Jacques wandered into the yard of a kind couple in a small town near the shelter.  They found him barely alive, snuggling up to their Dachshund for comfort.  They called the humane society in their town, but there was no way they could handle such a drastic situation, so the humane society volunteer called HUA to help.  We knew it would be bad but weren’t quite prepared for what we saw when he arrived.  Jacques had been torn up by another animal, perhaps a dog, perhaps a wild animal, but something definitely large in size.  He had tears in his neck, sides, rear and scrotum.  The wounds were terribly infected and maggots were everywhere.  Our vet in Nebraska City had left his clinic for the day, but was called back in.  While trying not to faint from the sight and smell, Jacques was rushed in to be triaged.  His wounds were cleaned and he was sewn up in several places, while other places had to stay open for wounds to drain.  He came to Omaha the next day where he spent the week at another veterinarian’s office being treated for infection and making sure all of the creepy crawlies were gone.  Jacques is now back at the shelter where he is on antibiotics for two weeks and has to have special salve applied to his wounds several times a day.  His blood counts were not good due to infection and being so malnourished so he will need to wait for his general vet work (neuter, dental, microchip) for at least another three weeks.  He needs time to heal.  The HUA vets are very optimistic about his recovery.  Jacques is being kept clean and enjoying his quiet rest times in his new soft dog bed.  He is very much liking the soft canned food with whole peas and carrots in it and doesn’t mind taking his pills at all if they are in this delicious treat.  A week has already brought about a rapid change for Jacques.  He could barely lift his head on the day he came in and didn’t have the strength to eat.  He is now standing, walking and very interested in food.  Although his wounds hurt badly he is taking comfort in the people caring for him at HUA.  Please think of Jacques during his recovery.  If you would like to help with his medical bills please click here to donate online or text GIFT to 20222 to donate $10.  Data rates and standard text messaging charges may apply.  We thank you and Jacques thanks you for caring so much about him.  Without you we could not save dogs like Jacques who need more time and attention than most shelters can give.  Jacques’ story easily could have had a sad ending, but together we will fight to make sure it is a happy one.  If you are interested in adopting Jacques once he has recovered please write to us at hua@hua.org.

UPDATE:  Jacques was adopted and is doing beautifully!  He is featured in our holiday mailing.  Click HERE to sign up for our snail mail mailings.

Rosalee was found abandoned in a small town known for puppy mills.  She was filthy, malnourished and very afraid.  She lost 19 teeth at her first visit to the HUA vet.  She was relieved to be at the shelter where she had good food, warm blankets and people to care for her.  She felt so much better after her teeth were pulled and the infection in her mouth cleared up, but soon we realized that Rosalee was weak and her gums were pale.  It was discovered that she was severely anemic.  Rosalee has been in foster care in Omaha for a month and is fighting an uphill battle.  While treating her anemia with medication to try to get her body to start making red blood cells it was discovered that Rosalee had a heart condition as well.  Overnight she could barely breath and had to be rushed to the vet.  The veterinarian had to stop treating the anemia in order to get her heart condition under control.  Once her heart improved her red blood cell count dropped to such dangerous levels that she had to have a blood transfusion.  The hope was that she would continue to make red blood cells on her own once her blood was replaced with that of a healthy dog.  Sadly, after a couple of weeks her cell count has dropped again.  Rosalee is scheduled to have her spleen removed this week.  Through all of this Rosalee has been a happy girl.  She was once afraid of humans but now she dances and delights in the company of her foster mom.  She begs to be held and appears as if she has been in a home all of her life.  She has a voracious appetite and thinks the breakfasts and dinners at her foster home are worthy of a 5 star review.  Rosalee is facing several more weeks of recovery and waiting to find out if the splenectomy will fix her anemia problem.  At HUA every dog is precious and deserves every chance they can have at a happy, healthy life.  Please help us root for Rosalee in her recovery.  She is very special to us and to her foster mom, Auntie Jean.  Rosalee would love to have a home after her recovery.  If you are interested in adopting this sparkly-eyed little ray of sunshine please write to us at hua@hua.org for more information and we will keep you updated on her progress.  Click here to donate online to help with Rosalee’s extensive medical bills, or text GIFT to 20222 to donate $10 via text.  Data charges and standard text messaging rate may apply.  Please think of Rosalee this week while she recovers from her big operation.  Your support means the world to us and to Rosalee.