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You are here: Home>>>Archives>>>Open Line Friday>>>4-15-05
OPEN LINE FRIDAY (4/15/05)
Announcements:
The meeting with Bill Murray of Governor Warner's staff has been postponed until next Tuesday, 4/19/05.
We will let everyone know how the meeting goes.
This week's articles:
Congratulations to the VA Beach SPCA
Confessions of a New Foster Mom - submitted by Kathy Bryant
Casey's House First Anniversary - submitted by Cindy Ingram
Congratulations to the VA Beach SPCA
We would like to congratulate the Virginia Beach SPCA for the help they have provided to our sister organization, the North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare, in dealing with the Sanford puppy mill situation.
The VA Beach SPCA took in 14 dogs recently that had been confiscated from the Sanford puppy mill, and will likely be taking in more now that the puppy mill has been shut down and the owners convicted of animal cruelty.
We would also like to thank all of the other folks who have offered to help, or who have already donated money to this very worthy cause.
They still need help down there, so if you are able, please go to the following link and see how you can contribute:
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Confessions of a New Foster Mom - submitted by Kathy Bryant
When I read that e-mail about the mother dog and her 7 little puppies, thrown out into the cold, into a ditch on the side of the road in 12 degree weather, I just couldn't ignore it. Never having fostered a dog with a litter of pups before, I asked what I'd be getting into. I was told that they only needed TLC from me; the HSCC would provide all necessary food, medication, veterinary care, etc. My husband and I volunteered to foster the little family for the next several weeks, until the puppies were weaned and old enough to go to their "forever homes".
Betty - the Mom
Upon our arrival at the county shelter that evening, we found that there were actually 11, count them, 11! puppies in the litter! We figured 7, 11, what's the difference? We took the dozen dogs home, and what an experience we had! Betty, the mother of the 11 pups, was a sweet, mixed terrier, and a great mom! We borrowed a pet pen from a friend, and contained the whole herd in one large corner of our garage. The pups seemed to be older than 2 weeks, so we started feeding them puppy food very soon, to give Betty some help. They learned quickly, and I looked forward to even the midnight feedings! Each of the puppies had his own personality; from the runt of the litter "Itty Bitty" to the larger pups or "Big Bruisers" as we called them! After about a week of 4 times a day feedings (6 , 12, 6 and 12 o'clock) I began getting the pups onto a 3 times a day schedule. They did wonderfully. (Not that there weren't late nights with antibiotics and 4 times a day cough pills when they developed a mild case of kennel cough) but they all took their medicine and kept right on playing, jumping, growling, and acting like the sweet puppies that they were!
The puppies sleeping in my lap
Too soon, we received a call from the HSCC saying it was time to transport both Betty and her pups to Mohegan Lake, New York, where a rescue group was waiting for puppies. Since we are considered a "high kill" shelter, due to overpopulation of dogs and cats in our area, the animals have a much greater chance of adoption in other areas. Arrangements were made to meet at the animal shelter on a Saturday morning, bright and early, for the transport of our 12 dogs and another 20+ pups and moms. We struggled with the decision to let Betty go, as we had become quite attached to her, but finally decided it was best that she go with her pups, for reassurance on the long ride to their new home. Then, another call -- another mother and her 6 puppies needed to be on the transport Saturday -- could we keep Betty and continue to foster her after her pups left, and until she was adopted? Of course we could, but that only meant we would become more attached to her!
To make a long story short, Betty is now a part of our 4 dog family, and is quite happy to be "childless" again! All of the pups made the trip to the rescue organization, as planned, and within a week, all had been adopted into their "forever homes" in New York. I'm told that puppies don't last long there, as they are quite in demand. Our little runt was renamed "Tiny Tim" and is now living with his little girl playmate, so they will grow up together!
Cute pups!
Fostering is a very rewarding way to help the animals in our community. All you have to do is give them the chance, and the time for someone to adopt them. We found the time to help 11 puppies go to great homes . . . . I know many of you could do the same for a dog or cat in need. Think about it, and think about the wonderful feeling you will have knowing that you helped to save those animals who would very probably be euthanized without your help. And think of all that love that you can share!
Kathy & Butch Bryant
Humane Society for Campbell County
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Casey's House First Anniversary - submitted by Cindy Ingram
Come Join Us for Our 1st Anniversary!
May 21, 2005
All You Can Eat Seafood Dinner (Starts at 1PM)
$15 In Advance/$20 At The Door.
Tickets On Sale Now!
Call Toll Free 1-800-291-7341
Where: 161 Pine Grove Rd. Bluemont, VA 20135
Pet Adoptions start at 9:00 AM (Other rescue groups invited!)
Garage Sale starts at 9:00 AM
(Donations for garage sale gratefully accepted!
Large and valuable items gladly picked up. )