It Takes a Village to Rescue and Raise Puppies



Katrina,  lying on the blanket, 
and her friend enjoy the spring-like weather
 with  PUPPIES!



 

A mother dog, and her ten puppies, were victims of a horrible hoarding tragedy.   People who collect animals may be well-meaning when they start taking in animals, but their good intentions quickly go astray causing horrible, overcrowded living conditions that result in the fear stricken animals fighting to survive.   The pups, born to an older retriever mix shortly after the seizure, are thriving in Washington Animal Rescue League's foster care program.   The mom dog was one of 108 dogs rescued in December by the Humane Society of the United States' (HSUS) Animal Rescue Team.  The League took in more than a dozen of the rescued dogs and,  fortunately, had a wonderful volunteer foster family willing to take in the mother dog and her pups.    

The initial  HSUS press release from Macon Mississippi read ...When responders arrived on the scene Tuesday morning they found breeds ranging from hound mixes to Labrador retriever mixes housed throughout the property. Many of the dogs suffered from medical ailments such as skin infections, untreated wounds and other serious ailments. The dogs were being allowed to reproduce and several pregnant dogs were rescued. They were being housed in feces-ridden outdoor pens with little protection from the elements.

Fosters Susan and Tom, and their children Katrina and Nicholas, are quite popular these days.   Lucky for the pups the early socialization is endless.  Had they been born and left in the deplorable conditions, where their mother just barely survived, the pups would never have made it.  Now, in just a couple of weeks they will move on to their forever homes, many not far from their foster home.  



After All These Years, There are Still Too Many!

This picture of cat condos is NOT at the Washington Animal Rescue League.  It was taken at ARF -- Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation in Walnut Creek, California.   I was there for the annual humane educators' conference.  There were nearly 100 of us there attending the two-day event.   Seeing the cats and dogs at ARF and talking to all of the wonderful shelter personnel, volunteers and conference attendees reminded me once again that the companion animal overpopulation problem is not limited to Washington, DC.   Unfortunately, shelters throughout the United States remain overcrowded -- if anything, there are more humane groups and shelters today than there were when I started in animal welfare work more than 30 years ago.   The care we give homeless animals has improved immeasureably over the years.  But the fact remains -- we live in a disposable society where cats and dogs are tossed aside like an old pair of shoes; and, even with low-cost spay/neuter programs readily available, cats and dogs reproduce.  And, they reproduce exponentially!
I came home from California to a yard sprouting with daffodils and above average March temperatures,  which can only mean one thing -- SPRING.  And, with Spring comes an influx of kittens and puppies.  Kittens and puppies are cute -- only Cruella Deville, would say otherwise -- but a  litter of unwanted homeless kittens and puppies is heartbreaking -- they break the hearts of shelter staff and volunteers every day.

Enjoy Spring.  Stop to smell the flowers, enjoy the rising temperatures and tell a friend or neighbor to get their cat or dog spayed or neutered.    

Klaus & Zelda -- A Perfect Match!



Zelda (left) and Klaus (right)
snuggle in the sunlight.



Earlier this year we received an email  from a former adopter stating that her beloved cat had recently died and, Klaus, a recent WARL adoptee (see previous posts), was missing his buddy.   Our adoptions team suggested that she meet Poof and the rest, as they say, is history.

Many thanks for identifying Zelda (Poof)  as a good companion for Klaus and for us. She's been with us for about a month and Klaus and Zelda are getting along great! They track each other room to room, engage in the 11 p.m. romp around the house and do mutual grooming. They both are incredibly playful (Zelda has slimmed down a bit from all the activity) as well a good lap cats.

The picture of the compatible cats, and the accompanying email proves my often said point -- two cats are definitely happier, and far more entertaining than one!

ADORABLE!



Miles holds the smiling pooch for an exit photo --
Custer is spending Valentine's Day at home!



Little Custer, sitting on Miles' lap, did not look like a plush toy when he came  to the League from another shelter.  The victim of neglect, he needed a day at the beauty parlor before finding a forever home!   Custer was treated to a warm bath and a designer haircut by our wonderful volunteer groomer. 

Catapalooza a Huge Success!! Great Felines Still Waiting for Forever Homes!!

Takoma Education Campus student, Jesse,
drew Max the cat especially for Catapalooza

Twenty, TWO-O!!,  cats found loving forever homes at our annual Catapalooza cat adoption event.   The noon time crowd packed the cattery,  meeting and greeting the cats of their dreams.    

This morning the cat room is nearly empty.   A few cats, like Santiago pictured above, is wondering why they were left behind.  We are hoping that adopters, who might want to meet their forever friends in a more relaxed atmosphere, will show up during the week.  Most days, cats chase toys across the floor and climb the floor-to-ceiling cat jungle gym.  And, when you sit down to observe, it is not unusual for a cat or two  to climb into your lap for a little snuggling time.   Some of our more reserved cats, like the stunning, long-haired and declawed (who would do such a terrible thing?) Tikka, are taking their time picking their forever person.  

The festive decorations were created by young artists
 at the Prospect Learning Center,
under the direction of art teacher Rain Young.

Catapalooza! This Sunday

Micky & Merl sleeping side-by-side.

Say that five times really fast -- BACKWARDS.  Or, just come to the League's ultimate cat adoption event,  this Sunday from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m.   Celebrate Valentine's Day at Catapalooza -- create a card for someone special, eat a sweet, or a adopt a cat -- maybe two.   A pair of cats are twice the love. 

Sgt. Chris Holmes and Cazo -- Heroes in the Community, Favorite Classroom Visitors!



Cazo will chew on his toy,
but he would rather play tug!



Cazo really likes fourth grade.



Cazo enjoys posing with his friends.

I visited three schools in the last 10 days and learned something new every time.   That's because D.C. Fire Department's Sgt. Chris Holmes, and his canine partner Cazo, accompanied me to each of those visits.   Like the fourth and fifth graders who enjoyed the presentations, I was amazed every time I saw the photos of Chris and Cazo high atop a pile of rubble in Haiti; tethered from a helicopter hanging in mid-air; and on a small boat in the dark on the Anacostia.  I can't imagine riding in a helicopter, let alone jumping out of one AND holding my dog -- I don't think Nigel would be up for the dare-devil activity either.   But that's what Chris and Cazo do --  in order to rescue someone  lost deep in the Shenandoah National Forest, they are lowered to the ground from a hovering helicopter.  Chris delivers a serious presentation about fire safety and rescue work, but you can't help but laugh when Cazo interrupts, insisting on another game of tug.  Chris gently tells Cazo  platz.  The smart, working dog is totally bilingual.  No doubt there are many tug games during the off hours.





Too Sad for Words

I just opened yahoo on my computer and read this headline,  AP Exclusive: New taste for Thai elephant meat,  The article at, http://news.yahoo.com/ap-exclusive-taste-thai-elephant-meat-035353902.html., is heartbreaking.

If Only Charlotte Could Paint......

Photo by Max

Charlotte had no trouble climbing to the top of the ladder.   If only she could  paint!  She did manage to rub by a freshly painted wall so that her right side donned a completely new look.   We already have one orange cat; and Charlotte, as a calico, just didn't work.  So, Charlotte's first encounter with paint quickly turned into Charlotte's first encounter with a warm was cloth!

Little Kitten Warms Up to Nigel

Nigel is not so sure how he feels about today's office visitor.   The little kitten, found cold and all  alone in an alley, was rescued by a good Samaritan. The tiny tabby is getting lots of attention from League staff,  and when she's old enough, she will be placed in a forever home.  Maybe one with a gentle dog, like Nigel. 

Powell 4th Graders Learn Lots and Surprise Nigel & Me with Thank You Notes and Artwork!

Ms. Stoessel, Powell Elementary School  librarian, and fourth graders pose with Nigel.  Gabriel (center )is displaying the  portrait of Nigel that he created.  Nigel is amazed by the likeness!

Nigel and I met regularly first semester with Powell Elementary School fourth graders.   The inquisitive students travelled recently to the League to see firsthand what happens in the shelter and medical center.   They asked great questions and eagerly volunteered during animal interactions.   They absorbed everything they learned.  Their wonderful thank you notes confirmed their concern for the animals.  I shared those letters with the entire Washington Animal Rescue League staff this morning, and invited my coworkers to stop by my office to see the beautiful drawing of Nigel hanging on my wall.  The artwork was created by Gabriel, and the poster was signed by the entire class.

"....Thank you for letting us see people doing their jobs....We  learned that if you want to adopt a pet you have to be ready."     Roberto

"...I liked the part when Trip, the dog, came into the room.  I liked that part because I learned so much......Thank you for inviting us."  Estephanie

"Thank you for showing us cool tricks with the dogs and letting us do the tricks with them...." Steven

Look Who is in My Office

Emma and Ray are AWESOME!!!!   SPECTACULAR!!! Super Terrific!!!  This long-haired pair don't just purr, they chirp.   AND, they like to be brushed.   AND, they absolutely love to be  in your face, and on your desk, at all times.  AND, they need a HOME!

They came to the League because their person is seriously ill and cannot care for them.   Obviously, their person loved them a lot.   Looks like they have never missed a meal.   AND, they don't get frightened when the printer goes off right next to their ears or when our giant washing machine sounds like it is going to blast off right beneath the desk

Emma and Ray like  hanging out in the office, but they would be even happier if they had a new home -- one with a soft bed.   My desk is okay for a temporary nap, but both cats would like to snuggle on a comfy mattress with a person or two.

Look Again ---- This is Not a Picture of Nigel and a New Friend

Best Buddies -- Ricky & Lucy

Okay, it's true -- I am partial to black labs.  After all, I live with the one-and-only, absolutely perfect Nigel the Wonder Dog.   And, I truly believe that no home is complete without a cat (if you can properly care for a cat).  So, when a recent adopter sent pictures of Ricky, formerly named Sinbad, and Lucy, a Nigel-looking lab, I couldn't wait to get permission to post the picture. 

Their adopter wrote, "I have always been a dog person and never thought I would love a cat so much!"   I wonder if Lucy felt the same.  From the looks of things, it was love at first sight for this made for prime time pair.

Found -- Forever Homes

The very best thing about returning to the League after a long vacation is seeing all of the adoption updates in my inbox.

There was a photo of Shiloh, an all black cat now named Lola, curled up in her plush, new cat, bed; a cute holiday picture of Bentley, the Yorkie, with his three new BFFs all wearing Santa hats for their photo op; a lovely artistic shot of Persia, the gray tabby, stretched out in the sun; and  lots of pictures, including a video, of Sampson, the big, honey of a German Shepherd who was adopted last year by a family who lives in Long Island. Long time readers may remember how Sampson's, new family -- mom, dad, three dog-adoring kids, and a yellow Labrador retriever named Amber, responded to an adoption appeal and travelled to the League to meet, and adopt, Sampson. What better way to start the new year than by sharing just a few of those photos.  Enjoy!

Good-Bye 2011

January 2012 brings freezing temperatures.  No more winter walks with shirtsleeves.   Make sure that cats and dogs are safe INSIDE.   Report animals left out in the cold to your local animal control agency.  

Busy Boxes Continue to Entertain

 Six months after the pizza box carton busy boxes were created by Tuyet and Tra My during Caring Kids -- Animals & Art --  Camp,  League alums, Allister Moody and friend, continue to be engaged by the colorful toys.  Allister (white and orange kitty), who underwent eye surgery while residing at the League, was a staff favorite.   Nice to see that, not only does he see perfectly well, but is loved bunches by his four-legged and two legged forever friends. 


Thanks to Papa John's of the National Capital Area for donating the boxes for the camp projects and thanks to artists Katherine Leonard and Bonnie Branner for coordinating the project.


Information about the Washington Animal Rescue League's Caring Kids -- Animals & Art --  Camp, and two other  2012 summer camps will be posted in February.

Thank You Friendship Hospital for Animals

Nearly two years ago three Rottweiler pups were rescued from a horrible situation -- their "caretaker" put rubber bands on each of the pups.  When the threesome were removed from the situation by a humane law enforcement officer and admitted as to the League's Medical Center our team immediately went to work removing the rubber bands.  It was soon determined, because the damage was so severe, that Riley's left front leg would be amputated. The other pups recovered once the heavy bands were removed from their necks.   Kara,  Riley's primary caretaker in the medical center, fell in love with her patient and adopted the good-natured pup. 

Hailey, the dog standing on all fours in the picture, was adopted  by a rather unconventional family -- she is a member of the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department.  She quickly became the most popular member of the squad, and takes her role as fire prevention expert seriously -- she often  accompanies the firefighters to community events. During the summer Hailey made a guest appearance at our Caring Kids -- All About Animals -- Camp.   She and Rylie took part in a presentation focusing on the horrors of animal abuse. 

All was great until recently.  While playing, Hailey suffered an injury to one of her back legs. As a volunteer organization the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department relies on  donations. Hailey’s care is paid for from proceeds from the firehouse soda machine. At 50 cents per can, it was going to take a lot of soda to get Hailey the surgery she needed to repair a torn ligament in her knee.

Worried about their loyal companion, the firefighters contacted Kara.   The League's Medical Center is not equipped to perform such specialized surgery.  We contacted our very good friends at Friendship Hospital for Animals and the rest, as they say, is history!   Dr. Mat Glassman, worked with Hailey and the members of the Fire Department to make sure she got the help she needed. Both Hailey and the members of the HVFD are grateful for their assistance. Hailey is recovering nicely and is expected to running and playing in no time.  

To read more about Hailey and see pictures of her at the firehouse and xrays of her knee, click on the link  

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=198161986934660&set=a.198161926934666.49069.190298471054345&type=3&theater#!/media/set/?set=a.198161926934666.49069.190298471054345&type=3

Very Intelligent Readers (VIR) -- Celebrate Because of Winn Dixie

Four Takoma Education Campus fifth graders read Kate DiCamillo's award winning book, Because of Winn Dixie, as part of a Washington Animal Rescue League first quarter weekly reading group.  The Very Intelligent Readers (VIR) welcomed Nigel, a Very Important Listener (VIL) to the literary group.  The readers unanimously recommended Because of Winn Dixie.

 "I would recommend this book because it's really entertaining, and there is a funny part. But it comes with sad parts, like when the dog gets lost in the rain.  It's great how it shows how you can make best friends forever, " shared Leslie.

"It was a great book, it made me cry at one part and happy at another.  It has a lot of strong feelings in it," wrote Kahlil.

"I would recommend this book because it might inspire you to get a dog or a pet.   This story will make you cry, laugh and smile.  This book has a dog character and his name is Winn Dixie.   In the beginning of the story he was like all of the other homeless dogs, then he became a happy dog who had a family who loves him," recommended Gelila.

After completing the book, Because of Winn Dixie,

 Kahlil, Gelila, Leslie and Nigel get comfortable as they prepare to watch the movie.  

HOME! for Thanksgiving

Sammi is spending her first Thanksgiving in her forever home.   Who knows where the little poodle spent Thanksgiving in years past, but this year we know that she is with her favorite person, Katherine, and the rest of her new family --  including Jingle, a big, 10-year-old bunny. 

Katherine attended the third session of our  Caring Kids summer camp, the one that focused on dog training.    At the end of the five days Katherine told her pup good-bye, but she continued working on her family about adopting the tiny P-pup.   She must be quite persuasive because after a couple of days her mom called from their vacation and asked if the pup was still available.  "No, " she was told, the puppy was already in a new home.

Soon after their return, Katherine and her family visited the League.  And, there was Allison Krause!   A pretty autumn-colored poodle who had just been returned.   To the best of our knowledge the little dog had lived in at least three homes, probably more.  Katherine's would be her FOREVER home.

Katherine's mother sent a recent update --

It's been 2 1/2 months. We renamed her Sammi. It was 2 weeks before she barked. It was another few weeks before she would not cower around men. She is still afraid of most new people. We took her for her first grooming and she trembled most of the time.  I expect her to become more confident with time. But with us, she's just a sweet, good tempered pup. We just love her.

She gets 2-3 walks a day during the week and more on weekends.  Sammi goes to soccer with us and we've taken her to Great Falls Park.  Sammi is somewhat interested in our rabbit. She sniffs him but that is about it.

Katherine's mom reports that the family cat is not quite so sure about Sammi.   But I am guessing that by next Thanksgiving the update will include a photo of the cat and Sammi in close proximity of one another.  

There is much to be thankful for -- Caring Kids campers, animals in forever home, and for parents, who have never had a dog, but who make the plunge to adopt and then fall in love. 

Getting Decked Out for the Holidays!

My cats don't wear hats.   I can't imagine trying to put a hat on Micky, Merl or Charlotte.  They definitely would not allow it.  Not all cats, however,  are so uncooperative.  Meatball, who was adopted from the League nine years ago, got into the celebratory spirit just long enough so her person could take one good picture.  We know who will be featured on Meg's holiday cards this year!

With Thanksgiving just 8 days away, photos, like this one, reminds us at the League just how grateful we are for adopters who make their animals do silly things so they can share their cats and dogs with everyone they love!

Gypsy Sheds Pounds and Years; Acquires BFF & Permanent Home

It is common knowledge that staff loves adoption updates.  Some animals stay at the League just a short time, typically puppies and kittens get adopted more quickly than adult animals.   Senior animals, and those with "special needs" can reside her for months.   Lately we have heard from folks who have adopted some of those dogs.   The word special comes to mind when I think of the adopters and the updates.  
In this week before Thanksgiving, it is a pleasure to share Gypsy's story sent by her adopter.  The update highlights how animals not only befriend us, but help one another.

Our 15-year-old, blind Aussie, Molly,  died in June.  My wife and I WANTED a new dog, but it became apparent Snickers (our puppy mill survivor dog) NEEDED a dog.
When we met Gypsy at the League, her temperament and confidence shined through in spite of the discomfort from being extremely overweight.  We recognized that Gypsy was exactly the dog that Snickers needed -- a dog who  knew who she was; was used to people, places and dogs... a dog like Gypsy - to serve as a new model for Snickers.
Since coming home, we've continued the weight loss diet started at WARL. We live in an apartment, so our dogs are walked three times a day. While we started slowly to allow Gypsy to acclimate to her new home, new diet, and new activity regimen, we have yet to tire her out with a long walk. Her hunched back and bunny hop has smoothed into a stiff legged trot. Her gait is visibly affected, but not her pace; she keeps up with  much younger dogs. She  LOVES playing with plush toys - the squeakier the better! And who would have thought that  a 7-year-old dog would be so into tennis balls?.
Gypsy's favorite position? Middle of the room, flat on her back, all four feet straight up in the air, watching what's going on from her upside down point of view. She even sleeps that way!

Adopting Gypsy was almost like getting two new dogs!  Since Gypsy has come home, her exuberance and playfulness has re-awoken the same exuberance and playfulness in Snickers that we have not seen since Molly passed away.

We are grateful for adopters who recongize the best in their new friends!  Check back soon, more Thanksgiving updates to come.......

Responsible Student Does the Right Thing!

Pictured right to left -- Gisselle and Charlie and Jocelyn and Pelusha

When Gisselle toured the Washington Animal Rescue League with her summer program she saw many cats and dogs who needed homes.  She learned that there are too many animals and not enough homes, largely because cats and dogs multiply so quickly.  Gisselle learned that responsible guardians spay or neuter their cats and dogs.  Gisselle went home that day and told her mother that they had to get their cat spayed.   Although their cat gave birth before they made an appointment, Gisselle was determined to not only get her cat spayed, but she urged her mom to call the League to make appointments to spay or neuter the mom cat AND her kittens! That way, when the kittens go to their new homes there is no risk that they, too, will be adding to the overpopulation crisis.  GREAT WORK GISSELLE!!!

Dobi is HOME!

Dobi at the shelter

This is a remarkable adoption update that reads like an action adventure.   In order to get the full picture I am posting excerpts from a series of emails sent to Natalie Kahla, our adoptions manager, from Dobi's adopter.  Dobi's rescue, post-adoption, shows the importance of acting immediately, networking, and following every lead when an animal goes missing.   We are ecstatic that  Dobi is now safe and sound in his forever home!

OCTOBER 23 -- As of 5:30, Dobi has been missing. While I was out my friend opened the front door for another person and Dobi dashed out of the house. They took off after him for three blocks before they were out run. I contacted 24PetWatch and filed a report on them, giving them his microchip number. After searching for over three hours with the help of friends and neighbors and local police officers who notified other officers via radio, we ended the search contacting Animal Control and the Washington Humane Society.


Dobi is wearing his collar and his blue harness. He has eaten a little today and has had a little water as he was still skittish and shy this afternoon. He slept with me under my arm last night and has responded a few times to a specific whistle I was in the process of teaching him.


He was seen running past Georgia Avenue and up Rock Creek Church Road NW (towards the direction of Columbia Heights). I have notified neighbors and everyone I have come upon tonight. I will continue to look for him tomorrow morning.


OCTOBER 24 --Still no word on Dobi. I put up about 300 posters around the area he was last seen and all over Columbia Heights.   I posted ads on craigslist and the MPD allowed me to post his flier in front of the main desk so everyone entering the station can see it. A very caring person who saw my flier recommended I join a facebook group called Columbia Heights Dog Park which is a popular dog park nearby. The group has almost 200 members of very involved dog lovers in the community. I have checked with the Humane Society of Washington and Animal Control. 


OCTOBER 25 -- Today was looking up a little better. I was putting up more fliers at a gas station on Georgia Ave posting when I ran into a UPS guy and asked him if he had see a dog. He asked me if Dobi was very small. I said yes. He asked if he was very scared and skittish. I said yes. He asked if he had a "blue thingy" and made a gesture around his chest imitating a harness. I said yes. He said he saw him at 50 Irving (Veterans Hospital at Washington Hospital Center) with a man around 3:30 pm (today) who looked "nervous like he wasn't supposed to have the dog with him" which is why he caught the UPS man's eye in the first place. I went straight there with a friend. We talked to a security guard who confirmed seeing the exact description of Dobi and I gave them a stack of fliers and spoke with an officer who refused to double check the security footage because there was "no way of confirming that dog is really yours".


NOVEMBER 1 --After one week, my baby is home!!! Dobi was found around 11pm tonight by a man on his nightly run on Rock Creek Church Road. Dobi was dodging in and out of the fence and he recognized him from the posters and called the number on the flier. A woman walking her dog came by shortly after, and it was her dog that lured Dobi.  She was able to pick him up and called the number on the flier. Dobi was in my arms by 12:37am. He has lost 5-7 lbs but has his appetite and enjoyed a peanut butter treat on top of his food. I removed 17 ticks from his chest. He has a small scratch on his nose and tip of his ear. The collar he had on him was a very worn and dirty one, NOT his original. His bright blue harness was also not on him. HE IS HOME!

Let's Keep in Touch



Best Friends!

 Our adoptions department sends a questionnaire to adopters once they and their new-found friends have had some time to adjust.   Usually we get an update about a month after the adoption. This photo of Midnight recently came to us; she obviously has had time to settle in and has done so quite nicely.  

Midnight  was adopted from WARL in 2009. She has grown up a lot and has turned out to be a loyal dog who is equally loving & caring. As you can see she gets along very well with our other pet Morning.

Heavy Drama Sequels

Two of my very favorite books are Dog Lost by Ingrid Lee and A Dog's Life: Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. Martin.  Both stories are compelling page turners that cause the reader to root wildly for the horribly mistreated canines.    Both books have those "Oh No" scenes that are like a severe blow to the gut.   Recently I read Martin's  Everything for a Dog, the 2009 sequel to A Dog's Life: Autobiography of a Stray.   It, too, is a page turner but the set-up of the story is much different.  A Dog's Life: Autobiography of a Stray is a tragedy told by Squirrel, a cast-off pup separated from her sibling Bone.   Everything for a Dog is Bone's story, but he shares the spotlight with two other narrators -- Henry and Charlie -- boys whose stories are intertwined with Bone's in an unexpected, jarring  plot twist.   Both stories end happily, but the structure of A Dog's Life: Autobiography of a Stray is far more statisfying than Everything for a Dog.  That said, neither book should be missed.

Ingrid Lee's 2011 book, Cat Found, is written in a similar fashion to her gripping, highly acclaimed Dog Lost, but it can't quite live up to Ann Martin's praise of the first book, ""Much more than a breathless page-turner. It's a brutally honest novel depicting the world of dogfighting in a wicked light but tempering any scenes of cruelty with an entire community of positive characters. And Lee brings together her winning, motley cast, human and animal, for a wonderfully heart-rousing ending. I loved it."  Lee's descriptions of the feral cat colony in Cat Found is accurate, but her characterizations of the many cold, heartless working class people are wooden and stereotypical.    A more accurate and engrossing read about a boy trying to do right by feral cats remains the absolutely perfect story, The Nine Lives of Travis Keating.

CUTE!!!

 


 Yesterday I promised a happy shelter story and today I am delivering not only happy, but cute -- MAJOR CUTE -- thanks to an adopter's adorable update. Little Bocci recently left the shelter for his forever home, and already has a bed full of toys. I don't know for certain, but given that the League is hosting a Howl-O-Ween event on Saturday, October 29th, complete with a really, really spooky haunted hospital, I wouldn't be surprised if our next Bocci photo update is one of the little guy in costume. What should he be?



SAD -- VERY, VERY SAD

I was driving to the League this morning when I heard a radio report that I hoped was a bad- pre-Halloween prank.   The reporter said more than 50 wild animals were running loose in an Ohio community.  Apparently the large cats, bears, wolves, giraffes, camels and other exotic animals were let go or escaped from a local wild animal park.   When I got to the League I did a quick Google search and found that it was no joke.  According to an Associated Press story, "Police warned people to stay in their homes, and ...officials hunted down and shot nearly 30 of the 48 of them overnight under orders to shoot to kill."  

What reason could there be for a wild animal park to be located in a residential area in Ohio?    It is doubtful that cheetahs and  Bengal tigers would live in the wild with wolves, grizzly bears, giraffes and camels.  Do wild animal parks serve any purpose? This was a horrific tragedy waiting to happen.    

Check back soon for a happy shelter story.  

Busy Weekend

Friendship Hospital for Animals celebrated their 75th anniversary with an absolutely awesome adoption event.  Their goal was to place 75 homeless cats and dogs into permanent, loving homes.  From 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday  a steady stream of special folks opened their hearts and homes to kittens, cats, puppies and dogs.  Some of the animals were even adopted by Friendship staff!  The mom cat and kitten who visited me  in my office  last week went home to a mom and daughter duo.   I think that the kitten's forever name is now Clementine, mom's new name was still  being discussed at the time of the adoption.

Charlotte Van Gogh

 

Our shelter is nearly empty.   But, as always, we will be full by tomorrow.  League staff are traveling to other shelters today to pick up animals ready to move into their forever homes.   Hope those homes are safer than mine.    Here is a recent picture of Charlotte relaxing on the piano bench.   I am happy to report that no major mishaps have occured since Charlotte's mysterious ear hacking episode last month.