Sanctuary animal updates:
Since my last update on October 6th we placed the following dogs: Blackjack, Olivia, Goldie, Lizzie, Jennie, Ashley, Kisska, Bones, Charlie, Kohli, Lenny, Autumn, Luka, Batman, Jolie, Bobo, Tinkerbell, Hannah, Posey, Abby, Zoe, Nana, Billy, King, Heaven, Deuce, Panda, Peanut, Rem, George, Shadow, Shayna, Kelsey, and Vaughn. We also adopted out the following cats: Charlie, Coal, Pixie, Serena, Petey, Patches, Oscar and Beebs.
I’m supposed to be working on my monthly update right now but my heart it isn’t it. I can’t seem to concentrate on it and I was sitting here looking at the blank page and trying to figure out why. I wandered over to twitter and exchanged some tweets with others. Ahh. That’s what it is. This is grief. That’s why I’m distracted and emotional and having trouble focusing on things.
The thing is that the distress I’m feeling isn’t my own. Yesterday Rob and Mari lost their beloved Tyler. Our friend Trudy lost her precious Rexy, and at Pets Alive we lost Mush, Lizzie and Morgan this month. It’s been a rough month. These losses remind me of, and make me feel again, that horrible keening pain of the loss of losing my own animals over the years. I have eight dogs laid to rest in my yard. Every one of their deaths was a terrible sharp knife in my stomach that never fully went away. Losing each one of them took away a piece of my heart that never really grew back in.
When I lost Zack (also to cancer) I used his death to propel me forward and to save other animals as a way of making his life have more meaning. (You can read that story here: http://petsalive.com/blog/2008/01/27/farewell-to-zack-a-throw-away-dog/) . He became a catalyst for me – to spur me forward to saving other animals and want to stop the killing and the breed specific legislation. He was a great dog and to this day pictures of him and memories of him can still stab deeply.
So today and yesterday I have been thinking of Mari and Rob and their family and the loss of their precious baby, Tyler. You see Tyler was a catalyst too. Tyler, that previous little soul, was the connection that brought Rob and Mari into “our” world – the Pets Alive world. I am sure they loved animals BEFORE Tyler, and I am sure they did good on their behalf, and I am sure that – in fact I KNOW that – their families are all animal loving and compassionate people. But Tyler, ah, you see Tyler was something more.
Tyler was perhaps an angel sent here for a greater purpose, larger and farther reaching than we’ll ever know.
One little dog.
One little soul.
That little bundle of white fur that resulted in the salvation and the changing (for the better) of the lives of thousands of other animals.
Tyler had been a badly abused dog when he found his way to Pets Alive. Marisol and Rob fell in love with him here and adopted him. Because of Tyler, Rob & Mari became fierce and staunch advocates of Pets Alive. They have given us money, support, volunteer time, and the love and support of their fans. Because of that one little life, Pets Alive still has their doors open today. Without their help last year, we would definitely have closed our doors. That means that last year 1000 animals that we pulled from euthanasia lists, all would have been piles of bodies on the floor. Because of that little bundle of white fur, called Tyler (or Teetsie), those lives have been saved and have gone on to enrich the lives of the families that share their love now. This year, Rob is on tour and could not hold a benefit for us. I admit things are extremely tight and I worry all the time, but because of that one little soul Rob’s fans have come out and continue to support us whenever we need help. They have helped us financially, they have volunteered here, they have spread the word about us and they have lent us emotional support when needed.
Because of one tiny, little soul.
Because of that little soul, we have helped THREE other shelters become no-kill. How many lives have THEY gone on to save? How many more will THEY go on to influence and change? The rock is rolling and picking up all sorts of positive momentum.
Because of one little, tiny, soul, thousands more will be saved this year.
Thanks to Tyler and the love he showered on his family, they have paid it forward to showering it all over thousands of animals. Because of YOUR love for Tyler’s family, YOU have paid it forward to continue to help us to save lives and to stop the killing.
Because of one tiny, little soul.
How many other lives were touched by him as he passed through his short time on earth? How many of you paid attention when you saw him at a concert or on the streets? How did it change YOU? What did you think of a man that would cancel his concerts because he couldn’t go on due to the grief he had over the loss of this one little soul? Did it change you? Did it make you think? If it did, then that one little soul affected YOU too.
That little soul that left this earth yesterday, will manage to touch hundreds of thousands of lives.
That little soul may be the result of us changing this area. Our goal. To make this whole area no-kill.
Will that one little soul help to see Sara’s dream become a reality?
Today we placed two VERY difficult dogs.
Peanut. And Rem.
Someone said “What in the WOLRD is going on”?
I said “That’s Tyler. He’s still out there. Still helping ”
I am so deeply sorry for the loss of Tyler. Maybe though, his job here was done, and he could do more from the other side. I don’t know why our animals, our cherished bundles of joy, are yanked from us so early and before WE are done and before WE are ready to give them up. But perhaps there is a reason that we can not understand. Perhaps Tyler has done his part here and in leaving will take up a new role somehow. I can’t begin to understand. I just know that people that I care about are suffering a great loss today because of…
..that one little soul.
Rest in peace Tyler.
Filed in Tributes by kerry on Nov 06, 2009. There are 23 comments.Manhattan Comedy Club – PLEASE STOP YOUR CALLS AND EMAILS!
Thank you ALL for your letters and calls to Rich at the Manhattan Comedy Club – PLEASE STOP NOW. Rich spoke to us and we have ironed it all out. It was a bad misunderstanding that we settled very amicably. Please continue to support his club – nowadays we can all use a laugh and he has some great comics coming up. We thank you all so much for contacting the club and asking for them to work with us on resolving this, because it worked. It put us all together again to talk it out and work out a solution. Rich turned out to be a really nice guy and we were able to retain a relationship. Thank you all for your help, and thank you to Bob Luparello for his help with this. He is going to be doing a show at the club on October 16th and 17th. Go check him out!
Sanctuary animal updates:
The following dogs were adopted since my last update on September 11th: Dozer, Bernie, Minna, Dutchess, Bengal, Newton, Starlet, Dove, Lacey, Wolfman, Samantha, Ruby, Mya, Sally, Sparky, Isis, Glory, Rocky, Max, Kimmy, Zack, Annie, Rogue, Mason, Compton, Jade, Adler, Louise, and Harley.
In addition to that we didn’t have a bad month for cats either. Billy the cat, Hansel, Trixie, Sweet Sugar, Gretel, and Little Sam all found their forever homes too.
Mary and Francis – two horses – also found THEIR forever home.
Intakes:
This month we took in 32 dogs. Eight dogs came in from local surrenders, three came from OK, three from VA, ten from KY, five from SC, and two from OH. We also had Lenny returned because he is an escape artist, and we lost our beloved Mush-dog, and we also lost one of our feral cats, Mel.
We took in a slew of cats – don’t even ask! – there are kittens just about everywhere, and we’re going a little nuts. Come down and get a kitten, will ya? Or two – they’re small. Also two goats! Yes, we have goats again! We took in two goats which we promptly renamed Goatie McGoat and McTavish McGoat. Come see them, they are hysterical. You can’t be depressed around goats, they are just too funny.
Filed in Updates by kerry on Oct 06, 2009. There are 0 comments.
OK, so today I want to tell you about Tess and Liam. They come down here a few days a week with their mom, Honor, to volunteer and walk the dogs, hand out toys or treats, or whatever else needs some doing around here. They also adopted TWO dogs from us (one CRAZY one, and one INSANE barker so really we should be going to THEIR house and working for THEM, rather than the other way around).
They are REALLY great kids. A few times I’ve mentioned special children that we have down here that have really impressed me. These two fit into that category. They are polite, courteous, sweet, generous, good natured and just a pleasure to be around.
You all know we’ve been trying to raise money for our fencing project – WHICH WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED FINALLY thanks to all of you (and should be starting that soon)….
Well I received the following letters from Liam and Tess along with a donation. Money they had earned or saved up on their own.
They clearly wanted it to go toward the fencing project.
Take a look – I scanned their letters because they were just too cute and too sweet for me to try to explain or retype. You need to see these for yourselves.
Is that not the sweetest letters?
And below are the envelopes they came in:
Thanks Honor for raising such wonderful, empathic kids….
The world needs more of them!
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Just got this great email from Honor (Liam and Tess’ mom):
Hi folks: I’ve been meaning to write to thank you all for making Liam (and Tess) feel so special. Liam was very proud of himself the day Matt offered to “hire” him (when he ran to close the gate of the dog yard after Mama foolishly let Sparky and Peanut loose–does anyone think that those two “wild men” were really going to go anywhere, by the way? Trying to save face for Mama…). And the applause for him that followed from the picnic table area thanks to Kerry sent him over the moon.
And now both Liam and Tess are extremely proud to be featured on the Pets Alive blog—they are now “famous”.
Pets Alive has been a wonderful resource for us all since we moved to Derby Road last December. Our first walks up the street to meet Logan were very special, particularly because he is such a personable kind of horse. Then adopting Kip fulfilled a very long-standing wish to have a dog of our own.
When we found out that the kids could volunteer at Pets Alive they were both very, very excited. I was hoping the experience would help teach them both to be more responsible, especially the safety precautions (making sure doors were shut, checking dots on pens, the rules on the trail etcetera). Liam and Tess have both benefited very much from the volunteer experience.
And then we adopted Henry (Fresco). Thanks a lot. Actually, Kip loves Henry, and Henry was a pet for Kip. Henry loves Kip. The kids understand that Henry is a bit different (He is a raving maniac, though a very sweet one). They (the kids) unfortunately have learned the words “shut up” thanks to Henry’s barking (though we TRY to say hush). And Henry is definitely part of the family–fits in well with the rest of us. We all get a bit agitated and noisy at times.
The children both love their time volunteering. They tell everyone of their times up the road. They wear their Pets Alive sweatshirts to school and out and about. They’ve made a lot of canine friends, as well as new human ones. And they are very happy about the goats too.
So a long overdue thank you to you both and to everyone else at Pets Alive (human, canine, feline, equine and GOATS!) You are not only helping the animals you are helping the kids and me. Pets Alive a wonderful facility for families too!
Honor
Filed in Featured Letters by kerry on Oct 05, 2009. There are 1 comments.Gray day today here at Pets Alive. We’re working on something way cool (sorry…can’t tell you right now), and hopefully it will pan out.
I was going to call this brief blog The Power of Pets Alive. but it really isn’t about us – it’s about you. We have a certain number of spots set aside here for “lifers” — those dogs that will take a long time to be adopted. For whatever reason, be it breed, or temperament or just the fact that they are black dogs (black dogs take the longest to get adopted).
Filed in Why we do this by matt on Sep 18, 2009. There are 3 comments.
The Animal Rescue Site is hosting a special challenge for shelter and rescue groups.The grand prize is a $20,000 grant, and they will be awarding many other grants to rescue groups with the most votes. Think how many animals we could help for $20,000! Help us win! All you have to do is click this link, and then vote. Enter Pets Alive (two words) and NY for the state and then click VOTE! There is no cost to vote and no registration required.
But you need to vote once a day, every day, from
September 14th through December 20th, 2009.
Every time you vote, or tell a friend to vote, you are making a huge difference for us.
Sanctuary animal updates:
The following dogs were adopted since my last update on August 1st: Mason, Itty Bitty, Shed, Abby, Nutterbutter, Petals, Draisen, Lucille, Frisby, Winston, Bender, Halla, Zimmer, Kelly, Ara, Abbie, Buddy, Murphy, Drifter, Ara (again), Web, Cutie, Cuddles, Wigglebutt, Carly, Willy, Honey, Wanda, Roscoe, Sterling, Mary Kate, Coopster, Weston, Williard, Charity, Haddock, Katona, Nanette, Panda, Darla, Lenny/Mason2, Cooper, Abby (again), Shy Ann, Bailey, Friday, Sonic, Scootie Poo, Dutchess, Fonzie, and Hail.
(This is Cam in the exercise yard playing with some volunteers. He was NOT adopted – again. Sometimes, just occasionally, he likes to bite people so for some reason no one has taken him home. We’re working on one of our volunteers though. Cam is one of my favorite dogs here and he has lived here almost his whole life (eight years). I am terrified he will die here, never having a loving home of his own. He really IS a great dog. Once he knows you, he would never, ever hurt you. I PROMISE.)
We also had a record-breaking EIGHT cats go home! Honey, Bunny, Jeremy, Simka, Honor, Maggie, Renee, and Tex. Two of those were FIV cats and two were kittens. Thrilled that we are seeing an increase in cat adoptions and the FIV cats getting a home is just great news.
Additionally two of our horses found a new home. Mary and Francis will be going to live at Ferrell Hollow Farm in Tennessee. They leave Pets Alive on September 15th for their new life. We can’t tell you how happy we are for them. Cindy flew all the way up here to meet them, spent three days getting to know them and helping us and she will be adopting them as her personal horses. This farm SPECIALIZES in retired or special needs horses. Cindy is – there is no other word – AMAZING. I was deeply inspired, touched and awed by her. We are going to miss Mary and Francis terribly, but I know there is not another place on earth I would feel as comfortable about them going to, as Ferrell Hollow. Good luck my big friends. We will definitely be keeping in touch!
Nice job everyone. Sixty-three animals. Good luck little beasties!
Filed in Updates by kerry on Sep 11, 2009. There are 1 comments.So Kerry is on vacation, freezing her butt off on her motorcycle in Canada or some such thing, and I’m trying to relax a little in my hammock at home by reading a book. I get a frantic call from Janet. It seems there are some kittens that were on a transport, headed for another shelter after dropping off some dogs to ours. Janet was afraid that these skinny, flea-invested kittens would all die if we didn’t take them. I told her that if she felt strongly about it she should take them. She did, and so far all of them are still alive except the poor little one who passed away on the trip up. Here’s a letter we got the next day (note: pictures are of OTHER kittens at Pets Alive and not the ones described below as those were too graphic to post here):
Hello,
I am writing to you on concerns of the transport that came up to Pets Alive on Saturday from Kentucky. A very thin mother cat with baby kittens coming from that shelter were supposed to come into our rescue but due to the very poor condition of the cat and the babies she was offered to stay there at Pets Alive because of her condition and fear of the babies passing due to being anemic because of the overwhelming amount of fleas. I am very upset of the condition the mother cat and kittens were in, and the other kitties we took into our rescue were nothing but skin and bones and of course flea ridden, thank goodness they all tested negative for fiv/felv but the condition of them other wise was appalling.
I am writing to you to let you know that I cannot express my appreciation on all what you do for all of these wonderful creatures, so many are in danger all over and it is you that give these poor creatures a second chance. I cannot express the wonderful experience all the staff showed us with this poor kitty, we just didnt know what to do, and all of your wonderful staff and volunteers all worked together on helping this mother cat with babies, I wish I could remember all of the names that were involved with this, because I would write each one a big thank you from us.
How is the mother with the babies doing, were they able to survive? The veterinarian care we paid for down there was very substandard to say the least and we are so distraught over this but we feel our calling is to help this shelter.
Can you please keep me posted on them as I cannot sleep or rest knowing what happened to them, and we have to do some serious thinking of what to do with what shelters we can help with from now on, I know unfortunately none of us can save them all, but these poor helpless creatures need more people like all of us who care to speak up for the many in need. I hope like you all see one day that it takes a long time for anyone to find a animal in need of a home, and that no animals have to suffer and die needless deaths because of the ignorance of humans. I myself sometimes hate to call my self a human because of what goes on with the poor defenseless animals.
I am going to send you down a care package for kitties – they are my passion- and please keep us informed on the kitties mentioned above. We had no intentions of leaving a momma cat with babies behind on you, but the staff was so nice about the whole thing and offered to keep her due to her condition and her babies. I really want to know they made out and if any survived and how the remaining are doing, please if any survived can you keep me posted and please give them extra kiss and hugs from me, and tell them i did care for them as we did want to try to help them.
I am going to see what our rescue can do to support Pets Alive, if it is a care package once a month for kitties or something, I know it is a small thing we can do and nothing compares to what you and all your wonderful staff do everyday.
May God Bless You All,
Much appreciation always,
Sincerely,
Cathy
Saving Purrs One At A Time
We received this letter in the mail this week along with a bunch of donations. It was too precious not to share. Houma is a dog that had battery acid poured all over him. He was also tied to a pickup truck and left to die during Hurricane Gustav. Rescuers got him to us where he recovered but then became seriously ill again and we almost lost him – twice. He goes home with Janet every night because he has been through so much, she can’t bear to leave him here, alone. He is special needs and has a special diet due to some stomach issues…but he is healthy and happy and great with cats…and SOME other dogs. Although Janet loves him dearly, he is not an ideal mix in her household with multiple dogs and other assorted animals. We are still looking for a forever home for Houma. Here is the letter we received:
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Dear Houma,
Today we celebrated my 4th birthday with hats and cake! My how my life suddenly changed. Last year at this time I was sitting in a cage at the APL – a scary place. As a “bully” breed some shelters won’t even put us up for adoption and we are euthanized before we are given a chance – even the pit puppies. My mom helped with the Vick investigation and she saw firsthand the pain, torture and suffering the dogs endured at the hands of the ignorant, and irresponsible people. After almost giving up on ever leaving the shelter – SHE PICKED ME! I got to work with her and visit Veterans in the hospital while I work on my therapy certification. Life at home is hte best! I sleep on the be, chew on toys, and have fields and pastures to play in.
The reason I am writing is that we don’t want you to give up. it makes my mom sad to see you’re still waiting for a home. She does not understand why people keep passing you up and not giving you a chance. If they only knew how kind and gentle we pits are. If there wasn’t already five of us and no more room on the bed, you would be here celebrating with us.
Houma, we don’t want you to give up, so I am sending you my birthday money to buy bones and toys to cheer you up while you wait for your forever home.
DON’T GIVE UP HOUMA!
Your friend, Neela.
Filed in Featured Letters by kerry on Aug 21, 2009. There are 0 comments.Hi everyone. Matt here. Yes, I am still alive. Yes, I still work here. Yes, I know you haven’t heard from me. Yes, I am, as Kerry says, the other director. I don’t tweet or twit or whatever else it’s called. I work. Although I have been called a twit and much worse. Now that that’s out of the way…
More than a thousand dogs pass through our ramshackle little slice of heaven every year. Every single one is special. We have found that there are degrees of special. I love every dog I meet here. But some stand out. Some of the dogs we meet stay with us, leaving their indelible mark on our hearts. It is an intensely personal thing.
We pull them from other shelters. We gently take them from their crates and get them into their temporary homes, either in the kennel or in the warm weather outside in the dog area. We examine them carefully and lovingly. We pet them. We wash them. We brush them. We kiss them and tell them we love them and they’re safe now. Then, when we’re just getting used to them, playing with them, noting their eccentricities and likes and dislikes and pouring out our hearts with love so they feel comfortable, happy and cared for, as they return that love with their own affection, they leave us to go to their forever homes. Every single one leaves a mark on our hearts. Some leave much, much more.
Filed in Why we do this by matt on Aug 16, 2009. There are 4 comments.