On Saturday July 6th, I saw this beautiful young momma, all over face books, I fell in love and wanted to go get her right then. My husband and I started a non-profit transport service (from kill shelters to rescues or adopters/fosters) charging minimal for fuel and a little extra for repairs. We are not wealthy in the sense of having a lot of extra money. We are overly wealthy in having love and compassion for animals. Sometimes to the point of doing things for these fur kids that eats into our own ability to pay our monthly bills. We can go without... these babies lives are at risk. It's called priorities and passion.

The evening of the 6th of July, I wrote Lee County Animal Control and advised them I was interested in Patches and her Babies. ( I was so hoping to hear a Rescue had stepped up to get her out of this facility, but alas, that was not to be!)

I waited to hear and finally got a phone call on Monday morning from Ms Doris (who heads up the office in this very rural shelter) She informed me that Patches was still available, she had NO ONE even inquire about Patches. My heart sank, we all know that a momma and especially her newborns are at risk in any shelter. I advised Ms Doris of my intentions but would need to wait until Wed, secretly hoping by then, someone would surely step up and grab this family),

I had a rescue transport to do on Wed. 07/10 and would go by the Bishopville, SC shelter after I had left Charlotte, NC.

I was contacted again on Tuesday by Ms Doris and she informed me then that one of Patches' babies had died the previous night. OMG, I knew someone, anyone, had to get this girl & her precious babies out of there, asap.
Ms Doris took my 501(c)3 non-profit information and my vet reference and said she would let me know on Wed. Morning.

I drove to South Robeson Vet Hosp in Fairmont, NC that gloomy Wed. morning, I thought of Patches and what she must be going thru, not knowing if she was loved or cared for, fearing the unknown for her newborns, praying that no more would die, before she was safe, and that she and her babies would not be put to sleep, for lack of room.

As I drove from Charlotte, after dropping off 3 beautiful Sharpe's and a sweet little man that looked like he had come from a puppy mill and was missing 1/2 of his mouth at he bottom. (Thank you Laine & Michalle) I also somehow, had ended up with 2 very senior Chi's that had been bonded buddies for the past 9 yrs, they were at least 12 yrs old, one at 3 lbs (Isabella) and one at 5lbs(Theodore). But as I was driving, I was talking to Isabella & Theodore, there was no one else to talk to! I explained where we were going and why they ended up with me. (That's a whole other story.)
I knew my husband and I could not financially care for these babies, we were barely making it on the small income we had, My husband drives the FREEDOM RIDE VAN for Wheels 4 Paws 4 Ever Homes, Inc He took over for me in June when my health started to effect my road trips. I prayed and prayed when I had reached my destination in South Carolina, That Ms Doris would tell me ... SOMEONE JUST PICKED PATCHES & FAMILY UP ! ! When I arrived at 3:30pm, no one was there! Hmmmm then I saw the sign.. They had closed at noon on Wed., I grabbed my cell phone and started frantically looking at all the numbers that had called me on Monday... and the times they had called, if I remembered right it was about 9:30am.... BINGO.. there it was, I called Ms Doris's cell phone and asked if Patches had made her escape! She informed me that no, she hadn't and that I had been the only one that called about her. I asked her if I could take her home with me today, Ms Doris said " I will be there in 10 minutes".

When she arrived, we went into the small shelter that, of course was over packed, to the hilt. There under the counter was this beautiful girl and her family, I took a second look because one of her puppies was walking around with it's eyes wide open, but these babies were just born 5 days previously! Strange... Then I saw, a 5 week old Chihuahua that had been adopted by Patches, Peanut was the cutest little thing, smaller than the other 6 puppies, but walking all over the place, and running to momma when she laid down, there she was ready to suck too, just like the rest! It was a wonderful thing to witness.

I have Patches in my master bath, were I have a garden tub. That will be her home until I can adopt all her babies out and have her spayed, but that will be 2 months down the road.
I know times are hard, I know money is tight, All I am asking is if you could spare $5.00 or $10.00, to help me feed this family, bring them to the vets when it is time, and get Patches Spayed when the pups can get along without her... Please I can not afford to do this on my own, But I saw no other option. Won't you find it in your hearts to help me with this families essentials?