Week of 8/10/08 Humane Happenings

Benji

Wired hair terrier Benji is now the newest resident of Dog Town at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County’s no-kill domestic animal sanctuary. This well-mannered little guy is looking for a forever home and can be seen either at Petfinder.com or at the Refuge on Tuesday morning, when the sanctuary is open for visitors. We can also be reached at 575-894-2778 to set-up an appointment.

The Adopt-a-Pet Referral program, taken over recently by Stan Brodsky of Hillsboro, is becoming an important tool in the adoption opportunities available for the local domestic animals in need of a new home. Stan handles the program in a very efficient manner and his efforts and dedication continue to result in a successful adoption rate. Aside from keeping a list of the animals available for adoption through the program, he also lists them on the Petfinder web site for DHAR, which gives them a better chance at being adopted into homes that may otherwise not be available to them. Folks who wish to adopt a new furry family member directly from the owner should consider contacting Stan at 575-895-5551.


Sharon at the "new" Paws & Claws Thrift Shop

Old and vintage items seem to be very much in demand at our new thrift shop these days. Consequently, we have reserved a special section for them. The wall sign “Vickie’s Vintage” (Vickie resides at Desert Haven) is self explanatory. Deb Peters, our former work camper-turned-permanent-local-resident recently came up with this great idea of using the name of some of our animal residents to guide customers to the section of their choice at the relocated Paws & Claws thrift shop. “Maxwell’s Den” displays ample supply of designer and select men’s clothing and shoes. “Miss Bessie’s Boudoir” displays a large selection of items that a woman may want or need. The new signs make it easier for our customers to locate specific items and at the same time advertise some of the dogs and cats at DHAR. The smiles the new signs bring to our customers’ faces are well worth the efforts that were involved in making them. Thanks, Deb, for this great idea.



We at Desert Haven and Paws & Claws thrift shop are very fortunate this Summer. Of course we still need more helpers at both locations, just as we do every summer when several members of our volunteer crew take much needed vacations, but the helpers we have at this time are very special. We appreciate our work campers Sharon & Terry, John & Kathryn, Jerry, Ron, Freddie, Linda and Erin, also our local volunteers Stan & Robbin, Deb, Gene, Diana, Dolly, Judy, Ginny, Bootz and also Eliana. Then there is our Web Master Camille who works with us from Florida, Diane who, all the way from her home in Hillsboro, sorts, prices and packages the donated craft and sewing items for display at Paws & Claws. The list continues with Carol and Kimberly who, because they both hold full-time jobs, work with us directly from their home and make themselves available as much as they possibly can.

Desert Haven is growing and consequently requires a growing number of volunteers as well. Some are working directly with the non-human residents, others are part of the administrative crew that keeps a business running, be it for profit or non-profit. The newly relocated and spacious Paws & Claws thrift shop, the major fundraiser for the Sierra County Humane Society and Desert Haven, requires more helpers now. We need the extra volunteers to stock the shelves with all the new and interesting items that are dropped-off daily. Any animal loving individual wishing to be an integral part of this labor of love in progress is encouraged to contact us at 894-2778. You can also visit our web site at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

Bud & Scotty Cross the Rainbow Bridge

Scotty kisses Erin


Bud (left) and Scotty (right)

Good Bye Bud & Scotty

from Eliana:

I have some very sad news to report from Desert Haven. Two of our little guys, Bud and Scotty, died recently after they were bitten by a rattlesnake. It happened during their play ground activity in the Old West. They didn't know enough to stay away from the 2-2 ½’ rattler. Bud bit the snake, a battle ensued and Scotty rushed in to aid his brother. They both got bitten several times in the face.

Linda & Freddie rushed them to the Hot Springs Animal Clinic within 1/2 hour of their bites. The vet treated and released both of them to us that same evening, telling us they would be alright. Dr. Cardwell told Linda that he had not given them anti-venom (because it costs too much to keep that in his clinic) but that he gave them antibiotics and that the swelling would go away sooner or later and that they would be OK. So we took them back to DHAR. Linda stayed with them off and on during the night. The poor little guys were in a lot of pain all through Tuesday afternoon when, while we were working at the thrift shop between 2-4PM, they both died, approximately 26 hours or so after they were bitten.

Bud & Scotty were buried together at The Old West, with their toys. We had a memorial for them. We will have a large plaque for them, with both their names, on "Pooch Hill.” Bud and Scotty were with us since their birth at DHAR three years ago and were loved like our very own pets.

Obituary

“Bud Brown”
and
“Scottie” (yes, just Scottie)

Born: November 2005
Departed: July 22, 2008
Bud and Scottie were born to an abandoned mother who was brought to the refuge starving and pregnant. They resided at the Desert Haven Animal Refuge in Williamsburg, New Mexico their entire lives.

Though neither was “gainfully employed” by most standards, both had jobs to do while here. Bud worked as a “Background Investigator” for DHAR, skilled in deciphering human personalities. Scottie pursued more “liberal” interests, seeking self-expression in a variety of way

Both met their match in a deadly rattlesnake.

They are survived by their mother, brothers, and sisters-all from Williamsburg.

Arrangements: A private service was held at “Pooch Hill” in the “Old West” section of DHAR at 7:30 a.m. July 26, 2008.

Officiated by: Desert Haven Animal Refuge and Sierra County Humane Society


Bud

from Stan:
I never really got to know Scotty well, so I am only writing about Bud. Bud was a friend of mine, and I am already missing him very much, especially
when I do my volunteer work at DHAR.

When I first met Bud about a year and a half ago, he didn't immediately run up to me and lick me just because I was a person and a potential friend. It took a few weeks for our friendship to solidify, and that made our friendship deeper and longer lasting than it otherwise might have been.

Bud always wanted to be the first dog to greet me when I arrived at Desert Haven Refuge in the mornings. He would position himself in the corner of his pen which was the closest he could get to the path I would follow when I first entered the Refuge. He then would wait there for me to pass, so he could welcome me with about 25 licks and a big smile in his eyes, and I, of course, gave him some significant petting and scratching at the same time. Bud was very affectionate towards his friends.

I believe all dogs are fairly intuitive when they meet someone new. An otherwise friendly dog will growl at a person, if the dog senses anything "bad" about the person. Bud's skill in this regard was unbelievable. Several times he knew a person had some very bad traits, and he tried to consistently avoid that person. All the people there thought he was crazy, until the day came when the person publically unveiled his bad side. Bud's ability to distinguish between "good" and "bad" people was truly extraordinary.

It's always a sad time when a good friend must leave you. Bud will be missed and thought of a great deal.

from Deb:

Bud Brown was not cuddly. He wouldn’t sit still for that. But when he loved you and respected you, you knew it. And if he didn’t, you knew that, too. Bud was an excellent judge of character and had a 100% accuracy rate. We knew there would be trouble if Bud said so.

Bud wanted to be a big dog. But his parents were heelers, one blue, one red, so he was resigned to being medium-sized. He fought that every step of the way, challenging his brothers and other dogs when he wasn’t busy “intellectualizing.” He had a big heart, though, and a very expressive face. Tiny furrows would develop over his eyes when he was nervous, and laugh lines would appear when he smiled. Ron and I called him “Budwig von Fuerstenberg” and imagined him with a shock of hair and a monocle, like Sherlock Holmes, always busy detecting and deducing. And we loved him for all of it.


Scotty


Scottie was a rebel and an individualist. Keenly aware that he looked different from his siblings, he was constantly trying to prove himself. Rules did not apply to him. He was a dog’s dog, an adventurer. And it was this very spirit that took him from us. Jeannette came to visit one day after a trip to California with news that a rich movie mogul in L.A. saw a picture of Scottie and was interested in possibly adopting him. We were so excited for him, laughing and imagining him floating in the pool on a raft. That did not come to pass. If it did, Scottie would have life today.

I miss them.


Jeanette with Bud & Scotty

Eulogy – Funeral 7/26/08

To: Bud, “The Psycho Dog”
And
Scottie, “The Rebel”

I’ll never understand how the same keen senses you shared
regarding people
simply escaped you
in the midst of “pack mentality”.

Why is it that we always seem to fear
that which we don’t have to
and fight that which we should fear?

I’ll always respect you for your dignity
and grace—
and, most importantly,
for your integrity to be,
Just who you are-
Always.

Rest well, my friends,
and play hard—
No more fear-
No more restraints

Be free as the wind that flows through this Refuge-
This Stopping Place-
As you journey
On to places
We can only dream of.
-Linda Estavillo


Scotty and Steve

Humane Happenings

by Dolly Loftus

The Placita

Depending upon the time of the year, there is always a new wrinkle to the spin of our universe. Now that the desert has absorbed all of the much needed rain, she is rewarding us the only way she knows how: beautiful wild flowers. What politically correct nonsense! They are just weeds that cause us to sneeze and track goat heads all over. The work campers at Desert Haven have added weed patrol to their usual animal patrol.

Our thanks go out to Annie and Richard and Bill and Mary Jane for their recent donations to Desert Haven. Anyone can sponsor an animal, either cat, dog or birds, by making pledges of food or money. Visit us and pick out your animal. They will love you for it. Tuesday is an especially great day to do this and join us for lunch at noon. Our other regular donors are Charles Nissem and Jessica Diehm. Every month they bring us cans and Bullock’s receipts. It’s wonderful to be on the receiving end of someone’s To Do List.


Eliana setting up a display of good china at Paws & Claws

The trend these days is “Going Green.” That’s basically what Paws and Claws is all about. Through your generous donations, we are able to recycle discarded items from one person, and ease the strain of someone’s pocketbook, or help them purchase a hard-to-find item at a minimal price. We didn’t know how really trendy we were until articles started appearing in newspapers and magazines showing how to re-decorate your house with used items or decorate your landscape with innovative yard art. Come in and see our Vintage Corner full of antiques and other collectibles. You never know how great one of these items might look in your home or yard. Perhaps you would like to volunteer to sort through our wonderful donations or help someone find a bargain. Come by and see us.

This week’s wish list: volunteers to help a few hours a week at Paws & Claws, Dog Walkers and Kitty Cuddlers, an administrative assistant, a vet tech, and pet treats. To contact us, please call 575-894-2778 or 575-894-1694, or visit us at www.deserthavenanimalrefuge.com. or http://deserthavenanimalrefuge.blogspot.com/.

Humane Happenings

by Dolly Loftus


Judy, Eliana, Jo & Ron

Just when you think the world is almost perfect, along comes another change. At Desert Haven on our usually busy Tuesdays, we have been enjoying the tireless diligence of our administrative assistant Judy. It seems that Judy would like to do some traveling starting in September. That means we have yet another opening for an industrious individual who would like to do computer work and correspondence.

If you have been to the new thrift store, you know how busy we are sorting through all of your wonderful donations and waiting on customers. We really need volunteers. If you can spare a few hours a week, you will certainly be rewarded by knowing that you are helping all of the animals that end up in our care. It’s also a great chance to make new friends and have some fun. If you feel that you could help us in either the thrift or the office, please contact us.

We also want to thank all of you who continue to donate. Please put your offerings in the drop off box on First Street, or bring them around to the store during store hours, Wednesday through Saturday.

Don’t forget to bring us your Bullocks’ receipts. This year’s campaign ends July 31, and they need to be in the shop by August 6. Anything dated after July 31 is invalid.

We lived through the remnants of Dolly and are now back to our almost perfect desert weather. A little monsoon in the afternoon never hurt anyone. Some seem to think that the excess rain brought out the snakes. One of our Desert Haven extended families was affected. Stan “The Man” Brodsky is our Pet Finder guru and dog care-giver and his wife Robbin is a Paws and Claws volunteer and resident gardener at Desert Haven. Their dog Annie was bitten by a snake last week. They live between Hillsboro and Lake Valley. Annie was taken to a vet in Las Cruces and will be on IV and antibiotics until her release. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Annie. Remember to walk heavily and carry some kind of stick. You don’t have to be in a remote area to take precautionary measures. Those critters sometimes show up in residential neighborhoods also.

A big “thank you” goes to Eliana Aubin and Robbin Brodsky for donating the succulents that are sold at the thrift store. Anyone else who has small plants that they would like to donate, please do so.

This week’s wish list: volunteers to help a few hours a week at Paws & Claws, Dog Walkers and Kitty Cuddlers, an administrative assistant and a vet tech. Pet food and treats, especially canned cat food are also on our list. To contact us, please call 575-894-2778 or 575-894-1694, or visit us at www.deserthavenanimalrefuge.com.

Humane Happenings

by Dolly Loftus



Robbin - Our "certified" groundskeeper at work

Life at Desert Haven continues to be good despite the monsoons and short-handedness among the animal care givers. One reason is Molly Williams, a special education teacher, who year round does the laundry for our critters.

The beautification of the grounds continues with donations from locals and also people who read our website and blog. The donation is usually in memory of a loved one, either animal or human who has passed away. Trees and statuary are the most popular items. We have two statues of St. Francis: a large one donated by Ardell Scartaccini and a smaller one donated by the family of Amanda Parks in her memory. There are many memorials to Jerry Aubin, co-founder of the organization, and Sally Schnetzer, a long time board member. They are mostly trees and benches which make it nice to sit and view the spectacular Caballos.


Walkway to the Cool Cat Neighborhood



Jerry Aubin's bench

Sgt. Maj. Dominic Zito and his wife Barbara donated a large hand-sewn flag in memory of Jerry which flies over the grounds on special days. The Soil Conservation District donated trees which serve as a wind break in the pet cemetery. C. J. Ellis of Caballo RV Park donated picnic tables for the RV sites and picnic area.


"Central Bark" in summer bloom

We have also received other decorative items, such as, bird baths, wagon wheels, bird houses and other decorative yard art. We can always use more; we have some very creative workcampers.



We extend a special “thank you” to Cindy and Bob Gabriel for their very generous donation in memory of Annie, Eliana’s precious dog who died accidentally several weeks ago.

The Cash for Clubs program will end, as it does every year, at the end of July; consequently, we urge anyone who has been saving Bullocks receipts to bring them as soon as possible to Paws & Claws, so we can tally them and redeem them before the deadline. Bullocks receipts received by us after the deadline can not be redeemed and will be discarded.

This week’s wish list: volunteers to help a few hours a week at Paws & Claws thrift shop, Dog Walkers and Kitty Cuddlers at Desert Haven. The kitties are in need of a good brushing. We have plenty of brushes on hand. Pet food and treats, in particular, dry and canned cat food. To contact us, please call 575-894-2778, 575-894-1694 or visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

Week of 7/1/308 Humane Happenings

Deb & Judy share kitchen duties

Bullocks receipts continue to be collected for the Sierra County Humane Society and Desert Haven Animal Refuge. They can be dropped-off at Paws & Claws thrift shop across the alley from Family Dollar in T or C, at the Williamsburg Post Office and at the T or C Public Library.

Our 501-C-3 organization receives $ 1 for every thousand dollars of the total amount of receipts collected by folks who spend their grocery dollars at Bullocks, and each and every year, the money that is redeemed is used to cover some of the costs of both the SCHS Spay-Neuter and the Spay-a-Stray program. We are very proud of these two programs, as they help curb the domestic animal overpopulation in Sierra County, as each sterilized companion animal no longer adds to this real tragedy.

Special thanks are due to Josephine Varnum for handling the Cash-for-Clubs program since it started a number of years ago, also to all the folks who collect Bullocks receipts for us, especially those who make it a point to collect them for us by the bag full, from neighbors, friends and relatives. For more information on the program, contact us at 575-894-2778.

The Cash for Clubs program will end, as it does every year, at the end of July, consequently, we urge anyone who has been saving their Bullocks receipts for us to bring them as soon as possible to Paws & Claws, so we can tally them and redeem them before the deadline. Bullocks receipts received by us after the deadline can no loner be redeemed and consequently will have to be discarded.

Our organization also collects aluminum cans, and the bags of empty cans can be dropped off in our Can Corral at the corner of the old Paws & Claws location on First Street. They can also be brought in person to our new store location. The Cans for Critters program also helps cover some of the costs of the Humane Society Spay-Neuter program. Our sincere thank-you goes to Deb Peters, for loading and transporting the empty aluminum cans in her truck to the recycling drop-off point on Third Street in T or C. Deb came to us many months ago from New Hampshire, and she settled as a work camper at Desert Haven Animal Refuge. Through the many, many months that we have known Deb, her love for all animals continues to be evident, as is her willingness to make a difference in our little corner of the world, while she helps care for the unwanted domestic animals who live at the no-kill sanctuary. Over time, Deb became the Supply Manager at DHAR, in charge of sorting and keeping track of all the tools stored at the facility. When we moved to the current Paws & Claws location, Deb took on the new responsibility, together with Ron Djurovich, of checking and pricing all incoming electronics and electrical appliances before displaying them on the shelves at the new store. Several months ago, Deb relocated from DHAR into her new home only a mile away. Still, she continues to stay very active at the sanctuary and in our animal welfare organization. We know that we are very fortunate to count Deb Peters as an integral part of our long-term volunteer crew.

This week’s wish list: volunteers to help a few hours a week at Paws & Claws thrift shop, Dog Walkers and Kitty Cuddlers at Desert Haven. Pet food and treats. To contact us, please call 575-894-2778, 575-894-1694 or visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

Week of 7/6/08 Humane Happenings

Central Bark in bloom

The summer rains have arrived in Sierra County as the folks who had to cross Ash Canyon last Tuesday after work were clearly made aware of. For over 3 hours that evening, they had to wait on one side of the wall of water rushing across HWY 51 and towards the lake further below, before they could even get to the other side and to their respective homes. Some miles away at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County’s no-kill domestic animal sanctuary, the human residents who are carefully keeping the new plantings watered could expect Mother Nature to finally do her part and share in the process.

Desert Haven is starting to actually look like the Oasis in the middle of the Desert Southwest that its founders envisaged some years ago. On May 14 1999, the papers were signed and the property was purchased by the Sierra County Humane Society, Inc. For those local folks who seem to continue to be confused about this, Desert Haven does not belong to any individual in particular. It belongs entirely to the Sierra County Humane Society. The volunteers who work very hard there year after year are not doing so for personal gain but, rather, because they believe in a cause they have embraced. Their only reward is the knowledge that they are doing their part to help make their corner of the world a better place to live for all creatures.

This week, “hats off” are in order to Erin, Deb, Linda, Freddie, Dolly, Jerry, Ron, Terry & his wife Sharon, John and his wife Kathryn, Jeanette and also Eliana. Everyone was involved in the huge job this past Tuesday as the small building where the thrift shop used to be located was in the process of being emptied.


Crew at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe

It’s been time-consuming and very tiring, but over the last few weeks, the crew has done wonders to insure that the job stays on track. At the same time, they also focus on getting new items displayed from Wednesday through Saturday, when Paws & Claws is open for business at its new location across the alley from Family Dollar.

Rufus, a very gentle one-year old black lab mix who also loves children, is the newest resident of Dog Town at DHAR. His military family moved away but could not take him along. If interested in a great companion animal, contact us at 575-894-2778.

Five terrier-mix puppies are also in need of a new home. While they could not be taken in at the facility, they are available through the SCHS Adopt-a-Pet referral program that Stan Brodsky is handling. He can be reached at 895-5551.

Bill and Mary Jane Clellan came through again this time, with their monetary donation to purchase much needed cat food. Pet food is always on top of the Wish List at DHAR, which this week also includes carpet remnants. If some of our readers are able to do so, consider volunteering at the new Paws & Claws thrift shop a few hours each week – We very much need your help this Summer.

For more information, please contact us at 575-894-2778 or visit us at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

Week of 6/29/08 Humane Happenings

Book and antique section at Paws & Claws Thrift Shop. Jerry Andrus checks out some fine antique china from Bavaria while Sharon looks on.


This week, we wish to remind the supporters of the Sierra County Humane Society that the Cash for Cubs program will be over at the end of July. Consequently, we ask our supporters to bring their Bullocks receipts to Paws & Claws thrift shop, to the SCHS Cash-for-Clubs container in the T or C library or the Williamsburg Post Office before July 30, to allow Josephine Varnum to tally them in time. Bullocks receipts help cover some of the costs involved with our organization’s comprehensive Spay-Neuter program. Last year, we received over $3,250 from the Bullocks receipt - over 1/3 more than the largest other non-profit recipient. Our spay-neuter expenses are growing every year, and amount on an average over $8,000 each year – a huge amount for a small organization like ours, to handle year after year.

Now that the relocation of Paws & Claws thrift shop is almost completed, the new shop is now open for customers and we have received many compliments already over the way the new space is being utilized. On Tuesday afternoon, the Desert Haven Animal Refuge crew gathers at the new location to handle the finishing touches of a move that was started several weeks ago. Rick and Terry have already hung the large sign to the side of the new building. Erin, a painter by trade, and Sharon, her dedicated helper, will soon be completed with the painting of the inside walls. The bright and cheery color is very attractive.

This week, we wish to thank DiAnna Schnetzer who, with her husband George, continue to be some of Desert Haven’s most dedicated supporters. They moved out of Sierra County several years ago, but they remain strongly associated with our organization in any way that they can. DiAnna continues to supply us regularly with hand-made string labels that we use for the great majority of the items on display in our shop. Not only her gesture is very appreciated, but also it gives us a good feeling to know that even though this wonderful couple is no longer living in Elephant Butte, we and the animals we help out about are still very much in their thoughts.


Stan, Karmalita & Emmy

A huge pat on the back goes to Stan Brodsky of Hillsboro, for doing such a great job with the Petfinder web site that he took over only several weeks ago. Recently, several dogs were adopted in a row: Lance, Emmy, Zip, Karma, Anabel, Tinkerbel. Good work, Stan!

Dog and cat food are still by far the greatest staple items needed at DHAR. Your donated bags of pet food and treats can be dropped off at the new Paws & Claws location across the alley from Family Dollar. Other donations, especially furniture pieces, should also be dropped off during business hours at that new location. Unless some of our crew members are able to secure them soon after drop-off, unscrupulous individuals continue to help themselves to anything that is not secured, including bicycles, furniture, boxes of household items, etc. For more information on Paws & Claws thrift shop, DHAR and our organization, please contact us at 575-894-2778 or visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Week of 6/22/08 Humane Happenings

Linda Estavillo with Rocky & Tinkerbel

The “Farm Visit” made last week to Desert Haven Animal Refuge by local veterinarian Dr. Cardwell went well and the medical records of the resident dogs of the no-kill sanctuary are up-to-date once again. Kudos to Linda Estavillo and her crew for doing such a wonderful job with keeping the DHAR non-human residents so well taken care of and, as importantly, the facility so clean all the time. Linda came over two years ago from Oregon with her husband David and son James, to make DHAR her home, and she works very hard to keep all the DHAR habitats very clean and in good state of repair and everyone working well together for a common cause. Good job, Linda, and good job everyone!

If you let the world get you down occasionally in these times of uncertainty, and your Faith in Humanity becomes shaky, consider visiting DHAR on a Tuesday morning, and it will revive as you watch a group of hard working kind-hearted folks pulling together to help the cause of animals who often are betrayed by those they trust and rely on.

This week, we thank Diane Bellack and Ellen Morehead for taking charge of the craft section at Paws & Claws thrift shop. While Diane handles the pricing and presentation of craft materials and fabrics from her home in Hillsboro, doing a superb job with carding the buttons by the way, Ellen concentrates on miscellaneous pricing as well as displaying the priced items on the shelves at the shop. So nice to have you both on board, Diana and Ellen!

We thank Mike Slater of Animas Creek Nursery and CJ Ellis of Caballo Lake RV Park for donating containers for houseplants, succulents and cactus to be sold at Paws & Claws. A pat on the back to Eliana Aubin and Robbin Brodsky for supplying the shop with miscellaneous home grown plants as needed. If you have houseplants or containers you wish to donate to benefit our cause, please drop them off at the shop when it is open. We can certainly use different varieties. The shop is open from Wednesday through Saturday and the hours are posted at the window.

We always need local volunteers to help at Paws & Claws thrift shop, located across the alley form Family Dollar in T or C. Extra volunteer help is critical in Summer when some of our long-time helpers leave on vacation. Consider visiting Paws & Claws and see for yourself - surely you can find your niche in our store. The work environment is great, volunteers are very helpful and our customers are friendly.

This week’s wish list: dry dog food and treats, and especially cat food. We collect Bullocks receipts and aluminum cans. To contact us, please call 575-894-2778, 740-0643 or visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Week of 6/15/08 Humane Happenings

Kita (adopted from DHAR) with Sophia Nelson

Congratulations to Rebecka West of Albuquerque, This very young lady became this year’s Sierra County Humane Society’s first Junior member. She joins eight-year old Sophia Nelson of North Carolina, who is also a member. Sophia became a Junior member of the organization when she was 3 years old and then a Lifetime member three years ago.

Rae and her husband Richard Caron, who had committed to work camp at DHAR until Fall, had to cut short their commitment to return immediately back East, due to a tragedy in their family. This great couple will be missed. Anyone locally interested in helping with animal care a couple of hours a week at DHAR, either as dog walker or kitty cuddler? Contact us at 894-2778 for more information.

If you have not visited DHAR in a while, consider doing so now. You would be very surprised at the on-going changes that are being made by a very dedicated, hard-working animal loving crew. An RV’ing couple from Illinois, Jean and Jeany James who stayed at Desert Haven RV campground for several days, described the adjacent domestic animal sanctuary as “beautiful “. Sure is nice to hear compliments from folks who have traveled all over the US and have seen a lot of beautiful sites and places along the way.

Have you visited the new Paws & Claws thrift shop lately? Erin, a painter by trade and an animal lover by heart, is now DHAR official painter, and together with Sharon, they are transforming some white walls from drab into bright and cheery. Good work, ladies!


Erin (top), Rae (bottom left) and Judy (bottom right)

Interested in donating some of your time to help a worthy cause? Consider volunteering a few hours each week at Paws & Claws. It’s a fun place to work! By the way, we could use several medium to large pieces of used carpet for the shop's floors.

Long overdue Kudos are in order for Ron Gjurovich these days. Ron traveled from New York to DHAR last year, to settle at the small sanctuary as a work-camper. Since then, even though he no longer resides there, he continues to be a extremely valuable asset to the no-kill facility, as well as to Paws & Claws thrift shop where one can meet him every Friday as he works on one of the several on-going projects always lined-up for him there. The Sierra County Humane Society & Desert Haven are indeed very fortunate to count Ron as an integral part of its long-term crew.

Bullock’s receipts continue to be collected and Josephine Varnum picks them up every week, to tally them and redeem them for our organization. Please, drop-off your receipts at Paws & Claws thrift shop as soon as possible, to give Josephine time to redeem them before the program ends at the end of July, as it does every year.

Dry and moist cat food is high on our priority Wish-List at this time.

We can be contacted at 894-2778, 740-0643 or visit us at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com .

Until next week, “Enrich your life, get a cat”

Week of 6/8/08 Humane Happenings

Anabel & Bootz

Anabel has found her way to Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County’s no-kill domestic animal sanctuary. If some of our readers are interested in a calm, non-shedding, absolutely adorable lap dog, Desert Haven has just taken one under its wings: this 5 years old Maltese-terrier will melt your heart for sure. You can visit her at the small sanctuary’s DogTown on Tuesdays, or check her out either on our web site or on Petfinder. http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

This week, we thank Harold and Julie Gilmore for donating dog food and dog treats - items we always need.

Also, many thanks to Annie & Richard Millard and to Lee Garner for their on-going support. Congratulations are in order to Leonard Bullington for recently becoming a Life Member of the Sierra County Humane Society. Leonard is very important to DHAR, as an integral part of the initial work crew that built Desert Haven from the grounds up. At that time, the entire DHAR crew consisted of Jerry and Eliana Aubin, Gene Trelewicz, Leonard Bullington and also Chuck and Linda Davis. With tenacity, good planning and a lot of hard work, they accomplished what they intended to do: build a small oasis of compassion in the heart of Desert country.

This week’s wish list: dry dog and cat food and treats. They can be dropped-off at the new Paws & Claws thrift shop located in the building formerly occupied by Southwest Small Engine Repairs, across the alley from Family Dollar on South Date Street.

We also need small plant containers. Some of our members would like to bring us some of their houseplants to sell at Paws & Claws, but we don’t have the pots to transplant them in.

Need helpers at Paws & Claws, to work a few hours a week with our crew, in a pleasant environment.

Note to the nice folks who drop-off their furniture and donated items around the drop-off box on First Street: there are unscrupulous folks who will take anything that is not nailed down. Consequently, items and furniture should be dropped-off at the new location as much as possible, when the shop is open - Wednesday through Saturday. The hours of operations are posted at our front window. For more information, contact us at 894-2778 or 740-0643.

Desert Haven beautification project is on-going. The human residents at DHAR are making things happen and it shows. Do you have Statuary, perhaps a bird bath you would like to donate? Perhaps some fun items for our walkways, or a bench, some wind chimes for Rainbow Bridge, also an interesting item or two for the Old West placita or the Trail. Contact us at 740-0643 or 894894-2778. Visit our web site at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

Week of 6/1/08 Humane Happenings

Wedding party - Jerry Andrus, John & Kathryn Sphar, Deb Peters

Congratulations are in order for John and Kathryn Sphar, a work camping couple who currently reside at Desert Haven Animal Refuge. John and Kathryn recently renewed their five year old wedding vows and it was a real honor for the entire DHAR volunteer crew to be invited to their very heartwarming ceremony. This truly great couple has been living at the animal sanctuary since Spring of last year and we are very hopeful that they will continue to live on the property for, at the very least, a couple more years.


John & Kathryn renew their vows

DHAR is absolutely gorgeous at this time of the year with some of the native and semi native bushes and trees, including Desert Willows and Birds of Paradise, in full bloom.



The DHAR Beautification project has been on-going for the past several years, and everybody involved from the very start deserves a huge pat on the back. With time, patience, and loving care, the plantings are now substantial and everything around them is falling into place. The recent major movers and shakers in this on-going labor of love in the DHAR beautification project have been John and Kathryn and also Jerry Andrus, as well as Robbin of Hillsboro, who have all put their hearts into it, and it shows!

If any of our readers wishes to donate a statuary or two, some wind chimes or a bench for Rainbow Bridge Pet Cemetery, perhaps a bird bath, some fun or interesting items to decorate the Old West Placita for example, or something special for the main entrance to the building and Dog Town, please consider contacting us for pick up at 575-740-0643 or 894-2639, or drop it off at Paws & Claws Thrift Shop, when we are open for business from Wednesday through Saturday.


Erin, Rick, Karma, & Eliana

Rick and Erin are now settled as DHAR Animal Care providers and Caretakers. Hard working young folks who genuinely care about animals, they both are becoming a real asset at our animal sanctuary. Rick is already making his mark as he goes around the entire DHAR property, insuring that everything works well and what does not gets fixed as needed. We at Desert Haven feel very fortunate to have this young and energetic couple on board.

Greatly Needed: Volunteers to help for a couple or so hours each week at Paws & Claws, Dog walkers for some of our smaller dogs. Wood burning or wood carving tool set, to help us make needed signs throughout DHAR. Someone to work either from home or Desert Haven on Tuesdays, to handle one of DHAR programs, which involves light paperwork and some phone calls.. Of course we always need dry pet food and treats.

NOTE to Arlene who recently called from Hillsboro about a have-a-heart animal trap, please give us your phone number again - We could not understand it on our answering machine.

We can be contacted at 575-894-2778, 575-740-0643 or visit us at www.deserthavenanimalrefuge.com.