celebrating all things canine
Welcome to the second “DOGS” issue of our bi-monthly Shelter Partners newsletter. In ordinary times, at least half of this edition would be devoted to A-PAL Humane Society’s wonderful dog loving fundraiser, Bark in the Park. But these are not ordinary times. It was necessary for A-PAL to forego its usual outdoor get-together of people, dogs, food, fun, music and mutt strutting for covid-aware alternatives. Plans are afoot for a virtual event or two that will serve as an adventurous and entertaining stand-in for the annual September good times under the trees. Please check the PawsPartners or A-PAL website regularly for updates on these plans. Shelter Partners will be sending a special edition of this newsletter when they are finalized. Meanwhile, let's do some dog loving here and now.
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JANUARY | FEBRUARY
SHELTER PETS ROCK
adopt a workout partner
adopt "the one"
MARCH | APRIL
NO LITTERING
spay & neuter awareness
trap | neuter | release
MAY | JUNE
CATS!
$9 for 9 lives for 9 days
whiskers & wine
FRIDAY MAY 8th, JACKSON RANCHERIA
feline frenzy
JULY | AUGUST
VIVA 'VINTAGE' PETS
adopt a senior pet
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER
DOGS!
adopt your MVP
paws & claws (TCWC)
FRIDAY SEP 18th, AMERICAN LEGION HALL
bark in the park
TO BE ANNOUNCED
NOVEMBER | DECEMBER
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
thanks
bring joy to your world
santa paws
FRIDAY DEC 8th, THE FEED BARN | JACKSON
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five great reasons to love a DOG |
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Experts and animal lovers agree, pets have the power to enhance our lives. Here are some reasons why DOGS, in particular, take us to the next level.
THEY BROADEN OUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Most sophisticated animals communicate via energy, rather than written or spoken language. Because dogs rely on two-way communication with humans to function at their best, they are a great means for us to sharpen our own understanding of their energy. Dog trainers will affirm that knowing how to interpret and communicate a dog's non-verbal language is a gateway to success. What they learn from us is how to be a better canine citizen in human society. What we learn from them is how to lose our dependency on language and make human|dog communication better.
THEY DON’T HARBOR NEGATIVE FEELINGS
Intelligent animals thrive on the ability to learn from their experiences. Aside from this essential survival skill, dogs are able to leave behind disappointment, jealousy, anger, even physical pain. They truly do live in the moment. We as humans can grow from being able to do the same.
THEY ARE NATURAL PERSONAL TRAINERS
A dog’s need for exercise requires that we join them in getting out there and moving. Few things are more motivating than participating in an exercise program with a happy and enthusiastic companion. Dogs are good for your heart.
THEY ARE RELIABLE & CHARMING SECURITY SYSTEMS
Their keen senses of smell and hearing, plus a sixth sense for danger will clue us in to what we might need to know, well before we get there ourselves. Anytime, anywhere, and impervious to power outages, your dog is available to warn you of impending danger (or impending fun) on a 24-7 basis.
THEY ARE FOUR-LEGGED GENERATORS of JOY
Dogs seem to have a direct channel to undiluted joy. Anything, no matter how humble, can spark a celebration; a treat, a kind word, a bit of play, a shaft of sunlight, the sound of you coming home. Joy is contagious. It is impossible to be in proximity to all that unbridled happiness without getting it in your bones. Give in to it, and share.
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Today was incredibly busy. Eric was our AC officer and went out almost immediately on stray dog calls. There seemed to be dogs everywhere, mostly on the highways. Did I mention that a lot of them were German Shepherds? We got call after call involving surrenders of GSD's. Don't quote me on numbers because things start to blur after 6 or so calls on them. Shannon had to go out and deal with other loose dogs as well. D2 ended up looking like a family reunion of the German Shepherd Society. A couple of these did go home by the end of the day.
NOTE: This dispatch is from 2019, but it does reflect an actual recurring phenomenon: the GSD Surge. (also, the Black Dog Surge, the Red Dog Surge, and the Chihuahua Surge)
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a dog named Amador: realizing his full potential |
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Back in mid-April, a young Shepherd/Malinois mix arrived at the ACAC shelter as a stray. He and an even younger companion were found wandering along the road. He was alert, highly athletic, and not surprisingly, a bit of a handful. Because the Malinois is often too driven to make a desirable family pet, it was decided he would be a worthy candidate for one of the breed-specific rescue groups the shelter frequently coordinates with. The Jefferson Working Dog Rescue in Southern Oregon reached out to ACAC, and arrangements were made to meet with their representatives near the Sacramento airport. Happily, he turned out to be a great fit for them, and was put into training to become a working dog for the Oregon State Police. They have named him “Amador”, and once his training is complete, he will be living and patrolling with his partner, working the I-5 corridor in Southern Oregon as a contraband sniffing dog. Way to go, Amador, Jefferson Working Dog Rescue, and Amador County Animal Control and Adoption Center. Congratulations, all!
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spotlight on staff_Vanessa O'Brien |
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An old soul in a young person’s body. A person who wants to make a difference. These are phrases that describe Vanessa O’Brien.
A Jackson native, Vanessa O’Brien is the most recent addition to ACAC & AC, joining the team in January as an Animal Care Technician. She is responsible for all of the animals in the shelter; making sure they get their vaccinations, scheduling veterinary visits and keeping the shelter clean.
Vanessa has always liked being around animals, even to the point of letting school classmates drape a 5-foot python around her shoulders. Before arriving at Animal Control, she worked at a local theater and was a pet and house sitter. Currently, she shares a home with her parents, five cats, and a dog.
She loves the culture at the shelter. She says it’s like a family there – everyone caring about one another. Vanessa also says that it is great to know you are giving the incoming animals a chance at a better life. She has witnessed a frail new arrival at the shelter blossom under the staff’s care, rehabilitated and adopted into a good home. Ask to see her photos, and she will treat you to her photo chronicles of some of her firsts; the first day-old kitten she ever saw and the first dog that went to a rescue.
Helping people has always been important to Vanessa. She contemplates being a therapist or kindergarten teacher someday as a way to make the most of her generous and caring nature. She considers herself "kind of a boring person" but loves acting and the dramatic arts, and still enjoys getting a jolt from a good horror movie.
Vanessa is a person who wants her life to matter. How lucky it is for us that she is sharing her skills and compassion with her friends (both 2-legged and 4-legged) at the Amador County Animal Shelter & Adoption Center.
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ACAC & AC director's chair_____________from Kelly Reason
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Good news, everyone! Kelly has an update on the status of our Animal Control barn.
In case you didn’t know, there has always been a barn in the original plans for the new ACAC & AC building, but it took time, luck, and fundraising to get the project rolling.
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After contact with several vendors, plans tailored to our specific needs are now being drawn up and put into action. Ground breaking is expected to begin in Spring, 2021.
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EVERYONE THINKS THEY HAVE THE BEST DOG.
AND NONE OF THEM ARE WRONG.___ – W.R. PURCHE
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ACAC & AC is always in need of items that can improve the lives of our animals while they are with us. If you can help, please feel free to donate any items from our Amazon wish list.
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Volunteers needed
If you can help walk dogs or socialize animals, we want you! The Application for Volunteer Worker can be reviewed here. Think you're game? Come on over and fill out an original pink copy, available from the shelter.
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Get on our mailing list by signing up at the animal shelter, the Feed Barn, or any Adoption Outreach. |
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