NEW LINK ADDED FOR PICS OF SHELTER DOGS

Please check out the new link added under the "Links section" (scroll down on the right side) for Yahoo Photos of Marion Animal Shelter Dogs- you will find extra pictures of many of the dogs from the shelter! Thanks so much for everyone's support and patience while we try to update the dogs!

ANOTHER NEWBIE

Good day everyone- I'm Maggie. I'm just a young girl (approximately 8 months old) and I am very sad because my owner surrendered me to the shelter a few days ago. He said something about "me finding them" ; that he had only had me about 2-4 weeks; and that he already had 2 dogs. But, the vet that I went to (the man gave the shelter the information) indicated that my owner had brought me in back in November, when I was just a baby! Based upon my calculations, that is almost 5 months ago! GO FIGURE! Well at least I am up to date on all my shots and have been taking heartworm preventative. I am a very good girl, but I was very skiddish during these pictures (after all, I wasn't sure where I was and all the new sights and sounds scared me). I really enjoy children once I relax a little bit (the lady who took my picture had an 8 year old girl and a 14 year old boy with her). Just look at my adorable eyes! Please come save me from this place- I'm so scared! I'm used to a family life- can I be a part of yours???

MIRACLE DOG SURVIVES: NEEDS FOSTERING

This is a story about a wonderful dog named Lehi that will tug at your heart. A woman was driving out of town toward Little Rock on Thursday (I believe March 8th) and happened to notice a dog lying in the median off the Interstate (near Lehi exit, hence his name). Well, to her SHOCK, on her way back in town the following Tuesday, guess who was still in the same spot: YEAP. This poor dog had been there all alone, no food, shelter, or water, the entire time. Frantic, she called another shelter nearby, but the person on the phone told her they didn't think they could get the dog because the shelter does not pick up dogs on the Interstate (which is crazy I know, especially injured dogs that are alive!). The shelter was supposed to call her back and let her know whether they will pick him up. No phone call.

Feeling tremendously frustrated, the woman called the Memphis organization, Responsible Animal Owners of Tennessee, begging for help with this dog. Jeanne Chancellor, President of this group, said she would call The Marion Animal Shelter to see if they could help. Sure enough, Carolyn Tsironis (the supervisor at the shelter), immediately went out to search for the presumably injured dog. After careful searching, Lehi was finally rescued (the woman wasn't sure about the exact mile marker)! Anyway, this little guy wagged his tail as soon as Carolyn picked him up (he must have known he was being saved). He was unable to walk, due to an injury in his rear left leg (presumably hit by a car). Carolyn rushed him to a veterinarian in Memphis. They found out later that he would need to have his leg amputated because the damage was too great (apparently he had torn major ligaments in his knee as well as other damage). The kicker is that this poor dog had apparently been injured weeks ago and had been dragging his leg around. Lehi was lying in the median because he had almost given up (the vet said "probably waiting to die"). The lady who called regarding the dog fortunately offered to pay for the surgery (what an angel!).

Anyway, this miracle dog is now recovering at the Marion Animal Shelter and desperately needs a foster home to get him out of the shelter environment so he can heal properly and safely. Please help him by providing a nice cozy bed (preferably in a large crate) to recover on and the comfort of knowing we're all elated that he has lived. Lehi is a very sweet boy. He is now able to take short walks, but still needs to build up his endurance. Lehi needs special foster people to care for him (preferably without other dogs, or at least able to keep them separate while he recovers and someone who is around a majority of the day/night). Some people think he is a mix between a Plott Hound and a Black Mouth Cur (hunting type dog). Will you be his angel???

COMMUNITY MEETING INFORMATION

Community meeting went well tonight- thanks to all of you in attendance. The group discussed immediate needs of the shelter, namely the need for foster families (2-3 weeks for those going to rescues up north; 4-6 weeks for those undergoing heartworm treatment; and regular fostering) and for help with shelter renovations if unable to foster (cleaning, painting, etc.). Also discussed having a booth at Esperanza Bonanza (for those not familiar, this is a local festival in early May-more to come on this later) to improve awareness and discussed fundraising ideas (e.g., corporate sponsorship, T-shirt sales, car wash, etc.).

The current fundraiser, "Campaign for Honorary Mayor of Marion" is going well- ballots are still being accepted (ballots available in The Marion Ledger newspaper). There are 11 dogs to pick from and just $1.00 per vote (you can vote as much as you'd like for whomever you'd like through April 20, 2007). Proceeds go directly to the shelter for care of the animals, so please consider voting.

The group is also working on exploring ways to educate the community regarding the importance of spaying/neutering their pets, vaccinating their pets, and heartworm preventative as this is such an enormous problem. Please check back for a date on the next community meeting in April. We could use as many volunteers as possible for all sorts of tasks.

DOC REPORT ON HEIDI

GOOD NEWS! I went to see the doc today about my hurt toe and the doc said it looks like nothing is broken and my toenail should grow back. She also said that it looked like something was wrapped around my ankle on the same leg, but I'm putting weight on it just fine and she thinks I'll be good as new in no time. Oh did I mention, Doc thinks I'm a purebred lab and only about 12-14 weeks old based on my teeth. So, needless to say I will probably be pretty large when I grow up. My face will probably have a scar on it though, but beauty is from the inside so I'm not worried about it. I really am such a sweet little girl for being so young. I'm currently being crate trained and I haven't had any accidents yet! Just wanted to update everyone that I'm doing great!

HEARTWORM POSITIVE DOGS NEED A CHANCE

PLEASE CONSIDER FOSTERING A DOG THROUGH HEARTWORM TREATMENT! This generally entails a 4-6 week committment. The dog would need to remain in a crate except to eat/use the restroom (basically exercise is limited to leash walking during the entire treatment). He/she needs to be watched for complications and taken to the veterinarian if needed.

Many of the dogs at the shelter have approved rescues to go to, but they need to complete heartworm treatment prior to going to rescue groups. We have numerous dogs that have either started treatment, or are awaiting treatment (some are listed below, but check back for more pictures). If you were undergoing a medical treatment, wouldn't you want to recover in a comfortable environment? Please call if you have any questions.

COMMUNITY MEETING MARCH 22nd

The Community Critter Corps, an all volunteer group, will meet at Marion City Hall at 7:00 pm to discuss needs of the Marion Animal Shelter. This meeting is open to anyone interested in helping. Please join us as your input is invaluable!

GOING NORTH: AWAITING TEMPORARY FOSTERS

Hello I'm Roxie! I may be big, but I'm just a teddy bear! I'm considered a "senior" around all these little guys (I'm about 7 years old). But think of it this way- I am already through the puppy stage and I am nice and calm. I get along very well with everyone. I need to undergo heartworm treatment so I can make the trip up north- will you allow me to recover at your home???












Otis













Sid and Lenny
Speckles

and

Abby
(needs heartworm treatment first)

BEEN AROUND AWHILE

I am Kendall, a sweet little girl. I love to snuggle-can't you tell? I have been living in a tiny 2 ft x 2 ft cage for over a month while I was treated for mange (it's all clear now!). I need someone to be patient with me and provide training because I get so excited when I get out of my cage (I do calm down after a short period though).













My name is Kaitlyn. I love to be close to you. Do you have the time to spend with me? I'm eager to learn and will appreciate all the things you have to offer me.

NEW ON THE BLOCK

My name is Olivia. Aren't I absolutely adorable?!? I was picked on at the shelter by a bigger dog, so I'm staying with my friend Heidi and my foster family. I love it here, but I can't stay because my foster family already has 2 dogs and they want to help foster as many of us dogs as they can. Will you let me be a part of your family?




Hello everyone- My name is Heidi and I'm about 3 months old. I am a calm and sweet-natured little girl. I want a home to call my own- could you spare some room in your heart for me? I am recovering from a cut on my face (another shelter dog didn't seem to like young puppies) and a sore toe and ankle (my nail is almost missing, but should grow back).
























My name is Ali and I am a happy pup. I am pretty calm for a young puppy and as you can see, I love to sunbathe. Can I come live with you?























I'm Betsy and I am one adorable young girl! I promise to be good to you! I'm so eager to please and very attentive. Call about me- PLEASE!

EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW BLOG!

We are so excited about the new Blog! Our photographer has decided to set up a Blog in order to post extra photos of our sweeties along with other Shelter-related news and updates (we're not really sure yet...). We hope that this will be a wonderful success. Please tell your friends and check back for new posts frequently!