The Grateful Dog Haven

27/07/2025

Athena 🪽🪽🪽
🌈💔🌈💔🌈 🌈💔🌈💔🌈please read

We said goodbye a beloved companion, friend and just sweetest /silliest girl ever Athena yesterday 💔 and sent her on her way to heaven, where she can run and jump, and roll and dig and whatever her heart desires and be pain free forever in eternity 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵 she spent her last day eating lots of yummy treats, like steak and a breakfast wrap which she loved 🥰 and hanging with her Dad Joe Thomas. Which leads to another piece of news : There is a bright spot /milestone that was unfortunately missed in this story - last month Athena was OFFICIALLY adopted by her long term foster dad, Joe!! 🩵 🥳 we wish we had shared that news earlier but have been offline here for a long time and no desire to come back honestly. But this news needed to be shared. Athena got her official family /home, it may not have been for long but it means a lot to us that she reached that milestone, and was adopted by the person who loved her the most on this earth 🩵😭

Dear angel baby. Oh 😥 how I woke so saddened thinking of y ou .. however I am reminded of wise words of your daddy Joe. “Don't be sad. You blessed her and me. Our purpose was served in regards to her life. You did an amazing thing. 🙏🙏 “. I am so glad for the time we had with our girl and grateful for what she gave us in return - joy; love, purpose….grateful for second chances given by grateful humans …..Joe Thomas you gave and gave and gave your heart your time your energy your patience. You have been everything Athena needed in a dog dad , caregiver, & companion…my heart goes out to you now and always. God the people who love dogs and show so much love and compassion - those are my people . People like you have kept me going for years…please keep Joe in your thoughts & prayers. 🩵

Athena’s health declined slowly and then more rapidly . She had so many health issues; small and big ones. She what’s been such a FIGHTER since day one . But her quality of life declined over the past few months significantly. She was dealing with eye infections, urinary infection, skin breaking out constantly, left rear leg not functioning , she was losing control of her body and her functions and had to be carried…Joe made the right decision to let her go . He made every effort always to care for her and advocate for her and be proactive when it comes to her health. This was the final, responsible decision he made for her and I really admire that . She passed away at home too so she was in peace in her own environment 🩵

Athena we LOVE U. Thank you to everyone here who has supported, contributed, financially or otherwise….what a an amazing community we have had over the years - truly - thank you 🙏🏼 all for caring about Athena. Thank you mutty paws rescue South Florida Mutt Rescueand everyone who was involved in networking Athena and helping us along the way!! We are so grateful to our community. Also, the remaining funds from Athena’s fundraiser will be donated by her dad to a local 501c3 animal rescue 🩵

08/06/2025

This is your sign 🩵

30/05/2025

Open your heart and your eyes 👀. FOSTER. You can foster a dog for a week to ten days through ACC’s short term foster program. They’re not all bully breeds if that’s not your thing. Enjoy the weekend but please - let us not forget the thousands of abandoned animals right in our own community. These animals are not garbage and the community shelter is not a dumping ground. It should not be a place where animals go to die. Show me you have empathy and compassion . Look outside of yourself for ways to give back when you’ve been fortunate or blessed - especially then - and who better to give back to than a dog? My heart stands with the abandoned, abused, displaced and forgotten….always , always always 🩵

15/05/2025

Just a few recent pics of the most beautifulest little lady Athena.🩵 her health has been up and down. She has good days and bad. Mostly good days, but there have been a few not so good ones too, lately. Athena has been through so much and over the last 3 years we as a community have been so supportive of her journey - her foster Dad Joe has given her a life full of family, road trips, new places and adventures, even new dogs which has been a longggggg process ….cant thank you enough for being her person - we are not giving up on Athena, but we are closely monitoring her quality of life . She did see the vet this month for an eye issue but. She has had a myriad of health issues and continues to fight. Her mobility is declining and her mammary cancer and her PLE have taken a toll on her - her immune system comprised due to years of many medications . Can’t fight infections properly , etc. thank you community for all of your help over the years 🩵

10/05/2025

Happy weekend everyone!! It’s me SADIE 🩵 I’m still here available for adoption!! Thank you to many people who have given your hearts and your money and your time to helping me and the GDH 🩵 I had a nice spa day on Wednesday 🛁 💅🏼at the vet clinic!! I got fresh refill on my eye drops last week! Thanks to your kind donations, I still get all of the supplies I need, like food and monthly preventions!

The rescue is closed except for Sadie & Athena. Stay tuned for updates on Athena. Thank you Mary Bowman Smid Smid Insurance for your continued donations. And thank you Leyanis who made a wonderful donation to Sadie back in February 🩵 Thank you Joe Thomas for being a great dog dad and sticking with Athena and with us 🩵 there are so many folks to thank . From adopters, to past fosters, to volunteers to those who have supported our Directors by caring for the dogs when we are away, making it possible for us to see family and dear friends….too many donors to name, Leslie Alexander Foundation, Baum Family Foundation, “JM” who has stepped in countless times to support our dogs in a big way!! Thank you to the local rescues who DID support us over the years and/or did also take in any of our dogs when we shut down. 🙏🏼 that is HUGE 🩵thank you to our families and our friends for attending events, volunteering, adopting dogs, showing up being awesome 🩵if you adopted more than one dog from us , you are WILD in the best possible way and we love you 😍

The state animal welfare in the state of FL and all over is abhorrent . We are grateful for all of the good humans out there fighting for the love of dogs 🩵 it’s an exhaustive effort . We admire anyone involved in the rescue /sheltering space. You give so much and expect so little in return. You get your heart broken over and over and just keep going. Love you ALL 🩵🩵🩵

“If you’re going through hell, keep going” - Winston Churchill

31/03/2025

This is a courtesy post 🩵
Otter has been in foster care for over 2 years!! He is now under Kibblez of Love Rescue! I want everyone to know that Otter is a FANTASTIC dog. He is well behaved, loving, and just beautiful inside and out. He has been abandoned over and over - he has been dumped at acc 3x. WHY?? Literally the best dog - just as sweet as he could be and no trouble at all. Unless you consider a little drool and white fur here and there to be a problem. He deserves a FOREVER family. If you go on vacation I will watch him for you just drop him off* he is dog friendly with large & smalls . Otter Is a big baby and squishy marshmallow. He deserves a real home of his own. He deserves everything actually ….He is approx 8/9 years young, 90 lbs lap dog who just wants his rear end scratched and someone to love ❤️ not a bad bone in his body. Contact KOL for more info /to inquire about adoption!!!

*within reason and if I am in town). Thank you, Anne Marie

22/03/2025

22/03/2025

Diamond 💔🌈🪽🌈🩵💎
We sent our precious girl to fly high with the angels today 🪽🩵🪽🩵

Thankful for the opportunity for Diamond to spend her last moments at home, with her parents . We set her free tonight 🌈 no more cancer, no more struggles no more pain. What a wonderful spirit you were and always will be, Diamond. Potato 💔

Prayers for her foster parents 🩵 they wanted to thank everyone for your support for Diamond, and donations for her care over the years . Thank you community. 🙏🏼🩵 thanks to you we have her top notch care . Up until there was nothing more to be done. Diamond’s cancer has spread to her chest and abdomen and was causing many health complications - she had been through enough and there was only one thing left we could do for her -

Hope you are running chasing wild horses 🐎 basking in the sun and cuddling on the couch with someone special forever in eternity Angel baby 🌈🩵💔

22/03/2025

🕯️💔🕯️💔🕯️💔🕯️💔

09/03/2025

Dear community , Thank you so much once again for your support - thanks to you all we were able to get Diamond the tests she needed today and raised enough $$ to cover the whole invoice . We also have some local rescues offering to help us out in different ways - thank you community . I was reminded today we have quite a village behind us - I always knew this rescue was small but powerful. It’s an honor to be at the head of such an organization that receives so much support 🙏🏼🩵

Unfortunately what today’s tests revealed was nothing positive. Her bloodwork was not normal as far as RBC (low), WBC(high), abnormal liver values and more ….imaging revealed a large mass vs large amount of fluid in abdomen 😞 which is pushing down her intestines and pushing her other organs…we believe this could be a kidney tumor which was previously detected and has grown rapidly . But doctor could not say for certain . She also had a nodule on her heart and I know there was more that was discussed but those are the big things…

We are taking her for an ultrasound ASAP . Just to confirm what we think we already know 😞 Diamond is walking and eating but she is definitely not her normal, perky self 😞 we will do the right thing for her l promise - she has been through enough - and she has endured it with grace and has given us so much of her love and joy . We intend to give her a peaceful, dignified ending with the people who love her when that time comes. 😭

ThanSouth Florida Mutt RescueMKibblez of LovelBarky Pines Animal Rescue & Sanctuary&My Why Rescue Why Rescue
To VRAC
To Diamond’s fosters
To each and every one of you who donated
Thank you 🙏🏼 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

08/03/2025

PLEASE DONATE for Diamond 💎 if you can - we are getting bloodwork and an x-ray!!! This cannot wait she clearly has fluid backing up into the abdomen - could be her heart - doctor says she hears a murmur - her breathing doesn’t sound right when she is resting. …we are waiting for results now but she is not quite herself 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 we need these diagnostics to see what is going on inside -

Venmo: gratefuldogs_wpb
Zelle: [email protected]
PayPal: [email protected]

06/03/2025

Update: We have resumed care of Diamond under Grateful Dog Haven. We are supposed to be closed and we have no money. Negative funds. BUt considering all that happened, what choice did we have. We have notified the other rescue that they have no longer responsible for Diamond and we will take over her care . We don’t want to waste time discussing this any further. Thank you to MYWHY Rescue for stepping in to help by paying the balance for Diamond at Village Royale animal clinic!!!! Extremely helpful and appreciated. It takes a village! Truly.

Unfortunately, the fosters have also notified us that Diamond is not doing well this week. Not an emergent situation but we will be taking her to see the vet for an exam. Stay tuned for updates. We know Diamond has cancer - there have been many mixed opinions among different vets about what how to approach it and the prognosis , etc. Also notable she has seen two different vets recently and had bloodwork etc….That being said, currently her belly appears possibly enlarged/distended and she is pretty lethargic/not moving around much . (Still has a good appetite though.) We don’t know what to expect exactly but I know this - nobody here wants to see her struggle or suffer even for a moment. She has been through so much - we have fought hard for her knowing how resilient and what a fighter SHE is. Diamond’s situation is unique -Yes we made the decision as a rescue to provided multiple surgical treatments for her over the years (a few minor ones and one major) . When a dog has cancer such as cutaneous hemangiomas- if you have any intention at all of “beating” it or managing it . You have to treat it surgically. Multiple vets have recommended surgeries for Diamond to resect portions of her skin and/or growths in order to manage the spread of the disease /prevent internal spread. Thanks to the help of our community and partners such as The Baum Family Foundation, Barky Pines , and others , along with her wonderful foster family , we were able to treat Diamond and give her a quality of life . I believe in that - even though it has been challenge . We have faced it head on. As the president of this rescue have personally enjoyed diamonds company on many occasions. Like most dogs we have rescued Diamond has spent time at my home , I have been her “pet sitter”, I have visited her at foster’s home, I have seen her run around a party full of people just having a blast, , splashing by the pool, chasing a ball, (destroying ball), loving life ! I have had the pleasure of loading her wiggly little butt into my backseat and driving her to the vet on many occasions- whether she was bleeding all over the exam room she was still happy , wiggling , smiling , kisses…I have been there!! At the vets , at the ER, at her fosters house seeing her in action. Guess what the whole time she had cancer. also guess what . During that time I saw with my own two eyes a beautiful, happy girl . So yeah maybe some rescues would have just classified Diamond as hospice and discontinued treatment . But that wasn’t our decision …she was loved and still is -

THANK YOU. 🙏🏼 we will keep everyone posted . Diamond’s quality of life is the priority as we move forward - she has been through so much already, she deserves peace and comfort no matter what 🩵