PLEASE HELP THE DRC SAVE DAKOTA'S LEG!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is Dakota. She was pulled last night from the PSPCA by two wonderful DRC volunteers, and brought to equally wonderful DRC director Lynne Fowler's home at 11 p.m. last night.

Dakota is a 1-2 yr old Miniature Labradoodle. She was brought in as a stray and she has a compound fracture of the left front distal radius and ulna. She must have been hit by a car. She is currently splinted and on Tramadol for pain. This injury will not heal properly with a cast. Her injuries require orthopedic surgery or an amputation.
Dakota is a very sweet and beautiful girl with a great disposition. Despite her injuries she is very active and ready to play.

Dakota was seen by the vet today, and the prognosis for saving her leg with surgery is excellent. The cost of the surgery will be $3200.
The DRC has committed to saving Dakota's leg and she is having the surgery. Having just also taken in a heartworm positive doodle yesterday, this expense will deplete the DRC's reserves, making it difficult if not impossible to save more doodles from euthanasia in kill shelters across the country.

We ask for so much from you here in the Doodle Kisses forum, and you never let us down. The incredible work that the DRC has done this past year, the doodles who have been saved from abuse, illness, and euthanasia, and who now have loving homes, none of this could have been done without you.
We need your help again. Please help us by donating to Dakota's Fund. Anything you send for this purpose will go directly to the vet bills for Dakota's surgery. We will keep a running total of all the funds donated and update you as they are received, as was done last year for Sophie's fund. Crossposting is appreciated, too.
I know none of us has much to spare these days, especially at this time of year, but anything will help. Anything at all.
Here is a link to the special Paypal account that has been set up for Dakota's surgery:


If you would like to send a check, here is the mailing address:
Doodle Rescue Collective
2 Prospect Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042
Please mark your donations "Dakota's Fund".
If you would like to make your donation in memory or honor of someone special, two or four-legged, we will also be happy to send a card or email to someone telling them of your kind gift in their honor or in memory of their loved one. Just let us know.

Please reach down into your hearts and pockets for Dakota. And thank you so much for your help.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks so much, Deb! I hope all of your babies are doing well!

[Debbie, Brianna and Duncan]

Thanks Karen :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

As you can see, the counter is up to $1060, and that's not counting checks that have been mailed! I wish I could hug every one of you who is helping to make this happen! THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!

[Jeannine]

Done! From your heart to ours.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

DAKOTA UPDATE -

Dakota is now home with my Doodle Pack and family. When she was brought out to me, it was like she did a double take and couldn't believe I actually came back for her. She waggled, hobbled and laid right down in the car. Once home, she drank about a gallon of water and went out to the yard with the other doods and did some business. She has now eaten some good homecookin' and is laying at my feet. I will try to get some pictures over the weekend.

The wonderful docs said she should be just fine as long as there is no swelling or infection or other unforeseen issue. She has a pain patch on her side and I have pills to give her everyday. She will go back in two weeks for follow-up.

The doctor said that she had several bone fragments that had to be removed because if she were just put in a cast and left to heal (as many shelters and/or rescues may have done and have done) the fragments would have caused pain and a permanent limp. Then the adopting family would have to have it re-broken and set properly sometime in the future. The fragments would have caused constant pain if they lodged in a certain position.

This is a gorgeous Labradoodle, perfect fleece coat, button nose and healthy in every way, but this one issue that is now on it's way to being, behind her. She will live a long, happy and normal life. Our wonderful directors didn't even think twice about what the right thing to do was in this case. But how to pay for it...right now? Dakota couldn't wait for this surgery as infection was setting in. We will pool all we can and save this leg and this girl's future, was the decision.

We, at The DRC can't even begin to Thank all of you for making this happen and helping Dakota. We started this rescue right here on Doodle Kisses and it is because of all of you that it is such a success. Anytime we needed you...you are here. This is YOUR rescue, too.

All of you who have already sent in 1/3 of the bill, THANK YOU. To those of you who are still donating...THANK YOU. To all of you, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE.

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Oh, in case you may have heard the rumors, we are now incorporated in the state of NJ and within weeks of being a 501c3 organization. The IRS has our paperwork and is in their review stage. Our attorney feels, possibly by the new year, it will be official. This is an amazing feat as most animal rescues do not become 501c3 approved until after 2-3 years of doing business. We believe, that it is because we are a "COLLECTIVE" of many individuals who have joined forces to create this amazing rescue. Many of you have joined us and volunteered to transport, pull or foster. You have supported us and were always there when a doodle needed help. Many have adopted one of our dogs and joined here to continue the friendship and family-like atmosphere. I know, I for one am looking forward to the New Year and going into year 3, here on Doodle Kisses.

[Debbie and Thomas]

GREAT NEWS!! Words cannot express our apprecaition of what you do for these dogs.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Lynne,
Congratulations on the soon-to-be Inc. and 501c3. It is the DRC's example , dedication, and success stories that make us all proud of you. It is those at the DRC which makes us want to help and support you. What a wonderful group you are. Look at the Christmas Slide Show. Look at all those doodles saved in just one -years time!!!
Here's to you and 2010.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

.....Our wonderful directors didn't even think twice about what the right thing to do was in this case. But how to pay for it...right now? Dakota couldn't wait for this surgery as infection was setting in. We will pool all we can and save this leg and this girl's future, was the decision......

We never asked how we just do! :) We know what is right and just do it! I love you guys.
At home while I second guessed my foster a 100 times you all wrote or called me. Never blinked and eye.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Awh, shucks. But the truth is ... NONE of it would be possible without the help of YOU and our DK FAMILY. Starting with Adina!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

As of last night, the Paypal donations to Dakota's Fund are at $1185.00! I know there are some checks in the mail, too.
Thank you all so much for helping Dakota!
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! (and bumping this discussion up in the forum)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Kisses to Dakota! And to you Lynne, for nursing her back to health. She will make a family very happy some day.

[Karen & Lucy]

WOW, look at that total on the scale. We need to have that on the front page like we have done in the past. Can we do that Adina????? Pretty please!!!!!!!!!!! Keep the donations going in to help defrey Dakota's bill.