A puppy born with a cleft palate already has a strike against him. Sometimes breeders kill pups with birth defects. Right or wrong, I personally know breeders who do it. They know few people will want to buy a pup with defects.
But strike two for this particular pitbull named Steve was when his family lost their home, according to 4 Luv of Dog Rescue in Fargo. Steve was dropped off at a boarding kennel and remained there for two months.
Steve’s family did not return for him or pay their bill, according to the boarding facility’s manager.
4 Luv of Dog Rescue has accepted Steve into its rescue program and has a foster home lined up, according to Kitra Nelson, one of the rescue’s volunteers. But Steve’s boarding bill remains unpaid. Kitra set up a Fundable link where anyone interested can donate money online to help pay Steve’s expenses (He was previously named Scarface).
According to the boarding facility, Steve’s bill is $700.
4 Luv of Dog is fortunate to have a local boarding facility willing to board rescue dogs at a discounted rate until foster or permanent homes are found.
If you are interested in donating directly to 4 Luv of Dog, visit its web site at 4luvofdog.org and click on the donate button at the top left. You can also mail checks to:
4 Luv of Dog Rescue
c/o Natural Pet Center
3037 13th Ave. S.
Fargo, ND 58103
If you are interested in fostering a dog, foster homes are always needed no matter where you live. As for Steve, he is up for adoption. Volunteers describe him as friendly with cats, dogs and kids, and that he has a “heart of gold.”
5/6/10 update: Steve has been adopted
(Image from 4luvofdog.com)
Taylor
Thursday 14th of May 2009
I hope Steve finds a home too!!!! I wish I can take all rescue dogs home with me : (
Glad to know your fighting to help rescue dogs and animals alike
Dogpile.com just launched a new site called DoGreatGood.com - and their donating a portion of there revenue to Petfinder and the ASPCA.
Great that theres a way we can help dog adoption programs at no cost.
Love the site - keep it up!!!
Lindsay Stordahl
Friday 1st of May 2009
I hope he gets a home soon as well!
Lori, that is interesting how that happens sometimes.
Thanks for that great information, Amy! Good luck finding Steve (Scarface) a home! Or maybe you will keep him? :)
Thanks, Mayra!
Mayra Calvni
Friday 1st of May 2009
I hope Steve will find a loving home soon!
Amy
Thursday 30th of April 2009
I will be fostering Scarface once he gets neutered and let me tell you, aside from the cleft palate (which only makes him cuter!) he is the PERFECT dog. We go on "doggie dates" frequently and he is always well mannered, I've never had a problem with him. He's met cats, a dog that came running at him off-leash, kids, in every situation he behaved perfectly. At the playground he laid down everytime one of my kids or the other kids at the park wanted to pet him. He is a very gentle and people oriented dog and if anyone wants a closer look we'll be at PetSmart tomorrow from 5-7, Thank you for bringing attention to Steve, he truly deserves the best forever home we can find him!
lori
Thursday 30th of April 2009
Lindsay,
How strange this story today and yesterday a customer told me that my vet did a cleft pallet surgery on her golden adoptee and that the pup had been having a feeding tube for all his life prior to the surgery my vet did on him! They were so excited about this little golden's recovery and it was the first time that our vet had done that particular surgery.
2 days in a row though. cool.