Happy Leap Day!
Submit an adoption application today. February 29, 2012, and the adoption fee on ANY Safe House cat or dog is just $29!
Leap into a new walking partner like Mya or Lily, leap into a new couch potato feline like Jack or Bentley, take a leap of faith and adopt your new best friend today for just $29! See all of our available pets and submit an adoption application here.
Roxie Sunday night, before surgery.
This is Roxie. She’s had a rough go of things so far, though you’d never know it to meet her. Roxie is remarkably sweet, gentle, and so happy that she smiles.
Roxie came to us through Quincy K9 Connections, a rescue transport group from Southern IL who moves dogs out of high-kill pounds and takes them to no-kill shelters. As is the case with many of the dogs we receive, other shelters couldn’t or wouldn’t take Roxie and so she found herself next on the list for euthanasia. Quincy was honest and told us Roxie had some issues: she was 8 years old and she had glaucoma that went untreated for many years. But we had a foster home open and we couldn’t see letting any dog be killed when we had a safe spot for her to go. So we crossed our fingers and pulled Roxie from that dreaded list.
Roxie’s back story is what made us love her from the moment we saw her on Quincy’s webpage. You see, Roxie had been loved all of her life but she lost her beloved human to the depths of alcoholism. Unable to care for himself properly, he could no longer care for Roxie. This man’s friend tried to help and took Roxie home, but with pets and a family of his own, he soon found himself overwhelmed and took Roxie to the shelter. Roxie had been a loyal and devoted family member for 8 years, but through no fault of her own, she landed on Death Row due to addiction.
When Roxie arrived, we learned that she was morbidly obese. Like 150 pounds obese! Her coat was a wreck, her left eye was bulging out of its socket due to the glaucoma, which creates painful pressure and fluids, her teeth were severely neglected. Roxie was urinating blood because she refused to soil her kennel at the Quincy animal pound and had to hold her bladder for so long that she developed a UTI. She went right to vet, who confirmed that there would be no saving the eye, Roxie couldn’t see out of it anyway, it was painful, and needed to go.
Roxie headed to foster with volunteer Caroline.
While waiting for her eye surgery, Roxie went into a foster home and began to shed pounds as quickly as she shed her overgrown coat. Her foster took her on 1 mile hikes throughout the day, got her on a diet immediately, and antibiotics cured her UTI. Roxie began to come to life before our eyes, walking better each day, wagging her tail, playing with other dogs, and giving kisses to everyone she came across. Her foster mom said it best when she said “This past week she has actually begun to SMILE.”
Yesterday was Roxie’s big day – she went in for eye surgery, a full dental, and x-rays to check her hips and knees. She was in surgery for about 2 hours. The prognosis? Roxie’s eye surgery went great, she will have no more trouble with that pesky eye or with glaucoma. Roxie’s teeth are now sparkly and white! Roxie’s xrays revealed that her hips are in remarkable shape for her age, but her knees aren’t so hot. They don’t require surgery or treatment, additional weight loss and inexpensive joint supplements will benefit her the most.
Roxie today, after surgery.
Her eye doesn’t look very pretty today, but she’s on good pain meds and the dull constant pain of the bulged eye is now behind her. In front of her she has about 2 weeks of recovery, more dieting and weight loss, and hopefully, a forever home to live out her golden years. Roxie is now accepting applications to be your best friend, your low-maintenance companion, couch buddy, snuggle hound, or even a walking partner if you also need to shed a few pounds. Roxie loves car rides, lazy afternoon naps, and leisurely strolls around the neighborhood. She is excellent with other dogs, cats, and children.
One of the joys of adopting a pet is the experience of unconditional love. Our pets don’t care what we look like, if we get old and gray, if we choose to watch bad tv, or eat popcorn in bed. Roxie is hoping a love like that exists for her too – someone who doesn’t mind that her puppy years are behind her, someone who can overlook her minor cosmetic flaw, someone who will love her just the way she is and love her for all the years she has left. Roxie did not expect to be looking for a new home at this stage of her life, but life throws unexpected challenges at us sometimes. She is willing to take a chance on you, if you’ll take a chance on her too.
If, like us, you think that every pet deserves a second chance at life – even the seniors, the overweight ones, or those with treatable medical conditions – please help us cover the cost of Roxie’s medical care, around $850. When we agreed to take Roxie in and spare her from being killed in that southern pound, we knew she might be expensive. But we also knew that we have amazing supporters who believe, like we do, that these pets are worth saving. Please help us continue to take these animals in when others say “no” and make a donation to Roxie’s Fund. No amount is too small. If you prefer, you can also make a payment on Roxie’s bill right to the vet clinic, Fox Valley Vet Hospital (815) 434-0363. As always, your donations are tax deductible and are so very appreciated.
Update: We’re beyond pleased to let everyone know that Roxie has an adopter waiting for her. On March 24th, after Roxie is fully healed from her surgery, her new family will take her home to Milwaukee. Roxie will have a loving, supportive family with children to give kisses to, cats to enjoy the company of, and the shores of Lake Michigan to stroll around. Roxie’s story will have a happy ending, thanks to the Gallagher Family, and thanks to everyone who has ChippedIn toward Roxie’s vet bills, shared her on Facebook, or Retweeted for her.
No one to come home to after a long day of work? Tired of trying to find someone who is a good listener, supportive of your choices, and doesn’t mind when you lay around in sweats for days upon end watching reality tv? We have your valentine, right here waiting for you.
Your Valentine, adopted from Safe House Animal Rescue League, is guaranteed to love unconditionally. Your valentine won’t mind the extra 10 pounds you picked up over the winter, is happy to watch whatever you want on tv any given night, and thinks you are purrfect just the way you are. The time is right to adopt your new best friend, your new companion, the best valentine you’ve ever had.
Adoption fees on all cats is just $14 from 2/8 through 2/14. Check out all of our beautiful felines just waiting for you to fall in love with them, submit an adoption application, and take home the kitty of your dreams.
