Couple’s tiny dog inspires foundation that helps animals destined to be euthanized
by Grace Griffee
Moana, a Yorkie with a cleft palate, weighs only 10 ounces at six months of age. She is one of the dogs cared for by The Mia Foundation. Founder Sue Rogers feeds her hourly, even during the night. Most nights Sue Rogers sleeps on a three-inch mattress on her living room floor. Surrounding her is a group of dogs that weren’t supposed to live, but Rogers is doing everything in her power to see that they do. “Some of the dogs need to be fed every hour, so it’s just easier for me to be here with my supplies nearby and listening if they should have any trouble during the night,” she said.
Rogers and her husband, Gary, have opened up their home and their hearts to animals born with birth defects, such as cleft palates, that would normally be euthanized. They believe that the animals are worth saving because of the joy and love their own little Chihuahua, Mia, inspired with her life and death.
In April 2012, Mia, who was born with a cleft palate, died after only 22 months. The Rogers owned her parents and after Mia was born, the vet suggested that she be euthanized. The Rogers were unwilling to accept that fate. “She had seven surgeries and they all failed,” said Sue, who learned to tube-feed Mia even though her mouth was only the size of a jellybean.
During Mia’s short life, she became somewhat of a celebrity after Rogers began posting photos of her adventures on Facebook. “They were funny, but also a commentary on her life and will to live,” she said. The couple received emails from people whose lives were touched by the tiny dog. “One girl wrote that she was considering committing suicide, but was inspired by Mia’s story and thanked us for saving her life.”
They received another note from a man who was suffering from cancer and had lost the will to live. “He said that if this little dog can fight for her life then so can I,” recounted Rogers. “The man is now healthy and playing golf five times a week.”
Sue Rogers holds Marvel, one of two Pit Bull puppies with cleft palates that she is caring for.Another man emailed the couple to say that he and his daughter checked out Mia’s Facebook page every day before she left for school. “His daughter also had a cleft palate and was being made fun of at school. Seeing Mia gave her the courage to get on the bus,” said Rogers.
When Mia passed, the Rogers’ were devastated. “We could sit around and be depressed or do something to help other animals like her,” said Sue. They received gifts from all over the world the months after her death and decided that Mia’s influence had traveled far and wide. So the couple decided to start a foundation that would give them a way to share what they had learned in caring for Mia and help people who could not afford medical treatment for their own disabled pets.
When Mia’s toy bear fetched over $1,600 on Ebay, The Mia Foundation was born. Without solicitation, people began holding fundraisers around the country. A 70-year old woman from California quit playing Bingo so she could donate the money she was saving to the foundation. She even drove across the country to meet the Rogers in person. Another fan from Pennsylvania unveiled her Mia Foundation motorcycle at a Mia Walk being held in Virginia.
Everyone wanted to be a part of Mia’s memory. Her Facebook page has grown to nearly 8,000 fans and now features the photos of the dogs (and a cat) that the Rogers have helped – 25 in all, 22 of which have been adopted. Mia’s Angels help to foster and transport animals from state to state sometimes saving their lives just by getting them to someone who knows how to properly tube feed.
Many of the dogs helped by The Mia Foundation suffer from cleft palates and/or cleft lips. “Dogs with cleft lip can’t nurse,” explained Gary Rogers. “But once you get them past five or six weeks, they can begin to eat on their own and can survive.”
Sue will be offering classes on how to properly tube feed an animal and The Mia Foundation website offers a wealth of information. The foundation will even overnight a tube feeding kit to someone free of charge upon request.
The Rogers have volumes of information about Mia and her treatment. They are now compiling more information so that they may someday learn why so many dogs are born with this defect. They said their hope is that breeders will be responsible and spay dogs that have given birth to puppies with birth defects.
Sue works full time caring for the dogs that are brought to her, which include Maddie, a blind Chihuahua; Max, a Chihuahua with scoliosis; Moana, a Yorkie with a cleft palate who only weighs 10 ounces at six months old; Marvel and Mateo, Pit Bull puppies with cleft palates; and Maverick, a five-month old boxer with a cleft palate and lip.
“There is something about a disabled dog,” said Gary. “It has a zest for life and breeds happiness. They cherish life and their owners.”
The Mia Foundation is holding a fundraiser on Saturday, June 29 at the Pelican’s Nest, 566 River St., Rochester. The Second Annual Walk for Mia is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with registration for the walk beginning at 9 a.m. Registration is $10 per walker or $35 maximum per family. In addition to the walk, there will be a dog kissing booth, smallest/largest dog contest, pet/owner lookalike contest, Mia merchandise for sale, auction items, door prizes, and much more. For information about The Mia Foundation and Walk for Mia, visit www.themiafoundation.com or on Facebook at “Love for Mia – Cleft Palate Chihuahua.”
