Tax Info

blogdog1Today is Tax Day!

What does Tax Day have to do with Animal Rescue? More than you’d think!

We’d like to take today to remind everyone that donating to TBAR, fostering a TBAR animal, or volunteering makes you eligible for tax deductions!

There are certain things to consider, and you’re best choice would be consulting your tax professional for advice, but in general if you itemize your taxes you can use your donations and fostering or volunteering expenses to decrease taxable income and lower your tax bill. Be sure that you are keeping records of giving, in-kind donation forms, and receipts.

In addition, some counties may allow for an agriculture exemption for equine foster animals (this includes Washington County and Grimes County).

If you are an animal foster parent for TBAR you should keep records of any expenses you incur such as food, crates, or cleaning products. TBAR pays all medical and veterinary bills, but if you choose to pay them you can deduct them. You can also deduct a portion of utilities if the foster animal has a portion of your home dedicated to it. You will need to obtain a note that confirms you are a TBAR foster home if your expenses go over $250.

If you are interested in fostering, an animal, or donating goods or services you can contact us as [email protected] and please remember that PayPal donations are always needed!

True Blue Animal Rescue has been determined a 501(c)(3) non profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service. All donations are tax deductible. You can view us on Guidestar and search our EIN (75-3144975) on the IRS website.

Chance’s Rescue

*Warning* Post contains photos and descriptions of a graphic nature that may be disturbing to some (especially younger) viewers and readers*

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On April fourth, in Caldwell, Texas, an injured dog wandered up to the Komar family’s property. On close inspection they saw the dog was seriously injured by a gunshot to the head. Despite being shot, the dog wanted their help and rather than look the other way, the Komar family stepped in to lend a helping hand. Sadly the family was not allowed to keep the dog themselves due to living on rented property. First, they tried calling law enforcement but were told that the dog would most likely die. Upset and not getting the help they needed, they began to call other rescue groups. A few turned them away but at last they found help with True Blue Animal Rescue.

Jacqueline Komar, or Jackie, didn’t bat an eye when she was asked if she could drive to Dr. Lee Panko’s office on a Sunday in Brenham, Texas. There, with two of her children, Destiny and Gabrielle, Jackie brought in the wounded Catahoula. Jackie lifted the dog on the examination table and her, the kids, and Melanie and Dale watched as Dr. Panko began his exam. The dog’s eye was the first thing Dr. Panko probed at and the top of the dog’s head was next. As Dr. Panko did his examination, the family that had cared for him for three days asked tons of questions. The vet answered them all as they came, letting the kids know the dog was one to one and a half year’s old, and that he wasn’t chipped or fixed. As Dr. Panko spoke he checked the dog’s sinuses, reflexes, skin condition, and hearing; all were found to be sound. After Dale found out the Komar family had not already named the dog, T-bar members decided to name him Chance.

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While doing the examination, Jackie informed the vet that when the dog panted Chance had an odor about him. Leaning closer, Dr. Panko agreed and said the smell was from the massive infection the dog had from the wound he’d suffered. By the skin that was trying to grow back over the wound Dr. Panko guessed that Chance had been shot only three or four days before, meaning the dog had, thankfully, found the Komar family almost right after being shot.

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The dog had a ring around its neck that was made by a collar that had been on long enough to wear down the fur; a few months. Also his tail had been cropped too short leaving him nothing, not even a nub. Chance’s gums were a pale pink, rather than a healthy deeper color, which Dr. Panko suggested was due to blood loss and malnutrition. The wound on his side was thought to be ringworm but Dr. Panko said that it was not, but a scab covering an old wound. Dr. Panko believed the gun shot went through an eye and came out the back of Chance’s head. The vet decided that removing the damaged eye would be better for Chance in the long run because if it healed on its own the scar tissue would be painful for the dog.

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All during his examination Chance was quiet and calm, even with seven people huddled around him in a tiny room. Destiny wanted Chance to have a toy that she had bought all by herself before her family had to say goodbye to him. The Komar’s wished they could keep Chance but were relieved that True Blue Animal Rescue and Melanie DeAeth, had stepped in for the dog and his care. Once in T-bar care Chance was treated to new toys and treats by the Snook school children and also an interview by KBTX!

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Chance has a long road to recovery but thanks to so many people being touched by the battle this little guy has gone through his emergency care visit has been paid for. He still has his eye removal operation coming up. His T-bar status is listed as in Rehab, but will be listed for adoption as soon as he is well. People have asked if he will be a special needs dog after his horrific injury but Dr. Panko sees no long lasting health issues once Chance has his eye taken care of.

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If you would like to help T-bar with Chance’s bills or just want to make a donation to True Blue Animal Rescue please use the donation button. No matter how big or small your donation it makes all the difference to animals in need. If you want up-to-date news on Chance he now has his own Facebook page. Chance’s second Chance.

*UPDATE* Enough funds have been raised to cover Chance’s vet bills! Thank you for the outpouring of generosity for this beautiful creature!

 

 

 

 

Success Stories: Winston

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This handsome little guy was lucky enough to be born a few short days after his mother was rescued off a Houston street by a very kind woman who came to TBAR asking for help. Winston’s mother, Gracie, was much too young to give birth, but here we were with 4 healthy kittens.

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Winston was the last of the kittens who found their home. He had to be fostered for a little longer for extra medical attention. Winston had to receive treatment for ringworm before he could be adopted out and spent some time being boarded at a Houston vet office where one of his foster parents worked. He quickly became a favorite of those who worked in the vet office because he was so loving and an awesome little guy (handsome too!). Soon enough it was Winston’s turn to find his forever home.

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Winston went to his new forever family on February 9, 2014 and – as you can tell – he found himself right at home. We are happy to see him finally find a loving home and want to thank his foster, Linda, for her patience and determination for finding these babies homes.

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TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue organization. If you would like to help animals such as this one, please consider donating to TBAR, volunteering, fostering, or adopting. Donations go directly toward care, feed, and veterinary care of the rescued animals and every little bit helps us to help another animal in need of safety and rehabilitation. Rescue a pet: adopt instead of shop and spay or neuter your pets!

Pet Appreciation Week

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From the first of April to the fifth of May 2014 it’s National Pet Month! The goal of this time is to make the public aware of the benefits of owning a pet and the contribution pets can make to society on a whole. Let’s face it folks, when you get your first pet you never really know what is in store for your life. Some of us get that great dog that is low key and sweet, basically an angel in disguise. Others get a cat that meows non-stop at all hours of the night, only to snooze happily by day as you stare at them in wonder with your second cup of coffee.

For people who are pet owners or “animal people” you have already learned that you are a part of another group of people. You are a part of a select group that has learned that a dog is not just a dog nor is a horse just a horse (of course). When you get a pet what you are really getting are life lessons in a cute package because believe me, when you meet another “animal person” the stories you will share will make you laugh and recall your own instance with a pet either from your youth or one you are currently blessed with. On the whole, the things they teach you can be basic or complex, but one lesson they teach you is how much something, that everyone else calls just an “animal,” can own such a large piece of your heart.

I have had the pleasure of meeting animals briefly that have made huge impacts in my life and my outlooks. As a child I was an adamant cat person. Dogs were silly things that slobbered on me as far as I knew, and then I got my first dog…

Logan How hard can it be to take care of a dog? Boy what a silly question. I am sure many dog owners smiled at that question. But the best lesson Logan Marie taught me was that dogs love you unconditonally. They are always happy to see you. Logan was one of those rare perfect dogs. If I had not gotten her first, I doubt I would be the person I am today. That may sound like I am being dramatic but the truth is, she taught me that life without a dog is like the sky without the sun. If I didn’t have Logan I would have never gotten my second dog, Lucia, and I would never have come to volunteer at T-bar. Nor would I be the doggie foster mom I am today. It’s funny how one simple act like getting your first dog can cause so many other things to happen. Some teachers have four legs.

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Animals can also teach us how to overcome something. For me that was a lesson I really needed to learn after coming back into work after a year of being horribly sick and in and out of hospitals. Once well, I had been given labels that now were added to who I was. Illness labels I did not want and I felt almost ashamed of and then I met Jasmine. Jasmine is a beautiful horse at T-bar that is blind, at best she may be able to see shadows. Even so when I first took her picture and met her, she moved around so well that I had no clue she could not see. I snapped away thinking she was just another pretty face and then Melanie explained to me that she was nearly sightless. I was breathless. Since horses are easily spooked at times I did a double take at the calm creature that was tilting her head to the side with, what looked like, a grin on her face. She moved around, she was alive and she was happy. I went home that night and took her example to heart. I wasn’t going to be sad about my new labels anymore. I was going to embrace them and move on! Thank you Jasmine for being my inspiration. Jasmine is also used at Kid Camps at T-bar to show kids that being different doesn’t have to slow you down. They meet her first and pet her, and only after are they told of her condition. All the kids react the same way I did when I was told.

Lucky

I confess that being a cat person as a child made me think I knew everything about cats. And then I picked up a stray off the side of the road. Jason and I had friends that had lost their cat and we thought we found him. We had not. Instead we found our new cat, Lucky. We tried to find him a home because our other cat Sarah wasn’t thrilled he was around. But anyone that wanted him wanted to place him outside which would not work because he is crossed eyed. Lucky surprised me because he wasn’t a cat at all but a dog in cat’s clothing. He came when called just once, he went out with the dogs and came back in when they were done playing outside. His personality didn’t match his looks at all and I made the choice to keep him when I was asked by a possible adoptor if he had blue eyes. She didn’t want a cat with blue eyes! I looked down at him with the phone in my hand and watched him snuggle between Logan and our dog Lucia. He sighed so contently I didn’t have the heart to rip him from his pack. Who knew a cat could be a dog?

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After already owning four dogs I figured I knew it all. You would think Lucky would have taken me down a peg but hey I was younger then. I got Jack after Logan passed away. It wasn’t an easy decision but Lucia was grieving worse than even I was, so I adopted Jack. He is the first male dog I have ever had and holy cow what a ride. As with Logan and Lucia and our other dog Chloe, I put Jack in a crate, taught him how to walk and tried so hard to get him used to people but for reasons I cannot explain he hated being around people. He was afraid of everybody. He still is to this day. I look at him puzzled at times wondering where I went wrong only to come to the conclusion that not all dogs are the same, some are going to test you. The only other person Jack likes, besides Jason, my husband, is my mother and it took her a year, and boy was she patient! I even took Jack to the shop I was working in at the time so he could get used to people. I took him to gatherings and nothing helped. I have concluded that Jack lives with a lot of fear. I do know that even though things are more challenging with Jack I love him dearly and I am thankful that he has taught me that love knows no bounds and not every dog is going to be the same. I am sure we have all had that one pet that just makes us shake our heads as we think about them. For me that is Jack, and like you and your pet, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Oliver

When I met Oliver and Julian I was covering the revamp of K’s Mutt Hut. I asked to see Oliver, who at the time was laying down on his bed. He had a huge doggy smile on his face. When Kathryn, the owner of the Mutt Hut, opened his cage I was shocked that he was, well, different. He had no front legs. None the less he hopped up and down excited to meet a new friend. She suggested we take “them” to the grass. I had no idea who the other one was. Once outside I saw Julian, who also did not have any front legs. I was nothing short of amazed. Both dogs moved about on their chests with happy faces. So many new people to meet! They didn’t care that they were different, they didn’t care about how hard little tasks were for them and they certainly didn’t look sad! As Oliver bumped his way to me with that doggy grin I felt like all my worries were pointless. Oliver and Julian were in the moment and it was a great one. To share that with them is definitely something I will not forget anytime soon. Life is great, so smile is what they both seemed to be telling me.

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When people rattle off reasons why they love their bird, donkey or cat I am sure they sometimes forget to think of the lessons that each one has given them, because as animal people we take these lessons to heart. They become a part of who we are. Perhaps that is why when we meet another horse person or cat lady we can fall into instant understanding because we have all had THAT experience. That doesn’t mean that having a pet makes you an “animal person.” Not by a long shot. You have to earn that by watching your pet, listening to their lessons and actually growing from what they have passed on to you. So that you, in turn, can pass it on to others.

We hope this post will inspire you to share your Pet Appreciation this week! If you or anyone you know are in need of a new pet to fill your heart with love, please look at our adoptable cats, dogs, and horses/donkeys! They are sure to enhance your life!

TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue organization. If you would like to help animals such as this one please consider donating to TBAR, volunteering, fostering, or adoptingDonations go directly toward care, feed, and veterinary care of the rescued animals and every little bit helps us to help another animal in need of safety and rehabilitation. Save a life: adopt instead of shop and spay or neuter your pets!

 

 

 

 

 

Pets of the Week: Three Musketeers

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This week T-Bar got in the Three Musketeers: three beautiful donkeys that are looking for a home. Once you have a donkey, they are in your life forever. Their antics with people and with other four legged creatures are a sight to behold. Porthos is brown and 4 years old,
Athos is white and 10 years old and Aramis is a two year old white donkey. Like the three Musketeers they wandered a neighborhood in Burleson County. When nobody claimed them the sheriffs dept took ownership of them and asked us to take them. They now have had their tetanus shot, gelded, and ready for their new home. They are sweet and gentle and didn’t cause any problems with any of the people or animals in the neighborhood they wandered around in. If you’d like one, two or even three donkeys these sweet boys are available for adoption or foster.
If you can’t take a donkey but would like to help please donate toward their vet bill by sending a donation to T-Bar at http://www.t-bar.org, paying by pay pal or send a payment directly to Brenham Vet Hospital 2455 Highway 290 West Brenham TX 77833-6806 or call them at 979-836-2472. T-Bar never recoups money on vet bills from adoption fees alone. We need everyone to help by donating.

 

TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue organization. If you would like to help animals such as this one please consider donating to TBAR, volunteering, fostering, or adoptingDonations go directly toward care, feed, and veterinary care of the rescued animals and every little bit helps us to help another animal in need of safety and rehabilitation. Save a life: adopt instead of shop and spay or neuter your pets!

Volunteer Appreciation Post 2014

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This week is volunteer appreciation week, so on behalf of all of the animals in TBAR (past, present, and future) we THANK all of our volunteers!

Founders:
Dale DeAeth(2004)
Melanie DeAeth (2004)
Elizabeth Hewett (2004)
Eric Laird (2004)
Jodi Stauffer (2004)
Loretta Pinnell (2004)
Ralph Pinnell (2004)

Board of Directors:
Melanie DeAeth (2004)
Dale DeAeth (2004)
Teresa Gaskamp  (2005)
Loretta Pinnell (2004)
Linda Taylor (2007)

Administrative Volunteers: Events & Fundraisers:
Melanie DeAeth, President and Treasurer (2004)
Alissa Cannon, Secretary (2012 – Volunteer of the Year 2012)
Shellie Bellinghausen, Volunteer Coordinator (2012)
Loretta Pinnell, Networking Coordinator (2004)
Jessica Ripley, Web Coordinator (2004)
Linda Taylor, Marketing & Events Coordinator (2007)

 

Melanie DeAeth, President and Treasurer (2004)

Shellie Bellinghausen, Volunteer Coordinator (2012)

Linda Taylor, Marketing & Events Coordinator (2007)

Animal Care:

Dale DeAeth (2004)
Colton DeAeth (2004)
AJ Greer (2012 – Volunteer of the Year 2012)
Amy Hemsell (2011)
Jason Moore, Photographer (2013 – Volunteer of the Year 2013)
Olivia Moore, Photographer & Journalist (2013 – Volunteer of the Year 2013)
 

Whitney Maldonado (2004)

Teresa Gaskamp (2006)

Kathleen Rooker (2014)

Ariana Spoon (2014)
Facility Maintenance:
These men are always ready to put up a fence, build a kennel, or even mow the grass!
Dale DeAeth, Vice President of Facilities (2004)
Colton DeAeth (2004)
Ralph Pinnell (2004)
James Taylor (2007)
Generic: (work events, do inspections, help with animal transport, or foster animals)
Lauren Lee Sarlya (2005)
Jeanne Westphal (2006)
Lynne Larkin (2010)
Casie Cooper (2008)
Angie Hewett (2004)
Eric Larid (2004)
Cheryl Zeitzmann (2013)
Rebecca Beale (2013)
Rhonda Blaschke (2014)
Simone Belota (2013)
Lisa Bobbitt (2009)
Ellen Spahni (2012)
Heather Beran (2008)
Claire Peters (2007)
Julee Meade (2013)
Sherry Haferkamp (2012)
Shay Morrow (2014)
Karen Presley (2014)
Karlene Mistretta (2012)
Seth Massey (2009)
Kimberly Fox (2013)
Travis Buehring (2013)
Taylor Molder (2014)
Eva Livy (2007)

 

 

April Family Fun Day


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Yesterday TBAR held a great Family Fun Day! We were worried about rain, but the weather held off and a great time was had by all! We hosted two sessions, a morning and an afternoon and the group organizers had a lunch planned for the families at the Washington on The Brazos State Park.

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Family Fun days offer fun activities for all to enjoy, including:
1) Learn safety with dogs and horses
2) Listen to a story about rescue animals
3) Ride a horse
4) Hay Ride

Our events are announced on our website, and also on our Facebook page.

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If you are interested in having your kids, aged 6-16, enjoy some horse time with TBAR ABLE residents, please stay tuned for info on our July ABLE Read-to-Ride Camps!

 

Foster Needed for Gracie

Gracie’s Story

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*Warning: This posts contains an image that may be disturbing to some readers*

TBAR received a desperate request for help when a dog was taken to a Houston shelter. This sweet girl, later named Gracie, was found wandering around Lily’s new work and animal control officers were called because they knew this poor dog needed medical attention. She was covered in sarcoptic mange and you could see the desperation in her eyes crying out for help. Despite her discomfort, she was very loving and gentle and she touched Lily’s heart. She needed a vet’s care and Lily was determined to find a rescue who would give this dog a chance at life. The shelter she was sent to does not allow adoptions of bully breeds (to protect the dogs from possibly being used for breeding, fighting or as a bait dogs in a fighting ring). For many who send very loving and sweet dogs to these shelter’s thinking they are helping the animal not aware that the dog’s fate is likely euthanasia, it’s very heartbreaking knowing that the animal will end up put to sleep because it’s not safe for them to be adopted out. Shelters have a very high intake of animals constantly coming and going so they are not able to follow up with adoptions the way rescues can. So adopting out these dogs who are often targeted by people with less than humane intentions without being able to check in and see how the animal is doing could be very dangerous and irresponsible. These shelters may not allow public adoptions for these breeds, but they do allow rescues to pull them to give them a chance at a safe and loving home.

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True Blue Animal Rescue responded to Lily’s desperate request and was willing to help this sweet dog. Gracie was pulled from the Houston shelter and immediately taken to the vet office to receive treatment. This is when we learned that not only did Gracie have sarcoptic mange, but she was also diagnosed with heartworms which required immediate treatment.



Gracie has been doing well at the vet and Lily visits her often. Once Gracie’s mange is under control, she will desperately need a foster home where she can continue her heartworm treatment until she is healthy enough to be listed for adoption. Please consider opening up your heart and home to this beautiful girl. She has been given a second chance at life and you can see how grateful she is to have people who love and care for her. Now all she needs is a foster home where she can blossom into the amazing companion she was meant to be!

If you are interested in fostering or adopting Gracie, please email [email protected] or call (936)878-2349. If you can’t foster or adopt, please share her story with friends and family or donate for her medical care. If you can donate $1, $5, or even $15, every little bit helps and goes towards her necessary medical care.

 

 

Success Stories: Shawnee

This week’s Success Story is all about Shawnee!

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Horses like Shawnee don’t come along every day. She is a rare and beautiful snow-flake red roan Appaloosa with four white stockings. Like so many of T-Bar’s adoptable horses, Shawnee was taken from her owner due to abuse and neglect and was very skinny when she was taken in by T-Bar. She was placed in a wonderful T-Bar foster home where she received the nutrition, attention and TLC needed to rehabilitate her into the the loving lady she has become.

 

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Shawnee, now named Pinky, was understandably a bit shy and nervous in her new foster home. But with some time and patience, she began to trust again. She remembered round pen work and tried very hard to please her foster. With T-Bar’s foster-to-adopt equine fostering option, Karlene was able to spend some time working one on one with Pinky making sure that they were the perfect match before making her commitment to adoption. After spending some time getting to know and work with this gorgeous girl, Karlene decided it was time to make Pinky a permanent part of her family.

Pictured is Pinky with her new adoptive mom, Karlene! Here’s what she has to say about this wonderful mare:

 Hi T-bar folks. Just wanted to say thank you for the privilege you have granted me by permitting me to give your Shawnee her forever home. She is a sweet little mare and as you can see we are enjoying our ground lessons very much. We look forward to seeing you all on the trail someday soon.

Have you rescued a pet by opening your heart and home to a T-Bar animal? Has your new rescue animal  brought lots of joy to your life and family? Please share your T-Bar adoption story with us by emailing [email protected]! We love receiving updates, pictures and even videos from our past adoptive families.

TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue organization. If you would like to help animals such as this one, please consider donating to TBAR, volunteering, fostering, or adopting. Donations go directly toward care, feed, and veterinary care of the rescued animals and every little bit helps us to help another animal in need of safety and rehabilitation. Rescue a pet: adopt instead of shop and spay or neuter your pets!