Walk Me Home Rescue Group: COVID-19 Operation Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
We pride ourselves on knowing that we are one of the few rescues that will not turn away dogs due to age or illness. The monies were used towards the medical care, treatment and recovery of two dogs rescued from local shelters.
Walk Me Home Rescue Group was excited to receive the Petfinder Foundation grant and be recognized for our efforts in bringing the community together to make a difference and help those without a voice. The grant aided us with our continued goals of clearing the shelters during these tumultuous times. Athena was rescued from the South L.A. Animal Shelter, where she was being overlooked due to her various medical conditions (respiratory problems, open wounds, a skin condition, nasal/ocular discharge, a really bad cough, awful blood work). Marcel was also rescued from the South L.A. Animal Shelter, where he had kennel cough, major ear infections, teeth that needed cleaning and rotten teeth that needed to be extracted; he also needed to be neutered.
How many pets did this grant help?
2
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
The two dogs have both been adopted. Marcel, now Charlie (first four photos), has been adopted by previous WMHRG adopters. Woo hoo! They adopted Gogo a few years ago and they had been looking to add to the family. This adoption is proof that shelter dogs can be the best! Some people think shelter dogs are flawed or something must be wrong with them, or why else would they be discarded/surrendered to the shelter? Well, Charlie is a prime example that there are plenty of perfect dogs waiting in the shelter for loving and responsible families.
Marcel, a tiny little poodle mix, was rescued from the South Los Angeles Shelter. All he needed was a dental and neuter to get him set for an amazing future. His foster and new family have both said that Charlie (Marcel) IS THE PERFECT DOG!
Let’s get straight to what his family has said about Charlie joining the fam: “We adore having Charlie as part of our family. He is a perfect blend of energy and calm. He sits/sleeps next to Dad when he’s working. We initially thought he wouldn’t be a walker, but he goes on two-mile walks with GoGo like a champ. Though he is only 6.5 lbs., he thinks he can take on any dog not in our ‘pack,’ from little dogs to dogs 10 times his size. He and GoGo have become friends and adapted well with each other. The kids like to cuddle with him on the couch. He likes riding shotgun with Dad to get puppacinos. Oh, and we have taught him to shake! Two more fun facts: He can sleep in any room, on any surface. He likes belly rubs on the couch, which usually make him fall asleep in that
position.” Congratulations Charlie, Gogo and Family!
Athena, now Little Barbara (bottom four photos), came to us in July from the South L.A. Animal Shelter. She was in rough shape, with so many things wrong with her. She had respiratory problems, open wounds, a skin condition, nasal/ocular discharge, a really bad cough, and awful blood work. Needless to say, she had a long road ahead of her. But the sweet, well-mannered, silly girl had a will to survive, and survive she did.
She waited patiently to overcome her medical challenges, and in the process she hoped to find a family of her own. We had set up a meet-and-greet for a different dog and Athena tagged along. This is where she caught the eye of our amazing adopters. Lo and behold, she was exactly what they were looking for. I guess things work out just the way they are meant to.
This is what her family has to say about her now: “The moment we laid eyes on this pint-sized weirdo, we knew she was our dog! From her silly, spiky crew cut to her sideways grin, Little Barbara is a true one-of-a-kind. She is literally the easiest dog ever: always happy, always wiggly when she sees us in the morning, and always excited to tag along on all of our adventures.
“We are truly smitten with this 8-lb. cutie, and as her comfort level grows with every passing week, we discover new and mind-blowing personality quirks — like if you say the word ‘buns’ to her, she gets so excited, she starts to sneeze! Thank you, thank you, Walk Me Home! We absolutely love LB and we are so super grateful to have her in our lives!”
We want to thank the Petfinder Foundation for awarding us a 2020 Covid-19 grant to continue helping shelter dogs like Marcel and Athena. Thank you for your continued support and confidence in our rescue.
