Work in progress
Introducing the dogs we’ve rescued, but are not yet adoptable. Stay tuned as we continue to assess and address their needs. If you’re interested in learning more about any one of our dogs, please reach out: info@k9kismet.org.
Ellie
Ellie’s rescue journey began @longbeachanimalervet, an emergency hospital here in Long Beach, CA. The good Samaritans that found her believed she had been hit by a car and brought her in for treatment. Ellie had a severe wound to the side of her face. X-rays revealed the unthinkable: Ellie had been shot in the head. The bullet entered near her eye and traveled downward, lodging in her sinus cavity. Ellie was stable but her injury was serious and would require surgical intervention with a specialist. As an injured stray, Ellie became a ward of Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS). Wanting to give her every chance possible, Ellie’s guardians @lbanimalcare sent her to @vcawestcoast to be evaluated. The specialist determined they would need to remove her eye and do a rhinoplasty to remove the bullet from her sinus cavity. They expected her to make a full recovery, but she would need strictly monitored crate rest for several weeks following the surgery. The team at LBACS signed on to provide Ellie the treatment she desperately needed but would need help with her aftercare. That’s when we got a call. Thanks to a foster stepping forward, we were able to help LBACS save Ellie’s life. Follow her on IG @k9kismet: #K9KismetEllie
MOcha
In May 2023, Mocha, her littermates, their mom, and two adult male dogs were surrendered to Long Beach Animal Care Services. When tests confirmed the family had parvo, the shelter sent them offsite for life-saving treatment. Once cleared, the surviving dogs went to rescue partners and foster care through the shelter. When our good friends at Zoom Room Long Beach heard LBACS desperately needed fosters to help these pups, they stepped up. Mocha spent the next several months healing and gaining strength in their care. Then in August 2023, Mocha was adopted from the shelter at an offsite event. Sadly, that adoption was short-lived and Mocha found herself back in the shelter’s care in March 2024.
Upon her return, Mocha was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection, conjunctivitis, mild entropion, and allergic dermatitis. The shelter also noted a small growth protruding from her vulva. Mocha, who had fought so hard to survive and thrive as a pup, was again in need of care. Thankfully, the amazing family who saw her through her first recovery offered to see her through another. We say it often because it’s true: Fosters save lives.
When Mocha’s URI cleared and her skin started to improve, she was sent to an offsite vet partner for what was expected to be a simple spay procedure with a vulvar mass removal. As it turned out, that procedure was anything but routine: “Diagnosis: Hermaphrodite.” Mocha had both ovaries & testes. Exploratory imaging confirmed there is a bony structure in the mass that is protruding from her vulva. Hermaphroditism is very rare. An intersex bully breed even more so.
Mocha will need surgery to correct entropion in both eyes and a specialist to help navigate the rest, one complicated step at a time. Please consider making a donation to help us get Mocha healthy and ready to be adopted by people who will love her now and forever.
Follow her on IG @k9kismet: #K9KismetMocha
Ace
Ace, along with his littermate Lyla, came to us by way of OC Animal Care Shelter. They arrived at their doorstep at eight weeks old as “strays,” both very sweet and friendly. They were deemed “rescue only” because Ace has a physical disability and Lyla was underweight and underdeveloped.
It was reported by the shelter medical staff that Ace had a congenital defect and most likely would need surgery to correct it. They initially and incorrectly diagnosed him with a condition commonly known as “swimmer’s hindlimbs,” which makes walking difficult at best. We would come to learn that it was something altogether different.
Finding a foster for Lyla proved easier than for Ace, but we lucked out: A former adopter and dedicated foster stepped forward. Because of her generosity in agreeing to care for a pup with special needs, we were able to take Ace into rescue and schedule him for an MRI after he grew large enough for imaging to be effective. It was then that we would learn Ace was suffering from spina bifida. This condition is rare in breeds his size and is further complicated by his fecal and urinary incontinence. We’re uncertain what his future looks like, but we’re going to give him the best we can, day by day. We’re amazed all the time by his foster who truly excels at his care.