Saturday, December 29, 2007

ADD A FAMILY MEMBER FOR THE NEW YEAR!

Imagine receiving unconditional love on a daily basis...we're talking about wags and kisses of course! As you make your New Year's Resolutions, please think of helping one of the homeless pups at our shelter. We have so many to choose from (unfortunately) and we (THEY) really need your help immediately.

The outside kennels have been closed temporarily while the fencing is being repaired and there literally is not a spot left in the kennel. Many of the dogs have been moved into homes on a very temporary basis (emergency situation) and need to be moved elsewhere ASAP. It would be wonderful if they didn't have to come back to the lonely life at a shelter!

Please consider fostering ANY of the dogs listed on our website until we can find a permanent home for them. Even if they are in foster homes, it may be just temporary homes (so please ask if you are interested in any of them).

Also, we are in urgent need of foster homes for our heartworm positive dogs that have a place to go up North. Again, this entails keeping the dog quiet (preferrably in a crate or confined area) and leash walks only (no running and playing allowed) for 4-6 weeks. Many have homes waiting for them, but they cannot go until their treatment is completed.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM EVERYONE AT THE MARION ANIMAL SHELTER!

Thursday, December 27, 2007

GRETCHEN IS BACK...

Gretchen initially came to the shelter in July. She was apparently used for breeding purposes and then was "retired". She has been living in a foster home for many months, but they are unable to keep her and had to return her to the shelter. This poor baby needs a forever home. She is very attentive to adults and as you can tell, she is absolutely beautiful. Gretchen is already spayed and up to date on shots too. Please be her guardian angel!







WOW...ANOTHER BEAUTY: EMILY

Poor sweet Emily. This young girl is about a year old and was literally rescued from an inappropriate housing situation (well, basically she was living in a kennel outside that was only about 2 feet wide and could barely turn around). Emily is still a bit shy as you can imagine, but just needs some positive experiences. If you can show her what it's like to be a part of a true family, please call Joan at 870-739-1145.








MEET GORGEOUS DANNY!

Doesn't Danny just have the sweetest face?! Unfortunately, Danny is very scared because he was surrendered by his owner (yes...yet another owner surrender). Oh and he does have a tail (it's just tucked between his legs. Anyway, he needs a kind soul to take him in until we can find a forever home for him- can you help???






Wednesday, December 26, 2007

SUCCESS FOR SOPHIE!

Sophie was a longterm resident of our shelter. Poor girl came in with five other dogs all abandoned, all heartworm positive. Thanks to our sponsors - Sophie and her pals were all treated and taken into Almost Home Rescue. We received the below update from her new mom. Success stories like this one is why we fight so hard for every single dog that comes through our shelter.



Last May we took in Sophie who was one of the "urgent" dogs with heartworm that needed placement with the Marion Shelter's pending construction and closing. She has been such a wonderful addition to our household and for months now I have been meaning to send photos for your websites with a report.

When she arrived May 12th, she was stiff, scared, serious and had a cough. The cough disappeared after a trip to the vet and over the next couple weeks her sillier happy side began to emerge and we adopted her. I credit you for the accurate profile on "Petfinder". She is calm, gentle, a little timid, good with cats and other dogs and a good companion, just as advertised. She is also a great hiking companion, total goofball and a lot of fun. My husband and I both said we've never had a dog who likes toys so much. As you can see from the photos, she has the run of the house. (My husband, who is a chief mate working on a research vessel for three months doesn't know she also has the run of our bed now, too. ;o) )

I never would've known about "Almost Home" if my friend, Martie Crone, hadn't called me up last April to tell me of the predicament of the dogs at the Marion shelter. At first I wasn't interested because I wanted to focus on my older dog, Lucy, (now 14) and not have her feel pushed out. But Sophie is good to Lucy and seems to have sparked her up in her old age. I am eternally grateful to you all for your work on behalf of these animals and so thankful that you made it possible for Sophie to join our family.

Have a good holiday season!

Bernice Nadler

SCOUT GOES TO RESCUE!

This post is a little belated...Scout, a gorgeous red tick Hound mix, who came to our shelter literally skin and bones has gone to a wonderful rescue! Scout needs a very special home, as he is shy and scared of loud noises - not a hunting dog by any means... Thanks to Bobbie with Silverwalk Hounds Sanctuary, Scout is gaining weight, being socialized with other dogs and humans. He will soon be ready to go to his forever home.
Here is the latest update from Bobbie:

Well, boys and girls, Scout is a GREAT dog! I am eager to see what his weight is now. I believe I am beginning to see some glimmer of muscle. I certainly see it outside - this afternoon he zoomed down the fence line w/a bunch of other dogs, quite meaning to be WITH them. Very energetic, no more tremblings! (well, we still have to work on the car though he rides well once I get him IN the car). He will shy away from a sudden noise but recovers and no longer crouches on the floor. He no longer food guards in his crate - all dogs can walk by him and he won't growl or snap. He does not generalize this to toys, however, of course - I gave him a rope toy and back to square one. I took it away for now and will re-introduce it later again - I didn't like the attached ball - he had that open and in pieces in minutes :). Oh, and he is beginning to have a very nice "sit," both to food and to hand signal/petting as reward.

Thank you Bobbie for giving Scout the chance he deserves!

CONGRATS JANIS (aka LUCY) ON YOUR LIFE!

Here are a few snapshots of Janis (renamed Lucy) with her new best buddy, Dave. Janis was rescued last week (just in time for Christmas) and made the trip up to Massachussets! She is settling in very well with her new family and loves the beach! Thank you Toni and Dave for giving her a wonderful life! We'll keep everyone posted as we receive new pictures of all our adopted dogs!



Monday, December 24, 2007

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

THE MARION ANIMAL SHELTER WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY! THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, PLEASE DISCUSS WITH YOUR FAMILY THE IMPORTANCE OF TREATING ANIMALS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. PERHAPS CONSIDER OPENING YOUR HEART AND HOME TO A SHELTER DOG IN NEED AS WELL (EVEN IF IT IS TEMPORARY). MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

MEET HANDSOME MAX

WOW! What a beauty this boy is! Max is such a love too- he deserves a real home and isn't sure exactly how he ended up here. Please help him- it's Christmas folks! Call Joan at 870-739-1145.







MEET BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GRACIE

Gracie is such an adorable young girl. She's about 5 months old and not very big (maybe 30 pounds or so). She needs to find a foster home as soon as possible so she doesn't have to live in a crate all the time. Please show her some love- she will definitely return the favor!






Friday, December 21, 2007

DNA RESULTS ARE IN: MAGGIE (AKA KRISTIE)

Maggie (formerly Kristie of the Bloodhound Pups) had a Wisdom Panel run (Doggy DNA testing basically) to find out what breed or breeds she is made up of. Her owner Melissa reports that she has a significant amount of Chesapeake Bay Retriever with Bloodhound (some faint signals from other breeds, but they could not be identified). Anyway, Melissa thought other owners of her siblings might be interested in these results- THANKS MELISSA! Maggie has the life!



JANIS, PRECIOUS, ANNA, and BUSTER GO NORTH!

Bittersweet- Today several foster families lost their family members! Four lucky dogs (Janis, Precious, Anna, and Buster) are on their way to their forever families up North! We couldn't do it without the foster families- thanks so much!







Monday, December 17, 2007

YEAH SADIE- ON HER WAY TO BEING ADOPTED!

We are so excited that Sadie has an adoption pending! We knew this little one wouldn't last long! Please make the others' dreams come true!

MEET SAD ELISE

Elise is such a scared young girl! Her owner had to be placed in a nursing home and they were unable to find a home for her. She is forced to live outside in the cold (she literally shakes). Please foster her until we can find her a suitable home! She seems fairly young still (maybe 1-2???)- we'll correct later if we find out an exact age.