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It is with heavy heart we update everyone on Happy’s passing. 

Happy came to NASAP in October, a loving happy go lucky dog. He walked with a limp but happily ran for toys and cuddles. He had a big smile for everyone and extra snuggles for anyone who gave him bum scratches. We knew when Happy came to us he had had a rough life. His off centred hips and odd gait told stories of years of pain and discomfort that he had to over come. We expected X-rays and pain medication and palliative care for him to enjoy his golden years and find his forever home. However, while in care he had an unfortunate accident while playing and got knocked over by his back legs. He was rushed to Guardian Emergency Vet as he could not stand and was in a severe amount of pain. The team at Guardian was amazing and loving; they took great care of Happy. They quickly gave him pain medication to make him comfortable and thoroughly assessed him. They did X-rays on his hips and legs and found the accident caused him to dislocate his right hip. This could have been an easy fix had they not found more insidious injuries. 

They also found his left hip had dislocated over 5 years ago and without proper medical care had years of thick severe scar tissue holding the joint together. This injury would require a total hip replacement after the 2 month rehab and recovered from his right hip surgery. Compounded to that, they found his right knee had been dislocated several years ago, again large amounts of scar tissue was holding the joint together. This injury they assume would break due to both rehabs and then would need a full joint replacement, again with months of rehab to re-learn how to walk. Happy must of have been in significant amounts of pain every day but he never showed it! 

We made sure he the orthopaedic surgeon and trauma surgeon assessed him for the best possible prognosis, unfortunately they all agreed with his age and significant trauma to his bones the recovery for each surgery, would be painful and lengthy. They were so worried about his pain management that night they didn’t want to wake him from full sedation to complete his X-rays. Our team had to make the heart breaking decision to let Happy pass. His quality of life was our biggest concern. Our dog team was with Happy for his final moments, reminding him he was loved and will always be remembered. He was only in foster care for a few short weeks but he had the best weeks, knowing warmth and love. We fulfilled our promise to give him the best life possible.

If you can help us make sure other animals are able to receive graceful and lifesaving medical care please donate in Happy honour. All donations are welcome and accepted, tax receipts are possible for any donation over $20. Donations can be sent via e-transfer to “etransfer.nasap@gmail.com" or through CanadaHelps  

Breed : collie cross

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Schatzie's Story I was watching Global TV one morning in November 2002 about NASAP. One day at work I checked the web-site and there was Schatzie (Olivia at the time - approx. age 6 months very pretty brown tabby 02-417C). Lyle and I drove out to Sherwood Park where Schatzie was being fostered by Les & Fay Hicks on 10 November 2002. When Schatzie was placed in my arms right away I knew we were meant to be together. Poor Schatzie was so nervous and scared. As I was talking with Les & Fay and let Schatzie go she hid behind a chair/hutch Lyle reached over and she started to purr. We could not take her home since she was being spayed the following week. Before we left I went back to her hiding behind the chair/hutch and promised she would have a "Great Life" with us. We met Les at Pet-Smart Calgary Trail on 16 November 2002 (Saturday) she went home with us. Schatzie was scared for a while but it did not take long before she would become a very confident kitty. Schatzie turned out to be a very mischievious kitty knowing she could do no wrong. We could never get upset at such a sweet kitty. When Schatzie was young she loved going outside in the summer but waited patiently at the back door to have her jingle bells put on (collar) never left her back yard and was always monitored. Schatzie would partrol her backyard and loved falling asleep in the garden and catching the odd bug. When we adopted Schatzie I always said she would be a travelling kitty. Schatzie traveled with us in the trailer for 17 years. All over Alberta, BC and twice to Whitehorse. Schatzie had adventures while camping chasing ground squirrels at Pigeon Lake oh the pictures I have! Schatzie loved Radium Hot Springs (Canyon RV Park) since we went there numerous times and had the same camp site at times. Once we were setup and would open the trailer door and it was like "oh I have been here before". When camp sites were quiet we would let her out and she would snoop around. It was so much fun watching her explore. One of our trips to Radium while exploring Schatzie got very excited I heard a sound in the bush turned out to be a bunch of garter snakes were at the next vacant camp-site it was a very warm day and they were enjoying the sun wrapped around each other. Schatzie must have heard one going through the bush. Schatzie was diagnosed Diabetic on 06 November 2014 (still traveled with us in the trailer- the first thing I always made sure was to have her supplies packed - twice daily insulin injections and routine blood testing weekly with her glucometer she was such a good kitty when I had to prick her ear). Schatzie recovered bouts of Pancreatitis, Gastritis, Recurring Bladder Infections & Blindness for last few years but still had a comfortable life with us we made sure of that. I never had a blind pet before and this experience has confirmed how adaptable pets are when they loose there eye-sight. With all her medical issues/recovery I always called her a tough old lady. I promised Schatzie a "Great Life" and she without a doubt had a "Great Life" with many adventures. Schatzie was a very unique & special kitty and without a doubt a member of the family The morning of 10 November 2022 when I picked up Schatzie to cuddle and she was very weak and I could tell she wanted help. I called the vet and Schatzie was put to sleep on my lap at home on 10 November 2022 knowing how much she was loved. As promised Schatzie had a "Great Life" with us for 20 years.

Breed : Domestic short hair cat

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We regret to inform you that we had to have our lovely Penny the Poodle (formerly Enya 06-022-D) euthanized August 10, 2021, due to liver failure, dementia, and overall old age. According to the estimates of her age at the time she came into NASAP's care, she was anywhere from 17 to 20 years old, so as the British would say (hi Mary), she had a good long innings.

Before she came into care with NASAP, she had been picked up by animal control in Vermillion, if I remember the location correctly, while giving birth to a litter of puppies in an industrial area in the middle of a snowstorm. Through no fault of her own (her hormones were in full gear from giving birth and she was trying to protect her puppies), she bit the animal control officer who was sent to collect her and her puppies. Due to her biting the officer, she was slated to be euthanized as a dangerous dog. We cannot thank enough Lena Harper, a former President of NASAP, who was the one sent to pick up the puppies and while there convinced animal control to surrender Enya to NASAP's care along with her puppies. Lena told us that once she had the puppies loaded in a carrier in the back of her car, with Enya on the back seat, as she started to drive back to Edmonton Enya jumped from the back seat into the passenger seat, laid her head on Lena's lap, and let out a big sigh, as if she knew she and her pups were finally safe.

All of her pups were adotpted out to good homes but Enya ended up coming back from a couple adoptive homes due to complaints that she was a 'difficult' dog. We ended up fostering her after one of the times she was returned and immediately fell in love with her and we adopted her ourselves. How anyone could have classed her as difficult is beyond us. She was always very gentle and affectionate and easy to work with. She got along well with all of our other dogs and our various cats, and was especially good buddies with our other NASAP foster dog Bonnie who we ended up adopting as well. They were constantly playing and wrestling with each other throughout the day, but especially in front of the fireplace in the evening after having their dinner. We are a little concerned about how Bonnie will adjust to losing Penny but she gets along very well with our cats so she will likely start some wrestling matches with them. The attached picture shows Penny and Bonnie enjoying one of their many car ride adventures.

Thanks very much to NASAP, and especially Lena and Geneieve, for saving Penny's life and for introducing her into our family.  

THIS IS WHY WE RESCUE #inlovingmemory 

Breed : unknown

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Breed : unknown

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Breed : unknown

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