End of the Year 2007 Charitable Giving/ Mason's Vet Bill Needs to be Trimmed


Charitable donations are a good thing. They help organizations and can result in increasing your tax refund or reducing taxes you would otherwise owe next April.
December 31, 2007 is the deadline for charitable giving for the year 2007. Woe, Nellie, that is TONIGHT! Mason has a HUGE vet bill and would be so grateful for donations.

Mason's vetting bill was over $8,500! (The current balance is $5975.00. THANK YOU to all who have helped get the bill down. All donations should be sent directly to the vet at: Help For Animals P.O. Box 250, Barboursville, WV 25504 or call (800) 953-7297 to donate via credit card. Please ask them to apply the donation to the outstanding vetting bill for the Mason County Animal Shelter. THANK YOU!!!

Help For Animals is 501c3 non-profit and your donation is tax deductible. Please check out their listing on Guidestar.org to confirm non-profit status. (Search for Help For Animals Inc, you'll need to scroll down to see their listing.)
__._,_.___
The
The

These Cute Faces Are Big Business













Consumerism keeps our economy healthy, so whatever appeals to people will gain the attention of business. Photos and drawings of cats and dogs appeal to people and sell. These cute faces appear on calendars, t-shirts. mugs, greeting cards, posters, and clothing.

I hope the businesses and individuals that use images of cats and dogs in their ads and products donate funds to organizations that help needy animals.


Here is a link to an article about Wegman's dogs taking part in a Honda Civic TV ad.


http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E5DA1731F935A35753C1A96F958260&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Mason Dog Lives the Good Life in Canada



And now some good news about a dog that went to his forever home in Ontario Canada. He originally came from the Mason Shelter. He came in with a group of dogs that were seized because of neglect or abuse. He went to Balog's German Shepard Dog rescue (thank you Becky) and from there got adopted by a family in Ontario, Canada and they dearly love him.

He is a wheaton terrier and was named Benji at the Mason Shelter (bottom picture).

The top picture is Benji in his new home. He is now named Rosco.



More good news!
Kobe from yesterday's post is going to rescue. I am not sure about the other dogs.

If anyone wants to share a happy tails story about a former Mason cat or dog, please feel free to share in the comment section and or let me know you would like to post a picture.

Dogs to be Killed(ALL RESCUED) the Day Before Christmas Unless Rescued





I hate to be so direct but reality is reality. These three dogs at Roane Countyy Animal Shelter in Spencer West Virginia will be euthanized on December 24 unless rescued. I am sure this scenario will take place in numerous shelters across the country that do not have the resources or staff to keep animals indefinitely. How disturbing that on a holy day for many people, innocent animals could and will be killed because no one cared enough to rescue them. Please intervene in the fate of Cindy, Kobe, and Charity and give them a true Christmas gift, the gift of love.

Roane County Animal Shelter
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/WV60.html

The shelter is on Route 14 near Spencer, WV -- 1 hour NE of Charleston WV, 2 hours South of Wheeling WV, 2 hours South of Cambridge OH and 2 1/2 hours SW of Morgantown WV.

Roane County Animal Shelter
2550 Parkersburg Rd
Spencer, WV 25276
Phone: (304)927-2555



"Cindy is about a year old and very happy and active. She loves people and responds well to direction. she way brought in as a stray. Her required hold time is up and she urgently needs to get adopted or rescue.

Please call Sandy at 304-927-4363 if you can adopt or rescue this sweetie.


Kobe is a beautiful Malinois who was turned in as a stray. He's about 5 months old, very friendly and alert. His pictures don't do him justice. His ears do stick up, but like a lot of dogs, he just wouldn't do it for the pictures.

Kobe's time will not be held beyond December 24. Please contact Sandy at 304-927-4363 if you're interested in this gorgeous puppy. If you get the voice recording, please leave a detailed message.


Charity is a very sweet young female who looks like she recently had a littler. She made have been wandering for sometime because she's protective of her food. Other than that she gets along great with other dogs. Please contact Sandy at 304-927-4363 if you're interested in Charity."

Black Is The Color of My True Love's Hair-UPDATE JANUARY 2008










PEGGY ADOPTED!!!! DIXIE RESCUED!!! GEORGETTE AT SHELTER, LOOK AT HER NEW JANUARY 27th 2008 Blog picture



From right to left counterclockwise

Georgette, Dixie, Peggy







Black dogs are the bomb(you know cool- I feel like Randy Jackson when I say that word). Besides the intrinsic wonderful dogginess of dogs, they are black and black is a wonderful color. In the Chinese art of Feng Shui, the art of interior design whose goal is to promote health, opportunity and prosperity in our lives, black is the color associated with career. It is a power color that when placed in the appropriate place(called baguas) in your home or place of business brings good fortune.


"Black is a color of power and strength, and to see all those players, with the captains linking their arms in front-it's a powerful picture."

Hayden Fry

American Coach. b. 1929

So why are black dogs left at shelters? Check out the link. I'm telling you we all have to examine our thoughts and attitudes about black dogs.

http://www.blackpearldogs.com/


These are the three dogs at the shelter who are black and sweet and would like out this week. Their names are Peggy, Dixie, and Georgette. Please consider them.


I see it now, black dog with bright colored ribbon on or reindeer ears( Peggy would look great in reindeer ears) looking at you adoringly.

A BIG HOLIDAY THANK YOU! RURAL SHELTERS CAN BE NO-KILL

A BIG HOLIDAY THANK YOU!


Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:22 pm (PST)

from "Trish" SaveTheDogs@rcn.com themcd1998

Mason County Animal Shelter
A Big Holiday THANK YOU!
Since the transition back to county control, you have
helped us save so many animals!

When the announcement was made this past summer
that the shelter was going from no kill back to kill/county control,
the rescue and adoptive community responded in droves.
Hundreds of dogs and cats were placed in foster care within
weeks, most of whom have since found forever homes.

Best Friends assisted by sending announcements
out to their network, which greatly increased the
exposure these animals were getting to the animal
loving community nationwide.
They also helped us find local volunteer help and sent a
team down to Pt Pleasant to meet with the county, staff,
and volunteers. Additionally, they worked tirelessly
behind the scenes for several weeks after the transition
to ensure the release of dogs that were being held
for a court case...to make sure they would not be euthanized.
THANK YOU!

As a parting gift, the group of volunteers that was running
the shelter as no kill took a bunch of the "leftover" dogs
home on the night prior to transition, to ensure they would
not be put down. THANK YOU! No one knew for sure
what the county's intentions where with regard to the
batch of mostly large black dogs that had not found
homes yet...and rescuers know that big black adult dogs
are less likely to be adopted. They still have
some of those dogs...please visit their website
to see if there is anyone you would like to adopt:
http://www.petfinde r.com/shelters/ WV128.html

The county provided basic shots for dogs upon intake at no
charge to rescues and was kind enough to let an online
volunteer maintain the Petfinder website to ensure
that it would be kept up to date. THANK YOU!

A new volunteer team stepped in to assist the new
shelter director with continuing (and expanding) the
rescue program. THANK YOU! It never ceases to amaze
us how energized you all are, and how willing you are
to step in and help as needed. We are very lucky
to have all of you as volunteers!

A volunteer rescue coordinator spends 6-8 hours online
and on the phone daily to keep in touch with rescues
and answer their inquiries and keep
Betty, the shelter director, informed as to which
animals are confirmed for rescue.
She also keeps our Petfinder person informed
on who needs to be moved to adopted status and
has worked tirelessly to develop/enhance
the southern portion of our transport route by
finding new drivers. THANK YOU CANDICE!

For months after the transition, Betty didn't have
a camera, so Julie (a local volunteer) visited the
shelter weekly to photograph new animals for
Petfinder. THANK YOU!

Another "on the ground" volunteer, Trish P, has been
an invaluable source of help for both Betty and Candice,
stepping in to help out wherever needed. THANK YOU!

Just when Candice decided she couldn't keep up
with the rescue applications, Carolyn joined the
online volunteer team and
stepped up to help process these apps and keep the rescue
program going strong. THANK YOU!

Sponsors continued to help us by covering the cost of
vetting for cats and dogs so they can go to rescue fully
vetted for free. They have also donated
money to help us get treatment covered for
heartworm positive dogs. THANK YOU!

Generous supporters donated Kuranda dog beds so our
dogs could be off the cold, hard concrete floor. THANK YOU!
We still need more beds...please visit our website and click on "Donate
a Kuranda Bed" or visit
http://www.kuranda. com/catalog/ donate_landing. php?intShelterID =3113
if you would like
to ship a bed to our shelter.

Help For Animals, the low-cost spay/neuter clinic,
continued to provide care for the animals despite the fact
that they were left with an outstanding vetting bill of
over $8,500 at the time of the transition. THANK YOU!
(They still need $5,975 to be paid off, please contact
Vanessa at 800-953-7297 to contribute.
Donations made to
HFA are tax deductible. They are a 501c3
non-profit organization. ) THANK YOU to the
donors who have already contributed several
thousand dollars toward this outstanding bill.

Volunteer drivers regularly assisted with transporting
dogs and cats to rescues. THANK YOU! Special thanks go
out to Julie and Nicole who often drive long legs
on transports to get the Mason animals to safety.

Rescues throughout the northeast always managed to find
a space for "just one more" dog or cat whenever the shelter
started to reach capacity. THANK YOU!

Volunteer crossposters tirelessly networked online
to get the word out about animals needing homes
at our shelter. THANK YOU!

Thank you to Betty, our BLOGGER. Please visit her
Mason BLOG at http://itsrainingca tsdogsglixman. blogspot. com/

The end result of all of this hard work has been that since
July 2007, 225 dogs and cats have been rescued or adopted.
And another 9 dogs and cats are awaiting
transport to rescues.


It has been an amazing group effort and we wanted to
take some time out during this busy holiday season to
thank all of you who have supported or helped us in any way.
We look forward to your continued support and
assistance in the future.

To quote Margaret Mead,

"Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."


Our dedicated supporters have definitely changed the
world for these animals. YOU are living proof
that rural shelters CAN find homes for
their animals and DO NOT need to be high kill.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU
from the bottoms of our hearts!
We wish all of you a safe, happy, healthy holiday season.
If you have adopted or are fostering a Mason dog or cat,
please give them a hug from us!

To see the dogs and cats that are currently
at our shelter and in need of homes,
please visi
t
http://masoncounty. petfinder. com

Please give us a foster or forever home
for the holidays!


Action Alert!!!!!





Please take time out from your busy

holiday plans to contact

the NC Dept of Agriculture

and be a voice for the voiceless!

Subject: Stop the use of gas chambers in North Carolina

The North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture is
amending its regulations particularly
concerning euthanasia. The Dept. will still allow
gas chambers to be used in public shelters.
It's time to end this cruel practice. Click here
for a look at the proposed regulations and
a letter you can send to the Dept. to let them know
gas chambers should be banned. Don't wait.
The deadline for submitting comments is Dec. 31.

http://www.animalla wcoalition. com/gas-chambers /article- 285



A Little Old Man Needs You

Some people couldn't be bothered with senior animals. I look at this old dog who either wandered away from his home or was abandoned or maybe his owner was taken to a nursing home where he was not allowed and think how can anyone not want to help this little guy? You will read in the message below that he is being taken to the vet for an exam. Dogs and cats are often vulnerable and needy as they age. It takes a certain kind of person to care for a dog or cat who can't see and is deaf. Are you that person? Is this your pal who will adore you forever for taking him in? No matter how long this dog has to live, he deserves the kindness and concern of people like all seniors do whether four footed or two footed.


Just got this message from Candice, the volunteer rescue coordinator:


"This poor pathetic soul was dumped in someone's yard yesterday. Betty said he appears to be deaf and blind and in his high teenage years. He was so matted they had to shaved him down and bathe him yesterday. He is going to HFA this morning to be checked out and evaluated to see how his health is and if healthy enough he will be vetted in hopes he can make the transport this weekend. I have asked Betty to keep him in a crate instead of one of the kennels so he doesn't hurt himself.
This dog is not listed on Petfinder, as we want him to get into rescue. Can anyone PLEASE take this dog on Saturday's transport? Seniors don't do well in shelters, especially blind/deaf seniors! This boy needs a warm, soft bed for the holidays! Please contact Candice to inquire: MCASRescues- owner@yahoogroup s.com (yahoogroups. com)."

Can anyone SPONSOR this poor boy's vetting? If so, please contact Candice.


UPDATE 12/12/07
SENIOR SHIH TZU

Well this guy checks out ok but is blind and deaf as far as we can tell. His teeth are in very bad shape, which is why we thought he was a senior turns out the vet thinks he is about 6 or 7. He was neutered already, and received his rabies, HW Test - neg, a fecal test and received Dronal. So he is ready to go.......... There is a transport on December 15. He is more like middle aged. Middle aged men need help too especially if they have owners who don't take care of them.




Here is a link to How To Love an Older Dog from A Kid's Guide to Dog Care

http://www.loveyourdog.com/olddogs.html

Whose At The Shelter & An Interview With Cat Lover & Writer Peggy Johnson

Betty, Billy, Bobby, the cocker spaniels, and Heath have rescues pending. Yeh!!! There is another transport on the 15th. Casey, Kelly, Maxine, Stewie, Trixie, Grey, Dozer,Willow, Georgette, Smokey, Rocky and Peggy have been at the shelter so long. They are all good animals.Please take a look at their pictures on Petfinder and contact mcasrescues-owner@yahoogroups.com
if interested in adopting or rescuing them. There are ball players, lovers of belly rubs, butt wigglers, and kissers in this bunch. I hope they ALL get to go to rescues on the 15th or get adopted.

Caseyand friendsneedoutofhere

UPDATE! 12/12/07 Casey and Smokey ADOPTED! Kelly, Stewie, Maxine, Rocky have rescues. As far as I know everyone else has rescues except Georgette, Willow, Peggy, and Dixie.
UPDATE ! 1
2/15/07 Dozer rescued.























Peggy Johnson has been writing since she was a little girl. She sold her first piece to Easy Riders mag in the 80's. She lives with lots of kitties, a dog, and a very patient husband.

How many cats live with you?

Well, right now I have 12 cats. I lost a good friend during the cat food thing. So, I'm real careful about any canned food now. When we recently moved from our 22 acres well,they were family so we loaded them up and moved them, lock stock and litter box. I've had 22 or more roaming around at various times. It's hard. Sometimes they choose to adopt a neighbor. I let them go. I'm just a halfway house sometimes.

Do they stay outside in the winter?


They are all in the house. They go out to the cat cage whenever they want to. They have a cat door. I couldn't make my babies stay out. We made a cat door in the garage for any strays so they can get warm too. I've not been here long enough to make friends with the new cats.

What types of cat do you live with?

All of my cats were strays. They range in age from 2-12
I have Calicos and Siamese, black cats, orange cats, black and white cats.

When did you get your first cat?


My husband and I were married a week heading for northern Montana on a special construction job when there on the side of the road was a small white kitten. My husband turned the car around and we picked the kitty up. Of course his name was Snowy. My husband laughed and said that'll teach me to turn around on a busy highway for a cat, he's been doing it for me ever since. Snowy taught me how to love cats. He taught me what a cat owner should do and be.

Is it hard to take care of that many cats?


In a way it is. I go through a 20 lb.bag of food every two weeks and a lot of kitty litter. Thank Goodness for Walmart! I have a huge outside cat cage and in the summer they love it but in the winter, they are creatures of comfort you know. I saved up and found a good vet and slow but sure, neuter and spayed everyone. I've always done that even to my feral friends. It's the best way to stop overpopulation and protect kittens.

When did you start writing about cats?


My first cat story was called Wish Kitty. I wrote it in the early 80's as a bedtime story for my kids. I would read them bits and pieces every night before they went to sleep. After a bunch of revisions, it's now on Amazon.com in the shorts department.

WishKitty

The kitty on the cover is mine, her name is Fancy. I found her in Texas during a flash flood. Since then I have found that cats give me an endless supply of adventures to write about

Tell us about the Christmas Anthology your new story is in and about what inspired the story.

I saw a photo of a soldier petting a cat and then the story just popped into my brain.I fixed it a bit to fit with Christmas theme.


What do you like most about cats?


I think what I like the best is their ability to adjust to their surroundings.They are gentle creatures, even my wild ones become gentle in time. Fancy the kitty from the flood, took her about 6 months before I could pick her up and snuggle her. Each cat has their own personality, no two are the same. But they all have a special look they give you. Unlike dogs which require I walk them and well, run around and bark alot, all the cats I have met are calm peaceful and love me unconditionally. If I am sad, they know it. Why do I like them? Because they like me.


What advice can you give to a first time cat owner?


Be ready for some fun adventures. Kittens turn into adults but always have kitten hiding just below the surface ready to pounce on an unsuspecting toe. But something to think of, if it's going to be your first cat, consider an adult cat. I have adopted quite a few adults, lost kitties, abandoned kitties and rescues. Look in their eyes, do they stay calm when you approach them? Talk to them, someone will come to you, purr at you, blink a smile at you. The adult cat has less of a chance to find a person they can love. So, if you get your first cat or kitten be ready to change litter boxes, get them shots, keep plenty of water down for them but most of all get ready for a really fun life. Words of caution...cats are addictive, one never seems to be enough.

Rescue Me Come On, Baby, and Rescue Me

Rescue me
Take me in your arms
Rescue me
I want your tender charm
'Cause I'm lonely
And I'm blue
I need you
And your love too
Come on and rescue me

Come on, baby, and rescue me
Come on, baby, and rescue me
'Cause I need you by my side
Can't you see that I'm lonely

Rescue me
Come on and take my heart
Take your love and conquer every part
'Cause I'm lonely
And I'm blue
I need you
And your love too
Come on and rescue me

Come on, baby, and rescue me
Come on, baby, and rescue me
'Cause I need you by my side
Can't you see that I'm lonely

Rescue me
Take me in your arms
Rescue me
I want your tender charm
'Cause I'm lonely
And I'm blue
I need you
And your love too
Come on and rescue me


lyric excerpt from
1965 R&B hit lyrics as sung by Fontella Bass



Everybody needs rescue at times.


rescueme