told them I didn’t have the funds raised yet, but would cover her visit by Friday with my own money once I got paid. They were amazing, as always, and told me that a hematoma is pretty serious, and might require surgery if draining it wasn’t a permanent fix. They said I could drop Bailey off in the morning and Dr. Jill would squeeze her in between her other appointments. While we were waiting for the doctor, Bailey’s mom and dad showed me a lump on her belly, so I asked if the vet could look at that as well.

I received the call around noon that Bailey was ready for pick up. They drained the hematoma, but advised it may return. If that is the case it will require surgery. Bad news is that the lump is just one of 3 lumps. She has one on her belly, one on her leg, and another on her cheek inside her mouth. The worst news is they are mast cell tumors, which means cancer. Exactly what my sweet Bubby had, and unfortunately will require surgery….sigh.

I can’t let this precious 7 year old girl go without the surgery she needs to save her life. She has been their baby her whole life, and is sweet as pie. So I am once again hoping that the angels of Buddy Nation will come to the rescue. I went ahead and scheduled her surgery for April 9th … and said a prayer.

It’s a tall order in a short amount of time, but I know it can happen. We raised almost that much in two days for Buddy’s surgery, and much much more. These are good people who love their dog. They don’t have much. They live in their van, and are maybe in their 50’s. This dog is their life, and gives them reason to keep going every day. They don’t have money for things like this, but we can help them, I know we can.

So please spread the word about Bailey, and her need of surgery for these mast cell tumors. If you can skip your fancy coffee, if you can forgo that impulse buy at the checkout counter for just one day, and donate that $5.00 instead towards Bailey’s surgery instead, you will be contributing to a healthy, happy and long life for this Pibble angel.

The exam and consult today was $117 and the estimate I was handed for her surgery is $1082.32. Can we do this Buddy Nation? If we all pitch in, I believe we can.

As always, with a grateful heart, I thank you.

Debi

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone upon the waters to create many ripples”

BUDDY NATION I need your help again. I posted Estella a couple of weeks ago, but have not seen her in awhile. When I stopped for gas the other night I saw her and her owner, Tattoo Rob, looking pretty ragged, heading towards CVS. She didn’t have the leash I had given her, and was just walking alongside his bike as he rode slowly. I called out to them and asked what happened to her leash. He told me they were caught in the fire down in the Avenue where their camp was in the river bottom, and all their belongings were burned up. They literally had only the clothes on their backs, a backpack, some water, and not much else. I gave Estella a new leash and collar, and some dog food and treats. They have absolutely nothing now. I need another tent and a sleeping bag asap. If anyone has a bike trailer they can donate, I could use that too so Estella doesn’t have to walk the many miles they cover day to day. Please text me if you are able to help 805-223-0655.

Thank you! Debi

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone upon the waters to create many ripples”

Good morning Buddy Nation!

After seeing Bella yesterday, I truly don’t want her to go back to life on the street just yet. She is still on pain medication, and not eating anything more than the chicken treats I brought her. She needs one or two more nights in a quiet, calm, clean environment. So I am asking for your help. If everyone who read this can give just $5.00, I will have enough for at least another night’s stay for this sweet girl. With my AARP discount, the weekend rate will be $65. Can we do this for Bella? I believe we can. Moving forward on faith, I am going to pay out of pocket for the extra night. I really can’t afford to do this, as I have about $200 to my name to last me two weeks until my next paycheck. With two big dogs, a cat, and bills due, gas for my SUV to transport rescue dogs on weekends, this is going to put a strain on my budget. But I’m going to do it, and hope you all can help me give this gift to Bella and Tina. All it will take is for you to forgo that fancy coffee drink, or unnecessary spur of the moment purchase for this one day to help Bella.

Please share and help our girl if you can.

Thank you ~ Debi

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”

Good morning Buddy Nation!

Well, things certainly can change in just one week! I thought I had everything lined up for speuters for 3 of my homeless Pibbles, but fate stepped in and *poofed* it all to bits!

Those of you who have been following the events know that Deuce has been missing now for two weeks. He has not shown up on VCAS website, either new arrivals or dead animal pick up. My only hope is that a kind person took him in. I don’t want to think of the alternative. We will continue to look for him, but I have a feeling if he hasn’t been spotted yet, he probably won’t be.

Capone’s family was arrested and their RV impounded, which sent Capone and his kitty sister Curious the the shelter. Their entire life is in that RV, any money they had, all belongings and food for themselves and their pets, and Brandi’s mother’s ashes.Brandi is out, and Mike’s court date is today. I went down to the shelter with Brandi on Saturday after AFLAR adoptions to spring her beloved fur-family members. VCAS waived any release fees for Capone, but I had to pay $50 to get Curious out, since their mailing address is Oxnard, and cats have to be licensed in Oxnard…who knew?! They did waive her Rabies vaccine fee, which I very much appreciated. I also had to stop and get Capone and Curious some food for their stay since everything is in the RV. Capone was scheduled for neuter on the 9th. That will have to wait now, as they are staying temporarily with a friend until they know more about what is to happen to Mike. Meanwhile, their home sits in the impound lot accruing fees. I’m not sure what to do about this, but may ask for your help.

Bella’s spay is tomorrow morning. I went to Motel 6 after work and paid for two nights stay so she could begin to heal in a clean, comfortable environment. I would have paid for 3 nights if it had not been for the money I had to pay to get Curious out of the shelter, and the food for Capone and her. If Buddy Nation can help me give sweet Bella the gift of one more night to heal after her spay, I would be so grateful.

If anyone has ideas on what to do about Capone’s RV, and living situation, please let me know. These are good people. They don’t do drugs or drink. They’re just trying to protect what little they have, and cannot seem to catch a break.

As always, if you have donations such as dog food, sleeping bags, tents, blankets, leashes, collars, toys, etc. let me know and I will come pick up from you.

Thank you so much for your continued support. I cannot do it without you!

Debi

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”

Wow, I just realized how quickly this month is flying by! Bella’s spay is scheduled for March 4th! I have that expense covered, but what I would love to do is to be able to put her and her mama, Tina, up in a motel room for a few days so Bella can begin to heal properly. She really shouldn’t be out on the street, especially the first few days.

If Buddy Nation is able to help me out with this, I would love to give them this gift. No amount is too small.

Thank you my angels!

Debi

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone upon the waters to create many ripples”

Thank you Buddy Nation angels! Your donations will help me care for the health and happiness of these precious homeless dogs!  Together we are making a difference in the lives of these precious dogs.

You can help further by sharing this cause with friends and family. This will be an ongoing process as I come across other homeless Pits here in Ventura. The path I’m walking is unexpected and humbling, and I feel blessed to have all the Buddy Nation angels by my side.

With a grateful heart, I thank you ~

Debi

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone upon the water to create many ripples”