Amazing Ava
Little Wiggle Pete
Ava’s story is long and complex, with Leo’s Helping Paws as a constant thread through her journey to a new life. Ava’s life began outside, tethered and without much interaction from humans. It was several years later that she ended up in a shelter.
Paws n’Time brought Pete into their care with an unknown neurological disorder. Pete suffers from tremors which make it difficult for him to do everyday tasks such as walking and eating. Thanks to Leo’s Helping Paws, Pete was able to receive the veterinary care and testing he needed to discover the cause of his tremors. Leo’s hosted “Pumpkin Pies for Pete,” where the community came together and purchased 150 pies to assist with the cost of his care.
She won the hearts of everyone around her, which gave her much needed time. When time was running out, Kelly Armour, Ava’s saving grace and continued support system, entered her life. Kelly found her a foster home and got her into the care of The Polished Pitbull. “Once we saved her from the shelter, she became the biggest medical mystery we had ever seen,” she said. Ava was in and out of veterinary offices as something unknown affected her kidneys and liver and caused a steady decline that nearly cost Ava her life. While the rescue wanted to provide everything they could for her, they lacked the funds to do so. That’s when Leo’s Helping Paws stepped up. After continued treatments, they put her on a special diet that seemed to turn her life around. “We should have lost her many times, but there is a fight in this amazing little girl,” Kelly said. After several unsuccessful adoptions, Ava was recently adopted by Jenn and her husband, Barclay, and finally has a permanent place to call home.
With the help of medications and a lot of love and patience, Pete’s tremors, while not completely under control, have gotten better. His adopters, Kristen and Mike, have noticed great improvements. “He walks unsteadily and pecks at his food to eat, but he loves to play, cuddle, and go on car rides. We treat him like a regular dog as much as we can, because we know he deserves a normal life,” Kristen said. Leo’s Helping Paws, along with Paws n’Time and a dedicated team of veterinarians, made it possible for Little Wiggle Pete to enjoy the simple things in life, such as a warm bed, his favorite little green soccer ball, and his adoring adopters. He’ll even enjoy his first vacation this summer.
Visit leoshelpingpaws.org to learn more about the lives they have saved and how you can help.
AVA
SPRING 2017
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