Puppy Breath!

As you may be aware, the pet overpopulation problem in the Southern states is overwhelming. On a daily basis, hundreds of perfectly adoptable dogs, including puppies, are euthanized simply because there is no where for them to go. One of my favorite organizations, Saving Shelter Pets, Inc., has created an innovative rescue program called Puppy Promises. Through this program, Saving Shelter Pets intervenes when an owner wants to surrender a litter of puppies to a shelter. The owner of the puppies agrees to quarantine the puppies for several weeks, and Saving Shelter Pets spays the mother dog, as well as any other intact pets in the household. By keeping the puppies out of shelters, Saving Shelter Pets keeps these cute little guys out of shelter environments, where they often contract parvo or other deadly diseases. The litters of adorable puppies are then transported to adoption centers and no-kill facilities in the Northeast, where they are quickly snatched up by happy adopters.

As spring approaches, puppies and kittens are flooding into the shelters. Right now, Saving Shelter Pets has 22 Puppy Promises puppies waiting to hitch a ride to the Northeast. Each puppy needs $35.00 to cover their "fare" on their way North. Can you buy one pup his or her ticket to ride? Click here to donate!


Saving Shelter Pets (SSP) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization. SSP facilitates rescues from high-kill animal shelters and promote spay & neuter, in an effort to give all pets the chance at life they truly deserve.

SSP is a small, all-volunteer organization with supporters and volunteers located throughout the country. SSP relies solely on donations to continue its rescue and spay/neuter efforts.

SSP is one of my FAVORITE rescue organizations. Through a group of dedicated online volunteers, SSP facilitates rescue from high-kill Georgia shelters. The group also has a WONDERFUL forum for pet lovers and anyone looking for ways to help shelter pets.

The Devastation of Parvo: Can You Help Save This Pup?

Parvo: Puppy Killer

Parvo is an absolutely devastating, highly-contagious viral canine disease. It most often strikes puppies, and typically, those infected with Parvo have only a 50% chance of survival. Puppies and adult dogs are usually vaccinated against Parvo, but shelter pups, who have often never received their puppy shots, are extremely susceptible to this terrible disease.

It is also extremely easy to spread Parvo, and the virus itself is extremely hardy. Most disinfectants don't kill it, and it can live in the environment for five months or longer.

In puppies, the virus usually takes about 7-10 days to incubate, which means that up to a week may pass after exposure before the puppy shows symptoms, or before the pup tests positive for parvo. The first symptoms of Parvo usually include a high fever, lethargy, depression, and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, symptoms include vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Left untreated, the disease progresses to dehydration, shock and death. For more excellent information about Parvo, please visit the Working Dogs website.

Parvo Pup Needs Your Help!

Recently, I received an urgent plea for some pups at the St. Martin Parish Animal Control Facility. Three pups came in, and over the course of just a couple days, their physical health rapidly deteriorated. A kind soul brought the sickly pups to the vet, where they were diagnosed with Parvo. Unfortunately, as of this morning, two of the puppies have died. Their young systems just couldn't beat this devastating disease. One puppy is fighting to survive.

This little girl, 444518, is a baby rottweiler mix, and she's fighting for her life to survive.





Given the severity of the disease, the costs for treating the puppies, both the puppies that didn't make it, and the one puppy that is fighting for her life, are going to be enormous.

If you have a few spare dollars, please consider donating it to help offset the costs of treating the pups. Donations can be made to the St. Martin Humane Society. Please note that the donation is for the "parvo pups."All donations are tax deductible.

If you can't donate, please consider cross-posting this plea for help, or please send your prayers and/or good vibes to the one pup fighting for her life.

UPDATE 3/20: I'm very sad to report that the remaining "Parvo pup" has gone over the Bridge. She appeared to be doing a little bet better, and then she was gone. Thank you to anyone who donated, cross-posted, or sent prayers or good thoughts to the sick puppies.


In loving memory of the two babies who didn't make it. May you find love, health, and peace at the Bridge.