Please help with surgery for Rescue Dog

Our friend Elizabeth needs our help.

Elizabeth runs Gunn Dogs Rescue in Arkansas and has rescued hundreds of shelter dogs in the past. She has rescued puppy mill dogs, dogs found abandoned on the highway and even dogs someone was selling out of a box in a parking lot.

Elizabeth was promised help by another "Rescue," and agreed to rescue eight doodle pups and a couple other dogs from a back yard breeder and found abandoned in Arkansas. These dogs were sick, some had been eating rat poison and all needed medical attention and socializing. Some didn't survive.

Elizabeth has done a wonderful job and found homes for most of them. But because she was promised help and that help didn't come, Elizabeth now finds herself struggling to make ends meet. One of the dogs, Grant needs to have surgery tomorrow. Here's the story in Elizabeth's words:

Grant had been hit by a car on the highway where I picked him up. And we don't know about the rat poison - someone whose yard he wandered up into, I imagine. Poor thing has really had a rough time of it. Almost all of the original 13 or so Doodles I got in that week have been adopted - I still have one of the Mad Scientist puppies - Nash - who is growing like a weed! And Grant is still here, of course, along with his mother Sophie, the Standard Poodle. We think she is his mother, anyway - they were wandering together, along with a third Doodle pup that we never recovered. Rumor about town is that they belonged to a local backyard breeder, but he denied it when the Sheriff questioned him. Small towns in Arkansas can be rough for dogs. A witness saw Sophie and Grant (we assume it was Grant) get hit by cars after they were literally dumped in the middle of a four-lane highway - we are assuming that the third Doodle pup was killed, but we never located his body. It was horrible. One redneck (excuse me, I can't help it) - even admitted to shooting at them to get them out of his yard. No one fed them or gave them any water, and it was late July with temperatures in the 100's. The guy, we think who dumped them, is the ex-husband of the woman the Mad Scientist pups came from. Two of them had died before I got them. I need to take a road trip back to that area and make sure there aren't more Doodles wandering around down there.

A lot of people tried to help with donations, but, as you know, most of the money was - ah - "diverted" by another rescue and never made it to the Arkansas Doodles. But what goes around comes around, you know? I still owe a huge vet bill, but my wonderful friends at the vet are very understanding and trying to help raise donations to put towards the bill. I am blessed to have so many awesome friends out there!

Here's some of the original story for those of you who didn't follow it:

Eight 10-week-old labradoodle puppies were taken in by Elizabeth Gunn of Gunn Dogs Rescue in Arkansas. There were 3 chocolate girls and 5 boys, chocolate and black.

These babies were severely malnourished, flea and worm infested, had various skin conditions, eye and ear infections, diarrhea, and giardia. They had never seen a vet.

These puppies were starving, dehydrated and lethargic when they arrived. Initial vetting indicated that they are Parvo free but they need to be closely monitored for symptoms over the first few weeks and fecal tests had to be repeated with or without presentation of symptoms. They all required sub-cutaneous fluids and they were treated for all the various infections along with the worms and giardia. Elizabeth also provided them with electrolyte supplements and high calorie puppy food.

11/3 Update on Grant -

I am terribly worried about Grant - he is continuing to vomit a lot, and has lost what little weight he has gained. I am afraid I may feel a mass now in his abdomen, so he will be seeing the vet on Monday. Please send prayers to Grant - he has had such a rough time. If anyone would like to help out with his vet bills, you can call my vet directly - Park Hill Pet Hospital - 501-758-7387. They know me well there - oh, too well - LOL! My bill with them each month probably pays their rent, and I have gotten behind - argh! I am so embarrassed that I was not able to pay my bill after over $2000.00 was taken from the Arkansas Doodle Project by "that other rescue", that I have avoided taking Grant to the vet because of it. Anyway, after the fiasco with the misappropriated donations, I am loathe to even ask - so thought maybe if people knew they could send a donation directly to my vet, that might help assure everyone that the Arkansas Doodles will actually get the donations this time!
Anyway, paws crossed that Grant will be ok...I gave him some Zantac earlier tonight before his dinner, and so far no vomiting - but he seems to do it in the night mostly. I have tried everything I can think of and am out of ideas on what might be wrong, and now with feeling the mass I'm really worried. If anyone has any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact me. My home number is 501-888-8516, my email address is gunndogs@yahoo.com (also my Paypal account address). Thanks for all the kind words of welcome from everyone!

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16977351

11/8 Update on Grant -

Grant is at the vet's - he does have a very large mass in his abdomen - it doesn't look good at all. They are going to to exploratory surgery either this afternoon or tomorrow. I am cashing in my IRA to pay for his surgery. I feel so bad that I waited at all to take him to the vet - but once I found the mass, I got him right in. I have a terrible feeling about this, and have been crying all morning. Sometimes rescue is so heartbreaking. Please continue to send prayers for Grant and while you're at it, ask God to please help me get through this. My heart is breaking.

If anyone would like to help out with Grant's vet bills, you can call his vet directly - Park Hill Pet Hospital - 501-758-7387.

To pay by Credit Card by Paypal the email is gunndogs@yahoo.com

Any amount will be appreciated.

REST IN PEACE AT THE RAINBOW BRIDGE, GRANT.

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AdminPermalink Reply by LM Fowler - Admin on November 8, 2010 at 10:13pm

Thank you, MP and I am sorry to have to have that nonsense come out in this. My sole intention was to try to help but sadly other's cannot leave it at that. Marlene has brought this topic up before and obviously that was her intention.

Member Since 2010Permalink Reply by Krista on November 8, 2010 at 10:32pm

Lynne, its ok that people are skeptical. And I know your gettng bombarded but after what happened to me this past week Im thinkng we all need to be a little more involved in our decisions and actions before we blindly follow.

When there is nothing to hide its ok for anyone to background check it.. If that is their only argument send them the links to better business bureau and whatever else you can provide!! lol

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Gunn on November 8, 2010 at 11:01pm

Hello, everyone. I am a non-profit registered in the State of Arkansas. My registration is readily available online if anyone wants to see it, or I can fax a copy of my certificate. When I first applied for 501(c)3 status several years ago, I was told by the IRS that I could operate as a 501(c)3 as long as I did not receive more than $10,000.00 per year in cash donations, which I have not (I wish - LOL!). I do have an EIN with the IRS, and would be happy to provide that as well. I also am incorporated in the State of Arkansas. According to the IRS agent, anyone can deduct up to $500.00 per year in charitable donations without itemization or a receipt. I do always provide a receipt anytime anyone requests one for either supplies or cash donations.
Bottom line is, a rescue having "501"(c)3" status essentially means nothing unless they are huge and bring in a lot of cash - the pertinent thing is that they be registered as a non-profit, which I am. The IRS agent told me that having a 501(c)3 is meant for large organizations and entails a massive amount of accounting that small non-profits do not need to do.
As far as the funds everyone is wondering about, that is something that people who donated to that organization should ask them about. I can only say that I did not receive the funds - and that is all I am going to say. The small portion that I did receive was spent on the dogs; records are available to anyone who wants them. Or - call my vet's office at 501-758-7387. I in no way wish to point fingers, accuse, bad-mouth, etc.. any rescue - ANYONE who helps dogs is doing a good thing in my book. I just felt the need to explain why I was still in need of money to vet the Arkansas Doodles; I didn't want anyone to think that I had already blown through the money that was donated in the beginning when I never actually got the money. That was all. I have a terrible time asking for help in any form; I am accustomed to being the benefactor, not the recipient.....hence my career as a nurse and now as a dog rescuer.
For those who donated directly to me, I am happy to provide an accounting for where the money went. Anyone is welcome to call my vet, and they will verify that I am a legitimate rescue and that I do spend quite a lot of money vetting the dogs that I rescue.

My personal opinion is that the best way to ensure that money donated to help dogs in need be sent directly to the attending vet's office, or given in the form of actual supplies or services; eg: ordering needed supplies online to be shipped directly to the rescue, or calling in a credit card for vetting, dog food, whatever. But - that's just my opinion, and you all know what they say about opinions!

Now, about Grant - they are going to do his surgery in the morning - they have promised to call me as soon as they open him up and see what's in there. I will keep everyone updated as I get information. My vet is a wonderful, compassionate woman who is a skilled surgeon....I am trying to maintain a positive outlook, and not let all the negativity affect Grant's "karma", luck, whatever.
You know, really all this tax deductible dialogue is beside the point if you think about it - I don't need a huge amount of money from any one person - certainly not enough to create any tax problems for anyone. If someone wants to donate - say, the cost of a meal out or a movie or a pair of shoes - that would help chip away at the vet bill and be given for no reason other than to help a dog, not to get a tax break. I am not saying a tax break is why anyone wants to donate - I am just saying that maybe just donate an amount that will not hurt you financially, an amount that you would be willing to spend on something you see in a store that catches your fancy...after all, you don't get a tax deduction for those things - unfortunately! Ask yourself this - is Grant - or any other injured or ill dog - worth as much as a new toaster oven? Or perhaps a bread machine? If so, send him some help - if not, don't. I want anyone who helps to feel good about it.

Thanks to you all, and please - let's not veer from our original path, which is to help Grant.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Gunn on November 8, 2010 at 11:12pm

I'm sorry, Lori - I agree that these types of discussions are a turnoff for rescues. Unfortunately, rescues do have a terrible habit of mud-slinging. My theory is that people who rescue animals are very passionate, caring individuals who get so tired of dealing with the fallout from cruel people that they tend to lash out at each other in frustration. Misdirected anger, bitterness, etc. The trick is to be strong enough to put blinders on and keep your eye on the prize - which is the animal you are helping. Revel in the little victories; the first time you see your foster dog smile at you...the first time he rolls onto his back and exposes his belly to you - the ultimate sign of trust...the jubilation she shows when you come in the door after being gone...the shiny coat, no ribs showing, ball-chasing maniac that could barely lift his head the first time you met him. These are the things that matter.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Gunn on November 8, 2010 at 11:20pm

Thank you, Mary Pat. It would be wonderful if you would foster a dog for me sometime. I use Alpha Dog Transport; they run from Little Rock to the Northeast every week, and I just love them! They are a rescue, as well, and Jeff and Kelly O'Brien, who run it, are truly superheroes in my opinion. Not only do they rescue dogs from the South and get them up there to safety, but they also have fostered countless human childred, adopting some, even with "issues". They both work full-time, have six kids, and a house full of dogs. They recently sold their home to build a rescue/adopton facility for these poor dogs down here in the South.
Anyway, I digress - thank you again, and prayers are what Grant needs the most. Yes, money helps, but I have learned how to live without it quite efficiently! Lots of Ramen noodles and fried eggs for dinner LOL! And I don't begrudge anyone for a minute. Obviously the original funds collected for the Arkansas Doodles was urgently needed by someone else - and that's ok as long as a lost little soul of a dog benefitted from it. We get back what we give in life. We can't control other people, but we can control how we react to them and how we feel. I just concentrate on keeping my side of the street clean, ya know? And I think that this site Lynne has set up is wonderful - what an innovative idea of a way to pull people together to help save lives! The possibilities are endless on what can be accomplished here - it's very exciting, really!

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Gunn on November 8, 2010 at 11:22pm

Hey, Marlene - don't worry about it - please. We will be fine. If you are so inclined, please include us in your prayers tonight. Thank you so much.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Gunn on November 8, 2010 at 11:27pm

Thanks, Krista - that is a very good idea.
And thank you, Lynne, for helping Grant - you are helping so many dogs out there with you site and all the hours you devote to it. Not to mention all the dogs you foster in your home! THAT is what is important! Anyone who is a member of this site obviously loves dogs or they wouldn't be here - never forget that. If they are here for any other reason, well - they know that - and we don't need to know! I don't WANT to know! I am now sticking my head back in the sand.........

Permalink Reply by Sariah Lily on November 9, 2010 at 10:59am

I think there are so many scams going around these days that that may be why people are reluctant to donate. But I also think that's a very easy fear to allay in this case by calling the vet directly! Also, Elizabeth says further down that she has an EIN that she would be happy to provide to anyone, so problem's solved now. :D

I donated a tiny bit...I'm living on food stamps myself but had a lil money in paypal so sent what I could. (I figure even a dollar can help, right? Assuming multiple people send a dollar.) I'd send more if possible...for me, besides my desire to help out, it's a pay-it-forward! Once my pet rat needed surgery for a tumor and a stranger who saw her with me at a pet store donated the money she needed!

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Gunn on November 9, 2010 at 12:03pm

Grant has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. Rest in peace, sweet boy.
I will post more shortly when I pull myself together.

Permalink Reply by Sariah Lily on November 9, 2010 at 12:17pm

:( So sorry to hear that!

sending gentle hugs

Permalink Reply by Debbie, Brianna and Duncan on November 9, 2010 at 12:22pm

Oh no, I am so so sorry Many hugs to you Elizabeth in this very sad and painful time.... {hugs}

Permalink Reply by 39eftbz7uyajv on November 9, 2010 at 5:34pm

"Benton" just donated directly to the vet clinic to help with Grant's bills. Fortunately, for one really bad outcome of a rescue, Elizabeth has a lot more wonderful placements notched on her belt! I really admire what she does, and am very blessed that we could help in a monetary way... I hope she will always remember how grateful we are for our beloved "Benton!!" And I'm sure "Grant" was grateful as well to have lived his last three months in such a loving and caring home with Elizabeth.