Together for the Holidays

A FIVE YEAR OLD spaniel mix was found laying motionless under a tree in late September. A Good Samaritan approached the small dog sure that his time had come but was shocked to see two little eyes open and look up at them. He was alive and now on his way to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.

Our Good Samaritan carried Milo through HSSA’s doors and our medical team immediately got to work with a lump in their throats. The urgency to diagnose and treat this sweet boy was strong with our shelter medical team. He looked up at them with crusty and matted eyes and seemed to ask for help. We quickly found that Milo was suffering from one of the most severe cases of Valley Fever that our staff had ever seen. This fungal disease had run rampant in his body without treatment, likely for his entire life. Because of this he is suffering from cachexia or “wasting syndrome”. Symptoms of wasting syndrome include extreme weight loss, muscle loss, a lack of appetite, fatigue, and decreased strength. Our team started him on Flucanazole, pain medications and other medications and treatments to treat his anemia, Valley Fever and overall disintegration.

There were many moments that we weren’t sure if Milo was up to this course of care. How could his tiny, frail body handle these medications? Eating was even hard for him at first. But day by day Milo improved. Milo looked a little brighter. Milo moved his paws out toward staff as if reaching for his future. And we’re happy to announce that his life was saved. Milo is still in our Second Chance Medical Unit and still receiving life-saving care thanks to donors like you. Milo has slowly begun to walk again and his tail wags when he sees his favorite vet techs. He has been given a chance to live a long and healthy life thanks to the support of our family of donors.

Five month old Phoebe was surrendered to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona by her owners after sustaining a life-threatening dog attack. Her kitten arm was pulled under a closed door by a dog in the home. She was in serious pain with large wounds across her arm and shoulder. HSSA was able to take Phoebe in and provide care thanks to the monies raised over the past year in our Second Chance Medical Fund. Phoebe was a star patient for our team and she didn’t seem to skip a beat after the accident. Phoebe purrs and rubs up against visitors when they stop by the Second Chance Medical Unit. She will finish up her healing in the warm and calm home of one of HSSA’s amazing Foster Care families. We know Phoebe will make a full recovery and bring great happiness to her forever family when that great day comes.

These are just two stories of healing and hope. There are so many others that never find their names in our magazine. HSSA cares for more than 5,000 pets each year. With your help we provide medical care and treatment as well as the basic necessities like food, water, safety and shelter. Some of these pets come to us after living hard lives in need of a second chance, while others are born at HSSA or come to us very young in need of a healthy beginning. With your tax-deductible gifts we are able to help them ALL. This holiday season please join our family of donors and make a gift in honor of Milo, Phoebe or the pet that grew your heart.

Make your tax-deductible gift now at HSSAZ.org/Donate