Katie's Story of Hope
You may remember Katie’s story. Katie was rescued from a Tennessee kill shelter after living her life outdoors tied up and neglected. She was an 8 year old Alaskan Malamute whose “family” decided she was too old and sick, so they called the shelter to pick her up. Little did they know that their callous act of disregard was the kindest thing they could ever do for this sweet girl, riddled with mammary cancer, heartworm disease and debilitating arthritis. Katie’s prognosis was bleak, but A Pathway to Hope rescue saw hope for this girl, an unwavering spirit and a life that still needed to be lived.
Katie underwent a long, complicated radical bilateral mastectomy on July 3rd, 2012. In the days following surgery, we wondered if we had made a mistake. It was a painful surgery for Katie, and she was in the hospital for four days. But, when Katie came home, we knew we had made the right decision. Despite her discomfort, she was happy and seemingly at peace. Katie’s spirit was still there, and she braved a long recovery. Her new life was way too good not to fight for! The results from the oncologist following surgery were encouraging. Katie needed no further treatment, only monitoring, and she was considered cancer free.
Katie’s next challenge was heartworm treatment. We dreaded putting her through it, and postponed it for several months to allow her time to run and play and enjoy life. When the time came for treatment, Katie was retested, mostly on a whim with a slim hope that the holistic supplements we were giving could have made a difference. We were shocked by the results, and we retested Katie three times. Katie was miraculously heartworm negative. This is unheard of, given that she had never been treated for the disease. Katie was making miracles happen and proving her will to live. It was time to stop worrying about what treatment was next and start letting Katie just live.
Katie’s prognosis is still worrisome. Cancer will likely come back in a year to a year and a half post-surgery. But, Katie doesn’t seem to follow anyone else’s rules. Katie lives her life to the fullest and focuses on today.
So, we revisit that question: Why spend SO much money on one dog, one life, when there are so many more out there in need with longer life expectancies? Our answer remains—Katie has found her happiness, with a family that will love her, a soft bed, a yard to run around in with her four furry siblings and (now) two little boys who love their “puppy.” The first time we saw Katie run was such an amazing experience, and we still smile when we see her run. Katie still has that amazing unsteady, yet unwavering gait that speaks of freedom and hope. Her legs bounce now and drag less, and her body doesn’t seem to be failing quite so much anymore. Her coat is growing fuller and softer, not falling out. She has truly come into her own.
Katie underwent a long, complicated radical bilateral mastectomy on July 3rd, 2012. In the days following surgery, we wondered if we had made a mistake. It was a painful surgery for Katie, and she was in the hospital for four days. But, when Katie came home, we knew we had made the right decision. Despite her discomfort, she was happy and seemingly at peace. Katie’s spirit was still there, and she braved a long recovery. Her new life was way too good not to fight for! The results from the oncologist following surgery were encouraging. Katie needed no further treatment, only monitoring, and she was considered cancer free.
Katie’s next challenge was heartworm treatment. We dreaded putting her through it, and postponed it for several months to allow her time to run and play and enjoy life. When the time came for treatment, Katie was retested, mostly on a whim with a slim hope that the holistic supplements we were giving could have made a difference. We were shocked by the results, and we retested Katie three times. Katie was miraculously heartworm negative. This is unheard of, given that she had never been treated for the disease. Katie was making miracles happen and proving her will to live. It was time to stop worrying about what treatment was next and start letting Katie just live.
Katie’s prognosis is still worrisome. Cancer will likely come back in a year to a year and a half post-surgery. But, Katie doesn’t seem to follow anyone else’s rules. Katie lives her life to the fullest and focuses on today.
So, we revisit that question: Why spend SO much money on one dog, one life, when there are so many more out there in need with longer life expectancies? Our answer remains—Katie has found her happiness, with a family that will love her, a soft bed, a yard to run around in with her four furry siblings and (now) two little boys who love their “puppy.” The first time we saw Katie run was such an amazing experience, and we still smile when we see her run. Katie still has that amazing unsteady, yet unwavering gait that speaks of freedom and hope. Her legs bounce now and drag less, and her body doesn’t seem to be failing quite so much anymore. Her coat is growing fuller and softer, not falling out. She has truly come into her own.
Bianca’s story is one of survival, hope and heartache.
And now, Bianca needs our help
Bianca is a petite, young shepherd mix, who lived her life on a short chain, fed in scarce amounts, and unable to escape being impregnated every time she went into heat. She gave everything she had to her babies, and was starved and near death by the time A Pathway to Hope learned of her dire situation.
An amazing rescuer contacted us about a family of dogs, and a horse, living on chains and starving, eating garbage and scraps of food. The owners have 8 children, no running water and no money for food. They were willing to sell their starving horse, Dreamer, and give up several of their dogs, but not all, as they loved some of the dogs too much to give them up, even after begging, pleading and bribing on our parts.
Bianca was lucky that she wasn’t loved. Bianca and 5 of her puppies found rescue, while the father husky and three puppies remain, despite our efforts. Dreamer (horse) also found rescue, love and a happy life, even if just for a short time. Long term starvation took Dreamer’s life less than a month after her rescue. We believe that she had what she needed in life, and went peacefully, thanks to the love and support of so many.
Bianca was found to have heartworms and a severe heart murmur, which we initially believed to be from the heartworms. She appeared to recover quickly. She gained weight, her coat was shining, and we were hopeful her condition had improved. But, we soon learned that Bianca’s condition was far more grave (PDA and pulmonic stenosis), and without surgery, we would lose her. There was no choice or alternative for us. We scheduled Bianca for surgery on April 4th, not knowing exactly how we would cover the cost, but knowing that we were going to give her a chance at the beautiful life that she so deserves.
Diagnostics for Bianca’s condition have totaled near $1,000. Her surgery was estimated at $6,000, but the cardiologist and specialty hospital is working with our rescue to discount this rate to $3,000. Bianca’s heartworm treatment to follow surgery is estimated at $250.
Bianca has no idea she is sick. She loves her foster family, dogs and humans alike, and wants to run, jump and play like the other dogs. Bianca is content to have a full belly, warm home and a special place on the couch to sleep and snuggle.
We ask Dreamer to watch over Bianca and to give her the chance that Dreamer didn’t have. And, we ask you to help us help Bianca. All funds raised will go directly towards Bianca’s medical care, and any extra funds will go directly to helping her family members that are still out there, that we are still fighting for. Donations can be made online by clicking the donate link below or to A Pathway to Hope, PO Box 165, Hawthorne, NJ 07507.
Family in Urgent Need of a Christmas Miracle
Looking for a Christmas miracle to help us bring this sweet family along their Pathway to Hope for the New Year! This pathetic family lives on a run down property in rural Georgia. Daddy is a husky mix, and he lives on the porch, on a 3 foot chain. He is never walked or allowed to run free, because he will jump the 3.5 foot picket fence. Mama is a pitbull, and she lives within that fence in the backyard with her babies and no shelter. Daddy got loose one day, and mama ended up with puppies. They all live outdoors, through the bitter cold winter and the hot summer. There were 10 puppies.
The family has since given away 3 of them, likely to be chained in someone else's yard. They are 7 weeks old. We are seeking your help to save this family. They refuse to give up the parents, but we are going to offer them money in hopes that they will choose to take the money for their children at the holidays and let these dogs go to a better place. We need your help to save this family immediately before they give away any more babies and before we lose any of them to parasites or the elements. Funds are needed to secure the family, provide them with proper vetting, transport them from GA to NJ and likely board the parents. If they refuse to give up the parents, we will offer to spay / neuter them and provide them with food and a better shelter. We are told that animal control in this town is lousy, and they will put mama down immediately if we call.
The family has since given away 3 of them, likely to be chained in someone else's yard. They are 7 weeks old. We are seeking your help to save this family. They refuse to give up the parents, but we are going to offer them money in hopes that they will choose to take the money for their children at the holidays and let these dogs go to a better place. We need your help to save this family immediately before they give away any more babies and before we lose any of them to parasites or the elements. Funds are needed to secure the family, provide them with proper vetting, transport them from GA to NJ and likely board the parents. If they refuse to give up the parents, we will offer to spay / neuter them and provide them with food and a better shelter. We are told that animal control in this town is lousy, and they will put mama down immediately if we call.
