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Miami Herald
a day ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Dog whose family died in Texas flood is ‘confused, overwhelmed and so unsettled'
An injured dog whose family was killed by the fatal Central Texas floods over the July 4 weekend is on the mend and will soon need a loving foster home. Named Richard, the young dog is going through more than just the loss of his family and home — he was also injured during the flooding. 'Richard was found injured after the Central Texas floods, his home tragically washed away – and with it, his beloved family ,' Austin Pets Alive said in a July 19 Facebook post. 'The surviving family, grieving and unable to care for him, made the heartbreaking decision to surrender him to APA! so that he could get the care he needs.' The injuries were mostly centered on his back paw, but the emotional damage was even worse. 'The barely 1-year-old pup suffered severe injuries to his back paw, ultimately resulting in the amputation of one of his toes. He's been incredibly stressed since — confused, overwhelmed and so unsettled by the trauma that he's been chewing at his injured foot,' the shelter said. Currently, Richard is being cared for at Cypress Creek Pet Care while he gets healthy. But the shelter does say that he will need a foster home once he's better. For more information, visit the shelter's website.
Newsweek
13-07-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Starved Puppy With Fractured Body Found As Stray—Vet Does the Unexpected
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A puppy dubbed "Million Dollar Baby," or Baby for short, is already living up to her name after being rescued weighing just a few pounds. Barely two months old, Baby was rescued in the nick of time from Austin's city municipal shelter. When she arrived at Austin Pets Alice (APA!) in pain, her tiny body was covered in fractures, her bones weakened by chronic malnutrition and critically low calcium levels. "She's such a fighter," said Dr. Rachel Gordon, a veterinarian with APA!, who took Baby home as a foster to monitor her closely. "Despite her multiple fractures, she continues to be a happy little puppy and exudes gratefulness in everything that is done for her." After seeing her condition, Gordon knew she had to do something, so decided to take Baby home herself to foster. Pictures of the puppy dubbed "Million Dollar Baby" who is now being cared for by a veterinarian. Pictures of the puppy dubbed "Million Dollar Baby" who is now being cared for by a veterinarian. Austin Pets Alive! APA! Her injuries painted a picture of the heartbreaking reality. While it isn't clear exactly how she came to be in the shelter, her malnourishment and brittle bones point to poor treatment. She still can't reliably chew solid food and instead eagerly laps up syringe-fed food throughout the day. Against the odds, Baby is making what APA! hopes will be a full recovery. "She still requires calcium supplementation three times a day to minimize her low calcium levels, but takes all of her medications without fuss in her pill pockets," Gordon said. Read more Foster carer can't believe what "polite" puppy does a month after arriving Foster carer can't believe what "polite" puppy does a month after arriving The road ahead is long, but Gordon has gone above and beyond the usual, taking in Baby herself. While it may be at least two to three months before the pup will walk again, Gordon remains positive. "This is going to be a very long road until she can potentially be moving around, but I'm happy with the progress we are getting already," Gordon said. "She loves to interact with my dogs behind the baby gate and my male tortie Finn is helping me by being Baby's second nurse." APA! expects Baby's recovery will cost around $2,000. The nonprofit, which specializes in caring for animals with medical and behavioral needs, continues to rely on public support to provide second chances to vulnerable pets like her. This isn't the first time a vet has gone above and beyond to take care of a dog in need. Earlier this year a veterinarian in Alabama took on a senior dog when her owner became gravely unwell. "She had been returned because unfortunately the owner had gotten very sick and couldn't take care of her," the vet explained. She fell in love instantly, and decided to take care of the senior dog herself. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Dog was ‘swept away' from Texas home as flood killed his owner. Meet Superman
A dog is safe at a foster home after his owner was killed in the flash Central Texas flooding that's claimed the lives of at least 120 people as of Thursday, July 10. Appropriately named Superman, he was rescued by crews and volunteers who were aiding those displaced in Kerr and Williams counties, according to Austin Pets Alive!, which is caring for the pup as his surviving family grieves. 'Superman was found alone on a large pile of debris after the devastating floods in Central Texas that tragically took the life of his person,' the shelter said in a July 6 Facebook post. 'Fearful and aching after being swept away from his home, Superman was hesitant to trust the search and rescue crews, snapping as they were trying to save him. With patience and a bit of dog-whispering, volunteers were finally able to earn his trust and safely remove Superman from the scene.' Though Superman does have a family, the shelter was able to find a suitable foster to love on him while he waits to go home to his people. 'His surviving family, now grieving and having lost everything, (is) doing everything they can to hold on to the last piece of their past that remains — Superman,' the shelter said. 'But they can't do it alone, so we quickly got to work to find their beloved pet a temporary foster until they get back on their feet.' Superman was transported to the shelter after being medically cleared by Kerrville Pets Alive. 'It's been devastating for all living beings,' APA! President and CEO Dr. Ellen Jefferson said. 'So many people are searching for their pets that are the last connection they might have to a lost family member. Pets are so intertwined in this saga and it's so important.' As of Thursday, 161 people are known to be missing in Kerr County, which is about a 125-mile drive west from Austin, the Associated Press reports.
Newsweek
01-06-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Anger As 4-Week-Old Husky Puppy Found in Trash Can 'Barely Hanging On'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When a kind stranger heard faint cries coming from a trash can in Austin, Texas, they stopped to investigate. Inside, they found a tiny, four-week-old husky puppy—"cold, weak", and "barely hanging on". Without hesitation, the good Samaritan rushed the puppy to a local emergency veterinary clinic where the dog, now named Kiss, was in a critical condition. His blood sugar was too low to read and he was too weak to eat, but veterinary staff worked through the night to stabilize him, warming his tiny body, administering fluids, and doing everything they could to give him a fighting chance. Despite being so fragile he could barely lift his head, staff could tell Kiss wanted to hold on, and by the next morning he was transferred to Austin Animal Center to finish his treatment, but when he still needed more help, Austin Pets Alive! (APA) stepped in. Pictures of husky puppy Kiss who is now in the care of Austin Pets Alive! (APA!). Pictures of husky puppy Kiss who is now in the care of Austin Pets Alive! (APA!). Austin Pets Alive! APA! At APA!, Kiss received more urgent medical intervention. The team worked quickly to regulate his blood glucose, rehydrate him, and start him on antibiotics—just in time. "Care like this would cost over $1,000 at a private clinic," APA! told Newsweek. "We do everything we can to keep that cost lower for pets like Kiss—but it's still a heavy lift." In 2024, approximately 7 million animals entered U.S. shelters and rescues, according to Shelter Animals Count—an increase of nearly 3 percent from 2023. By the end of the year, 103,000 more pets had entered shelters than had exited. Stray dog and cat intakes decreased slightly in 2024 compared to 2023, but strays still made up 60 percent of all community intakes. Now he is on the mend, Kiss's story was shared on APA!'s Instagram account, @austinpetsalive, last week, where his little face has captured hearts, racking up nearly 2,000 likes. "Precious baby! Thank you to all who helped save this pup!" said one viewer on Instagram. While another wrote: "Prayers for this sweet puppy." "That tiny baby," said @modernalchemytx. "Who is throwing an angel like that out like garbage." Now, Kiss is searching for a foster home where he can continue to heal and grow. Anyone interested in Kiss should contact Austin Pets Alive! directly for more information. "This little pup would be lucky to have you and you would be lucky to have him," APA! said. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Shelter's Plea As Special Needs Cat's Obsession Threatens To Take Over
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A one-year-old cat with an unusual passion is still searching for her forever home from a shelter in Austin, Texas. Lamby, affectionately dubbed the "Lambinator," has taken up residence at Austin Pets Alive!'s (APA!) Cesar Chavez location, where her passion for stuffed lambs has been melting hearts. The black-and-white tuxedo cat has won over shelter staff, and Instagram followers alike, with her infectious energy, playful spirit, and unusual obsession: collecting plush lamb toys. In a viral photo shared by APA! on Instagram, Lamby was lounging regally amid her ever-growing flock of sheep-themed toys. "Lambinator came to APA! from a local rescue partner in August of 2023 with a history of a tail pull injury (lower motor neuron injury) which has caused her to have an abnormal gait in her hindlimbs and she is also incontinent due to this," APA! told Newsweek. But Lamby isn't just a pretty face with a quirky hobby. "She has a happy and enthusiastic energy that is contagious," the shelter said. "She is a one-cat welcome committee to all visitors, meeting newcomers at the door and eager to introduce herself to everyone who comes by." The Lambinator, or Lamby, enjoying the company of her favorite thing—stuffed lambs. The Lambinator, or Lamby, enjoying the company of her favorite thing—stuffed lambs. Austin Pets Alive! APA The young cat loves to run, climb, and splash around in water, she is just as comfortable scaling heights as she is curling up in a warm lap—or even perched on your shoulder. She adores both kids and adults, is even friendly with big dogs, and other cats. "She purrs up a storm each time she's picked up," the shelter said. Lamby does need some specialist care. She came to the shelter with a tail pull injury that left her incontinent. But with a simple daily bladder expression, which is said to be easily done with no vet experience required, along with her signature washable diapers, she handles her routine like a pro, and shelter staff say it doesn't slow her down one bit. "It is kind of heartbreaking to think that she could be passed over because she needs some special care. Lamby has so much love to give, a sunny disposition and a happy temperament, and she simply needs wonderful people to share it with," the shelter said. Still waiting for her perfect person, APA! explained: "Her ideal home is someone who is patient and willing to learn how to express her. Also, a home where she can transition easily. Lambinator does well with kids and would likely do well with other furry friends. She would excel in any home with people able to open their hearts to a cat who needs just a little extra care." After the APA! team shared Lamby's story on Instagram last week, it quickly amassed thousands of comments as people rushed to send their love to the cat. "Awhh if I lived closer I would bring her home immediately," said Floreyrey. While Instagram user Msrebeccasweat commented: "My cat is obsessed with Lammies too! Hope Lamby finds a home soon!" Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want toshare? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
