Vanna is a sweet little four month old lab mix puppy.  She flew out here from Seattle Washington.  Her and her sister Tanya were on that flight.  Both girls could not stand or walk when they arrived.  Please read the story below from her angels in Seattle that began their journey to us.  Sadly Tanya was not strong enough and continued to fail in her health.  She passed one night after several grand mal seizures.

Vanna almost in honor of her sister  Tanys (left) has gotten stronger and stronger and is now walking and gaining weight.  She gets dirty and we play in the pool and take a bath but she has made great strides.  She continues to amaze us day by day.

This is the email the day they left to come to us

Our two beautiful girls, stole hearts every where they went yesterday.

They rode to Sea Tac in the back seat, looking out windows, jabbering, and nibbling crackers.Their  new crates were packed in the trunk,lined,stuffed with chew
toys,and squeaky,and water bottles and food.  A box shipped with them contained walkers, outfits, slings.  The flight was to leave at 10:30 pm
and arrive in Miami Florida at 6 30 am.

Around 7:30 we picked up Deborah, who had volunteered to purchase the tickets for them at a discount,saving us almost 400. off the 550 price.
She took her whole night and pre arranged everything, which was such a huge blessing.  On the way, Tanya jabbered to her, and finally ended up
sitting in her lap snuggling the whole trip down to the air port. Little Vanna was less keyed up, and napped.  At cargo, we finally had to
put them into their new Wal Mart crates. They looked forlorn, and nervous, and of course we all were crying, and feeling very guilty and unsure. 

 They had never been apart from us, and cried even if left in the room alone.  They soon were calling, I love
uuuuu.  The attendant put them in his truck, and drove away.

6 30 this morning, Jana called from Miami,Fla airport. She reported the girls were wonderful and marvelous. In good condition, and the crates
were packed super. She removed them, cleaned, fed,and watered them. They got new toys,and a supplement to revive the stress hormones.

So everyone, this little miracle has actually happened.  There were those who reached out to help them. Without this help,encouragement,and
love we would not have had this opportunity. Vanna and Tanya are safe today, because several people put out their
hands and hearts to them. Some helped spred the word around, some came and offered cash in hand, others donated online to little girls they'd never met.  Yet others
offered their valuable time and abilities, getting tickets at  discounts, picking up at air port, housing over night.   In all,  their expenses were just covered as if it were meant to be.

To each of you who reached out and touched these precious ones with your giving, our deepest gratitude.  I'm attaching two photos from departure
day.  Hope to soon send out some arrivals photos,when we  hear more news.   Please forward this to all who are interested, or
were aware of this effort.

Our thanks and appreciation,
Karla Mattila, Vanna,Tanya

Jana, one of our board members picked them up at the airport.

Meet Vanna and Tanya, the disabled puppies, and read their departure letter from those wonderful souls who started the wheels turning to get these girls to us. 

 These two are from a litter of 13 puppies.  Their mother had a litter before with severely disabled pups, and yet the owners took no care and she again became pregnant with this litter.  Several were born dead, and another died shortly after birth.  Vanna and Tanya have what is commonly called “Overcrowding in the Uterus Syndrome.”  It is neurological, and they are rapidly losing the use of their legs.  In one short month, they went from running and playing, to having to be held up just to drink water or to go to the bathroom.  Without therapy and more testing, we will not know where these girls can go.  We will be doing water therapy beginning this weekend, and we want to take them to a specialist for testing to see how severe the damage is and what we can do for them.  We will also need to buy them new (used) walkers as they grow.  If you can help just a bit, it would be so appreciated.   It’s many giving a little that makes things work.  These girls are only four months old, are loving and playful, and they need homes – we want to ensure that we can take them as far as they can go, so they can lead normal lives.  They WANT to get up and about and play – and they do the best they can.  They both have hearts of gold and love attention.  We will create a new webpage for them within the next few days and put videos up so that you can see their progress and how they are doing!

This is a video from Washington when they were babies

Jana writes:

 At first, Jim and I were very nervous as we waited for the puppies’ arrival at the air cargo hangar in Miami.  Our anxiety was also tinged with some sadness, as we thought about the physical disabilities facing two such young babies. 

Tanya and Vanna were both a bit fearful at first, but as I opened their crates and spoke calmly to them and gently stroked them, they realized that they were safe.  Our fears and sadness quickly turned to joy as we removed them from their crates to clean them, rehydrate and rejuvenate them, and to help their bodies “stretch” after the long journey.  These two little girls lifted our spirits with their wide-eyed smiles and enthusiastically wagging tails!  Tanya was full of energy and was just determined to try to run in the sun!  After a few belly rubs and some petting and cuddling, the pups were rolling around the grass in the sunshine at the airport, playfully swiping at us and at each other with their front paws.  They talked to each other and sang, and people passing by us just laughed and laughed. 

Their hearts and minds are those of happy-go-lucky puppies who just want to play and have fun; however, their back legs simply collapse underneath them, unable to hold their weight.  It is heartbreaking, as they have the enthusiasm to romp and play, but their bodies do not cooperate and melt beneath them.  They are limited to sitting on the ground wrestling with each other and mouthing each other.


  

Vanna and Tanya do not allow their physical challenges to limit their outward happiness. What we as humans consider limitations, they surely now perceive as normal, but it deeply pains our hearts knowing that just one month ago, they were able to walk, run(!), and play normally.  We can only imagine the thoughts going through their heads as they struggle to stand (and can’t), and have to rely on others to help them eat, drink, go to the bathroom, and simply even move.   They need our help to again lead normal lives.  We can make a difference for them and to any others we can help, because of the education that we’ll all gain from their testing and rehabilitation.  Let’s change the world for these beautiful babies together!       “

Karla continues: Vanna and Tanya are safe today, because several people put out their hands and hearts to them. Some helped spread the word around, some came and offered cash in hand, others donated online to little girls they'd never met.  Yet others offered their valuable time and abilities in every way they could, getting tickets at discounts, picking them up at airport, or housing overnight.   In all, their expenses were just covered as if it were meant to be.

 To each of you who reached out and touched these precious ones with your giving, our deepest gratitude.  We’re attaching a few photos from departure and arrival days.  Please forward this to all who are interested or were aware of this effort.
 

 Should you be able to send a little to help with their costs, it is a tax-deductible donation.  You can PayPal to sarefuge@aol.com (and note that it’s for Vanna and Tanya) or mail a check to Sanctuary Animal Refuge, 210 N Palomino Street, Clewiston, Florida 33440. Thank you!  We are raising funds to get her into the University so that they can do the tests needed to see if there is anything we can do to help her further.  She is making great strides but we would love to see her running with her friends and ultimately in the perfect home.
For more information and updates please contact  pdorsey@sanctuaryanimalrefuge.org