No Doggie Left Behind!

Remember, Brad? From the 'Brad says, SPONSOR ME... ?' post back in September?

I am sad to report that this little boy's health has taken a turn for the worst, and Francesca is trying to raise the funds to get Brad the care he needs. 

One of the many things I admire about the team at Rifugio Fata is their willingness to take on doggies who have highly complicated needs, especially given their tight budget. These wonderful people take on cases that many would not... They give hope to the seemingly most hopeless of dogs. 

There is a motto here: No doggie left behind! 

We have looked at the incredible story of Pupo on this blog, whose transformation from a poor little scabby heap of a dog on the streets of Calabria to a gorgeous healthy boy with flowing locks in a loving home was astounding. More recently, we have followed the story of Time, who an Australian tourist spotted at Lamezia airport last summer in an appalling state, and reported her sighting to Francesca. Time was scooped up by the Rifugio Fata team and he is now safely in their care, and well on his way to recovery.

Three years ago, Brad was also one of Rifugio Fata's devastatingly serious cases. I hesitate to put these pictures up, but this is what he looked like when the team first rescued him, poor boy.

It is heartbreaking to see. But, luckily, the team at Rifugio Fata are made of strong stuff! They took him under their wing and here he is, after his Rifugio Fata transformation!

Sadly, Brad has not yet found a loving home. He has some lingering health issues and he is older, which makes it harder for him to be adopted. But, luckily for him, he has been enjoying a good quality of life in the loving environment of Rifugio Fata for the past three years, and he is a firm favourite with the volunteers and visitors. And Francesca is still trying to find somebody to adopt him! She does not give up easily!

Owing to a complication from one of his illnesses, Brad's eyesight has degenerated and he has now lost his sight. He also has a kidney issue. Francesca is trying to raise the funds to take him to the eye specialist, and to get his kidneys tested. Can you help?

Please consider donating a little something to Brad's care by pressing the donate button on this page or donating directly to Rifugio Fata through their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Francesca-Scerbo-Rifugio-Fata-la-pagina/223244014434430

Brad says Thank you! ...from the bottom of his sweet, eternally grateful, little heart.

Happy New Year!

Buon 2014! ...from Vito and all of his beautiful friends at Rifugio Fata. 

I wanted to kick off 2014 with a big nod to the incredible women who run Rifugio Fata - Francesca and Rossana. Their energy for the challenging and often heart-breaking work of rescuing dogs knows no bounds. We introduced them at the beginning of this blog, back in August, and they are the rock-star women behind everything that happens at Rifugio Fata. Operating in a very challenging region of Southern Italy, these women are bold, progressive and utterly committed to saving as many of our four-legged friends as they can. 

Francesca is the 'organizational queen' of the operation! She is in charge of all of the fundraising, communications and adoptions. Being pregnant has not slowed her down!

Francesca with Anna, one of her fabulous volunteers:

Francesca with Goldy, one of the lucky residents at Rifugio Fata:

The lovely Rossana is the dynamo 'boots on the ground' of the operation!

Rossana oversees the day-to-day running of the shelter, making sure that all of the residents are fed and receive any medical care they might need.

By donating to Rifugio Fata, you are supporting these amazing ladies and their team of dedicated volunteers who show up every single day to rescue, feed, care for and hug these beautiful doggies in need. They rely entirely on donations to keep Rifugio Fata going. Please consider pressing the donate button on this page, and supporting their efforts. Or donate to them directly through their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Francesca-Scerbo-Rifugio-Fata-la-pagina/223244014434430

Every little bit helps! Thank you!