Day 20: Sway

Sway is one of the THS stories from 2015 that stick out in my mind most. I'm not sure why but there was something about him that touched me. I have no doubt he has been a blessing for his new family.  Help support THS. 

CLICK HERE to purchase this painting. Proceeds will be donated to the Tunica Humane Society.

Sandy wrote this about him early in his journey, "I love all dogs. But I LOVE this dog. He is just the most special fella. Effortless. That is the perfect description of Sway. He has amazing house manners, he is obedient, he walks on a leash and loves to ride in the car. He savors every moment of his bath and brushing. He loves to greet my other dogs, he couldn't care less about my sassy cat and he lays quietly at my feet when I am home. I will be the first to admit, this is one foster dog that I will miss with all my heart but I know I need to leave a space in my home so I can help another shelter dog along their journey to their forever family. I know that.... So Sway will be going to his new foster mommy on Monday. Her name is Leslie and she is very excited about helping Sway along his way. He kinda had her at first glance too!

I drove Sway to Stateline Clinic for his Wellness Check this morning and he is being neutered today. He was so happy sitting up in the van, much different from the first time he climbed into my backseat on Saturday, totally exhausted and depressed. Unfortunately, he tested positive for heartworms but we knew that was coming. He will start his treatment very soon and he will be just fine, it's just going to slow him down for awhile.

This dog is a treasure. We are going to search until we find him the perfect family that will love him and cherish him always. Someone had NO idea what they had when they let Sway get away the first time around. But his Second Chance is going to be nothing short of glorious."

Day 19: Jenny

I have a soft spot in my heart for senior dogs. My sweet Sophie became even more precious to me with every white hair that appeared on her face and I'm so glad that there are places like THS who value each dog regardless of age, breed, and background. Please help support this incredible organization. 

CLICK HERE to purchase this painting. Proceeds to benefit the Tunica Humane Society.

Sandy writes, "Jenny looks amazing now, compared to when she was rescued. We are so thankful to her foster family that has taken such good care of her, over the last couple of months. Jenny will never forget them nor will we. So grateful for their kindness to this senior dog.

Several weeks ago I posted about Jenny. We were trying to find her a new foster home where she could be the only dog. She has been with a wonderful foster family since we rescued her but their young dog is having to take backseat to everything and we felt it was best to move Jenny to another home so everyone could be happy.

Unfortunately, no one responded to our plea and Jenny came back to the shelter this morning. This is a precious senior dog and she is in the final stages of heartworm disease. She is no longer a good candidate for the treatment so we are managing her health as best we can with medications. Jenny is appx. 13 years old. She has had a long life of disappointments. But we will not disappoint her in the final stages of her life. She still has a lot of spunk. She still loves to stretch out in the sun and roll in the grass. She still loves to give kisses and be hugged. She still has good quality of life. We can do all that for Jenny, right here at our shelter. Not the perfect ending we wanted for this precious dog but she will be cherished and loved until her final breath. Starting today, Jenny has a great big family and we are standing in line to let her know how much she matters to all of us..."

Day 17: Lily

 She is a THS favorite. Day 17 belongs to Lily. 

CLICK HERE  to purchase this painting. Proceeds will be donated to the Tunica Humane Society.

 Here is Lily's story as told by her foster mom Fran: 

"When the first picture of Lily was posted to Tunica's Facebook Page, tears filled my eyes immediately. The next thing I did was pick up the phone to Sandy. She had rushed Lily to the vet as soon as she was found because her condition was so grim. Sandy told me if Lily survived, I could pick her up the next day and foster her in my home. I know in our hearts, we were both holding out hope that Lily would see another tomorrow. With answered prayers, tomorrow came for this precious dog and my family picked Lily up at the clinic. With the list of medical and emotional issues she had to overcome, we knew we had a very long road ahead of us. As we started treating Lily for one ailment after another. It seemed that this sweet dog lived at the vet. There were many sleepless nights I sat up holding her in my arms to ease her pain.  She fought with everything she had and 5 months later, she suddenly became the happy, healthy, beautiful dog she is today.

What amazed me about this abused and battered pup was her capacity to love. After all the torture she had been through, she didn't just love, she loved with all her heart. Her heart was as pure as her crystal blue eyes. While Lily was stealing our hearts, she was also stealing a whole world of hearts and teaching others along the way. I received messages from people around the world saying they were always afraid of pits because of how they are portrayed in the media. Those that followed Lily's journey back to life said she had totally changed their perspective on pitties. 

At the very moment I first saw Lily, there was another person miles away in Louisiana that saw her picture too. Her phone call to Sandy was only minutes apart from mine. She wanted to know where to send a check to cover all of Lily's medical expenses. She also wanted to know where to send her adoption application to ensure that Lily would have a loving home, once she was feeling better. Phyllis loved Lily before she ever met her. We were looking for the perfect fit for Lily and we weren't going to settle for less. Phyllis and her dog Pete, made several trips to visit with Lily while she was going through heartworm treatment. There was a level of peace that eased my heart and mind within minutes after Phyllis arrived at my home to meet Lily for the first time. I watched her as she sat down on the ground under a tree and quietly let Lily come to her. I knew instantly why Lily had fought so hard to live. She was meant all along, to have a wonderful life with Phyllis. And at that moment, I knew I could let her go. "

Day 16: Gumbo (aka Cassie)

Happy "Gotcha Day" Anniversary to Gumbo and the Lewis family. 

Follow her story below. 

CLICK HERE to purchase this painting. Proceeds will be donated to the Tunica Humane Society.

Meet Cassie.... So thankful that we captured her. I am sure it was very lonely for her the last few weeks

Meet Cassie.... So thankful that we captured her. I am sure it was very lonely for her the last few weeks

It took some fried chicken to get her in my car. But I could tell she was very thankful to be warm and safe once again.

It took some fried chicken to get her in my car. But I could tell she was very thankful to be warm and safe once again.

Before I reached Stateline Clinic, I was getting kisses on my cheek. Such a precious, sweet dog to have been out there on her own.

Before I reached Stateline Clinic, I was getting kisses on my cheek. Such a precious, sweet dog to have been out there on her own.

The sweet yellow lab that we rescued yesterday is coming around very quickly. Not as fearful today as she was yesterday. I have had many calls about Cassie today but I have decided to place her in a loving foster home with the Lewis Family for now. …

The sweet yellow lab that we rescued yesterday is coming around very quickly. Not as fearful today as she was yesterday. I have had many calls about Cassie today but I have decided to place her in a loving foster home with the Lewis Family for now. She has several health issues we need to deal with. All the things dogs get when they are neglected, parasites, heartworms, and tick disease from not having regular preventative. All of this can be fixed and Cassie will go on to live a long and healthy life. We are so thankful we captured this beautiful, sweet dog because now she will get all the care she deserves.

Cassie has quickly gone from being a foster dog to a forever family member. We couldn't be happier for this precious lab...

Cassie has quickly gone from being a foster dog to a forever family member. We couldn't be happier for this precious lab...

Day 15 : Mugsy

How about this guy's grin? 

Sandy tells Mugsy's story "I will never forget the day Jim and Melissa and I happened up on this dog in an abandoned house in South Memphis. He was just sitting there waiting on us to rescue him. He is a great dog. He deserves a forever home. If you would like to meet Mugsy, please call me so I can arrange it. 662-519-1700. He is available for adoption thru the Tunica Humane Society - Tunica, Ms

Mugsy is as sweet and gentle a dog as you will ever find. He gets along well with female dogs and most males. He just loves to sit in your arms and stare into your eyes and let's you love on him. He will sit that way for hours as long as you continue to hug him and love him. He's waiting for his forever home." 

CLICK HERE to purchase this painting. Proceeds to benefit the Tunica Humane Society.

Day 14: Wolfie

There has been some turmoil in Wolfie's life but THS is helping to turn that around. He is now in a fantastic foster home and available for adoption. 

CLICK HERE to purchase this painting. Proceeds will be donated to the Tunica Humane Society.

 Here is some of what Sandy has shared about Wolfie and his journey. 

"Just when we think we have seen it all...   Stephanie and Michael Jones drove to Tunica early this morning to deliver their foster pups for transport. On their drive back home, they discovered a dog in a field, chained to a dead deer. The dog is very friendly and seems to be healthy. It seems someone abandoned him there. He has been rescued now but we will always wonder about his story.

Wolfie was surrendered to our shelter thru no fault of his own. It is obvious to anyone that meets him, he has been loved and nurtured his whole life. He craves human contact. He couldn't care less about other dogs, he just wants to be close to people.

Wolfie is about 4 years old. He is struggling at our shelter. And frankly, having him here is a waste of an extraordinary dog. He should be with a loving family. He should be someone's constant companion. He should be resting at the foot of someone's bed each night, protecting his family from harm.

You know how to tell when someone TRULY loves their dog. When that person puts the dog's best interest above their own. 

I am not going into all the drama that has surrounded the rescue of this dog. With me, what is upmost important is the safety and well-being of this dog. Wolfie is a good dog. He has been surrendered to our shelter so that we can insure that he will live in a safe and loving environment the rest of his life. End of story. Beginning of a new and happy life for Wolfy.

I am on a mission to get this extraordinary dog out of our shelter. We have to teach most of our dogs how to give and receive love when they first arrive. Wolfie already knows how to love. He is ready right now to become part of a family. Please call me if you would like to meet him. 662-519-1700"

Day 13: Queenie & Fergie

Long live the Queen. Most of you know Queenie's story and have seen pictures of her precious children (seriously some of the most beautiful puppies I've ever seen.) I will copy some of Sandy's posts about this sweet mother & daughter and their bond below.  Sadly, Queenie has now passed on but sweet Fergie is blossoming in her new foster home.

CLICK HERE to purchase this painting. Proceeds to benefit the Tunica Humane Society.

"Sometimes we get a mother dog and puppy that are so close, it would be devastating to separate them. That's exactly how it is with Queenie and her little daughter. These 2 play constantly in their kennel. And when they are outside, they are seldom far apart.

Today when I took Fergie to the vet, her mother cried out at the gate of her kennel the whole time we were gone. She cried real tears. Her fur was wet from her tears. And when I returned with little Fergie, her mommy licked her from head to toe.

Queenie has had a very, very tough time her whole life. She went without food for days at a time. She never had any medical care. At some point, her front leg was broken and healed back on it's own. It is wonderful to see her blossoming in our care. And she loves her little pup with all her heart. So when Fergie leaves our shelter to go to a loving forever home, it will only be with her mother coming along. We could never break their hearts by splitting them up."