Week of 4/8/12 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Vickie with Pat & Terry in the Old West Pavilion

 Tennis players, do you have used tennis balls you no long use? Many Desert Haven dogs love to fetch and our dog walkers enjoy the exercise too. Vickie is one of DHAR’s “oldest” residents and she beats everyone at “Fetch”! Just watching her run after the tennis balls is a real pleasure! This little girl-dog does not let her age stand in the way! Vicky was one of several dozens of dogs of all sizes and ages literally dumped in the desert around Cuchillo in the middle of summer some years ago. Their owner was a hoarder. Unsterilized and uncared for, they reproduced at will and created a growing health and noise problem in the otherwise peaceful country neighborhood. When their owner was tipped-off by a whistle-blower that he was about to receive a visit from the Sheriff’s Department, he chose to get rid of the problem his own way.

Less than a handful of dogs survived the ordeal and made it back to Cuchillo several days later. Vickie was one of them. Desert Haven rescued her and nursed her back to health. She is now the “Top Dog “ at Dogtown”. Vickie loves to fetch tennis balls.

 Deanna of Wyoming was recently chosen out of several applicants by the SCHS Board of Directors to fill the part-time position of On-Site Manager at DHAR. A nurse by trade and life-long animal welfare activist, Deanna recently made a life-changing decision that is bringing her to the sanctuary within the next few weeks. She will manage the sanctuary with the help of Linda, DHAR Animal Care Coordinator, and the new DHAR Caretaker – a part-time position not yet filled. These are exciting times for the Sierra County Humane Society and Desert Haven. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step indeed….. Desert Haven’s storage of alfalfa, bird seeds and cracked corn for the residents of Birdland & Animal House is depleted. Walmart, together with several local businesses and some wonderful local and out-of-town folks, help keep us stocked with the food we need in Dog Town and the Cool Cat Neighborhood. Please let us know if you wish to help us feed our rescued doves, peacocks, guinea pigs, rabbits and fowl. Two full breed Basset Hounds with papers need a new home. If interested, contact 575-740-3369. Volunteer opportunities are available at Paws & Claws and Desert Haven. Contact us at 575-894-2639 or e-mail us at weR4pets@gmail.com. Visit us at: http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge. and http://www.Facebook.com/deserthaven. Our 501-C-3 non-profit Sierra County Humane Society mailing address is, POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87942.