Humane Happenings Week of 2/10/09

by Eliana Aubin


Chaco enjoys the sun's rays

Patch Rose’s journey has come to an end - he has gone Home. His friends at Desert Haven Animal Refuge (DHAR) remember him as the friendly and quiet young man who spent many Tuesdays at the sanctuary sometime in 2004, before he settled into a new job with the local media. DHAR had just opened its doors a couple of years before then. As he mingled among the volunteer crew each Tuesday, Patch asked a lot of questions and took many photos. Several months later, a two-page article about DHAR including several photos, came out in the July Edition of Highways, a nationwide magazine with a membership of over one million households. We owe Patch our national recognition, so early in Desert Haven’s existence, and we have never forgotten it.

Patch’s wife, Sylvia, is very special to us as well. For several months during that time, she volunteered many hours at Paws & Claws, at a time when our volunteer crew was very small and grossly inadequate. A gregarious and energetic lady, Sylvia made a huge impact among those of us there at the time and we still remember her, sorting through the many donated bags of clothing, in the shade of the drop-off box in the middle of the summer, in front of the former Paws & Claws thrift shop. In your moments of sadness, Sylvia, please remember the many friends you and Patch made along the way. You are not alone in your time of sorrow.

This week, we wish to especially thank the several folks, local and from out-of-state, who made contributions to Desert Haven. Among others, we received a card from a couple from Washington State, who wishes to be known only by the initials J & R and who is spending the Winter in one of our State Parks. Their comments were very encouraging and their contribution will go towards out pet food fund, as requested. Nine years old Sophia Nelson of Havelock, North Carolina, read about little Whitney’s story and decided to do her part, so she gave up her allowance to help with the costs of the surgery on our little girl-dog. Good for you, Sophia, and your mom is to be congratulated as well for raising such a compassionate little girl. Whitney, who by the way is recuperating from her three-hour surgery at the home of one of DHAR human residents, is improving daily and her new-found energy is very heartwarming. This little girl-dog has turned into quite a celebrity among our DHAR crew.

Interested in learning more about us? Visit us at Desert Haven on Tuesday, contact us at 894-2778 or check us out at www.DeserthavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Animal Rescuers Creed

I found the creed in a publication, "Paw Prints", by the MetroWest Humane Society, located in Framingham, MA.

Daisy Mae & friend

ANIMAL RESCUERS CREED

I’ll never bring about world peace. I won’t single handedly save the rain forest. I’m not a brain surgeon and I’ll never transplant an organ to save a life. I don’t have the ear of a powerful politician or world power. I can’t end world hunger. I’m not a celebrity, and God knows I’m not glamorous! I’m not looked up to by millions around the world. Very few people even recognize my name. I’ll never win the Nobel prize or end global warming. There are a lot of things that I’ll never do or become.

But today I helped place an animal!

It was a small, scared, bundle of flesh and fur that was dumped at a shelter, or on the streets by unfeeling people who didn’t care what happened to it, but yet who were responsible for it having existence in the first place.

I helped find it a loving home!

It now has contentment and an abundance of love, a warm place to sleep and plenty to eat. Two little girls have a warm and playful new friend who will give them unending affection and teach them about responsibility and love. A wife and mother has a new free spirit to cuddle, nurture and care for. A husband and father has a furry friend to sit in his lap at the end of a hard day of work and help him relax and enjoy life. And he has a sense of satisfaction that when he is gone all day at work, there is a gentle spirit in his home keeping watch over his family.

No, I’m not a rocket scientist. But today, I made a difference! And I’ll do it tomorrow too, if given a chance.

Author unknown

Donations for Whitney

Sophis & her dog, Tilly

Eliana received this beautiful letter from her granddaughter, Sophia. We want to share it with you because her compassion, at only nine years old, sets an example for all of us. If any reader can help with the cost of Whitney's medical care, please click on the "Donate" button at the right of this page to give using a credit card or Paypal.

Dear Meme,

You know the extra money you send me for spending? Well I would like you to give that money to the strong and determined Whitney. That is if you don't mind. Thank you. I love you.

Love,

Sophia

P.S. Tell everyone I said Hi even the animals and please write back.

Thank you, Sophia, from Whitney and all of us at Desert Haven!

Humane Happenings

by Dolly Loftus



Whitney with Gene

Desert Haven continues to be a beehive of activity. Our new work camper Brad arrived last Friday afternoon escaping the ravages of a Michigan winter. This was due to the fact that Ken and Isa made a fast trip to California so Isa could have some life-saving surgery. She was released from the hospital Sunday, and is recuperating nicely.

Our four-legged success stories continue as well. Whitney, the little dog who had major surgery, is convalescing at Freddie’s. She has boundless energy and doesn’t like the lamp shade collar that prevents her from licking her incision. We have a new puppy, an Australian shepherd, about four months old that is house-broken, walks on a leash, and sits on command. He is also very beautiful. Check out the Petfinder.com website for a picture.

The House majority leader has introduced House Bill 265: a groundbreaking bill that would end the use of gas chambers to euthanize dogs and cats in New Mexico animal shelters. HB 265 is a significant step toward improving the safety and lives of animals and people throughout New Mexico. It would ensure that when the state’s unwanted, sick or unadoptable cats and dogs have to be euthanized, the procedure will be done only by injection of sodium pentobarbital. The American Humane considers that to be the only acceptable and humane means of euthanizing dogs and cats in animal shelters. The Sierra County Humane Society endorses this important piece of legislation.

Members of the community, SCHS, Paws & Claws volunteers, and Desert Haven residents mourned the passing of Leonardo Rivera, husband of long time Paws & Claws volunteer Diana Rivera. An impressive ceremony was held at Las Palomas Cemetery conducted by American Legion members and family. We will miss Leonardo’s stories and jokes as he entertained workers and patrons alike.

Our wish list for this week (from our new Animal Care Coordinator, Reba, who is doing an outstanding job) is for canned dog and cat food and cat treats. We continue to need volunteers for the thrift store and administrative help at the office on Tuesdays. For more information, call Dolly Loftus at 740-0715 or Freddie Loveless at 894-2778.

Raccoons & Skunks

by George Jepson

Come spring, raccoons and skunks start looking for a safe nesting area in which to give birth to their young. If you don’t want to have such a nesting area near you then put out moth balls well in advance around likely nesting sites. The smell of the moth balls will discourage them.

If you find that a nesting site has been selected and “mother” is already preparing the nest then please let her be. It’s too late for her to find another place. When the babies are old enough to go out with “mother” for extended trips and the weather has warmed, then the moth balls can be put out to discourage them from hanging around. Mother and babies will most likely leave on their own anyway. Everyone wins.

Please do not feed the raccoons. They will show up to be fed in increasing numbers. And while they are cute when small they have a nasty set of teeth and claws.

Update on Whitney

Whitney is at Freddie's house now, back from the vet as of Friday. Looking good, feeling good and everybody is very happy about the results of the surgery. ..
Once Desert Haven pays both vets, etc. it will cost over $1000.00 by the way...Tough.... but what else could we have done? Everybody was rooting for the little one....we are glad we did not lose her on the operating table.

If any of our supporters are willing to contribute toward covering Whitney's vet bills, please use the "Donate" button on the right side of this page to make a donation by credit card through PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to do this.

Or please mail a check to:
Sierra County Humane Society
PO Box 638
Williamsburg, NM 87942

Your support is deeply appreciated!