Here is Angel's Story

NOVEMBER 9, 2008
From Art & Lisa:
 Angel, an 18 month old pit, staggered up to house 3 days ago in Sebring area, begging for help- general thought is she got dumped out of a car/truck and left to fend for herself in some very remote area on the east coast. We picked "Angel" (Lil Sweetie aka skinny pup) up today in Lakeland-the shelter she ended up in on the east coast did not even have a vet on staff- would have put her down if not for a volunteer who begged to let her live- the volunteer took her home then somehow found us) anyway, we picked her up today thinking we could just give her some TLC and food- it was obvious when we laid eyes on her she needed immediate care-

Here's Angel-------

She is now at the hospital- we took Brock along so he could donate blood (vet friend told us she might need a transfusion, and if we had an extra dog around to bring him) I couldn't believe this girl was still breathing when we got her in Lakeland today, nothing but bones, she was cold to the touch, and her gums bright white- her anemia was so bad the level did not even register when they did the anemia test. She wants to live, she wags her little tiny tail even though she cant get up or walk. Please pray for Angel tonight.


- Brock getting ready to Help -


- Brock is waiting to help -


- Brock is Happy to Help -


- Angel has the will to live -


From Allen (pitbullgear.com):
Angel survived the night and continues to show the will to live. She has a long road to recovery, but she can do it. Any help you could give her, will make a big difference. I personally know Art & Lisa and whether it is money, food, or just a prayer, it will be greatly appreciated and she is well worth it!



~ ANGEL'S UPDATES ~

VIDEO TAKEN ON NOVEMBER 11, 2008


Video by Ashlie Burke - Pit Stop Bully Boarding


NOVEMBER 12, 2008 - pics
We just got back from Vet, he said she is doing great, she is up to 21 lbs! Been feeding her like a little piggy. He said overall she is progressing really nicely "starting to look like a dog" and "you wont recognize her in a month" all that sounded good to me! He did not take xrays, cause there is nothing they can do for her now anyway (her front leg has an old break- looks painful, uncomfortablle) but later when she is better maybe they can do something with pins, or who knows.
She took about 3-4 steps at a time yesterday, today its more like 10-20. She is getting around!

NOVEMBER 13, 2008
 This morning, Angel wagged her tail with the vigor of a healthy dog, waiting patiently in her crate for us to take her out- She walked 15 feet on her own, peed, then I helped her to the bushes where she likes to go in private #2, she took off!  Rounded the corner around a tree, and went another 8-10 feet all her own deep behind the bushes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then, it gets better- back in my office, I was sitting at my desk about to write you all the above, and  she was laying in the corner exhausted I thought from her walk outside just now, then wait, what is that?  something under my desk?   This time, she got herself up all on her own from a laying position (never done yet!) and walked 4 feet to be next to me under my desk, and put her head on my lap.  I am not kidding.  This girl is so going to make it!

NOVEMBER 13, 2008 (cont) - pics
Angel really made a huge improvement today- this afternoon, she walked all over the house, went to the kitchen for a treat, went to the front window and plopped down to gaze out, and walked the entire width of our back yard, all around the perimeter of the yard. No coaching from us, she just wants to get around. PS more and more I think she was somebody's pet- today she went straight for the sofa, and tried to get on it!!!!!!! has no strength to get her legs up there, but she was making the attempt! I keep trying to give her soft things to lay on but she likes hard floors, maybe its the coolness. She knows where her "room" is too- we left her alone for about 10 minutes and she wondered down the hall to my office (her room). Smart and beautiful!

NOVEMBER 14, 2008
Hi!
Angel is just amazing. She is ready for a leash any day now. She walked to the neighbors yard today with Baby P (my cat) in tow. She and Baby P hung out there in the neighbors yard for a while, just chillin. Angel had some special friends visit her today too- Connie and Allen, owners of PitBullGear.com stopped by with a big bag of goodies for her- all pure protein treats to build her strength. Connie and Allen have been incredibly helpful with our little Angel,soliciting their friends and customers to help Angel.

Check out our special day with Angel - She truly is an "Angel" - Allen & Connie (pitbullgear.com)

NOVEMBER 16, 2008 - pics
Its now been one week since big brother Brock gave his super blood to our baby Angel. Look at her. She is plumping up quite nicely. She thinks she is fit as a fiddle and wants to just be like the rest of our dogs- couch potatoes.In fact, she is watching football with her daddy right now. Yesterday she barked for the first time. She is so excited and happy all the time, I swear she has this giddiness about her, like she is just so proud of herself, and thrilled to be loved and appreciated. Thank you all for your support- she sends kisses!!!!!

NOVEMBER 17, 2008 - pics
Angel had more visitors yesterday, Ashlie Burke with PitStopBullys.com came by and invited ABC Action News to come along too- ABC interviewed Art, Ashlie and Angel, link to story below. ABC has been proactive in getting stories out about pit bulls- the good stories, about the dogs and the people who love them. Angel was wiped out afterward, took a nap with her big brother.
ABC News Story

NOVEMBER 18, 2008 - pics
Today was a big day for Angel! Everyday is big really, something new and miraculous happens with her. Today she walked on a leash for the first time, did very well! We went to the vet for a check up and to see about the little cough she developed this morning- turns out she has an upper respiratory infection, and high fever- but Doc gave her some shots and pills and she will be fine. She is about 24.5 lbs now. Has gained 6 lbs in just over a week, about 30% of her original weight. It is simply a miracle. Doc said besides the cold she is looking great, doing fantastic, and marveled at how "a little food and water goes a long way." I hate to break it to him, it was more than just a little food and water.....this girl can EAT!!!!!

xxoo, Angel
Lisa Presnail
Go All The Way for a Stray at www.LittlePetProject.com

NOVEMBER 20, 2008
From Teri: (The lady who begged to let Angel out of the shelter where they routinely euthanize dogs in her condition)
Oh Lisa, She is looking so wonderful. Tell her thank you very much for me and give her a kiss on that not so boney head of hers. I think of her every day. She is such an inspiration. Also, last Sat.we received a little Rat Terrier mix at the shelter almost as skinnyas Angel but not anemic. Thanks to Angel, my boss let the Rat Terrier(named Spunky) go to rescue immediatly. Little Angel ishelping make some big changes at our shelter. She is proving toeveryone else at the shelter that if you just give them a chance they can make it. Spunky owes his little life to Angel because if not for her and her progress, he would have surely been put to sleep. His new foster parents took him to the vet and he at one time had a broken knee but it healed. He walks a little funny and isstill weak but he is making progress.

NOVEMBER 22, 2008
ANGEL makes the news again: ANGEL the neglected Pit Bull pounds the pavement!

POUNDING THE PAVEMENT PICS

NOVEMBER 23, 2008 - ANGEL'S PAW WASH (click on the poster below to see pics from the event)

NOVEMBER 24, 2008



NOVEMBER 29, 2008
ABC Action News Story - Angel the Neglected Pit Bull Puppy Recovering

DECEMBER 15, 2008
We have a few updates on Angels recovery- she is currently under treatment for demodex mange (common for dogs who are malnourished, under stress, their immune system is weakened and it develops) but its a mild case and the Doc expects it to clear up with no problems. The orthopedic surgeon finally had a look at her xrays, and said that the break in her left elbow that she suffered through with no help healed in such a way (twisted) that he would not recommend re-breaking and re-setting- it is too damaged for that, it would cause more problems. Elbow replacement is not really an option either. The doc said that as long as she is getting around it is best to let her be. He said she may develop arthritis later on, but did not detect any signs of it yet- we just need to watch her and not let her overdo it. That is a challenge let me assure you!  Angel has more energy than our 3 others put together. She has no clue that she is half their size or has any injury.

Doc also said he wants us to wait until her demodex is cleared up before performing her spay surgery, since her immune system is weak. Angel has been invited to be ACTs mascot for 2009, and ACT will perform her spay surgery. ACT will appropriate excess funds raised for her leg surgery- details on that to come, as well as more about our Angel.

 DECEMBER 31, 2008
ABC Action News Story -Tossed Pit Bull named Angel doing very well

 FEBRUARY 3, 2009
Hello there- Angel had her 8th mange dip yesterday, and a skin scrape- she is now NEGATIVE! Doc said she has to have one more dip and one more negative test and then she will be in the clear. Twice they overdosed her and almost killed her, trying to get the dosage right. Next we schedule her spay surgery. Angel has been a true blessing and is an amazingly smart little girl. She can't be fooled into doing things for treats like our other 3 clowns. She is spitfire of energy, and yet, is the first to sit down and be patient waiting for her leash at walk time, while the other 3 run in circles. She loves to walk with the pack, not only can she keep up, but almost always leads the pack, even though her little legs are half as long, and one is lame.

Angels sends kisses!

APRIL 5, 2009
Hello there!
Just thought I'd pass along a little update on our girl Angel. She continues to inspire us with her joyful nature- her tail never stops wagging. I thought she had peaked at 42 lbs, and even started to worry that she was losing weight (a little neurotic over here) until our vet confirmed she is now 48 LBs! (she was just 18 lbs the day we picked her up) I swear that this is her ideal weight. She is healthy, happy and so very much loved and a BIG part of our family.

Angels sends kisses and hugs to all of her friends!

xxoo, Angel

Lisa Presnail
727 871 2444
Go All The Way for a Stray at www.LittlePetProject.com


Also check out Angel's other pages:
We Need Your Help
The Zoomies

ANGEL'S JOURNEY IN PICTURES