Island Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary, Inc.

11/15/2025

WELLLL,, remember ! YOU READ IT HERE! MILO IS A "FAILED FOSTER"

MILO The 10 Yr. old Pomeranian boy that you all have read about ... KNOCKED it out of the park this week. MILO went to his FOSTER HOME... He only made it there for a week and WHAMO. He is ADOPTED !!! This foster family fell in love with MILO of which I might add is being watched on camera CONSTANTLY.. He took a few days and then decided to calm down and let this family BE HIS....FUREVER.. MOM - DAD - and all other doggies get along GREAT.. life is good at this house.. We WILL be in touch with them and send along home pictures.. and ALLLLL WEEEE CAN SAAAYYY ISSSS:
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL !

11/14/2025

REPOSTING ABOUT "DOTTY"

DOTTY is a rat terrier.. She is 11 yrs. old and weighs 7 Lbs 9 Oz. ... Poor little DOTTY did not like to be picked up BUT SHE DOES NOW !!!.. DOTTY want's all the attention she can get.. She sometimes cries at the front door .. BUT most days she either sleeps in her Condo Kennel (door open) or on a doggie bed in front of the fireplace.. She LOVES to run around in our back BIG yard and smell everything.. She would sit on your lap and cuddle for hours and LOVES looking out the windows. It takes a little time for her to understand that you like her and will never hurt her. BUT SHE DOES... Just give her some time. She gets along well with other doggies and will roam outside & inside with them. She is spayed and is up to date on all vaccinations.. She gets monthly flea, tick & parasite prevention. DOTTY takes no medications.. She has no need.. She MAY be a little older (hey who isn't?) .. She is potty trained and enjoys wearing her sweaters on cold days.
DOTTY has IS an excellent eater and has finally gained some weight.
DOTTY NEEDS A HOME THAT ABSOLUTELY ADORES HER. DOTTY is an owner surrender..:( Her Daddy passed away & the family could not keep her..:(
PLEASE GIVE DOTTY THE HOME SHE DESERVES ....PLEASE????
DOTTY SEZ .. HEY! LOOK HOW CUTE I AM !
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TAKE ME TO YOUR HOME !! FUREVER !!

11/14/2025

11/13/2025

The longest resident of ISHAS....

Today I want to introduce and talk about the LONGEST resident at ISHAS... Her name is EMMY LOU - she has had MANY NAMES.. MANY!
EMMY LOU has a bad past and has been here at ISHAS for 10 years... YES! 10 YEARS !!
EMMY LOU (in her younger years) made a few boo boo's... She bit another dog and a human. EMMY LOU has come to realize that ISHAS will always be her home.. She is not defeated - she KNOWS where she lives.
EMMY LOU either loves you or hates you. I personally have never had an issue with her.. but others have... I am not going to lie.. EMMY LOU has lived with other dogs and EMMY LOU has had her ears sewn back on at least 3 times.. She got into scuffles with the other BIGGER dogs, because EMMY LOU thinks SHE is a big dog.. Her first strike was when she was brought here a sad & defeated soul that no one wanted... She was on the euthanazia list.. But, I saw something in her eyes that told me ... She did not mean to cause harm.. EMMY LOU is an icon of ISHAS. She was abandoned here twice.. the second time was when her mama moved out of the country leaving her behind.. SHE WAS DEVASTATED.. It took a long time for her to accept the new home here with us.. New people - New dogs, New life. New staff must be trained diligently on how to handle her and then she is their best friend... She steals toys from the other doggies and tears them up and LOVES to eat rabbit p**p. YUP - yuck!.. Not a pretty picture for ANY dog looking for a furever home.. As I visited her this morning I thought... EMMY.. I think it is time to LOOK and see if there is ANYONE loving & skilled enough to give you a home that you DO deserve.. I think she agreed with me.. Lately EMMY LOU has chosen other doggies to run in the yard with.. WE WERE THRILLED.. BUT, i still would not recommend a home with other dogs or children because with EMMY LOU **you just never know** "her mood for the day." EMMY LOU is also a black fur doggie - they are usually LAST to be adopted for some reason.Her Black fur is not getting gray around her face...:( She is an odd mix of a Dachshund, Patterdale Terrier and perhaps a TAD of pitty..She NEEDS a person who CARES and understands her moods.. I shudder thinking she will never know the LOVE a home can give her.. BUT I also know she may NEVER find that home.... so, we spoil her a bit here like always.
Wish I could find a lonely person who NEEDS the love of one of the most difficult doggie's ISHAS has ever had .. ALL this was triggered in my mind because of a phone call we received wanting to know WHO was the longest resident here (she wanted an OLD Chihuahua).. MY FIRST THOUGHT was EMMY LOU, but... she is NOT a Chihuahua at all.. EMMY LOU is a smaller gal who weighs 23 Lbs.. EMMY LOU is almost 14 Yrs. old now..
She is up to date on ALL vaccinations ..She receives Monthly flea, tick & parasite prevention. She is spayed ..She is heartworm negative.. She only takes a Tums at night since she has a sensitive stomach. Her teeth are in good shape.. SHE herself is in good shape and muscular... I think we have AT LEAST a thousand pictures throughout the years with her... EMMY LOU "LOVES" to be dressed up.. Getting her clothes OFF of her is fun.. SHE wants to keep them on.

OUR EMMY LOU

11/12/2025

UPDATE AT THE SANCTUARY..

Well, just found out I missed ONE MORE ITEM NEEDED...KLEENEX ... As we refer to them "turd pickers" We need the full boxes of these... Went to get a box ... and the cupboard it BARE! :(
so OLD MOTHER HUBBARD NANCY - - BEGGING FOR THESE TOO...
NEVER forget laundry detergent or Scented Fabric softener either - ALWAYS IN NEED OF THAT ! PLUS PINESOL **no generic* Lemon or pine scented...
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JAKE is doing well - he had a very restful night and ate breakfast this morning :)...Acts totally normal !! ELWOOD was SO happy to have him back ...
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BEING THE INSANE PERSON I AM.... WE RESCUED 2 TODAY... From a Dog Pound.. :( One is 13 Yrs. old - deaf- and sweet as can be.. SPAYED FEMALE that HAD a ruptured mammary tumor that was removed BUT the Margins were not wide enough and the CANCER could return :( we have named her... GRANNIE FRANNIE.... Will have pictures & updates coming - She is a MALTESE and weighs 9 Lbs. She will need a visit to our Vet. soon..
****update **** update** GRANNIE FANNIE *CAN HEAR* So, she is NOT DEAF !! yaahooooo !
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TOPAZ is a 16 year old Chihuahua weighing in at 7 Lbs.. NO ONE WANTED HER... due to age and being a little snappy BUT she allows us to pick her up without any issues.. PAST HISTORY reveals she was grabbed by her collar and thrown against a wall and KICKED :( ****I WOULD BITE THEM TOO***
BOTH have been bathed and other than having to soft muzzle TOPAZ who does NOT like her ears cleaned or a**l glands expressed..
YEP she nailed me but hey !! Not as bad as other ones.. LOL I am used to it...NORMAL INTAKE - LOL!!
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SO THAT IS THE SCOOP !
stay TUNED and help PLEASE ...DONATE !! AND P R A Y !!

11/11/2025

ISHAS HAS UPDATED THEIR AMAZON WISH LIST.. DIRE NEED OF SUPPLIES PLEASE

WE ARE IN DIRE NEED OF:
PEDIGREE CHOPPED GROUND CHICKEN CANNED **ANY FLAVOR "BUT " no Chicken & Rice please** .. LARGE OR SMALLER CANS.. (This also can be ordered through Chewy..)
PILL POCKETS **small & larger** we are totally OUT ** help.
SQ**RT CANNED CHEESE ( for giving medications) *** we have NONE*** help

BATTERIES .. AA - AAA - C - D_ ALL SIZES ARE VERY MUCH NEEDED....

WE REAAALLY NEED "EXTRA EXTRA LARGE" P*E PADS !!!! We are **out **

PLEASE HELP OUR SPECIAL NEEDS DOGGIES !!!

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fregistries%2Fgl%2Fguest-view%2F3PM8K64NH99JM%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExMnI2bnJscGZJMFplVTlpTHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7RoP7IHmLgl87XyXUOh1EP9t5jYee4GPBgLuyCj9PsXU2iEPI9-CGBP42PLw_aem_gPHP8pqSFzl7HkE6uSs90g&h=AT2ntnRUfoZo8SRSOn9rqJaB3XOy_5plbRTIMzZGZG4E5o6aPEYmLBBMPMs4cMPyzygMx_-Gxzf0e5Q3mrqZQ9EVB_UG-Z9e-d-bZ_d8x8TfWvBRvns1Fqdnz8iwQV8wzQjTNE1vZ_FVIFPQ0DQ

11/11/2025

JAKE HAS MADE IT !! coming back SOON and ELWOOD WILL BE HAPPY HAPPY !

GOOD GOOD NEWS FOLKS !! JAKE is awake and doing WELL.. That BIG lump on his abdomen was only a LIPOMA !! Not even a need for a biopsy... It was all just FAT! JAKE WILL BE BACK AT ISHAS AND ELWOOD WILL BE SO HAPPY TO SEE HIS BUDDY.. :)
WHAT A RELIEF !!!
WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ! SO HAPPY FOR THEM BOTH !!
Updates on his healing process will be coming soon.. PRAYERS DO WORK.

11/11/2025

PRAYERS FOR "JAKE" TODAY PLEASE.. HEADED TO SURGERY.

EARLY this morning Aunt Becky arrived to give JAKE a ride to his Vet appointment at Westview Vet Hospital. He has a large abdominal mass.. He is already neutered.. This lump is concerning to us and we hope it is a simple hernia that can be surgically corrected. JAKE is an 11 Yr. old Chihuahua mix and he weighs 14 Lbs.. He is BONDED to ELWOOD. We are sure they will miss each other today and that all goes well for JAKE. PRAYERS PLEASE !! !
If all goes well ... JAKE and ELWOOD will be searching for their furever homes soon. CHIN UP BOYS !
PRAYERS FOR JAKE PLEASE !

11/08/2025

ISHAS is FULL of Chihuahua's ! FULL !

Yes I know.... Usually the teeny Tiny Chihuahua's end up at my house... BUT, since I also have many already.. AND 2 crazy dogs, MAXX ( a larger than normal MinPin) and his buddy PISTOL PETE (a larger than normal Chihuahua Mix) They are both active monsters who can be overbearing to the Tiny ones.. Oh I correct them, like a million times.... they just don't get it.. They THINK they are small, THEY ARE NOT. They get into all kinds of trouble DAY & NIGHT. They play WAAAY too rough.. Why do "I" have them ??? Because (like always) NO ONE would put up with them. I also have GRIFF, everyone knows GRIFF... His nickname is "SATAN'S PUPPY", need I say more ?? Each and every one of "MY" dogs have a bad past, and/or are just not adoptable to normal people wanting a loving snuggly dog... Not these guys... Now comes a time when we have gotten so many Chihuahua's here that ARE sweet & snuggly.... But, they are seniors and..... Nobody wants them... most were rescued.. some are owner surrenders, and ALL of them require Medications or extensive surgery...OH MY HEART just breaks for them all...They require a home that can afford their medicine, take them to a Vet often, and have a SAFE & SECURE home for them. They need love and a lot of attention.. ALOT ! So, here we are doing what WE can for them and I KNOW in my heart there are those SPECIAL perfect homes for them out there. Isn't there? There just has to be.. It's sad when people do NOT READ about them.. just today we got an inquiry about 2 different senior Chihuahua's ...
One REQUIRES a very securely fenced yard (a runner & digger).. But the person does NOT even have a yard, they live in an apartment :(... The other one is on heart medications twice a day and the person inquiring has a limited income, BUT also has 4 other BIG dogs ( un-altered) and NO vet records....sigh...
They are better off here, safe & cared for. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD A DOG - DON'T GET A DOG. IF YOU CAN'T PROPERLY HOUSE THE DOG.. DON'T GET THE DOG. IF YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO TIME FOR A DOG..DON'T GET A DOG.. Tiny senior Chihuahua's cannot be safely housed with Toddlers.. Toddlers run & play and jump & fall ...ON the tiny Chihuahua.. :( They do not mean too... Toddlers are Toddlers... I would HATE for a child to grow up knowing they caused harm to a Tiny Doggie and then have to live with that.. :(... And of course we do not want any dog to get injured...
ARE WE PICKY? YUP! We do not want any dog to be returned after adoption... BUT IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. Under our legal policy ANY DOGGIE adopted from ISHAS ...MUST be returned to ISHAS if the adopter cannot take care of the dog or does not want the dog anymore or should become ill etc.... We give them a LIFELONG commitment. They will ALWAYS have a home here. ALWAYS.
SO, PLEASE "READ" about the dog you are interested in carefully and THINK.... Then if you are truly interested CALL and talk to us...
WE WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM AND BEST FOR YOU... WE CARE..
NOTE: Pictures are only SOME of our Chihuahua's...

11/08/2025

PLEASE KEEP OPAL IN YOUR THOUGHTS "MONDAY = SURGERY DAY"

OPAL is scheduled for her surgery this coming Monday..She will be spayed & get a complete dental cleaning.. At only 3 Lbs we always worry, Oh heck! at any weight we worry.. PEARL is OPAL'S sister and she had surgery last Thursday (2 days ago) she did just fine & is recovering well. So, please, please let's all hope & Pray that OPAL for some good news and fast healing.. Once they are BOTH healed up they WILL be searching for their furever & ever home.. They are a bonded pair so you gotta LOVE them both.. We WILL NOT separate them !! CUTE AS CAN BE ! They are both 11 yrs old.

C'MON OPAL !! You can do this !!!

11/07/2025

TO EVERYONE !!! Listen up folks..

Little MILES is now terribly confused... I mean DOROTHY got a FUREVER HOME.... Why can't he? Is he cute? YEP! Is he little? YEP. So, what is the deal here? MILES has been waiting a long time for HIS furever home.. Sure! it has to be a special understanding home BUT they ARE out there right??
MILES was rescued with three other senior Chihuahua's ... MR. MILES IS THE YOUNGEST of the four.. HE has been here for a year now WAITING.. All the others he came with have homes.... How sad is that? How about giving little MILES a home of HIS own? He deserves that... Truth be had... he is the little one that requires a "p*e pole".. Yes, he marks.. We wrap p*e pads around a cat scratching pole for his accidents... but I am not so sure he will do that IN a home.. Especially a special home that takes the time he requires to go outside to potty and reward him... MILES is now 8 years old.. He arrived only weighing 6 Lbs but now weighs 7 Lbs and looks good. C'mon people ya can't forget about little MILES...!!!
MILES is neutered, His upper incisors are missing, He is Up to date on all Vaccinations..Heartworm Negative and gets monthly Flea,Tick & Parasite prevention.
HE ALSO DOES "NOT" have a heart murmur and takes no medications... MILES is kind of a guy who enjoys just playing by himself.. he gets along with other dogs but he also has the largest amount of toys in his Condo Kennel and will steal a few on his way out the door.. It is not uncommon to see him throwing toys around all by himself... AH a bit of an odd duck BUT he is sweet.. He WILL run to you for love and petting and then trot off to play with HIS toys.
So, GIVE HIM A CHANCE IN A HOME.. C'MON....

11/07/2025

PEARL recovering from her surgery !!

PEARL the tiny 4 Lb. Long haired Chihuahua.. who arrived with her sister OPAL (3 Lbs.) MADE it through her surgery yesterday with flying colors!! PEARL had a huge mass on her abdomen.. We were very worried about her.. BUT, guess what was inside that BIG mass???? Her Uterus !! YEP! you read that right. One incision and no more mass and she is now spayed and can walk normal without that large thing hanging on her.. IT'S GONE!
PEARL arrived a little sleepy but ate her dinner well and was wide awake for breakfast.. Her sister OPAL was very happy to see PEARL. They are housed in the same room but are in separate Condo Kennels until PEARL heals all up. ( Tiny incision ).. PEARL also had a full dental cleaning and had 6 teeth extracted... which means she now has a total of only 9 teeth. :) .. PEARL is 11 yrs old and now she says she is MUCH younger.. LOL.. Congratulations PEARL...A big THANK YOU GREAT WORK Westview Animal Hospital Staff ..AND A big sigh of relief here at the Sanctuary and from sister OPAL.