 |
|
February's Insider Report
|
|
Board Report
by Sharon Sherman, Chairman of the Board
Meet my dog, Suki! As you can see, she is very special. She was found wandering on the streets of Merced, badly burned over a good portion of her body and missing her ears. She was taken to the local shelter and rescued by Best Friends with 7 other dogs, all slated to be euthanized. She moved to Utah and that is where we met.
Our introduction took place when I was set to meet an older poodle for some cuddle time. Just as I was about to pick her up, out of the corner of my eye I saw a little black ball of fire running toward us. She literally knocked the poodle away from me and jumped into my lap. Her wagging tail and steady gaze said, "What do you think of that?" and I, admittedly, was impressed.
That night I took Suki (then named Triumph for what she had overcome) to my hotel room for what Best Friends call a "socialization overnight visit." It really should be called the "Please fall in love and adopt this dog overnight visit." There is a lot of method to the madness up there at Best Friends.
Suki turned my room into the Indy 500 racetrack: up onto one bed, jumping across to the other bed, sliding off onto the floor, righting herself, shaking all over, wagging her tail and beginning the loop again. Then she discovered the game of "under the covers," racing from the head of one bed to its foot, poking her head out, barking at her success and moving on to the other bed. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard as I did that night watching her antics.
Long story short, and you could see it coming, I adopted Suki. She has been with me for 9 years and makes me laugh every single day. I didn't adopt her because of her back story; or to "save this poor dog" from her history; or from a "do gooder" complex. I adopted her because she was the feistiest and funniest dog I had ever met.
A lot of people overlooked Suki on her way into my heart. Their loss. I am the lucky one: I get so much more than I give. And, here at the ACF we have dogs and cats that are overlooked too. Some of them might not be pretty in the conventional sense; some might have a medical problem that needs attention; some might be a little scared of humans, with good cause. But once you meet them, and see them for the special animals they are, maybe you will fall head over heels like I did for Suki and welcome one of them into your family. It would be your lucky day.
(You can click on a photo to be taken to a full bio of that dog or cat)
|
|
|
Pinky
Pinky was just about six months old when she escaped through a window of her family's home. Scared and alone and unable to get back into the house, Pinky wandered off. She fended for herself for two and half years, living off handouts from kind strangers until she was trapped at the Coronado Shores in April, 2017. Discovering she was microchipped, she was brought to the shelter where staff tracked down her original owners and learned her story. Sadly, they would not take her back.
When we first met Pinky, she was terrified of being touched. Her isolation from people, and always being on guard, made her fearful of everything. With time and patience volunteers have taught her that pets are a good thing and she will now settle in for a gentle and slow session of affection. Sometimes she may even doze off and treat the petters to the music of her soft purrs.
While Pinky has made great progress in her trust of people and in her self-confidence, she does not show well to potential adopters. We call her a "Curtle" -a shy cat who will come out of her shell but only with
time, in a loving home, with a cat savvy person.
Pinky would love to find someone willing to love her for who she is: a beautiful cat who can relax around people as long as they aren't forcing her to do things she is afraid of.
Maybe you have room in your heart and home, along with the time and patience, to help this lovely cat blossom into a trusting and affectionate pet?
|
|
Emily came to the ACF as a stray with a perpetual "wink." An accident left her blind in her right eye so it was recently removed. It doesn't slow her down at all and she is very friendly to everyone she meets. She loves to snuggle, is housebroken and walks well on a leash. Emily is looking for here forever home. She is a Jack Russell Terrier Mix, 9 years old and weighs 16 pounds. She does need eye drops daily but takes them well, seeming to know that they are helpful to her. Emily just wants a chance to love and be loved, and hopes someone will look past her disability to see what a sweet girl she is. Wink!
|
|
Anjelica
Meet Anjelica. When she arrived at the ACF we were told she was hit by a car, leaving her with a jaw broken in 4 places. She weathered the repair
surgery well but, as we have gotten to know her, we feel that a strong hit or kick in the face better explains the broken jaw as she shows fear when anyone leans down and reaches for her face. She also is scared of some men, but we have been unable to determine if there is a "type" she wants to avoid. It will take time and patience for Anjelica to regain her self confidence.
Something terrible happened to Anjelica and she needs someone to help her learn to trust humans again. Luckily, she is cute as a bug (check out that polka dotted ear!) and has a bit of a tic in her jaw which makes her all the more interesting. And, Anjelica would love to ride with you in your car. Road trip anyone? Anjelica is 9 years old and weighs 13 pounds.
|
|
|
Three gorgeous cats
These three gorgeous cats are positive for "FIV," which stands for "feline immunodeficiency virus." While FIV is related to HIV ("human immunodeficiency virus") it CANNOT BE TRANSMITTED TO HUMANS and is usually transmitted to other cats through deep penetrating bite wounds. It cannot be transmitted by c
ats sharing the same food or water bowls, or cats grooming each other.
There is a long asymptomatic period before a cat with FIV shows signs of symptoms, meaning that they can make wonderful pets, needing only supportive therapy throughout their lifetimes, such as good nutrition, an indoor lifestyle and a quick response to an infection if one arises.
Most FIV infected cats are males, having contracted the disease from fighting with other males for territory. Butch, Odin and Teo are three such spunky guys, having come to the ACF from life on the streets of Coronado. They are all big, beautiful, robust and healthy, healthy, healthy. We don't know what their lifespans will be but we do know they want and need to be cared for and loved as would any other animal. And, they will love you right back...big time. All of these cats crave attention and affection Each would do well as a single cat, or in the company of other FIV positive cats.
|
|
Stevie
Stevie came to the ACF in May of 2017, having been found wandering on North Island. He appeared to be about 5 years old, was emaciated, dehydrated, flea infested, lame and blind. Stevie's chance for any kind of future looked pretty slim.
Despite all this, there was something special about this cat that touched the hearts of the staff and volunteers. He was given his own private room, a double wide cage in the kitchen, which provided space for a cozy bed with his favorite stuffed hedgehog, a spot for food and water and a litter box.
At first, Stevie would hide in the far back corner of his cage. Staff members began sitting outside the cage and speaking softly to him. He found the courage to come to the cage door and allow a few pets, but he still wouldn't come out. Then one special day, he came out of his cage and curled up in a volunteer's lap and began to purr.
What a Wonder! Stevie Wonder.
Stevie's confidence grew, and with gentle persuasion he began to come out of his cage and walk around the kitchen. That led him to venturing outside into the yard. He now walks all around the entire facility, inside and out, following the voices of his friends. With this new exercise his lameness has all but disappeared.
Stevie would do well in a quiet, uncluttered home with no other animals. He does need a daily dose of Miralax sprinkled on his food to keep his stools soft, but he has no other medical problems. The most important requirement of anyone who might adopt Stevie is a warm, soft lap.
|
|
Tucker and Jill
Tucker and Jill are old pals. When Jill was young, Tucker was brought home to keep her company. They have lived together ever since and now Jill is 16 and Tucker is 12. But, sadly, their owner relinquished them when she moved to a new rental, not being allowed to take them with her in addition to her German Shepherd. WOW..."Cats are so much less trouble than dogs," they thought.
Be that as it may, they arrived at the ACF on December 20, 2017 and spent their first Christmas alone. They were very disoriented at first so the ACF staff and the CAT adoption team gave them extra attention and treats to make them feel welcome. In cat years, Jill is 81 and Tucker is 65. Imagine losing everything you know at that age.
Everyone coming to the ACF looking to adopt seems to pass them by. No applications at all for them. Maybe it's their age? It couldn't be their personalities as they are the sweetest, most affectionate cats you could ever hope to adopt. They are quiet, love being petted and are just looking for someone to love them so they can give their love back, tenfold. They would be so grateful for a new home where they will feel safe and secure for the rest of their lives. It would be a blessing to them and to you to take them into your home.
|
Recent Successful Adoptions
|
Dec '17
|
Jan '18
|
|
Cats
|
12
|
10
|
|
Dogs
|
3
|
10
|
Click to view our
|
|
|
|
|
|
