In Spring 2005 I had lost my first dog, and wasn’t sure how long it would take me to be able to consider having another. I had rescued an older Australian Cattle dog, and thought I would have her 5-6 years or so, but apparently that was not God’s plan, and he called her to the big ‘doggie park’ in the sky in May; less than 3 years in my life. I was so sad and there was such a hole in my heart that I didn’t know if I could go through it again. But at the same time, I couldn’t imagine not having a pooch pal in my life and in my home. It seemed so quiet, and I missed the routine and the unconditional love.

In early June I decided to get online to just start looking at the various sites that link animal rescue organizations. A friend referred me to 1800saveapet.com. I looked every night for a few weeks, and I corresponded with a few people about a few dogs, but really my heart wasn’t singing. Then one night I saw my girl looking out at me from the screen, and I knew she was the one – I knew my heart was ready again.

Having gone through the painful task before of getting set on one dog, only to find out it had already been rescued (actually a good thing!) I was fearing the worst, and hoping for the best. I tried all weekend to reach United Hope for Animals, and was frantic not hearing from anyone, but Monday morning came good news that she was still available, and I was invited up that evening to meet her. As I knew I would, I went home cradling her in my arms that evening.

I named her Shiloh, and she has become the light of my life. She had just had puppies before she was rescued, but no one knows what happened to them. She was spayed the day I met her. Needless to say, her little system was quite messed up for several weeks and she was very quiet and mellow. But now she is very playful and loving friend who is either younger than we suspected, or she is now experiencing the puppyhood she never got to enjoy while on the street!

I believe she is an angel sent to me by my first pooch pal, Rosy. She loves to play fetch with anything for hours on end, chase bunnies and birds, cuddle and have her belly rubbed. Everyone I meet on the street says she looks like such a happy dog, which couldn’t make me happier! Thank you United Hope for doing what you do and making such wonderful opportunities available to the dogs and to us humans!”

Shiloh has gone from searching for food, water and shelter on the streets of Los Angeles to the safely and love of Hillary and her beautiful home. Here is Shiloh asleep on Hillary’s glass coffee table; yes she is in the lap on love and luxury now!

—Written by Shiloh’s “Mom” Hillary

Trooper, Leyla & The Murch Family

Trooper & Leyla, Trooper’s Mom

A backyard breeder in the LA area who bred pure bred puppies to sell for profit wanted to dump a broken puppy and her momma. This backyard breeder threw momma ‘Leyla’ and Star (one of her puppies, now named Trooper) over the fence of one of one of our volunteer foster people. The puppies’ front left leg was injured. We thought at the time that it was because of the drop over the fence. However, we were suspicious that the reason why the breeder was discarding the puppy was because the puppy was (as the breeder would put it) damaged goods.

Her injured leg was the very reason why he was tossing her away. But we did not know at the time all we could do was assume her leg was injured from the drop over the fence and get her to a specialist as soon as possible. Sadly it was later found that the injury did in fact happen while she was a very young pup and the breeder did not seek medical care at the time, so her injuries became more complicated for the specialist to repair.

Moreover, when the man (the breeder) walked away he still had some of her (sellable puppies) and Leyla could hear them crying. Seconds after the foster person knelt down to take the above photo of Leyla, the mama dog turned and ran toward the sound of her crying babies. In an attempt to attend to puppies cries Leyla tried to jump over and clear the high wrought iron fence (seen in the background of the above right photo). Leyla impaled herself on the spikes at the top of the fence.

The pain and grief the backyard breeders bring to the dogs, to the families who love these dogs, and to the pet overpopulation problem is disgraceful. Leyla and Star (Trooper) had the great misfortune of being the product and property of a backyard breeder.

The name of the game for backyard breeders is puppies for profit.

But Star and Leyla also had the most amazing, good fortune of coming across a group of people who wanted to help both Star / Trooper and Leyla; most notably is the Murch family.

A wonderful call came into the office of UHA; it was the kind of call the all rescue people would love to have daily. The caller said that she and her family were thinking of buying a golden retriever, female puppy, however they as a family, had decided to adopt a dog in need instead of buying a puppy. Marika, the woman caller, was calling simply to adopt a Lab or Lab mix in need of a good home instead of buying from a breeder.

When Marika learned of Star and Leyla’s story she said that she and her family would be interested in helping the momma and pup in need. She stated that they would be interested in adopting Trooper and even if it did not work out for their family to adopt Trooper they still wanted to help raise money to help with their medical costs. Marika’s first concern was always on the dogs.

We asked Marika if she and her family would like to adopt and care for little Star and before the phone line had cooled the Murch family already had Star appropriately renamed Trooper and took over her care with out complaint or hesitation. This family opened their hearts and home to a crippled pup. This family is a true example of conscious living, and of great generosity and compassion. They give us all hope that there is enough good in the world to balance neglect, due to ignorance, as well as the conscious destructiveness of others.

Hard working kids with big hearts and as well as big business sense – after a hard days work of making gourmet dog cookies they made $75 to go toward the medical care of Trooper and her Momma Leyla!

Marika writes:

“Trooper has been making great progress since we brought her home. Dr. Nancy Hampel of the Animal Medical Center in El Cajon examined her and recommended physical therapy in lieu of surgery. Trooper sustained two injuries as a very young pup – a crushing break on the growth plate on her lower paw and a dislocated elbow. By the time Trooper was x-rayed, the break had begun to heal itself. If Dr. Hampel operated on Trooper to repair the break, Troopers leg would stop growing. In addition, repairing her dislocated elbow would require fusing the joint, which would eliminate any flexibility. When Trooper is 9 months she will examine her again, and if she is in pain – she will revisit the surgical option for her elbow.”

Trooper’s physical therapist Renee is wonderful and so smart. She created a program for Trooper that will encourage her to stretch her leg building up the muscles so she will use it more. We visit Renee twice a week and continue the program daily at home. Oliver, Taylor and I take a session each. The exercises are essential play time for Trooper, crawling, high-fives and hydro-therapy. – It is fun for all of us, essentially when she is swimming in our bathtub. Renee also encouraged us to massage Trooper’s paw to help reverse the atrophy. She is one pampered pooch. It’s still too soon to predict the actual outcome, but one thing is for sure, Trooper is a happy camper – and hasn’t let her injury stopped her from being a playful, energetic and loving puppy.

She is building quite a fan club in our neighborhood. She has several visitors who are learning the therapy program and stop by to help out. All is well in Trooper World.”

Oliver and Taylor and Little Trooper

Little Trooper and Momma Leyla are finally free and safe from the destructive hands of the backyard breeder. Trooper has been officially adopted by the Murch family and Leyla is safe and care of UHA foster person Jennie. Jennie generously took in Lelya and Trooper into her foster care to recover while we look for their forever home. Thank you Jennie Star and Trooper’s foster mom) for the care you have given Trooper and Leyla.

Anne’s Run for Hope was July 23-25, 2007. Thank you to Anne and everyone who supported UHA and Anne’s Run for Hope.

Anne Langstaff is a marathon runner and an animal lover. She has run marathons before and often run them to benefit a charity but recently she heard about a cause that really needed her help… the animals of Mexico.

In Mexico thousands of animals roam the streets as strays… suffering, starving and pregnant they have nowhere to go. There are no shelters in Mexico only pounds where animals are euthanized via electrocution. Anne heard about how United Hope for Animals is helping the animals that need it most… those in Tijuana. United Hope for Animals has developed programs that bring supplies to the pounds in TJ. UHA also funds free spay and neuter clinics in Tijuana to the community and families who cannot afford veterinary care for their pets.

Anne hopes that by running the Badwater ultramarathon this summer and enduring the desert and grueling conditions she can bring awareness to the plight of the animals that need some hope. The Badwater Marathon, which will take place from July 23-25, is a grueling footrace covering 135 miles non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA in temperatures up to 130F. It is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet.

“Running for United Hope for Animals and animals in need in Mexico and the Southland will keep me focused during the intense heat and harsh conditions,” says Langstaff. “I will think about finishing the race and how I will hopefully be ending the suffering of animals with my run through the desert.” 100% all contributions raised through Langstaff’s run will go toward funding the programs United Hope for Animals coordinates to help the animals.

Won’t you please sponsor Anne and help provide hope to the animals that need us most!!!

For more information on the marathon go to: www.badwater.com