FurrierGazette

Brought to you by the Pope Memorial Humane Society

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Happy Tails GaloreLoyal Biscuit

FEBRUARY2018

Happenings How You Can Help

Your Next Family Member?

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© copyright 2017 PMHS Shelter# F157 all rights reserved

Meet Radar, a 10 month old deaf “Pit” mix. Deaf dogs require specialized training and handling but are a special joy. Radar needed extra attention so we turned him over to our intrepid team of senior dog walkers with Linda Novak taking the role of lead trainer.

When Linda started he was a handful. The only way he seemed to be able to interact with people was to jump and mouth enthusiastically on their arms. Likely from overstimulation and a desire for attention, it resulted in some torn jackets. To show him that there was a better way to communicate, Linda worked to teach him basic commands and hand signals for each, then the other senior dog walkers replicated Linda’s training.

He now has other ways of communication beside jumping and mouthing, but he is still a very strong, energetic young dog that requires consistent training. He needs a person who can take him to the next level and teach him the skills he needs, learning from Linda to ensure that he doesn’t regress on his training.

Love StoryShelters are places where connections are made, where families come looking for new members. Sometimes connections between residents happen here too--like between a Cockatiel and a rabbit.

Those of you who frequent facebook will have seen the adorable video of Niko, the Cockatiel, who fell madly in love with Hazelbun, the big grumpy rabbit. Whenever we would let Niko out of his cage to fly around in the mornings, he would immediately land on Hazelbun’s cage and serenade her with chirps and twitters. The bird was obviously smitten and Hazelbun seemed a little less grumpy.

After a few days of watching Niko woo his bunny girlfriend, we started letting them roam the shelter lobby together. Niko would hop along beside Hazelbun telling her how much he loved her and she would stop and wait for him if he fell behind. It made us all sad to think that eventually either Niko or Hazelbun would be adopted and this odd but devoted couple would have to go their separate ways.

Enter Dyan, who had just lost her elderly cat and dog and came into the shelter looking for a new companion. Dyan felt that Niko and Hazelbun had a special bond that deserved to be preserved so she adopted them both. Niko and Hazelbun are now happily living with Dyan on her farm in Port Clyde. We hope that the two of them have a long and happy life together!

thank you to donors who make happy stories possible here every day.

Location: 25 Buttermilk Lane, Thomaston (off Route One)207-594-2200www.humanesocietyofknoxcounty.orgHours: Monday-Saturday 11am-5pmClosed Sundays

Executive Director: Tracy SalaShelter Manager: Theresa Gargan Board of Directors:

An unlikely pair of friends become a local internet sensation.

NON-PROFITORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT #155ROCKLAND, ME 04841

1102

Pope Memorial Humane SocietyPost Office Box 1294Rockland, ME 04841

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Kim Grinnell, PresidentPaulette Stewart, Vice PresidentJudith Brogden, TreasurerAlicia Costa, SecretaryBarbara NickersonKathy deRochemontDr. Glenn YovinoKath Holland

Lyman Pope, Advisor

by Kelly Gould

Dyan poses for Niko and

Hazelbun’s go home

photo.

Deaf Dog Gets Sign Language 2nd Chance

Staff:Anna AdamsAutumn LarrondoBarbara DorrChrys deLorimierDenise DaveyDon BarbourElaine RiedyKaren LarsenKaren MillsJenn SaundersJoanna BoyntonKelly GouldLauren MendezMarisa LibbyMike Hall

Radar has blossomed and now knows hand commands for “sit”, “down,” “walk,” “leave it” and “watch me.”

Amity

Sy

Babbs

Photos courtesy of PJ Walter-thank you!

Lucas

Odin

Matthew

MaggiePesky

Grayson

Come in and find your next family member here!

All the Fur That’s Fit to Print

A Girl Named Dexter

Happenings

Two Shelter Animals Become Fast Friends and Fight Separation Anxiety Together

When Elise lost her 19 year old cat, she

was catless for the first time in her life. Not

sure how to find her next feline friend, she

decided to start fostering for Pope Memorial

Humane Society. Two litters and seven

kittens later, she adopted Ripley who was

crazily energetic.To burn off some of his

endless energy and insatiable curiosity,

she decided to start taking him on walks

outside. He loved it. He is now an adventure

cat extraordinaire, expert bug catcher, and

master of the streams.

One year later, Elise returned to the Shelter

with her mother Lori, who was looking for a

dog companion of her own. Lori had every

intention of just filling out the application

and waiting for a dog who matched what she

wanted; small, calm and quiet.

Recently my boyfriend and I wanted to adopt a kitty, maybe an older male. After an hour spent in the cat wing of PMHS and talking to shelter manager Theresa, we found the opposite - a fluffy little girl named Dexter.We gave her a room to herself for the first day, to give her a chance to adjust. She had other ideas. While I was with her, my boyfriend came in. Dexter saw her opportunity and walked right out to explore the rest of the house. We decided to keep the name Dexter. According to Theresa, her original owners thought she was male so gave her a male name, and it seemed to suit her. We usually call her Dex or Dexy. Dex has now claimed our house as her own. She greets us at the door and is a hair tie thief (at last count, she had five hidden in her favorite box). She likes to bat around and chase a stress ball, and may have a future as a cat soccer star. She even dressed up for Halloween as the Cat in the Hat. We can’t brush our teeth in the morning until Dexter has been given running water from the sink. She has a fountain downstairs, but prefers it from the tap. Not the most graceful cat, water usually ends up all over the place, most of all on the top of her head. Having Dex in our lives has been an absolute pleasure, and we look forward to many happy years together.-Hannah Thistle

To celebrate American Humane Society’s Be Kind to Animals week, the shelter will once again be hosting a Kids’ Day Celebration!On May 12 the Shelter will have pet themed games and crafts as well as snacks in cooperation with the Coastal Children’s Museum. Come and play with us!

COMMUNITY PARTNER SALUTE

When Heidi and Joel Neal bought the Loyal Biscuit store in Rockland in 2010, they had a clear vision of the kind of business they wanted to run

Kids’ Day May 12

Local restaurants raised over $3,500 to feed Shelter animals at last year’s Eat for Pete event! Donors gave by dining at favorite restaurants that gave a portion to PMHS.

Eat for Pete Restaurant Fundraiser A Success!

Much to her surprise (and her husband’s), an

hour later she walked out of the shelter with

Dobby (then Mallo). Dobby, shy at first,

came from a hoarding situation and suffered

from separation anxiety, which had already

caused him to be returned to the shelter once

after a sleepover with another family.

Lori works from home, so they thought that

Dobby might experience less separation

anxiety with them. With Dobby and Ripley,

it was love at first sight. Dobby loved

Ripley and Ripley loved Dobby. They now

play together, go out for walks together,

and get into lots of trouble together. Though

Dobby goes most places with his new

family, when he has to be left at home,

Ripley will lie right next to his crate to keep

him company, easing Dobby’s separation

anxiety. Elise and Lori couldn’t be happier

with their adopted companions and their

unlikely friendship.

-Elise Huff

Below is a list of top goods needed (full list on website): - gift cards (Wal-Mart etc.) - wet dog or cat food (cans or pouches, poultry pate style preferred-easier on stressed tummies) - trash bags (30 and 15 gal) - paper towels and cleaning supplies - cat and dog treatsThank you to all of you who give from your hearts to help homeless animals!

What Can I Give?

Whisker Walk Gears Up for 20th Year

The mid-coast’s largest dog walk and our biggest fundraiser is October 6th this year- and plans are already being made! If your business would like to sponsor or if you would like more information about walking or registering a team please contact Anna Adams at Events@hskcme.org or 594-2200

To be in the know about happenings at PMHS, like our facebook page!

Though Dobby goes most places with his new family, when he has to be left at home, Ripley will lie right next to his crate to keep him company, easing Dobby’s separation anxiety.

2Happy Tails

and how they would contribute to the community. Now with five stores (Rockland, Rockport, Waterville, Belfast and Brewer) the effect of their support can be felt at several local animal shelters, including PMHS. We are so grateful for all of their fundraisers, donations, event support and for hosting adoptable animals throughout the year.We salute you Loyal Biscuit!

Thank you to the restaurants for their generous support: Home Kitchen Cafe, Primo, The Badger, Blue Sky Cantina, Park Street Grille, The Haven, The Harbor Gawker, In Good Company, Hatchet Mountain Publick House, Come Spring Cafe and Offshore.

The best part is that the spokesdog for this event, Nova, found a wonderful home. She came to the shelter in June virtually hairless and with inflamed skin. Special food and some medicine helped her heal, but in late August her allergies must have flared again and she began to languish. A video on PetFinder of her happy play with a staff member may have been the key to Kara seeing her and driving from Massachusetts to meet this big-hearted girl.

Dexter and John Falla bring fifth birthday party donations to the shelter. Happy Birthday boys!

Volunteer Orientations Feb 24 and March 10, 11:00 amCome be part of the wonderful work for the animals that happens here every day!

The Shelter Needs a New Transport Vehicle!Our 2005 Honda Odyssey has served valiantly but is getting very tired. Cats and dogs still need to get to the vet daily and be picked up on other missions. We’re aiming for a secondhand van with low miles and a cleanable interior. The whole project should cost around $30,000. Thanks to our friends Richard and Elaine Niles for kicking off this campaign with a generous gift! If you would like to support this effort, please make a note on your return envelope or check, or contact Chrys at 594-2200 or Chrys@hskcme.org.

Have You Heard of the Molly Fund?This fund makes all of the difference for older pets, or those with acute medical issues, like Asher. He is a handsome young male tabby who came to us as a very small, injured kitten.

Asher’s life had a rough start: he was homeless and had a badly broken leg due to an act of cruelty. Staff placed him in a home through our foster program, and arranged for medical treatment. Soon he had a safe warm place to stay and pins in his leg.

He healed enough to be adopted and this playful puss went home last month, with leg pins but fully frisky.Donations are essential for helping injured animals heal and be adopted; adoption fees do not cover the cost of care. If you would like to learn more please contact Chrys at Chrys@hskcme.org or 594-2200.

Your shelter runs on community support! The animals depend on donors and volunteers every day. volunteer: we love our volunteers and know this work would not be possible without you! Fill out the application on the website or email volunteers@hskcme.org for more info.

BFFs