The Animal Pad
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Crow
Born Blind, Crow Is Now Facing Seizures
La Mesa, CA • The Animal Pad
At just 2.5 years old, Crow has been navigating the world a little differently his entire life. This sweet Standard Poodle was born blind and came to The Animal Pad from a breeder who was unable to sell him or his sister because they were both born without their sight. Despite being blind, Crow is an incredibly cuddly, sweet and loving dog. He does great with other dogs and kids and loves being close to the people around him. Some of his favorite things are playing with squeaky toys, wrestling with other dogs, cuddling and, of course, eating. Since coming into the care of The Animal Pad, Crow has been working on the skills that will help him navigate life with more confidence. He is learning bathroom, crate and leash training and is even working with a blind dog specialist to help him make the most of his other senses. Crow’s blindness was evaluated by a neurologist and determined to be congenital, meaning it is a condition he was born with. More recently, however, Crow has developed another concerning medical issue. Crow has unfortunately begun suffering from seizures. He was prescribed anti-seizure medication to help manage them, but has since experienced behavioral changes following the medication. His medical needs now require continued attention as his care team works to manage his seizures and determine the best path forward for him. Being blind has never stopped Crow from enjoying his life, playing with other dogs or soaking up affection from the people around him. Now he needs help as he faces this new medical challenge. The Animal Pad is committed to giving Crow the specialized care and support he needs. Between his neurological needs, seizure management, medication and the additional support that comes with caring for a blind dog, Crow’s journey requires resources beyond routine veterinary care. Please consider donating to Crow’s fundraiser to help support his ongoing medical care. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps The Animal Pad continue providing Crow with the veterinary care, specialized support and attention he needs while he works through his seizures and adjusts to the world around him without his sight.
Dexter
Dexter Can’t Bend His Back Legs, But Nothing Stops Him
La Mesa, CA • The Animal Pad
At just 2.5 years old, Dexter has already experienced more uncertainty than any dog should. This affectionate Belgian Malinois mix once had a home and someone who loved him, but after his owner passed away, everything changed. Dexter had been living with an older woman in the Los Angeles area along with three other dogs. Following her passing, the dogs needed somewhere new to go. The other three found places with residents in the community, but no one was willing to take Dexter. He was eventually put out on the streets, where he spent approximately two days with people experiencing homelessness. Thankfully, a friend of The Animal Pad learned what had happened and reached out to the rescue for help. The Animal Pad stepped in and took Dexter into their care, ensuring he would no longer have to face his uncertain future alone. Dexter is a special needs dog with a significant condition affecting both of his rear legs. His back legs are immobile and cannot bend, and it is currently unclear whether he was born this way or suffered an injury earlier in his life. But Dexter refuses to let his legs define him. Despite his condition, Dexter is remarkably mobile. He walks upright without assistance, enjoys going on outdoor walks, and is not incontinent. He loves playing with toys and will happily join in a game of fetch or tug of war. He’s treat motivated, affectionate, cuddly, and from the way he seeks out love, it’s easy to imagine that he spent plenty of time as a lap dog with his former owner. After losing the person and home he knew, Dexter deserves stability and the chance to receive the care and support he needs for his unusual hind leg condition. The Animal Pad is committed to being there for Dexter, but caring for a special needs dog comes with additional veterinary needs and expenses. Your donation to Dexter’s fundraiser will help support the veterinary evaluation and care he needs while giving The Animal Pad the resources to continue helping dogs like him. Dexter has already lost his owner, his home, and nearly his chance at safety. Now he has The Animal Pad in his corner, and with your help, he can continue moving toward the secure and loving future he deserves. Please consider donating to Dexter’s fundraiser today. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps The Animal Pad provide Dexter with the care and support he needs as they work to give this incredibly affectionate pup the next chapter he’s been waiting for.
Capri
Help Save Capri's Only Kidney
La Mesa, CA • The Animal Pad
Capri has been part of The Animal Pad family since she was a tiny puppy, when we found her with her mom and siblings abandoned in a house that was cautioned off as a crime scene (true story). Now 3 years old, she’s one of our beloved Forever Foster dogs, which means she’ll spend the rest of her life safe and loved with her incredible foster mom, Laura, while The Animal Pad remains responsible for all of her medical care. Capri was born special. She has only one kidney, so any change in her appetite is something we take very seriously. When she stopped eating for several days, we rushed her to the veterinarian. Bloodwork revealed her kidney values were five times higher than normal, a frightening indication that her only kidney was under significant stress. Capri spent yesterday receiving IV fluids and was started on medication to treat a urinary tract infection, which we hope is the underlying cause of her kidney flare-up. Today, she’s back at the hospital for another full day of IV fluids to give her kidney every chance to recover. This morning finally brought a glimmer of hope- after days of refusing food, Capri is eating again. While we’re incredibly encouraged, she isn’t out of the woods yet, and we’ll continue monitoring her closely over the coming days. Dogs like Capri remind us why our Forever Foster program exists. Some animals have lifelong medical needs that make adoption difficult, but they still deserve a lifetime of love, comfort, and exceptional care. Thanks to supporters like you, we can keep that promise. 7/25/26 Update It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share an update on our sweet Capri. Despite the tireless efforts of her veterinary team, consultations with specialists, and everyone who loved her so deeply, Capri passed away peacefully on Tuesday. As many of you know, Capri was born with only one kidney, and when that kidney began to fail, we did everything we could to give her a chance. She received intensive veterinary care, medications, IV fluids, and evaluations from specialists. Sadly, despite every effort, she wasn't getting better. Together, her specialists and her devoted foster mom, Laura, made the heartbreaking decision to let her go peacefully before she had to suffer any longer. Laura made Capri a promise long ago: when the day came that she couldn't fight anymore, she would choose peace over prolonging her pain. Keeping that promise was one final act of unconditional love. Capri spent the last three years exactly where she belonged, surrounded by love as one of The Animal Pad's cherished Forever Foster dogs. Considering the congenital abnormalities she was born with, those three years were an incredible gift. She knew the comfort of a warm bed, the security of a family, and the unwavering love of a foster mom who adored her. While our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing Capri never had to wonder if she was loved. She absolutely was. To everyone who donated, shared her story, and kept Capri in your thoughts, thank you. Your kindness helped provide her with exceptional medical care throughout her life and ensured that, when the time came, every possible option had been explored. Please keep Laura and everyone at The Animal Pad in your thoughts as they grieve the loss of a very special girl. Capri's paw prints will remain on our hearts forever.
Ollie
Ollie's Medical Mystery Can't Wait
La Mesa, CA • The Animal Pad
Tomorrow marks one year since Ollie arrived at The Animal Pad from the ESLR hoarding case- a heartbreaking situation where a fake rescue in Ensenada, MX posed as an organization helping dogs while hoarding animals and pocketing donations instead of providing care. After everything he’s survived, we never imagined he’d be fighting another battle so soon. In the middle of the night, Ollie suddenly began vomiting and became extremely lethargic. We rushed him to the emergency hospital, where initial bloodwork revealed dangerously low platelets. While we monitored him closely, his condition worsened the following day when he began urinating blood, prompting immediate hospitalization. For the past three days, Ollie has undergone extensive diagnostics, including an ultrasound, specialized bloodwork, and continuous supportive care. His kidneys are now showing signs of distress, and the ultrasound revealed gastritis, a thickened bladder, and a small mass on his liver. At this time, the liver mass is not believed to be the primary concern, but we are still searching for answers. This morning finally brought a bit of hope. Ollie is eating again, his vomiting has stopped, and he’s wagging his tail despite everything he’s been through. He was severely dehydrated and drinking excessive amounts of water, but we’re hopeful he’ll be well enough to return home today while we await the results of advanced testing to determine what’s causing these serious symptoms. Ollie has overcome unimaginable hardship once before, and now he needs our community to help him through this next chapter. His medical bills continue to grow with every test, specialist, and day of hospitalization. 7/24/26 Update We have a hopeful update on Ollie! After a very scary medical emergency and hospitalization, Ollie is doing much better. His veterinary team believes this was an acute episode, and we're relieved to share that his blood work has returned to normal. He's feeling more like himself again, his energy has improved, and everyone caring for him is encouraged by the progress he's made. While this is wonderful news, Ollie isn't out of the woods just yet. His recovery is still ongoing, and his veterinary team will continue to monitor him closely to make sure his condition remains stable. After everything he's been through, we're taking things one day at a time and staying hopeful that this improvement continues. Although Ollie is back home and feeling better, the cost of the emergency care that helped save his life remains. Those veterinary bills don't disappear just because he's improving, and we're still working to cover the cost of his hospitalization, diagnostics, and treatment. If you're able, please consider making a donation to help with Ollie's medical expenses. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps ensure rescues like ours can continue saying "yes" when animals like Ollie need lifesaving care. Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared his story, and kept Ollie in your thoughts. Your support has made this progress possible, and we'll continue to share updates as he recovers. 8/12/26 Update We have another encouraging update on Ollie! Ollie is back home with his foster and continuing to recover after his frightening medical emergency. His kidney values have improved substantially, although they haven’t completely returned to where his veterinary team would like them to be just yet. In the coming weeks, Ollie will see an internal medicine specialist and have additional testing, including a repeat CBC and tick PCR. His veterinary team believes his illness may have been caused by a possible Ehrlichia flare up, and these next tests will hopefully provide more answers. The follow up testing will also help determine whether the changes in Ollie’s kidney values were temporary or if there is an underlying kidney issue that will require continued care. For now, we’re so grateful that Ollie is home and doing better. The Animal Pad will continue to make sure he receives the specialized care and follow up he needs, and we’ll share another update once we know more from his upcoming visit. Thank you to everyone who has donated and supported Ollie throughout his recovery so far. Your generosity is helping make every step of his care possible.
Calla Lilly
From Pain to Hope: Calla Lily’s Journey
La Mesa, CA • The Animal Pad
This sweet girl was found in Mexico after being hit by a car and left without medical care for who knows how long. Somehow, despite the unimaginable pain she endured, Calla Lily never lost her spirit. She greets everyone with a wagging tail, leans in for love, and refuses to give up. When The Animal Pad rescued her, we discovered she had already lost one of her legs, making her a tripod — but the injury had never been properly treated. Part of her hip bone remained exposed, leaving her vulnerable to constant pain, infection, and further suffering. And yet, she kept moving forward. Thanks to emergency veterinary care, Calla Lily has now undergone surgery to address the exposed bone and finally begin the healing process she deserved all along. She is currently recovering safely in a loving foster home, where for the first time, she can rest without fear. But her journey isn’t over. Her emergency surgery, diagnostics, medications, follow-up care, and recovery expenses are significant, and we need your help to continue giving Calla Lily the future she deserves — one filled with comfort, safety, and love instead of pain. Dogs like Calla Lily remind us why rescue matters. Despite everything humans failed to give her, she still trusts, still loves, and still wags her tail. Please consider donating to help us cover Calla Lily’s medical care and recovery. Every dollar helps give this resilient girl a second chance at life. Because after everything she’s endured, she deserves the chance to finally heal. 🩷 5/19/26 Update We are so happy to share an incredible update on Calla Lily! Just a few weeks after surgery, this resilient girl is absolutely thriving. After everything she endured, being hit by a car, left without medical care, and living with an exposed bone that caused unimaginable pain, seeing Calla Lily happy, energetic, and full of life feels nothing short of amazing. Her foster family says you would never guess she just underwent major surgery. She’s constantly on the move, loves going on walks, sleeps cuddled up with her beloved stuffies, and makes it her personal mission to give nose kisses to everyone in the house. One of her favorite things? Licking yogurt tubs completely clean. Despite all the suffering she was put through before rescue, Calla Lily continues to love with her whole heart. Her joy, resilience, and affection have been such a beautiful reminder of why rescue matters so deeply. She is recovering wonderfully in foster care and finally getting to experience what safety, comfort, and love feel like. Watching her personality shine brighter every day has been incredibly emotional for everyone involved in her journey. While she still has follow up care and recovery ahead of her, we are beyond grateful for how far she has already come. None of this would have been possible without the support of people who believed she deserved a second chance. Thank you for helping us give Calla Lily the life she always deserved. One filled with love, soft beds, walks, stuffies, yogurt snacks, and endless nose kisses. 5/29/26 Update Calla Lily continues to remind us every day just how resilient and special she is. Her foster family recently took her to the beach for the very first time, and she absolutely loved it. Watching this sweet girl explore the sand, take in new sights and smells, and enjoy such a simple adventure was incredibly heartwarming. Moments like these are exactly why we fight so hard for dogs like Calla Lily. She's also been hard at work learning new things. Her foster family has been teaching her "sit" and "paw," and they say she's getting better with each day. Despite everything she endured before rescue, Calla Lily is eager to learn, eager to please, and soaking up all the love and attention she's receiving. Perhaps the biggest update of all is how comfortable she's become in her foster home. Her foster family says she has turned into their favorite snuggle buddy, always happy to curl up close and enjoy some affection. Seeing her feel safe enough to relax, trust, and bond so deeply with the people around her has been incredibly rewarding. It's hard to believe this is the same dog who was found suffering after being hit by a car and left without proper medical care. The pain, fear, and uncertainty she once faced are slowly being replaced by beach days, training sessions, cozy naps, and the love every dog deserves. While Calla Lily still has ongoing medical expenses and follow up care related to her recovery, she continues to make wonderful progress thanks to the support of this community. Every donation, share, and kind word has helps make these happy moments possible. Thank you for joining Calla Lily's journey. Watching her heal, learn, and experience life's simple joys for the first time is been nothing short of incredible, and we can't wait to share more updates as this amazing girl continues her recovery. 6/23/26 Update Calla Lily continues to amaze us with her resilience, sweetness, and unstoppable spirit. Since our last update, this special girl got to experience another beautiful first: her foster took her on her very first vacation to Las Vegas! After everything Calla Lily endured before rescue, seeing her safely enjoy new places, new experiences, and life as a loved dog has been incredibly emotional. These are the moments we dreamed of for her when she first came into our care in such painful condition. Calla Lily has also been busy showing off just how wonderful she is. She has attended our last three adoption events, and to absolutely no one’s surprise, she was a huge hit. Everyone who meets her is quickly won over by her sweet personality, happy spirit, and the way she continues to trust and love despite everything she has been through. But even with all this progress, Calla Lily’s journey is not over. She is still recovering, still adapting to life as a tripod, and still receiving the follow-up care she needs after her emergency surgery. Her healing has been beautiful to witness, but recovery takes time, consistency, and continued medical support. There are still ongoing expenses for her veterinary care, monitoring, medications, and everything needed to keep her comfortable as she continues to heal. Calla Lily has come so far from the injured dog who was found in Mexico after being hit by a car and left without proper care. Today, she is experiencing vacations, adoption events, snuggles, love, and safety, but she still needs our community behind her as she continues this next chapter. Your donations help make every step of her recovery possible. They help cover the care that got her here and the ongoing support she still needs as she heals, adjusts, and waits for the forever home she so deeply deserves. 7/9/26 Update We have the happiest update to share... Calla Lily has officially been adopted! Now renamed Clover, this sweet girl has found the loving forever home she always deserved after everything she endured. She has joined two furry siblings, and it sounds like she has settled in beautifully. Her new family says Clover loves playing, chewing on her toys, and chasing her siblings around the house. They recently bought her a Casper dog bed, but apparently she'd much rather be curled up on the couch with her family. We can't say we blame her! Watching Clover go from a dog who was found in Mexico after being hit by a car and left to suffer without medical care to a beloved family member has been nothing short of incredible. Every milestone in her journey has been possible because compassionate supporters believed she deserved a second chance. While we are overjoyed that Clover's story has such a happy ending, we're still working to cover the costs of the emergency care that made this future possible. Her surgery, diagnostics, medications, follow-up appointments, and recovery required significant veterinary care, and those expenses don't disappear once a pet is adopted. If you're able, please consider making a donation to help us cover Clover's medical expenses. Your support not only helps us finish paying for the care she received, but also allows us to say "yes" to the next animal who needs lifesaving treatment.
Max
Max Was Almost Euthanized - Help Us Heal Him
La Mesa, CA • The Animal Pad
Max’s family made the heartbreaking decision to schedule an in-home euthanasia appointment after watching him suffer for so long with painful skin and ear issues they could no longer manage. But when the veterinarian arrived, she felt in her heart that euthanasia wasn’t the right answer. Beneath the inflamed skin, infected ears, and discomfort was a dog who still had life left in him — and a condition that appeared treatable with proper medical care. She immediately reached out to The Animal Pad asking if we could step in and give Max a chance. His owners lovingly agreed to surrender him to us so he could receive the medical support he desperately needed. Since coming into our care, Max has already begun treatment for a severe skin infection and painful chronic ear disease. His road to recovery includes medications, medicated mousse treatments, frequent medicated baths, Cytopoint injections, ear medications, and a specialized prescription diet to help calm his skin and start healing his body from the inside out. Despite everything he’s been through, Max is gentle, sweet, and so deserving of comfort and care. We truly believe this boy still has plenty of love and life ahead of him — he just needed someone willing to fight for him. Your support will help cover Max’s ongoing veterinary care, medications, diagnostics, and recovery needs as we work to get him healthy, comfortable, and eventually into a loving forever home. 5/19/26 Update We wanted to share a hopeful update on sweet Max. When Max first came into our care, his skin was painfully inflamed, his ears were severely infected, and his future felt uncertain. But even in the middle of all that discomfort, we knew there was a dog worth fighting for, and we are so grateful we gave him that chance. While we are still waiting on the results of Max’s skin testing so his veterinary team can create a full long-term treatment plan, the improvement we’ve already seen in just one week has been incredible. With consistent medicated baths, medicated mousse treatments, and dedicated care, Max is already starting to heal. The difference is truly amazing! He has grown back a significant amount of hair, his skin is looking healthier, and he finally seems to be getting some much-needed relief and comfort. Seeing Max begin to look and feel more like himself again has been so emotional for everyone involved in his care. After suffering for so long, he’s finally getting the medical attention he desperately needed and deserved. Max still has a road ahead of him, and ongoing treatment and diagnostics will continue as we wait for answers and work toward fully healing his skin and ears. But this progress is such an encouraging sign that brighter days are ahead for this sweet boy. Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared his story, and supported Max on his journey so far. Your kindness is already changing his life in a huge way. 5/29/26 Update We are so happy to share another encouraging update on sweet Max! When Max first entered our care, he was suffering from severe skin disease, painful ear infections, and discomfort that had become overwhelming. Today, while his healing journey is still ongoing, the progress he has made has been nothing short of incredible. Max's skin is still a work in progress, but it is looking significantly better thanks to his medicated baths, medications, specialized care, and the dedication of everyone involved in his recovery. Seeing his skin improve week by week has been incredibly rewarding after all the discomfort he endured for so long. While we are still waiting for the final results of Max's skin testing, we expect to have more answers very soon. Those results will help his veterinary team better understand the root cause of his skin issues and create the most effective long term treatment plan moving forward. Although there is still work ahead, every day brings more progress and more hope. Max is finally receiving the medical care he needed all along, and it is wonderful to see him feeling better and becoming more comfortable in his own skin. His recovery remains an ongoing process, and continued veterinary appointments, diagnostics, medications, and treatment will be essential as we work toward giving Max lasting relief. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated, shared his story, and supported his journey so far. Your generosity is helping give this deserving boy the second chance he almost never received. 6/23/26 Update We wanted to share another update on sweet Max and his ongoing recovery journey. As part of Max's continued veterinary care, his team recently evaluated a mass that had been monitored and causing some concern. We are relieved to report that the cytology results came back as a lipoma, which is a benign fatty mass. After careful discussion, Max's veterinary team decided that surgical removal is not the best option at this time. While the lipoma is growing slowly, removing it would require a very extensive surgery. Given Max's age and the risks associated with such a major procedure, the team feels that monitoring the mass closely is the safest and most compassionate path forward. While this is certainly encouraging news, Max is not out of the woods yet. He continues to require ongoing medical care for the chronic skin and ear conditions that brought him to us in the first place. His recovery has come a long way, but he still needs regular veterinary monitoring, medications, specialized treatments, and continued management to keep him comfortable and healthy. Caring for a senior dog with complex medical needs is an ongoing commitment, and Max's journey is far from over. We are incredibly grateful that this latest test brought reassuring results, but the costs of Max's care continue to add up as we work to give him the quality of life he deserves. Your donations have already helped transform Max's life from a dog whose family had scheduled euthanasia because they could no longer manage his medical needs, to a dog who is finally receiving the treatment, comfort, and second chance he deserves. But he still needs us, and he still needs you. Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared his story, and supported his recovery so far. Every contribution helps provide the ongoing veterinary care, medications, diagnostics, and specialized treatment Max needs as he continues healing. We can't do this without you.