Today is Giving Tuesday, and, as promised, I am visiting your inbox to share the story of Cassie, whose remarkable transformation was made possible by our dedicated volunteers and by supporters like you who allow us to take a leap of faith when a very sick dog needs us.

If you saw Cassie today, you probably wouldn’t guess by her wiggly, joyful nature that just a month ago, she was critically ill and running out of hope and time at a Sacramento shelter.  Cassie was emaciated, and extensive bloodwork conducted by the shelter showed that her kidneys were struggling.

Our medical coordinator, a Registered Veterinary Technician, is one of our busiest volunteers, but she knew when she saw Cassie’s labs that she needed immediate and aggressive treatment to save her kidneys.  So, she did what she had to do.  She rushed to the shelter, picked up Cassie, and brought her to the veterinary clinic where she worked.

Financial supporters like you allowed us to keep Cassie hospitalized for several days.  The aggressive treatment was successful; Cassie turned the corner!  Today, her kidneys function well, and in just three weeks she has gained 15 pounds!  Best of all, where not long ago Cassie was running out of time, now she is running with joy.

Dear NorCal Boxer Rescue Family,

People often wonder how those of us intensely involved in rescue maintain our faith in humanity.  While the dogs we serve often bear evidence of human neglect and cruelty, just as often, my faith in people is restored by the volunteers and other supporters who give so generously of their hearts, time, and material resources.

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, so today and tomorrow I want to share with you two stories that demonstrate not only the passion that I so often witness, but also the incredible transformations that occur when people like you make a lifesaving gift.

Monumental efforts saved diminutive Delia’s life.

We first learned of Delia 15 minutes before the shelter where she was housed was scheduled to close for the night. Delia was suffering from Parvo, a deadly viral infection that no shelter is equipped to treat.  Shelter staff knew that Delia needed rescue, and fast.  With the clock ticking, shelter staff facilitated a series of phone calls that allowed us to connect with personnel who was able to authorize sending Delia home with a technician to receive overnight treatment . . . and buy time so we could rescue her the following morning.

The next morning, we were still working on figuring out Delia’s transport to a vet when an off-duty animal control officer volunteered to to make the nearly 170-mile roundtrip journey to deliver Delia to our vet.

Delia’s rescue required fast action, coordination between multiple shelter staff and NCBR volunteers, hours of driving, and aggressive veterinary treatment.

Today, thanks to the village of people who cared for her, Delia is thriving and has a wonderful life ahead of her.

This Giving Tuesday, you have the opportunity to help more dogs like Delia and Cassie – whose story you will read tomorrow! – receive access to the lifesaving care they need.

Donor Spotlight: Doreen Murotsune

For many of us who give our hearts, time, or dollars to rescue, we are first inspired by the love of a single special dog. That was the case for Doreen Murotsune, whose life was touched by a beautiful NCBR alumna named Hana. Hana belonged to friends of Doreen, but Doreen and her boxer, Benjamin, fell in love with her. Benjamin and Hana were best friends, and Benjamin was always on the lookout for Hana and ready to protect her from any yappy Chihuahua who tried to intimidate her.

When Hana passed away, Doreen began giving to NCBR because she was grateful for the time she had spent with Hana and because she knew Hana could easily have lost her life years sooner without NCBR’s intervention.

Doreen continues to be moved – sometimes to tears – by each dog’s story. In addition to being an active Strut Your Mutt teammate for each of the past 5 years, Doreen browses the boxers in our care and sponsors many dogs whose stories warm her heart. Doreen is deeply invested in NCBR’s mission of providing personal, attentive care to its dogs. She not only sponsors dogs with single or repeat financial gifts, but also inquires about dogs with prescription diet needs and then purchases those diets on an autoship schedule, having the food mailed directly to foster homes. Doreen keeps our dogs’ bellies full, and our hearts full!

We so appreciate Doreen’s dedication to each dog. Thank you, Doreen, for caring so much about dogs like those you’ve loved!

Planned Giving

Growing Old with You

Grey Muzzle Thank You!

We are so honored to be a Grey Muzzle Organization grantee again this year! Thanks to Grey Muzzle’s support, the next 10 senior boxers who are adopted will come with up to $1000 of post-adoption support, which will be reimbursed to adopters for any veterinary need that arises within the first year of adoption.  We know that many of you have a soft spot for frosted faces, but that the cost of caring for a senior boxer has given you pause when it comes to adopting one.  We hope that this support will give you the security you need to give your heart away to a beautiful older soul.   Thank you, Grey Muzzle, for trusting in us and for supporting our efforts!  We are grateful for your partnership!