Thanksgiving lunch 2009
by Eliana Aubin
Thanksgiving was celebrated early at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, the Sierra County Humane Society no-kill domestic animal sanctuary. The crew enjoyed a turkey meal with all the trimmings, together with good conversation and laughter that went on through most of the afternoon on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Desert Haven is truly a special place for animal loving folks. There, they can find peace and fulfillment in being an integral part of a network of caring and kindness whose value extends far beyond the simple care of the animals.
Do you sometimes wonder why some of us continue to give so much of ourselves to help at Desert Haven and also Paws & Claws thrift shop, Desert Haven major fundraiser? Why do we give up the comfort of our homes, especially during the holidays, to help care for the animal at the sanctuary? Why do we give so much of our time to help insure that Desert Haven continues to be there for animals in need? So many domestic animals in our area have been abandoned with nowhere else to go. Where would they go if Desert Haven did not exist? Why do we do it, will you say, day after day, year after year? What drives us?
Here is one of the most recent reasons: little Snoopy. A small male Pekingese was recently seen wandering a busy street in T or C. He was picked up, skinny and very dirty, and brought to DHAR. We called him Snoopy. It was soon discovered that the little guy had a broken jaw. The veterinarian who gave him a check-up confirmed our suspicions that no one else but a human could have inflicted such a blow to the little dog, a blow so hard and so senseless that it had broken his jaw, leaving him badly injured to wander the streets of T or C, aimlessly and with nowhere to go.
Snoopy underwent surgery, courtesy of The Sierra County Humane Society. His jaw reconstructed, he is now convalescing at Dog Town. We often wonder what would have happened to this little guy if we had not discovered him in time. How much more suffering would he have gone through before he eventually died of starvation and exposure, or perhaps of another blow to the head?
Snoopy is the most recent reminder, to all of us who volunteer at Desert Haven and also at Paws & Claws thrift shop, of why we do what we do, without expecting anything in return, except the inner satisfaction that we are doing something good for the soul.
At this time of the year, we are appealing to our animal loving friends and supporters to consider donating old recyclable blankets for the thirty-three kitties, residents of the Cool Cat Neighborhood. With winter weather already here, we are insuring that all the kitty condos continue to be lined with dry, extra warm and comfy blankets and it takes many blankets to keep them warm. We need volunteer helpers at DHAR and P&C thrift shop, canned dog and cat food, also harnesses and coats for our smallest dogs to give them that extra warmth. If some of our readers wish to help us cover the cost of Snoopy’s surgery, we can be reached at POB 638, Williamsburg, New Mexico, 87942. For update on Snoopy, call us at 423-243-6530. You can also contact us at 575-894-2778, visit DHAR on Tuesday or check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com or at www.Facebook.com.
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