Challenging Medical Expenses In 2024
Thanks from Greta and Luna
And Nationals Update
— Leslie R. Dye, MD, treasurer, NGWPR
While some animal lovers remember specific experiences that foreshadowed their involvement in a lifetime relationship with pets and animals, others are born with the deep love. There are those who have both. Regardless of our past, those involved in rescue all have compassion, however mixing it with objectivity is required when making difficult decisions about financing medical expenses. 2024 has been a particularly tough year for rescue when making decisions about medical care.
Back home in Indiana
I grew up on a farm a born animal lover, and my first love and best friend was a German Shepherd called “Puella.” She had puppies that I adored and we found good homes for them all. I was probably 10 years old when she had a litter and I found that one of the puppies had a bloody stump where something must have torn its leg off, and Puella would not nurse him. Before I touched him, I ran into the house and begged my parents to let me feed and nurture the puppy, since I knew otherwise he would die. They agreed, but only on the condition that when he was weaned that they could take him to a shelter for adoption. Eventually, my father took the puppy to a shelter and told me that someone adopted him in the parking lot before he even got inside and he was very surprised. He warned the new owner that the puppy would require additional veterinary care (obviously), but he took the puppy anyway.
Even at that age, I was skeptical of the story, but my parents were honest and good people. It was hard for me to imagine them fabricating the story. I asked them both before they died about the puppy again, and the story stayed the same. Anyone who volunteers for rescue has a special love (sometimes maybe pathologic) for animals, so this story is not surprising. It vividly sticks with me over 50 years later and fills me with gratitude that I had the opportunity to help that defenseless creature.
This year the NGWP rescue has had multiple dogs requiring extensive veterinary care. Decisions regarding medical care are challenging when our goal is to find homes for as many dogs as possible and continue to keep the non-profit organization afloat. Not only do these challenges require consultation with multiple people, but also a large time commitment balancing the pros and cons of pursuing the required care. Objective decisions need to be made with compassion and care. We can be proud of the dogs in need we have helped this year as I scroll through our year on Facebook.
Not only does rescue face decisions about accepting dogs into rescue that require significant medical care, but we are sometimes approached by those who have GWPs they want to continue to own and love, but cannot afford emergency care that is necessary.
One could ask if it is the role of rescue to fund emergency care for an animal who has an owner?
If a GWP will be euthanized or surrendered to rescue because an owner cannot afford the care, how is that different than us paying for the care after they are accepted into rescue? Except for the fact that the animal will be able to stay with the owner they already know and love.
Kaiko
Because our rescue coordinator, Suzanne Oslander, always presents the facts with transparency and has the situation evaluated by trusted veterinarians, our donors continue to step up to the plate when she recommends our assistance in these situations. She gave us a window into how her understanding and compassion for injured dogs started when she posted on Facebook about her experience prior to being involved in rescue. The family dog , Kaiko, was hit by a truck when it unexpectedly escaped and her daughter, Stefanie, and son-in-law rushed her to the vet. One of her back legs sustained a horrific injury.
Suzanne writes, “We went to the vet that night, and my children sat in the cage holding her. Our regular vet offered to remove the leg. I asked for alternatives so he suggested that I take her to an orthopedic specialist to see if there was anything they could do. When I took her, there wasn’t a lot they could do in the beginning because there was so much debris inside of the wound, one toe was missing, and her paw was just dangling. She needed wound care and IV antibiotics before surgery could be done. The quote for repair and building a new ligament was roughly $4500. I was a single working mom and that was exorbitant.
The next day I was at work preparing paychecks and one of our nurses came in and saw that I had been crying. Jeff asked me what was wrong and I told him I had no idea how I would find over $4000. He reached for his wallet and handed me five $100 bills. He said, ‘God is good, he will show you a way.’ Another nurse came and suggested euthanizing the dog and getting a new puppy.
The girls and I decided to do a fundraiser. We rented our community hall and did a tag, bake and craft sale. I put an ad with Kaiko’s picture in the local paper, and the day before the sale, people kept showing up with items for me to sell. We had furniture, artwork, glassware, and even a tank with goldfish. Stefanie worked with the mentally challenged and they were always making crafts, so her boss donated many handmade items. Both of my daughters made blankets and we all baked. I had one man come in and he looked at a blanket that I was going to raffle and he said, ‘if you sell it to me, I will give you all the money in my wallet.’ He assured me he been to the bank but I initially told him I couldn’t do that. But eventually I said yes. He left with the blanket and I unfolded the money he handed me to find $220. The total from the sale was almost $3,000. That was enough for the surgery. I was able to pay the balance off weekly because Kaiko’s appointments went on for three months. Even clients with dogs at the clinic heard her story and put money toward my balance. After about eight months, Kaiko made a full recovery.”
This explains why Suzanne is so adept at raising money at Nationals with her wonderful raffle baskets!
Greta
In May 2024, Greta, 1.5 years old, came to us from a shelter in Tuscaloosa, Alabama after being picked up as a stray. She was shot in the elbow with a high-powered rifle and walked with a limp. We were called from a small rescue and learned that she had received no medical attention for her injury for over 3 months. As a result of the delay in treatment, she developed arthritis and was unable to fully extend the joint. Greta received therapy and supplements and was fostered by someone who worked at a specialty veterinary clinic. There was concern that she would require an amputation, which is difficult when it involves the front leg.
While she received excellent care and attention, she has lived with pain every day due to the jagged ends of the bone rubbing with any movement. An orthopedic specialist has recommended a procedure to round off the head of the bone to allow full extension and a pain free gait.
Fortunately, Greta has been adopted, and with the funds raised by our donors so far and additional donations we hope to receive, she should be able to have surgery in December.
Luna
At the end of September, a 20-year-old called about her 18-month-old female, GWP, Luna, in Omaha, Nebraska. While they were running in the tall grass, Luna did not see a tall drop off, and the next thing her owner heard was the dog crying. She sustained a broken rear leg and was immediately transported to a veterinarian who recommended stabilization with internal fixation. While the prognosis was good, the cost was beyond what the family could afford. The owner was dedicated to the aftercare required to return Luna to her full function after surgery and the family was willing tof inance some of the cost, but could not pay the entire bill.
After Suzanne assessed the situation and discussed the medical circumstances with veterinary professionals, she asked our donors for help. Our generous donors responded, and Luna did well after surgery, allowing her to stay at home with her loving owner.
This year has presented our rescue with more dogs than ever before in need of homes, including dogs from hoarding situations and litters of puppies. With the extensive medical problems, the challenges seem to increase every year. We are fortunate to have the support of our board members and wonderful donors to allow these beautiful creatures to find safe, caring, and loving homes. It is important to know that each decision is made after gathering facts, consulting with experts, and considering fiscal responsibility for the rescue.
Nationals Update
Grateful, yet inexperienced treasurer does her best!
The ever dedicated apprentice and assistance, I was preparing to leave for my road trip to Michigan to meet Suzanne Oslander at our Nationals event this year. Just before setting out, I got a call that she was involved in an accident in Pennsylvania. She was hit by a semi-tractor trailer as she traveled with a van full of items to raffle and auction for our biggest fund raiser of the year.
I was most grateful that she was not seriously injured. The best part of being involved with NGWPR has been the relationship I have formed with this amazing lady. I have learned so much from and about her. She is truly one of the best human beings I have ever met.
Normally, we meet at Nationals and she brings most of the items for auction and raffle, but many incredibly generous people also donate items and bring them for us. I usually bring some, but not many. She also brings all of the necessary supplies, like raffle tickets, tape, scissors, etc. When we get to the venue, she tells me what to do and I do it. My favorite part is NOT being in charge! So now we had to think of Plan B. I started by suggesting that I come get her and drive her to Michigan. However, she was a 10 hour drive from my home and about 10 hours from the venue. Next, she considered renting another car.
We both took some time and realized that her driving more was a BAD idea. I told her she needed to go home and rest and not be driving and we could figure the rest out. She had already arranged for someone to pick her up and drive her home.
Being the drama queen I am, I threw on my cape and ran to the dollar store for tape and construction paper. I was instructed that Walmart is the place for raffle tickets, so stopped there on the way. I had 5 things, I think, for the raffle, so I am not sure what I thought I was going to raffle, but I was ready to be put into the game!
When I walked into the venue, armed with kindergarten supplies, I was fortunate to spot Sylvia Miller, who has been running the raffles and auctions for the GWP club for years. I then knew all would be okay. In addition to seeing the raffle maven, she directed me to several boxes of items that had already been left for me to raffle and auction. I was glad that I had done a two year internship at this gig, so at least I had a little idea of what to do.
Armed with paper bags, raffle tickets and a few purchased baskets, I set up items for a raffle on day 1. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of items we had, albeit nothing like we normally do. Fortuitously, I packed a small photo printer that prints photos from my cell phone (planning to print photos of people and dogs) and I came up with a plan for day 2. Suzanne put together some of the baskets she had at home and sent me photos. I printed small photos of the baskets, listed the contents, and we raffled them with the promise of free shipment. We also offered silent auction items on day 2.
Not only did we sell raffle tickets at the event, we offered tickets online through Facebook and allowed people to bid on the silent auction items online.
In the end, we still raised money, however not the amount we usually do at our National event. Most importantly, Suzanne was not severely injured.
Thank you to all who donated items, bought raffle tickets, bid on silent auction items, and those who helped me muddle through, especially Sylvia Miller and Ken Loth.
Safe and Happy Holidays from all of Us at NGWPR
Thank you all for your generous donations and support throughout the year to help as many of these wonderful furry creatures as we can.
About Us
National GWP Rescue is a nationwide rescue program whose volunteers work tirelessly to provide funding, foster homes, medical care and training for GWPs found in shelters, animal control facilities and to those GWPs whose current owners are unable to provide a suitable situation.
Working hand- in-hand with governmental and local shelters, NGWPR provides a safe and responsible home for GWP’s in need. Placed with an experienced GWPCA member, fostered GWPs that have been neglected, untrained or have medical issues quickly blossom as they are readied for their “forever” homes.
Prior to releasing our rescued GWPs for adoption, volunteers provide obedience, manners, and house training. We hold to the philosophy that a mannerly dog has a better chance of fitting into a new household.
NGWPR believes that Wires were designed to hunt and unlike some other rescue programs, we are happy to place dogs with field experience or bird instinct with potential owners who enjoy hunting behind a Wire. However, NGWPR insists that any rescue dog first be a house dog and companion, then a weekend hunting partner.
Please go to our website to learn more.
National German Wirehaired Pointer Rescue
PLEASE REMEMBER THE NATIONAL GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER RESCUE AS YOU CONSIDER YOUR END OF THE YEAR TAX- DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS, AND HAVE A HEALTHY SAFE HOLIDAY
