Maggots have burrowed deeply into her face and tunneled through to her neck. However, since the fur on her neck is so badly matted, you cannot see the carnage that lies underneath. You can only see maggots pop out around the edges and through her ear. It is absolutely horrifying and smells of rotten meat. As maggots grow, they begin feeding on a dog’s skin and tissues. They eventually produce a special salivary enzyme that is capable of liquefying intact skin. As the maggots feed, this destructive salivary enzyme actually digests the dog’s skin, creating full-thickness, punched-out skin lesions (sores) within a matter of hours. The maggots move into these cavities. They continue feeding on exposed skin and enlarging the raw openings, creating a perfect environment for severe secondary bacterial skin infections. Some flies can secrete toxic substances into these wounds. If a dog becomes heavily infested with maggots, it can go into shock. In Antonia’s case, the maggots could have also already done irreparable damage to her sinus cavity, ear canals or even brain.

Since Antonia has such a high fever, she is being started on IV fluids immediately. Her medical team will have to do a full blood panel to see if she is stable enough to be put under to shave/cut off her matted fur with a scalpel… it is that hard. Pain medication and antibiotics will also be given through her IV. We won’t know anything more about her condition until her medical team can dig deeper and flush the maggots out. The abuse that this girl has endured is gut wrenching and makes absolutely no sense at all. The lack of morality in some neighborhoods in Chicago seems to progressively be getting worse. God help us all.

September 6^th:  TAF transferred Antonia over to our regular vet today. The poor girl is literally dying to scratch and rub her head and face to alleviate the itching, but then her ear is so painful and sore that she can’t lie her head down properly so she just sits and stares in misery. It’s really hard to see. TAF’s vet said she needed to sedate her and really scrub her head and neck clean as infection is already seeding the area, despite the antibiotics. (The brown and red marks on Antonia’s skin are a result of the maggots eating away at her skin.) She will also be looking more deeply/closely into Antonia’s ear (her right one) to figure out what is going on that is so very painful. We want Antonia to get some relief and comfort so she can rest and settle down to begin healing. It’s clear our girl has never had a good day in her life and it’s almost like she has post traumatic stress from the maggots crawling around her poor face, neck and ears. Antonia is now hospitalized.

September 8^th:  TAF visited Antonia at the hospital today. She clearly felt better because she was very happy to see us, vocalizing and jumping around. Her ear is much less raw and inflamed though she still tilts her head a bit to that side. Antonia is receiving medication and painkillers twice a day for her ears and has started to fight them less, which we hope is a sign the pain and inflammation are reducing inside the ear as well. Antonia’s head and neck are still very scabby and itchy from where the infection is. The vet staff is applying silver sulfadiazine cream to the raw areas. (Silver sulfadiazine works by stopping the growth of bacteria that may infect an open wound. This helps to decrease the risk of the bacteria spreading to surrounding skin, or to the blood where it can cause a serious blood infection (sepsis)). Antonia will be re-assessed tomorrow to determine the best course of action. We want to be sure her pain and discomfort is completely managed before moving her, and will do whatever it takes to make sure that is possible. Antonia’s medical team can more aggressive with her pain management, than we can, so we are leaving it up to them.

September 22^nd:  It has been a couple weeks since Antonia came to us with a maggot infestation on her face, head and neck.  But it was her severe earaches that would cause her excruciating pain. Even after two weeks on ear antibiotics, the infectious bacteria inside her right ear is still present. She is about to start her third round of antibiotic ear drops.

In addition to all of this, almost all of the scabs that covered Antonia’s neck, head and face have fallen off. Her new skin underneath is incredibly sensitive and she is very cautious when you put your hand near her head, face or neck… some of this is also a reaction to the neglect and abuse of her past.

Antonia has gone into heat so it is going to be awhile before she can spayed and ready for adoption. Until then, she will be hanging out with her therapy buddies Antler, Miller and Hazel Grace. As you can see in the photo, Antonia likes to sit with her foster mom Antler.

October 12^th:  After ER hospitalization and weeks of doctors’ appointments, Antonia went in to have her ears scoped yesterday. We are happy to announce that Antonia’s ears have fully healed and that she was able to be spayed.

As you can imagine, after such neglect, Antonia has been a little shy at times. She has been in a foster home and we have been working with her day and night to build up her confidence. She has made great strides and we are really looking forward to finding her a home that would cater to her needs.

October 20^th:  AFTER MANY WEEKS OF RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE, ANTONIA IS NOW READY FOR ADOPTION!

On September 2nd, Antonia was found behind a garbage can in a Chicago alley. Antonia’s face, head and neck were covered in maggots and they were eating away at her skin. As bad as this was, it was the excruciating pain of her raging ear infections that brought Antonia to her knees.  She has now received a clear bill of health and is ready for adoption.

Antonia is a 15-pound, 1-year-old shih tzu/poodle mix who loves to snuggle, hang out and sit on your lap. She is a low maintenance girl who is very friendly and loving, but can take a minute to warm up to people. Antonia would be best in a home where she can be the one and only, or with another very chilled out little dog. She just isn’t sure what to make of other dogs, but seems to enjoy their company. In addition, we believe it best that Antonia not go to a home with young children. As you can imagine, after such neglect, Antonia has been a little hand shy at times and we don’t want to set her up for failure.

If interested in adopting Antonia, please visit our website (www.trioanimalfoundation.org) and click on the adoption icon. There you’ll find information about our adoption program as well as the application

The post Once Infested With Maggots, Antonia Is Now Like a New Dog! appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Facebook used Liz Marie was the one to come across Boo lying with the trash at the curb.  In her Facebook post, she describes how heartbroken she was just at the sight of him.  Her post came to the attention of Devin Oliver, the founder of the Detroit Youth and Dog Rescue.  He knew he had to go get him right away.

This picture absolutely breaks my heart, I am literally in tears. Meet Boo, this beautiful boy was left behind with the trash and belongings when the family moved out. He stayed right by their stuff and never left it, confused and lonely. He was rescued by Mike Diesel after a neighbor contacted him because Boo had been discarded outside for over a week. Mike spent 11 hours working to gain Boo’s trust so he could rescue him. He is being cared for by Mike and the Detroit Youth and Dog Rescue (which he founded). If anyone is interested in adopting him or donating to his care, contact detroityouthanddogrescue@gmail.com
Or call into Groesbeck Animal Hospital at 586-463-7387 Detroit Youth & Dog Rescue photo source: Mike Diesel and Detroit Youth and Dog Rescue.

It wasn’t easy.  Oliver took several days building trust with Boo before he could be rescued.  It was a lot of hard work, but it’s just what Oliver does.  Boo was eventually brought to a vet, and aside from being very hungry, thirsty, and understandably depressed, Boo was in good condition.

The whole rescue program is actually run through fosters, and does not have a physical address of its own.  Since 2014, Oliver and his team have been able to rescue and rehome about 75 dogs.  Boo has gotten some attention through social media, and some people have even called asking about him.  However, no one has stepped up yet.

If you think that Boo could be the dog for you, you can click here to be taken to the rescue’s website for more information.

The post Dog Dumped at Curbside After Family Moves Needs a Loving Forever Family appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Truman is a neutered two-year-old Labrador retriever/American Pit Bull Terrier mix. He has a very long story that includes near death when he was first found as a stray with Lepto. He is currently in a loving Foster home in Rhode Island.

Young Truman is a very special dog. He is absolutely adorable, the photos don’t do him justice. Everyone who meets Truman quickly falls in love. He is young, and sweet, and affectionate. Truman likes to take a walk but does not require a ton of exercise. He is what we would call medium energy. He has made a few dog friends over the last few months, and tons of human friends!

Truman does have a condition called a rare muscular condition called Myasthenia Gravis and as a result, he also has Megaesophagus. He will need to eat upright for the rest of his life but he has a special chair that props him up for meals. The chair, all of his supplies and lots of support comes with Truman when he finally finds his forever home. We are happy to provide as much support as needed to his adoptive home in helping them learn about MegaE.

Truman knows his basic commands, he is potty trained, crate-trained, and walks very well on a leash.

The post Truman is an Adorable Dog with a Big Heart in Need of a Special Loving Home appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Starbucks in the State of Washington has started a new program that’s all about dogs.  They feature a special, “Dog of the Week” drinking a “Puppuccino” and the whole idea is to hopefully spur more adoption in the area.

Every Tuesday, a volunteer brings a dog from the Kitsap Humane Society to a local Starbucks for a specially made Puppuccino.  The dog also gets to hang around for a while and greet customers as they come in, and they are featured as available for adoption on the shelter’s website.

In case you were wondering or maybe even worried, no they’re not actually giving coffee to dogs.  The specially made “brew” is actually just a cup of whipped cream.  What dog isn’t going to love that?  The dog is even photographed sipping their drink, and the photos have such a charm to them.

This can take place at any number of Starbucks locations in Washington.  A poster of the dog that will be coming in for that day is even posted in the store a few days before, so people can come and met the dog for a possible adoption.

If the program is successful, you may even see this going on at a location near you.  Stay with Life With Dogs for more details on any expansion the program may be doing in your town!

The post Starbucks in Washington Features “Dog of the Week” to Boost Local Adoptions appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

all they had left was each other.  Many have tried to adopt Beatrice (the little one), but no one wanted her best friend, too.  They need a home together, so if you live in the Atlanta area, please consider giving them a chance!

Rocko the tan male and Beatrice the small female.
They are both about 3 years old and were owner surrendered to us.

This pair had their world turned upside down when they entered the shelter.
Confusion and despair.
All they knew and had left was each other. We just have to keep them together.

We’ve had many people want to adopt only Beatrice, but they would be lost without each other.
Open your heart and your home to both of these special pups.

The post People Want My Best Friend, But No One Wants Me appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

She’s currently residing at a shelter run by Dogs Trust.  She also had her best friend, another Chihuahua called Winky, with her when she got to their rehoming center.  The staff loves them both very much, and would really love to see them adopted out together.

Re-homing Center manager Nicki Barrow said, “Kendall is an adorable girl who is a real wizard when it comes to making new doggy friends.  She has been conjuring up so much love from her care-givers here so we are really surprised that she hasn’t yet found her perfect home.  It’s amazing how much she looks like Dobby and just like her doppelganger, she is such a loyal, funny character who would make a fantastic family pet in the right home.  As much as we love her here, we would enjoy nothing better than to see her potter off to a new home with the loving new family she deserves.”

Westley Pearson, director of claims at Animal Friends said, “Often times we hear stories of dogs arriving at rehoming centers and whilst the majority of these dogs go on to find their forever home, it is a sad truth that a percentage remain at the center.  We hope that Dobby, with her unique features and mischievous nature can find her own forever home.  Thankfully, we are now seeing an increase in rescued pets having insurance which means they are being rehomed to responsible households.”

Dogs Trust has launched a campaign, calling on all Harry Potter fans.  They hope to find someone that sees the resemblance she bears to Dobby, and give her the forever family she deserves.

The post Dog That Looks Like Dobby From Harry Potter Seeks New Family appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Today’s Adoptable Dog of the Day is Sandy!

Sandy here is a young mountain cur.  She’s got lots of energy, and loves to go for long walks and hikes, and lots of outdoor fun and play are a must for her.  She’s also a very smart dog as well.  She loves to learn new tricks, and listens very well when instructed.

The post LWD Presents: Sandy, Our Adoptable Dog of the Day! appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

The post Biscuit Learns What Life “Off the Chain” Means appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

[iframe id=”http://abcnews.go.com/video/embed?id=36736638″]

According to David Ramirez of the Liberty Humane Society, the pair were spotted traipsing about Jersey City’s Liberty State Park a few days before the storm hit.  When animal control officers attempted to capture them, the black dog allegedly lunged, and the officer shot him in self-defense.

He was not critically injured, and the dogs bolted.  Animal control set up a live trap, and days later, as the area was battered by wind and heavy snowfall, the boys were caught.

“I absolutely believe the two truly needed each other to survive at the time,” Ramirez told ABC News. “With one having been hurt and bleeding and then with the blizzard coming down, there was definitely a time crunch to capture them and get them to medical care.”

The black dog was taken in for surgery, and it was determined that the bullet had exited his neck and didn’t cause any major damage.  They were then put in the care of Liberty Humane Society.  Staff called the black dog Braveheart for his steel nerve, and the brindle dog was called Faithful for the allegiance he showed to his friend.

Workers believe they have such a good rapport because they may be littermates.

“While Braveheart was away, we had a miserable Faithful on our hands,” Ramirez explained. “He was crying relentlessly for Braveheart, and it was immediately obvious how bonded together they were.”

Last week they were reunited, and “everyone could sense their relief when they finally saw each other again.”

.

“They’re very well trained,” Ramirez noted. “They knew a lot of commands like sit, stay, down and roll over, so we’re thinking they may have come from the same home. Neither were microchipped.”

The shelter is hoping someone will step up to give them a home together, as it’s obvious that separating them would break their hearts.

“It’s really hard to imagine them without each other at this point, especially after all they have been through,” Ramirez concluded.

If you’re interested in adopting Faithful and Braveheart, please CLICK HERE

The post Devoted Dog Stays with Injured Brother During Blizzard appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Sorry we don’t have a better photo!

This plea comes from Twenty Paws Rescue:

Living in a boarding facility for 4 YEARS. Ariel loves everyone. How no one has fostered or adopted her is beyond us. Great in the home. Great with kids and all humans. Please share!

***NEEDS FOSTER OR ADOPTER***

Meet Ariel. This precious 6 year old 60ish lb brindle shepherd pit mix has a world of love to give! Ariel absolutely LOVES humans and children. With a heart of gold, Ariel will even let you play with her and her food dish while she is eating and loves to dress up in any costume or outfit! What a gem! Who could ever resist those soulful eyes, perky smile, and expressive ears? She looks forward to the day she can play, snuggle, and spoil her human! At this time, Ariel lives in a boarding facility. This is no life for any dog. Unfortunately, and by no fault of her own, the right family has yet to come along for her.

Before she was dumped in a high kill shelter, the only life she knew was as a breeding machine and mommy. Once her ‘family’ no longer had any use for her, they dumped her in a rural TN shelter. Not only was she abandoned and on death row, but she was stuck in a location where it is ILLEGAL to adopt out a dog with any pit in them. Inevitably, Ariel was scheduled for death. Needless to say, Ariel did not die that day. She began a new life as a Twenty Paws dog. At a convenient 60 lbs, this doll yearns to finally know what it’s like to be someone’s baby. She cared for so many in the past, and they were all stolen from her. No one cared for her at all.

She lavished at her newly found freedom and second chance. Eternally grateful to the vet staff for their determination to improve her health, Ariel showers them with kisses and wiggles. Truly, now it is her turn to experience love and affection.

Every night, Ariel dreams that someone will be her hero. Every night, she dreams that she can become part of a family. Could it be your family? Ariel deserves more than a life behind bars and a cold metal bed. Please consider fostering or adopting this survivor.

If interested in fostering or adopting, please email us at twentypawsrescue@gmail.com or info@twentypawsrescue.com. **Due to a gmail glitch, we lose some emails. So if you do not hear back from us please follow up! We respond to all emails!**

Twenty Paws Rescue is located in Brooklyn and Pennsylvania. The Facebook thread for her can be found by clicking here.

The post Four Years in a Cage Is Too Many – Let’s Find Ariel a Home appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

We’re not sure if you caught it or not, but in case you did not, here’s Herbie. Herbie is a rescue dog, saved from the city pound in Chicago, Illinois by PAWS Chicago. A recent video making its way across the internet shows Herbie smiling for a piece of cheese, and it’s just 100 percent adorable.

The video was posted to PAWS Chicago’s Facebook page by Amanda Robles, with the following caption:

“Don’t you hate when people catch you trying to perfect your selfie smile? Herbert doesn’t seem to mind showing off his pearly whites to impress his future family (especially for the treat he was being offered offscreen).”

The post Herbie and His Smile Are Taking the Internet by Storm appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Foster mom Ashley Shuckerow told WKYC News the on that Thursday morning, the dog was not acting like her usual self and was making “a lot of racket.” Shuckerow went to investigate what was wrong with the dog and when she went to the home’s lower level, the woman realized the house was extremely cold. The furnace had malfunctioned.

A repairman was called to check on the furnace and it was him who told the Shuckerows they wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for Dulce’s trained nose.

“The guy said the carbon monoxide [was] probably flowing into our house,” said Shuckerow, “[Dulce] sensed it long before we ever would have.”

The furnace was replaced and all family members and dogs residing in the house are no longer in any danger.

Shuckerow says that because Dulce is deaf, her remaining senses are stronger. It was that special quality in Dulce that saved their lives.

If you want to give Dulce a permanent home, contact Mercy’s Door Pet Rescue and give Dulce what she has been longing for – a home of her own.

The post Deaf Shelter Dog Saves Foster Family from CO Poisoning appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

When Needy was brought into the Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia (ACCT), all he had to his name was a ratty old teddy bear he came in with.  When his bear was taken away because it was a health hazard, it would’ve seemed as if he lost everything.  However, the great people at the ACCT have given Needy so much more.

No one working at the ACCT knows why this sweet little dog was given up.  He’s so kind and gentle and everyone there just loves him.

“He is very loved at the shelter by all his volunteer friends and was making everyone he met fall in love with him,” said Kimberly Cary.  Cary is a volunteer with rescue group Chester County Dog Tails.  “The volunteers say he is shy but he warms up to you and loves resting his head on your shoulders and is very loving and playful!”

Even though Needy couldn’t keep his teddy bear because there are policies in place to safeguard the health of the dogs in the ACCT shelter, he didn’t lose everything.  The wonderful people there got Needy placed with Diamonds in the Ruff Rescue.

Going to Diamonds in the Rough is a great step towards finding a forever home for Needy.  They decided to take him in, and have started calling him Fozzie Bear.  Diamonds in the Rough brought him in after one of their long-time rescue dogs called Kermit (Fozzie Bear is Kermit the Frog’s best friend on the Muppet’s Show.)

Not only did Diamonds in the Ruff rescue Fozzie, but they’ve also made up for the lost teddy bear as well.  After they brought him out of ACCT, they put the call out asking for more teddy bears for him.  The community responded big.  They made sure he got a teddy bear to call his own, and he is one of the most grateful dogs the staff has ever met.

Fozzie Bear is still waiting on an adoption.  If you’d like more information on him, or any other fine animals looking for home at Diamonds in the Ruff, click here to be taken to their main page.

The post He May Have Lost his Teddy Bear, but He Gained So Much More appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

This coming Thanksgiving the FOX network will be airing the All-Star Dog Rescue Celebration.  All manner of dog will be available for adoption, and many celebrities have come out to help get forever homes for these dogs.

Kaley Cuoco will be hosting the event, and many other starts will be on hand, all in an effort to showcase some very worthy dogs.  The fundraiser and adopt-a-thon will take place over a two-hour television special, and information on the adoption process and where these dogs can be found.

Donation will also be possible for those that cannot adopt a dog, so everyone can contribute in different ways.  Proceeds will go to the Petfinder Foundation, and help get both foster and forever homes for dogs in need.

Last year’s gala event saw a ton of donations come in, and generated 4,500 adoption applications.  Let’s help make this year’s twice as successful!

The post All-Star Dog Rescue Celebration Brings Out the Dog Lover in Celebrities appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.