SOMEbody has discovered the joy of the “people” bed. ️
Mik came to get me at 7am to chase squirrels and get breakfast. I woke up to lots of licks and tail wags.
After getting a nice full tummy, he played with his stuffie, and Bruce (The Dawg Knight, Bruce Wayne) looked at me like, “It’s the weekend…are we going back to snooze?”
Look at that sweet face! Mikhal knows something magical is happening—his chin gently resting on Julie’s shoulder says it all.
Tomorrow, this handsome boy will officially move into his furever home!
There’s something so pure about the way animals connect with us—they don’t need words, just love. Mikhal, our sweet boy with the soulful eyes, found his comfort in the warmest place imaginable: Julie’s heart.
In this tender moment, Mikhal rests his head on Julie’s chest, his little ear right over her heartbeat. It’s as if he’s listening to a lullaby written just for him—a song of love, safety, and the promise of a beautiful future. For Mikhal, every beat tells him, “You are cherished, you are safe, and you are so deeply loved.”
A Sneak Peek into Mikhal’s Story at the 2024 Golden Gala!
Today was a special day for Mikhal and our team. Aleks, our incredibly talented videographer, spent time with Mikhal and his loving caretaker Julie to capture moments that tell his heartwarming story. Aleks is working on a video that will debut at our 2024 Golden Gala—a highlight of the evening that we’re so excited to share with you.
In just 30 days, we’ll be gathering at our annual Golden Gala, the most anticipated event of the year and our largest fundraiser. Guests will enjoy a beautifully curated night, mingling with A&F staff, our visionary Founder, and dedicated Board of Directors.
The Golden Gala offers so much more than just a night out—it’s an immersive experience into the heart of Always & Furever’s mission. Attendees will enjoy a delicious dinner, endless varieties of beer and wine, and the chance to hit the dance floor! Plus, our silent auction promises unique treasures, with all proceeds helping us save and support more animals like Mikhal.
The countdown begins! Join us in celebrating the stories that move us, like Mikhal’s, and help us make a difference. Tickets are selling quickly—don’t miss out on this unforgettable night of love, laughter, and support for our furry friends.
As the sun sets and the outdoor lights gently glow, Mikhal takes a moment to find his inner peace. Tonight, he’s channeling his best “Downward Dog” pose, reminding us all to take a deep breath, let go of the day’s worries, and embrace the beauty in each moment.
Our sweet boy has been through so much, yet here he stands (or should we say stretches?), resilient, calm, and centered. Mikhal has this incredible way of teaching us to slow down and appreciate the little things, like a warm evening breeze or a soft patch of grass. ✨
To all of you supporting his journey, he sends a big, heartfelt Namaste. Thank you for being here with him every step of the way, for sending love, and for helping him find moments of peace and joy.
Together, we’re creating a world where every dog has a chance to just… be.
Hey friends, it’s Mikhal here! Just wanted to pop in because I’ve been staring at this amazing Double Your Donation cover photo, and I can hardly contain my tail wags!
For every dollar you give from now until Halloween, an incredible mystery friend will match it up to $10,000!
That means your $25 becomes $50, your $100 becomes $200, and so on! Imagine…all those extra dollars helping more pups like me find love, warmth, and a safe place to call home. And trust me, that kind of love makes a world of difference.
So if you’ve been waiting for the right time, it’s now! Let’s make this Halloween spooktacular with a double dose of love and a lot of hope. Together, we can help so many furry friends feel the warmth and care they deserve, just like I have.
Ready to double your love? Donate now and let’s do something magical! Just tap here: https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/382c510d-5a70-47fd-945e-c1d497eb4b50
With the sun shining down and the breeze in the air, Mikhal was running free in Julie’s backyard, truly living in the moment!
He loved running after the ball and getting it, but hasn’t quite mastered bringing the ball back (he likes to keep it for himself a bit longer ).
This boy has fought so hard for these carefree moments, and seeing him enjoy life this way reminds us of the incredible strength and spirit that animals like Mikhal have. Every little moment—like chasing his ball with that wagging tail—is a testament to his resilience and the power of love and second chances.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Mikhal’s journey so far. Your love, prayers, and donations are helping to create these joyful moments. Stay tuned for more updates from Mikhal’s adventures—because we know there are many more to come!
Sooooo… our sweet boy Mikhal is being just a little bit naughty this time around! After his neuter procedure, he’s determined to get to his incision, and we’ve had to be extra creative to keep him from licking it.
Enter Julie, Mikhal’s new fashion designer! ✨ She crafted some stylish pants to keep him out of trouble, and let’s just say… Mikhal’s not too sure about his new look! But hey, it’s great practice for his upcoming Halloweek costume!
We’ll see if this mischievous pup takes to his spooky style just as easily as he’s taken to his post-surgery pants!
Remember to get your pre-order in for a Mikhal shirt: https://shop.alwaysandfurever.org/products/team-mikhal-shirts-pre-order?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web
#MikhalsJourney #MischievousMikhal #HalloweekCostumePrep #FureverFamily #PostSurgeryPants
Look at this handsome boy! Mikhal weighed in at an impressive 74.4 pounds today! ♂️ Can you believe it? This gentle giant has come such a long way from his fragile 43.45 pounds just a few months ago. Every ounce he’s gained is a testament to his unstoppable spirit, strength, and the incredible love and support from all of YOU. ❤️
Today, Mikhal is taking another big step in his journey – he’s getting neutered! While he might dip down a smidge in weight after his surgery, there’s no doubt this brave boy will keep filling out with love, care, and all the snuggles in between!
We couldn’t be prouder of Mikhal, and it’s all thanks to his unwavering will to fight and your continued support. Stay tuned for more updates on this amazing boy’s progress.
For all Mikhal’s super fans out there, we are having limited edition Team Mikhal t-shirts made: Order yours now: Team Mikhal Shirts Pre-order
Mikhal is really starting to fill out and look even more dashing every day. Just look at those soulful eyes, staring right into the camera!
His journey has been long, but every milestone brings him closer to healing, and we couldn’t be more proud of his progress. ❤
For those of you following his journey, we’ve got something special for you today. Julie snapped some incredible shots during Mikhal’s bandage change, and we’re excited to share them!
If you’re curious to see how things are healing under those bandages, head over to the latest photos we’ve posted. ✨
The improvement is remarkable, and it’s all thanks to your ongoing love, support, and prayers.
Every little bit helps, and seeing him grow stronger is truly heartwarming. Let’s keep rooting for Mikhal as he continues this brave fight.
Mikhal has been making wonderful progress, we are ramping up for his next weigh-in and check-up scheduled for October 29th! His goal is to reach 88 pounds as he continues to build muscle and recover from his previous surgeries. His paw is healing beautifully, and we are so optimistic that he won’t need a boot at all. Every day he grows stronger, and we couldn’t be prouder of this brave little guy.
We’re planning more updates and lives in the coming weeks, so be sure to keep an eye out. We’ll continue to bring you along on his journey as he heals and grows stronger every day.
As always, we are so grateful for all your support, prayers, and positive vibes. Mikhal is a living testament to the power of love and community, and we couldn’t do this without you.
Mikhal’s Journey Update!
✨ This morning, our sweet boy Mikhal is learning something new—how to play with his stuffies!
After everything he’s been through, it’s heartwarming to see him explore the simple joys of being a dog. ❤
Every squeak, every wag, and every playful paw swipe is a victory for him. This brave pup is rediscovering what it means to be a dog, one stuffie at a time.
It’s been a tough road, but Mikhal is showing us that healing happens in the most unexpected ways—like in the fluff of a toy or the comfort of a new friend. ❤️
Each photo is a testament to his incredible spirit and his fight to live, love, and enjoy the little things again. ✨
Learning to be a dog is ruff ruff, LOL!
Mikhal’s Update: Stronger Every Day!
We’re thrilled to share that Mikhal is doing wonderfully! His resilience shines brighter than ever as he stands tall in the beautiful sunshine. ☀️
Mikhal’s appetite is just as impressive as his spirit—he’s keeping our dedicated medical coordinator on her toes, munching away at a whopping 11-12 cups of food every day! ️ With meals every 3 hours, he’s definitely making sure he gets all the love (and nutrients) he needs to thrive.
Check out this adorable photo of Mikhal enjoying the great outdoors! Your continued support means the world to us and to Mikhal as he embarks on this journey to recovery. Thank you for being part of his story!
Mikhal’s paw is forming healthy granulation tissue, which is a new layer of tissue and tiny blood vessels that form on the surface of a wound during the healing process. You can no longer see his tendon!
There is healing evident, as there is less swelling and the bone is now covered. You can still see the tendon.
Our resilient warrior, Mikhal, just completed another vet check-up and is back at his cozy spot with Julie, recovering and gaining strength. His journey of healing is nothing short of a miracle in progress.
Four days ago, we shared a photo of his fragile foot, raw and wounded. Although healing these kinds of injuries takes time, there is progress, and today’s visit confirmed that we are moving in the right direction.
Our brave boy Mikhal is taking it easy today after his big outing yesterday. He’s resting comfortably and recharging his energy! We just received the results from his blood panel at Texas A&M, and we’re pleased to share that overall, he’s doing well.
We wanted to share something truly special with all of you who have been with us every step of the way.
We received a beautiful card and a prayer blanket from the Fur Angel Blessing Blanketeers. They filled it with love and prayers just for Mikhal, and tonight, he’s wrapped in it, resting peacefully.
Today, Mikhal had a special moment of pure joy! Despite everything he’s been through, he still finds happiness in the simplest things—like rolling around in the grass. He tuckered himself out completely, and now he’s resting peacefully, dreaming of his next adventure.
We’re working hard to help Mikhal put on some much-needed weight, as his strength and recovery depend on it. Every pound he gains is another step toward better health, and with your support, we’re confident he’ll continue to improve. ❤️
But that’s not all! We are excited to share that Mikhal’s story is not just about him anymore. In the coming days, we’ll be introducing the first new member to join Team Mikhal, marking the beginning of an expansion that we feel is so important. Like Mikhal, these animals have incredible stories of resilience and strength. The need for medical miracles is, unfortunately, growing, and we’re answering that call by extending the team.
Stay tuned to meet this new miracle and learn more about why we’ve decided to grow Team Mikhal. Together, we can continue to fight for those who need it most. ✨
#TeamMikhal #MedicalMiracles #TogetherWeFight
We are thrilled to share some positive updates about our warrior, Mikhal! His new appetite stimulant seems to be working wonders, and we couldn’t be more excited! Last night, he cleaned his bowl of kibble, and this morning, he did it again – not a single crumb left! Watching him regain his appetite and enjoy his meals is such a heartwarming sight.
Our sweet, beautiful, strong friend, Mikhal.
Today at my visit with you- you showed me a tail wag, a few side eye looks, but also gave me lots of kisses. Kisses on my hand and also my face when I held your face close to my cheek. I could have held you for hours. You are pure love.
You are a vision of resilience, bravery and strength. You are slower and more quiet today as your body is telling you rest is what you need to heal. So I will let you do just that. Rest- my sweet beautiful friend. We love you more than you may know.
Exciting News from Mikhal’s Medical Team
Today is a big day for Mikhal – he’s leaving the hospital! With his incredible strength, he got up on his own, walked out of the kennel, and even managed to do his business without assistance.
Afterward, he quietly returned to his kennel and lay back down to rest. Right now, the only tube he still has in place is his feeding tube, and his medical team will only need to change his bandages once a day.
Mikhal is scheduled for a follow-up visit this Thursday, but for now, he gets to rest and recover surrounded by love and care. ❤️
UPDATE 931 AM 9-8
Just got an update from Dr. Millard about our brave Mikhal! His abdominal drain and catheter have been removed, and he’s now walking and eating more on his own. Although we’re still using the feeding tube a bit, he’s making progress. His poops are more formed, and he doesn’t have a fever—great news!
Update 9-4 11:45 AM
Our brave boy is still with us, and he’s showing us every day just how strong he is.
I have to give very special thank you to Julie McMahan McNamara for not only opening up her home but her whole entire heart to help with Mikhal’s care. Right now his condition is still critical and it truly is moment by moment but she’s by his side no matter what during the 24 hours our vet is closed which means he is surrounded by love and the best care, for that I can’t thank you enough. He really is a miracle.
Miracles Are Happening for Mikhal! ✨
We just spoke with our amazing surgeon, Dr. Millard. And our brave boy’s white blood cell count has significantly dropped from 87,000 to 50,000, which is a huge improvement! This means his body is responding and working to heal. His hematocrit, which measures the percentage of red blood cells in his blood, is at 16 (down from 17), but we’re relieved it hasn’t dropped further. It’s a small sign of stability. Even better, his phosphorus levels and electrolytes—essential minerals for his body’s function—are looking good and staying steady. He’s getting nutrients through a feeding tube, and they’re gradually increasing his intake to help him regain strength. The vet team and staff are loving him JUST like their own. ❤️
Right now, there is no new update on Mikhal, which is good news after a surgery like he had. He is slowly being fed via feeding tube small amounts every 4 hours and under 24-hour constant care and watch. ⏰ Every moment is critical, every prayer is vital, and at any second, everything could change—but it hasn’t. He’s still here. He’s resting peacefully with good pain management, and sleep is healing.
What you didn’t see today behind the scenes were the endless hours of debate, questioning, and challenging—pushing each other to find the best way forward for Mikhal. Every single thought, emotion, tear, and comment was driven by the deepest love. We may not always agree, but we’re not meant to. We’re meant to push ourselves every day to be better than we were yesterday and to build a better tomorrow for all of God’s animals and for each other.
We will be leaving tomorrow at 1 am to do an emergency freedom vet drive to get him to the specialist by 7 am.
All prayers and positive thoughts accepted.
It’s an obstruction. It’s something the surgeon can’t define, and we are desperately waiting to hear from a soft tissue specialist to review his case if they will even TRY to save him.
May be a towel? Did he eat the towel because he was starving? Are there other things in there? It’s intertwined in his bowels. How long has it been in there? Is he septic? Can he make the trip 3 hours to the specialist, or is there a specialist there that is willing to do it? Can it wait until tomorrow? Will he survive?
He made it to the emergency clinic!!! Pray everyone. He needs us. This was from WAS to VESH (the first freedom driver) in Wichita
