Give a dog a break! Taking them out of the shelter environment, for hours or days, is great for their mental health. It prepares rescued dogs for life in real homes, and provides valuable insight that helps with their placement. Adoptable dogs in foster homes receive lots of TLC and fostering generates helpful publicity!
It’s easy to promote dogs with photos and videos of “real-life” scenarios, outings, and trips. Seeing a dog enjoying everyday experiences shows adopters how the dog will fit into their life!
We cover medical, food, and supplies. You provide the loving care!
By opening heart and home to a dog in need of extra care after illness or injury, you’ll provide the loving attention they deserve in a cozy, nurturing environment. You’ll be the hero who helps them heal and be ready for their forever home! We cover medical expenses and supplies, and provide training and a community of dog lovers.
Mikey, is as close to perfection as it’s possible to be! Mikey came from a terrible situation of neglect and starvation. He was so exhausted for the first few weeks that all he could manage was eating and sleeping. In one of his emergency respite homes, he stays with BDR Alumna Valentina (poster dog on the Donate page of this website). Valentina went through a similar rehabilitation and understood that Mikey was very unwell. She lay quietly beside him while he slept. Mikey was gentle and accepting of the small dog who lives at his other respite home!
Mikey recently had a examination and diagnostics by a veterinary neurologist to determine the source of significant pain in his cervical area. Donations toward this unforeseen and costly workup would be gratefully appreciated!
We’ll update when a diagnosis is determined. He is stable and requires 1) kindness 2) rest 3) meals 4) pain meds. Mikey is calm and polite in and needs a quiet landing spot. He is rotating between two respite homes at the moment — for many Arizonans, summer schedules involve travel. A walled yard is a must and smaller may actually better given limitations on his activity. Read and follow Mikey’s profile here.
If you can help by serving as a respite home for Mikey, please complete our Foster Application! PLEASE SHARE MIKEY’S STORY!
We are especially thankful for Medical Fosters who offer comfort and love to terminally ill dogs by providing a safe, loving home environment where dogs receive daily care and companionship during their final days, weeks, or months. Allowing a dog to settle into a caring home where they experience real joy is profoundly rewarding.
One of our sweetest dogs, Henry, has been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. In dogs, Muscular Dystrophy is an inherited disease that causes progressive weakness and wasting of muscles due to a defect in the gene that produces dystrophin, a protein vital for muscle strength and mobility.
While this news is difficult, we want to assure everyone that Henry is surrounded by love, comfort, and the very best care from his medical foster mom. We are committed to making sure that Henry enjoys every moment with dignity and happiness, and that his foster mom has all the support needed to manage Henry’s condition.
Muscular Dystrophy is seen in a variety of breeds, large and small. Male dogs are much more likely to show symptoms; females can be carriers but do not usually develop severe symptoms.
Although there is no cure for Muscular Dystrophy in dogs, and while treatments may slow the progression, the disease is usually fatal. Common symptoms are muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, swallowing and eating difficulties, and muscle wasting. Some dogs may experience tremors, limb deformities, and — as the disease advances — heart or breathing problems.
To know Henry is to love him, and he has touched our hearts deeply. We hope that sharing the diagnosis and ongoing care helps raise awareness of the special needs of dogs who have Muscular Dystrophy, as well as the incredible resilience of dogs like Henry.
One of the greatest acts of loving kindness comes in the form of a forever foster home. Henry’s foster mom provides hands-on care to manage his condition, and Henry is surrounded by love and comfort! He receives the very best care, and his foster mom has offered to share Henry’s journey and provide tips on keeping a Muscular Dystrophy dog comfortable and able to enjoy quality of life for as long as possible.
Thank you for your understanding and support! We’ll continue to celebrate Henry’s spirit and share updates on his courageous journey via the Blog. To help with Henry’s medical care and medications, please use the donate button or send a check to our address at the bottom of this page. Henry’s comfort care items appear as “Priority” on our Chewy’s wishlist.
We welcome and are so thankful for your generosity and compassion!
