It all started when I had made a post to Instagram telling our WilsonHaus story - about my hopes and aspirations to start up our rescue this year.
If you manage any sort of social media, you know how quickly comments can get missed. Between tiktok, facebook and Instagram, unfortunately I dont see all of the comments.
But, I saw Ron's. And it struck me, so I asked him to message me.
And this is how I met Ron, and eventually his wife Robbyn. In his message to me in Instagram, he gave me the synopsis and within a couple days we scheduled a phone call to connect.
THEIR STORY:
Ron and Robbyn moved from Sacremento, CA to Trinity, TX so that Ron could follow his passion of becoming a full time pastor of a parish. He applied for a small parish in Trinity, TX and before they knew it - he was offered the position and Ron and Robbyn moved to a five and a half acre property in Trinity to start anew.
As they got settled into their new home, new routine, new life - they noticed that dogs were showing up on their newly acquired property. Neighbors and townspeople explained this area was a common dumping ground when people no longer wanted their dogs.
Robbyn even recently explained to me, "We watched Nyla get dumped out of the car - watched her get shoved out and watched her running after them. Crying for them. It was heart breaking."
Something you need to know about Robbyn is that she is an animal lover. Ron is too, of course, but Robbyn has a rescuer's heart. They took Nyla in and it wasn't long until she birthed puppies. She was pregnant when they shoved her out of that vehicle. They left her alone without food, water, shelter, love, safety - the left her to simply fend for herself and the puppies she was carrying.
Ron and Robbyn took her in...as well as all of the subsequent dogs that were dumped. There was Otis - the "neighborhood" dog that one day approached them - obviously recently in a fight where he was battered, bruised, and bleeding.
Robbyn and Ron ushered him into their family as well, nursing him back to health. There was Honey and her liter of puppies, there was Marley and Cinnamon and Bella and Baby and the list goes on. All of these dogs just left by the very people who were supposed to help them.
When Ron called me - they had 9 adults and 24 puppies. And they were doing this out of the goodness of their hearts and because they cared. BUT - it was weighing on them - in all of the ways. Financially, emotionally, mentally. They had been trying to garner support from both the community and rescues, but progress seemed stagnant.
Ron got a second job at Tractor Supply to supplement feeding the dogs. They began building fencing and turnouts for them. They were doing the best with what they had - which was grit, tenacity and a lot of heart.
To me, this is exactly what rescue is about. Helping where help is needed. Ron and Robbyn reached out to rescue after rescue trying to find assistance in their scenario. And then enter WilsonHaus and our involvement. How do I talk with these people and NOT offer help?
When I sat down to brainstorm how I want WilsonHaus to navigate through this landscape of rescue work, there are certain "pillars" or foundational blocks I always want to come back to. Community outreach and prevention are two of them.
I lovingly dubbed this group Trinity 33, as we know them now and as a new rescue with not a ton of funding generated yet, we set out to help them. Through the gift of social media and spreading awareness, we were able to raise the funding initially needed for the basics.
We raised enough for the spay, neuter, vaccinations and 6 months of heartworm prevention for all 33. We did it! PHEW. We celebrated. But this was a short lived relief.
As Ron and Robbyn were logistically planning the appointments of all 33 dogs, tragedy struck our crew.
Around Easter weekend, Ron, Robbyn and all 33 dogs moved to a new property in Hunstville, TX.
Shortly following, dogs began to rapidly fall ill. We suspected Parvo, which we all knew would be a devestating blow. A highly contagious, and statistically fatal virus - we geared up for an outbreak. We began raising funding and trying to stay ahead of what was to come.
Initially, the dogs were testing negative for Parvo, and in the duration on the first 4 to be hospitalized - we lost Barkley in clinic. We requested a necropsy be performed at A&M to definitely learn what was happening. Initially, Dr. Allen thought it could have been a strain of Corona virus.
We waited for the results and continued to provide supportive care for any dogs who were symptomatic.
The test came back positive for Parvo.
We, as a community, were also able to fund the emergent hospitalization of 7 dogs. Unfortunately in this time, we lost Shelley, Barkley, Lexi and Bitta due to this devestating virus. You can read a more detailed breakdown of the series of events on the donorbox here
I am VERY proud of the community of WilsonHaus for what we have been able to accomplish thus far for Trinity 33.
Our work is not over, yet, however.
Trinity, TX had severe storms and flooding - which put the clinic out of commission for several days.
Dr. Allen has given the all clear for the crew (they had to quarantine and be asymptommatic for 14 days) to proceed with vaccinations and spay/neutering.
This week (the week of May 12) Ron and Robbyn will be able to continue with alteration appointments as well as are working with the clinic to hopefully get a tech to come on site to help with vaccinations.
VET & HOSPITAL INVOICES & DIAGNOSTICS:
Linked PDF files of the full breakdown invoices and screenshot of positive Parvo results from Texas A&M
Parvo Hospitalization
Bella and Cinnamon
Baby and Honey
Marley
Tank, Nyla, Chonkey Sue
Bleu and Steele
Moose, Otis Junior, Bailey
Linda, Karen, Arlo
Baxter, Cleatus, and Clyde
Geronimo, Bernice and Koda
Mouch
Thumbalina, Fawn and Trixie
SUPPLIES RECEIPTS:
At the beginning of June, a 1300 Tractor Supply gift card was sent to Ron so he can use his discount. We will uplaod receipts as they purchase food and supplies for the dogs throughout the month
JUNE 29, a 1300 Tractor Supply gift card was sent to Ron for July so he can use his discount. This is for July food and supplies.
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
I will work on uploading all Tractor Supply Receipts for July, August and September after our move. I have sent a 1,300 TSC gift card at the beginning of every month to assist to stipend food.
We will continue to provide the stipend through October
LITTER OF TWELVE:
BORN MAY 15
My somber update for this litter is that all have passed. Please keep in mind that I am in Wisconsin and this group of dogs is in Texas, so my information is somewhat limited to vet records and reports of care. For this incident, I have no vet records to refer to.
What I know:
It is my responsibility to provide transparency, even when it is news like this. I do my best to be diplomatic and factual.
I know that I have always been clear that WilsonHaus is available as a resource for this group of dogs. I have also done my due diligence with follow up - reaching out to three veterinarians for more information.
What I believe
Nothing happened with malice or bad intent
People do the best they can at the time they need to make deciisons and hindsight is always 20/20
From what has been reported to me, all twelve puppies had severe gastrointestinal distress and symptoms consistent with a viral infection.
I learned about this on Thursday, July 25 when I asked about their vaccination appointment that was to happen on Tuesday, July 23rd. I did not receive a charge or invoice so reached out to the family to see if they were taken in. I was then informed the puppies had tragically passed on Saturday/Sunday. I asked many follow up questions to both the family and three different veterinarians. I believe it is my responsibility to the dogs, the public/donors, the family, and the rescue community to be informed and well versed.
I spent an entire afternoon searching for answers, even calling Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. and speaking to their veterinarian, Dr. Weldon.
I unfortunately only have the pieces of the puzzle that I have gathered and have no necrospy or any vet records. By the time I was made aware they passed, they had already been buried. Ideally, I would have liked the opportunity to try to save them. And the ones that couldn't be saved, at least have diagnostics done to show what happened.
I don't have that but 100% would have pushed for it had I known.
I believe hindsight is 20/20 and the family wishes they would have reached out at the time the puppies were ill. They initially believed it was a side effect from dewormer and then symptoms progressed rapidly.
I am regrettably, as the reporter of this, not sure what else to say other than I wish things had happened differently. I know that family does too and has expressed great regrets and what they wish they would have done differently.
In terms of the funding raised for the 12 puppies - we raised 3,907 on instagram and 1,181 via donorbox for their eventual alteration and vetting. That is a total of 5,088.
I am more than understanding and willing to refund anyone who donated specifically for their care. I am also happy to answer questions to the best of my ability to provide transparency, with what I can offer.
Whatever is not requested for refund of the 5,088 will be dedicated to the spay/neuter prevention program donation. The money was intended to help dogs at risk not have even more of a struggle by providing them with vetting. The way I see honoring thses little sweet souls is passing the funding on to help other dogs who need alteration.
If you donated towards this litter and have questions or want a refund, please email me at Morgan@WilsonHausRescue.org
Again, transparency of care is vitally important to me and I do all I can to uphold my promise.
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