Author: Kimberly Wilson

Thank you for joining us for last weekend’s 4th annual Yoga + the Animals! The sun peeked through the clouds, a light breeze moved through the trees, and the sweet sounds of animals infused the day.

A BIG thanks to Burleigh Manor Animal Sanctuary for hosting us.

The Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary in Rougemont, NC asked for help saving these pigs from the shelter and we knew we had to support their efforts with a $100 micro-grant.

Here’s the story from their Facebook page:

“This morning one of our local shelters alerted us to 3+ pigs in need.

All three have been at the shelter since early May and one of the pigs is believed to be pregnant, therefore we are hoping to get them to BSAS asap.

When we saw Sisu Refuge‘s plea to help Hank, we knew he was our next $150 micro-grant.

Here’s his story per their Facebook page:

“We received a call late last night about a pig who was found neck deep in a septic tank. Prior to our arrival – A/C had freed him, so we loaded him up and brought him home!

We are scheduling his neuter at the University of Tennessee. Due to his size and age, we have been quoted (a minimum) of $700 for the procedure alone. We are raising money to cover the transport costs, vetting, and the neuter.

Our vet believes he has ingested some of the toxic water and may have aspiration pneumonia. He has received antibiotics and are treating his abrasions currently. Hopefully, the antibiotics will take care of any bacteria that could potentially cause a life threatening infection.“

Here’s Hank a few days later. He appears to be on the mend and looks quite handsome in the pool he just broke! Learn more about Sisu Refuge, a 47-acre farmed animal sanctuary located in Duplin County, NC, HERE.

Meet sweet senior Hugo. Here’s his story per Pug Rescue Austin’s Instagram:

“We were contacted by the Emergency Animal Hospital of Northwest Austin about this senior gentleman, Hugo, who was desperately in need of our help. He was diagnosed with diabetes and the secondary dangerous complication known as DKA or diabetic ketoacidosis. Untreated Hugo will not survive. His owner who is also very ill could not afford his treatment and Hugo was in danger of being euthanized. We immediately stepped in to save him and we are asking for your help. Hugo will need to be hospitalized and receive around the clock care for the next three to four days on IV fluids, insulin, medications and special diet to try to get his high blood sugar levels under control and reduce the toxins in his body. He will need repeated bloodwork and blood sugar levels checked. We are committed to doing everything we can to make sure Hugo survives.”

Update:

“Hugo has been making positive strides. He’s not out of the woods by any means but his overall condition has improved. He’s been sitting up and even came out of his cage for a visit with our medical director. He is still at the Emergency Animal Hospital of Northwest Austin where they are monitoring him closely on his fluids and adjusting his insulin. We are hoping he will improve enough to be released to a medical foster next week. Thank you for all your prayers and donations for this loveable big teddy bear.”

We, too, are in love with Hugo and he’s the latest recipient of a $150 micro-grant. Learn more about Pug Rescue Austin’s work here, consider adopting one of their available pugs (I want ALL of them!), or make a contribution to Hugo’s care here. Thank you for making a difference!

Meet sweet Poppy Pop! We read about her yesterday on Instagram when she was going in for a dental and evaluation and knew she had to be our latest micro-grant!

Sadly, we read the update here on Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue’s Instagram: “Yesterday we found out our sweet foster Polly Pop’s growth is a squamous cell carcinoma and she also has a large melanoma on her tongue. In order to remove it would require radical surgery which would be removal of most of her lower jaw and over half of her tongue. This would be an extensive surgery even for a younger dog with no absolute guarantee. Due to Polly’s age we made the decision to support her with medications and expert holistic therapy from our favorite Dr. Simone Lemieux Pets In Balance Mobile Acupuncture. She isn’t in any pain and is a happy girl! We will support and love her for her remaining days. Opting to choose quality over quantity is often a difficult choice but it is what we are suppose to for the ones we love. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to ask about, prayed for, and donated to our sweet Polly Pop.”

We’ve donated $150 toward her care and will be sending lots of loving thoughts her way in the interim. Isn’t she charming? Read more about Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue’s work here.