Pet Talk

    Sometimes I’ll get phone calls asking me what’s available for adoption at the shelter or if we have this kind of dog or that kind of cat. I don’t always know. I usually do, but I don’t work at the shelter every day and unfortunately new animals come in every day so sometimes there  are several new arrivals that I might not know about right away. Any time you’d like to know what’s at the Shelter, just give a call to Heather or Courtney at 532-2862 and they can bring you up to date.
    I mention this because I work for a company that has close to 100 employees and these employees will sometimes ask me to “keep an eye out” for this kind of cat or that kind of dog. I’m right on it, trying to match a pet with a new family but if we don’t have what they’re looking for right then, I sometimes forget. (And no, Sharon, I haven’t forgotten you’re looking for a little dog!!)
    Such was the case the other day when one of my co-workers from the Dover office asked me if I had found her an orange tabby kitten yet. Whoops, totally forgot she was looking for one, so I double checked with Heather and sure enough we had a whole litter of kittens that were abandoned at the shelter by a gentleman who drove into the parking lot, opened his door, and threw out the kittens and drove away. (Isn’t it awful what people do?)  In that litter of kittens was a little orange mitten pawed tabby.
    Heather had photos taken, we forwarded those down to my co-worker, she fell in love and we made arrangements for her to drive to Medway and I drove the kitten down Saturday morning and met her there. 
    I know it sounds silly, but when I handed little Connie over, my friend’s son was in the back seat of her SUV and he reached out his little baby hands, just as gently as can be, and stroked little Connie’s fur, and his face lit up like you would not believe. Little Connie curled up and relaxed under his gentle touch and I stood there in the parking lot, big crocodile tears rolling down my face. I drove home with a grin plastered on my face, which probably looked pretty silly to people passing me on the highway. They have no idea the joy and satisfaction there is in finding just the right home for an animal that has been abandoned.
    We have people who have driven for hours to adopt from us because we had just the dog or cat they were looking for and we are always willing to help with transportation if necessary.
    If you would like to adopt, little Connie has three siblings who are still waiting for new homes. Just a little over eight weeks old, they are the sweetest little babies you’d ever want to see. If an older cat is for you, you should see Bandit. He is just about the prettiest cat I’ve seen in a long time, a two year old neutered male – just a love bug. He is joined by Puff, a two-year-old female who just wants to sit in your lap all day, Curly and Moe, 11-week-old males who are a little shy but love to “sing”. I would hope they would go to a new home together. Sadie is two years old and her adoption fee has already been paid, as has Sophie’s. All beautiful healthy kitties.
    If you are a dog lover and would like to give Earl a new home, he is a two year old male lab/hound mix. He would be best in a home with children over the age of 5.
    And then there is Izzy. Izzy is our special needs rottie. Izzy has had a very difficult life and because of that she has a few issues and will need “just the right home.” In order to qualify to adopt Izzy you will need to have an interview with staff so they can be sure she’s the right fit for you, and of course you would need to have a very serious “meet and greet” with Izzy to see if she warms up to you. Izzy can be a little scary if you just walk up to her cage, as that is “her space” and she’s very protective of her space, but I’ve had an opportunity to meet Izzy while she was just wandering around the lunch room and what a love she is, just a big baby. Izzy is going to have some medical issues, you should be aware of that. She may develop some hip problems later on, as many of the large breeds do, and the vet thinks she is predisposed based on her assessment.
    If you have a heart for this breed and feel you could give Izzy a good home, please call Heather or Courtney and set up an appointment to meet Izzy.  The number at the shelter is 532-2862.
    As always, the shelter could use your financial support. I know that many people wait till the end of the year to make charitable donations so they can write them off their income taxes. If you are one of those, Houlton Humane is a 501c3 non-profit and receipts will be provided for tax purposes. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 548, Houlton, Me 04730. You can also now visit the shelter online via Facebook.
    Thank you for your continued support and visit our new Facebook page!