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October 26th: Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade in Algonquin, IL
October 27th: Adoption Event at Petco in Round Lake Beach, IL
Come out in Halloween flair and costume-style this Saturday, October 26th from 1:00 to 2:00 PM in Algonquin, IL for the fourth annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade sponsored by The Dog Waggin. This kid-friendly and pet-driven dog parade starts off at 1:00 pm at the Algonquin Village Hall. Owners and their dogs come dressed in costumes and parade from Village Hall to High Hill Park.
Come out and join Wagging Hearts in celebration of our pets during this 2013 Halloween celebration. Join us to meet some of our adorable adoptables and share in some tender love if not for just a moment of time. While there please don’t hesitate to discuss adoption, fostering or how you may be able to support us with our life-saving mission of rescuing, caring and sharing the many lives we are able to save…with all of you. We love to meet those who share in our vision of providing a better future to so many in need. We look forward to seeing you there!
Fee: $5 (R) / $8 (N/R)
Deadline to register: October 23rd, 2013
Register online or at Ganek Municipal Center 2200 Harnish Drive.
If you are too late in registering for parade, please feel free to come out at enjoy the sights of the many dogs in costumes that attend to walk to High Hill Park. Get ready because at 2:00 pm they will all arrive in single file style!! So don’t delay and come out to meet and greet, talk or just pass some love along to some of our adorable adoptables in attendance. (Names to come as we will have some puppies and adult dogs as ambassadors for Wagging Hearts.)
Have questions or inquiries, connect with us today! Share our flyer and invite some others to join!!
ADOPTION EVENT at Petco on October 5th & 6thOur next ADOPTION EVENT at Petco in Round Lake Beach, IL is on Saturday, October 5th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Then again on Sunday, October 6th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will have many of our wonderful adoptables onsite to make a love connection. Consider filling out an adoption application ahead of time!! Learn more about the positive impact of opening your home to a foster pet while they wait for forever love. We have several beautiful rescues waiting in boarding for a foster home to open up. Inquire today and fill out a foster application ahead of time!! Have some donation items? Bring them by and stop to say hello. Grab a kiss or two from one of our adorable adoptables. Talk to us about volunteer opportunities or just to catch up on your adopted alumnist. We can’t wait to see you there!!
SATURDAY, October 5th, 2013: Beacon, Big Boy, Blue, Chester, Clyde, Ditka, Emilia (new arrival), Fiona, Goliath, Hannah, JoJo, Latte, Lexi, Lillia, Lucy, Maggie, Nala, Parker, Payton, Peepers, Queenie, Sabrina (new arrival), Tigger, Zippy and lastly our new lab puppies arrivals.
SUNDAY, October 6th, 2013: Same but subject to change. Please connect with us at contactus@wagginghearts.org if you would like to check on the status of an adoptable to check on a meet and greet potential.
Visit our Facebook Adoptopn Event album to become a part of the latest updates today!
VOLUNTEER Opportunity:We are looking for some volunteers to assist as our event animal caregivers. We will be bringing rescues from boarding who need someone to look after them as well as some rescues in foster homes who will be at event without a handler so we are in need of some gentle hearts ready to provide a guiding hand. All that we ask is that you walk and talk your rescue around giving them he best exposure to connect with forever love. Take them outside for crowd and potty breaks, provide water and loving reassurance. Watch out for them and insure they are properly cared for while in your hands during the event. Email volunteer@wagginghearts.org if you can share a few life-changing hours with our rescues. They seem to show a little better when they are not alone among the crowd and portray a more relaxed, calm and happy demeanor. Let’s help them shine, connect with us today!
Head out to the Wagging Hearts EVANSTON adoption and informational event today, Sept. 28 from Noon to 3 p.m. — tell your family & friends!! Come meet a few of our adorable adoptables like Brandy, Zippy, Tigger, Lillia and Nala. Learn more about becoming a life-saving foster home. Discover new opportunities to become a part of Wagging Hearts Volunteer Village or how to provide support through various means of donations that could assist with the continual care and forward momentum of our rescue. Wagging Hearts hopes to see you there!!
We are asking for a few good foster homes to open up for some of our adorable adoptables waiting patiently in boarding. Otis, Big Boy, Whiskey, Allie, Queenie, Peepers and Blue would all love to know the sweet feeling of foster love. The feeling of a soft blanket beneath their bodies or a pillow under their cheeks. The sound of laughter and the feel of sunshine through a window. The earthy smells of the woods drifting through an open window. Or the gentle touch of a hand upon their shoulders to reassure them that someone cares and they do matter.
So much love to share with someone willing to allow them to transition from boarding into a real home. A boarding facility, and even the best of them, is no substitute for sharing space, time and heart with others. Their is absolutely no substitute for being loved and loving someone back. The guidance and support a foster home provides is often our rescues first positive experience with someone who truly cares for them. Some have a puppy exuberance at the simple things like a soft blanket, toys, a rug or pillow just for them. YOUR attention will provide the largest impact. Your voice, touch, care, love and home will change the course of their lives. How amazing to share anywhere from a couple weeks to several months with a life that will ultimately only be living because YOU (their foster) stepped up to save them. That is the work being done here, that is the life-saving foster community of Wagging Hearts. A foster home is crucial and its impact undeniable. It is the next transition and we would like you to meet some of our saves that are waiting for there homes to appear. Please let us know if you can foster any of these beautiful souls that deserve a new second chance in life:
Otis, our lab-pittie mix who was saved as a pup from a high-kill shelter. Literally on the last day he was supposed to be alive. A miracle pup who has grown up in boarding with almost no socialization but with much love in his heart. Yearning for a real home. He will need someone that understands his energy and emotional needs. He is starving to show someone experienced that beneath the lightening in his soul, he is a great boy with lots of love to share. Otis is someone who will change your world. Just like a real home would change his. Check out his video!!
Big Boy is a gentle giant with a big roar of love in his heart for someone to notice him. He may be large but is seemingly invisible. Sits like a gentleman waiting for signs of a treat. Ask him to give his paw and he will indulge. He can be a bit gruff with other males but that could be the transitions and boarding atmosphere impacting his personality. You can see the intelligence in his eyes as he watches and takes it all in hoping someone comes sees the tenderness in his heart. Oh what a companion he would be!
Whiskey is beyond a beautiful boy inside and out. With the gentlest eyes and soft, suede coat. Even his hoarse, raspy bay reminds one of an adventure with fun written all over it. Did we mention how much he loves to nibble on soft, furry toys? LOVES them!! The squeakier the better. All around a great big boy in need of active, stimulating mornings and cuddling, back-rolling nights. Check out his video!! More about Whiskey.
Allie is a sweetheart of a girl. Quiet and lost. Our longest resident in boarding who deserves to feel the arms of a family wrapped around her tightly. This beautiful lady has the softest mouth while nibbling on a treat. She is a pocketful of solid heart ready to climb into your lap for love. You can see she is lost as it has been so long since someone has called her their own. It has been a very long time since Allie has known what a real home feels like. Or the quiet of a night with love tucked all around. Check out her video!!
Queenie is a middle-aged gal with puppy in her heart. Crystal-blue eyes that seem to laugh when she smiles. Saved from a hoarding case and brought to a high-kill shelter in KY where she was rescued. Queenie will show you sweetness wrapped inside a loving embrace. If you are looking for someone to share the couch or play around outside…this is your gal! Happy to be anywhere with you and waiting for a home to fix her intense gaze upon.
Peepers smiles with joy in her heart. Low to the ground with enough love to light up the world. Definitely a dominant girl who likes to get her way and does not like to be pushed around. The first to play and roll around with the laughter bubbling up in her heart. She is innocence and light with a whole lotta’ muscle. She will need an experienced household to due to her strength and alpha personality. A sweetheart who likes to get her way! Check out her video!!
Blue is perhaps a character that will bring endless laughter. Just a pup in heart and spirit. Saved on the day his number was up and eager to start his celebration by experiencing the comforts of a real home. A large boy in need of someone who is ready for his eager love for attention and cuddles. Perhaps even your food!! Blue has the ability to play with anyone and anything as his personality is one of joy and happiness with a smile that tells it all!
Remember, if you see a life you can help alter by opening up your home temporarily then we urge you to fill out a foster app today! They are waiting in a kennel for you and I to get them out. Each one deserving of sharing space and time with loving care givers in a real home. Fosters lay down the ground work which allows our animals to understand that people can be a positive experience and life can be a really beautiful journey. But until each one is out of boarding, they are only half-living. Only half-saved. Please consider your home as a foster home potential today.
Can’t foster…How about support through Volunteering? Donate? ‘Lend A Paw’ list?
And then their is ALWAYS adoption?
Have you ever thought about helping an animal in need, donating your time to help or even donating a bag of animal food?
Become a foster parent to a rescue animal for a few weeks, it is the most important aspect to an animals life because you are teaching them how to trust again or even for the first time. We save from high-kill shelters where they have only a few hours left, homes where their owner can no longer care for them so they contact us for help in finding their pets great homes. We need volunteers to help us save as many lives as we can as we are a foster-based rescue. The most fulfilling moment of being a foster is knowing that you are helping another family … complete their family and fill their hearts and homes with forever love. If you would like more information on becoming a foster parent, please contact us at fostering@wagginghearts.org or Kirsten@wagginghearts.org.
Wagging Hearts is sending out a HIGH ALERT to all DOG OWNERS to be on the look out for a disease called BLASTOMYCOSIS. It is ugly and impacts your dogs entire system. It is dangerous and could be fatal if left untreated. Do you know the signs? Do you know Chicago has been sending out alerts for sightings of infected dogs at lakefront beaches? Did you know Libertyville, IL has also seen an increase with the recent loss of 2 dogs. We have personally felt the impact at Wagging Hearts with the tragic loss of one of our rescue’s Goofy to Blastomycosis and we want to help prevent you from suffering the same horrible outcome. Watch Goofy’s seizure video taken by his diligent and loving foster who witnessed this serious symptom of the degenerative disease which subsequently ended up taking his life too early. He was a beautiful and loving spirit ready to find forever love in the arms of his potential adoptive family upon their return from vacation. Unfortunately the ‘Blasto’ answer came too late for Goofy as the disease ravaged his weakened immune system. Goofy slipped away in the middle of the night during his treatment leaving us to actively spread the alert for the dangers lurking in the natural environments around us. Knowledge, awareness of your pet’s health and prompt response will help arm yourself with the tools necessary to save the life of your pet. Don’t let them become a statistic. Do you know what Blastomycosis is? Do you know what the symptoms are and where this disease exists? Read on to find out:
WHAT IS IT? A serious fungal infection that spreads throughout the body caused by an organism called Blastomyces Dermatitidis which releases airborne spores into the environment that can be inhaled. It can be rapidly fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Unfortunately, many do not recover from the wide-spread infection and relapses can occur. Treatment can be aggressive but the disease will more than likely kill without.
Inhalation is the most frequent method of transmission and occurs simply by digging in the soil which releases the spores. The spores travel through the lungs and become large, thick-walled, yeast-like organisms that multiply within the lungs and other tissues of the body. This disease then spreads via the bloodstream or lymphatic system from the lungs to involve the eyes, brain, bone, lymph nodes, urogenital system, skin and subcutaneous tissues. Direct contact with spores through a puncture wound is another method of transmission which may cause localized infections.
WHERE IS IT FOUND? Thrives in rotting wood, wet soil, wet environments like swamps, lakes, riverbanks – where lack of direct sunlight encourage its growth. Also found in areas with decaying organic matter like wooded areas, forests and farms. Most competing soil organisms will kill off the blastomycosis spores unless the conditions are nearly perfect for the fungus to survive. This explains why blastomycosis is often found in small pockets instead of being widespread.
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Blastomycosis has a well-defined endemic area where it is found. The area includes the Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio River valleys. The Mid-Atlantic States and parts of Quebec, Manitoba and Ontario. The range appears to be growing.
WHO IS AT RISK? Occurs primarily in dogs and humans. But on rare instances it has been diagnosed in horses, cats, ferrets and even sea lions. Hounds, Retrievers, Pointers, Coonhounds, Shepherds, Beagles and other sporting dogs are particularly susceptible because of their outdoor activities. Also dogs that live within a quarter mile of a body of water. One study in Wisconsin showed that 95% of the dogs diagnosed with Blastomycosis lived within 400 yards of a body of water.
SYMPTOMS: Loss of appetite, fever, weight loss, eye problems (such as redness, pain, swelling, excessive tearing, clouding of the corneas), chronic cough, shortness of breathe/wheezing and skin problems such as pus-filled skin lesions. More serious symptoms can include sudden blindness, lameness, inflammation of the testicles, enlarged lymph nodes and seizures. Signs are usually present for a few days to a few weeks. The disease can wax and wane with the severity of the symptoms improving slightly and then worsening again.
DIAGNOSIS: Unfortunately, Blastomycosis is often misdiagnosed as cancer OR pneumonia. Watch your dog for symptoms that last six weeks or more with no noticeable improvement and especially if they have been in an environment that could have the fungus, ask your veterinarian to test for a fungal infection. Blastomycosis is best diagnosed through examination of a lymph node, skin lesions or by lung tissue. There’s also a blood test called an AGID test or antigen ID test for exposure to Blastomycosis. But a positive result doesn’t mean your dog necessarily has the infection, only that he’s been exposed. Chest X-rays of a dog with Blastomycosis often reveal a sort of snowstorm-type pattern. Urine screening tests can also be very beneficial for diagnosis.
TREATMENT: Oral administration of an antifungal drug. These medications all require long-term treatment, sometimes for many months. Some professionals recommend a ‘nutraceutical called quantum nucleotide’, which helps to stimulate an immediate immune system reaction, as well as oil of oregano in capsule form, which is excellent support for a body fighting a fungal infection. The antifungal drugs are very expensive and often have serious side effects. For many dogs, the critical period during treatment is the first 24 to 72 hours, as the antifungal drug begins to kick in and kill off the fungi. Since there are typically a large number of organisms in the lungs, there can be an overwhelming inflammatory response that can result as the fungi die off. Respiratory distress can be a big problem during the first few days of treatment. The sooner you seek treatment, the better chance your dog has to fully recover.
PREVENTATIVE SUGGESTIONS: There is no vaccine available to protect you or your pet. It is next to impossible to avoid as it is difficult to determine where the fungal spores can be found. Limiting your time in the environments Blastomycosis can be found in may help prevent exposure to the spores. Recognize if the disease exists in your area and know the symptoms. Prompt veterinarian attention can be a matter of life or death.
CAN YOUR DOG INFECT OTHERS? If your dog has Blastomycosis, it is unlikely that you could get the disease from your pet, but it could indicate that you have both been exposed to a contaminated environment. Although Blastomycosis can affect humans, it cannot be transmitted through the air. Handle bandages carefully because on rare occasions the fungus can grow in bandages or on open wounds. Most human cases are contracted in the same way – in nature. However, your pet is 10 times more likely to get the disease after being exposed to a contaminated environment, because their nose is closer to the ground.
MORE INFORMATION needed?
We partner with some of the best veterinarian practices and are lucky enough to have their guidance and support with life-saving tips. If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out these partner offices as they have experience with Blastomycosis:
Wonder Lake Veterinary Clinic at 4405 E Wonder Lake Rd, Wonder Lake, IL (815) 653-3586
Care Animal Hospital at 1101 W Park Ave., Libertyville, IL (847) 549-8500
NEWS COVERAGE:
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/tag/blastomycosis/
http://www.suffredin.org/news/newsitem.asp?newsitemid=5810
http://www.livescience.com/37607-fungal-infection-blastomycosis-wisconsin-outbreak.html
http://www.dogheirs.com/events/611
http://m.daily-chronicle.com/2013/04/23/letter-blastomycosis-warning-for-dogs/au1px72/
http://plainfield.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/plainfield-woman-warns-others-after-rare-disease-claims-dogs-life
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/19446225/dog-goes-blind-after-getting-fungal
References:
http://www.miravistalabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Blastomycosis-Vet09172012.pdf
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/05/13/blastomycosis-infection.aspx
http://vetmed.illinois.edu/petcolumns/petcols_article_page.php?OLDPETCOLID=67
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/blstomyc.html
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2102&aid=401
Ladies lets get ready to get Pawlished. Slightly Off Center Salon and Wagging Hearts are bringing you some pawtastic ways to relax and have a great time. Enjoy a special treatment or two at the salon and leave our furry friends at home to truly be in the moment. YOU deserve it!!
August 4th, 2013 from 11-4 p.m.
Grayslake, IL event with
all proceeds benefitting
Wagging Hearts
Slightly Off Center Salon is offering Hair and Nail Services along with complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and chair massages. So kick back and relax, we look forward to seeing you out there!
Get your nails polished by Amy. For $10 you can get your paws touched up and receive a very special paw design on your nail(s) as an indicator that you are a dedicated animal rescue supporter.
Hair cuts for only $28 by Traci and Kim.
Don’t miss out on a 5-minute complimentary chair massage by Dina, while you wait for your personal treatment to begin.
Hors D’oeuvres will be provided by Occasionally Lori. Featured items include: Crab Rangoon,
Hot Artichoke Dip, Lemon Cheesecake and Vegan Chocolate Cake.
But the day gets even better with Tena from 31 Bags. Aren’t you the least bit curious what Tena has in her bag of stylish fun?
To top our day off, don’t forget to enter the raffle for wonderful prizes and how about leaving the salon after a little face-painting for the younger kids.
Personal treatments and pawtastic fun aplenty in store for YOU! This would also be a great opportunity to discuss whether fostering might be an option for you and your family? Perhaps you have lingering questions about adopting and would like to discuss further? Or you just want to sit back, close your eyes and relax away your time at the salon. This day truly has something for everyone!! All of the ladies at Slightly Off Center Salon and Wagging Hearts look forward to seeing you all there, August 4th, 2013 from 11:00 am – 4:00 p.m.
Slightly Off Center Salon 37 N Whitney St Grayslake, IL 60030All proceeds benefit Wagging Hearts animal rescue whose mission is to rescue
abandoned, neglected, and stray companion animals. To work to secure a better life for
them in loving homes, and provide a lifetime of support to animals that remain in our care.
We are an all volunteer animal rescue organization that believes all lives are worth saving
and vow to provide our animals with the care that they need.
What A Unbelievable Event Filled With Dedication, Support and Love for the Animals!
Continuation from Dog Days of Summer Day One …
We could not be more thankful for all that attended this year’s Dog Days of Summer event.
Our volunteers worked hard to provide fantastic, positive exposure for our adoptables.
Many made real connections with the lives that Wagging Hearts saved along the way. Nothing is more powerful than to witness a life that was destined to fade away — tucked alone and abandoned in a shelter — find a family to love them, care for them. And to insure that they finally understand what forever really means. That is the goal for each of our events … get the word out. Rescue animals have so much to give but sometimes it is buried a little deeper inside them because of the journey that life has taken them on. But events like Dog Days of Summer, presented by Pampered Pupz, allow us to showcase these lives. To thrust them out into the light of day to present the unique and utterly beautiful personalities that each of them are. Small, medium and large breeds all looking to settle down and find that one home ready to provide all the permanent love and care they will ever need. What a journey we are all taking together for the rescued lives we are meeting along the way. They are all that really matters, right?
What Support!
We are humbled!! Our volunteers, fosters, boarding facilities, family, friends and new acquaintances came out in full support on Saturday and Sunday.
Special thanks to:
Summer, our littlest volunteer walked the crowds with her cuteness alerting many to our donated gift basket raffles each day. Summer brought the masses to our booth and filled our donation jar with her young, gifted tenacity to work hard for the animals. What a rescuer in the making and how lucky we are to have her support!!
Natalie, nothing stops her when it comes to putting it all out their for the rescues. She gives us all of herself; dedication of immense time, effort and a great, big heart.
Care Animal Hospital in Libertyville, for transporting our rescues to and from your facility. Guess what … all of them found forever or foster homes. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for your assistance. Such support provides ripples of assistance to our organization. Jenna (found forever love), Skyler (found foster love) and Thema (found forever love).
Adoptions this weekend: Alyassa, Dixie, Foxy, Gretchen, Jenna, Jenny and Titan
All our volunteers who gave their all to us on both days. We watched you talking, showing off and loving our rescues. We saw lives being altered with each new connection. We watch young volunteers 8 years and up helping the animals stay cool and provide a lap to nap in when things got to be a bit too much. Our event was in simple words … amazing and successful. Lives have been altered and love has been shared. What more could we ask for — oh yeah … we did raise some good, old-fashioned money which goes directly to the care of the animals in our rescue.
We raffled two gift baskets away that were donated. Provided homemade treats to four-legged pets through-out the event, as well as playful bandannas. We are glowing with happiness and can’t thank everyone who came out enough for the love and support. Enjoy the photos from
Dog Days of Summer Day 2:
Connect with us if you can assist with adoptions, fostering or just through supporting our organization. Thank you as always for the phenomenal support given.
What a Day One at the Dog Days of Summer event as we head into Day 2.
Starting at 10:00 am tomorrow, July 14, 2013.
Today could not of been more perfect! The sun was out and the breeze blew through Rescue Row with a gentle whisper. Libertyville was up early preparing the street fronts along Church St., Cook St. and many others. Bowls of cool water were placed out in preparation of the many visitors coming out with their families. Dogs of all shapes and sizes, cats and kittens, even a tortoise. Mini swimming pools were set out for cooling down as were bowls of water at every turn. The cheers and barks from DockDogs could be heard from across the streets as many cheered those jumping with jubilee. What a day of exhilarating, joyful, petastic fun.
Our adoptables came out in full force. We brought many of our rescues out of boarding to show off their fantastic personalities and beauty. Foster families brought the rescues in their homes out in a united effort to find some forever love. Libertyville did not disappoint our sweethearts as some of our saved lives made a real and beautiful connection with perfect strangers simply out for a day of fun. We were able to talk with some good-hearted individuals who made the decision to start fostering and provide a temporary haven for a life in need of one. What a day with more to come!!
Agatha, Jenna, Henry, Peepers, Skyler, Lemon, Thelma, Joshua, Whiskey (watch video), Foxy and Gretchen.
Please fill out an adoption application as soon as possible if you spotted a life you want to adopt or better yet, met one you couldn’t live without.
Need more information on our adoption process?
Would you like more information on fostering?
Thank you to all our volunteers, fosters and animals for the smiles, cuddles for Day 1 of 2. Hope to see you all tomorrow for more unbelievable moments that are better spent together.