We Hear From Zieger’s Family

By Judy Stevens On February 21, 2012 · 2 Comments


Hello there Zach and Team,

A little update on Mr. Zieger, He is doing great and I can’t be happier with his temperment with the kids and his bull-headed-but-willing-to-learn personality.  He had his first drive down to the beach this weekend and did awesome in the  car. We headed to Del Mar to its dog beach.  Zieger was puzzled at first, but did great in the sand and in shallow water. I was very happy how he interacted with all the dogs.

I dont know how his life was before we got him, but I am pretty sure he never slept in a bed.  Well, he does now and I don’t think there is any going back! He is a great cuddle buddy.

There is one thing we did find out that you never wrote about or made us aware of: THIS DOG IS A FARTER!  OMG. The sad part is I have gotten used to them and can’t really smell them anymore.

Thank you for doing what you do and thank you for letting this guy into our lives, We promise to stay in touch and keep sending you pics of his advertures.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Mandy Garrett

 

Bakersfield Diamond Divas Fundraiser

By Judy Stevens On February 21, 2012 · 1 Comment


On Saturday, March 17th, Bakersfield Diamond Divas, a nonprofit roller derby team, will be hosting a fundraiser for Marley’s Mutts at Skateland in Bakersfield.

Doors open at 5 pm, first game is at 5:30 pm. This will be a double header with the second game starting around 7:15 pm.

The goal is to bring in as much money for Marleys Mutts as possible, and have an amazing roller derby game for the fans to enjoy! !

Skateland is located at 415 Ming Avenue, Bakersfield.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and children (ages 5-12).

 

 

 

The Burned Puppies

By Judy Stevens On February 21, 2012 · 21 Comments

PUPPY UPDATE-11:02 am 2/22/12

TODAY WE GET TO SEE OUR GIRLS!! just got off the phone with Dr. Werner at the Pet Emergency Hospital in Thousand Oaks and the consensus is positive. Our girls were napping in Hyperbaric. Natalia’s back leg is healing a bit funky and tightening on her, which makes her favor it. This is not unusual or bad, it’s just the nature of her injury. The burn was so deep that it damaged the muscle and that muscle has to repair itself as well. Phoenix is her usual, peppy self; not much else to report on her. I will be checking up on them in person along with Cathy and Dr. Grossman at around 1 pm and will have pics and updates ready. The bond that this team has developed continues to grow and with it, so does the girls chance of prosperity. I’m very blessed to be a part of all of this. (What a sweet pic of Natalia and Natalia).

PUPPY UPDATE-9:09 am 2/21/12

Pups are well, headed into hyperbaric in about 10 minutes. Dr Grossman and I (along with several others) will be visiting the pups tomorrow. We’ll get some great pics of their progress and have a very detailed report to relay back to you all. Natalia’s chest cold seems to not be bothering her and they are both eating like champs today. After tomorrow, we will have an idea of what their longer term treatment plan will be and when they will be receiving grafts. So far, so good!!
PUPPY UPDATE: 2/20/12
The girls are feeling frisky! The fact that they are being this rambunctious is a great sign. Dr. Grossman is going to swing by on Wednesday to evaluate the girls to see if thay are going to be ready for their first true skin grafts!!

PUPPY UPDATE-12:30 pm 2/20/12:

The pups are doing very well. Natalia’s chest cold is getting better and she is breathing more easily. Dr Grossman came by the hospital yesterday and removed the bovine fetal tissue that has been “stimulating” the girls’ skin for the last 30 hours. The bovine tiissue was only a short term treatment designed to get the girls immune system going and hope that some cells regenerate. Dr G and the staff at Pet Emergency rewrapped them in “dirty paper” which is a gauze of special composition designed specifically for burns. Can’t say enough about the staff in Thousand Oaks, they are doing an amazing job.
CBS Channel 2 news broke a story on Dr. Grossman helping with the burned puppies, which was picked up by OMG Yahoo.

Zach and Dr. Grossman relaxing between procedures.
PUPPY UPDATE-10:35 2/19/12 (GRAPHIC PHOTO):
This image shows the grafted tissue from the bovine fetus as it is bonding with Natalia’s body and tissue. The hope is to “fake out” her immune system to think that the skin is her own. Her grafts cover her entire back aft of her neck but this image show progress and acceptance. Natalia is off her IV and eating well but has a mild pneumonia (chest cold) that has shown to be a problem yet. KEEP HER IN YOUR THOUGHTS TODAY.

PUPPY UPATE-2/17/12

It is hard to really wrap my arms around what happened today…Dr Grossman and his whole staff were just…perfect. No other way to put it.. Maybe, “magically perfect”. I am grateful beyond words. In this photo he is performing on Phoenix.
PUPPY UPDATE-8:44 am 2/17/12:
Today is the day!!! The girls get their skin-graft treatment from Dr. Grossman! Thanks again everyone for helping make this miracle possible. Amazing things are happening and we are seeing the best of humanity through this whole situation. Our girls, Pheonix and Natalia, will one day be frolicking, wagging tails, and roughhousing with Marley and his Mutts.
Going to shake the hand of THE MAN today–Dr. HEAL-PUP himself. That’s right, the inestimable, incomparable, world –famous, pioneer of burn treatment and therapy; Sergeant Scald, the Baron of Blister, the Sultan of Scorch, DR. A. RICHARD GROSSMAN. Sorry if it sounds like I’m kissing his butt but I have no shame when it comes to these girls and our good Doctor may very well save their lives. I will post a full report ASAP.
We hear from Natalia (the human), one of the folks who are caring for Phoenix and Natalia (the dog) at Pet Emergency Clinics and Speciality Hospital:
Working with Natalia and Phoenix has been a life-changing experience for me and the rest of the staff at the Pet Emergency and Specialty Clinic.

Story on KERO News:
PUPPY UPDATE-9:05 am 2/16/12:
Just got off the phone with Dr. Werner (who I haven’t met and can’t wait to hug) and the pups are doing VERY WELL. Two fair ways to judge a pup’s comfort level (as far as pain and generally speaking) are whether they are sleeping and eating–and our girls are doing both!! They are in the hyperbaric chamber as we speak and are fending off infections well. Dr. Grossman (aka the MOST VENERABLE ONE, aka the high-protecter of burned puppies, aka DR. HEAL) is coming by after work to help redress the girls and examine their progress. Keep it up gang, let’s do what we do so that they can keep on fighting.

PUPPY UPDATE-2:41 pm 2/15/12
Check out the wrap job that Dr. Grossman did on Natalia. His knowledge and expertise combined with the carful attention of staff like Natalia at the clinic is making all the difference. What a team!
PUPPY UPDATE-12:54 pm 2/15/12
Dr. Grossman removing dead tissue from Phoenix, who is in a propofol-induced sedation.
PUPPY UPDATE-11:36 pm 2/14/12
What an amazing community/worldwide effort we’ve had to come to the aid of these puppies!! Can you believe that Dr. Grossman from the world famous Grossman Burn Center has offered his expertise and services to help our little girls? Dr. Grossman is taking his day off, this Friday, to spend with our girls and perform a very complicated skin graft surgery. This surgery is crucially important to the pups’ future because without real, tangible skin growth, they don’t have a future. Dr. Grossman is the Albert Einstein of burn treatment, so having him on the team is truly an honor!
PUPPY UPDATE-4:42 pm 2/14/12
Dr. Grossman of Grossman Burn Center donated time and expertise to the pups today. He will be performing skin grafts on the pups on Friday.

PUPPY UPDATE-12:12 pm 2/14/12
I spoke with Dr. Werner (in Thousand Oaks) this morning and as is usually the case with burns like these, I’ve got some good news and some bad news. Unfortunately, she recommended that Pele be put to sleep. Pele’s burns were 3rd degree, over 80% of her body and had become infected. Her inability to stave off infection combined with the extreme amount of pain made it a very clear decesion to put her to sleep. The Dr.’s had Pele on a drug called Ketamine which essentially disassociates the brain from the body. Ketamine combines with her pain meds to virtually remove the pain and gently eased her into the other world.
Now, for the good news. Dr. Grossman from the GROSSMAN BURN CENTER in Los Angeles is visiting with the pups (Natalia and Phoenix) within the hour. He is bringing his expertise to bear along with a MAGICAL VETERINARY KIT designed specifically for burn patients. Natalia and Phoenix now have THE BEST BURN DOCTOR IN THE COUNTRY, who operates the foremost burn center in the country, on their team!! If that doesn’t make you want to shout “Yee Haaaww” then you need to check your pulse!
Natalia (whom we named one of the puppies after) is our liaison at the Clinic and she will be keeping us in the loop and sending us pictures and pertinent info regarding their progress. Natalia, the dog (black and white pit bull), is the worse for wear but her infection doesn’t seem to be life threatening (at this point). She is getting gentle, saline and baby shampoo baths twice a day (as recommended by the burn center) and is having excess necrotic skin tissue removed. Natalia is receiving terrific pain management treatment through a catheter that is making life much more tolerable for her. She has begun treatments in the hyperbaric chamber which will help prevent infection and, with any luck, rapidly increase the pace at which her body heals.
Phoenix, who is the smallest (doxy mix) and came to us in possibly the worse shape, has shown herself to be a real fighter. She is the “Mickey Ward” of puppies and seems to just keep her head down, persevere and fight, fight, fight! Her body has shown a unbelievable resilience that has kept her virtually infection free–for the time being. She is very responsive and craves attention. It seems that some her cries are for pettin’ and lovin’ rather than pain related.
Their care is very costly but worth every penny. We are making guided and calculated decisions to ensure that we stay practical and pragmatic. We are aware that this money you all are so generously donating could be used for a variety of benevolent endeavors, including saving other dogs. I want you all to be confident that we are trying our best to be smart and sensible and avoid making foolhardy, naïve decisions.
Keep Natalia and Phoenix in your minds and in your prayers and we will keep you updated and informed. Please continue supporting Marley’s Mutts and these little girls with your donations and we will do our best to insure they have the finest care and the greatest shot at survival and prosperity.
Much Love,
Z and the Mutts
PUPPY UPDATE-8:00 pm 2/13/12
Puppy update from down at the Pet Emergency Care Clinics and Speciality Hospital in Thousand Oaks. The amazing docs down here gave the girls a once over and Dr. Cheryl Braswell has given us a high level overview of what the girls are going to need initially to hit the road to recovery. Not going to lie here: the list is really long, and will include more than just the Hyperbaric Chamber at this point. These girls are going to need multiple whirlpool treatments to help remove dead skin and fight infections from the outer layers of remain good tissues and muscle. Also aggressive rounds of antibiotics to stave off internal infections that may not have reared their head yet.
At this point this is all just the initial assessment and we will hopefully have a more detailed picture tomorrow since the Dr’s are working on them tonight. With all the courses of action that are going to be needed our initial fundraising goal of $5000.00 is now barely going to cover a day and a half at the facility. Rough estimates at this point put the expenses for the girls at $1000 per day, per puppy while they are being treated at the hospital. So to try to help absorb the costs, we’re going to increase the ChipIn fundraiser goal up to $15000.00 at this point to get the girls started and see how treatments and care go.
All the amazing donations that have come in thus far have been amazing and we can’t thank you enough for all that you have done and are still doing to help give these girls a fighting chance.
This is a herculean effort to say the least and one that we will all lose sleep over in the coming days as we call and get reports on how our girls are doing. We hope that everyone will continue to spread the word about these girls and their fight to survive.
Please keep them in your prayers and keep the good energy headed their way. They are in for a tough haul, but these girls are up for it…
PUPPY UPDATE-4:00 p,m 2/13/12
Kathleen and I ARE ON OUR WAY TO TREATMENT IN THOUSAND OAKS!!! We had to make the tough decision to euthanize the tan and white pitty girl. She was not using her back legs and was in too much pain but the other three are with us and we will be there in 2 1/2 hours. Hopefully they will get their first HBOT treatment tonight!
PUPPY UPDATE-11:57 am 2/13/12
We are pluggin’ away and have found a few hospitals that have HBOT’s (hyperbaric oxygen tanks). The costs are going to be very high at about $160 per treatment, each needing about two treatments per day. The facility in Thousand Oaks may be able to fit all of the pups in the HBOT at the same time but we won’t know until their “boss” doctor is back on shift. The goal is to have them at a facility and treated in a hyperbaric by the end of today. PLEASE CONTINUE THE SUPPORT AND SPREAD THE WORD. THIS IS GOING TO ME A LENGTHY AND VERY EXPENSIVE PROCESS. The pups are doing the hard work, all we have to do is keep praying and ask friends to pitch in a few bucks. Keep it up, gang! Z
PUPPY UPDATE-8:47 am 2/13/12
PUPS ARE DOING WELL. I wasn’t sure what to expect today, but they are all eating and drinking well–which is a very good sign. They were cleaned up this morning and have begun to take meds orally rather than with injections. Going to work hard today to find a portable hyperbaric chamber or a facility that has one for the pups to be transferred to.
PUPPY UPDATE-7:44 am 2/13/12
Wanted to give a ChipIn fundraising update. In 72 hours we have made it to 64% of our goal!!! We are still pushing hard and running down leads for a Hyperbaric Chamber to help heal wounds and stave off infection, but with the holiday today things might be a little slow on that front. But if you have a lead or know someone who might happen to have one of these laying around post a comment in the thread.
Keep the word spreading, hit the water coolers, the line at the Starbucks, etc…
Thank you all so much for the contributions and the help thus far. It is going to take the combined efforts of us all to keep these little girls moving forward… If they are will to fight as hard as they are, then we need to do the same…
Keep the prayers and good vibes going and spread the word!!!!
PUPPY UPDATE-11:28 am 2/12/12
Stormy checked in with me today and said that the pups are hanging in there. The only change is that they upped their pain meds. Tomorrow we will reassess the situation and go from there. WE NEED THAT HYPERBARIC CHAMBER BUT PROBABLY WON’T HEAR BACK UNTIL AFTER THE MONDAY HOLIDAY. Keep praying everybody and sending those positive vibrations.
PUPPY UPDATE-9:00 pm 2/11/12:
HYPERBARIC OXYGEN UNITS FOR THE PUPPIES: All right…we do have one thing that we can do to help these pups and that is get them in a hyperbaric chamber to help promote healing and prevent infection. Josh found some places to rent and sent me the links which I have followed up on and left messages. So… WE NEED TO FIND A HYPERBARIC CHAMBER TO RENT OR HAVE DONATED. We did some research and a couple of hours in the chamber a couple of times a day for these dogs could do a world of good. Tall order, I know, but get to networking and see what we can come up with. Go get em’ gang.
PUPPY UPDATE-9:30 am, 2/11/12:
Just got off the phone with Stormy, who is caring for the puppies at the Tehachapi Vet Hospital. Everyone needs to know two important facts 1) The puppies are being medicated carefully to keep them as comfortable as possible and 2) This is an uphill battle that may get worse before it gets better.
I’m not being pessimistic, I just want everyone to know that burns of this nature are extremely difficult to treat and require many weeks and months to mend. We are contacting burn specialists who are familiar with treating burns down to the muscle. The girls have had a significant amount of dead skin removed and they are being treated with antibiotics as well as topical meds.
We need to thank Stormy and Kim and the staff for going through what they have to help these girls. The smell alone is enough to make you flinch and they don’t hesitate at all to get right in there and help.
SUMMARY OF THE 4 BURNED BABY GIRLS:
I got a call yesterday from a family in California City who needed urgent help with 4 badly burned puppy girls. They were clearly distraught and their helplessness came across clearly over the phone. They had two litters of puppies that were staying in an outside building and were keeping them warm with a heating lamp. Something happened with the heating lamp that lit the structure ablaze. Several of the puppies were saved-unscathed- but 4 were killed and one died at the veterinary hospital in Cal City. Still four others survived but were badly burned–3rd degree over 60% of their bodies, all four of them in equally bad shape.
THIS FAMILY DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD!! From the grandfather, who wept as he tried to save them, to the Dad who adminstered life-saving oxygen (from grandpa’s oxygen tank), to the grandson who has stayed home from school to care for them for the last week. They are poor and have very few resources but spent as much as they could at the vet in Cal City to get the pups the medicine that they need. They reached out to as many organizations as they could, none of whom could help, and then they found us online.
The fire occurred on 2-8-12 and they have kept the pups alive that long and virtually not slept in the process. So, now what do we do? Dr. Komin and the staff of the Tehachapi Veterinary Hospital are on it!! They have each been bathed, medicated and are working on having the dead tissue cut away. THE PUPS ARE BEING CAREFULLY ADMINISTERED SMALL DOSES OF PAIN MEDICATION TO LIMIT SUFFERING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. We have to keep them clean and hope and pray that they do not become “septic,” an infection which they cannot combat.
The pups are 3 pit bull girls and one chi/dox mix girl. I think we should name them–suggestions? We need to gather as much postive energy and try to focus it on these little girls. It’s going to take a miracle but we’ve witnessed miracles before and I think they’ve got what it takes. Keep it up gang!!
I’m please to report that both pups are doing fine. I definitely see a significant improvement in Phoenix. She is starting to do normal puppy stuff like chew on my fingers. If it wasn’t for her bandages and scars you would never know how much this girl has overcome!
Natalia’s burns are looking a lot better today, but she still has a long way to go. We are looking forward to seeing Dr. Grossman work his magic on her. She is definitely a fighter.
Both pups have a ravenous appetite. They are receiving IV fluids, antibiotics, hyperbaric treatments, and pain medication to keep them comfortable. I’m happy to say that when I left work today, both pups were sleeping comfortably. I held Natalia in my arms and Chelsea (my coworker who has been working just as hard as me for these little guys) held Phoenix. These puppies received the love and attention that every puppy deserves. We are all doing everything in our power to ensure these puppies receive the best veterinary care possible! They are little miracles..
Thank you, Marleys Mutts, for everything you do, and trusting our facility to care for these critical patients it is truly an honor.
Thanks for everything you do, Zach! ? You’re an amazing person! God Bless You……. Natalia
P.S. I am so honored you named a puppy after me (I was calling her Flower). When Dr. Werner told me you named her Natalia, I burst into tears! It brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it. Thank You…
 

Anzac

By Judy Stevens On February 20, 2012 · 1 Comment


This floppy-eared fellow is Anzac, and he is a 10-year-old, neutered Shepherd mix. Anzac’s story is a bit depressing but keep in mind that he is about as happy a dog as you’ll ever meet.

Anzac was abandoned by his owners after they lost their house. He was to stay with us for a month while they got settled in—that was over a year ago. Safe to say that Anzac is now a Marley’s Mutt and, boy, does he love it up here. When Anzac first arrived he was obese, so much so that when he walked down steep hills, it was very difficult for him to stop if he had built up any momentum. No kidding–he literally couldn’t stop himself, like a big ole’ truck with no brakes! Anzac is an entirely different dog now; he’s lost about 30 lbs. and has become an indoor/outdoor dog. Anzac was an outside dog who seldom got loved on so when he gets attention, he absolutely soaks it up. You could pet him with one finger and the look on his face is like he’s getting a Swedish massage. Anzac loves people, dogs and really all creatures and would absolutely thrive in an environment where he could lounge with his master and watch TV. In fact, in a perfect world, Anzac would have a walk in the morning; watch TV all day; walk in the evening and then sleep.

If you are interested in adopting this lazy lover boy, please contact Zach at 661-972-3852, 821-1327, or ziggyhb@yahoo.com.

 

Delilah

By Judy Stevens On February 20, 2012 · Leave a Comment


This delightful dame is Delilah and she is a 2-3 year-old Staffordshire terrier. She was discovered as a stray but has clearly been socialized and trained. Delilah is probably the best behaved, most well-rounded Staffordshire terrier I have ever met. She is simply good at everything and bad at nothing. She is a crowd pleaser and an absolute hit wherever she goes. She gravitates towards people as well as animals. Her energy around other dogs is very calm, centered and comfortable; she is not afraid or anxious, she JUST IS. She is also on the smaller side (40-45 lbs.), which makes her very easy to control as well as transport. A child as young as 10 could easily handle Delilah. We have had her at several of our events and she has behaved with complete grace and shown total respect. I would trust Delilah around small children, small animals and even cats.

If you are interested in adopting our sweet Delilah, please contact Zach at 661-972-3852, 821-1327, or email: ziggyhb@yahoo.com.

 

Open Mic Night at Tehachapi High School

By Judy Stevens On February 19, 2012 · Leave a Comment


The Interact Club of Tehachapi High School, sponsored by the Rotary Club, will be having a fundraiser for Marley’s Mutts on Friday, Feb 24th, in the Tehachapi High School Cafeteria beginning at 6:30 pm. Admission is $5 per person.

Come out and cheer on the performers as well as support Marley’s Mutts!

 

We Hear From Nelson’s Family

By Judy Stevens On February 12, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Dear Zach & Andy,

I don’t even need to explain what an amazing boy Nelson is, because he is so loved by the both of you & with good reason! We decided to call him “Rush” & I thought it should be short for “Rushmore” since he’s as tall as a mountain & would fit right in with his gorgeous face carved into the side of one! He has already changed our lives for the better in 24 hours & we are grateful that you chose us to be his family. He’s already a Mama’s Boy (one of 3) & has made himself quite comfy on our bed already! Words cannot express how much we appreciate this great gift you have given our family, thank you for saving his life. I will be emailing you some pictures this week of our adoption day & a few other random moments. He’s already had a bike ride & a play date with his cousin Chloe who is a yellow lab & they were like peas & carrots. I will be in touch & thank you again for our sweet gentle giant.

Annie

 

Zieger Has Been Adopted!

By Judy Stevens On February 10, 2012 · 1 Comment


Zieger with his new family!

 

Denny

By Judy Stevens On February 8, 2012 · Leave a Comment


This dashing, young doggy is Denny and he is a ½ year old, neutered, Boxer mix. Denny was hand-picked (or found stray) by Coach Denman of your Tehachapi Warriors and, as we all know, Coach Denman raises champions with tons of heart—and that’s what Denny is. Denny was in very bad shape when he came in and in need of some serious rehab to get him into playing shape. Denny has been undergoing his preseason workout and rehab at the Tehachapi Vet Hospital; he is eating 3 squares a day, building up his muscle and having the necessary “operations” to get him ready for the big game. Denny has worked on his socialization; he listens to instruction and gets along extremely well with his teammates. He’s like Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears: he may look intimidating but he’s really a big softy. Denny has calmed down considerably and taken the cotton out of his ears and stuck it in his mouth! Denny has put on nearly ten pounds (weighs about 50) and will make a solid linebacker–not quite big enough to play as a lineman. Denny has got the heart of a Lion and has become a proud Tehachapi Warrior.

If you are interested in adopting Denny, please contact Zach at 661-972-3852 or email Zach@marleysmutts.com.

Denny gets a treat!

 

We hear from Family of Davy Jones AKA Monster

By Judy Stevens On February 8, 2012 · Leave a Comment


Hey Zach,

This is Shea MacIntire. I adopted my wonderful companion with my fiancé back in August 2011. I know you guys like to keep tabs, and although it’s been a while, it’s better late then never :)

Here are some pictures and a video of “Monster” (formerly called “Davy Jones”) that you can put on the site, if you wish :)

Thanks,

Shea MacIntire

 
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