Week of 12/14/08 Humane Happenings

Going home with a new dad!

Taters, a young Dachshund living at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, was adopted this past week, and so was Emma, the orphan girl-dog from Hillsboro. Emma started her new lease on life with a warm and loving local family, to become a fur-buddy to another little dog, also adopted from DHAR some months ago. Taters melted the heart of a school teacher from Santa Fe who discovered him on Petfinder. The trip to reach his new “mom”, who was to pick- him up in Albuquerque, was made very comfortable for the little guy by Ron Gjurovich and Deb Peters, two local sanctuary volunteers.
With Deb at the wheel of their vehicle, what better seat for Tater’s than Ron’s lap?

Such trips to facilitate adoptions from DHAR are becoming more and more common. They are made possible by good hearted folks like Ron and Deb, but also by Stan Brodsky of Hillsboro, who handles the Petfinder web site, also by Jeanette Galliard who lives in Albuquerque and whenever possible, becomes involved in transporting the “lucky dogs” (no pun intended) and enabling the reunions by letting the volunteers use her home as a meeting point. Everyone involved with Desert Haven in any possible way, from handling the paperwork to caring for the animals each day, deserves to be congratulated for the successful adoptions and for the happiness that companion animals bring into someone’s life. It takes a special kind of folks to go out of their way to save helpless creatures that others have discarded along the way.
Emma and Taters were our success stories this past week. Seeing the little ones leave Desert Haven and embark on their brand new life with a loving family, the folks who helped make it all possible were reminded once again, in their heart, why they had chosen to help take care of domestic animals in a small no-kill animal sanctuary deep in the heart of Desert country.

Our wish list for this week: Dry and moist cat food - Dog walkers and Kitty Cuddlers at Desert Haven - Helpers at Paws & Claws thrift shop - Sturdy clothes racks - Nice folks to bring the main dish for the Tuesday pot-luck lunches.
Interested in finding out about us? Contact us at 575-894-2778; visit Desert Haven on Tuesday or by calling 894-2778 for an appointment. You can also check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com


Angel, a Christmas puppy

As Christmas approaches, our wish to you, our animal loving readers, is for your Christmas to be rich in love from family and friends, which of course includes your companion animals, here and from all over.

Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin


Hollyhocks in bloom

Christmas is indeed in the air, and here among the Sierra County Humane Society volunteers, several folks have made it their goal this holiday season, to insure that the Spirit of the Holidays can be felt by the customers who patronize Paws & Claws thrift shop at this time of the year. The store front windows at Paws & Claws are indeed very nicely decorated this season.

There have been many folks involved - from those who choose our organization, through Paws & Claws, to donate their new and old Christmas decorations, odds and ends and, by the way, also some very nice Christmas trees, to the several ladies who sort, tag price and finally decorate the windows along the way as the Christmas season advances. Because of the generosity of our contributors of Holiday goods throughout the entire year, our volunteer-run thrift shop is looking like an ideal place to enjoy browsing through some of the most interesting and unusual as well as some truly old and unique holiday decorations from all over.


Erin and Eliana with dogs who all have since been adopted

Even though this is the Season of gift-giving, pets are not included as possible holiday gifts at P&C. Pets as gifts have always been a topic of controversy. There is concern that the recipient may not be prepared for all the responsibilities that come with adding a pet to their family and that the Christmas season might be too hectic a time to introduce a new pet into the household. Consequently, our organization does not hold adoption stations during the holidays, so as not to give any opportunity for folks to adopt a pet from DHAR on an impulse - a spur of the moment decision that may later prove to be very detrimental - even sometimes a death sentence - to the pet.

Christmas with all its tinsels and decorations is so beautiful, yet can be deadly to your household pets. Danger lurks among many of the season's shiny ornaments and festive decorations. To keep your holidays free from emergency visits to the vet, the AKC offers the following tips to dog-proof your home from potential hazards.
The complete article can be viewed at:

http://www.courant.com/features/hc-webdogornaments.artnov29,0,222330.story


This week‘s wish list: cat food, moist and dry. Dog walkers and kitty cuddlers at Desert Haven Animal Refuge. Clothe racks for Paws & Claws. Helpers at Paws & Claws.

Interested in learning more about us? Visit us at Desert Haven Animal Refuge on Tuesdays, contact us at 575-894-2778 or visit our web site and blog at: http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

Humane Happenings

by Dolly Loftus


Al Wilkinson with Parker in training

Life at Desert Haven Animal Refuge continues to be a panoramic vista for the workcampers and animals, and a great place to share a Thanksgiving feast. Last week, Petei and Gray left to visit their family in California for the holidays. They plan on returning in late spring. That’s great news for us; they were hard workers. Tom and Juicy arrived from Ohio on Sunday, and John and Rockette are expected today. How fortunate we are to have people who want to come and share their talents with us and the animals!

Our dog trainer, Al Wilkinson, is back with us. For several months, he devoted most of his extra time to The Bountiful Alliance. Now he is sharing his dog training expertise with our staff of work campers and local volunteers. Thank you so much, Al.

We have recently taken in two new dogs. Shadow is a male spaniel/heeler mix, approximately one year old who has been relinquished by his owner for financial reasons. His bright blue eyes beg for a new home. Emma is an older dog, ten to twelve years old, who was attacked by another dog in Hillsboro and will be recuperating at Desert Haven for the next six months.

With Christmas approaching, an easy way to donate to your favorite cause (which we hope is SCHS) is to shop on line through Good Shop. Good Shop is sponsored by Yahoo.com. Depending on the store, donations range from a half percent to thirty per cent of your purchases. As an example, PetSmart will donate 4%-7.5% of your on line purchase to your designated charity when you enter their web site via GoodShop.com. Click on www.goodshop.com for details. Hundreds of stores are participating and it’s an easy way for you to donate to a good cause for no extra money.


Bootz and children's clothing at Paws & Claws thrift Shop

The Paws & Claws Thrift Store continues to have great bargains for the holiday season, both in gift ideas and decorations. We have items for your everyday use, and the Book Nook is always a good place to find an unexpected surprise.

We still need for volunteers for the office, thrift store, and refuge. If you want more information, call Dolly at 740-0715.

Humane Happenings

by Dolly Loftus


Freddie at a board meeting

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, the Sierra County Humane Society, critters and volunteers at Desert Haven, and volunteers who man the Paws and Claws Thrift Store would like to thank the community for their support of time and donations. It is extremely heart-warming when we realize how much people care about animals and their survival.

Life at Desert Haven continues to be fun and hectic. Freddie Lovelace is back after visiting her 92 year old mother in Indiana. Dick and Jane, a couple of short-term work campers, left last Friday to visit their family in Colorado. They helped a lot with new ideas for our cat area and deep cleaning. The new crew, who have become veterans in a short time, is anticipating the arrival of two more couples the first part of next week. We have some really cute small dogs that are ready for adopting. Come out on any Tuesday between 9 AM and 4 PM for a tour. We have several pieces of statuary that decorate the grounds, but we could use more. If you have some that you are tired of looking at in your yard, please bring it to Desert Haven. We still need assistance in the office in order to give our present personnel a break from time to time. If you like to file, do computer work and play with numbers, call Dolly at 740-0715.

At Paws and Claws, the selection of Christmas merchandise is outstanding. The Christmas tree selection, tree ornaments and other decorations have taken over the store. There is such a variety of items that people run out of time to shop assuring us that they will come back again. Stop by, browse around, and see what you can’t live without.

Our wish list this week is for dry and canned cat food. The staff and volunteers wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Week of 11/16/08 Humane Happenings

Ron and Cooper

Every year since Paws & Claws Thrift Shop opened for business in 1997, The Sierra County Humane Society has collected toys and stuffed animals for the Toys-4-Tots program. Our organization collects an average of 125 new toys each year. We would like to continue the tradition, with the help of our customers. By Thanksgiving, a bin will be available inside the store for the occasion.

We had a good group gathered at lunchtime this past Tuesday - 21 folks, including several local and out-of-town guests. We shared a great Italian meal, courtesy of our Chef-of-the-day Margaret Cacoperdo, and others helped to ensure that there was plenty of good food available.

We are still looking for someone to help with office work, filing, and answering phone calls. Ginny, our volunteer from Hawaii, is leaving the area mid December. We met Ginny Nylen two Springs ago, when she was work camping in T or C. Ginny had read about us in the local papers and she visited DHAR one Tuesday morning. The office skills she shared with us during the following three months were a tremendous boost to our office crew. This Summer, Ginny came back to T or C, and once again, she has been helping in the DHAR office on Tuesday and also at P&C thrift shop whenever her schedule permits. Ginny is also a superb cook.

Accolades of the week: To the nice folks who drop-off used furniture pieces at Paws & Claws, also gently used household items, interesting knick-knack of all types, and brand new items, some still in their original gift box: A very special thank-you to Patricia Lehman and her son Samuel for their kindness towards another human being and for donating money for pet food.

Wish List: mannequin for the P&C store window - clothes racks and shelves or someone willing to build one or two for us. Helpers at Paws & Claws.
Someone with heavy equipment to help us level some of the RV sites damaged by the recent rains.

For more information, contact Dolly at 575-740-0715. Consider visiting DHAR during open hours, from 9 AM through 4 PM. You can also check us out at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Week of 11/9/08 Humane Happenings

Casey

Desert Haven Animal Refuge, the Sierra County Humane Society’s owned and operated no-kill domestic animal sanctuary, was full of activity last week. Casey, a friendly young heeler, was taken in at the sanctuary and she is now getting acquainted with the routine at Dog Town. She has already made several friends among the canine population, including young Ralph, who loved to have a brand new playmate.

At lunch time, the hungry crew gathered slowly around the oversize table and as every seat was getting occupied, the conversations were lively and everyone seemed to have a good time discussing the morning‘s events and the day’s projects. The “Chef of the Day“ - Ginny Nylen - together with her helpers had just put the finishing touches on her superb “Chili Relleno” that was going to be served as the main dish of a typical Mexican meal - good food to be shared by congenial folks, some of them brand new to DHAR. Reba Wagner, husband Gene and son Steve had just arrived from Arkansas in the early part of the week. Then it was Jeff Nowland of New Jersey. Finally, Gray and Pettie Mc Henry of California, who stopped at DHAR for a couple weeks on their way to new and exciting RV’ing adventures - It was great to see everyone get acquainted and the rest of the crew made every effort to help them feel like an integral part of the DHAR team.


Freddie Loveless

Freddie Loveless, DHAR Operations Coordinator & Camp Host, is on her way back to Indiana, where she will be spending some special time with her family. She has not seen her folks in over five years, since she made DHAR her very first RV‘ing experience. We wish her a great time and hope she will be back with us before long. Freddie is very special to us. When she arrived at DHAR at this time of the year several years ago, she was planning to stay only a very short while, then the Winter came and went, and Freddie had already made many friends, not only at the sanctuary, but also in town. The years have passed and Freddie is still with us and we appreciate her very much.

With Freddie away for several weeks, DHAR is looking for someone to help out with paperwork, filing, etc, for a couple of hours each Tuesday. All are welcome to stay for lunch, which is served every Tuesday at 1 PM.

For more information, contact Dolly at 575-740-0715. This next Tuesday, consider visiting DHAR during open hours, from 9 AM through 4 PM. You can also check us out at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Humane Happenings

Caballo Mountains behind Old West Pacita

by Dolly Loftus

The Caballo Mountains continue to be a perpetual Kodak moment as the season and our weather gradually change. We are very excited about three new sets of work campers that will be arriving within the week. Our new local volunteers, Art and Pat, have really stepped up to help when most needed. With new people on board, there work should be a little easier. We could not operate without volunteers, and at times there is a critical need for them. Right now, we could use an administrative assistant to handle basic computer work, file and do light correspondence. Another position, a little more challenging is a financial assistant. This volunteer should be familiar with Excel and like numbers. If you feel that you have expertise in sorting and pricing, Paws & Claws could be your place to volunteer. We need help with clothing, appliances, furniture, electronics, collectibles, books, records, and jewelry.

The Quilt Raffle drawing was held on Halloween and the winner was Pat Faulkner. The beautiful blue jeans quilt was handmade and generously donated to Sierra County Humane Society by Linda Christopherson. Mary Jane and Bill Clelland recently donated a computer and regularly give us cash donations each month for animal food. Roger and Diana Doss of Champagne Hills gave a cash donation for pet food and also a sewing machine in excellent condition. Woof! Woof! Meow!


Cool Cat Neighborhood

Our wish list for this week: kitty cuddlers for an average of 30 cats residing at the Cool Cat Neighborhood, a spacious feline gated community; someone with heavy equipment to help us level some of the RV sites damaged by the recent rains; someone with a truck to help us transport donated furniture and large items; dry and canned cat food; helpers at Paws & Claws. Visit our website: www.deserthavenanimalrefuge.com for information on contacting us.

Week of 10/26/08 Humane Happenings

Bullock's Shur-Save Supermarket
630 Broadway
Truth or Consequences, NM 87901
575 894-6622 /fax 575 894-6620


The Cash-for-clubs program is on again, thanks to the generosity of our local community-minded grocery store – Bullocks in T or C. Bullocks receipts, when redeemed by The Sierra County Humane Society, benefit both SCHS Spay-& Neuter and Spay-a-Stray programs. When you shop at Bullocks, consider saving your receipts for us. Our collection stations are: the T or C Public Library, Williamsburg Post Office or also Paws & Claws thrift shop, located across from Family Dollar. Since the program started some years ago, Josephine Varnum has picked them up regularly from those locations and tallied them for our organization.

Saving Bullocks receipts for our animal welfare organization is a great way for caring individuals to help the local domestic animal population. The money donated by Bullocks through those receipts – over $3500 this past year alone – is used exclusively to help Sierra County folks who want to have their pet sterilized. Last year, our organization spent over $8,000 on the Spay-Neuter program alone.
To help fund the program, we also collect aluminum cans, which are routinely transported by Deb Peters to the local recycling center. Our drop-off location is the Can’s Corral, adjacent to where the “old” thrift shop used to be - 109 E-First St in T or C. You can also drop them off directly at the “new” thrift shop when it is open for business, from Wed through Sat each week. A word from Deb: If you crush your donated cans you will receive brownie points! Crushed cans take much less space in her little truck and she can transport so many more that way at one time!
Accolade of the week: Alan and Teira Buckeridge of T or C, for their generous “Thanksgiving” donation of canned dog food.

Kind reminder: Unless your donated printers and computers come to us with their respective software and cables, they are useless to us. Also, if not brought directly to us inside the shop, they may be destroyed by rain or be stolen.
Old units or those without software, etc, can be dropped off at Radio Shack for recycling.
This week’s wish list: A mannequin & clothes racks for Paws & Claws thrift shop - Large grocery bags for our bag sales - Dog walkers and kitty cuddlers at Desert Haven - Cleaning supply, dust mops, sponges, brushes, etc. Helpers at Paws & Claws -
Interested in helping in some way or perhaps you would like to visit some of the non-human residents of DHAR outside of business hours? Contact us at 894-2778. You can also check us out at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Week of 10/19/08 Humane Happenings

Deb and Dolly with Mexican sunflowers in bloom at Desert Haven

At this time of the year, Desert Haven Animal Refuge is experiencing a shortage of active volunteers to last until the winter crew of RV’ing helpers arrives at the sanctuary from throughout the US. Recently, several work campers moved out of DHAR and into town at about the same time, and the DHAR crew wishes them well as they start a new life in their respective new homes. When DHAR struggles through a lack of adequate volunteer help, so does Paws & Claws thrift shop, especially now that the size of the new shop is more than three times that of the old shop on First Street, and also since the in-kind donations have grown as well.

This week’s kudos go to Dolly Loftus of Elephant Butte. Dolly is the Sierra County Humane Society Executive Secretary and her office is at Desert Haven. As the newest member of the Board of Directors, she is now increasingly involved in the many facets of management of our non-profit organization. Among other responsibilities, Dolly now shares - together with Eliana Aubin and Freddie Loveless - the responsibility of making the work camper program a success at DHAR. She also regularly volunteers at Paws & Claws thrift shop. Since she has taken responsibility for “The Book Nook” at the shop, her efforts have made that section very popular among our community’s avid readers. Thanks to Dolly’s generosity this past Tuesday, the DHAR office’s second computer, generously donated by George and DiAnna Schenetzer some months ago, is now on-line and running.


Eliana, Bootz & Erin in the "Book Nook"

Dolly, a former English teacher and also a working partner in her late husband’s business, is a perfect example that one can be retired and still be very productive. Many worthwhile local organizations need volunteer help – one only needs to look around and find one’s niche. Dolly is invaluable to our organization and we consider ourselves fortunate to have such a person of substance on our volunteer team.


Dolly, with John & Deb, tries out the new bench at Desert Haven

A pat on the back goes to Ken, a technician at Radio Shack, for helping solve our software problem last Tuesday. Mary Roden and Ann Pruit, "thank-you" for your generous donation and yes, it will go towards pet food as promised.

Wish list: Canned dog and cat food. We add moist food to our dogs and cats diet during the winter months. Interested in helping in some way? Wishing to visit an animal at DHAR outside of open hours? Contact us at 505-594-2778 or check us out at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

Week of 10/12/08 Humane Happenings

Ralph

Welcome to Desert Haven, Dick and Jeanette Thomas – “Dick & Jane” for short. This friendly RVing couple is planning to stay at the domestic animal sanctuary throughout the next few weeks and the crew had a chance to meet them this past Tuesday. They, in turn, are slowly getting acquainted with the human and non-human residents. We hope that their stay in our area will be as interesting and fulfilling as they wish it to be.


Benji

The newest residents of Dog Town at DHAR include Benji, a very cute young Wheaton Hair terrier and his buddy Tater, a one year old brindle Dachshund Chihuahua mix who longs to be someone’s lap dog. Both of them have a sweet disposition and enjoy the company of people and of other dogs.


Tater

Tater also loves to ride in cars. There is also young Ralph, a friendly Spaniel mix, and Chocolat, a young Chihuahua who loves toys and who is intensively training to become the “ultimate” in home protection. To visit these dogs and other DHAR companion animals, contact us at 894-2778 for an appointment or visit Desert Haven on a Tuesday, when the refuge is open for visitors.


Chocolat

Judy Ray, who has been Desert Haven’s Administrative Assistant Extraordinaire for some months now, is moving on to experience new RVing adventures. Anyone with office skills, a couple of hours to give on Tuesdays and the willingness to help a good cause is invited to help us fill the need. We sure could use their help on Tuesday mornings.

This week’s wish list: Canned pet food, deck brush, cleaning supplies - Dog Walkers and Kitty Cuddlers - Also several volunteers to help set up the Bag Sale Boutique that is now open at Paws & Claws thrift shop every Third Friday of the month? We always need large grocery bags for that specific sale.
Interested in helping in some way or perhaps in adopting a companion animal? Contact us at 894-2778. You can also check us out at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Week of 10/8/08 Humane Happenings

Desert Haven Animal Refuge, owned and operated by the Sierra County Humane Society, will celebrate the birthday of St Francis, patron saint of the animals, on Saturday October 11. “The Blessing of the Animals” will be held at Rainbow Bridge Pet Cemetery from noon to one PM, with Father Peter Cacoperdo of St Paul Episcopal Church officiating. All companion animals attending with their owner will be blessed individually.

Desert Haven was very quiet last Tuesday morning, with a smaller crew than usual. The chicken and rice prepared by Margaret Cacoperdo of Elephant Butte was enjoyed by everyone present. Margaret, who came with Father Peter’s mother, Lucy, is a long-time friend of DHAR and it’s always a pleasure to see them.

The several large beautiful furniture pieces recently donated by Lynn Neglia brought a lot of attention at Paws & Claws until they were sold that same week. We also appreciate the generous nice couple who dropped off a gorgeous entertainment center. Again, we wish to acknowledge all the nice folks who donate so many new and like-new items, some of them still in their original gift-box.

A big “Thank-you” goes to Jeanette Galliard who recently drove to DHAR an entire truck load of hay all the way from Albuquerque where she lives and works. The hay is used in Dog Town to line the dog houses as well as in Birdland & Animal House, where it insulates insulate the guinea pig and rabbits habitats and the nests for our doves, chickens and peacocks.

Keep the bags of aluminum cans coming. An extra pat on the back is in order to those nice folks who crush them before they drop them off. Deb Peters of Palomas is truly special for transporting them regularly to the local recycling center. The proceeds from the cans help our Spay-Neuter program.

The Cash-for-clubs program has started again, thanks to the generosity of Bullocks Grocery. Bullocks receipts, when redeemed by our organization, benefit our SCHS Spay-& Neuter program. They can be dropped off at Paws & Claws thrift shop, also at the T or C public library and Williamsburg Post office. If you prefer, you can send them to us at the SCHS, Post Office Box 638, Williamsburg, NM 87942

This week’s wish list: pet food, dry and canned - A mannequin for Paws & Claws thrift shop - Large grocery bags to be used for the upcoming bag sale - Dog walkers and kitty cuddlers at Desert Haven - Helpers at Paws & Claws - Cleaning supply, dust mops, sponges, brushes, etc.

Interested in helping in some way or perhaps you would like to visit some of the non-human residents of DHAR outside of open hours? Contact us at 894-2778. You can also check us out at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Week of 10/1/08 Humane Happenings

"Hold me tight, Bootz!"

This week, the Sierra County Humane Society kudos are due to Ellen Farrester - Bootz – of Williamsburg. This special lady started volunteering on a regular basis with the Desert Haven crew several years ago, when the shortage of available helpers was great one summer. Along the way and until she adopted a dog of her own, Bootz became a foster mom for several DHAR dogs and she helped teach them the ways all good dogs should know. Last year, she was elected vice president of the Sierra County Humane Society. When the shop recently moved to its present location across the alley from Family Dollar, Bootz saw the need for extra helpers there and she started volunteering there a couple of days a week. Bootz, together with her husband Jack, also makes many of the interesting old-fashioned signs for DHAR. Thanks, Bootz, for all that you do. It is recognized and appreciated.


Old West Placita

Photo buffs, do we have the place for you! Desert Haven, with its Old West flair, is a haven for photo enthusiasts. Especially at this time of the year, when the wild flowers are in full bloom and all the vegetation is at its best, Desert Haven, with its rustic atmosphere and its animals living happily in comfortable habitats, provides many photo opportunities not found anywhere else. The Old West Placita – the center of DHAR - is building character each year. Built with barn wood collected from all over, it has been decorated over time with interesting items donated by animal loving friends from all over.


Old West Entrance to Rainbow Bridge

From time to time, someone adds a special touch to the Old West scene. A large cast iron pot and an assortment of some old cooking equipment add that special Frontier Town touch to the front entrance of The Lonesome Dove Hotel -the large aviary housing peacocks, white and domesticated ring-neck doves. A wooden barrel container sits at the corner of the entrance gate to Birdland, which is built with barn wood donated from several local old homesteads. Large rocks were recently moved to their current location and now outline the walkways, giving them a feeling of always having been there. Little by little, garden decorations and statuaries, also donated by local residents, can be seen here and there as they add to the country charm of the entire DHAR property. Mother Nature is doing its part as well and this year, The Old West DHAR Placita is an attraction in itself.


The Old West Placita

This week, we wish to thank all our friends, local and also from all over the US, who are generously supporting our organization in as many ways they can. We could not do the work we do without their on-going support, financial and otherwise. Many thanks to Desmond Hughes for his generous donation of dog food and treats. We always can use pet food. The canned pet food becomes a crucial addition to the diet of the residents of Dog Town and the Cool Cat Neighborhood, with the nights getting colder at this time of the year in our South-Central New Mexico Desert.

Interested in helping, or perhaps just finding out more about us? Check us out at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com or call us at 575-894-2778.