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UPDATE ON CHANTILLY 11/03/08

We finally have some answers about Chantilly!

Two cardiologists have now looked at her ultrasound, the last one being a specialist at Med-Vet in Columbus. The news is good for the little girl. The specialist said that the first radiologist that read the ultrasound read more into it. He said that the heart muscle does not show changes. He does agree that she has a VSD. At this time, she would not need surgery but that he feels that she should have another ultrasound in 6 months to check for changes.

A ventricular septal defect is a hole (or defect) in the muscular wall of the heart (the septum) that separates the right and left ventricles.

Before birth, the heart starts out as a single tube, which gradually differentiates into 4 chambers during embryological development.　 Abnormalities can arise at several steps in the process, resulting in defects in the muscular walls that normally separate the heart into the right and left atria, and the right and left ventricles. The result is abnormal blood flow in the heart with varying effects in the dog, depending on the size and location of the defect.

Many dogs with minor septal defects live normal lives even though a heart murmur is detectable. Sometimes, the septal defect closes spontaneously in dogs as old as two years of age. We are hoping this will be the case for Chantilly. She will need to have periodical check-ups. If the hole does not close on its own, she can still live a long life. Surgery is not needed at this time.

Mild cases of puppies with a VSD live a full life (both normal quality and duration). Chantilly's is mild. Even cases of moderate VSD can anticipate a life of normal length and quality.

Signs associated with heart disease should be treated WHEN and IF they develop. Treatments include medications to support the heart and to reduce pulmonary congestion, a special diet, exercise restriction, and precautionary antibiotic therapy before procedures such as dentistry.

We would like to thank everyone that has been inquiring about her. She is such a special little girl who has captured many hearts. We are so happy that we have been able to do all of this for her thanks to the generosity of your donations.

We have decided to continue with the fund raising in hopes of being able to help even more puppies and dogs live the lives the deserve out of the puppy mills. I've put together some digital scrap pages. They will be available in 8X10, 5X7 and also brag books.

Thank you all who joined us at the picnic!

It was wonderful to see you all and your furbabies and how they are blossoming in your loving home! We will be adding pics as we get them. I did not get to take as many pictures as I would have liked to, so if you did, it would be greatly appreciated if you could send me a copy of them. I'll be looking for those pictures! The email to send the info to is lynne@freedomrescue.org

Our goal is to adopt our rescue dogs into a safe and loving homes where it will be treated as part of the family. If you want to obtain a pet quickly, then FreedomRescue (FR) is not the right place to look. We are a very small rescue and obtain our puppies/dogs when we attend dog auctions which may be 5-6 times yearly. These auctions primarily sell dogs into puppy mills for commercial breeding. We get them out and give them freedom to be dogs.

We are a small, dedicated group of volunteers who work hours for the good of our rescued dogs, spending our own money and time making phone calls; traveling to auctions in other states which entails hotel rooms, food and gas; doing home visits; and trips to vets. All of this so that every dollar given to Freedom Rescue is used for our puppy mill rescues.

We put the welfare of our rescues before anything else and therefore have a process we follow to be sure the dog gets his perfect home. Listed below are some guidelines to familiarize you with our adoption process:

. Please fill out and submit an Application for Adoption so we can learn more about you and your family. A $25 check for processing costs is also necessary. If you adopt one of our rescues, this amount is deducted from the adoption fee. If you are not selected, the check will be destroyed. It will not be cashed unless an adoption from us takes place.

. After your application is received, you will be interviewed. A volunteer will call your references and veterinarian and speak with them as well; then a determination will be made as to whether to continue the adoption application process. A home visit will be scheduled if possible. You should be notified within two weeks if your application has or has not been approved.

. After approval, arrangements will then be made for you to contact the foster family and meet the dog. We do not ship dogs. You will have to travel to where that dog is being fostered which is usually near Cleveland, Ohio or Detroit, Michigan. If all goes well meeting your new furbaby a signed contract of adoption is necessary. In this contract you will agree that if, for any reason, you decide not to keep your rescue, the rescue will come returned to Freedom Rescue. We do not give refunds.

. Adoption Fees: Our adoption fees vary from $200-$700; if applicable, a spay/neuter agreement is signed along with a deposit of $100 which is refunded when proof of spay/neuter is given. These fees are used to recoup expenses such as costs to obtain the dog, vaccinations, heartworm and rabies testing, spay/neuter if age specific and a health certificate for airline travel, etc. This is necessary to enable Freedom Rescue to save other animals in need. 100% of funds collected are used for rescuing and helping our rescued animals.

We have at times had an overwhelming amount of applications. Please remember, and be patient. We are a small group of volunteers.

We will keep approved adoption applications on file. When a rescue becomes available, you will be notified.

Our latest news and additions have been getting a bit long...so they now have their own page!

Thank you for your interest in FREEDOM RESCUE!