@joey_tuccio@peta PETA doesn’t care about dogs, except to use them as fundraising props. PETA has exterminated tens of thousands of dogs @ its Norfolk, VA facility, including puppies. @PETA supports the shelter slaughter & advocates for the extermination of all Pitbulls!
► https://t.co/gU2Bniq0uj
Saying goodbye is one of the hardest parts of rescue.
Today, I sat and talked to Gillian as we waited for her to leave for her forever home.
The happy news? Gillian was adopted by the same wonderful person who adopted her sister, Sally. After everything they’ve been through, these girls will be reunited.
Last summer, Sally and Gillian were dumped on a back country road as tiny 6–8 week old puppies. No food. No water. Left to fend for themselves in coyote country.
We brought them home, and they’ve been part of our family ever since.
People often think the hardest part of rescue is seeing the abuse, neglect, and heartbreak. And while that’s incredibly difficult, saying goodbye never gets easier.
I fall in love with every single one of them.
A piece of my heart leaves with every adoption.
Of course I’m happy. This is what we work for. This is the goal. A loving forever home.
But there is always a little sadness too.
I always worry about what they’re thinking. Do they think they did something wrong? Do they think they’re being sent away because they weren’t wanted? I don’t know if dogs think that way, but the possibility breaks my heart.
So before they leave, I always have a conversation with them.
I tell them how good they are.
How loved they are.
How proud I am of them.
And that their new family is going to give them the beautiful life they deserve.
Today was Gillian’s turn.
Be happy, sweet girl. We will miss you more than you’ll ever know. ❤️
#happytails #blacklab #laylasheartranchandrescue #dogrescue #animalsanctuary
@NYCACCKILLS@NYCACC@NYCHealthCMO@nycHealthy Watch Puppy KWIK’s video, and you’ll understand exactly why advocates call them MURDERERS. And the fact that @NYCACC neutered the puppy before murdering him is why we also call them MONSTERS.
#SARA
Many of you know that for years we’ve relied heavily on donations to keep Layla’s Heart Ranch and Rescue going.
And while we are incredibly grateful for every donation, sponsorship, and supporter who has helped us save lives, I’ve always dreamed of finding additional sustainable ways to help support the animals in our care.
That dream has led to the creation of Hands & Hearts Homestead. ❤️
Hands & Hearts Homestead is a small-batch homestead brand I’m building right here on the ranch, where I’ll be creating homemade foods, preserves, apple butter, and other products inspired by the animals who have changed my life.
Every product will be named after a real rescue animal and share a piece of their story.
Our very first product is Kringle’s Kick, a sweet and spicy strawberry jalapeño jelly inspired by one of the dogs who helped start it all.
This isn’t replacing our rescue work.
It’s helping support it.
Along with my children’s books, Hands & Hearts Homestead is another way I’m working to create sustainable support for the animals of Layla’s Heart Ranch and Rescue.
Every step toward creating sustainable income helps us continue providing food, medical care, shelter, enrichment, and lifelong sanctuary to animals who often have nowhere else to go.
I’m still very much in the beginning stages. Right now it’s hot plates, giant stock pots, lots of learning, and plenty of trial and error. 😂
But I’m excited to share this journey with you.
If you’d like to follow along as I build Hands & Hearts Homestead from the ground up, I’d love your support.
📍 Facebook: Hands & Hearts Homestead
📍 Instagram: @handsandheartshomestead
📍 Threads: @handsandheartshomestead
📍 X/Twitter: @HandsHeartsHome
📍 TikTok: @handsandheartshom
Please give the pages a follow, invite your friends, and help me spread the word.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in second chances.
Because whether it’s a rescue dog, a dream, or a new beginning…
Second chances grow here. ❤️
#handsandheartshomestead #secondchancesgrowhere #rescuedogs #laylasheartranchandrescue #homemade
🚨 KING NEEDS YOUR HELP TODAY 🚨
King is at the veterinarian after concerns about his ear led us to have it examined.
Unfortunately, the news was not what we hoped for.
The veterinarian discovered what appears to be a mass in King’s ear. In addition, they diagnosed him with a heart murmur.
Right now, King is acting like his normal happy self. He’s wagging his tail, enjoying attention, and doesn’t seem bothered at all. If you met him today, you’d never know anything was wrong.
But that’s often the hard part about caring for animals.
They don’t tell us when something hurts.
They don’t tell us when something is wrong.
The veterinarian is recommending diagnostics, bloodwork, x-rays, anesthesia, surgical removal of the mass, biopsy testing, and medications to determine exactly what we’re dealing with and how best to help him.
The estimate for King’s care is between $1,627.96 and $2,247.96.
This expense was completely unexpected, and we need help.
We don’t know yet whether this mass is benign or something more serious. We don’t know what the biopsy results will show. What we do know is that King deserves answers, treatment, and every chance possible.
If you can spare $5, $10, $25, or any amount today, it would make a tremendous difference for King.
And if you’re unable to donate, please share this post. Sometimes one share reaches the person who can help.
Please keep our sweet boy in your thoughts as we navigate the next steps.
Donate: https://t.co/UahIUXeu6H
#laylasheartranchandrescue #thankyou #beingkindiscool #dogrescue #animalsanctuary
Another unexpected vet visit.
While letting the dogs out, we noticed blood all over King’s head, ear, and neck.
As you can imagine, we immediately started panicking.
We got him out into the play yard so we could examine him more closely, and it appears the bleeding is coming from his ear. We also noticed what looks like it could be a small mass or growth inside his ear, though we honestly don’t know yet what we’re dealing with.
We immediately sent photos to our veterinarian, and thankfully King will be seen right away.
At this point, we have no idea what the cost will be because we don’t know what is causing the bleeding or what treatment he may need.
The good news is that King is acting completely normal. He’s happy, eating, wagging his tail, and behaving like nothing is wrong. If you know King, that probably doesn’t surprise you. He’s the kind of dog who keeps smiling no matter what.
Still, bleeding from the ear is not something we’re willing to ignore, and we want to make sure he gets whatever care he needs.
If anyone would like to help us cover King’s unexpected veterinary visit, we would be incredibly grateful.
Donate: https://t.co/UahIUXeu6H
We will update everyone as soon as we know more.
Please keep our sweet boy in your thoughts today.
#laylasheartranchandrescue #dogrescue #animalsanctuary #charity #beingkindiscool
Introducing Hands & Hearts Homestead. ❤️
This dream has lived in my heart for a very long time.
I’ve always dreamed of living on a ranch, growing our own food, creating homemade products, and building a slower, simpler life with my son. The kind of childhood filled with muddy boots, animals, homemade food, big skies, and meaningful work done together.
Hands & Hearts Homestead was created not only as a way to build that life, but also as a way to help create more sustainable support for the animals at Layla’s Heart Ranch and Rescue.
Every product we create will be inspired by the animals who changed our lives and named after a real rescue animal here at the ranch, each with their own story of survival, healing, and second chances.
This is still very much the beginning.
We don’t even have a real kitchen for this yet. Right now it’s hot plates, giant stock pots, lots of improvising, and learning as we go.
But honestly?
I think sometimes you have to stop waiting for perfect circumstances and just begin anyway.
Second chances grow here. 🤍 #handsandheartshomestead #jelly #homemade #secondchancesgrowhere #ranch