Welcome!

July. WOW! I can sum up this month in one word - MIRACLES! Working with special needs animals is a job like no other. We often celebrate even the smallest milestones. When a cleft baby can begin to eat on their own, we celebrate. Every day a hydro pup doesn't have a seizure, we celebrate. But when you have, not one, but two, completely paralyzed pups walk again, we call it a miracle!

If you follow The Mia Foundation, then you're probably familiar with "Kisses", our tiny Yorkie pup. Kisses came to us back in April. Kisses was born with Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) which allows abnormal movement between the 1st and 2nd vertebrae. This puts pressure on the spinal cord, causing paralysis of the limbs and can lead to paralysis of the diaphragm. Left untreated, prognosis is grim.

It was determined that Kisses was too small for surgery. It didn't take long to realize that this little one and a half pound pup wasn't going to give up without a fight! Sue Rogers, Kisses' momma, immediately started looking for options. The Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care Center, which had performed another AAI surgery and numerous cleft palate surgeries for the foundation, was contacted. Dr. Matt Oakes consulted with Sue about Kisses' unique situation and rapidly declining condition. Dr. Oakes explained that he'd never had a paralyzed pup regain mobility. He'd never performed such a delicate surgery on such a tiny patient, either. Sue weighed the options. She considered the risks. She watched Kisses' declining state. She spent several days watching the tiny pup for a sign. She knew she needed to make a decision quickly. She soon decided that she needed to give this girl a chance. A chance to walk. A chance to run. A chance to live.

Surgery was scheduled and transportation was arranged. Sue spent the next few days giving Kisses as much one-on-one time as possible. A Mia Foundation volunteer flew Kisses from New York to Florida. Sue, along with many others, waited for word from Dr. Oakes. Frazzled nerves were soon calmed when the surgery was over. Kisses had survived and appeared to be doing well. It would take several days to know if the procedure itself was going to improve the pup's paralysis.

Within the next few days, Kisses was sitting up! She was able to move enough that she no longer had to lay in her own waste. Each day showed more improvement. She was kept in a playpen for her own safety, and began using the sides to steady herself while standing. Before long she was walking. She soon began to run. There is no stopping this determined little girl!

This miracle wouldn't have been possible without YOU. The love and support you've shown is amazing, and we truly appreciate each of our supporters!

One of the easiest ways to support The Mia Foundation is to share our mission! Sharing is FREE! Let your family and friends know what wonderful things are happening here. Let them know that we are here. Let them know that we can help. Let them know that if they are born, they deserve a chance to live. BECAUSE WE ALL MATTER!

12 x 12 Pledge

We’ve pledged to save animals with birth defects. Each animal that comes into our care is given every opportunity to survive and thrive. Your monthly contribution of just $12 for 12 months helps us provide lifesaving medical care. We couldn’t do what we do without the help of our wonderful supporters. Monthly donations can be sent directly to:

The Mia Foundation

3177 Latta Road #188 Rochester, NY 14612

Online donations can also be made via PayPal by visiting themiafoundation.com and clicking the DONATE button. Please consider taking the pledge today!

Did you know??

The Mia Foundation recently took a newborn squirrel into it's care?!?! Tune in next month for a complete update!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Name: Janet Nuchols

Title: Fundraising Coordinator

Hometown: Beaverdam, VA

Favorite Breed: Chihuahua

Hobbies: Most of Janet's free time is dedicated to the Mia Foundation!

Janet's story is quite unique. Janet stumbled across a video of Sue Rogers' tiny pup Mia. The sweet little pup with a BIG personality instantly won Janet's heart. She eventually reached out to Sue on Facebook, and asked for an address to send Mia a gift. The two chatted and quickly became friends. With Janet in Virginia, and Sue in New York, it took some time before the two friends would actually meet in person. A trip down south gave Sue the opportunity to stop in Virginia. Janet was thrilled to meet her new friend in person, and even more glad that she got to meet Mia!

With Mia's second birthday approaching, Janet booked a flight to New York to help celebrate the special occasion. Sadly, Mia never saw her birthday. Janet shared in Sue's grief and devastation. Sue's desire to honor Mia's memory and continue her mission led to the thought of a special needs animal rescue. When Sue approached Janet with the idea, she didn't hesitate. With Janet by their side, Sue & Gary put their dream into motion, and the Mia Foundation was born!

Janet has been a devoted volunteer for the past six years and is always looking for fun and new ways to help raise the necessary money to keep saving animals. Janet has taken her role as fundraising coordinator very seriously. She attends many events in her local area in order to help spread the word about the foundation. She also hosts online auctions with items that are donated by volunteers and supporters from all over the world. Janet says the biggest challenge with fundraising is keeping people interested. Many start off involved, but then dwindle away.

Besides being the fundraising coordinator, Janet is also a proud Mia Mom. She has provided a forever home to Miguel, Peanut, and Itty Bitty. She has three additional chihuahuas- Paco, Wawa, and Chichi. It makes for a full house, but everybody gets along and Janet wouldn't have it any other way!

When I asked Janet what her favorite thing about the Mia Foundation is, she answered simply- Sue. "She is my hero. What she does for these animals is incredible." Janet also mentioned that the Foundation and meeting Mia changed her life forever. She's a "totally different person for having met Sue and Mia." The most rewarding part of her position is knowing that in some little way she is contributing to saving little lives.

One memory that Janet shared with me was about an event that took place in Pennsylvania. A woman had driven some distance and her only wish was to meet Sassy. She made a $100.00 donation to the foundation that day! When she was introduced to Sassy, the pup nipped her! Someone quickly commented "You may want to give back that hundred dollars!". The woman insisted they keep the donation and everyone got a good laugh from it all!

Another fond memory of Janet's is from 2 years ago. A Facebook friend was going through cancer treatments and daily pictures of Miguel helped keep her spirits up. The woman made the 200 mile trip to meet her tiny hero in person. The two remain friends today. These are the kind of friendships that are formed between Mia volunteers and supporters!

When asked if there was anything else she would like to share, Janet replied, "I will be an old lady walking with a cane and still support the Mia Foundation. It is my heart and soul. I am blessed and thankful for this group and all of the people that are involved." I think I speak for all of us when I say, the feeling is mutual Janet!

Anne Trexler- Staff Writer

Adoptions!

Several Mia Babies found loving, forever homes in July! Magnolia, Sammy, Ivy, Jules, Beans, Odie, Sadie Adair, & Honey have all chosen their new families. We couldn't be happier for these pups! We wish all of them the very best and hope they will keep in touch!

Let’s Ask Sue…

Do you have a question for Sue? Email us at Mia_newsletter@yahoo.com. Be sure to include your name, city, & state.

Help Wanted!

You've heard the expression "It takes a village...". The Mia Foundation is no exception! We hate to turn away an animal for any reason, but there are several factors we must consider. First of all, we need to have a way to physically get the animal into our care. This means we need volunteers willing to drive the animal from point A to point B. Most transports are broken into segments of just a couple of hours.

Secondly, we need a safe and secure place for each animal to stay while in our care. Almost every single animal that comes to us is in need of medical care and/or surgery. We need loving and dedicated fosters to care for them during and after treatment until they become ready for their forever homes.

Lastly, we need experienced tube feeders, or folks who are truly willing to learn how. We get a lot of cleft babies which must be tube fed in order to survive.

If you are willing to help with transportation or have room in your heart and home for a Mia baby (or two!), please email us at: loveformia2012@yahoo.com If you have tube feeding experience, and would be willing to help, even on a short term basis, we'd love to hear from you!

Upcoming Events

• August 4 - Mia Day - 1294 West Ave Hilton, NY 14468 12pm-4pm
• September 22 - Paws in the Park Beaver Island State Park Grand Island, NY 8:30am-1pm
• October 28 - Central PA Pet Expo Blair County Convention Center Altoona, PA 12pm-4pm

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