Puppy Mills, Don't Be Fooled!

Don't Be Fooled: ALL Pet-Store Puppies Come From Puppy Mills!

"Prisoners of Greed" is a video that depicts the torment suffered by dogs at puppy mills throughout the country. Click on the link below to be directed to the "Prisoners of Greed" video.

http://www.hua.org/movie.html

Future Animal Sanctuary!

Be Kind to Animals rescue is embarking on a venture to open an animal sanctuary within the next two years. We are currently accepting tax deductible donations to reach our goal. The sanctuary will be home to dogs and cats in need of temporary housing until adoption, elder care, and hospice care. Thank you for your help! Access our site below:

http://www.bekindtoanimalsrescue.com/

Aide4animals

Aide4animals is a newly formed rescue working towards helping medically needy dogs in shelters, who are often not adopted due to costly medical issues. Aide4animals is here to help. Please donate to help our cause. Thank you all.

http://aide4animals.rescuegroups.org/

The Animal Rescue Site Store

Please consider purchasing items from the Animal Rescue Site store. Each click gives food:

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/viewecard.faces?siteId=3&ecardId=3027622&recipient=rompinrotma@bellsouth.net&link=ctg_ars_viewecard_from_ecardemail

Aide4Animals

Please donate to this worthy cause. Aide4Animals is helping medically needy dogs get out of shelters and become adoptable dogs. We need support to keep going.

http://aide4animals.rescuegroups.org/

Happy Ending - Farah's Adoption

Many of you may remember Farrah, the terrified Chow/Lab mix that came to OCAS on March 10. One day while volunteering at the shelter I met a woman named Marla who asked if we could help this dog. Farrah was cowered in the corner scared to death. Marla's heart went out to Farrah but she couldn't adopt her, so Will and I decided to work with her a bit to see if we could help. Eventually I asked ARF Shack Rescue if I could foster Farrah to see if it was possible to rehabilitate her to some extent, but we were all unsure of her future. She was petrified of EVERYONE, terrified to walk on a leash, afraid of cars, people, noises, leashes, almost anything. She would cower when you came near and flinched when you tried to pet her.

When I first got Farrah home I noticed an intense curiosity toward the other dogs. By the next day I decided to introduce her to the other dogs in my home in the hopes that it would help her confidence. She immediately developed a friendship with my largest dog, Abby, the Newfoundland. I heard that fearful dogs can be helped by other dogs to learn friendship, trust, companionship, and just how to be a dog. Over time, Farrah realized I was also a friend. I fed her, talked to her, pet her, and showed her kindness and love. Eventually she understood. And one day someone asked if he and his wife could adopt Farrah. We were excited for her and hoped this was a good home where her fears would be minimal.

The day before Farrah's big meet and greet with the adopters she was running and playing and feeling so happy. She plopped her paws in my lap and looked up at me. We looked directly at each other and I then asked her "are you ready to go?". At that moment we realized it was time. I took a deep breath, built up my strength to be able to let her go, even though she was so close to my heart and I would miss her dearly.

On September 6, 2010 Farrah went to her forever home with Bill and Cyndi in Palm Bay. They are a gentle loving couple who have a wonderful sweet dog for Farrah to play with and be a companion too, which is Farrah's best quality. There is no doubt in my mind that Farrah found the perfect home. Bill and Cyndi are experienced with fearful dogs and due to their calm demeanor, Farrah was not frightened, just cautious, like a "normal" dog would be.

Kudos to EVERYONE, Marla, Will, shelter staff, Janet, ARF Shack Rescue, and all the people who even considered adopting and extending your heart to an "underdog". Her chances of adoption at the shelter were next to none due to her extreme fears. I could go on and on about how wonderful this dog is, her incredible gentleness and the kind heart I found inside her. Every dog in my home new this about Farrah. She was very special. This is a testament to the realization that every dog is special and sometimes you just have to look for it inside them. They are inherently sentient beings with lives of their own and deserve a chance to live and be happy; each and every dog born to this world. We can't save them all, but we changed the world for this one dog and I can only imagine what this means to her.

Linda Rock
OCAS Senior Volunteer and Rescue Volunteer

Foster Mom Poem

To My Foster Mom

There I sat, alone and afraid,
You got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love.
And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.
I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold.
That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend.
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.
And just when I thought you'd done all you do,
There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go.
I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."
Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss.
Along came a new family, they even have kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay.
At first I thought you sent me away.
Then that second lesson became perfectly clear.
No matter how far, you will always be near.
And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on.
I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.
But I'll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by.
We may never meet again, and now I know why.
You'll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.
- Author Unknown