Picasso Veterinary Fund Recipients Are Home for the Holidays

from Out of the Cage! (November/December 2005)

Chase, a young Miniature Pinscher, arrived at a NYC Animal Care & Control (AC&C) shelter earlier this year with a serious skin condition that rendered him unsuitable for adoption. Recognizing the gem that lay beneath his disturbing appearance, however, the Mayor's Alliance agreed to pay for Chase's treatment from its Picasso Veterinary Fund.

Following his initial treatment, the Alliance transported Chase to a foster home in Rochester, where Deanna Dalton of Cherrydale Pinschers, a rescue group in central New York State, spoiled him back to good health. Thanks to Deanna's excellent care and efforts by Karen Rogers of Internet Miniature Pinscher Service, an Alliance Participating Organization (APO), Chase found the perfect adopter, and is happily sharing his first Christmas with her in their home in Canada.

Gracie, a young English Bulldog, was pulled from the Brooklyn AC&C shelter and taken to Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists, where doctors diagnosed her with lacerated corneas in both eyes that threatened to rob her of her sight. But the hospital's eye specialist wasn't available to perform the necessary surgery right away, so the Mayor's Alliance arranged for Gracie to be transferred immediately to the New York Animal Medical Center (AMC), where a specialist was available to perform emergency surgery.

Jane Kleinsinger of Waggin Train Rescue, an Alliance Participating Organization (APO), who transported Gracie to the AMC, recalls, "When I arrived to pick her up, little Gracie was very quiet, very depressed, and very uncomfortable. I got her to the AMC, where they performed emergency surgery on both eyes."

Thanks to the speedy treatment, Gracie has retained most of her sight. Following the surgery, Jane fostered Gracie for several days in Vermont, allowing her to recover from the traumatic experience. While there, "everyone who met her fell in love with her," says Jane. "She bounced back from her depression and her sight began to return — with many medications and a lot of love and nurturing."

As Gracie recovered, Jane Kleinsinger and APO Long Island Bulldog Rescue's Laurette Richin considered several potential adopters. "One adopter stood out," says Jane. "She had seen Gracie's photo on the AC&C website and traced her to Jane Hoffman, president of the Mayor's Alliance, who put her in touch with me." A meeting was arranged at Jane Kleinsinger's home, where Gracie met her new "mom" — Amy Brown, the Director of Institutional Support for the American Ballet Theater.

Today, Gracie is sharing the holidays with her new family. According to Amy, she is doing well. "She's been back to the AMC for two check-ups and we were told that she will probably have sight in both eyes. She quickly won over everyone at American Ballet Theatre — dancers stop by between rehearsals to meet her and play.

"We feel blessed to have Gracie with us," Amy continues. "She's completed our family and made our home even more fun! My husband and I decided that she's our Christmas present to each other — no other gifts are necessary."

Gracie, and Chase the Min Pin, each got a second chance at a happy home and a good life, thanks to the caring efforts of rescuers, veterinarians, adopters, and the Picasso Veterinary Fund. If you want to help create more happy endings in the coming year, please consider donating to the Picasso Veterinary Fund. For more information about the fund and to make a convenient online donation, click here.