A REAL LIFE LOVE STORY...PUNKIN AND PARDNER

UPDATE 10/24/10:

Just received an update from Binky... Pardner and Punkin are doing well so far. Both are still taking Prednisone and their antibiotics. Pardner has not been the most gracious with sharing food with his girlfriend while on the darn steroids, but poor baby can't help how hungry he feels...don't worry because Binky has it under control!

Binky still has an enormous medical bill that he needs to raise money for. He currently owes $194.00 to his vet and needs to raise $530.00 before their next (and final) heartworm treatment November 28th! PLEASE consider donating any amount so that they can receive the care they need. None of us is rich, but we all have huge hearts and want to help save precious dogs like Pardner and Punkin. If you have older children, maybe they could do a fundraiser for this very worthy couple. You may think that $5 isn't worth donating, but believe me/us, it is a matter of life and death for many. Their Chip-In is below.

UPDATE 10/18/10:

This morning at 8 a.m. both Pardner and Punkin got the Immiticide injections in the lower back muscle. The blood test showed that their PAC cell count is up to 39 so the anemia is being corrected. The next appointment for Punkin is next week for her UTI re evaluation . And Nov 18 th and 19th for their last 2 shots of Immiticide. They are both sore and tired and I have to keep them still so they don't get a pulmonary embolism. So many of you have given but if you can share or donate to reach the goal I would appreciate it so much, we are almost there !! God bless you all! Binky

Punkin and Pardner are probably the most talked about couple right now. This adorable canine couple has been through so much in the past few years, much of which we will never know. Here is a their story summarized by Auntie Connie in WI along with info from Auntie Jennifer in AR (thanks Auntie Annie in MI for the pictures too!):

Pardner and Punkin were found in sweltering heat---abandoned in a house in Eastern Arkansas in the middle of summer. They were left abandoned in a house with 3 other dogs. No food, No water, tons of feces/urine everywhere. The other dogs went through the window...Punkin was about to burst, so she was caught and Pardner stayed by his best friend's side, so he was caught....sweet Punkin was pregnant with his 10 pups. Punkin and Pardner were kept at FCAS (Forrest City Animal Shelter), that place where soooo many other have died.

It was so sad, she was VERY emaciated, the crappy shelter had no air, it was 96 with NO ventilation and she was in labor. We (Jennifer and Alyssa) kept patting her down with cold wash cloths. Two of Punkin's pups died after birth and two others have not made it. The puppies kept crawling into the drain. Nasty...we moved them into a baby pool. It worked, they stayed in that baby pool until they left on transport.

Pardner was just as thin as Punkin but he was so weak and depressed, he just layed there. Wouldn't eat at first. Alyssa took him down to see Punkin and the babies, and it was like he smiled. We made that a daily visit, and he began to eat and sit up and wag the tail a little... he came out of the depression and with being fed daily, he built up some strength. At the end of his holding, they had become our little family...

We had to keep Punkin and the Pups, but Pardner showed a little male on male aggression (which those of us in rescue know that isn't unusual considering the circumstances- unneutered males, girlfriend with babies, horribly frightening environment, etc.) and was very heartworm positive, he still wasn't very healthy...Alyssa fought hard for him, and he got to stay. Usually the heartworm positives and most ALL that show any signs of aggression and 95% of the pits get put down... he was a very lucky one. But, honestly...a few weeks before Binky rescued them, he was in BIG danger again. We were over full and had to send some dogs temporarily to another shelter... he was mentioned for the list. Honestly, no one wants HW positive dogs... but we arranged- rearranged, fostered, adopted, and he was saved again BARELY. Then, like a miracle...Binky rescues them for sure. We all were so happy!

The odds of this family making it out, and making it out together, were next to zero. But, angels looked upon this family and brought them to WI/MI! A harrowing transport and a network of dedicated volunteers fought to bring them north.Now that they're here, we discover all are very, very sick and need treatment to survive! One of Punkin's pups has already died after transport to MI and all pups have been sick for quite some time.

This is the latest from Binky (Punkin and Pardner's forever angel/new daddy):

"Its touch and go for her..she is worse than Pardner, smaller, plus just had babies, she has a uterine infection, we are correcting the dehydration, her heartworm has caused parasitical pneumonia that she coughed blood up..we have her on antibiotics and prednisone and are doing the first HW injection tues, at 8 a.m... Pardner adores her..she is his whole life and purpose..I know that now and for sure."
These two were soooo happy to be reunited FINALLY!


Punkin at the vet getting checked out (she began coughing up phlegm with some blood in it the day before she was supposed to reunite with Pardner...)

Sharing a bagel :)

This is one of Punkin and Parder's favorite places (we can see why)

At North Shores

Parnder relaxing...no more cold concrete floors for you!

How precious is this...we are SAFE!

What Pardner always deserved (and now has thanks to his angel, Binky)!

Pardner has been wonderful with kids too!

One of my favorite pictures so far


As you can see it TAKES A VILLAGE but these two love birds would not be here today without the efforts of so many. EVERYONE made a difference for these two!

If you are on FACEBOOK, you can follow their story by visiting their page :

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pardner-Punkin/135552009827793?ref=share&v=wall#!/pages/Pardner-Punkin/135552009827793

This precious family still has a long way to go. They will likely have more medical bills in the future. We already know Punkin will still need to be spayed after successful heartworm treatment. Please keep this family in your prayers and PLEASE consider donating to their medical care.

http://pardner.chipin.com/pardner-and-punkin-s-vet-care-for-heartworm-anemia-and-life

You can also donate directly Vet by calling 715-339-2605