Special Dogs in Permanent Foster Care

Paris

Hello to all my friends! I'm Paris and I have been with the CCRT since the fall of 2005. Before that, I had spent time in several homes but nobody really wanted to keep me. I'm glad I ended up with CCRT!

I am completely spoiled in my foster home and am loving all the attention of life with my big foster family of humans and Chihuahuas. But just as I was learning to live the high life, the vet said I have some little lumps in my tummy, and that they are growing. The vet can't fix me, and the lumps are getting bigger. They call it cancer and I'm told it's not good. CCRT told me that in order to make sure I had a happy and healthy life, it would be best for me to stay in their care. I don't really mind, you see, because now it means that I will never, ever have to move homes again.

I was told by my foster family that I can stay with them for as long as I have left and that CCRT will take good care of me. I can't think of a better place to be! I have a very special foster brother and he carries me all over when he's home from school. I am finally being treated like the princess I always knew I was. So far I am very comfortable, and the lumps in my tummy don't hurt me. That's good because I want to enjoy this princess stuff for as long as I can!

If you would like to help the CCRT keep me comfortable and catered to like royalty, please be one of my Angels.

Love Paris

Paris's Sponsorship Angels:
Carol Newhouse
Heather McWalter
Kelty McWalter
Carrie Stevens, Gilbert, Bernard, Dusty and Peanut
Tammy Galas-Gray, Roo and Kahlua
Diane Huneault
Norma Priday in memory of one of our CCRT dogs, sweet little Gidget.
Terry & Ian Fogel & Family
Diane Landry
Allison Foss

Become a Sponsorship Angel for Paris

Jingles

Location: Hammonds Plains, NS
Age: senior
Gender: Female

Jingles is an older female Chihuahua who has been in foster care since January 2006 and doing very well against all odds. When she was first sent to her foster home, she was quite shy and nervous. Jingles had some hair loss, dry skin and a lump on her chest when she was first brought to the CCRT. She also suffered from severe arthritis and hearing loss. A vet check showed the lump was cancerous and it was immediately removed. She recovered nicely at her foster home and we all awaited the final results of the biopsy.

Unfortunately, the news for lovely Jingles isn't good as the results came back showing she has Mammary Adenocarcinoma Cancer. Even after the lump was removed, the cancer progressed into her mammary glands and will eventually spread to her abdominal organs. Chemotherapy was discussed but as this type of cancer does not respond well to it and Jingles' age, it isn't an option for her.

The vet had given Jingles between six and twelve months to live however, she has proved him wrong!. Currently she is showing no visible signs of illness and remains comfortable and happy with her foster family. Jingles will remain in permanent foster care with them and they will ensure her remaining time is filled with love, happiness and lots and lots of treats! To ease her symptoms of arthritis the vet has her on medication. This requires ongoing blood tests to ensure she has proper liver function. At her last test her blood work was great and the vet is astonished she is doing so well. Her permanent foster family cherishes her company and pleasant disposition. Jingles has definitely come out of her shell and now looks for affection. She loves food and hanging out in the kitchen ever so hopeful that something might fall to the floor. Jingles will require ongoing medication and vet check ups while in permanent foster care. If you would like to help the CCRT with Jingles veterinary care, please become one of her Sponsorship Angels. The money you donate will be help the CCRT continue caring for Jingles.

Jingles will require ongoing medication and vet check ups while in permanent foster care. If you would like to help the CCRT with Jingles' veterinary care, please become one of her Sponsorship Angels. The money you donate will be help the CCRT continue caring for Jingles.

Jingles' Sponsorship Angels:

Diane Huneault — in memory of Sheba
Toronto Chihuahua Group
Joane Valencic
Cathy Kent — in memory of Peanut. We'll love you forever and a day my best buddy. Mommy (Cathy), Daddy and Munchkin
DARP: Displaced Animal Re-Integration Program representing the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law
Nikki Lam

Become a Sponsorship Angel for Jingles:

added January 31, 2006

Jasper and Chloe

Location: Kingston, ON
Age: 15 (Jasper) and 16 (Chloe) years old
Gender: male and female

Meet two very special CCRT rescues, Jasper and Chloe.

Jasper, 15, is a long haired black and white male and Chloe, 16, is the smooth short coat beautiful female. They were surrendered to CCRT in early 2006 when their mom became too sick to care for them. Unfortunately, this is the 3rd time that Jasper and Chloe have come thru the CCRT and we want nothing more than to see them happy and stable and where they can live out their remaining few years together.

Since they came back to CCRT, their foster family has worked hard to ensure they are as happy and healthy as possible. Jasper has slimmed down, his mobility has improved because of it and he can go down stairs and is jumping up on the couch. Chloe has no problems with stairs and while both dogs could not be termed overactive, they do enjoy their walks. Chloe is no longer allowed off leash. With her dementia issues and the further deterioration of her eyesight she began wandering off when - in her opinion - the walk was over. However; those issues mean that she will circle whoever is holding the leash at high speed while thinking she is going really far. She has an aversion to snow, and has mastered the art of holding a leg in a position that makes it look broken once she has had enough.

Both dogs are doing very well for their age. They sleep around twenty hours a day, so they should be around for many years to come. Once they wake up, they get very excited when their people come home. They both love nothing more than hanging out on the couch with whoever happens to be handy - they really aren't picky. Adult, child, guest - it really doesn't matter. If no one is available Chloe will snort her displeasure and head off to bed.

Overall their health is as good as can be expected. Jasper's heart murmur has not been evident in the time he's been back with CCRT. Daily medication and exercise seem to be doing the trick. Chloe's vision in her "good" eye is approaching the level of her "bad" eye. All topical treatments have been exhausted and surgery is not an option at her age, so the foster family has promised to not move the furniture.

CCRT will continue to pay for their medical needs while they are with us and we'll continue to do so until they pass onto Rainbow Bridge. If you would like to help us with their care, please become a Sponsorship Angel today and your donation will be directed to their medical needs.

Sponsorship Angels for Chloe and Jasper:
Patricia Hatton
Joane Otto
Donna Benko
Heather McWalter
Richard Johnson & Caroline Rueberer & Family
Gage Family in memory of Ricki
Carolyn Donnelly
Diane Hunneault
Annie Katona

Become a Sponsorship Angel for Jasper and Chloe

added April 9, 2006

Amber

Location: Hamilton, ON
Age: 9 years old
Gender: Female

This lovely lady is Amber, who came to CCRT in July 2006 after being found wandering the streets of Toronto. She was picked up by Toronto Animal Services and surrendered to us. Amber is approximately 10 years old and weighs 8 pounds. CCRT suspects she was used as a breeding dog and was perhaps discarded after her former owners were finished with her.

Considering her possibly sad background, Amber is loving, calm, playful, spirited, brave, social, curious, obedient and intelligent. She bonded immediately with the female of the foster household and will follow her everywhere. Whatever you want Amber to do, she wants to do it to please you. She is, however, no push over especially if she is frightened.

Because she is obedient and intelligent, her foster family has found it incredibly easy to train her. Once she knows the routine of the household she does what she should. She is eager to please and responds well to training with food.

On top of all of her wonderful qualities, Amber is also able to make herself disappear. One moment she is there on the floor, the next, presto-chango (and a bit of wriggling), Amber is gone and in her place & ta-dah - an ordinary pile of blankets! Amber has some medical issues that require care and monitoring. The most serious is her enlarged heart and a heart murmur. She takes a Vetmedin pill twice a day for her heart ailments and it would appear to be doing her a great deal of good. Amber is also very hard of hearing. She can hear loud claps or bangs and looks up immediately to see what is required. Her foster family has been teaching her hand signals to which she responds and obeys immediately.

Due to the seriousness of her medical condition, Amber will remain in permanent foster care with CCRT until she is ready to go to 'Rainbow Bridge'. We may not know the length of her days but we do know that every day she is with her permanent foster family, this wonderful little dog brings them laughter, serene company and joyous kisses.

The CCRT will continue to pay for Amber's medical care and she would sincerely appreciate it if you could help CCRT help her by becoming one of her special Sponsorship Angels. The money you donate to her care will be used for future vet visits and necessary medicine to keep this gal happy and as healthy as possible.

Amber's Sponsorship Angel:

Angie Wai 
Heather McWalter
Evie E. Karabetsos
Anne Nicholson
Allison Foss

added August 9, 2006 

Bobbie

Location: Greater Toronto Area
Age: Senior
Gender: Female

Meet Bobbie, a special senior gal who was surrendered to CCRT in the summer of 2006. She is a a delightful little gal who had a very traumatic first few weeks with CCRT and this has resulted in long term emotional effects for her.

Before she was surrendered, her and her doggy brother were well loved by their owners who were sad to surrender them, but had no choice as they were going into a senior's residence that didn't allow pets. Unfortunately, a few days after being surrendered, her brother , who had serious heart problems and was deaf and blind, passed away and Bobbie was suddenly all alone in the world.

Bobbie is a strong and determined little dog and these traits had allowed her to be the eyes and ears for her brother - she had been his protector and guardian for many years. To be suddenly thrown into new circumstances were completely overwhelming for her. Her life as she had known it no longer existed; she was in a strange new world.

Her health at the time of surrender was manageable. Bobbie had a grade 4 heart murmur which was totally manageable with medication, a collapsing trachea which was also manageable and a cherry eye which the CCRT had surgically repaired as well as two very small mammary tumors removed.

These health concerns would be completely manageable on their own, however, Bobbie does not handle stress well. Minor incidents and upsets compound themselves into serious health concerns. monthly incidents or upsets could be a loud noise prompting barking, a sudden unknown sound, a knock at the door--anything that startles her.

When stressed, she coughs which causes her traechea to collapse which often results in very lengthy, serious, coughing attacks. When she gets worked up it's not unusual for her to have these severe bouts of coughing/choking for over 2 hours and this is very tough on her. In fact, it is serious enough that the pressure builds up so intensely, it causes her inner eye lid to pop out and her cornea also becomes enlarged. It takes days of eye medications (creams & drops) to reduce the swelling.

This same pressure also effects her heart. There is a very real possibility that a severe coughing attack could ultimately lead to additional stress being placed on her heart and the worst case scenario would be a heart attack. Unfortunately for Bobbie, these are very real possibilities in her life.

She relies and looks to her foster parents for help and affirmation that all is well. Bobbie is a tough old girl but is very insecure and fragile.

Bobbie thrives on her monthly regimens and routines. She's dependent on her foster family for her security; and does not tolerate any change to her routine well at all. Bobbie cannot be alone for extended lengths of times as she needs someone to physically care for her in these rough moments. In times of stress and coughing attacks, she needs to have someone there who will not panic, nor be concerned with using a syringe to administer cough serum into the side of her mouth while she is choking.

When eye medications are required, they sting and hurt; naturally she struggles; perseverance and quickness is required. However, they must be administered in order to prevent her eye from being scarred. The foster Mum calls it "tough love".

Should an adoptive home be located for her, Bobbie's vet has indicated that they would need a "multitude" of visits increasing in length & frequency and gradually increasing to monthly visits . Bobbie would need to be thoroughly used to and comfortable with the adoptive parents before it could even be considered leaving her there on her own. This potential adoptive home will need to be very local to the foster home in order to accommodate these visits.

In summary, Bobbie is a 10 to 12 year old chihuahua mix. She has a grade 4 heart murmur and is currently on 2 heart medications (fortekar 1/day, vetmedin 2/day), has a severe collapsing trachea and has eye problems (enlarged and often ulcerated cornea requiring eye cream 2 eye drops dependent on current scenario). Bobbie has security issues resulting in stress and physical ailments.

Until and unless this potential 'forever' home is located for her, Bobbie will continue to enjoy her life with her foster family which consists of Mum, Dad, brother & sister CCRT family members and "the cat ". She is happy and very welcome to stay as long as is necessary.

Bobbie exemplifies the purpose for the CCRT. Dogs like her are the reason why the CCRT is was formed. If you would like to help them to continue to provide the medications and care she requires to continue to enjoy her remaining years please become Bobbie's Sponsorship Angel.

Sponsorship Angels:
Angie Wai
Suzanne Lill
Harvey Ecker
Nicki Lam

Become a Sponsorship Angel for Bobby:

added July 7, 2006

Purchase a blanket for a special needs dog ($15.00)

Please help us purchase a blanket for each of our dogs that they can call their own and bring with them when they are adopted by their ‘forever home’. Each blanket is hand made by our volunteers and gives each dog a sense of security during their transition from foster care to family member.

Simply click the Paypal button below to give the gift of comfort to a CCRT rescue.

Purchase a sweater for a special needs dog ($10.00)

Originally from Mexico, Chihuahuas are used to warm, sunny climates. Needless to say, our unique Canadian weather is often not to their liking! Please consider buying a sweater for one or more of our rescue dogs so they can enjoy their outdoor walks and playtime in comfort and style.

A simple click on the Paypal button below and you’re on your way to making a CCRT rescue happier and warmer with a snazzy new sweater!