william

Hello Everyone; We promised Josie that we would let you all know how William is doing! He is fantastic, what a dog! He and his brother Bear play in the house and outside in the yard. When they are outside they are joined by another playmate. Riggo is a large (approx. 100 lb) three year old black lab. it is quite entertaining seeing the three of the m run and chase each other. William has had several challenges/adjustments to overcome, one of which is stairs. It only took him two days with a little coaxing, a leash and treats to find out that he can go up and down at will. On day two of his new trick, I came out of the bathroom upstairs to find that he had learned another trick. He was on my bed, looking like he had always been there. He and Bear both sleep on the bed, William gets on and off during the night. William went to the veterinarian on Friday. He weighs 38.5 lbs. Did I mention that he still will not get into a vehicle... he is solid a a rock! There were snow flurries when we went out this morning. William kept looking up but didn't seem bothered by the snow or the cold. They are calling for a few inches within the next day or so. I will get some pictures of Bear and William in the snow to sent to you. We love having William in our family... everyone except Caro the cat. The jury is still out where she is concerned. They are starting to be able to be in the same room at times without William chasing and barking at her. If you have any suggestions to help with the desensitization process it would be most appreciated. For now, she has the living room area as her safe room. We installed gates that she is able to leap over with ease and not have either of the dogs follow her. By the way, during William's doctor appointment, I was telling him how grateful and impressed I was with all of you and the care that you provide to the animal. He said that it was obvious to him from your records and William's great health that you all provide excellent care and thank you! Please feel free to keep in touch! I promise to write again soon, hopefully with pictures! Sincerely, Clarisse

Lee

For sometime I have told other pet owners that the best thing to do after you lose a pet is to get another one. This way you still have the memory of the pet you lost and the joy, which the other pet is bound to bring. Not quite ready to take my own advice, but starting to look, I came across a local web site: obxspca.org. The featured cat was a six month old female Brown Tiger Torti http://www.obxspca.rescuegroups.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=872685. Her name is Lee. We now have two Lees in this household. Brenda’s middle name is Lee. A few years ago my oldest daughter Leanore, incidentally was named after my late sister Leanora, sent us a statue. It sits in the middle of Brenda’s rose garden. I named it Tessa Lee, as Leanore’s youngest daughter, my eighth grandchild, is named Tess. My second daughter Nanette’s three children and my third daughter Melissa’s two children all call Leanore, Aunt Lee Lee. All of which bring us back to the six month old female Brown Tiger Torti cat, who needs a good home. If I am lucky enough to get her, I will probably change her name. Cats don’t seem to mind that. After some thought, how about Lee Lee Lee? Should Brenda and I eventually move to California to be near our two oldest daughters and their families, as uncertain as life is, maybe someday that Brown Tiger Torti cat will become a member of my Leanore’s household. She could known as Aunt Lee Lee’s Lee Lee Lee! Afterward Most of the time things do not go as planned. Going back to the SPCA’s web site I noticed another cat, Leo. Leo is a gray and white and about 18 months old. Leo’s face looks so much like my Sam’s; he could have been my Sam’s brother. Brenda, however, got the word, from one of her other exercise ladies, that a longhaired female black and white needed a home. So the choice was then between the black and white, the gray and white and the torti. I decided to take Leo. As an older cat he probably had the least chance to be adopted. I went out to get Leo but had to follow the shelter’s procedure first. This meant filling out some forms and paying a fee. Leo, perched on one of those carpeted cat trees, looked downright regal. As I was filling out the forms, I saw another cat. A pampered pet that the staff, two young ladies, kept in the front office, rather than in the back with the other cats. A little contented cat, who you could hear purring ten yards away, she was a six month old brown tiger torti. She turned out to be the cat that started all this, Lee. Sadly, I did not fill out the forms to take Lee. After I got home, surprisingly, the lady who had the black and white never called. When we tracked her down, we found that she changes her mind, deciding keep her black and white. Back to the shelter, this time with Brenda, we signed up to also take Lee. The ladies at the SPCA were quiet pleased. So was I.

Mason

Hello to all my friends at the Dare County Animal Shelter: It has been a week since I got adopted, and boy have I been happy. I live in my forever home with my Dad and Mama and a cousin named Kramer. Mom says Kramer will be leaving in a few months, which is fine with me. He's kinda big and scary, but I was sure to show him who's boss right away. He doesn't bother me much anymore. Mama made me up a little bed to sleep in and had it ready for me when I first came home, but I don't like it much. I sleep with her and Dad in the big bed. Our house is really neat; it has stairs that I can run up and down real fast in the middle of the night until Mama comes to get me and snuggles me down in the blankets with her. I like it when she does that. I also have a golf ball that I like to play with, but sometimes when it's night I'm not allowed to play with it. People like to sleep when it's night. Crazy, huh? I get lots of good kitten food, and treats and snacks when I'm good. I stole and ate one of Kramer's dog biscuits once. He wasn't real happy with me. I just laughed at him. Dad gave me a new treat last night. He called it 'popcorn'. It was pretty good stuff. I think I'm gonna like it here. Thanks to all of you for taking such good care of me while I was there. And thanks for helping me find my family. Here are some pictures. Mom is always trying to take pictures of me. I don't like getting my picture taken. Love, Mason Brown

Troy

In Sept I adopted a beagle mix by the name of Troy. The experience has been fabulous & he has been just a wonderful addition to our home. Aproximately 5 yrs ago I adopted a kitten from the shelter & I have to say that that experience was much different. If it weren't for the fact that I always obtain my animals from shelters & that I had already fallen for this kitten I would have walked away. At that time there was a man that manned the counter that was very obstructionist in his attitude towards an adopter, surly & unpleasant. However, this time absolutely everyone I encountered was friendly, helpful & just delightful to work with.... Everyone was obviously concerned about the animals, but more importantly everyone I encountered were also caring & concerned enough to talk with me about my choice of animal. The experience was so pleasant (with great results I might add) that one of my husband's co-workers was inspired enough to adopt another dog a few days after I did. Troy's name has been changed to Mr. Peterman, which he responded to within 2 days - he is sooooooo smart & absolutley LOVES his walks. I do have to keep him & the cat separated as he wants to hunt her - but hey, my brothers used to want to hunt me so........... I have included some pics of him in his new happy home. Oh yeah, & my husband who was anti-dog has been caught on several occasions down on the floor playing with Mr. Peterman. He has stolen our hearts indeed. Thank you for the good work that you do & the pleasurable experience that you made this for me. Sincerely, Susan Stacy Cox

Max

Maxine is doing great! She is surprisingly self assured. (We caught her trying to "dominate" Kronk this morning. Now he wasn't paying her any attention mind you, but there she was....) She rode most of the way back with her head between the seats watching the road and getting her ears rubbed. When we arrived, we brought Fletcher out first. She ignored Maxine. Then Kronk--he went into show off mode, and Ella did really well with her too. They were all playing while I was home for lunch. I started out a little worried since she was so little compared to the other two, but she is holding her own. My goodness she loves balls!!!! Eddie took her out yesterday and winged it across ours and the neighbors back yards and she loved it. We also play in the house. The hall is a great spot. I have no idea who her forever home will be, but I'm sure they will be great for her!