First transport with North Shore Animal League

Eleven PCHS pups were fortunate enough to make the trip of a lifetime to Port Washington, NY to North Shore Animal League's no-kill shelter. It took a team of volunteers to make this happen! Rebecca coordinated, as is her speciality, and thank goodness for that! I couldn't coordinate my way out of a paper bag with holes in both ends. Shelter manager Julie scored us a county van, and Anthony, a.k.a. Mr. Fix-It, scrubbed and assembled the stainless steel cages inside (I just realized that Mr. Fix-It is married to Mrs. Fix-It, but they do 2 very different kinds of fixin'!). Vet checks on Sunday included a team of me, Rebecca, Jane, Kim, vet and son (not sure if she wants her name mentioned).

The van loaded early this morning--4:30 AM! But loyal van loaders Barb, Jane, and Lynn (well, I guess me, too) were on scene and we got through it very smoothly and quickly! As the only "county approved driver," I took the wheel at about 5 AM, with Lynn happily by my side to make sure I stayed awake for the drive to Roanoke. I'd like to add that Lynn was hoping for school to be in session today--so she could go to work! What amazing energy!

The drive ended in Roanoke for me and Lynn, but not for the pups! They were loaded into another van--driven by expert transporter Diane--for the second leg of the journey to Harrisonburg. We got to see fellow rescuer Ruthie from Wytheville (who was transporting 31 puppies by herself--go Ruthie!), and met a new friend, Elizabeth, who is also an expert transporter. In Harrisonburg, the pups were loaded onto North Shore's transport RV for the rest of the long haul.

Lynn and I got back to the shelter just as the Asissi shuttle was arriving, and Rebecca was on scene (solo, I might add) to check everyone in. I heard that Julie cleaned the van, but I'm sure (at least I hope) she had some help from Jonathan and the trustees. Special thanks to Julie for getting us the van!

So many puppies were saved today, but we still have lots of squirming cuties at the shelter available for adoption! Please come visit us to see our many animals (including 3 hamsters) in need of loving homes!

Ariel Want for Christmas

Shhhhhh! Please don't tell Ariel that Christmas is over and 2009 has arrived. You see, Ariel is one of our longest running residents of the PCHS Cat Condo. Although she has gladly accepted her throne as "Queen, " what she was really hoping for was that one nice family who she could finally call her own. Although all of us here love her spunky personality with all of our hearts, we all wish for that right person or persons to come along and see just how hilarious and endearing this sweet little feline is.

So it has been decided by Queen Ariel that she will refuse to accept the fact that Christmas is over and has longterm plans to stick it out under the Christmas tree until Santa brings her the forever family she asked for. She even told me that she HAD to be on the "Nice" list, considering all the dog slobber she's endured over the course of 2008. Sometimes, if you even listen closely when you walk by her current abode in the Education Room, you can even hear her humming her favorite tune "Ariel Want for Christmas" (sung of course, to the tune of "All I want for Christmas"). I believe the lyrics go something like this:

Ariel want for Christmas is a nice new home

For me to roam,

And call my own

Ariel want for Christmas is a nice warm home

You see, I would surely love it!

Poor Ariel-- we don't want her wasting away to nothing under a dried up Christmas tree-- so please open your hearts and consider our gorgeous little girlie as the perfect addition for your own home. It would make her year....and her life!

2008--Year in review--Top 10 Style!

I admit it--I'm lazy, so the idea of information presented in list fashion is very appealing to me. Even more appealing is information already compiled by someone else, thereby making it easier for me to present to you. Check these out:

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has compiled a list of the Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2008. Very informative and worth reading if you have animals in your home.

The PETA Files blog compiled a Top 10 list of their favorite Top 10 lists of the year, including the Top 10 Most Karmic Moments for Animal Abusers in 2008 (a wonderfully ironic list of animal abusers "getting theirs") and the Top 10 Most Overbred Dogs (a list of dogs that we see constantly at the shelter and their resulting genetic health problems). Like learning stuff? Read all 10 lists.

HSUS President Wayne Pacelle compiled a list of his 10 most popular blogs of 2008. I'm happy to see that his blog on Oprah's show about the horrors of puppy mills was in the Top 10--whether or not you like Oprah, she gets though to people, and puppy mill horror is a message that definitely needs to get through!

The Food Bowl blog listed the Top 10 Dog and Cat names of 2008. We have several animals by those names currently residing at the shelter, so here's hoping for some more creative names in 2009!

And speaking of 2009, here's to having fun with your pets in the coming year! PetVR.com went the easy route and compiled a bunch of lists (kudos to them!). Some are just for fun, such as Top10 Gassiest Dogs (surprisingly to me, Pit Bulls didn't make the list). Some are quite informative, such as Top 5 Pet Friendly National Parks--a list that is important to folks like me who like to take their dogs everywhere.

Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year!

Christmas comes early in the form of Girl Scout Troop 2008

On Saturday, December 20th, the Pulaski County Humane Society was presented with $250.00 by what seemed like an ocean of bright-pink shirted girl scouts from troop 2008. According to Girl Scout leaders Serena Bennett and Tammy Akers, the 25 girls in troop 2008 did everything from searching under couch cushions for loose change to donating their allowance to asking for funds to donate to the Pulaski County Animal Shelter and Humane Education Center. These young ladies’ hard work certainly paid off. The girls also took advantage of having the shelter to themselves for a few hours and made sure to hug and pet as many cats, dogs, kittens and puppies as they could get their hands on. A large, sincere “thank you” to all the girls and leaders in Girl Scout Troop 2008-a job well done!

(Pictured: [girl scouts in no particular order] Crystal Akers, Kenzie Bennett, Mindy Johnston, Desman Claytor, Heather Boardwine, Tabitha Cressel, Amanda Dean, Lexi King, Adrianna Williams, Katherine Williams, Cassie Slaughter, Mikaela Williams, Katelyn Finn, Ashley Treadway, Alexis Arredondo, [and leaders] Tammy Akers and Serena Bennett)

A Christmas Wish

I'll be home for Christmas
If you adopt me now
I don't need much
Just food and love
And that soft spot there on your couch

Christmas Eve will find me
Dozing at your feet
Please won't you come save me
So this won't be my last dream?

PET OF THE WEEK

Hi I'm TERA - My owner had to reluctantly surrender me to the shelter. I'm a sweet and loving 4 year old purebred Australian Cattle dog and I absolutely love children. I'm calm and mature with a very gentle nature. I'm full grown and not too big. I'll be spayed soon. If you're interested in adopting me or if you'd like more information please call 674-8359. You can also email or you can visit the PCHS website or Animal Control website to see the many kitties, puppies and all breeds of dogs - all in need of good, loving homes.

PET OF THE WEEK

Hi I'm Cindy - I'm one of our Condo kittens who's still very tiny and very sweet. I'm deaf, but that doesn't slow me down. I'm full of love and personality. I'm up to date on vaccines, spayed and FIV/FeLV negative. If you're interested in adopting me or if you'd like more information please call 674-8359. You can also e-mail or you can visit the PCHS website or Animal Control website to see the many kitties, puppies and all breeds of dogs - all in need of good, loving homes.

PET OF THE WEEK - UPDATE - ADOPTED 10/08

Hi - I'm Dotson. I like to think of myself as a mild-mannered puppy. I've already had my first round of vaccines and will be neutered soon. I'm pretty smart for 10 months and I'm great at learning new things. I get along well with other dogs and love playing with them. If you're interested in adopting me or if you'd like more information please call 674-8359. You can also email or you can visit the PCHS website or Animal Control website to see the many kitties, puppies and all breeds of dogs - all in need of good, loving homes.

PET OF THE WEEK - UPDATE - ADOPTED 10/08

Hi I'm Jess. I love being outside and smelling the flowers, romping or just hanging with whoever has the time to walk me. I'm still a puppy but I'm really clever and willing to learn anything you have time to teach me. I've had my first round of vaccines and will be spayed soon so I'm just waiting for the right family to take me home. If you're interested in adopting me or if you'd like more information please call 674-8359. You can also email or you can visit the PCHS website or Animal Control website to see the many kitties, puppies and all breeds of dogs - all in need of good, loving homes.

PET OF THE WEEK - UPDATE - TO RESCUE OCTOBER 2008

Hi I'm MARY - I've been in a loving foster home but now I'm ready to move to my forever home. You can see me surrounded by my foster kids and 2 of my puppies. My puppies are all finding loving homes and now I'm ready to move on too. I love kids, other dogs and I'm very easy going and willing to learn. Come meet me and I'll charm you with my sweet disposition. I'm spayed and up to date on all my vaccines. If you're interested in adopting me or if you'd like more information please call 674-8359. You can also e-mail or you can visit the PCHS website or Animal Control website to see the many kitties, puppies and all breeds of dogs - all in need of good, loving homes.