Week of 12/10/06 Humane Happenings

Welcome back to Desert Haven, Joanne Hoyt! Joanne has been an active local volunteer both at Desert Haven Animal Refuge and Paws & Claws thrift shop since the day she visited the sanctuary several years ago. Joanne has just returned home from a long visit with family who live out-of-state, and everybody at Desert Haven is thrilled to see her back with us. She and Judy Sloan team-up every Tuesday morning, to help give The Cool Cat Neighborhood its Tuesday deep-cleaning. Judy is also known at Desert Haven for the super-delicious desserts that she bakes for the crew every other week.

Lois DiAndrea’s’ BBQ – one of her specialties - was a hit last Tuesday, and everyone raved about it. The good food, together with the friendly atmosphere, helped make lunchtime very pleasant at Desert Haven.

It’s great to see Walt Allen of Michigan back to this area for the Winter, as he has done since he work camped at Desert Haven three years ago. We are now waiting for the arrival of former work campers Larry and Mavis Juniper of Indiana, who, while they set-up camp in town, also plan to help with some of our Tuesdays’ projects. Work campers who have made a difference at Desert Haven over the several years of the sanctuary’s existence are remembered fondly and welcomed at each and every one of their visits as the friends that they truly are.

As we do every year at this time, our organization recently donated several boxes of toys and stuffed animals to the “Toys for Tots” program – a good feeling for our crew members!

Reminder: Please consider waiting for Paws & Claws to be open for business when you are planning to drop-off large or, especially, nice items. Unscrupulous folks have been “lifting” large items and boxes of donated items left unattended in front of the shop when it is closed. Call Eliana at 894-2639 or Freddie at 894-2778 for more information.

A few days ago, Ben and Patty Meyers - Desert Haven’s caretakers - left the sanctuary to make an emergency visit to Ben’s elderly mother who lives in Phoenix, AZ and who is very ill. During their absence, we are asking animal loving local folks and Winter visitors to give us a hand for a couple of hours or so during the week or on week-end. Their help is very much needed. If interested, please call Freddie at 894-2778.