 If you ever doubt that miracles exist, just look to Mira. For those who spend their energies, resources and every free moment of every day trying to right the wrongs of those who routinely discard their animals like the day’s trash - this is a glimmer of hope. It didn’t start out as anything out of the ordinary, but for one lowly little gray-muzzled dog, who seemingly came out of no where and became yet another lost dog coming into the Independence Animal Services Shelter - she allowed us all to witness miracles.
Her endearing face would later capture the hearts of people from around the nation who had come to know of her story and ultimately would, through simple kindness, change her fate. Her story is still unfolding, yet the hills and valleys of it are what are faced each and every day by those who devote their lives to rescuing the millions of unwanted cats and dogs in our country’s shelter systems. If there be any comparison to the great Greek mythological characters - it would be that of Sisyphus, who for eternity, was banished to pushing the same large rock up a hill only to have it roll down each time and have to repeat the process. And this is what rescuers face every moment of the day: saving one only to face countless others who are still in need. Our nation’s numbers tell the tale and though figures vary greatly - each year, no less than 4 million animals are killed in our nation's municipal shelters. Some estimate those numbers as exceeding 12 million as it’s virtually impossible to accurately calculate. Millions too many. Each day rescues in every town, city, and state across the United States push that rock, only to look into the faces of those who sit waiting in shelters knowing they cannot save them all.
And so for “Mira“ short for “Miracle” dubbed so in the hope which came to be embodied in her, that despite the odds stacked against her and so many like her, she would truly exemplify her name. There are some who may have questioned “Why this dog ?” The answer does not come quite that easily. We all have personal reasons as to why some just grab our souls, but the real answer surely lies in the hope she came to personify. She is one who came into the shelter system with every conceivable odd stacked against her: a black non-descript aging dog without benefit of an owner to vouch for her vaccination status and a bite on her leg that could make her at risk of having been exposed to rabies. It just doesn’t get any worse than that when you are a dog in an already over-crowded county shelter - as they all are. 
Through the days and weeks to follow, her story slowly emerged on the Internet as it made its way through the vast channels of the animal-loving community and the ever-growing cyberworld of networking for their cause. At first, she was simply one who captured some hearts due to her age and appearance. The older animals are most often overlooked with adopters favoring the cute appeal of puppies and kittens. But for many of us, the aged animals are truly at the heart of rescue.
Mira was soon recognized by those in rescue as one in such need and a local rescue agreed to save her due to the wonderful help of a group of angels who work tirelessly for the animals of Missouri. But, as her story unfolded and details began to emerge as to her potential fate due to the bites on her leg, the story now grew and began to spread as she now faced not even a chance due to the bites. The need now became great to find her owner who held the key to her fate if proof of her rabies vaccination could be found. As the day neared to her pending death if not claimed, the momentum also grew to spare her. One by one the angels came forth, tirelessly working to save her life. An ad was placed by one, in the local newspaper with the hope that perhaps someone, somewhere would recognize her, but hope was fleeting with each day that a match was not made. By the time the day in which her legal hold time was reached and her fate uncertain, the spark that was kindled by those now working, watching and waiting began to give light. One special bearer of the light brought simple, but powerful wisdom to appeal to those whose decision for Mira’s life rested. Our message was to emanate from the very place that drives us all each day for the animals: the heart. Could it be this simplistic? Love and kindness could win her life? Weariless, the faithful spread her story appealing for her life. The messages began to trickle in and then grew and grew all with the same commonality - spare her in love. Unwavering, unflappable, steadfast, unyielding every step of the way, Kim was there acting as mediator with all who had Mira’s fate in their hands. If there was any doubt left - they soon began to fade.
 The love of those who put forth effort to call, write and send their messages of simple kindness for the life of a little black dog began to move that rock up the hill once more. So too in response, the hearts of those who were faced with a decision which far-exceeded the normal standard of law, now in their hearts, were moved like that rock. The decision to spare her life came with great joy to all who had crusaded in love. That joy was soon challenged as the next obstacle came without warning, but was remedied by overwhelming generosity. The day before Mira’s pending release to Furry Kids Refuge, the legal terms for her release to quarantine stipulated that the boarding be paid in its entirety by the following day. Once again, kindness prevailed and in a span of less than 24 hours, the $3,000 rock was up that hill and the bill was paid in full by the generosity of Mira‘s many guardian angels across the nation even across the world. On Friday June 27th, Mira was released to serve the duration of her quarantine and for her rescuer who stood with her every step of the way and now taking photos of the first leg of her freedom - surely the look in Mira’s eyes whispered to her unsaid words of thanks. It is the first step to mark the beginning of Mira’s second life where she will live until that day comes when she will gain the freedom to walk on grass, feel the sun’s warmth and resume normal dog life once more. The rock, for a joyful minute, rests on top of the hill.
And while the world races around us and gas prices, foreclosures of homes and war preoccupies our minds, for just a fleeting few moments, one little black dog diverted us and offered a glimmer of hope. Let’s keep that hope going to now be extended to the many thousands of homeless animals in our shelters this very moment. May Mira’s miracle, be paid forward to give the same to the aged, infirmed and imperfect animals who now wait.
Precious thanks to the hundreds of guardian angels who worked tirelessly, hoped expectantly and gave with generosity to allow Mira to live up to her name - you know who you are.
It is part of Furry Kids' mission to help special needs animals like Mira. Furry Kids has a special fund set aside just for this purpose. If you would like to help us save other dogs and cats like Mira, please click on the "Frank's Fund" button on the left side of this page. |
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The spring and summer season bring warm weather, blue skies and lots of fun times with our families. It also brings something else...thousands and thousands of unwanted litters of kittens. This time of year is known as "kitten season" to area shelters and rescues. The local kill shelters are flooded with pregnant cats, moms with litters of kittens and tiny kittens without moms. Unfortunately, the fate of these cats and kittens is grim. Most will never leave the shelters and will be euthanized because there aren't enough homes for them all. This sad reality is a direct result of people not spaying and neutering their pets. Many of these pets are allowed to roam free, contributing to the pet overpopulation crisis. Often, people dump their pets at the shelter once they have babies because they can't care for them all or don't want to be bothered. This is no fault of the animals...but due to the irresponsible actions of people. Low-cost spay and neuter programs are available as well as resources to help catch stray cats, get them fixed, then release them back. Please visit No More Homeless Pets in Kansas City for helpful information at the following link. http://www.nmhpkc.org/ Please spay and neuter your pets!
 Furry Kids Refuge recently rescued seven litters of kittens from the Independence MO Animal Shelter. Since foster homes are scarce, four of these litters were placed into another reputable rescue where foster homes were available. Three of these litters remain with Furry Kids and are looking for homes now. Many of these kittens developed upper respiratory illness, like a cold, which is very common when in the shelter environment. Furry Kids members have spent countless hours forcefeeding them when they were too sick to eat, giving them sub Q fluids, taking them to the vet, giving meds, etc. One of these kittens, named Petunia, was brought to the shelter alone as a stray at just a few weeks of age. Furry Kids knew she didn't stand a chance at surviving there, so as soon as she was available, she was rescued and taken into foster care. One day, she didn't eat enough and her glucose dropped quickly to an extremely severe level. When her foster parent returned from work, she thought Petunia was dead, but then she gasped for air. Petunia was immediately was rushed to the animal emergency clinic as her foster mom gave rescue breaths as they drove. At the clinic, Petunia received life-saving treatment which included bloodwork, continuous IV-fluids, a tube down her throat to help her breathe, fecal and more. She survived and the next morning was her bright-eyed self. The foster parent took her to work every day to make sure she ate enough and now she is doing fine and is completely well and growing bigger each day! Petunia's bill reached $600 at the ER alone, in addition to all the other fees for the upper respiratory for the litters. Furry Kids does whatever it takes to keep our animals healthy and we are only able to do this with contributions from the public. We appreciate them so much and so do our furry kids! We would be very grateful for any donations that can be made toward Petunia's bill or any of the kittens we have in our rescue right now. You may make a tax-detuctible contribution through our PayPal account found on our website. Please make a note when donating that it is for Petunia's bill. Also, make sure to check out our wonderful cats and kittens up for adoption and waiting for a home of their own! You can view them all at the following link: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/fkr.html
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NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE FOR MIRA 
2ND ANNUAL LABOR DAY FOOD DRIVE!
In 2007, Furry Kids Refuge rescued over 600 dogs and cats! Read more about
Scotty has the softest feeling red/golden coat of fur you will ever touch. Scotty is a wonderful boy about 8 years young. He is calm but playful and gets along with most other dogs who aren't bossy. Scotty had a very rough life before we got him and was previously injured on his right rear leg. He runs and walks just fine on it and the x-rays and test showed that there is permanent damage that can't be fixed. PLEASE don't let that discourage you though because he is so caring and sweet in person and just deserves a family of his own.
Talula is a absolute people kitty------she loves to be held, cuddled and adored!! She has a short, compact build with a beautiful, sleek, soft, black coat. Talula is a real gem and would be a great addition to any loving family. She is about 3 years young and loves other cats and dogs!
