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!

Whitney, on arrival at Desert Haven

Whitney, a tiny young Terrier Whippet mix who had been wandering the Palomas countryside with another little girl-dog, was recently rescued at Desert Haven Animal Refuge (DHAR), together with her little buddy. Whitney was injured and needed to undergo a very serious operation to repair a ruptured diaphragm. We were told by the veterinarians who diagnosed her injury that it was probably created by trauma that little Whitney suffered either before or after being “dumped”. A kick by a former owner or some senseless passer-by, perhaps a larger dog such as the one pursuing her and her little buddy at the time they were both rescued, may have been the cause of Whitney severe injury that, if not treated immediately, would cause this little girl-dog to deteriorate rapidly and die a sure and painful death.

We had a choice to make at Desert Haven - either euthanize her before she continued to suffer with no chance at survival, or risk a surgery that, if successful, would give little Whitney her only chance to live at all. Whitney underwent the three-hour surgery last Monday. A gentle little girl-dog with a strong will to live, she is now recuperating at the animal hospital until she can be brought back to DHAR and its crew.

Individuals who abandon domestic animals, whether on the side of busy highways, in neighbors’ yards, or near peaceful neighborhoods, are causing them an enormous amount of stress that often develops into mental and sometimes irreversible trauma. Their time spent on their own disrupts their immune system and often brings on grave illnesses, deadly diseases, painful injuries. What a horrible end for a dog or a cat whose greatest fault is to have been born unwanted!

Our animal welfare organization operates under a very tight budget that forces us to often make difficult choices to insure continued financial stability. Should we have euthanized little Whitney because of lack of funds? Could we instead let her keep on suffering until she died from her injury? Or should we give Whitney her only chance at life, by choosing the very costly operation instead?

The costs of a surgery of this type are prohibitive but we felt that Whitney deserved this one new chance at life. Perhaps, in doing so, we were also attempting to correct in some small way, something badly wrong in our own society, when too large a segment of the population still treats animals like trash, to be discarded at will. Too many unwanted and abandoned animals suffer painful and lonely deaths as they struggle to survive on their own. To us, little Whitney embodies the attempts of those of us who sincerely care about animals, to redeem, in some way, our Society for the wrong created by some of its members.

If some of our readers wish to help us cover parts of the huge costs of Whitney’s surgery, please let us know how you can help us raise the needed funds. Visit us at Desert Haven on Tuesday, contact us at 894-2778 or check us out at http://www.DeserthavenAnimalRefuge.com. Or follow up on little Whitney’s recuperation here on this blog.

Week of 1/11/09 Humane Happenings

Tom & John work as a team on the Tuesday project


Desert Haven ( DHAR), Sierra County’s No-Kill domestic animal sanctuary, is a very special place for the unwanted animals seeking refuge there, but also for the folks who commit weeks, months and even years of their life to help give those innocent creatures new hope and a new worthwhile existence. Tuesdays are special at DHAR for many reasons. Most of the folks involved at the sanctuary work together on projects that day, and when everyone gathers for the 1 PM pot-luck lunch, there is an atmosphere of camaraderie and kinship that can’t be beat.


Ron in the kitchen

Also, many of the pot-luck lunches could rival some of the best restaurants in our area. Deb Peter’s recent pasta bar was absolutely delicious. Everyone pitched in with a specialty sauce, salad or dessert, including Ron Gjurovich who delighted the seafood lovers with his superb clam sauce. Last Tuesday, Ron's brisket slices on a bun was a winner. It takes a lot of food to feed an average of 22 hungry folks every Tuesdays, and everyone pitches in, in a way that is remarkable.

This week's Kudos go to Dr Cardwell, owner and operator of Hot Spring Clinic and Sierra Animal Shelter, who for many years now, has supported both Spay-Neuter and Spay-a -Stray programs instituted by our organization in 1990 and 1994 respectively. His support does not stop there; when we opened DHAR to dogs and cats with no other place to go, Dr Cardwell accepted to sterilize our DHAR animals at a lower fee, and to also lower his prices on some of the shots. Without his gesture, sterilizing our animals and keeping their shots up-to-date would have been very difficult to assimilate for our small organization.

Because of Dr. Cardwell’s generosity, our animal welfare organization is able to offer one spay-neuter each month to one local resident with an animal in need of sterilization. Our organization chooses the lucky recipient each month and the surgery is performed, courtesy of Dr Cardwell. A very nice gesture on the part of a very busy veterinarian. Thank-you, Dr. Cardwell.

We need help at Paws & Claws, our humane society thrift shop. Deb Peters needs the services of someone interested in helping her check donated electronics and small electrical appliances in the shop. If some of our readers can spare a couple of hours either Wednesdays or Fridays, please contact Freddie at 894-2778 for more information. We sure need help in that department, either Wednesdays between 12 and 4 PM, or Fridays, between 10 and 4 PM.

Interested in finding out about us, contact us at 575-894-2778, visit Desert Haven on Tuesday or by appointment, or check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

In the Spirit of Christmas at Walmart

Since Wal Mart opened its doors in T or C this past Summer, Desert Haven, Sierra County's No-Kill domestic animal sanctuary, has been the lucky recipient of damaged bags of pet food (mostly dog food) that, together with donations from local animal loving residents, are helping feed the animal residents of DHAR.

Speaking of the sanctuary's canines only, depending on the number of resident dogs at the time, it takes an average of 15 to 20 lbs of food each day, not including treats, to keep the residents of Dog Town well fed and happy. The Wal Mart contribution of damaged bags of dog food has been a very welcome addition to their staple diet and Wal Mart's gesture is very much appreciated.

Eliana Aubin ( left) - Sierra County Humane Society President & CEO of Desert Haven Animal Refuge - wishes to thank, on behalf of everyone involved at the sanctuary, Wal Mart Manager Patrick Roman, as well as both Wal Mart employees Jacque Bechtel (middle) & Debby Bodie ( right) who have facilitated the donations since Wal mart opened last August.

Week of 1/4/09 Humane Happenings

Deb Peters & Dolly Loftus at Paws & Claws Thrift Shop

Welcome to Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Ken and Isa DeArman. This friendly RV’ing couple recently arrived to the sanctuary from their home in Lake Havasu, AZ, to fulfill their Winter commitment to our no-kill facility. When Butch Nottleman arrives from Virginia within the next couple of days, our Desert Haven work camping crew will then be complete until Spring.

At this time, kudos go to Work Camper coordinator Dolly Loftus, who, with the help of Desert Haven CEO Eliana Aubin and Operations Coordinator Freddie Lovelace, is doing a superb job keeping track of all the work camping inquiries from throughout the US. Dolly’s phone skills, her patience and professionalism in all that she does are wonderful assets when it comes to not only inform potential work campers about what we do here at Desert Haven, but also choose from the many inquiries we are receiving year ‘round, the best folks for the job, so to speak. Not an easy task for sure!

Reba Wagner, husband Gene and son Steven are now settled at DHAR from their home in Tennessee and we hope that they will continue to consider the sanctuary their home for many months to come. Gene, a jack-of-all-trade who enjoys staying busy and helpful, is also wonderful with the resident dogs. A caring and patient man, Gene has a special way with rescued dogs that have been traumatized in their former life, and he takes time to help them get acquainted with their new environment and learn to trust people again. Their young adult son, Steve, is also very helpful and a pleasure to work with. Even though his new job working for a local business takes much of his time, he always helps his parents handle their commitment at DHAR. His mother Reba is now DHAR Animal Care Coordinator and we have no doubt that she will handle this new responsibility in the same professional way that she has already demonstrated in every task she was asked to perform since her family’s arrival this past Summer. It’s great to have you all here, Reba, Gene and Steve.


Lazy day in the Cool Cat Neighborhood

Fifteen year-old feline named Papillon, resident of the Cool Cat neighborhood at DHAR for many months, was reunited last Tuesday with his former human friend, a Coast Guard named Ryan, who was 12 years old when his family rescued the kitty from an animal shelter in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. A beautiful story of the love of a child - now a man - for his cat, a love that endured many hardships along the way. For those with internet access who wish to know more about this moving story, check back here at this blog within the next few days.

Our wish list for this week: Dry and moist cat food, also dog and cat treats - no rawhides, please.

Interested in finding out about us, contact us at 575-894-2778, visit Desert Haven on Tuesday or by appointment, or check us out at www.deserthavenanimalrefuge.com.

Letter from a Volunteer

submitted by Jan Haley

I have recently become a volunteer at Desert Haven. I've been aware of DHAR for several years and had intended to visit and see if it would be a place, as an animal lover, that I would want to volunteer. I finally dropped in for the Tuesday pot luck, and was pleasantly surprised by my experience. Not only was I warmly welcomed by Eliana and all of the volunteers, I got a chance to tour the facilities and meet the animals. It was immediately clear to me that the animals were very well cared for. In addition to basic needs--food and shelter-- I learned that the dogs were walked, or allowed to run, in the huge fenced enclosure twice a day.


Shadow & Stan

What most impressed me, though, and continues to impress me, is the loving attention that all of the animals receive every day. Dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, are all attended to with gentle care and attention. Rather than a sad and depressing experience that I'd feared when I imagined the abandoned and homeless animals that I'd see, I felt relieved and grateful. The animals I met that day, and have since come to know, are pampered and loved. While the best possible situation for the dogs and cats, and the obvious goal of DHAR, is for them to go to good homes, these animals are living well while they wait for adoption.


Father Peter, Ralph & Benji playing ball

Soon after I became a volunteer, I became involved in a situation involving two older dogs in my town. They were left alone at their owner's former business location after they divorced and moved away. They had hired a local teenager to feed and water the dogs, but except for about 5 minutes a day, they were alone. These dogs had lived together for about 5 years and got along well except for occasional fights over food or attention. Unfortunately their last fight was a bad one. Emma was severely injured by Sophie, after they both tried to get petted at the same time by the boy who fed them. Sophie was taken to another location in town and penned. Emma lay injured for almost 24 hours, wet from being sprayed by a hose to break up the fight, and unable to get up. I found her in this condition after I was informed of the fight. A friend and I got her to Dr. Cardwell's office. She was there for several days and her previous owner paid for her treatment, but relinquished her to the shelter. She was going to be euthanized within a few days if she wasn't adopted. It was clear that she would not be adopted, and I had a full house and couldn't take any more animals. I appealed to my new friends at DHAR. I knew that if they took Emma, they would be using one of their rare vacant spaces for a dog whose chances for adoption were slim at best. They considered the situation and agreed to take her. When my friend, Steve, picked her up from Dr. Cardwell's office and delivered her to DHAR, a number of volunteers were there to meet her. They treated her like she was a special guest and Emma wagged and smiled her way into the hearts of the whole crew. She was only there for about a week, when a couple who had previously adopted a dog from DHAR, heard about her plight. They picked her up and took her into their home. I've visited her several times since she was adopted and she is one happy dog. She's eating good, nutritious food, walking, playing with the other dog and cat. It was a wonderful ending to a sad story for Emma, thanks to DHAR.


Sophie needs someone to love and to be loved by

Unfortunately, old Sophie was still an issue. She was back at the place where she and Emma had lived together. Now she was completely alone, except for feedings and when I, and a couple of other people, walked her or stopped to talk to her. While she'd had her problems with aggression with Emma, she loves people and would howl with pleasure when I'd come to see her. I tried to find her a home somewhere in town but no one could take her. I finally decided to appeal to DHAR once more and again, after deliberations, they agreed to take her. She is there now and is doing quite well. The volunteers have again shown great compassion for a sad old dog. Knowing Sophie's history, I think I can say with assurance that she is more contented than she's ever been. We are all trying to find her a good home where she can be an only dog. She deserves the same break that her old friend, Emma, has received.

I only spend a couple of hours a week at DHAR at present, but hope at some point I can do more. I'm enjoying the work, the animals and the other volunteers. I'm so grateful for this experience and that places like DHAR exist.

"Thank you, Jan, for your help, support, and writing this lovely letter!"
Camille & the Staff of DHAR

I Rescued a Human Today

Submitted on behalf of all shelter animals by Robbin Brodsky; DHAR Volunteer


........I rescued a human today.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved.

At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.


Shirah, in need of a forever family