Southern Cross German Shepherd Rescue: Stormy and Pups

Introducing Delilah and Penny....The Simon Sisters!

2011-04-01T14:11:00.001-07:00

Penny and Delilah Update! Soooooo Sweet!

2011-03-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

Penny and Delilah are in a living dream; they are so happy all the time. They play together constantly then sleep on top of each other in a big ball of puppy. Everyone thought that Penny was the easiest and calmest puppy they have ever seen – until Delilah showed up. She is soooooo sweet. They are really happy together – I can’t imagine separating them; that must have been really difficult for you to have to adopt them out. Funny how it all turned out.

I’m taking tomorrow off to bring Delilah to her first vet intro visit.

I think Penny is 38 pounds and Delilah is 46.
Penny has a higher voice in play growling than Delilah
Delilah is more affectionate
Penny loves to play more
They like to be in the same room with people of course, but Delilah lies under the piano when Lois is teaching and Penny lies next to the student’s piano bench.
Neither is afraid of thunder but both are very submissive around bigger dogs.
Neither is psycho about food and even though we feed them in separate dishes, they tend to share one then share the other.
They both love ice cubes and popcorn
Their coloring is so close, when they are sleeping in a pile on top of each other, you can’t tell where one ends and the other starts.
Neither really cares about the bale of straw.

Delilah has acclimated so well it’s hard to believe that it’s only been a little less than four days.
We are all pretty happy with this…

Sweet Rose Returned!

2011-03-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

Sweet Rose has lost her family! They are moving to Texas and cannot take her with them!

She is adorable, very smart like her Momma Stormy, a terrific little watch dog and looking for her forever home. Please keep her in your thoughts!

Riley at the Farm

2011-03-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

Riley is as handsome as ever as he meets some piglets down on the farm while protecting his own girl!

Delilah and Penny!

2011-03-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

Some wonderful news tonight! The loving family that adopted Penny has adopted Delilah today! The two girls loved each other and Dana says they recognized each other instantly today ! We are so happy for them! I know that they will snuggle each other to sleep tonight!

This is a recent photo of Penny - we look forward to photo's of Penny and Delilah as they grow!

Many, many thanks and much love to Penny and Delilah's family!

Delilah - Still looking for a home!

2011-03-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

Delilah is the last of Stormy's litter still looking for her forever home. She is a sweet girl that loves to cuddle and can play with the best of the big dogs as well. We are hopeful that her forever home is right around the corner. She is so beautiful and her fur is soft and shiny.

Baby Ava with her Mom! Yay!!!

2011-03-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

It is so hard to believe that she was once my 4lb baby! She looks wonderful and is full of beans!

Stormy in the Middle

2011-03-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

Life is really, really, really good for Sweet Stormy!

Riley Update!

2011-03-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Here is sweet Riley! He has grown so fast and is much loved by his family. He took to the snow like a trooper - no one would ever know he was a Georgia Boy!

Little Penny in the Snow..........

2011-01-11T20:20:00.000-08:00

AND her ears are up! She is adorable and looks the most like Stormy of any of the puppies. All of Stormy's puppies are really experiencing a real winter here in GA with lots of snow! Looking forward to many more puppy updates - let's keep the photo's coming and look forward to our Puppy Reunion this Summer!

Only $555 to go on 1/11/11

2011-01-11T08:29:00.001-08:00

Only $555 to go on 1/11/11

Getting so much closer - thank you again and again!

Only 2 more days until Cheyenne's surgery.

It's Official - Baby Ava adopted!

2011-01-05T15:05:00.000-08:00

Our sweet baby girl is getting a home of her own! Ava will go to a home very close to my own so I will have the chance to see and visit her as she grows! I am so very thankful for that! I am not sure that I would have been able to let her go if I knew I would never see her sweet face again.

She is still the little spitfire she has always been and is just an all around happy puppy. The family that is adopting her has experience of their own with the kind of medical problem Ava will have for the next year or so and has experience with giving injections so Ava's monthly B-12 won't be a problem for them. It is almost like it was meant to be.

We'll keep everyone posted on her progress and post photo's as they come in.

Yay for Baby Ava!

Baby Ava - On a Sleepover!

2011-01-04T16:19:00.000-08:00

Hard night here tonight - Baby Ava on a sleep over to see how it will go with a possible adoption - she has her own food, own leash, own crate, her leopard from Judy, a cow ear, the red mat for her crate and all of the love I can possibly give her.

If she had a pair of pajama's that fit I would have sent them but she doesn't.

It is always hard to know and to feel the responsibility of making the decisions that will shape their lives - please say a prayer to the God's tonight.

Stormy's First Snow Tube Ride!

2010-12-31T06:51:00.000-08:00

.................AND this is the dog that the shelter wanted to kill because everyone was afraid of her! All she wanted was to protect her babies and be loved in return. She has certainly found her Angels on earth!

Link's First Christmas!

2010-12-30T14:07:00.000-08:00

Loook at our Handsome Link! I can't believe how big he has gotten! He loves cuddling with his Cousin Charlie - all of these puppies are snugglers! Merry Christmas and a Most Happy New Year to Link and his new family! Let's all think about a possible date for a Stormy Puppy reunion over the summer!

Stormy in the Snow!

2010-12-28T14:13:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from Cheyenne!

2010-12-28T11:29:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays from Cheyenne and her loving family! If you have raised a "toast" to Cheyenne and her family many thanks from Southern Cross. We are so happy and blessed to have such a wonderful hospice home for this beautiful Senior girl! Cheyenne also Thanks you from the bottom of her heart and is wishing everyone a healthful, loving, and prosperous New Year! Many, many thanks to this family and the two wonderful, talented and loving children that has given Cheyenne all the love she should have always known!

Baby Ava's First White Christmas!

2010-12-26T08:48:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from Stormy!

2010-12-26T08:11:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from Stormy and all of the Volunteers and Dogs of Southern Cross GSD Rescue! The look of contentment on Stormy's face says it all for us - Wishing you all a New Year filled with health, love and Peace!

Wishing that the New Year will allow Southern Cross to continue to find the kind and loving homes that Stormy and SEVEN of her pups now enjoy. Buffy, Delilah and Baby Ava are still waiting but I know the right homes are just around the corner for them!

Hugs from Riley

2010-12-13T16:38:00.001-08:00

It didn't take him long to learn how to hug "his" kids!

Ava Wishes everyone a Merry Christmas!

2010-12-13T13:44:00.001-08:00

Baby Ava wishes everyone a Happy Holiday and sends so many hugs and puppy kisses to everyone that contributed to her support! It is hard to believe how tiny and sick she was and how healthy and full of trouble she is now :) I am not sure how many presents she might be getting after biting Old Santa Claus but I am not going to be the one to tell her!

Sweet Rose

2010-12-12T20:00:00.000-08:00

Adopted! Waiting for photo's.

Our Little Penny!

2010-12-12T19:36:00.000-08:00

Here she is in her new home that is absolutely filled with love and music! Penny was the first of the puppies I fell absolutely head over heals in love with - don't ask me why - I can't say - but looking at her as she grows I would have to say that out of all the puppies - so far - she has Stormy's eyes that just look into your soul. I love the one ear up - one ear down and she has travelled with one of the toys that her Auntie Adrienne provided when they were just babies.

We look forward to hearing how she grows - she has had a great start in a wonderful foster home - and is now in a wonderful forever home. She is so beautiful!

Link on his way to his Forever Home

2010-12-10T10:06:00.000-08:00

Link nice and clean and dressed up for his new Georgia Tech home! He has a wonderful family waiting for him!

Baby Ava - Our little spitfire!

2010-12-10T09:59:00.001-08:00

Here she is! Now over 20 lbs at last and quickly catching up with Rose. It is hard to get a good photo of her because she is always on the go! She gives puppy kisses just as fast as she runs!

Photo's of our Sweet Rose

2010-12-10T09:54:00.000-08:00

This is sweet, sweet Rose still waiting for her forever home - she is the sweetest puppy and very, very smart. When it is bed time I have to chase Baby Ava - she will run and hide under beds until I can get her but after she is safely in her crate Rose just simply walks into hers and gives me a kiss good nite!

Adopted!

2010-12-10T07:41:00.000-08:00

Little Penny and Link have found their forever homes! Photo's posted as soon as we get some in!

Baby Ava will be well enough to look for her own forever home soon. Please keep her in mind if you run across that special family that will see her sweet fighting spirit.

Baron

2010-12-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

Sir Baron McNubbins snuggled in bed with his new buddy!

Stormy's Thanksgiving Frolic!

2010-12-05T06:29:00.000-08:00

Stormy, Harry and Little Molly had a wonderful Thanksgiving at the Beach! It is so wonderful to see all three of these Southern Cross Rescue dogs have a life of joy and love. A true Thanksgiving!

How Cute is this?

2010-12-05T06:14:00.000-08:00

It's official! Riley has been added to his family's growth chart on their wall! This is just too sweet!

Puppy Updates!

2010-12-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

Stormy's puppies are finding homes! Cowboy, Missy, Riley and Sir Baron McNubbins have all found forever homes in time for the Holiday!

We have some nice inquiries on Penny and Link and I am hopeful that they will also soon have homes. That leaves the girls Buffy, Delilah, Rose and Baby Ava still hoping! Ava went for her B12 today and she weighed in at 19 lb. 6 oz! Next time she will be over 20 lbs for sure - a very long way from the 4 lb puppy that survived two surgeries and returned home from UGA! Ava is a hoot, a little spoiled and when she wants attention she rolls on her back and wiggles so that you can't help but love on her!

Riley waiting for his ride home!

2010-12-03T14:35:00.000-08:00

Another of Stormy's wonderful puppies has found his forever home! Riley is just calmly waiting for his ride to Westchester, NY and the family that is anxiously waiting for him. We send him home with all of our love and kisses!

Sir Baron McNubbins

2010-11-27T17:29:00.000-08:00

on his way to a new home this afternoon! Can't post photo's of the new family because there are kids in the photo and I want to be super careful but it is a wonderful, wonderful family.

It was hard to let him go - that moment when you know you are saying good-bye - maybe for the last time is so incredibly hard - especially with these puppies but it is a sweet family and I feel Sir McNubbins is in good hands.

We look forward to many wonderful updates on Sir Baron and so grateful that he is in good hands.

Southern Cross Wine Debut!

2010-11-23T09:57:00.000-08:00

We had a great puppy reunion, played with all the puppies and tasted the Southern Cross Wines!

There wasn't one that I didn't like! :) Both the Red Wine and White have very nice mellowed flavors that I think anyone would enjoy. Remember that a part of the profit of every bottle sold goes to help Southern Cross Dogs. Please check out the site at: www.BenefitWines.com/southern

buy a bottle or two and please help us get the news up on as many facebook pages as possible!

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Baby Ava Weigh In

2010-11-22T13:01:00.000-08:00

16 lbs 8 oz! I swear that once she hits 20 lbs I will be able to stop worrying but I am just so proud of her!

Puppy Reunion and Wine Tasting!

2010-11-21T07:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we had a Puppy Reunion and SCGSDR wine tasting event. Here are all the puppies and SC Volunteers - all but Cowboy who has already been adopted and is doing well. I cannot believe that all these puppies once fit in just one laundry basket! They are all very, very sweet puppies with really nice temperaments.

Southern Cross will be selling wine as a fund raiser to continue to raise funds towards Baby Ava's care and to help new GSD's that will come through our doors. We will soon have all the details but I know that we will have "Ava's Miracle Merlot", "Chock Full O' Puppies Chardonnay", "Stormy's Pinot Noir" and "Cheyenne's Sparkling White Wine" - if you enjoy a glass of wine from time to time or like giving wine as holiday gifts please stay posted for the details - it will be a nice way to give a gift and help Southern Cross in the process.

As the upcoming Holiday Season is upon us we wish all of you a Happy, Happy Thanksgiving and thank you ALL so much for all of your continued support.

Stormy

2010-11-21T07:21:00.001-08:00

How gorgeous is this girl? Just the light in her eyes tells you just how far Stormy has come. She is finally in a home where she will have forever love and care and you call tell that she knows it! Judy and Gerry have done a phenomenal job with her and report that she is now even walking well on leash and recently had her first view of the ocean which she loved. Go Stormy! It just proves that so many of our beloved German Shepherds that are so misunderstood in shelters really do have the potential to go on to great homes.

Baby Ava Weigh In

2010-11-11T13:28:00.000-08:00

13 LB 1 oz! WooHoo!

Group Hug!

2010-11-09T10:52:00.001-08:00

Buffy, Link and Foster Dad, John, all enjoying a group hug! Are those ears of Buffy's actually going to stand up?

Delilah and Penny!

2010-11-09T10:21:00.001-08:00

Delilah and Little Penny are as sweet as sweet can be - Dana reports that Lilah is a bit more of a mischief maker than Penny..........and I thought it was the other way around! Both pups are happy, healthy and beautiful! YAY!

Stormy with her Dad at the Beach

2010-11-09T07:48:00.000-08:00

Honest to goodness - life just doesn't get much better than this! Judy reports that Stormy makes progress every day and Gerry makes sure that his Stormy girl gets her share of hugs!

Stormy and family at the beach!

2010-11-08T04:42:00.001-08:00

Stormy's new family loves taking Harry and Little "Molly" to the beach where Little Molly has become the expert at chasing Sea Gulls and will soon be teaching Stormy all she knows! Stormy is making great progress both with learning that being on a leash leads to wonderful new adventures and in learning that love can and does come from both men and women. We could not have wished for a more perfect life for her. Stormy has a courageous and loving heart and I guess the world is going to soon become her "oyster" (couldn't resist that!) GO STORMY!

Handsome Link! Oh my goodness!

2010-11-07T06:43:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness! The puppies are growing up so fast! Link is so handsome and sweet as can be. They will soon be ready for homes of their own so please keep them in mind!

Penny and Delilah are now in a foster home with Dana and her husband and several Aunties that are looking over them.

Rose, Baby Ava and Baron remain here on the Mountain with Aunt Maggie May and Aunt Cupcake who do a great job of helping me "round them up" after playtime in the yard.

Riley

2010-11-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

Not to be outdone by his "little" sister Missy, Riley makes sure he gets quality cuddle time with his Uncle Danny as well! These have to be the sweetest puppies on the face of the earth - I might be a little biased but they really are sweet.

Missy being cuddled!

2010-11-04T09:52:00.001-07:00

Missy needs a little extra cuddle time and is finding it with her Uncle Pat! Lucky, lucky Missy!

Baby Ava and Cupcake

2010-11-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

Cupcake is one of my fosters that has been very sweet with Baby Ava - you can see that Baby Ava thinks she is one of the big dogs!

Puppy Updates!

2010-11-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

The time has finally come for the litter to be sent to different foster homes - a sad time for me but I know that they are all in wonderful foster homes where they will all get much more attention than I could give them myself. Buffy and Link, definitely the two most active have gone to a foster home with Angie and her two wonderful kids who are playing the puppies out - exactly what these two needed!

Missy and Riley left yesterday for their foster time with Adrienne - Riley is definitely the more outgoing of the two at the moment and has made friends with Beau, Callie and Bella who all love and play with the puppies. Adrienne's husband has been giving Missy extra cuddle time!

Baron and Penny will leave this weekend for a life with Dana and her crew and that will leave Rose, Delilah and Baby Ava here with me until we find them forever homes.

Baby Ava weighed in at a whooping 10 lbs. 6 oz today - that is a weight gain on average of 2 lbs a week! She is thriving!

Precious Stormy playing with her sister!

2010-10-31T06:09:00.001-07:00

Life could not be better for Stormy! She has settled into her new home with her brother and sister very well - she loves her new Mom and Dad and has even gotten far enough along in trusting to be able to get on the bed with her new Dad and rest her head on his feet! Go Stormy! The medical update on Stormy was not as rosy though as a chest x-ray revealed that her chest is full of buckshot and she likely has it other places in her body. There were very, very good reasons why this poor girl was so afraid of people but again, Stormy has a huge heart and so wanted to be loved and now has the life she has always deserved.

Cowboy! On his way home!

2010-10-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

A sweet happy/sad day - "Cowboy" was the first of Stormy's litter to find his new home with Karen and Michael! He will have a wonderful family and will spend his first night in his new home in the bedroom with his new Mom and Dad.

On Thursday Cowboy weighed in close to ll lbs. 8 oz! He is a sweetheart of a pup and we look forward to many happy photo's and updates on Cowboy as he grows. He could not have been luckier to have had Stormy for a Mom and now Karen and Michael to love him through life.

Thanks to all who have cared about and supported these sweet lives.

8.8 lbs! WooHoo

2010-10-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

Baby Ava had a great check up on Thursday - she now weighs a whopping 8.8 lbs! She is quickly catching up on time lost! She continues to be a sweet little girl and is giving her Aunt Maggie and Aunt Cupcake a run for their money! She loves latching onto their tails and being drug through the house - not sure how much Maggie and Cupcake appreciate it but they are tolerating her well :)

Ava Updates

2010-10-10T15:55:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone - Keep Posted Here - Updates Will Be Added to the Bottom - Please Keep Those Thoughts and Prayers Coming!

If you can help - we have added more information on the Chip-In page: http://babyavamedicalbills.chipin.com/baby-avas-medical-bills

Please forward that link along - as you will read, Baby Ava needs help to stay at UGA.

They have Baby Ava in isolation because they can't figure out what she has yet. They have started her on a very strong antibiotic and fluids. They are concerned that she will become septic. Preliminary tests only show an overgrowth of bacteria in her body. Low estimate is $1,000 and high is $1,500 for battery of tests and treatment.

We will fight as long as she can.

10 pm update - Molly is home and Baby Ava is at UGA. They will be calling in the am with an update.

October 11 -

AM Update: Baby Ava has been rushed to emergency surgery. Part of her intestine has turned inside out. It is unknown if any of the intestine is still viable at this point. If so, a portion will be removed and the healthy tissue will be repaired. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

11 AM Update: Hospital just called - it took a while to get her stabilized but she is now under anesthesia and they are ready to operate.

Evening Update: Ava awake and alert - still in ICU with oxygen support because she threw up under anesthesia and they want to make sure that her lungs are OK.

October 12 Updates:

AM: Baby Ava remains in intensive care but is a little stronger this morning. She continues to refuse to eat. The hospital staff is in love with her. Still waiting on any test results and more information.

Did not want to post the PM update pending more info from Molly but will now: UGA just called - Ava taken a very bad turn for the worst - back into emergency surgery. I told them I didn't want her to suffer but that if they could save her to try.

October 13

This morning: They called Molly at 2 am to say she survived the surgery but they had to remove much more of her intestinal tract. They swabbed her abdomen to send to the lab to try to identify what is attacking her but I don't honestly know if she can hold on much longer.

Morning Update: UGA just called - she is in critical condition - has had plasma and now a blood transfusion - is on pain meds - they have specialists looking at her

Evening Update: She is still alive - still critical - but fighting with everything she has. Thank you for your comments, thoughts and prayers.

October 14:

Morning Update: She is still with us! She is still critical but this morning she kissed the

surgeon!   They say it is the first and only kiss she has given - I know she 
knows that the surgeon saved her life.

She has a central port in so that they can continue to give her fluids and do 
blood draws without having to continually stick her - her electrolyte balances 
are still off but they are working to correct those as well as monitoring her 
blood pressure very closely.

She ate overnite and again this morning - they keep reminding me of how critical 
she is and that we are by no means out of the woods but this little girl has 
such a fight in her to live there is no way we could ever stop supporting her in 
that fight and we have to believe that she is going to win.

Evening update: Ava remains in critical care. Her protein and red blood cell levels remain low but her electrolyte levels are beginning to look a little better. She was on her feet again this afternoon and that is a good thing. She remains on supportive care and is evaluated hourly. She is still fighting!

10-16
Evening update: Baby Ava continues to hold her own. She remains in critical condition but was taken out yesterday for a little exercise. Baby Ava even wanted to chase a dog that walked by her! She will be evaluated Sunday and the doctors will make a decision on when she might be able to come home, if she is still doing well. Your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated!

10-17
Evening Update: Baby Ava continues to improve and is eating 1/4 of a can of puppy food at each meal. She felt well enough to chew through her IV line today so she is now on oral meds. only. A decision has not yet been made on when she will be able to come home but we hope to hear more tomorrow.

10-18 WELCOME HOME BABY AVA UPDATE!

Baby Ava comes home! She was released from UGA late this afternoon and is now home! She is on "crate" rest for a whole week but is acting like a little puppy. She weighs 4lb. 6 oz - a good 4 lbs. below the smallest litter mate but she is eating well and will catch up in no time.

It is a miracle that she is alive - Dr. Sakals, her surgeon is holding her in the photo. I think she gave all of us a lot of sleepless nights but she fought hard to live and had the wonderful team at UGA behind her. The other woman in the photo is Monica who is a Senior Veterinary Student that called me with daily updates and had to withstand my daily lists of questions. Many, many thanks to all of the staff at UGA that spent time holding, loving and cuddling Baby Ava through what were some dark days.

There are no words for the gratefulness of Southern Cross for the many, many prayers and love and help and donations sent Ava's way. I am convinced that she had to feel the outpouring of positive energy that was constantly sent her way.

We will keep her updates coming!

October 21 - Baby Ava had a little downswing after she got home, but thankfully you all kept your good thoughts coming and today we can post this:

Just got back from the Vet for her weekly B12 injection - she is a squealer and 
I also needed a weight on her .............5 lb 12 oz!   up from 4 lb. 6 oz just 
two days ago!    YAY!

Poopies are nice and firm with the addition of the Kefir to her diet and the 
e-collar was removed!     My Vet is amazed - he told me no one expected her to 
live!    With all of the positive energy sent her way I knew she would fight to 
live!

Yay!   Yay!   Yay!
Thank you, thank you thank you!!!!

Thank you to all who have donated and forwarded - please keep forwarding and posting - GI surgery is very expensive, but SCGSDR is committed to this baby.
Thank you all again.

If you can donate - we have added more information on the Chip In page: http://babyavamedicalbills.chipin.com/baby-avas-medical-bills

Donations:

Jean A.

Judy L.

Deva D. x 2

Jenifer M.

Johanna U.

James H.

Kim D.

Elizabeth T.
Vicky M.
Ginny P.
Jamie R.
Bianca A.
Angela R.
Holly J.
Mary Lou M.
Benjamin K.
Erin M.
Dana B.
Mary Jane P.
Kris S.
Fan & John A.
Charlene S.
Debra R.
Diane D.

Please let us know if we've missed your name - every donation, forward, post, thought, and prayer is appreciated.

Chip In

2010-10-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

Baby Ava and Cheyenne Need Your Help

Dear Friends of Southern Cross,

We know many of you have been following Baby Ava's serious illness and hospitalization. As of last Thursday, Baby Ava's intensive care bills exceeded $730. She is a fighter and we aren't giving up on her, but donations are desperately needed to continue her extensive medical treatments.

Also, you might recognize the picture below but few people know her story. This is our permanent senior hospice foster Cheyenne. (pictured in her Easter bonnet) Southern Cross rescued her along with her min pin buddy as part of a bonded pair, after they were being dumped in a high kill Ga. animal control. Cheyenne's shelter card was marked with a large red "X" to be killed by the shelter immediately but we couldn't allow that to happen. The reason was after suffering years of neglect and abuse, she has advanced inoperable cancer, and is high heartworm positive. She was placed in a permanent foster home for her remaining time where she is receiving special care, medical treatment and love for the first time in her life. Her conditions had actually improved a little and she had been doing well until the past week when she took a turn for the worse. Her foster mom rushed her to the vet and they are trying to stabilize her so she can continue knowing the love of her family for a little longer.

Every dollar collected will go directly to these special little lives, so please consider sending just $1 or $2 and sharing this chipin with others, to help us continue the medical treatment these precious girls desperately need...

Thank you Friends,

Southern Cross, Baby Ava and Cheyenne

Chip In Website Page

Yikes! Forgot this great photo of Baron

2010-10-08T17:50:00.000-07:00

Almost forgot this beautiful photo of Baron. I honestly think his eyes are going to be Blue and so does Dr. Josh. We will have to see.

If we have 8 people willing to donate $10 each we can play "Who's your Daddy?" and have a genetic test done! Penny and Baron are two that mystify me.

Get Ready - LOTS of Family Photo's and Baby Ava!

2010-10-08T17:13:00.001-07:00

Cowboy is such a little man! Here he is enjoying the outside cot in the sunshine all by himself!

A big day here -Baby Ava was out in the sun for awhile today and totally enjoyed it! It is warm here in GA this week and the sunshine was really good for her - she loved exploring the yard and tried to attack every leaf she found. We discovered that she likes food that is sweet so Karo syrup was added to almost everything we offered her including scrambled eggs! She still has a way to go and I say a prayer at every food that is offered her but she is starting to eat again .......I am almost afraid to say it but I stocked up on lots of baby food - pureed bananas, sweet potatoes, beef, rice cereal with bananas and some canned pumpkin.

Link looks like a little Bandit and thoroughly enjoyed chewing on the rawhide shoelace of Aunt Adrienne! All of the puppies nails were clipped today and they all got new chew toys! Yay!
They played so hard and for so long that they all finally just fell over on each other and took a nap! I think this is LILAH and MISSY - who has now been renamed MISSY the TERROR! She is unstoppable and totally adorable!
Penny who thinks she is the Queen surveying her Queendom!
Penny getting ready to pounce! She is almost catlike - she will wait for the chance and then the poor victim had better look out!
Momma Stormy and Cowboy! Stormy loves her puppies and even though he interrupted her rest she was very kind to him.
Stormy enjoying the warm weather and sunshine and the fact that her puppies were being babysat! Babysitted? hmmmm..........Stormy doesn't care - she is just feeling better.
Missy leaving the Puppy Palace! They have already managed to tear up the linoleum!

Link and Lilah sharing a puppy chew.
And the day ends as it began with Baby Ava - being held by Aunt Adrienne. She continues to show the will to live - really enjoyed her day in the sun and wants so badly to be back with her brothers and sisters. She will have to continue to eat and put on some weight before we can let that happen - We don't want Queen Penny pouncing on Baby Ava just yet!

Baby Ava tonight....

2010-10-07T18:43:00.001-07:00

Baby AVA tonight.......she is sound asleep on my husband's chest and very happy to be near another beating heart and not in the hospital ......she still won't eat but I am syringing small amounts of formula into her about every 15 minutes. So far it is all staying down but she needs much more than that to survive. I am hoping that if I get enough into her it will settle her stomach enough that she will eat more on her own. I made sure that she knew she was home by letting her see and smell her Momma and Brothers and Sisters ............ Thank you all for your prayers.

Baby Ava, Sweet Stormy and some Bittersweet moments..

2010-10-07T16:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, in the midst of all the worry about Baby Ava, I actually saw Stormy play with a toy with her puppies...............I know you are all sitting there going "what is so special about that"?, but what is special is that Stormy had no idea what a toy was until just this week. Judy and Gerry sent a huge box of toys for Stormy and the puppies and I didn't have the heart to tell them that Stormy didn't know how to play with them but slowly and surely by watching her own little pups she figured out "play"..............she now plays tug with any of the pups that will play with her. I neaten up their pen after everyone is inside the puppy palace for the night and put all the toys on their outside bed so they can find them in the morning. This is also Stormy's time outside for an hour or so without the puppies to watch. I realized over the last few nights that even though I have put the toys up for the night Stormy has been taking them and burying them in the cedar chips for herself!

I learn from each dog I foster and sometimes I think there is nothing new but then a dog like Stormy comes along and there is so much more that is new, more to learn, more to love. She adores her puppies and still loves it when I tell her how beautiful they all are - she sticks out her chest as if to tell me that she already knows and I wonder from her awful condition when she arrived if this is the first healthy litter she has ever been able to enjoy. I am thankful that we have been able to give this to her. I don't have much experience with litters because I usually take the special needs dogs to foster but I don't believe I will ever meet a braver and more loving Momma dog than Stormy and it has been one of the sweetest foster experiences I have ever had - to have earned her trust and taken care of her pups under her watchful eye is time I will always treasure. When she goes to Judy and Gerry she will take a piece of Southern Cross's heart with her.

When I arrive with the evening meal she goes and lays down on the outside cot and just peacefully watches her pups. I will try to get a few more photo's this week - Stormy will soon begin her journey home.

Baby Ava is home from the hospital but is still not doing as well as anyone would like. She is only eating a little but she did explore a few rooms of the house this evening. I think that is a good sign if I can keep her eating.

There have been so many wonderful people through this adventure with Stormy and I want to thank all of you - the e-mails of support on some really hard days remind us all of why we continue to rescue. Once all the pups are healthy and vaccinated they will be ready for new homes so please keep them in your hearts.

Baby Ava starting to eat!

2010-10-06T06:03:00.000-07:00

Yay! She is still fighting - took a bottle of formula overnight and ate a little canned puppy food this morning! All good signs!

Baby Ava Still Fighting!

2010-10-05T19:28:00.000-07:00

Please keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming for Baby Ava! She still isn't eating but I just talked to the clinic - she was standing up and wagging her tail - the clinic opens at 7AM - I will be there to try to get her to eat something solid. Come on Ava! You are loved!

Baby Ava Still Fighting!

2010-10-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

Sweet Ava is still in the hospital! I went to visit her this morning and took her fresh formula. She ate some yesterday and a little bit today but she still has a long way to go and is still getting her fluids from an IV line. Here she is with Dr. Genevieve Wisdom who is her primary care giver.

Ava trying to figure out what is going on!

Ava Update

2010-10-04T15:06:00.001-07:00

Just back from visiting Sweet Ava - she is holding her own but not much more. She needs our prayers.

Ava Update

2010-10-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

Baby Ava will be staying in the hospital the rest of today and again tonight. She is a little fighter but she needs your prayers.

Baby Ava Hospitalized!

2010-10-04T05:55:00.001-07:00

Sweet baby Ava has been hit harder than the rest with this awful virus - she had dehydrated to the point that everything I could do at home had been tried and was not working so it was a trip to the Emergency Vet yesterday where she was hospitalized.

I'll post updates throughout the day - please keep her in your prayers.

Stormy's Angels

2010-10-03T16:13:00.001-07:00

>>>>>> Stormy's Angels will soon be here
>>>>>> the time is drawing very near
>>>>>> when Judy and Gerry
>>>>>> will soon arrive
>>>>>> and then
>>>>>> within their eyes
>>>>>> Momma Stormy will become
>>>>>> one of the very, very lucky ones
>>>>>> that will not only have survived
>>>>>> but live a life
where food and love is not a scarcity
but where love and care, food and fun
will be hers to have for eternity.

>>>>>> Stormy lived a tortured life
>>>>>> not loved nor cared for
>>>>>> or even fed
>>>>>> she has no teeth left, you see
>>>>>> because pebbles and rocks was what she had
>>>>>> to keep her belly full and not aching
>>>>>> Her body and heart were truly breaking
>>>>>> for it wasn't only food she craved but a kind hand and loving Grace.
Stormy's heart is huge but she has been terribly abused
never hearing loving words let alone a loving hand.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Another litter on its way and Stormy's body could not stand
>>>>>> the demand
>>>>>> of another set of little pups!
>>>>>> 15 were born on a Stormy night
>>>>>> and Mom and Pups had an awful fright
People that should have loved and cared for her
turned their backs, and called others
to come and pick up Stormy and 15 Little Pups
and take them to a place where there are many dogs and little space.
Stormy and pups were separated - not by Stormy's choice you see
but because she was scared and terrified
of those around her with long poles that hurt her neck and cut her tongue.

>>>>>> But Stormy stuck with her small babies
>>>>>> and loved just like a human Momma loves her babies -
she never waivered - not even once
and loved her pups with a fierce, fierce heart
not giving up - not turning back - though scared to death at human hand
and what she feared would soon be - for dogs can sense much more than us
and Stormy knew just what they faced.
But Stormy stayed and fed her pups
with what little resources she had -

>>>>>> 5 were lost before rescue was found
>>>>>> but then Stormy's life turned around.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> E-mails were sent with prayers attached
>>>>>> and the words were so sweet when they came back
>>>>>> Stormy would have her home
A home with Angels, Judy and Gerry
>>>>>> A sweet GSD Sister and Brother to welcome
Stormy to a life unknown
where days are sweet, no bellies ache
and only sweet, kind words are ever spoken.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Stormy's day is soon at hand
>>>>>> her Angels, Judy and Gerry will soon be here
>>>>>> there will be many, many tears
>>>>>> but tears of joy
>>>>>> and friendships made
>>>>>> and the knowledge this sweet, sweet girl
>>>>>> will soon have all she always should have had.

Stormy looks at me with such thankful eyes
it is not hard for me to recognize
the Thanks and Love this sweet Soul eminates
for what she has been given and the love she will take
with her forever
from us to her....
Forever.

Our Thanks is really that she has given
a glimpse into her canine world and the pain she has withstood

and yet retained some sense of trust
and been willing to give her love to us
and allowed with VERY watchful eyes,
us to love, play, feed, and care for her babies needs.

Stormy's day is soon at hand..............
her Angels, Judy and Gerry will soon be here...................
tears of joy will soon be shed
this sweet, sweet soul will soon be given
all and more she should always have had.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Southern Cross wants to send its love and life long friendship to Stormy's Angels, Judy and Gerry , for all they have done for Harry, Little Molly and now the life they will give our Stormy.

Brett feeds Ava!

2010-10-02T17:07:00.001-07:00

Brett came to visit LINK today and ended up sticking around and helping feed Little AVA! Brett has been a great friend to Southern Cross and named LINK - Brett, Jake and friends arrived for a visit today with Link but because we have three puppies that are still fighting the virus stuck around to help us make sure that Ava got her share of dinner!

AVA, MISSY and LILAH are all back on antibiotics but Dr. Josh was here today and is still hopeful we will beat it. Please keep Momma Stormy and her puppies in your prayers.

Puppy Photo's from last post

2010-10-02T16:54:00.000-07:00

Here we go - The PUPPY PACK with Momma Stormy in the back of an igloo,

Stormy thought she might get a nap but the puppies didn't think so!
Penny's ears are coming up!

The Puppy Pack is growing up!

2010-10-02T07:15:00.001-07:00

THE PUPPY PACK!

Puppies are definitely growing! Little PENNY'S ears are going to come up and I think little AVA's will also!

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MOMMA STORMY thought she was going to take a little nap in the sun but the puppies had other plans for her. She is such a wonderful Momma - the puppies swarm her and she is gentle and patient with them.

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LITTLE AVA

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MOMMA STORMY tried hiding in the outside Igloo but the puppies found her!

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The puppies were 6 WEEKS OLD yesterday! Happy Birthday little ones!

Prayers for Little Lilah!

2010-10-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

It was another quick trip to the emergency vet this morning. Lilah wasn't quite herself yesterday but this morning would not eat and just wanted to lay down and not play - very un-puppy like!

The awful virus that has made its way through the puppies is not quite done with us - Lilah on stronger antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine - another touch of pneumonia to get through.

The rest of the Puppy Pack are doing well and enjoyed a day of great weather! I will post photo's a little later this evening. You won't believe how much they have grown!

Rainy Days!

2010-09-30T14:59:00.000-07:00

Very sorry for no new photo's the last few days. The weather here has been really awful - days and days of rain and little puppies just waiting for a few days of sunshine to play in :(

All the pups are doing well with weaning and I actually think some of the little ears are going to come up soon! Penny and Ava are showing signs of "ears up"!

Hopefully there will be new photo's in a day or two! Just waiting for the sun to shine.

It is hard to believe but the puppies will be 6 WEEKS OLD TOMORROW! We still need Foster Homes for 4 of the puppies so if you are in GA and would like to foster please contact us. They will be ready to go in about 3 weeks.

Thank you to everyone that continues to follow the Blog and support the wonderful 11 lives that have been saved with all of your help!

Test

2010-09-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

Testing picture attachment

Wipe Your Paws!

2010-09-27T11:23:00.001-07:00

Puppy Palace Blessing

2010-09-27T11:09:00.001-07:00

This wonderful Cross was given to Southern Cross to bless the Puppy Palace. It could not be more appropriate.

Puppy Picnic

2010-09-26T18:35:00.001-07:00

Lilah, Buffy and Ava having a little snack on a puppy size picnic table! Ava couldn't resist bringing her toy to the table.

Cowboy! How cute is he?

2010-09-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

Cowboy looking like a real little man!

2010-09-26T18:26:00.000-07:00

Aunt Adrienne, Danny and Digger constructing the kennel fencing for the Puppy Palace!

2010-09-26T18:11:00.000-07:00

Baron figuring out the ramp that leads to his new home!

Momma Stormy on her Bunk Bed

2010-09-26T17:02:00.000-07:00

OK - Well, lots going on - pups are growing like little weeds!

Here is a photo of Momma Stormy enjoying her bunk bed! She watches over her puppies from here.

Moving into the Puppy Palace!

2010-09-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Moving into the Puppy Palace!

Wow, Sunday and Moving Day finally arrived and none too soon. The puppies had figured out how to stand on the ledge of the weaning box and sort of let themselves "fall over" to freedom!

The Puppy Palace took almost all day yesterday to place, customize and kennel but we did it with the help of some wonderful volunteers! Many, many Thank You's to Danny, Digger, Josh and Adrienne that made the day happen!

The Puppy Palace arrives right on time!

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Digger and Danny watch as the Puppy Palace is unloaded with the help of a Bobcat.

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Momma Stormy supervises but only from a distance. She definitely knew something was changing! She is a very, very smart girl.

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Bunk beds have been installed along with the insulation and ramp for the puppies. Top bunk is for Momma to have some rest away from the puppies when she wants - bottom bunk for 10 little puppies to curl up on at bedtime!

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20 feet of Kennel space was installed by Aunt Adrienne, Digger and Danny!

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Time to move the little ones to their new home! The two laundry baskets barely held them for the short drive to their new home.

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Lunch was late because of the construction so everyone was very glad when meal time arrived! They have definitely got the hang of eating the puppy mash! Yay! Feeding 10 puppies at once is a lot easier! They still get their cuddle time after everyone has eaten though -

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Exploring!

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Missy and Baron were two of the first to go up the ramp and into their new home!

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Hmmmmmm........................hay just doesn't taste as good as the mush Grandma Molly makes but it's fun to chew on!

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Look at these funny things! They make noise if you step on them! Grandma Molly calls them "toys"........wonder what that means?

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Geez..........the morning baths just don't end!

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Link finding a quiet corner where he can survey what is going on!

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Missy after she had finished exploring the cedar chips in the outside Igloo.

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Baron thinking that the world is BIG!

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PUPPY PINWHEELS and DOGGY DREAMS

2010-09-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

Don't Forget the Tastefully Simple Fundraiser - Get Great Items for You or Holiday Gifts and Help Mom and Pups! Please Cross-Post! Thank you!

The PUPPY PALACE is coming and none too soon! One more day and then the pups and Mom will be moving to a home of their own with a large outdoor kennel area! Construction of the area will be on Sunday! For Grandma Molly this means "NO MORE PUPPY PADS" WOOHOO! I can't wait to see those puppy tails bouncing around their yard.

Momma Stormy cannot stop wagging HER tail these days! We are still struggling with Mange but overall life has gotten good for Momma Stormy and she knows it! She has put on a good deal of weight and her coat is softer than it was by miles. She is free to be in the yard for much of the day and only wants to come inside and be a house dog - these German Shepherd hearts are incredible. Stormy is such an amazing girl - willing to put the past behind her and love again. We have a tentative date of October 15 or 16 for Stormy to move into her own home with Judy and Gerry. Stay tuned for Stormy updates as we move closer to that date!

I think she was trying to pose for me - showing off more fur! .Either that or she was saying......"see, see? There's the door ......just OPEN it please!" Stormy hasn't had any milk for the puppies for quite awhile.

This is Penny - easily the smallest puppy of the group - I couldn't believe that one little ear was up! It didn't last but made an awfully cute photo! She is sooooooo cute - I adore her. She is Miss Spunky of the group - she is so much smaller than her brothers and sisters that she sometimes reminds me of a baby squirrel.

Missy is a MESSY eater!

PUPPY PINWHEEL! What a difference a few days and a real puppy feeder make! Almost everyone is pointed in the right direction and have figured out how to lap up the puppy mash!

Baron hoping I will take pity on him and get him out! Maybe just one or two sips out of the bottle? What do you say?

Link and Missy playing after dinner.

Dinner - check

Playtime - check

Now it's Nap time!

Missy, Riley and Penny - all in a row

Time for Grandma to put down some new puppy pads and get ready for the 10 pm feeding

2010-09-17T06:50:00.000-07:00

Tastefully Simple Fundraiser - Click Here

Hungry?


How about now? Tangy Tennessee Slow Cooker Sauce

Want some comfort food?


Potato Cheddar Soup

And what for dessert?


How about Chocolate Chip Toffee Almond Cookies?

Plus so many other great products - all proceeds from these orders will be donated to Stormy and Pups!
Great holiday gifts!

9/15 Update Doggy Dilemas and Puppy Palaces!

2010-09-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

Please Don't forget the Tastefully Simple Fundraiser! Click here!

Where has the time gone?   These sweet, precious little lives that needed so 
much nurturing have turned into real, honest-to-God-little puppy lives that get 
bigger every day!

The quest to keep them safe and healthy changes day by day as they grow and get 
bigger - it was a eye opener this week when we realized they were not going to 
be OK in the weaning box for much longer - so now what do we do?   Holy Cow!   
AND THERE ARE TEN OF THEM!   What was I thinking?

We have been on a mission this week to find a small outbuilding that we can 
purchase and enclose with kennel fencing that will accommodate the pups 
overnight needs as well as Momma Stormy and the puppies need for space and play 
areas.   Think we have found it and will post photo's over the weekend as 
friends of SCGSDR arrive to help us put our plan into action!

Puppy personalities are emerging BIG time!   We have "BUFFY" the Bottle Slayer 
:),   "LINK" who continues to be the largest, heavy boned male and leader of the 
pack, "PENNY" who has stolen my heart with her trilling to her puppy friends at 
meal times, "AVA" who continues to be my biggest challenge at meal time, sweet, 
sweet, RILEY, ROSE. COWBOY and MISSY - they are the fluffiest - and so sweet and 
undemanding - 

I realized tonight that I am in LOVE with all of them - it will be meltdown on 
the mountain for sure as they all get old enough to leave Grandma (me) - Momma 
Stormy continues to improve - hard to say but she is so over her puppies!   All 
she wants at this very moment is to follow me into the house and be part of the 
pack - I can't let her of course, because of the mange and the number of other 
dogs here - but am so looking forward to the day when she can be loved by her 
new family!

Tastefully Simple Fundraiser for Stormy and Pups Now to 9/25

2010-09-13T06:38:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU VALERIE! This is awesome! And tasty! Get some holiday gifts and help this family at the same time. Like she says at the bottom, please do forward and post all over - if you are on Facebook, please add it - thank you!

https://sites.google.com/site/gsdrescuefunds/

Here is a copy paste:

Stormy and her pups have a safe place but expenses are high. I am donating 100% of my personal profits from my Tastefully Simple business. You can help by simply shopping my website. Get great products for upcoming football season, holidays and gift giving. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on our products. See more about Stormy at Websites

Please visit http://www.tastefullysimple.com/web/vtwombly and take a look around. When you check out please make sure you enter host name Stormy Shepherd so this fundraiser will receive credit.

Not only will the rescue receive a check from me but they will also receive free product that they can use for a raffle to gather more funds.

If you have any questions about this fundraiser or our products please feel free to email me at tsimpleval@gmail.com or text me at 815-739-8944.

Thank you for your help,

Valerie Twombly
Tastefully Simple Consultant

P.S. Please make sure you tell all your family and friends and post this on your facebook. The more people who know the more funds we can raise. At this time this fundraiser is open until Sept 25. I will try to post here what our totals are.

9/12 Puppies take the word mash literally! Pictures!

2010-09-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out the new click ---> How You Can Help post for ways to send care packages of supplies and quality foods and treats to mom and pups.

Well, I knew it was going to be messy but this is ridiculous! The puppies were VERY interested in the puppy mash this morning - a few of them tried to swim in it - ROSE thought it would be fun to slide her belly in it - COWBOY was sure it was the best thing he had ever had before and kept coming back for free samples!

HMMMMM - tastes even better with a little fur!

Lordy!

LOOK - I found my paw!

Nom, nom, finger, nom...

They used to fit TEN to a basket with room to spare!

Now barely 5 at a time - especially with full little tummies.

MISSY leading the charge to action! Everyone was fed - wiped down - fresh puppy pads in place and now time for puppy naps except Missy wants to play!

I split the puppies up into two "teams" of five - since trying to feed 10 at a time seemed way too crazy - LINK was easily the CHOW DOWN HOUND of Team 1 and RILEY took those honors for Team 2! If you would like to virtually foster any of these pups, or mom, let us know!

Some of the pups are still coughing but no one quite as bad as Cowboy was - whatever this virus is runs a day or two of keeping the puppies down and then a cough that hangs on for a few days but so far every one is still fighting and eating! All good signs. Momma Stormy lays on her bed now and supervises all that goes on and then gives me this look that says "you're the Nanny"!

More How Can You Help!

2010-09-10T18:06:00.000-07:00

Would you like to send care packages to the pups and mom? Here are some things that they need and you can order and just have them sent to the family - address below!

1. What they are using for potties: Any kind of absorbent puppy pad is fine - Walmart has them at a great price. Feel free to order online and send Puppy Pee Pads

2. What they are eating: This little family is in a rural part of GA with not a lot of local shopping choices! At the moment Momma is just on Purina One puppy chow but I add the meat from one half a broiled chicken and a cup of cottage cheese to each meal. The puppies are on the Leerburg formula - it is wonderful but outside of people contributing to buy SC our own goat I don't know how they can contribute goat's milk and yogurt. I am hoping that that will all change next week though and then it will be a little easier for people to send stuff. We will update when that changes. However, if you have a favorite online store for high quality foods - dry and canned - and safe and healthy treats, you can send them directly.

3. What can they play with someday? Of course on the toys - there are never enough for even one puppy - can you imagine the shredding that will be going on with 10 of them? Have already received a large box of toys and treats from Judy for the pups and Stormy - poor Stormy has no idea what a toy is - but is learning. Thank you Judy!

4. What else are they using? I also use Pampers Baby Wipes for cleaning the pups up during the day and old towels are always in demand.

5. Would you like to help with vet costs directly? Our Vet is Clarkesville Veterinary Clinic - Clarkesville GA - 706-839-7387 if they would like to contribute directly to the Vet - account is Southern Cross GSD Rescue for Stormy and Puppies - Stormy's vet

So if you would like to order something from your favorite online store or make up a care package yourself and send it to the pups, you can do so! Of course safe and healthy are important!*

Stormy and Family
c/o Southern Cross German Shepherd Rescue
1097 Starmount Trail
Clarkesville, GA 30523

*Sorry, neurotic edit from person adding the blog posts...

9/10 Update 96 Puppy Pee Pads on the Floor, 96 Puppy Pee Pads...

2010-09-10T17:31:00.000-07:00

Take one out, toss it away, 95 puppy pee pads on the floor...everybody sing!

HAPPY 3 WEEK BIRTHDAY LITTLE MUNCHKINS!

It is hard to believe that they are already 3 weeks old!  Puppies develop so 
quickly it is hard to keep up with what they will need tomorrow!

The nasty old cough is back - Riley,  Penny, Buffy, Missy and Baron all have it 
now so it is back to double time on the nebulizer.  Hopefully a few more days on 
the antibiotic is going to take care of it for everyone.

Personalities are starting to emerge and PENNY is Miss Personality Plus!   She 
is one of the smaller pups - much different coat than Missy or Riley and built 
like a little tank - she will take little running starts at another puppy and 
then just run into them, knock them down and then try to eat their ears!   She 
is definitely Leader of the Pack!   AVA used to hold that title but she has 
given it up to the little rabble rouser.

ROSE is very quiet and makes the sweetest noises while she eats - she and LILAH 
are very much alike.   BUFFY is a very LOUD girl!  I think she is part spaniel - 
no kidding - everything she does is at triple speed - eat, run, pee, yowl - you 
name it and she is doing it faster than anyone else.

COWBOY is feeling much better - is eating and is up and around with his gang - 
LINK and RILEY ARE DEFINITELY now the two largest males and I think that LINK 
might be the largest pup at the moment.

SO...............how many puppy pads were used by SCGSDR today in an exhausting 
effort to keep the puppy pen spotless and dry?

Yes, it's true - 96!   These puppies pee a lot!

If you are following the blog watch for tomorrow's photo's - we are going to try 
to introduce them to puppy gruel for breakfast!

9.9 Find Out Who the Puppy Is Update

2010-09-09T05:32:00.000-07:00

AND WE HAVE A WINNER! JUDY L. has named all of the puppies correctly!

Here are my answers to the "Puppy names quiz"
Female #1 - Lilah
Female #2 - Buffy
Female #3 - Rose
Female #4 - Missy
Female #5 - Ava
Female #6 - Penny
Male #1 - Cowboy
Male #2 - Riley
Male #3 - Link
Male #4 - Baron

All of the puppies are tucked into bed for the night! The good news of the day is that Cowboy really appears to be on the mend - very little coughing today and ate much more than he did yesterday or the day before.

The puppies teething makes feeding times a little more difficult because their little gums hurt but it just means a little more snuggle time with them.

Little Penny just outdid herself in the "ate a little too much for dinner" chapter - she looks like a little melon at the moment.

Stormy continues to have good days - she is such a good, good dog - she follows me around the yard and really wants to be someone's love - I tell her that her day is coming! We will start to address her pressing medical needs at the end of this week. We can't put her on Revolution for the Sarcoptic Mange because she is HW positive so we will have to dip her in Mitaban until safe to give her some Ivermectin. Her coat, what is left of it, is much less brittle and now very shiny - I think that was the Emu oil shampoo benefit - Stormy says Thank You again Michelle!

Puppy Fun Quiz for the day - Guess how many puppy pads are used on average throughout the day in a weaning box with 10 puppies! Answer on Friday!

A Day Late 9/6 Update WITH Puppy Pics & Puppy Name Quiz!

2010-09-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

Keep those positive thoughts coming our way - we can still use them for mom and pups.

Long awaited puppy photo's are here! I thought it might be fun to see who can match a puppies current photo to the puppy photo on the day they arrived!

BIG news of the day is that we have puppy teeth! I couldn't believe that they have come in so early but they are there!

Momma Stormy might have a touch of pneumonia - her temp. hovers at 103 but I think she feels a bit better every day - Cowboy still stuffy but holding his own. I massage his little ears every night and tell him we have to fight.

FUN puppy fact of the day........the puppies are eating 4 - 5 bottles of formula at every sitting so we are going through a little over a gallon of formula each day! (click here to see How Can I Help? if you would like to help sponsor some of this formula - only $10 to help!)

If I haven't replied to anyone individually yet to Thank you for all of the support - please know that it is only because I am swimming in puppy bottles and puppy pads - SCGSDR is so very thankful for all of your support and friendship.

SO.......go find that puppy! I have given a clue to each ones gender. Here is a link to their first photos: First Puppy Pictures

Make your guesses - names will be revealed on WEDNESDAY!

Who is Female #1?

___________________________

Who is Female #2?

___________________________

Who is Female #3?

___________________________

Who is Female #4?

___________________________

Who is Female #5?

___________________________

Who is Female #6?

___________________________

Who is Male #1?

___________________________

Who is Male #2?

___________________________

Who is Male #3?

___________________________

Who is Male #4?

___________________________

9/4 Up and Down Update

2010-09-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

Another up and down day for the puppies - I guess that is how it is going to be 
for the next little while.   The good news is that little Rose and Baron are 
feeling better and their lung sounds are much better.

The bad news is that Cowboy has a pretty bad case of the sniffles so we are now 
nebulizing the entire litter.  All of the puppies are eating well and that 
continues to be a good sign and their little personalities are starting to 
emerge.   Some of them now growl at bunnies in their sleep and little Rose makes 
the most adorable sounds while she is nursing.    Cowboy is just going to be a 
"good old boy" -  I can actually see him watching a football game with his 
family some day!

Momma Stormy continues to amaze me with her willingness to trust me.   Even 
though she is terrified of the leash and being restricted,  somewhere deep in my 
heart I really believe that she had a family once that loved her - and I know 
she will have that again.  She got a new, softer bed yesterday and really loves 
it, is still consuming several cooked chickens a day along with her kibble so no 
worries there!

Molly

9/3 Update - Keep Those Good Thoughts Coming!!!!

2010-09-03T18:57:00.000-07:00

So far, so good - the puppies are still sneezing but don't seem to have gotten any worse! They are growing so fast now it is hard to believe - definitely have a few different Daddy's in this group.

There is NO WAY that Cowboy has the same Daddy as Rose, Baron, Ava or even Riley. I will try to get weights tomorrow but it is tough. Momma Stormy has very little milk so medication and feeding time is just shy of 2 hours for the 10 pups one at a time and it has to happen 5 times a day. Missy is the loudest of the group and one of the puppies "trills" - it is adorable.

The 8AM feeding is definitely WILD! There are 10 hungry puppies all wanting to be fed - Momma Stormy looks at me as if to say "well, OK, get to it then"! AND then she supervises and worries over every little squeak they make. After everyone is fed and cleaned up and asleep she comes up for a head wipe and tummy rub - I know she is thanking me. I cannot wait until she is in her own loving home with a full belly every night and knowing that the next day will be just as good if not better than the day before.

Momma Stormy makes progress with "trust" every day and now just accepts that she will get her penicillin injection without any fuss. She is still a bit under the weather but much better than two days ago - unfortunately I think she has Sarcoptic Mange and is pretty miserable so the goal at this point, according to Dr. Josh, is to keep Momma and pups together just one more week.

Thanks to Judy and Gerry - as soon as the puppies are old enough to play they have a huge box of toys to play with that just arrived!

Please keep them in your prayers - just two weeks old today!

Molly

RESCUE POEM

Author:Arlene Pace, September 18, 1998

Once I was a lonely dog,
Just looking for a home.
I had no place to go,
No one to call my own.

I wandered up and down the streets,
in rain in heat and snow.
I ate what ever I could find,
I was always on the go.

My skin would itch, my feet were sore,
My body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat
Or a gently say my name.

I never saw a loving glance,
I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me
was really lots of fun.

And then one day I heard a voice
So gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me
And took me off my feet.

No one again will hurt you
Was whispered in my ear.
You'll have a home to call your own
where you will know no fear

You will be dry, you will be warm,
you'll have enough to eat
And rest assured that when you sleep,
your dreams will all be sweet.

I was afraid I must admit,
I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let
A human come so near.

And as she tended to my wounds
And bathed and brushed my fur
She told me 'bout the rescue group
And what it meant to her.

She said, We are a circle,
A line that never ends.
And in the centre there is you
protected by new friends.

And all around you are
the ones that check the pounds,
And those that share their home
after you've been found.

And all the other folk
are searching near and far.
To find the perfect home for you,
where you can be a star.

She said, There is a family,
that's waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we'll find them,
just you wait and see.

And then they'll join our circle
they'll help to make it grow,
so there'll be room for more like you,
who have no place to go.

I waited very patiently,
The days they came and went.
Today's the day I thought,
my family will be sent.

Then just when I began to think
It wasn't meant to be,
there were people standing there
just gazing down at me.

I could tell they felt it too,for a special dog like you.
Now every night I say a prayer to all the Gods that be.
Thank you for the life I live and all you've given me.
But most of all protect the dogs in the pound and on the street.

And send a Rescue Person

Many thoughts, prayers needed tonight....9/2 update

2010-09-02T17:54:00.001-07:00

Many prayers needed tonight for Rose and Baron two of Stormy's precious pups.   
Both have come down with the same virus as Stormy but Rose and Baron are the two 
smallest pups and will have to fight harder to survive.

All of the puppies were started on antibiotics today and Dr. Josh will be back 
tomorrow.  :(

Baron:

Rose:

Franciscan Prayer For Sick Animals

2010-09-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

Franciscan Prayer For a Sick Animals

Heavenly Father,
You created all things for your glory
And made us stewards of this creature.
If it is your will, restore it to health and strength.
Blessed are you, Lord God,
And holy is your name for ever and ever. Amen.

Image From: http://saintfrancisofassisi.homestead.com/50.html

9/1 Update Stormy Gets a Bath!

2010-09-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

If you are new to this blog, there are 8 posts in August to check out!

An exciting day for Stormy! I arrived at her cottage early to find a very, very stressed out Momma looking at me as if to say "Where the heck have you been"?!!!! 5 of the little munchkins had figured out how to climb out of the kiddie pool and Momma Stormy was a wreck! She is such an extraordinary Momma - I just can't say it enough times - she loves her puppies! She has very little milk so we are basically bottle feeding the puppies while Momma supervises and then cleans up after her pups. She tries to nurse them when she can but there are 10 of them and they eat a lot! Cowboy gulped down 4 oz. before I even knew it this morning.

Dr. Josh arrived and helped finish feeding the puppies and then put together the whelping box that Auntie Adrienne brought up! Hooray! Little puppies won't get out of this for at least a week :) It is amazing to see them getting their little legs under them when they aren't even two weeks old yet!

Thanks to Dr. Josh Stormy also got the first bath she has had in a good long time. Thank you so much Michelle for sending the Emu oil shampoo! Stormy has open sores on her and I am hoping that this will help to calm her skin. She was really very good during her bath - I think she actually enjoyed it.

Her temp today was still high 103.7 but some of the nasal discharge has lessened - a good sign.

Hope to have updated puppy photo's tomorrow.

Molly

8/31 Update

2010-08-31T19:15:00.000-07:00

If anyone is a Reiki or HTA practitioner and you would like to donate energy work please let us know and we will list you on the thank you post. Momma Stormy could use more thoughts, prayers and energy.

Another rough day for Stormy - she has a very bad upper respiratory infection - temp of 104 which is pretty high for a dog. She isn't making much milk so I am supplementing the pups like crazy. The Vet was here and we both agreed that the very best outcome for both Stormy and babies is if Stormy can stay here with her puppies rather than be at a Vet Clinic where she would be completely stressed out - and the babies really still need their Mommy.

She is receiving SQ penicillin and because she is starting to dehydrate we are also giving her SQ fluids here at home. She is tolerating it all pretty well considering the life she has had. She absolutely fights being contained or cornered and I can only guess what horrors she has endured in the past. She watches me feed her babies and after I had wiped the puppies off this morning with "wet wipes" she came over to me and wanted her head wiped too! She is very smart.

Dr. Josh will be back in the morning along with Auntie Adrienne and the plan is to give her a bath - both to help reduce her fever and also just to make her more comfortable.

I took a few photo's of the pups - this little girl eats AND sleeps on her back! She nurses upside down - she is very funny to watch. The ring leader of the bunch is little Ava - she is one of the tiniest and gets around really well - she has also managed to climb out of the pool 3 times this afternoon so a good thing a whelping box is coming tomorrow!

Thank you again to all who have contributed to her care and have kept her in your prayers - she is so very tired and yet will not let herself close her eyes in case something happens to her babies. I have never seen a better Momma dog.

Molly

Not entirely sure which little girl this is but she is also a back sleeper.

I am pretty sure this is "Link" getting a group hug!

8/30 Update

2010-08-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

Awww, please send your thoughts, prayers, energy to Stormy so that she can kick the kennel cough.If anyone is a Reiki or HTA practitioner and you would like to donate energy work please let us know and we will list you on the thank you post.

Momma "Stormy" cannot catch a break it seems - she has a very bad case of kennel cough and had a really rough day. Her milk for the puppies did not seem to be enough so I supplemented some of them for the 8pm feeding and will supplement again at 10:30 for her. I am using the Leerburg formula of goat's milk, whole milk yogurt, and a little Karo syrup to make the formula.

Stormy continues to be a wonderful Momma dog - her trust of me has grown but she wasn't so sure she liked me feeding her little ones! I think she might have been a little jealous! I keep telling her that once these puppies are raised she will have a wonderful new life ahead of her with her new family of Judy and Gerry!

Cowboy is a sweet name but I am telling you he should have been named "The Big Gulp" or "Guzzler" or "Little Fatty"! That puppy can eat! He grabbed onto the bottle with his two little front paws and just went to town!

Two of the puppies are quite a bit smaller so I am trying to make sure they get the little something extra tonight. If possible I'll try to get some photo's of them bottle feeding tomorrow.

Please keep Stormy and her little ones in your thoughts and prayers. Continued Thanks for all of the love and support sent their way - they need all the love we can give them!

Molly

Virtual Fosters!

2010-08-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

A puppy can have more than one Virtual Foster - for more information see How Can You Help?

Feel free to post the thank you below on your Facebook page!

We cannot thank you enough for helping this special family.

Riley has a Virtual Foster!

From Judy to Kerryn in South Africa!

Thank you.

Missy has a Virtual Foster!

Thank you Carolyn.

Penny has a Virtual Foster!

Thank you Erin.

Baron has a Virtual Foster!

Thank you Kellie.

Link Has A Virtual Foster Family!

Thank you Brett and Jake.

Cowboy Has A Virtual Foster Family!

Thanks to Wookie who donated so that Frank, Pat & Shelah K could be

little Cowboy’s Virtual Foster Family.

How can you help?

2010-08-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

A huge way that you can help is by linking to this page, sending it to friends, putting it on Facebook and if you are on Twitter, why not Tweet about it!

Donation Information - if you are able, donations are appreciated:
$10 donation will help buy food and formula for a puppy for a week!
$15 donation will sponsor a worming treatment - not so glamorous but oh so needed!
$25 donation will give you the privilege of naming a puppy - up to ten of course! Update: All puppies have names - thank you so much.
$50 donation and you will be a virtual foster parent or family!

Additional donor amounts also greatly appreciated!

To donate:
Click on the donate button on the left hand side of home page of the website (right above the phone number):
http://www.southerncrossgsd.com/

When you donate, let us know if it's okay to list your name on the thank you post!

Puppy Pictures!

2010-08-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

Will you look at this adorable group. All puppies have been named - thank you for helping this family! There are still many other chances to help by helping to sponsor food and worming, or by being a Virtual Foster, or any other donation amount you'd like!

Click on the donate button on the left hand side: www.southerncrossgsd.com

And now....Stormy's babies!

Female puppy #1 - her name is Ava. 1lb 10 oz
Thank you to former dog shelter mom Ava for giving your name to one of the puppies!

Female # 2 Lilah - 1 lb 12 oz.

Thanks to Denise for Lilah's name - after her own sweet darling Miss Lilah Anne from Rhodesian Ridgeback, NYC chapter rescue.

Female #3 Penny - 1 lb. 8 oz.

Named in memory of their first beloved rescue GSD, who had the most gentle heart. Gerry and Judy

Male #1 Riley - 1 lb. 12 oz.
Thank you to John, Natalie and the girls for Riley's name!

Male #2 Meet Cowboy! 2lb 4 oz
Thank you to all the IAMRA Malamutes for naming Cowboy, in loving memory of Cowboy Kral.

Female #4 Rose - 1 lb. 10 oz.
Rose - named by Susan - thank you!

Male #3 I has a name! Call me Link - 1 lb. 13 oz.
Thanks to Brett!

Female #5 Buffy - 1 lb 12. oz
Thanks to Yvette, in memory of her own best girl, Buffy

Female #6 - This is Missy! 1 lb. 13 oz.
Thank you to Pat!

Male #4 Meet Baron - 1 lb. 8 oz.
Thank you Dorothy!

Great job Stormy!

8/28 Update and Mama Stormy Pictures

2010-08-28T20:24:00.000-07:00

You can see that she has no muscle mass in her hind legs - all of the nutrition she is taking in is going to feed the puppies but the good news is that she is making more milk - and that she will let me near enough to feed and pet her a bit - that was my biggest worry - she is consuming tons of cooked chicken, puppy chow and cottage cheese and continuing to be a wonderful Momma.

She is also starting to trust me although she wasn't sure about the camera just now but I think the last picture shows just how far she has come in a few days and that she will be willing to trust and love some day. She is still terrified of me touching her neck but I am working on desensitizing by just softly rubbing with one hand while I feed chicken with the other :)

Puppies are all seeming to thrive - have loud cries when they are hungry - some are even trying to get their little legs under them and they are only 1 week old yesterday. I will send photo's of them tomorrow.

So many thanks to so many for all of the Good Wishes, Love, Help and Support that has been sent her way! We will continue to take each day as it comes with her and the pups. I know that "Stormy" is grateful that she finally has a safe and peaceful place to raise what will be her last ever litter! :)

Molly

About Stormy and the Ten Babies

2010-08-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

This is a story of a dog family in Georgia who was at a shelter - mom and fifteen puppies.

This was the information on the shelter Petfinder page -

This is one of those stories that sticks with you. We got a call that there was a dog under a house having babies, so when we got there and crawled under the house to the far back here is Stormy and about 15 babies. This poor momma had to give birth at night, by herself, while it stormed all night long. (It was a BAD BAD STORM!!!) Then some stranger (ANIMAL CONTROL) comes and takes her and her babies away!!!! When we pulled up at the shelter to unload the mom and babies the momma took off. We were so scared the babies would die and then out of nowhere here comes MOMMA!!!!! She was pacing back and forth on the side of the fence her babies were in. There are woods around us and that momma could have been gone for good but SHE HAD COME BACK FOR HER BABIES!!!! That just shows a mothers love and instinct. She knew we had them and she was going to get them back no matter what the cost!!!! All this Momma has been through I think she deserves a chance at life. Stormy is a beautiful German Shep and she has kindness and gentleness in her eyes. PLEASE SAVE STORMY!!!!!!!

Southern Cross German Shepherd Rescue http://www.southerncrossgsd.com/ had to help, even though they knew it would be a rough road ahead.

How could you say no to this mom?

This was the update on the day they were pulled and taken to the vet:

Date: August 24, 2010 8:32:06 PM EDT

Subject: Momma and pups - Good news and Bad

OK - finally got home - we have 6 little girls and 4 little boys! Sadly between the time the dogs were posted until we picked them up this morning 5 have been lost but the remaining 10 all appear healthy and all weighing in at a little over 1 lb. 2 oz. A good weight for their age. They all have shiny coats and were active. All good signs.

Momma Dog is much worse than we even feared as you can see from her photo's. She weighs in at 59.7 lbs. and is heartworm positive. She is covered in fleas which we can do very little about because of the nursing puppies. We can give a capstar every other day so that is a beginning. She is emaciated - has bald spots, pressure sores, extreme hair loss and sores over much of her body and her look is one of shear dejection. She was so exhausted she fell asleep at the Vet while her pups were being examined. Her front teeth are totally worn down to nubs, the Vet explained, because she was eating rocks to keep her poor belly full. She is going to need long term rehabilitation - both physically and emotionally - she is terrified of people - and yet like every wonderful GSD heart I have met is so wanting to trust.

At one point today she had to walk past me to get to her babies - I saw every inch of her quiver at the thought and yet she did it - she is a wonderful, wonderful Momma and just as deserving of her precious babies of being rescued. The Vet estimates her age at 3 years of age. So very, very sad. Please keep this family in your hearts and prayers - and remember that Momma dog is going to need a wonderful respite home after she has weaned her pups.

Thank you all for all you do! Let's try to get this up on as many FB pages as we can because we are surely going to need long term donation money.

Molly

So if you could link to this blog, the Southern Cross website, and display this flyer all over the internet, it would be greatly appreciated!

Mom and Pups Say Thank You to Their Donors!

2010-08-28T19:12:00.000-07:00

These ten little sausages and their mom want to thank everyone who is helping them. Our next post will have more of their story and updates, this will be for the thank yous!

Puppy Names!

Thank you to former dog shelter mom Ava for giving your name to one of the puppies!

Thank you to all the IAMRA Malamutes for naming Cowboy, in loving memory of Cowboy Kral.

We have a Missy puppy now too! Thank you to Pat!

To Brett (and Zelda) for puppy Link's new name!

To Dorothy for newly named Baron!

To Denise for Lilah puppy named after her own sweet darling Miss Lilah Anne from Rhodesian Ridgeback,NYC chapter rescue.

Welcome to your new name, little Rose, named by Susan!
Little Penny puppy - Named in memory of their first beloved rescue GSD, who had the most gentle heart. Gerry and Judy
John, Natalie, and the girls are thanked for Riley's name.

More Thanks!

Many thanks to Kim and cats, including Mother Henry and Mother Koch, kitten caretakers!

Thank you to “Wookie” who donated so that Frank, Pat & Shelah Kral could be little Cowboy’s Virtual Foster Family!
Thanks to Link's Virtual Fosters Brett and Jake!
Thanks to Baron's Virtual Foster Kellie!
Thanks to Penny's Virtual Foster Erin!
Thanks to Missy's Virtual Foster Carolyn!
Thanks to Link's Virtual Foster Kerryn from Aunt Judy!
Thanks Michelle for the wonderful shampoo!

If you would like to help:

$10 donation will help buy food and formula for a puppy for a week!

$15 donation will sponsor a worming treatment - not so glamorous but oh so needed!

$25 donation will give you the privilege of naming a puppy - up to ten of course!

$50 donation and you will be a virtual foster parent or family!

Additional donor amounts also greatly appreciated!

To donate:

Click on the donate button on the left hand side of home page of the website (right above the phone number):

http://www.southerncrossgsd.com/