Karen Thomas with Payton’s Promise joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the sanctuary.
Payton’s Promise is a rescue specifically for senior dogs that have special needs or are at the end of life.
Thomas explained, “I take these dogs. These dogs are homeless. They come from large, high volume, low positive outcome shelters such as Miami, all of my dogs are from Miami right now. I am in Marathon, and I do serve the Florida Keys SPCA as well if they have a candidate. But often the dogs down here are much more likely to thrive and receive the care they need, other than the Miami shelters that just are overwhelmed with hundreds and hundreds of dogs.”
Jasper is one of the dogs looking for a home.
Thomas said, “This is a testament of what we believe in. We really stand by our dogs. Most of the dogs that wind up in the shelter, they’re not only physically challenged, but they’re very emotionally challenged for various different reasons. I mean, they wind up in a shelter that’s just chaotic, and they’re often confused and God knows what background they have come from. That was indeed Jasper’s case. He was definitely on the euthanasia list, and I got him back in in March, and fast forward, we finally found a foster and then when he stepped out into the real world, we found out that he really, first of all, he was deaf from chronic ear infections that created so much scar tissue and overgrowth in his ear, which explained a lot why he didn’t, quote, unquote, listen. He just couldn’t hear the world. He stepped out in the into the world with zero self confidence and a lot of fear. We realized, wow, this is no way for him to thrive. He’s surviving, but he’s not thriving. So just like an essential medical need, he needed an essential emotional need, which was putting him in an intense board and train program where he can really learn the rules of being a dog and just how to relax and feel safe in the world. I mean, that’s our goal, every animal, including humans, our basic need is to feel safe, and he was not feeling safe, and that was just no way to live. So he is in about week five of a six week program, and he’s actually doing very well. He’s getting desensitized to being around other dogs. He doesn’t feel like he has to fight for his resources anymore. He’s grasping the concept that he’s going to get consistent food, water, affection, exercise, all the things that a dog needs. We’re really hopeful that this is going to help him live the life he deserves. Then the next phase is integration. The trainer will teach the foster pretty much everything that Jasper has learned and help him integrate into real life, as we call it, into the real world, and then we’ll take it from there.”
There’s an event coming up that will help Payton’s Promise.
Thomas said, “I am super excited to announce that Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House, right here in Marathon, is going to be holding a benefit for Payton’s Promise Sanctuary and it is on Saturday, the 22nd of November, from 12 to 4pm. There’s going to be food, buffet style, music, games, there’s going to be a room for the kids, face painting. There’s going to be raffle prizes. Of course, we’re going to be there with our merchandise. We’re going to have, likely a silent auction. It’s just an incredible give back to us, and I’m super excited about it. So tickets are available, either in person at the restaurant or through me, or we made it very easy and on the homepage of my website, if you scroll down just a tiny bit, it says, animal lovers unite. You can purchase tickets right there on the site. Adults are $20 per person, and kids under 12, $5 each. So you really can’t beat that for Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House.”
Marathon High School is also having an event for Payton’s Promise.
Thomas said, “It’s an event called Coins for Canines. It’s going to run from November 12 to the 14th, Wednesday through Friday. The participating classrooms, are going to have jars in their classrooms, and kids can bring in loose change. Any kind of monetary donation is welcome. Whatever class brings in the most money is likely going to have a pizza party and a visit from a dog, which is incredible, which would have been my goal for winning that competition. There’s also going to be a jar in Marathon High School office for the public. So if somebody is driving by, they want to come down and they want to drop off a donation to Payton’s Promise directly at the office that would be very greatly appreciate it. Of course, all donations are 100% tax deductible.”
Lily is another pup that’s looking for a home.
Thomas said, “Oh my goodness, Lily is amazing, and I don’t think we’ve introduced her to the audience. I’ve had her for a little over a month now. She is 12 and a half, and you would never know it. She is in great shape. She’s a Siberian Husky, for anybody who is not seeing what she looks like on the website, she’s got one blue eye, one brown eye, super, super sweet. She’s very food motivated, very smart. She has figured out every puzzle, food puzzle, that I have introduced her to so far, and she so far is one of the quietest Huskies I have ever met. She’s just very chill. She enjoys her walks, and then she likes to go back and nap, and loves to obviously hang out in the AC. Hopefully we will get her out to an event very soon to meet the public, and she will probably the be the one visiting the high school for the Coins for Canines event next month.”
Tommy had some medical issues.
Thomas said he had “very, very painful eye ulcers and a very low thyroid, which made him very painful and very sleepy. We got that all taken care of. He’s now at the end of his treatment for his eye ulcers, and other than some scarring, his vision has been maintained. His thyroid levels are back to normal, and he is just happy as can be. So he is still available for adoption as well. Just remember, if you’re considering adopting, please consider a senior dog. They have so many amazing qualities.”
For more information, click here: https://paytonspromisesanctuary.org/