Animal Loving Friends

Willow Begins Acupuncture

2009-09-12T17:33:00.006-07:00

Willow is beginning to undergo some treatment that may enable her to walk again. Read about it on our web site. Progress will be posted here.

We need sponsors for additional acupuncture sessions !

Willow got her first exam and began acupuncture treatments on Sept 9th. She was given a hypericum treatment the previous week. You may recall that this is the remedy given to Curious George before his surgery, and he came through with flying colors!

The vet tells us Willow's injuries seem to be consistent with a crushed sacrum and caudal (tail) vertebrae. Before the treatment, Willow had good pain response in the right leg, and slightly less in the left, but absolutely no pain response at all in her tail. She can move it, but can't feel what should be a painful pinch. During treatment, she began twitching all over, was definitely feeling it. So hopefully the healing will reach all those nerves in there. Immediately after the treatment, Willow got right to work cleaning herself, and licking, especially that tail! That was VERY good! We're hopeful this will make a difference for her. The vet did say that it's possible we'll get her walking again, but not urinating on her own. It's too soon to tell.

She'll need a series of treatments before we know if it will help.

Sept 16 - Willow shows some improvement. It's minimal, but the vet was happy that she's still improving and feeling the effects a week post-treatment. She feels more in the left leg, and even some in the tail now. Her legs are definitely stronger, and Karen notes that Willow's acting more confident. She got both needles and infrared this time, with a lot of additional work on the mid-back area.

Sept 24 - The vet saw Willow today. We're seeing the first signs of healing. She definitely feels better, and is getting more feeling in her tail, but it's going to be very slow. Acupuncture is gradually decreasing her pain from the previous injury, and helping with the sore spot in the mid-back. Her tail is definitely more responsive. We don't yet know how much Willow will recover, or how long it will take, but it is slowly making a difference. Her treatment needs to continue, if at all possible.

ALF only has enough for two more treatments. We really need your help. We're asking for sponsorship, one session at a time ($135). Even a smaller donation will help get us closer to one more. Please help us help Willow! Donate by clicking here. Donations are tax-deductible.

Willow also has an eBay angel, who is donating a portion of her profits to Willow's Recovery Fund! This wonderful woman recently saved a pitbull after it had been hit by a car on the freeway during rush hour, and left for dead. The badly injured dog struggled to get up, but eventually made it off the road. Because his owners never came forward to claim him, he was supposed to be put to death, but Lore just couldn't let that happen! She was able to raise funds to treat the severely injured dog, and has now turned her attention to our Willow. Please visit her eBay page to make a purchase. While you're there, remember to thank her for her caring and generous heart! And don't forget to pay it forward, and send this link to your friends, or add it to your Facebook or Myspace page!

"Together we all can make a huge difference!"

Pampered Chef Benefit for ALF

2009-09-12T17:15:00.003-07:00

WE GOT AN EXTENSION!
Orders can still be taken through September 28 -
don't wait til the last minute!

Make sure you use the link below, or from our website, to be sure we get credit for the proceeds. It must say that you're shopping for A.L.F!

Hurry, only a couple of days left to take advantage of 20% off specials, and jumpstart your Holiday shopping and baking. It's all for the animals, but it ends September 15th!

Don't miss this opportunity to pamper your family and simplify Holiday baking.

The Pampered Chef

wants to help you create your favorite comfort food so that Animal Loving Friends can provide comfort food for the animals!

Order online Sept 1st - 15th

Click the Pampered Chef link above to begin shopping and direct the proceeds to ALF.
Browse the catalog and choose the items you just can't live without! Don't forget upcoming birthday, wedding, and holiday gifts. September Special: 20% off Stoneware and Metal Bakeware
Get everything you need to fill the freezer with Treats for the Holidays, or Toast the new year with friends, ...it's all for the animals!
Tell your friends and neighbors; who doesn't want to skip the crowded malls?

NOTES:

Be sure to provide a Ship To address for online orders
Orders placed in person with an ALF Volunteer will be delivered to a Tempe location for pickup, 10-14 days after the close of the program, Sept. 15. Tax rate for orders placed in person is 8.1%

New Web Site Launch

2009-05-27T22:03:00.003-07:00

Animal Loving Friends has launched a brand new web site, sure to tickle you pink!

Just kidding, but we really do have a new web site. If you're looking for financial aid for your furry friends, information on pet-friendly housing, what to do if you've found baby kittens, how to locate your lost pet, where to get affordable spay/neuter services, or what to do about the stray cats in your neighborhood, please check us out! We have several other valuable resources available at your fingertips.

Please send folks to ALF.Petfinder.com, if they're looking for any of these things.

IRS Approval Obtained!

2009-05-27T21:59:00.002-07:00

We are pleased to announce that we are now fully recognized by the IRS as a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity. This means the full amount of your donation is tax-deductible!

Why Does Willow Weep?

2009-03-29T11:30:00.012-07:00

Willow, a beautiful "friendly feral" who would not be caught a second time, has been hit by a car. We were horrified to see her dragging her lower half on March 16, crying loudly to her humans, but still avoiding capture. We finally got her, and headed to the vet, promising her that we would do all that we could to ease her pain, knowing that might mean having to let her go. Thankfully, we did not have to make that dreaded decision. Even though Willow felt absolutely nothing in her tail and left leg and foot, and nearly nothing in the right, no fractures were found. But internal injury was not ruled out, nor other medical conditions which are slim possibilities, so we are giving her time and TLC to see if there is any improvement. We pray that her injuries are not permanent.

Willow has been added to our Special Needs page, where we will continue to report her progress and let you know if she recovers. If you believe in prayer, or powers of positive thinking, we would be so grateful if you would include Willow. We've started a special fund for her medical needs as well.

Please check our Special Needs page often to follow Willow's progress.

Updates:
By the end of the first day, we had found a caretaker who could spend the time, and knew the technique for emptying a cat's bladder. She was willing to take on the care of this precious cat for the remainder of the week. We're happy to report that Willow has responded beautifully to TLC. She loves being inside where it's safe, and having a human pet her and talk to her. She purrs, and kneads, and has proven to be a wonderful, loving companion animal.

However, Willow was not eating or drinking. Her foster mom began to syringe-feed her. We were worried that she could have more issues contributing to her paralysis, or that she had lost her will. That sinking feeling was starting to return to the pit of my stomach. If she didn't eat soon, we were going to be facing much bigger issues, and the scale was beginning to tip away from quality of life.

March 20, 2009 - At last, Willow is eating and grooming herself!!! These are HUGE signs that she is starting to feel better and wants to recover! She especially likes to eat from her human's hand. She is even beginning to show some slight reaction to stimulus on the legs and feet. The vet has directed us to straighten and bend her legs, to keep the hip and knee joints moving. When we massage the pads on both feet, Willow curls her toes. Progress! Her caretaker is going out of town for a few days, so Willow will be spending the weekend with me.

March 22, 2009 - This evening while I was sitting on the floor in her room, Willow kept reaching for my hand. She was trying to tell me something. She eventually left her bed and crawled to me, and leaned up against my legs, putting her head in my lap. Awwww, she wanted some love. After months of caring for her as a feral, wanting so badly to get my hands on her and take her in, I feel truly blessed to be able to hold and pet her. I'm so sad it had to happen this way, but thankful she has a chance to recover.

March 23, 2009 - Willow really is beginning to get into exercise! While we work with her legs, straightening and bending, as the vet instructed, Willow pushes both back legs out all the way and gives them a really good stretch. "Oh yeh, that feels sooooo good!" She even stretches her toes wide apart! Then as she relaxes, she bends her knees into a more natural posture. When she pulls herself across the floor, she is beginning to tuck her legs under her body, instead of dragging them flat out to the side. She has even started to make the stepping motion with one of her legs as she does this.

March 24, 2009 - This morning Willow did not want me to touch her and give her any meds! She got so put off by me, that her tail whipped from side to side, then "thump, thump, thump!" Atta girl! That tail is coming back to life as well! She'll need it for balance, and expression, throughout her life. This evening she returned to Karen's care where she can get more attention throughout the day.

March 26, 2009 - It's becoming a little easier to empty Willow's bladder. She begins to urinate as soon as just a little bit of pressure is placed on her bladder. We take this as a good sign that she'll be able to function normally as soon as she can stand on her own. She opened the door under the bathroom sink and climbed inside. Her back legs have quite a bit of feeling now, so we're not sure how she did this, but we're glad she's got so much spunk!

March 31, 2009 - When held like a baby cradled in your arms, with her hips and legs massaged, Willow begins shaking her legs, and eventually stretches them out straight. She's not complaining of pain during this time, no flinching except for the painful area in her mid-back. She also begins to urinate on her own when picked up and supported in the right position.

She climbed inside the cabinet under the sink again yesterday, and is getting more feisty. Willow was used to being free in the great outdoors, and has now been confined to a guest bathroom, only being carried out of that room for a change in scenery while still being held. So we think she's experiencing a bit of cabin fever, and might enjoy a little larger space to scoot around in. Karen is going to let her explore a little in a larger room with nothing that could prove harmful to her. She'll be able to see the sunlight and feel some fresh air again! We'll let you know how that goes.

April 2, 2009 - None of the other cats at Willow's colony had been seen since her accident. They know something's different, know one of their own is missing, probably even know she was hurt. I was so relieved to see the orange tabby last night, and today the Siamese youngster! This also gave me a sense of relief for Willow again, a renewed belief that all will be well for her - in time - with treatment. I'm such a worrier. You've heard of self-fulfilling prophecies? I have a tendency to give way too much power to my fears. I've been working hard to expect a good outcome for Willow, and have been challenged on that belief. Wayne Dyer says, "You'll see it when you believe it." I believe again today.

April 3, 2009 - I visited Willow at her foster home today, and she clearly is bonded to her foster mom! We brought her out to the living room and I held her and visited. She seemed to enjoy this time out of her little space, and purred while I stroked her, and massaged her legs. She did, indeed, enjoy the fresh air, and the view out the window, as Karen had indicated over the past couple of days. Willow's very interested in the other cats, too. Eventually we let her down on the carpeted floor. She immediately went to where the other cats were playing ambush and hide-n-seek with each other. Finally she leaned up against the sofa and got to work cleaning all my germs off her! She cleaned futher than she ever had, was able to sit up enough to reach behind the hips, under the tail. She even lifted her right leg about an inch off the floor, as though she was going to hike it up and give it a good cleaning! This is incredible! We're still very much believing Willow will walk again when the injury has recovered and is no longer painful. You go, girl!!!

Welcome

2009-03-29T11:13:00.004-07:00

Welcome to the ALF Rescue weblog. We finally decided to get on board when we wanted to give frequent updates on Willow's condition and allow you, our visitors, to send her your well wishes. We will undoubtedly grow this blog for other things of interest as well. To learn more about Animal Loving Friends rescue, please click the Welcome title above, to visit our website. If you're looking for Willow's full story, or ways that you can help, please check out our Special Needs page when you're on the ALF website.