"He's one of the smartest dogs I know," says FKSPCA board member and shelter volunteer Georgia Favelli. "And he's so sweet, affectionate and friendly. And good with other dogs, too." Blue is a young dog, only about a year and a half. "He'd make a good family pet," says Favelli.
Blue sounds like a dream dog, doesn't he? And just because he's temporarily staying at the shelter, doesn't mean that he's not up to standard-- and that goes for the rest of the animals there. Blue is caged at our local shelter because someone abandoned him there.
Many animals are taken to the shelter because their owners (read: like parents to a child) "can't find an apartment that takes animals," "don't have enough time to take care of them," "they're unmanage- able," "too much trouble," "too big," "bark too much," "scratch the furniture," "their owner died," (make plans for the future of your pet), or innumerable other reasons shelter personnel hear every day.
But the fact remains that, asFKSPCA president Gwen Hawtof always says, "the shelter is a reflection of the community's wishes for their animals." And when an animal is brought to the shelter, hopefully, it will find a good home. Hopefully.
Small dogs and puppies have the best chance of being adopted, if they have sweet personalities, and short hair. Kittens are a sure bet too. But older animals, large dogs, finicky animals, and ugly animals have the least chance. That's the way it is, unfortunately. Too many animals need homes.
But if you adopt from the shelter, you will make a friend for life. And boy, will they be grateful.
Call the shelter at 294-4857 today. You may just find the love of your life there.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This letter was sent to KWTN via e-mail on Monday, July 24, from Lisa Ostberg of West Palm Beach:
I was told about your column and your paper by Vicky Snow of Lower Keys Friends of Animals. Vicky told me about a feature you had last week about a gentleman who has adopted some special-needs cats.
My reason for writing you is that I am desperately hoping that you might be able to help me find a home for a very sweet stray cat that is FIV positive.
His name is Oreo, and I "inherited" him when my elderly grandmother was forced to move from her home because of failing health. She had been leaving food out for a little black and white stray cat for a few years, ever since his owners moved away and simply left him behind.
When my grandmother moved, I began trekking back and forth every few days to the next town to make sure that Oreo was doing OK and had an adequate supply of food. I've started trying to find a shelter or home for him but have not been successful.
When I drive up, he always comes running across the lawns to happily greet me. He's very friendly and will even leave his food bowl to purr and meow in exchange for some rubs and scratches and head pats.
I have been doing what I can to keep Oreo well fed and happy. I have had him neutered and vaccinated. However, I have had no luck in finding a shelter that will take him or anyone who will adopt him because he is FIV positive . . . and I have three other cats.
I don't know if you can help me, but it seems that the culture of Key West is a great deal more accepting of an FIV positive animal than the areas in which I've searched up here. I grin at the very awesome idea of being able to find a home for Oreo down there in Paradise.
I will be eternally grateful for any help you can give me to find a home for Oreo. Please call me at 561-969-2411, 561-967-2133, or e-mail me at SwedeLisa@aol.com.
Lena Norris' first "grown up dog" as she puts it, was a beige and white Shitzu named Misty. "By grown up dog, I mean that Misty was the first dog I chose to live with me as an adult woman," said Lena. "I was living on my own, and I wanted a companion. I had always had pets as a child, so I went to the local pound. That's where I met my Misty."
Misty and Lena lived happily together for 12 years. But Misty was diagnosed with cancer, and Lena had to put down the dog she loved so dearly.
Then Lena moved to Key West. She volunteered with the Key West Kritter Patrol and helped at the shelter washing and walking the dogs there. After two years, Lena called KW Kritter Patrol director CeCe Crane and said she thought she was ready to adopt another dog.
"CeCe said `I'll take you, but we have to leave early, about 10 a.m. because there are some small dogs there that just came to the adoption area that you might like to see, and small dogs are adopted right away.' So off we went the next day," said Lena.
This is the part that gives Lena shivers just retelling it. "I walked to the dog adoption cages and looked in," she said. "I couldn't believe it. I thought I was seeing things," she said. "There, in the first cage was Misty! This dog was a beige and white Shitzu that looked just like her. I opened the cage and took her into my arms and we immediately bonded, just like that! It brought tears to my eyes."Lena adopted Misty's twin that very day and named her Baby Girl (BG for short).
" That night," said Lena, "I made sure that Baby Girl was OK and then went on to bed. That's when this amazing thing happened. BG came into the room, jumped on my chest, and nuzzled her head in my neck, just like Misty used to do. I thought, `how is this possible?' I know this sounds strange," Lena said, "but BG is so like Misty it's almost like BG is Misty reincarnated."
Lena says that BG is the most loving dog she's ever had. And to those of you out there thinking of adopting a pet, Lena says, "There are so many good animals that need love. Go directly to the shelter and take one home!"
Call the shelter today at 294-4857. You just might find the love of your life there.