HART is having an Open House!

I once read that every writer should have a cat and you'll get no argument from me on that score!  Not when the thing I most love about my big old wooden govt surplus desk is that it can sleep all six of my cats when I'm working at my computer!

To be perfectly honest ... there are very few knots that cannot be unravelled with the comforting rumble of desk that purrs.  Even better, cats so love the company of their own kind that a multi cat household is more interesting than anything cable could offer.  Best of all, I would never need to spend a fortune on cat toys because of course the very best toy for a cat is another cat:)

Visitors to HART, which Laurie runs out of her home, are always treated to the delightful and entertaining experience of seeing well socialized cats in action. 

Any of these lovelies would be ready to fit in anywhere ... and it is always tempting to tuck a couple in one's pockets when its time to leave!

Where do these cats come from?  Sheesh ... where DON'T they come from is more to the point!   Some are strays found by kind hearts without resources to keep them.  Some have sad enough back stories to rival the saddest, whiniest country song.  Some kittens were scooped up in TNR's .... still young enough to be easily socialized.

Cat adoptions are down everywhere right now/  This is the time of year when free to a good homes / aka we were too stoopid to spay the cats ... abound everywhere on Kijiji.  

Yet Laurie keeps getting the calls ... dozens and dozens every day.   If only dozens and dozens of adopters were showing up every day, she could take every cat she is called about, eh?

Here in the real world ... Kings County is lucky to have such unflagging passion for pussy cats!   Laurie rescues and rehomes hundreds of cats every year .... each and every one going on to become part of the (spayed and neutered) solution instead of adding to the cat overpopulation problem.

If you are curious about HART, Laurie is holding an Open House next week on Saturday, July 9th, in the afternoon and evening.   At the very least, its a chance for cat lovers to meet some of the sweet faces pictured below.  At the very best ... besides supporting a great rescue ... it is an unparalleled opportunity to meet the purrfect love of your life!

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.  Robert A. Heinlein

Getting busy on the proof

from today's  Vanguard
Board members fed up with governance grapples
Published on June 29, 2011
Carla Allen
The frustration and stress of exploring new draft governance models prepared by the provincial SPCA has extracted a heavy toll on the Yarmouth SPCA.
Nine of the 11 board members submitted resignations on June 27. The members offered to stay until the end of July to help with transitioning a new board but have been asked to hand over all documents and files pertaining to the shelter by July 8.
In a June 29 letter to the Vanguard the outgoing board of directors stated that many of the members had been administering the local branch for close to two decades, caring for literally thousands of cats and dogs. It is a job that takes its toll - with no government funding or any financial support from the Provincial Nova Scotia SPCA.
“Dealing with the provincial board of directors and its executive director has been somewhat challenging in the past few years. Ever-changing operating procedures, governance models, shelter protocols, inconsistencies and the need to constantly exercise control from afar over our branch have added to the many pressures of running a shelter,” stated the letter.
Former president Kathleen Fitzgerald says that one of the bigger obstacles connected with the draft models of governance was the requirement for the local shelter to hand over all funds raised locally to the provincial body.
“They said that funds would stay in the community but that they would manage the funds,” she said.
“It doesn’t bode well to be heading in that direction.”
Coupled with its own problems of continuous fund-raising, trying to adapt to new regimens and faced with another slate of new proposals being developed by the provincial body was simply the last straw for the Yarmouth board members.
The letter stated that while the provincial executive director (Kristen Williams) is paid for her role – those on the local board are all volunteers who give 100 per cent of their time, energy, dedication and even personal funds, from time to time, to keep the Yarmouth shelter operational.
“To run us around with ever-changing policies and procedures is not only counter productive it is draining.”
“There should be no shock or surprise to the provincial body in regards to our disagreement and subsequent resignations. We have been talking with them about the various problems and governance issues for the past two years.”One of the local board’s issues is demographics. Halifax has a much larger pool of animal lovers to draw volunteers, and those willing to foster animals from. With the new no kill policy implemented by the provincial body last year, creative solutions, including more volunteers, donations, services and foster homes are required. Yarmouth is already strapped for all of these.
“What works in Halifax does not necessarily work in Yarmouth. We tried it their way and we ran into more problems as a result,” stated the letter.
The decision to step down was not an easy one
“It was duly considered. Indeed there have been a number or resignations in the past year. Even the newest members on the board were dismayed at the level of "control" being applied to the local boards. From Yarmouth to Sydney, there is a great deal of concern about these new operational models provincial has been working on,” wrote the outgoing board members.
The biggest concern for former board members remains the wellbeing of the animals and the operations staff and volunteers that remain at the Yarmouth Shelter.
“All of us have far too much invested to simply walk away. To suggest otherwise is not only irresponsible but insulting and unfair to those who have dedicated years of service for the betterment of the animals in this area. They have all been volunteers.”
The Yarmouth SPCA has had its share of controversy in the past year. Former president Neil Hackett was investigated for neglect and animal cruelty in February by the Department of Agriculture. The department stated that it does not release the results of such investigations.
And then there is an earlier article that was published yesterday
The resignation of nine out of 11 Yarmouth SPCA board members has been accepted by SPCA Nova Scotia.
The provincial board of directors unanimously accepted the resignations on Monday night (June 27).
The reason stated for the resignations was that members of the local board “had determined that draft models of governance being explored were unacceptable and unworkable.”
SPCA Nova Scotia executive director Kristin Williams says the decision was reached without engagement, discussion or prior notice to the provincial society.NS SPCA president Andrea Carew says that the "dramatic decision from Yarmouth, while surprising and unfortunate, signals a time for change in leadership in the Yarmouth Branch, which has experienced difficulties in the past.
“With the decision of the majority of the Yarmouth board to walk away from the work of the society as a whole, also comes a renewed opportunity to work with those who maintain a commitment to the life-saving work of the Society and our commitment of continued improvement in governance and operations.
“We regret the outgoing Yarmouth members did not share the vision or goals of the provincial society but we look forward to focusing more readily now on the future."
Williams says the society’s commitment to animals remains fully intact in Yarmouth.
All operations of the Yarmouth shelter are now directly under the control of the provincial body with the support of dedicated staff and volunteers.
“In the past, there have been concerns about compliance to standards of care and adherence to policy, which we look forward to resolving. I have personally spent a great deal of time in Yarmouth over the past 18 months and I am aware of their struggles. “The decision of these nine members was hasty and I am disappointed that they do not wish to participate in the important strategic discussions currently underway with the other branches across the province.
“Our operational commitment remains to improve live release rates and standards of care across the province.”
In the coming weeks, there will be a call for new volunteer board members. Information will be posted online at www.spcans.ca and at www.yarmouthspca.com.
So anyone who is following the online provincial bod minutes knows that there are a lot of changes going on with the society right now.   They haven't all been well received at the branch level .... as last months fine whine in the Vanguard about No Kill has shown.
Clearly the branches are coming out of their comfort zone ... and would far prefer to sail gently towards No Kill rather than jump right in.
But ... ya isn't there always a but???? .... to quote Nathan Winograd ...  No Kill begins with an act of will .... with his simple and well publicized Three Step program.  1.  Stop the killing.  2. Stop the killing.   3  Stop the killing.
When I first saw this article a few years ago ... it blew my mind!    Like half the rest of the world, I had never heard of No Kill or Nathan Winograd.   Like Paul on the road to Tarsus ... it was an experience that started a whole new journey.
Is it an ambitious step for the society to make No Kill part of its policies and implement strategic plans ? You bet!  Why did they do it?   Was it the wishes of their membership?   To move ahead with the times?  To truly fulfill their mandate of speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves?  Or all of the above?
Every piece I have ever read about successfully implementing No Kill has included the caveat that staff and volunteers who were not supportive did not all remain.
I am not privy to the inner workings of the Yarmouth SPCA Board.  But I do know this ... Quinn's story was brought to my attention by one of the individuals who did not feel obligated to jump ship.   Without that unflagging concern for all the animals .... Quinn would now be pushing up daisies instead of experiencing the novelty of being loved and cared for and safe ... and best of all of never being lonely again!
So maybe I'm thinking its not a bad thing that the Yarmouth Board has pulled this grandstanding manoeuvre.   Could turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to the branch, eh?
Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.   John Kenneth Galbraith

Another Awesome Idea!!!

On being swept away

I love to read!  Although I do try to read one book by a new (to me) author each month, Tolkien still tops my all time top ten list of favourite authors.   To be perfectly honest, I stopped counting how many times I had read the Hobbit and his trilogy long before I graduated from high school. 
Some books just stay with us along our own journey.    Every desk I have ever worked at has had a copy of Bilbo's Road Song somewhere in sight.   I actually 'wore out' the paperback version of the trilogy that appeared under the tree over forty years ago and now have a much sturdier hardcover one that still never gathers much dust!  And yes ... I'm one of those tiresome folk who complained all the way back to the car after seeing The Two Towers!
But I am wandering afield here  ... as I often do in my meandering way.  In The Fellowship of the Ring, truer words were never written than "It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door," he used to say. "You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no telling where you might be swept off to." 
Three years ago today, I thought I was simply running down to the vets to pick up a case of cat food. And yes ... I am one of those tiresome folk who talk to other people's dogs while I am waiting at the vets.   Three years ago today, there was a fellow whose tail never stopped wagging the whole time I talked to him.   He was so thin and his poor little feet were such a mess ... but it was clear he was one of the sweetest dogs I had ever met.
The short version of this story is of course that that was my sweet O Henry!  CAPS had brought him in for his first appointment and it was just my very good fortune that I had the chance to meet him .... as they say "in furson". 
Which is exactly why I am always nagging about offsite adoption events.   I knew that Ruby needed a play buddy, but was still too sad about the utterly unanticipated loss of Ben to start actively searching.  Meeting Henry in person gave me a perspective that no pictures or petfinder bios could have. 
In other words ... it was the tipping point for a person who was already going to adopt.  It is the very best way to promote adoptable pets ... and it doesn't have to happen on a grand scale.
CAPS usually brings a couple of their lovely cats to the Middleton Market every summer Friday afternoon.  East Coast German Shepherd Rescue regularly brings a couple of their grreat dogs to Global Pet Foods in Halifax ... as well as taking the very clever tack of inviting interested folks to participate in their monthly fundraising dog walks.
What time is it?   It is always time to remember that there is no downside to off site adoption events.  Pets are not passed out like candy ... but their sweet selves are simply the very best ambassadors for pet adoption.   In a world where there are waiting lists for every rescue slot, offsite adoption events should be standard practice.
At the end of the day, we will never get to No Kill Nova Scotia until it is.

More Summer Fundraising Fun !

What a beautiful morning!  It doesn't even matter that the dogs dragged their weight in mud home from the river!  The important thing is that by whatever yardstick one uses ... summer is really and truly here!
Once again, if you are looking for some summer fun that does double duty by helping the animals, there are a few fun things this weekend:

• Tomorrow , as with every summer of course, CAPS will be at the Middleton Farmers Market from 2 to 6 pm.
• CAPS will also be at the 4H Dog Wash and Pet Day at the Annavale Coop in Middleton, from 10 am till 2 pm.   There will be a BBQ and all proceeds go to the Lucky Stars 4 H Club ( the subject of how 4 H teaches children about responsible animal husbandry and commitment is normally a topic for a blog with a different focus than mine, eh?  But sometimes when it comes to the animals the lines can get a little fuzzy :)
• Bargain hunters can always check out the Second Chance Charity Booth at the Harbourview Market in Dartmouth
• On Saturday, the Vetcetera Annual Dog Wash and BBQ  will be offering all sorts of fun from 10 am till 4pm.  There will be of course the dog wash and BBQ, music from Lite 92.9 live on location, hospital tours, face painting and info booths from some of the shelters etc. There will also be a 50/50 draw this year.  All proceeds go to local animal rescue
• On Sunday, Sunday, June 26, from 11 am to 1 pm, East Coast German Shepherd Rescue will be holding their Monthly Dog Walk at the Salt Marsh Trail, on Bisset Road in Cole Harbour.
  

To Quote the old rascally rabbit ... that's all for now folks .. for this weekend anyway that I know of.  (If I've missed anyone please email, eh? )

Seven weeks .....

Seven weeks seems like a short time.   Its barely enough time for newly started tomato seeds to be ready for transplanting.   Its really not enough time for new pickles to properly mature.   And it certainly isn't enough time to tell if the tiny little pears will survive their natural predators long enough to be picked.

Still, seven weeks can be a lifetime.   It was just seven weeks ago that Quinn's life was about to take an abrupt turn for the better. 

Of course, Quinn had no idea that a rosy future was waiting in the wings.  How would he ever have imagined that kind words and a gentle touch were soon to be his?   Would he ever have dreamt of the lovely healing baths?  Of having his poor sore teeth fixed?  

He probably wouldn't have dared to imagine that in seven weeks he would be the well established celebrity greeter at Goshe Pet Care.  That regular clients would be so delighted to see his progress.  That visitors would come bearing treats and kind words?

Even this good care cannot completely undo a lifetime of neglect. Quinn's coat will never completely grow back in because his skin is just so thick and irritated in spots.  

Odds are to even that this is also the first real vet care for Quinn.  In his horrible old life, noone even bothered to cut his nails, eh?     Sheesh, his skin was in such rough shape that his neuter had to wait until the infection was cleared up, eh?

No sir.   In his horrible old life, if nobody cared that he was in such misery, odds are pretty good they never even bothered to check the state of his health.

That was seven weeks ago ... now Quinn's foster Mom is VERY attentive to his health and well being.   When Quinn was neutered, there was a tumour in one of his testicles.  At that time, it was hoped that the neuter would address the problem.

Lucky for Quinn that his foster Mom is on the ball.   When she found a hard little lump this week growing back where his testicle was, there was no dilly dallying.   Off Quinn went to the vet and he will soon be having surgery.

Seven weeks ago it might have been a different kettle of fish ... if anyone had even bothered to notice of course.

But that was yesterday ... so to speak ... and yesterday's gone.   Its early days to say what sort of treatment will be needed.  The only given is that Quinn will get the care he needs.

After everything that Quinn has been through, what a blessing that Atlantic Small Dog Rescue does not set a dollar value on 'treatable'.  Does that mean they don't have to worry about money?  Of course not!   It simply means that they will roll up their fundraising sleeves to make sure that Quinn has a shot at more than seven weeks of this new good life.

If you want to help with that, even with the postal lockout there are still a couple of options:

• Make a donation in his name to the Bridgetown Animal Hospital 902-665-4333
• Donate directly to ASDR via paypal - PayPal@asdrescue.com or
• send email transfer to Julie_Lannon@gmail.com

Seven weeks ago, Quinn had no idea he would spend his days so sociably while he was healing.  Of course, he had no idea that so many kind hearts would care about him and want him to have a better life.
Seven weeks sure isn't a very long time.   After everything he has been through, Quinn should have ever so much more than that!

Ready or not ....

From yesterday's Cape Breton Post
Pets Unlimited decision welcome

Published on June 20, 2011

Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post
The Pets Unlimited chain — which has 18 stores across Atlantic Canada — confirmed late last week that it’s no longer selling puppies.

The chain’s spokesperson didn’t give a reason for the decision, adding that will be explained this week.
Whatever the reason, the decision is welcome.
Nova Scotia SPCA executive director Kristin Williams told the CBC that one of two “mass breeding facilities” under investigation in Nova Scotia is shutting down because it supplied Pets Unlimited with puppies and will lose that business.
Williams differentiates between “mass breeding facilities” and “puppy mills,” but the distinction is somewhat obscure.
Although the mass breeding facilities aren’t illegal in and of themselves, they and stores such as Pets Unlimited have been subject to criticism by the public.
Specific accusations of neglect and overcrowding aside, the overarching problem with retail stores selling puppies is they provide the opportunity for people to make a knee-jerk, impulse purchase of a sentient being because it’s “cute.”
The trouble is, the puppy grows into a dog and goes on to live for 12 or 14 or 16 years if provided with even the minimum of care.
Unfortunately, that’s all many dogs get.
Alana McKay wrote a letter to the Cape Breton Post (Think long and hard before getting a dog, June 18, 2011), expressing sorrow and anger over the number of dogs she sees on her daily walks who spend most of their time tethered to doghouses by short ropes or chains.
“Animals are social beings,” wrote McKay. “When you make the decision to go out and adopt or purchase a dog, think long-term and consider the responsibilities of becoming a dog owner.”
There’s nothing to say a dog bought directly from a purebred breeder or adopted from a shelter won’t be neglected, but the forethought involved in both of those options suggests that’s less likely.
And there will always be an opportunity to get a puppy on an impulse as long as there are dog owners who don’t get their animals spayed and neutered.
Retail business is all about buying products at one price and selling them at a higher price. The advantage for the consumer is the convenience of having multiple products in one place.
That’s OK when the product is a watermelon or an SUV or a television. A puppy is a different story.
Those who want a specific breed, and have the money to spend, can visit and talk to reputable breeders, and inspect the facilities.
Those who simply crave a companion animal are urged to drop in to an animal shelter. The Nova Scotia SPCA has a “no-kill” policy, which means it only euthanizes sick or aggressive animals, and so has lots of dogs to choose from.
Well then.  Is this good news???  Of course it is.  While it is early days to break out the champagne, the simple fact is that it is huge, groundbreaking good news.
Even if this is simply a savvy marketing decision, it is still good news. For a major player to break ranks with the pet industry party line is a really big deal.   Remember that this is happening at the same time as the PIJAC inspired new "Breeder Codes of Conduct'  are being touted by the Urban Animal Summit
Until now, the pet industry has sung in closer harmony than any of my favourite bits from Glee.  To see such a wedge in such unity can only mean one thing... that public opinion about the practice of selling pets is changing.
A dear friend of mine who runs a very reputable rescue says that in the long run, there will be a noticeable impact on the load that animal rescue has to bear.
Does that mean there is no impact now?  Of course not!  In a world where we are still waiting for decent animal cruelty legislation, would the society have been able to shut down "one of two mass breeding facilities under investigation" ?  
Probably not ... especially since they are caught in the old catch 22 of needing more funds for investigations ... without having enough funds to successfully investigate and prosecute a case that would in turn garner the publicity needed to successfully fundraise. 
So it was, in Marthaspeak, a very Good Thing that Pets Unlimited are getting out of the puppy business.
Even better, every one of the cute little dogs that were surrendered to the society will finally have a chance at a decent life.
Best of all... none of these little dogs will go on to reproduce more 'product' that can be purchased on impulse.
When I was a little girl, summer started when we could play Red Rover after supper.   What time is it?  Even if we 'are not there yet', it is still sufficient unto the day to savour the significance of such a break in the line.
Coming  .... ready or not.  Childhood game.
Special note ... Pets Unlimited Press release on this subject finally came out today :
June 21, 2011 12:00 ET

Pets Unlimited is Pleased to Announce Their EVERY PET DESERVES A HOME Pet Adoption Agency Outreach Program
DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - June 21, 2011) -
Pets Unlimited has proudly been part of the Atlantic pet community since 1988. Over the course of the last 12 months we have been gathering information which has helped us to evaluate how best to serve the needs of the pet communities in the area. During that time we came to recognize that there is an urgent need to find homes for the thousands of pets in local Humane Societies, rescue groups and shelters. In January 2011, and in keeping with our mission of putting the care of pets first, we began the process of removing puppies for sale in our stores.

We are proud to announce:

• As of June 1, 2011 we no longer have puppies available for sale at any of the 18 Pets Unlimited locations.
• We have created the EVERY PET DESERVES A HOME Pet Adoption Agency Outreach Program which offers assistance to Humane Societies, rescue groups and shelters.

Our stores are visited by tens of thousands of pet lovers every year and are a natural forum for people to learn about all things pets. Our mission is to help increase the visibility of pet adoption agencies within the community by offering them the opportunity, within our stores, to educate the general public about their organization and the pets they have available for adoption.
Each store will have a dedicated area for adoption organizations to have a table and/or display where they would be encouraged to hand out brochures/pamphlets, handle adoption applications, and show photos of adoptable pets. Stores that can accommodate will also have kennel space devoted for this purpose.
We have began the process of reaching out to the long list of groups that we hope will take advantage of and benefit from the program.
For more information about or if you would like to become involved with Pets Unlimited's EVERY PET DESERVES A HOME Program we invite you to contact Amy Young at a.young@pets-unlimited.ca or 902-225-6968.

Not everything green is good for our pets

School is barely finished for the year, but the big box world is always a season ahead so space will soon be needed for the back to school bits.   What does that mean?   Why of course that this is the time for savvy shoppers to shop for summer things.
But wait just a minute!  Isn't summer just starting tomorrow?  You bet!  Works out rather well for us here in Nova Scotia, eh?   
Gardening has become incredibly popular in the last few years and there are very few big box or supermarket chains that do not throw up a temporary garden center to cash in on the market.  Seeing as unsold product will soon become compost, experienced gardeners are always on the watch for good sales at this time of year.
Even though big box stores are getting better about bringing in plant varieties that are actually suited to the local gardening zones, any other cautions are usually in such small print as to be easily overlooked.  
Why is that a problem?   Aren't plants green and natural and good for us?   Not always.   Children are forever putting things in their mouth.  Dogs and Cats love to munch on greenery.
Really ... its a shame that plants are not sold with the same helpful "No Kids / Cats / Dogs" cautions that one finds on Petfinder listings.  
So how is one to tell?   The short answer is that, just like with food and toys and trainers, one has to do a bit of homework.    You might find it helpful to check out this link  which, imho is the most comprehensive list of plants poisonous to pets.  
Our summers are so short that we spend all the time we can outside.   As a pet owner, it just makes sense to be an organic gardener.   As a pet owner, I would never dream of putting carcinogenic chemicals on my lawn.  As a pet owner, I am very careful of what I feed my family circle.
So it just makes sense to be careful with this too.   There are so many beautiful plants to choose from without picking anything that would put our pets in harms way.  As a sidebar note to that, if you are looking for more info on organic gardening, you can always go to my personal site.
The only two herbicides we recommend are cultivation and mulching.   Organic Gardening Magazine

Happy Father's Day

Animal Rescues put the fun in fundraising!

How can you have a bit of fun this weekend AND help the animals.  Sheesh... let me count the ways :

• Tomorrow afternoon, CAPS will be at the Middleton Farmers Market from 2 - 6 pm.  Click here for more details
• This Saturday afternoon, East Coast German Shepherd Rescue will be at Global Pet Foods in Halifax from 1 - 3 pm to give the public a chance to find out more about their rescue and to meet Charlie and Lily.
• This Saturday, June 18th, is NS Lab Rescue's annual Big Doggy Doo.  It is being held at the Shooters Restaurant in Enfield.  Viewing starts at six and the auction begins at seven.  For more info, please click here
• Second Chance Charity is of course always worth visiting at the Harbourview market, both Saturdays and Sundays, from 9am - 4pm.  Please click here for more info
• Here in the Valley, on Sunday the Furry Friends Inn is putting on their first annual Dog Fair.  Admission is free and dogs are invited to bring their humans as long as they keep them on a leash :)   Please go to the Facebook Event page for more info
• ca-r-ma is holding a Fundraising BBQ Sunday at the Halifax waterfront... see poster below for details.
• This Sunday, June 19th, GPAC will be at Hounds in the Park.  Click here for more info

When love shines a light

I love being able to put on a cozy fire when we come home from the woods all wet and dirty and cold.    And before the keyboards catch on fire .... the time to put on a fire to warm up is when it is cold out... whether that is June or January, eh?
Common sense should always transcend the calendar ... just as in the rescue community compassion often overrides original mandates!

• Lovely little Lily, pictured above, is actually available for adoption from East Coast German Shepherd Rescue. 
• On the other hand, there is a beautiful Rotti named Bruno  (see pic below) who is with Atlantic Small Dog Rescue
• Size clearly doesn't matter to ASDR ... if you will recall they were the ones who have so generously tucked The Mighty Quinn under their paw (scroll down to see a great new pic that clearly shows how well this grrreat guy is doing! )
• Nor is this the first litter of Lab mix pups that ASDR have brought into their care .... once again, scroll down for adorable pic of the cutie pies!
• Nor is Peekaboo the first cat that the (normally) dog focused Animal Rescue Coalitions have gone to bat for!   Last year, once a foster was found (thanks Karen :), ARC took in Tammy and Freddie knowing full well that it can take months and more to find homes for senior kittizens.   Special note to that ... Peekaboo still needs a foster home!!!!!
• PET Projects underwent a complete revision a couple of years ago so that they could better serve their community. Instead of struggling to maintain a shelter, they are now primarily a foster based rescue that has been redefined by its partnerships with its community

What time is it?   It is always time to salute the folks saving lives by thinking outside the box!
Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame. ~Henry David Thoreau

Honorary small dog, Bruno

Doesn't Quinn look wonderful!!!   What a miracle that he is such a sweet and gentle soul after everything that he has been through!

These lab mix puppies won't stay small for long!!!