Hi to all my animal loving friends,

I am sending you a link that is a story that made it to the networks. For those of you that are not familiar with the story, it is about a dog named "Patches" who has been with us since February. He was used for dog fighting bait and then tossed in a canal on the Beeline Hwy. A motorist saw him trying to climb out and picked him up.

When he arrived at Safe Harbor he was near death and we were really torn about whatwe should do, put him to sleep or try and save his life? Patches had such an incredible will to live that we decided weowed it to him to at least try.

His bottom jaw had been ripped from his face, both front legs had been practically "torn"from his body, he had over 100 puncture woundsto his body and both feet were chewed to the point we didn't think he would ever walk again.

After several surgeries, an additional 50 lbs. and lots of love, Patches became the clinic mascot. He stayed behind the front desk because he did not like being crated. When he had to go out, we would have to pick him up and carry him out to the grass because the pavement made his feet bleed. His pads were chewed off and never grew back so he was basically walking on bone.

We contacted a man in Alaska who made boots for the sled dogs and special ordered boots for patch, but he wouldn't have any part of that. He just tore them off. Then one day something remarkable happened. Patch, on his own, stood up on the receptionist chair by placing his front paws on the seat and pushing with his hind legs. Tina, our hospital manager, called me down to see this and there he was cruising around the clinic with his chair.

Tina and I talked about working with Patches outside and seeing if he could walk himself to go potty. Sure enough, off he went down the sidewalk, pushing his chair just like a walker. After a while, Patches became somewhat of a celebrity in the Sea Grape shopping center. All the merchants would come out to cheer him on when he would go for his daily walks which led to our neighbor, the Moose Lodge raising $600 for a real walker for Patch.

As many of you know, Patches is a unique story, however we deal on a daily basis with stories like Patches, animals who are sick, injured, abused and in need of a new life, a new beginning. Safe Harbor is always there to step up to the plate and to help make that new beginning possible. Please take the time to go through the attached slide show and then pass this message along with the slide show on to ten of your animal loving friends. We want to be able to continue giving chances to animals like Patch and we are passionate about the work we are doing, but we need your continued support.

Thank You for your time and your continued support. For more information on how you can help please call 747-5311 or send your tax deductible donation to Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary & Hospital at 185 E. Indiantown Rd. Ste. 211 Jupiter Fl. 33477

http://www.wnbc.com/slideshow/4979921/detail.html?qs=;s=1;w=320