It takes a Village to save Pets
This has been an incredible weekend for pets here in Cape.
First, I ask and bring to your attention the "Bright Spot" Mary-Ann Maloney is presenting about Silverwalk Hounds tonight, Monday April 27 at 10:00 PM KFVS-12. The more attention we can bring to animal rescue in our area and nationwide, the better!
Anyone interested in pets should have been at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri auction and dinner Saturday night. Wonderful time to meet others involved in animal rescue, fostering and adopting while supporting a most worthy cause. I was able to make my rounds before leaving to do a transport (will talk about transports in a later blog). The Osage Center was a great place with lots of space for auction items and tables for dinner. I was able to touch base with many friends and colleagues.
Friday, Little Lenny came to Silverwalk from HSSEMO. He was an owner turn-in to the shelter. Lenny is very small, was terrified in the shelter, won everyone's heart, so SWH was asked to "foster" him. He has some medical issues - his left bulging eye needs to come out, he needs to be neutered and is heart worm positive. Lenny will go to the vet this morning for his eye and neuter. Normally, we would address his HW first, but in his case, his eye takes precedent :(. HSSEMO (Human Society of Southeast Missouri) is taking donations for his care - tax deductible! Their address is HSSEMO, 2536 Boutin Dr., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. Please note "Little Lenny" in the memo line. Lenny thanks you!
On most Sundays, my pending foster parent, Courtney, comes to feed early meal so I can go to church with some dog-free hours afterward. She came yesterday, Spanky ended up in the car with me, so went along to church and breakfast. I wanted to do some shopping afterward but it was getting pretty warm for her to stay in the car. I don't yet have one of those fans that fit in the car windows. All they can do is say "no." My friends at Petco, that is - I took her there, explained I needed to shop but did not want to leave her in the car. I asked the groomers if they could keep her in a crate for an hour or so, my dime. They were happy to do so - thank goodness they weren't overwhelmed with clients at the time. So, Spanky stayed cool, I bought dog food and more without worrying about her. Thanks, Petco!
Thursday, a new friend who volunteers at Safe Harbor's Thrift Shop (Hwy 61, Jackson, across from waterslide by Andrew's Chiropractic) stopped by to see Silverwalk Hounds and leave some dog food. She was a bright spot in my gloomy morning - a day not going well. Amazing how a kind visit can help you re-focus :). Her kindness illumined the rest of my day. Thanks! Stop out and support Safe Harbor's Thrift Shop during your shopping - lots of great stuff supporting a great cause!
I had two comments to my first entry. I want to thank those who commented as both had rescue dogs, one more than the other. This is crucial - my dogs may be happy here but at 20 dogs right now - yikes! - they do not get the attention they would in the smaller pack of their own home, whether it be with 8 other dogs or 3. Adopters are gold to those of us who rescue - I don't want adopters to feel as though they aren't doing enough because they don't have the numbers I do. You are adopting and I applaud you! I pray we all find adopters who will welcome our dogs and cats into their homes as a part of the family and smaller packs. My happy dogs will be even more happy in their own homes!
ADOPT. Do not buy puppies from pet stores or if you are unable to see where they were raised and meet their parents: this means puppy mill or backyard breeder - both of which are not interested in dogs but cash. MO is the puppy mill capital of the world. This is a most shameful title. It says those of us in MO are more interested in money than in caring for the creatures God created. MAAL (Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation) has a traveling exhibit each year. This year it is titled "Lions, Tigers and Puppy Mills - Oh, My!" My dog Spanky's rescue photo placed 3rd in the top ten of the juried entries. It was taken and submitted by Melanie Coy. I have two other dogs from puppy mills, both who have ongoing issues from their time in a puppy mill. STOP THIS MADNESS - we need to respect and care for all gently and with kindness as we would each other. Spanky was one of the dogs found in the old Appleton area last September. She collapsed twice in the few days before I was able to pick her up to foster. I was so shocked a dog would still be alive only as a skeleton with skin on. Today, Spanky is 65#, has earned her Canine Good Citizenship certificate and will be going for her Therapy Dog cert.
What am I saying from this past week? I wanted to share the multiple methods of cooperation, support, "random acts of kindness," and appreciation by entities/persons who impacted my life, the lives at Silverwalk and our community this past week. Together, we can improve and appreciate the gift of pets in our lives.
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