In Memory of Annie 1994-2008

Annie in Eliana's arms

I cherished my little girl.

I found her 14 years ago, during the month of May. I caught this little ball of matted and unkempt fur running through the rocks and the vegetation on the side of the country road we were driving on. My husband and I were returning home from town - a 12 mile trip, totally in the boondocks.

She, a Maltese, and her little companion, a very small poodle, did not even look like dogs. Their dirty hair had grown very long and matted and made them look like some unrecognizable wild animals. They had obviously been lost for some time. I still don't know how they survived in the desert, maybe by eating insects. They both were unusually still fond of insects long after they had been brought back to health at my house.

That day, when we stopped the truck, they ran across the road away from us, and in a minute, they were already gone, deeper into the desert brush. I ran after them as quickly as I could, over the rocks and around the cactus...with my high heels and dress....must have been a funny sight!

It took over 45 min of running and trying to coax them both. Annie, a tiny little girl-dog at the time, only a couple of months old, was tangled up in a cholla cactus. A piece of long-needled cholla was caught between her little legs, against her skin and her matted hair. She could not go any further. She stopped, waiting for me to reach her...uneasy...totally exhausted and surely in pain.

It took all I had to coax her without being bitten by the little poodle who was protecting her. I was afraid they both might run from me again. I finally picked her up and the poodle, which I later named Amos, followed a few feet behind us.


Eliana with Amos (left) and Annie(right)

It took many weeks for me to bring Amos and Annie back to health. They were in very bad shape. I took care of Annie's infection caused by the piece of cholla embedded in her skin. Amos and Annie were very afraid of people. My husband could not pet them for months. They ran back to me as soon as he started to walk towards them, and they hid behind my feet or got very close against my legs.

During the summer, they became my constant companions and I was in seventh heaven. Amos and Annie would not leave me for a second when I was home. I absolutely adored the two little ones. Later on that same summer, Amos was caught by three coyotes. I will never forget that tragic experience. But Annie and I became even more attached to each other. She was my precious little angel - we had a very special bond, she and I. I called her my "Scoobidoo Love Bug". I really miss my little angel.


Chacotah, Eliana & Annie

Week of 5/25/08 Humane Happenings

Annie

The Dog Days of Summer are just around the corner and it’s no wonder that one can already feel the new canine energy throughout Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County’s no-kill domestic animal sanctuary. Most Summer swimming pools are already out at Dog Town, for all canine residents to use and enjoy - and enjoy they sure do!

This week, we have several young kittens available for adoption through our Adopt-a-Pet Referral program, that Stan Brodsky kindly took over recently and is operating from his home in Hillsboro. Two of them are short haired, about 8 weeks old, both with colors of brown, black and yellow. The other two kittens, a female Calico and a male Tiger Stripe, with shades of grey and white, have blue/grey eyes. Interested in adopting a small kitty or two? or perhaps you prefer a dog? Contact Stan at 575-895-5551 or visit us at Petfinder.com, through a link from www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

If any of our readers without access to our local newspaper wishes to use the internet to keep up with the weekly happenings at Desert Haven, Camille Pronovost of Florida updates our blog regularly at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com. Not only current and informative, it is also full of great photos of DHAR’s companion animals living their lives to the fullest while waiting for their forever home, as well as photos of their environment and, just as importantly, of the wonderful volunteers who, through their dedication and hard work, give those non-human residents of the no-kill sanctuary the second chance that every creature on this Earth rightfully deserves.

This week’s high priority wish list: dry dog and cat food, bird and sunflower seeds for our doves and peacocks, chicken scratch for our bantam chickens and roosters. With Summer almost here, several of our long-term volunteers are taking some much needed vacation. We need help to fill-in while they are gone: dog walkers and kitty cuddlers at Desert Haven, any day of the week. Also needed: volunteers to help us complete our relocation in our new Paws & Claws, now located across the alley from Family Dollar. Contact us at 575-894-2778 for more information on how you can help further the cause of Sierra County’s unwanted domestic animals – including sharing in the care of the lucky ones who found their way to Desert Haven.

Our mailing address is: POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87942. You can also visit us at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

In Memory of Annie, Eliana Aubin’s treasured little girl-dog, and of Casey, Leonard Bullington’s beloved constant canine companion, also to all those who recently have lost a dear animal friend:

“Our pets - angels without wings who fill our lives with wonderful things – their memory will be in our hearts forever”.

Humane Happenings

Jerry Andrus

Now that the warm weather is finally here (forget that we were freezing on May 15th and 16th), we are changing the regime for the pets at the refuge, as all pet lover should. Exercise your pet in the cool of early morning and in the evening after sunset. If you have to leave your animals outside for the whole day, make sure they have adequate shade and plenty of water. When traveling in a vehicle, make sure the animals have plenty of air along with bottled water and a dish. Large cities frown on animals being left in a car or truck for even short periods of time.

Jerry Andrus, an extremely reliable workcamper, recently signed up for a life membership in the Sierra County Humane Society. Jerry has been responsible for getting most of the workcampers to be members of SCHS. Just a reminder to those of you who have been members in the past or who have not renewed for this year, please do so. Your membership is the backbone of all our activities.

We have found a way to recycle your old cell phones, so please bring them to us at Paws and Claws. If you bring your accessories, we can sell them at a reduced price to others. Our bag sales of great merchandise continue, so come by and see what you can’t live without.

Ruth Wenning, a long-time supporter, came by the refuge with donations of dog treats, a blanket and a ham for the workcamper’s lunch. Several months ago, Ruth rescued a dog that she was unable to care for and brought him to us. His name was Sport and he has since been adopted out to a loving family. Just another success story!

This week’s wish list: dry dog food, volunteers at Paws and Claws Thrift Shop and at Desert Haven Animal Refuge. For more information or to volunteer a couple hours a week, contact Freddie at 575-894-2778. Check out our website at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

by Dolly Loftus
DH Exececutive Secretary

Week of 5/11/08 Humane Happenings

Desert Haven Placita

Life at Desert Haven Animal Refuge continues at its normal pace: hectic. Not only are the workcampers busy with animal care, but this week we have been dealing with leaky waterlines, watering and pruning the vegetation, and creating new walkways through the grounds. John and Katherine are the head honchos on doing the walkways. Our new workers from Virginia, Terry and Sharon, have quickly adapted to life on the desert even though they make comments about how dry it is. Both are tireless workers at the refuge and at Paws and Claws. Teresa and Floyd were with us for a week, because they were bored at the RV park where they were staying and wanted something to do. The work BORING quickly left their vocabulary after a few days with us.

Moving to our new Paws and Claws location continues to be a work in progress. We are continuing our bag sales at the old location in an effort not to have so much to move. Last Saturday, we had a sneak preview sale at the new store. A lot of great customers came out and left with some treasures they couldn’t live without. A big “thank you” goes out to all those who worked in the store and the customers who support us.

The generosity of our supporters continues to amaze us. The Clelland’s are continually sending us checks and donations of cat and dog food. Muriel Clark from Canon City, Colorado recently made a donation in memory of Dorothy Plaatje. A gentleman came by the shop last Thursday and gave Freddie a check from the Homeowners Association out at Unit 8 in Elephant Butte. What an unexpected delight that was! A lot of people don’t even care about recognition: they just leave things on our doorstep. Thank you one and all.

For more information or to volunteer a couple hours a week, contact Freddie at 575-894-2778 or checkout our website at DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

by Dolly Loftus: DH Administrative Assistant

Week of 5/4/08 Humane Happenings

Jo Wishnie & Karmalita

This week, we wish to thank Jo and Fred Wishnie of Milwaukee Wisconsin, for stopping by Desert Haven Animal Refuge for a couple of weeks as they are traveling across the US. “The Wandering Wishnies” (as they call themselves) stated in Jo's blog that they “decided to shed the trappings of 'normal life'; home, family, jobs, possessions ....... and go off to see the world”. Jo & Fred assimilated very quickly to the daily routine of caring for the non-human residents at the sanctuary, while also making many new friends. Before they left DHAR, they made a point to donate their almost new bicycles to be sold at Paws & Claws thrift shop – a thoughtful gesture that was very much appreciated. Desert Haven was also the subject of Jo’s journal posted on her exceptionally well done blog.


Camille Pronovost - DH Webmaster & Blogger


Camille Pronovost, who, since the winter of 2007, has sponsored and maintained the Desert Haven web site from her out-of-state home, also posts the Sierra County Humane Society’s article “HUMANE HAPPENINGS” on this blog. Camille not only created the blog, but she also updates it weekly. She also includes in the blog digital photos depicting the life at DHAR for the human as well as the non-human residents of the small sanctuary. Animal loving folks from all over the US who are interested in DHAR and in what it stands for can keep up with Camille’s blog. Scroll down to the previous post for another link to Jo and Fred’s Wishnie’s journal along with the dates for their visit to Desert Haven. Well worth reading!

Desert Haven is small and certainly can’t compare, of course, to larger sanctuaries such as Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah or those operated by large and well-funded Humane Societies throughout the US. Regardless, what we do here at Desert Haven is just as important and just as worthwhile. We realize that we cannot save all the animals that need saving, but we know that we make a difference in the lives of those that we can save. That in itself is very heartwarming for all of us who love animals and who want to leave this Earth a little kinder than when we found it.

This week, several small kittens - 3 females and 1 male -are available for adoption through The Sierra County Humane Society Adopt-a-Pet Referral program, handled by Stan Brodsky of Hillsboro. Stan also maintains a current list of other dogs and cats in need of adoption through that specific program. He can be contacted at 575-895-5551.

For more information on The Sierra County Humane Society, Inc., Desert Haven or Paws & Claws Thrift Shop in T or C, or to volunteer to help the cause of domestic animals in Sierra County, contact us at 575-894-2778.

The "Wandering Wishnies" visit Desert Haven

All of us at Desert Haven extend special thanks to Jo & Fred Wishnie, volunteer work campers here for the last two weeks in April. Jo is pictured above, good-naturedly taking on the task of cleaning the guinea pigs' pens.

Fred is seen below bonding with Karmalita and Emmy.



In addition to all the physical help, the Wishnies also gave us some much appreciated PR on their web site at www.mytripjournal.com, chronicling their RVing adventures. Check the three posts dated April 15, April 20 and April 28, 2008 for a candid description of the "workamping" experience and many wonderful photographs.

Thanks again, Jo & Fred!

Week of 4/25/08 Humane Happenings

Future new home of Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe

Happy belated Birthday to Judy Ray and Kathryn Sphar, who, for several months now, have been residing as work campers at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, the small, no-kill domestic animal Sanctuary owned and operated by The Sierra County Humane Society.

Kudos to Mary Roden of T or C, Jodi Vandermark of Williamsburg, Vicki & Fritz Sorg of ALCO, in T or C, Fae Olson of Elephant Butte and also Fred & Carol Volguardson of Ruidoso for their donations of pet food or large items for DHAR. We also wish to thank all the animal loving folks who drop-off their contributions of pet food anonymously at Paws & Claws thrift shop, and also those we may forget from time to time in our public recognition.

A huge thank-you goes to all the nice folks who donate their used furniture pieces to Paws & Claws thrift shop. Now that the shop will soon be relocating into a more spacious building across the alley from Family Dollar, we are more than ever asking our animal loving supporters to choose The Sierra County Humane Society - who operates Paws & claws thrift shop - to donate their used furniture and large re-sellable items. As always, we are also very grateful to all our wonderful contributors of gently used items as well as of their old, their vintage, their one-of-a-kind treasures. For more information, call us at 575-894-2778.

Do you have aluminum cans to donate? The SCHS has a Cans Corral on the outside corner of Paws & Claws thrift shop. We redeem them for cash to help fund the SCHS spay-neuter program. Spay-neuter applications can be picked up at the T or C Police Station.

We also redeem your Bullocks receipts. Please bring them to Paws & Claws, the T or C Library or the Williamsburg Post Office.

This week's wish list: Pet food, Dog walkers and Kitty cuddlers. Volunteer helpers at Paws & Claws thrift shop. From Wednesdays through Saturdays, we sort through, tag and display boxes of donated items, also sort and hang clothing. We always need more helpers and soon, with more spacious quarters to display items for sale, and also a very nice working area, we certainly hope that local folks who want something worthwhile to do with some of their free time will strongly consider Paws & Claws thrift shop to volunteer at.

Stan Brodsky of Hillsboro has kindly taken over the posting and updating on the Petfinder.com web site of the animals ready for adoption at DHAR. The easiest way to check out the list is to click on www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, then click on the petfinder.com link. The DHAR web site was made possible by Camille Pronovost of Florida, along with this blog that animal loving folks won't want to miss. For more information on the SCHS and DHAR, contact us at 575-894-2778.

Week of 4/20/08 Humane Happenings

Kathryn

For some time now, Kudos has been due to Ray Hodges of Hodge’s Corner Restaurant in Elephant Butte. A well-known and well-liked community minded business owner and operator, Ray has been very supportive of The Sierra County Humane Society over the years. This year, he donated certificates (buy one meal, get one free) to be distributed to all the new work campers who choose Desert Haven to volunteer their time until they move on to new RV’ing adventures. The folks never fail to take advantage of his generous offer, and while they often return to the restaurant throughout their stay at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, they also share with their friends from all over the US their warm feelings about the area and also about Hodge’s Corner Restaurant and its generous and kind-hearted owner.

Welcome to DHAR, Rick and Erin. This friendly and energetic couple has taken the position of Animal Care Provider at the sanctuary and is now residing in the fifth wheel donated three summers ago by Don Whitehouse of Florida and recently renovated by John & Kathryn SPHAR. While John was installing new floor tiles throughout, Kathryn lovingly added her special touch by hand-sewing brand new curtains for all the windows. Rick and Erin’s long-term contract will allow them to become well-acquainted with all the humans and non-humans who reside at DHAR, as well as with the surrounding communities.

Desert Haven Animal Refuge is enjoying spring in a big way this year, thanks to some very special folks. John and Kathryn SPHAR set up their rig at The Homestead RV site at DHAR some months ago. Everyone at the sanctuary applauded when they decided not long ago to stay at the small sanctuary for at least a couple of years. Soon after they arrived, they very tastefully decorated their own RV site with many of the amenities of a permanent home site. Their beautification project did not stop there. Thanks to John and Kathryn, pathways, bordered by a variety of rocks hand-picked from throughout the entire area, are spreading out to the entire DHAR grounds. Jerry Andrus, the CAT-MAN of DHAR, shares in the beautification efforts by adding some special touches of his own while he tends to the watering of all the newly planted native and semi-native bushes and small trees. Many thanks to The Sierra Water & Conservation District which, very generously, donates them to Desert Haven each spring.


Jerry Andrus

Robbin Brodsky, a certified Master Gardener from Texas, drives once a week (all the way from her home several miles beyond Hillsboro) to take care of the grounds at the sanctuary. Every Thursday morning, one need not look very far to find her with gloves and pruning shears in hand, or a shovel and a container, giving the extra touch here and there on a property that grows more and more attractive each year.

Here at the sanctuary, we take this quote to heart “Let no man hang his head in shame and say: it was better here before you came”. Thanks to folks who care, Desert Haven is becoming a true haven in the heart of Desert country, for humans and rescued animals alike. Contact us at 575- 894-2778 or visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Moose Lodge Donates to DHAR

MOOSE DONATION TO DESERT HAVEN ANIMAL REFUGE

Eliana Aubin, President of the Sierra County Humane Society and CEO at Desert Haven, Sierra County’s No-Kill domestic animal sanctuary, receives a check of $2500 from Ken Johnson, Governor of Moose Lodge 2050. The very generous donation is to go towards repairs and upgrades at the sanctuary. In handing the check to Eliana, Governor Johnson said: “In a way, it’s in memory of Jerry Aubin. Jerry loved the Refuge and he always talked about the work that was being done there. He was very proud of Desert Haven“.


IN MEMORIAM
Jerry Aubin
Charter Member
Treasurer & Financial Advisor - SCHS
"LOVED BY MANY - RESPECTED BY ALL"


Jerry Aubin was an integral part of Moose Lodge 2050 since 1996, first as Treasurer, then as Lodge Governor and also Trustee. Jerry also served as Treasurer of The Sierra County Humane Society & Desert Haven from 1990 to 2005, until he passed away on April 9th 2005 - three years ago.

Also on top photo: Ron Alleman, Administrator of MOOSE Lodge 2050, and Linda Estavillo, Facilities Manager at Desert Haven Animal Refuge.

Week of 4/13/08 Humane Happenings

Walt & Carl work on the cement floor

This week, The Sierra County Humane Society wishes to acknowledge the members of MOOSE LODGE 2050, for their very generous donation towards upkeep and repairs at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County’s no-kill domestic animal sanctuary. Year after year, Moose Lodge 2050 continues to be very generous to the community and The Sierra County Humane Society is most grateful to be a recipient of the generosity of its members.

A sincere thank-you is also in order to the Rotary Club of T or C for their recent donation. Special thanks to T or C Rotarians Sandra and James Cliborne, who made it a point to add their own personal contribution as well.

Gretchen Tatsch of Las Cruces is very special to everyone involved with DHAR. A Humanitarian in the genuine sense of the word, Gretchen never fails to support DHAR in a number of ways, in-between the routine trips that she makes to India to help enhance the quality of life in that part of the world.

Molly Williams deserves a huge amount of recognition for her personal contribution to help make DHAR the success story that it is. Several years ago, Trish, a little girl-dog patiently waiting at Dog Town for her forever-home, melted Molly’s heart one day and soon went home with her to become part of Molly’s family. From that time on, Molly has been a strong member of the DHAR crew of volunteers and supporters. Thanks to Molly’s generosity, there is now a very attractive park bench at Rainbow Bridge Pet Cemetery, dedicated to the memory of her mother who spent her own life to help others. When the need arose some time ago, Molly, a school teacher, accepted to handle the weekly loads of laundry generated by the residents of Dog Town and The Cool Cat Neighborhood. When Lucky, DHAR first canine resident, became very ill earlier this year and started to lose his appetite and a lot of weight in the process, Molly started to drop-off at the sanctuary daily portions of home-cooked Chicken & Rice that Lucky seemed to prefer above any other food. Thank-you, Molly, there is a tender spot for you in the hearts of the animal-loving folks who know you.

This past Tuesday was the last volunteer work day at DHAR for Carlton Morse, a Sierra County winter resident from Back East. Because of Carl who, together with his helpers, worked very hard for the past several months, DHAR now owns a very spacious workshop, complete with cement floor, workbench and many other amenities. Also thanks to Carl, we now have a well built wooden clothes rack at the new Paws & Claws thrift shop to be opened soon. Thank-you, Carl, you will be remembered fondly.

This week’s wish list: large brown paper bags for Paws & Claws bag sale currently going on at the store’s current location - volunteers to help at the thrift shop and Desert Haven. We can be contacted at 894-2778 or visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Humane Happenings

Dolly Loftus - DH Administrative Assistant

Spring has sprung here at Desert Haven Animal Refuge. The scenery is as beautiful as ever and the desert plant life along the river is turning green. To complement nature’s handiwork, Tuesday’s work group has been planting seedlings and transplanting more mature bushes and trees to the pet cemetery. Doors and windows have completely enclosed the new workshop, thanks to Carl and Ron. Two new kitty condos were built; one is named Ted’s Cathouse in honor of its builder who recently left for home in Colorado. Those cats have some really plush quarters and plenty of love and attention from Judith and Jerry.

We have two happy dogs ready for adoption. One is Emmy, a cocker-spaniel mix, who is being foster-cared by one of our work campers, Judy. Emmy is house-trained, playful and an excellent companion. She has a cocker face and body, but a long swishy tail. However, Judy’s CAT says that Emmy is taking too much of Judy’s affection and is getting a little jealous. Our other dog is Zip, a one year old male Chihuahua. Here’s a great intelligent pet for all you small dog lovers.

Rebecca Porter from over Deming way sent Freddie a wonderful “thank you” note for her tour of the facility. She hopes to someday do something similar in her area. Carol Tavis has been volunteering in the office for the past few weeks and is an outstanding computer whiz. Thanks, Carol. We look forward to more of your help.

Our wish list for this week: canned and dry cat food, sunflower seeds, wild bird seed, volunteers at Paws and Claws thrift shop, Dog Walkers and Kitty Cuddlers at Desert Haven Animal Refuge. For more information or to volunteer a couple hours a week, contact Freddie at 575-894-2778 and check out our web site at DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

by Dolly Loftus

Humane Happenings

Stan - a DH volunteer

Things have been exciting for the past month or so with the set-up of our new store and the half-price sale continuing at the old Paws and Claws. Our customers are eagerly asking questions about the new store as they take advantage of our bargain prices.

We really couldn’t do any of this without our volunteers, both local and work campers. What a spirited and happy group, who pitch in and do whatever is necessary! Milt and Judith Papas got creative and insisted on painting the wall close to the “Book Nook.” Needless to say, it has given that portion of the store a whole new Southwestern flavor. Unfortunately, we are going to lose these two tireless volunteers on April the second. Ted and Fay, repeat work campers from Colorado, will be leaving us the end of the week. These people are typical, “What do you need us to do?” Please come back next year.

We are extremely excited by the donations from the Moose (picture and details in two weeks) and the Elephant Butte American Legion whose picture and details will probably be published in this week’s newspaper. It continually amazes us to see the generosity of our local businesses and civic organizations. You know we couldn’t do it without you.

On a sad but positive note, there is a tribute to our Refuge dog Lucky, who recently died of lymphoma. The segment was compiled by Camille, our webmaster and Stan. It’s extremely moving: check it out at deserthavenanimalrefuge.com.

Unfortunately, our wish list always seems to be the same: canned and dry cat food, canned dog food, sunflower seeds, volunteers at Paws & Claws thrift shop, Dog Walkers and Kitty Cuddlers at Desert Haven Animal Refuge. For more information or to volunteer a couple hours a week, contact Freddie at 575-894-2778. Check out our web site at DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

by Dolly Loftus