Nathan & Bella

In April 2012, Tucson Tails wrote about a local family with their own special needs who adopted a special needs dog from the PACC kill line. Yesterday I visited the family to find out how everyone was doing.

Everyone is doing great: Nathan, who suffers from cystic fibrosis and other related diseases has grown several inches. He greeted me at the door smiling and talkative. Bella, a pit bull mix, also greeted me with one of those precious pittie smiles and happy tail. Lesli, Nathan’s mom, gave me a warm hug. It was a love fest all around.

Nathan still uses a feeding tube but can eat some normal food now. He turns 8 years old on January 27. The next day he has to go to TMC for a routine partial colonoscopy, endoscopy, and button change. Yet, he is upbeat and a smiling Mr. Personality.

Bella still suffers from Valley Fever; she has some lesions on her legs; and her titer is 1:64. She takes Fluconazole and Tramadol. Bella is under the care of Dr. Mark at Acacia Animal Hospital where some wonderful people have paid it forward so Bella currently has a credit waiting for her veterinary services.

Prior to going to Acacia, Bella (formerly Kavona) was seen by another local veterinary clinic who told the family that the dog would be dead in 2 or 3 months. Wrong! Young Nathan said he wanted to go back and show how wrong those words were. (Gotta love a spunky kid!)

While I was there Pat came home (he’s the husband/dad) and told me a story how his life turned around when his father allowed him to rescue a pit bull.  Pat said that he had a living creature whose well being depended on him and he wasn’t going to fail. He was there for his dog Roscoe.

So Pat took it in stride when Nathan saw Kavona’s photo on PACC and wanted to save a dog’s life. Nathan & Bella are quite bonded, and Bella senses Nathan’s fragility and takes care of him, sitting quietly by his side during Nathan’s breathing treatments.  It looks like one of those a boy and his dog stories that should make us all feel good.

If you would like to help, the family could use Petsmart gift cards (for pet supplies & nail trims) or Fry’s gift cards for prescription refills. You can also contact Acacia Pet Hospital and pay it forward for Bella Contreras.

You can follow the family’s triumphs and challenges on this Facebook page.

A boy’s best friend

This is a feel-good story.

from the press release

(Tucson, Ariz.) – Claire, a 6-year-old shepherd mix, was relinquished to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona in December. She had a rough history of being in and out of shelters – but she was about to get her happy ending.

Marco, 12, was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at the age of 6. The disease affects his vision and unfortunately, by the age 12 Marco was considered legally blind. Marco is also losing hearing in his right ear and many days he is plagued with fatigue and lack of energy. Things like going to school and doing homework can be difficult for Marco because of the fatigue.

But this hasn’t stopped him from keeping a smile on his face and begging his mother for a dog.

This is where the story begins.

Marco and his mother came to the HSSA over the holiday break. Marco picked Claire to do a meet and greet in the yard. When Claire was taken out to meet Marco the bond was instantaneous.

“Normally, Claire is shy and takes a moment to warm up to things, but as soon as I dropped the leash she ran right over to Marco—it was really awesome. I think people forget shelter dogs can be service dogs too” said Jenny, HSSA shelter tech.

And since that meeting, the two are inseparable. She has truly become a companion animal, giving Marco company and comfort.

“I was really excited when I adopted Claire,” says Marco. “I don’t get to do many things because I never feel good, so once I met Claire I was happy. When we met, by the end of the day she was following me around, she always comes to me and it always makes me feel so happy. She really is my best friend.”

Homecoming

Tucson: Japanese Beagle and Owner Reunited – Happy Ending

The Beagle’s owner’s is Joseph Stremlau who is now in the National Guard and a student at ASU. While stationed in Okinawa Japan, he adopted Stephen the Beagle at 6 months old from a “Walmart of Beagles” (i.e. puppy-mill like place).

Stremlau went to great lengths to bring Stephen back to the United States.

The dog who escaped from a friend’s yard was found by a good Samaritan near Dodge & Speedway. At one time, Mr. Stremlau he was stationed here, but was transferred to San Diego and couldn’t take Stephen, so his friend took the dog.

Friends and family notified Stremlau about the found Japanese Beagle. Stephen had surgery to remove a pin in his back leg, and is doing great! Stremlau is very excited to be reunited with his Beagle friend.  The microchip has been updated to reflect the new address in Phoenix. Happy ending.  Here’s the original story.

Tucson Tails loves a happy ending.

Also Sunday, I posted about a dog at PACC that was going to be euthanized on Monday if a special needs adopter or foster care person didn’t come forward. Fortunately, someone did come forward (I don’t know who yet) but thank you! The dog Kavona had been previously adopted from PACC and was neglected and now suffered from Valley Fever. Here’s the original story.

More dogs can leave Pima Animal Care Center if there are more foster homes. Please contact Cold Wet Noses and In the Arms of Angels if you can foster a dog. Thank you.