By Christine Cowett Robinson
Special to the Star-Herald
BOO! HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I just love this time of year; the little kids all dressed up and excited about heading out to collect candy. Please remember, pets do not belong out and about during Halloween, that is my strong recommendation. Keep your pets safe and inside during this holiday, as it can be scary, over stimulating and dangerous. Do not leave your pet outside unattended; you never know what evil pranksters lurk and what might become of your pet. Keep them safe and inside, then you will not have to worry.
I also want to remind you that our pets are not furry, little children. For the most part, dogs and cats do not enjoy being dressed up in costumes; it can be very stressful to them. Of course, there are some who tolerate it, but be sure the costume you choose is comfortable for your pet and that they are able to see. Avoid all chocolate treats. Dogs should not be given chocolate, so keep it in a safe place.
There is a great new way to show your support for the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Help us win a Million Dollar Makeover for our little shelter. Just log onto www.zootoo.com/makeover. When you sign up, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. Just click on the link and start earning points for our shelter. You can add pictures of your pet, submit reviews of pet products, or even write reviews on different pet-related articles. It is also a great way to meet other pet lovers and see who is supporting our shelter.
There are many, many things we need at our shelter. We would love to fix our floors, our center wall has some serious water damage and is rotted, we need new front and back doors, new windows as some of them leak, our roof in the outside dog kennels leaks in three places, and some of our kennels are in need of repair. There is always more to do than money to do it with. Our money goes to care for the animals, there is none left over for capital projects; that is why we are trying so very hard to win this makeover. Check it out, see if there is anyone you recognize, and find out how you can earn points to help the Central Aroostook Humane Society. It is simple and costs you nothing. This contest ends March 31, 2008, so now is the time to get on and earn points! Thank you in advance for helping us. Without a secure building we have nothing, so every point helps.
The weather is getting cold and we are seeing the affects of that already. He arrived with no name, his body limp and cold. There was little life left in this kitten, but he was the most beautiful little tiger. You could see him struggle to breathe, but that was it; he was absolutely non-responsive. Even though he had been wrapped in blankets and kept warm, there was no other movement. Our manager held him close to her, but knew in her heart that there was no hope; he was just too far gone. What a harsh reality to face, looking into the face of an innocent baby whose life has just begun, knowing it is also about to end. How could this happen? What had his days been like leading up to him being found by animal control? Had he been a beloved pet with a warm couch to lay on or was he born in a ditch, struggling every day to find enough food only to succumb to the cold? It breaks my heart to know how many struggle each day. Some win, but many don’t. Who do we blame? Who should we be angry with? I am just not sure. All that I know is that I am thankful that our little shelter can provide a safe haven for those who are found, cold and hungry.
If you have a dog or cat that spends time outside, it is important to give them a warm place to get out of the cold. Even though I have a huge barn full of hay and straw, I still keep a doghouse filled with clean, dry straw on my deck, just in case. I usually find a cat curled up in there or will find the straw made into a little nest where they have burrowed in to keep warm. Animals can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia just like we can. Please remember to be kind and give your pets a warm place with clean, dry bedding and increase their food supply if they must be kept outside. I prefer to look around my home and see fur babies everywhere; warm, fed and content. If you come to my house and leave without pet hair on you, you just didn’t stay long enough! My animals are a part of my family; this is their house, too.
If you are looking for a friend for life, please consider adopting from the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, or give us a call at 764-3441. Please don’t forget to help us by signing on to www.zootoo.com/makeover to earn points for our shelter.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
