On March 26, OHS received an urgent call from the Tri-City Animal Shelter. A 5-week-old Chihuahua mix puppy, abandoned in a mall parking lot, had been brought in that was too young to be kept at the shelter. She was in a temporary foster home but only for two more days.
The tiny pup, named Lena, had been examined by a vet and found to be a very special needs baby. Lena had been born with birth defects: one eye was missing and the other only semi-functional plus her skull had not yet completely closed so there was the possibility of neurological damage.
The options were to immediately find the best resource for her needs or put her down. Our first thought was the wonderful BrightHaven Sanctuary in Sebastopol and we reached out to Susan Hoffman, their rescue coordinator. OHS has worked with Susan on a number of special cases and she was Lena’s best and only hope.
We gathered up Lena from the shelter and took her to ACE veterinary hospital in Fremont for additional care. They were to board her for a week or more and OHS would pay all her costs.
This was the first real opportunity we had to get to know Lena...all 1.1 pounds of her. Thankfully, aside from infected ears and an eye that will need care for the rest of her life, her other bodily functions appeared to be working well including her sweet puppy voice. In her darkness, all she wanted was to be held close and comforted, and to give kisses.
Susan posted Lena on the BrightHaven message board and the calls started coming in. This throw-away puppy touched many hearts. Susan carefully screened offers of help and we discussed what would be the best option for Lena to heal and thrive. We agreed the amazing Mia Foundation in Las Vegas that deals exclusively with animals with birth defects was her best chance. Lou Hendon, founder of The Mia Foundation, didn’t hesitate a second and said, "Bring her to us."
Transportation was the next item on the agenda. An attorney on the BrightHaven message board volunteered to use her frequent flyer miles and bring Lena to The Mia Foundation. She was delivered to the attorney in San Francisco and that evening, a tired puppy departed SFO travelling in First Class—sleeping on the attorney's lap the entire flight! Lena arrived in Las Vegas to the welcoming arms of The Mia Foundation...and a new life and name: Meme.
Meme’s foster mom Kim is just crazy about her adorable little charge. She also has a special needs kitty who was born without the upper bones in his front legs; he walks on his elbows (hence, his name "El Bo"). Bo is scared of pretty much everything and everyone and likes to keep to himself. Kim reports that not only did Meme charm him in less than 5 minutes, he was actually PLAYING with her. Our feisty miracle girl is indeed a charmer, described as a happy little monkey SO full of life and the will to live!
Is one little creature with so much working against her worth all the effort? You bet she is!
Special thanks to:
BrightHaven: Center for Animal Rescue and Holistic Education - www.BrightHaven.org
The Mia Foundation - www.TheMiaFoundation.comThe options were to immediately find the best resource for her needs or put her down. Our first thought was the wonderful BrightHaven Sanctuary in Sebastopol and we reached out to Susan Hoffman, their rescue coordinator. OHS has worked with Susan on a number of special cases and she was Lena’s best and only hope.
We gathered up Lena from the shelter and took her to ACE veterinary hospital in Fremont for additional care. They were to board her for a week or more and OHS would pay all her costs.
This was the first real opportunity we had to get to know Lena...all 1.1 pounds of her. Thankfully, aside from infected ears and an eye that will need care for the rest of her life, her other bodily functions appeared to be working well including her sweet puppy voice. In her darkness, all she wanted was to be held close and comforted, and to give kisses.
Susan posted Lena on the BrightHaven message board and the calls started coming in. This throw-away puppy touched many hearts. Susan carefully screened offers of help and we discussed what would be the best option for Lena to heal and thrive. We agreed the amazing Mia Foundation in Las Vegas that deals exclusively with animals with birth defects was her best chance. Lou Hendon, founder of The Mia Foundation, didn’t hesitate a second and said, "Bring her to us."
Transportation was the next item on the agenda. An attorney on the BrightHaven message board volunteered to use her frequent flyer miles and bring Lena to The Mia Foundation. She was delivered to the attorney in San Francisco and that evening, a tired puppy departed SFO travelling in First Class—sleeping on the attorney's lap the entire flight! Lena arrived in Las Vegas to the welcoming arms of The Mia Foundation...and a new life and name: Meme.Meme’s foster mom Kim is just crazy about her adorable little charge. She also has a special needs kitty who was born without the upper bones in his front legs; he walks on his elbows (hence, his name "El Bo"). Bo is scared of pretty much everything and everyone and likes to keep to himself. Kim reports that not only did Meme charm him in less than 5 minutes, he was actually PLAYING with her. Our feisty miracle girl is indeed a charmer, described as a happy little monkey SO full of life and the will to live!
Is one little creature with so much working against her worth all the effort? You bet she is!
Special thanks to:
BrightHaven: Center for Animal Rescue and Holistic Education - www.BrightHaven.org
Kim, Meme's foster mom, and Bo
Tri-City Voice article by Nancy Lyon, President, Ohlone Humane Society
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