Donation protected
Hello! My name is Dana, and here is my story. I hope you have a few minutes to read a bit about myself and about a few of the dogs that I have had the pleasure of caring for- and ultimately, the reason why you find me here today on GoFundMe.
As a child, I did not play with Barbies or dolls. You could find me with an arm full of stuffed puppies or buried in bed surrounded by a pack of stuffed beasts. My parents finally caved and got us our first family dog from a local pet store. I could not have been happier! Sadly, his time with us was short. He of course, came from a puppy mill (we as a family hadnt even heard of what puppy mills were at the time) and he had a mile long list of aliments, and we lost him. This was the fuel that has forever caused my desire to help save and care for the moms and dads forced to produce and suffer in mills. I am so close to my dream. A few dollars stand in my way.
Fast forward to my college years, unable to afford a dog of my own, I was able to get my Fido fix by volunteering at the local Humane Society. It still wasn’t enough. I wanted my own dogs and I wanted to be a foster dog mom. I wanted to do MORE. At 28 years old, I was able to purchase my own home with a nice big yard! I was Mom to two sassy French bulldogs and I was FINALLY able to do what I had always felt I NEEDED to do. I immediately joined IEBR and started on a journey that has forever changed me. I have found my purpose and passion in life. It is to help those without a voice. Today, I am active in multiple rescues and back many animal welfare programs and events.
I am kindly asking for donations to help fund the dog part of an addition I am planning to build off my home to solely help me care for my foster dogs. Donated money will go towards having four dog “stalls” built to keep everyone safe, organized and happy. I will also need a fenced yard area. Storage for medications, special dog foods, treats, etc. I have been working on the funding for the actual room myself through a full time, part time job, Custom Pet Portraits as well as Dog Sitting. I think it’s important to share a few of my past foster dogs stories to help show what I have been able to do and what I can do more of with this money.
My heart has always compelled me to help the sickest, oldest, broken and most unwanted of dogs. Here are a few of my previous fosters that I would love to share with you.
My first foster was Ladybug. She came from a puppy mill in MO. Skeletal, missing hair, overbred, hernia the size of a golf ball, infested with fleas, infection, and no idea how to be a dog. Its been two years now, of patience, and caring... she is a foster failure, and she has been an absolute joy. I cant imagine not having adopted this crazy senior dog into my life.
There were a few other wonderful bulldogs in between, but then Valentine, a 5 year old breeder mom was dumped by a mill in KS and stole a piece of my heart. I was able to help her heal on the outside, but sadly, I lost her a few months after having her in my care.
Ida, was dumped in a shelter. At 12 years old, blind, overbred, emaciated, infected, hematomas, the list goes on, she was in horrific shape. She was with me for 8 months and crossed the rainbow bridge knowing she was loved, well fed and cared for. Below shows what this sweet girl went through, ending with a picture of one of her last days with me. Happy and pain free.
Currently, I have Cricket, 8 years old, deaf, and a handful ;) She is a sweet dog considering what she has probably been through, and I love her dearly. She is currently ready for her forever family but welcome to stay with me for as long as she should need.
Fostering dogs has given me purpose. These dogs are my everything and I want to continue to do MORE. With the way my current home is set up, I can only foster one dog at a time. This is usually a dog that is not very adoptable and is with me for a very long time, so I can only help a few. This room will allow me to provide hospice, long term care for the dogs I am called to help most, AND a safe space to take in additional more adoptable short term dogs that so desperately need a foster home until they can find a wonderful forever match.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone for taking the time to read about my journey in rescue so far- my dream is to one day have a senior sanctuary for dogs in need of hospice. This room will help me get one step closer to it. I sincerely appreciate everyones support and love. Until then, I will keep working hard to do best by these incredible creatures.
A huge thank you, from myself and the bulldog crew!
As a child, I did not play with Barbies or dolls. You could find me with an arm full of stuffed puppies or buried in bed surrounded by a pack of stuffed beasts. My parents finally caved and got us our first family dog from a local pet store. I could not have been happier! Sadly, his time with us was short. He of course, came from a puppy mill (we as a family hadnt even heard of what puppy mills were at the time) and he had a mile long list of aliments, and we lost him. This was the fuel that has forever caused my desire to help save and care for the moms and dads forced to produce and suffer in mills. I am so close to my dream. A few dollars stand in my way. Fast forward to my college years, unable to afford a dog of my own, I was able to get my Fido fix by volunteering at the local Humane Society. It still wasn’t enough. I wanted my own dogs and I wanted to be a foster dog mom. I wanted to do MORE. At 28 years old, I was able to purchase my own home with a nice big yard! I was Mom to two sassy French bulldogs and I was FINALLY able to do what I had always felt I NEEDED to do. I immediately joined IEBR and started on a journey that has forever changed me. I have found my purpose and passion in life. It is to help those without a voice. Today, I am active in multiple rescues and back many animal welfare programs and events.
I am kindly asking for donations to help fund the dog part of an addition I am planning to build off my home to solely help me care for my foster dogs. Donated money will go towards having four dog “stalls” built to keep everyone safe, organized and happy. I will also need a fenced yard area. Storage for medications, special dog foods, treats, etc. I have been working on the funding for the actual room myself through a full time, part time job, Custom Pet Portraits as well as Dog Sitting. I think it’s important to share a few of my past foster dogs stories to help show what I have been able to do and what I can do more of with this money.My heart has always compelled me to help the sickest, oldest, broken and most unwanted of dogs. Here are a few of my previous fosters that I would love to share with you.
My first foster was Ladybug. She came from a puppy mill in MO. Skeletal, missing hair, overbred, hernia the size of a golf ball, infested with fleas, infection, and no idea how to be a dog. Its been two years now, of patience, and caring... she is a foster failure, and she has been an absolute joy. I cant imagine not having adopted this crazy senior dog into my life.
There were a few other wonderful bulldogs in between, but then Valentine, a 5 year old breeder mom was dumped by a mill in KS and stole a piece of my heart. I was able to help her heal on the outside, but sadly, I lost her a few months after having her in my care. Ida, was dumped in a shelter. At 12 years old, blind, overbred, emaciated, infected, hematomas, the list goes on, she was in horrific shape. She was with me for 8 months and crossed the rainbow bridge knowing she was loved, well fed and cared for. Below shows what this sweet girl went through, ending with a picture of one of her last days with me. Happy and pain free. Currently, I have Cricket, 8 years old, deaf, and a handful ;) She is a sweet dog considering what she has probably been through, and I love her dearly. She is currently ready for her forever family but welcome to stay with me for as long as she should need.Fostering dogs has given me purpose. These dogs are my everything and I want to continue to do MORE. With the way my current home is set up, I can only foster one dog at a time. This is usually a dog that is not very adoptable and is with me for a very long time, so I can only help a few. This room will allow me to provide hospice, long term care for the dogs I am called to help most, AND a safe space to take in additional more adoptable short term dogs that so desperately need a foster home until they can find a wonderful forever match. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone for taking the time to read about my journey in rescue so far- my dream is to one day have a senior sanctuary for dogs in need of hospice. This room will help me get one step closer to it. I sincerely appreciate everyones support and love. Until then, I will keep working hard to do best by these incredible creatures. A huge thank you, from myself and the bulldog crew!
Organizer
Marie Dana
Organizer
Sussex, WI