Seasons Greetings from
Cookie Monster
Cookie Monster Cookie was evicted from his home in January of 2007. He arrived at the HUA shelter with a small, ragged, dirty towel—his one possession. Cookie had a habit of letting people know his strong displeasure if they stopped him from doing something he wanted to do. When adoption offers for him did not materialize, he moved to a foster home where he could have a lot of space and freedom. Cookie thrives on being busy. He loves activity. He can cover a stretch of terrain very fast and appear out of nowhere to get in on the action. He is a chewer, a digger, and a lover. When his foster parents come home to find a sea of stuffing on the floor, they know that the last comfortable chair has met its demise. Anyone mowing the lawn has to wear a seatbelt to keep from being thrown off the mower when encountering one of Cookie’s magnificent holes. It is all unimportant, however, for this bright-eyed, sturdy little fellow with the wild hairdo who loves his people with all his heart. Cookie is always alert, attentive, watching the humans to see if they might need something from him. The slightest sound of his name means that he is on a lap, in the face, eye-to-eye, intensely concentrating on his person, ready with some kisses if appropriate. Soon after Cookie’s arrival, a friendship formed between him and Digger, an elderly Border Collie mix and resident of many years. Digger was a self-taught expert herder, the guardian of his flock, a kind, gentle, devoted, loyal dog—the noblest of creatures. Cookie loved Digger very much and often showered his face with kisses, politely accepted by Digger. Digger always accompanied Cookie on his digging excursions. The two of them were seen everywhere together. When Digger died, Cookie looked for him for days. He is still sitting in Digger’s favorite spot by a porch waiting for Digger to come home. Cookie is a priceless gift. His exuberance is contagious. He gives the purest form of love and reminds us all of what is really important. In a city pound Cookie would have become a statistic. Cookie joins us in sending you, our loyal friends, our heartfelt thanks for the support that gave him his life.
Thor One cold winter morning volunteers were about to turn into the shelter lane when they saw something on the country bridge about a hundred yards farther along the road. They found a large Shepherd sitting forlornly on the bridge waiting for the people who had left him there to come back for him. The dog was cold and terribly frightened. When he tried to stand, his legs almost collapsed from under him. One of the volunteers slowly and gently led him to the shelter. Thor was a sight to behold—a dog of majestic stature standing almost as tall as some people. He was extremely thin at 75 pounds, and his hair was rough, but he was gorgeous. He politely accepted the attention of the people who surrounded him wishing to pet him, but he was still very shaken. Shelter life was good for Thor. He made friends with Sampson, a huge Labrador, and together they ran in the villa yards entertaining themselves for hours. Although Thor ate vast quantities of grain-free food, he did not gain much weight, but he became incredibly strong. He was happy, but still he wanted what he once had and lost, a home with people. When a nice young couple wished to adopt Thor, it was a happy day, but they regretfully returned him the next day. Thor was accustomed to having a dog door at the shelter and decided to make one at his new home out of the patio door by knocking out the whole door, frame and all. When the people returned home to find a good portion of the backside of their house lying in the yard, they decided Thor was more than they could handle. Eight months went by before the right home came along for Thor. He now lives in Wheaton, Illinois, with Evelyn, an expert trainer who understands that he still needs time to overcome his abandonment. She says that Thor is so intelligent that he can learn anything, and he has such a loving nature that he is kind and friendly to every dog and human that he meets. He loves to play with other dogs, especially his sister Abby, a Golden Retriever, and he is very gentle with neighborhood children who all want to be with him. While going on a walk, he encountered a tiny dog, no more than five pounds. Apparently understanding that it was not one to play with, Thor sniffed it and went on his way. Evelyn says that she cannot believe that the dog she admired so much on our website is there for her to hug and cuddle, and she truly adores him. He is such a big baby that he rolls over on his back, long legs in the air, for belly rubs. Thor sends you his love and thanks for the support that saved him and gave him such happiness.
Jacques Some very kind people brought Jacques to the HUA shelter after he had been found lying injured in someone’s backyard in a small Kansas town. Jacques is a ten-pound Poodle type dog. He had obviously been attacked by something much larger than he is inflicting bite wounds all around his shoulders and the lower part of his body. The injuries were not fresh. They were infested with maggots. When we wrapped this mangled little fellow in a blanket to rush him to our veterinary clinic, the most beautiful hazel eyes in a darling face looked out at us. Jacques was transferred to a veterinary specialty hospital in Omaha for days of intensive care. He returned with a cone on his head and his body covered with a slimy green horse solution used to extinguish parasite eggs. We were so sorry for this pitiful little waif. The green goop had to be reapplied numerous times. Jacques always sat on laps covered with a large towel for his treatment. He was very sweet and uncomplaining. We could not cuddle him and had to settle for rubbing his little face and ears inside the cone. In spite of the towel, people always turned green, too. Jacques recovered fast. He is young, and his veterinary care was expert. Soon the cone was off his head, and he could have a bath. His hair was growing back, and he was becoming beautiful, something he always was in our eyes from the moment we met him. Every morning when we arrived in the building where Jacques stayed, he let us know that he wanted out of his playpen immediately. He would run to us and dance on his little back feet to be picked up so that he could cling to us and smother us with kisses. It was hard to say who loved whom more. When Jacques’s story and pictures were put on our website and Facebook, there was an outpouring of love and support for him. He had many applications for adoption, but he had already been chosen by Pam and Tom from Hickman, Nebraska. They had visited the shelter to meet Poodles before Jacques’s veterinary care was completed and he was ready to go home. The HUA Poodles are all delightful dogs, but when these good people met Jacques, there was no contest. Soon Jacques went to a home where he will always be protected. He has two Poodle brothers, Cooper and Tucker, to romp with in the yard and a dad who knows fun games for dogs. Jacques now has the life he always should have had. This holiday season we are thankful for the precious time we had with Jacques and very thankful that he has a home where he will be cherished forever.
Annabelle A young couple from Thunder Bay, Ontario, drove all the way to southeast Nebraska to adopt Annabelle and bring her home. This was the second trip in Annabelle’s life, vastly different from the first one. A year earlier a breeder brought her to the shelter riding in the trunk of a car. Annabelle’s physical condition at that time was sickening even to the shock-worn staff of an animal shelter where puppy mill rescue is continuous. She had mammary tumors so numerous and large that they formed ridges across her underside. This nine-year-old dog afflicted with life-threatening growths was still being used as a breeding machine. Two extensive surgeries were performed to remove the tumors, and two months later an additional surgery was required. Even then we were warned that the tumors could recur. Those were sad times here every time we had to send her back to the hospital, but she was always cheerful through the painful recoveries. Like many puppy mill dogs, Annabelle was a humble creature, expecting that nothing good would ever be hers. This sweet-natured Cocker loved human attention, but she would sit back, politely waiting, and then be so happy when people cared for her. In her home Annabelle has learned about going to the store to pick out nice things that she likes, going on walks and to the dog park, and snuggling on a couch with people who love her. She had to have yet another surgery to remove a tumor, but she recovered in no time and had to be stopped from joining her two Cocker brothers, also rescued dogs, in a wild wrestling game. Annabelle has been given all the world by the most selfless, generous, loving people. One thing she really finds delightful is tearing up paper. This holiday season there will be many gifts for her under a tree, and she can tear them open to her heart’s content.
Yancy When Yancy was brought to the HUA shelter from a South Dakota puppy mill, he was a tiny pup, the cutest thing ever. Everyone wanted to hold and cuddle him, but when we reached for him, he curled into a ball like a little wild animal and showed us his beautiful white puppy teeth. Yancy had suffered more than the typical cruel neglect of a puppy mill. We knew that he had been intentionally abused. It was pitiful to watch a baby who had already learned so much fear of people, something that is very hard to overcome, but there was also a soft side of Yancy. At times we saw a hopeful look in his eyes. He so wanted to be loved. He accepted attention from some of us, and he adored Therese, the volunteer who works miracles with fearful puppy mill dogs. Many people wished to adopt Yancy, but when they visited him, the cold reception he gave them ended in discouragement. Finally, after he had been at the shelter for five months, we heard that Sam and Nathaniel and their father Curt were driving from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, to visit relatives in Nebraska and also to visit Yancy, hopefully to take him home. The meeting went about as we thought it would. Yancy bristled with hostility, shot them suspicious glances, and stayed well out of arm’s reach. They tried giving treats, a trip to the yard, a leash walk. Nothing helped very much, and the family looked at other dogs, far friendlier ones. We thought all was lost for Yancy, but Sam and Nathaniel would not give up. They had traveled all the way to Nebraska to give a frightened little puppy mill fellow a home, and they chose Yancy. They carried him to the car, and we heard that long before they reached New Mexico, Yancy was in love with his boys. It took a little longer for him to learn to love their parents, but soon he realized that everyone in the family loved him. Yancy will never live in fear again. He is secure in a home of love and privilege—a gift he was given by two fine, dedicated young men.
Jenica In response to an urgent phone call asking for help, we drove to a small town about twenty miles from the shelter. The temperature was not much above zero, and the snow was several feet deep. A large female dog was on a chain in a yard with an airline kennel barely big enough for a Cocker Spaniel as her house. It was hard to walk to her through the deep, crusty snow. As we drew closer, we could see that she resembled a German Shorthair Pointer mix. She was due to give birth to puppies any day. She was afraid of us and cringed low to the ground, but after just a few kind words from us, her tail started to wag. We unfastened her chain and carried her to the warmth of the van. Jenica snuggled into a soft, thick comforter for the ride to the shelter. Within the week, nine large, fat puppies were born, all looking like Labradors, eight black and one chocolate. Jenica was skin and bones and had little energy, but she was a good mother, watching over her babies to make sure they had everything they needed. Soon the pups were huge, beautiful pups as sweet as their mother, wildly playful and totally in love with people. Working in their midst was not remotely possible. Jenica did the staff members a great service, however. She would serve as a decoy leading her family outside so that their room could be cleaned before they all came thundering back in. When the pups left for their homes, Jenica gave every one of them a kiss on the head. She seemed to understand that the bittersweet event was for the best. The pups needed homes of their own. Not much later Jenica was adopted, and she went to live with Mindy in Omaha, Nebraska. Mindy says that she is so mild-mannered and sweet that people often call her a gentle soul. She has grown sleek and gorgeous and receives many compliments when she is out for walks. Jenica does not understand toys and games, but she shows a playful side of her nature when she races through the apartment and jumps on the couch to cuddle with Mindy. The miserable life that she was given in her first home is a thing of the past. Now all she knows is love and comfort, and she is very happy.
Hoot On a day late in March of this year, we were in a dog breeding place in Missouri walking around by the cages and pens with the breeders taking the dogs they had decided to give us. They could no longer afford even the very minimal care they were providing. At one shed with small makeshift outside runs, there was a Yorkie standing on his back feet at the fence barking as they all were, pleading for attention. Every time we looked at him, he flashed us a big, toothy grin. We asked the breeders if we could have him, and they said they were not willing to let him go. We had to turn away and leave the little charmer there. Two days later the breeders called again asking us to make the five-hour drive back to take more dogs. We asked especially for the Yorkie, and they agreed. The little guy that we named Hoot became ours to hold and love. We found out that Hoot was not really so much of a hoot. He was a tender baby who clung to people for comfort. We rarely saw the big, toothy grin again. That was his serious attention getter. Hoot’s stay at the shelter was brief. We knew some fine people who were looking for one like him. Karen and Joe who live in Omaha, Nebraska, were returning from spending the winter in Arizona. They cut their trip short and hurried back to Nebraska to meet Hoot. Karen says that they cannot believe their good fortune in having submitted an application just at the right time to adopt such a little darling. There is so much love in this home between Hoot and his people. He does not take his eyes off Karen and wants her nearby at all times. When he returns from his walk with his mom, his dad is usually sitting in a chair about forty feet from the front door. The minute Hoot’s leash is off, he lowers his head and runs full speed ahead. He makes a flying leap turning to the right in mid-air and lands sideways on his dad’s lap. There was some question about sleeping arrangements for Hoot, but he took care of that decision. He sleeps between the people, sometimes on the pillows, and if they get up in the night, they return to find their warm spot taken. Karen writes that they are trying not to spoil Hoot too much, but that is a hard thing not to do. They are so grateful for having been considered worthy of adopting The Hoot. That is a precious tribute to a little puppy mill dog.
Tallica Tallica was the darling of the shelter. She was brought to us when she was an eight-week-old Boxer puppy—the cutest thing on the planet. The beginning of Tallica’s story is something that happens way too often. A young man wishing to give his children a nice surprise went to Missouri to meet a dog breeder in a public place. He paid a huge amount of money for a seven-week-old puppy. When he arrived home, the children were delighted, but the fun did not last long. The parents realized that the puppy was ill. They took her to a veterinarian who confirmed that she was a very sick pup. She was four pounds underweight, almost the equivalent of her total body weight of 5.8 pounds. The puppy was infested with intestinal parasites contagious to people, especially to children. It would take lots of time and care for her to recover. The parents were advised that they could return the puppy to the breeder for a full refund. They refused to take her back to a place where she had been so neglected and brought her to the HUA shelter instead. A regimen of wormers and immune boosters was prescribed for Tallica. She was offered the most tempting food and given fluids in a baby bottle. We kept her in an isolation room near the main office so that we could hear every sound that she made. The entire shelter staff watched over her and worried. Within a week she was feeling better, and she had learned an important principle of puppyhood, which is all you have to do is yell, and people will come. Two months passed before Tallica could be pronounced completely healthy. During that time she was most often seen being carried around, sitting on laps, or out in the yard playing games with people. We made some progress with house manners and leash training, but mostly Tallica learned that she was adorable, and her every wish would be granted. We hoped for a home for this baby with people who were experienced with the Boxer breed. When we received an application from Angelica and David in Omaha, Nebraska, it was good news for Tallica. She would have a home with loving human parents who had rescued Boxers for years and also with two adult Boxers—Lindy, age seven and the motherly type, and kind, handsome Clark, age five. Tallica really loves her new mama dog who replaces the first one from whom she was taken when she was too young. She also has as role models two well-behaved adult dogs. She is sure to become a good canine citizen and a happy one.
The Year 2011 A little white dog sits in a cage at the pound on his last day of life. His family knows he is there, but they are not going to pay the fine to get him out. The telephone rings, and the caller tells us that he found three puppies set out in a box in the frigid weather. Still another call comes from people who have lost their jobs and their home and are no longer able to provide for their beloved pet. In a dog shelter this is the constant daily drama that dictates action. Elton John from the pound
In the winter months of 2011, a continuous stream of homeless animals came through our doors. Puppy mill dogs arrived from all around us—Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Missouri. Often they are in small groups received from other shelters or breed rescue groups who have become overburdened. Many of the dogs need special care. Five old male Dachshunds arrived from an Iowa shelter. They were part of a large group taken from an extremely bad breeding place. Every one of them was pitiful— only a shell of the dog that he used to be. The work of restoring health and giving spirit to dogs such as these began many times over. Snickey feels much better now January 28th was a day that made HUA history. On that day we met a Nebraska breeder in a parking lot, something we had done many times before. Eleven dogs came back with us, the last dogs owned by that breeder, bringing the total number rescued to 78. No longer would we have from there the Yorkies with no bottom jaws, the Maltese with heart disease and monstrous hernias, the Shih Tzus riddled with mammary tumors. These dogs have all been the sweetest animals, loved by everyone who meets them.
The month of June broke all previous records. In one week 46 dogs from a confiscation case and a Nebraska breeder going out of business arrived at the shelter. At the same time, the catastrophic flood of the Missouri River left homeless animals everywhere in this area. Labradors too Libra - a sweet Shih Tzu
numerous to count, an elderly Beagle, a frightened Border Collie, a mother dog with three puppies, a mother cat with five day-old kittens—the refugees from the flood waters poured in—a total of forty animals. On July 29th, we made our last trip to a puppy mill in central Missouri. In this year alone we have taken 68 dogs from this place. We have been there during every season of the year. In the spring we have walked over soggy ground loading drenched, wet animals in the van. In the Kimber is happy to be on dry ground winter we have taken dogs with their ears frozen off and permanent frost damage to their feet. We have watched the breeder use a shovel to get a terrified Dachshund out of her cage. The Dachshund was missing part of one ear from cage aggression. The dogs rescued that day had been eating macaroni and dirt. Three years ago this puppy mill had over 300 dogs. Now the dog breeding days there are over.
Buddy Beagle clings for comfort
As the last months of this year go by, the hectic pace of rescue continues, including dogs saved from the rubble of cities struck by storms of the summer. Over 400 animals call the HUA shelter home. Many will be adopted; others will live happily in the HUA sanctuary. They are all precious creatures to care for and love.
We send you our heartfelt thanks for the support that enables us to save so many animals. Your generosity means that we can continue to say—yes, we can help.
All are happy to be safe and loved at the HUA shelter
Gabby A little Shih Tzu girl named Gabby had a surprise for us. Five days after she arrived from a Missouri puppy mill, she gave birth to four puppies. The caregivers who first went into the Intake Wing that morning soon came back out the door with the amazing announcement. The only one not excited about it was Gabby. Gabby and her family moved into a pup-proof playpen in an isolation room near the main lobby. Gabby stayed with the pups or came out to the lobby. Either place was fine with her. She was the funniest little dog—solemn, quiet, very self-assured. The look on her face never changed, and she was given to no emotional displays whatsoever. When visitors arrived, she was mildly curious. After a few sniffs at a pants leg, she went back to what she had been doing. When we gave her a toy, she accepted it as though it had become her responsibility and carried it over to a corner to set it down. After she had a small collection of toys in one corner, she quietly moved them one by one to another corner. Gabby’s puppies were named for the royal family—William, Kate, Harry, and Pippa—but their behavior was not so royal. The wild play they engaged in often became confrontational, and the vicious sounds coming from their room sent us running to break up the battle. Gabby, who was probably wiser than we were, calmly watched all the activity and let the pups settle it themselves. Although they certainly all had opinions, Gabby’s pups were popular adoption candidates. One thing, however, that Gabby found unacceptable was the caregivers’ habit of taking her pups’ blankets to the laundry every morning and replacing them with clean blankets. When she discovered that this had happened again, she would sort through the laundry basket to find her pups’ blankets and carry them back to lay them in front of their playpen. Apparently, we were stealing their stuff. This amazing little dog who was a source of great entertainment for us now lives with Tami and two brother dogs, Rory and Reggie, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Tami says that Gabby has fit in so well. There was no adjustment time for her. Gabby took everything in stride. She has some peculiar pastimes like sitting on the toilet seat, but she is truly the model of good dog behavior. Tami says, “I can’t even tell you how thrilled I am to have her as part of the family.”
Suh On a cold winter day after a terrible snowstorm, a farmer came upon a dog lying in a ditch, too cold and afraid to move. He could not believe his eyes when he found that this dog was a gorgeous Mastiff puppy. At 80 pounds the pup was emaciated. For weeks he lay in the laundry area at HUA snuggling in blankets to keep warm, too weak and fearful to stand up and venture out. The volunteers and staff comforted him day and night. His paws were the size of dinner plates, indicating he had quite a bit of growing to do. He was named Suh after the huge Nebraska football player. Suh now weighs in at 250 pounds. Julie Lavin, an HUA director and founder of Almost Home Canine Rescue, adopted him. He has become the most popular resident of Madison, South Dakota. Not only do people stop and have to meet him on the street; he also literally stops traffic. He adores dancing and playing chase with all of the resident dogs and foster dogs at Julie’s house. Suh loves to play tug of war with a seven-pound Italian Greyhound. He gently holds the toy so that his pal can tug on it, letting the skinny little guy think he is winning. He is an expert at catching toys in his mouth when they are thrown in the air and loves to show off this skill in front of his little friends who are not so fortunate as to be able to land an airplane in their small mouths. Although Suh loves to spend time being a big, silly goofball, he also has a serious side and some very important job responsibilities. Suh loves to ride shotgun on rescue missions so he can greet incoming dogs. He also volunteers as a surgical assistant on the spay/neuter days of the Brookings Humane Society, keeping a close watch on the patients, pacing back and forth until they come out of anesthesia and he knows they will be okay. He pursues a love of higher education by frequently stopping for a rest in front of the Dakota State University sign on his much-enjoyed walks around town. He is afraid to walk over the metal grate on the sidewalk near the sign, so he has to stop to summon up his courage. Then, after Julie goes first to prove that nothing bad will happen, he leaps over it with his eyes closed. A petition is being started to change the school mascot from the fighting Trojan to the snoozing Mastiff. Living with a dog of this size brings its own unique challenges. Like most Mastiffs, if Suh decides he does not want to do something, he will not budge an inch. This does not bother Julie at all. She is head over heels in love with him, and he completely adores her. Even when he decides he will not get in the car to go to the vet and she has to walk him a mile there and then walk back and get the car to pick him up, or he thinks that she is not moving fast enough to get outside for walk and play time and runs crashing into her from behind sending her airborne, she laughs and knows that it is all worth it for her precious 250-pound baby boy.
Sophie & Tucker When Jackie Wrieth of Omaha adopted Sophie, a little puppy mill survivor, in November of 2010, her employer announced Sophie’s arrival in a special article. For 26 years, Jackie has worked as the assistant to Harold W. Andersen, former CEO and publisher of the Omaha World Herald. Mr. Andersen now writes a website column entitled “As I See It” on subjects of current interest. Just a brief introduction to this website draws the reader in because it is so informative and well written. The article about Sophie told the story of how Jackie and her husband Don had gone dogless for five years after the death of their beloved yellow Labrador Bud. When Jackie’s mother died, she thought her stepfather would like some canine companionship. She took Sophie along on visits to sit on her stepfather’s lap, and that proved very beneficial for both him and the dog. Of course, Sophie leads a charmed life in her own home, too. Mr. Andersen has written about how she came to be in charge of the entire household and even required the purchase of a larger human bed because she is a twelve-pound bed hog. Sophie also modeled her new yellow rainslicker on his website, something she had to have because she hates rain. Although Sophie was not so sure she wanted to share her comfortable lifestyle, Jackie thought she needed a companion dog. She returned to HUA this year and adopted Tucker, a little fellow salvaged from the ruins of a storm struck city. Tucker is a lively fellow and so loving and nice that he is a very pleasant addition to the family. Mr. Andersen announced Tucker’s arrival also in his column, paying all due respect to the new co-chairman of the household. Jackie has given a great home to two dogs who came from the worst scenes of suffering. Mr. Andersen encourages his readers to help the rescued dogs of HUA. The kindness of these two dog-loving people has done a world of good for the dogs.
Micah Micah was one of two surviving dogs found at an abandoned rental house in a small town near the shelter over a decade ago. Micah's sister was soon adopted, but he was not so lucky. Although Micah was the most gentle and loving of souls, he was passed over for adoption time and time again. He resided at HUA for eleven years. He loved his time with the volunteers and staff and was the mildest, most mannerly fellow at the shelter. As Micah aged and arthritis started to set in, everyone thought that chances of adoption for Micah were over. Soon after Micah’s arthritis diagnosis, a lovely application came in for him from Sindy in Lincoln. She and her eight-year-old daughter Nevaya were looking for an easygoing, loving companion to share their lives. They wanted to give a home to a dog that might not otherwise get one. Even though they were told of his arthritis and age, they did not waver. They met Micah and knew he was the one. Micah and Nevaya fell instantly in love. Sindy sent wonderful reports about Micah. He loves car rides and becomes more playful as time passes. Micah and Nevaya bounce around playing chase and tug of war, and he adores all of Nevaya’s friends. Sindy says that Micah is behaving more like a puppy than a senior dog. They report that in addition to being gorgeous he is also very smart. He was housetrained instantly, and he claimed his spot on the couch on Day One. Several months after Micah’s adoption, we received a frantic call that he was at the emergency vet suffering kidney failure and that he might not pull through. Everyone was heartbroken at the thought of losing Micah but so happy that he had had the opportunity to be in this wonderful, loving home. Micah surprised everyone once again, though. After finding his perfect home and people, he was not about to let death cheat him of happy years with them. He rallied and is back at home bestowing love and gratitude upon his family for the miracle they gave him--at the age of thirteen, after eleven years at HUA, finding the happiest of homes at last.
Carlita Carlita was rescued from a horrible puppy mill, the oldest of several dogs arriving at the shelter. She was matted, filthy and afraid. For ten years she had been used as a breeding machine, churning out puppies to be sold to pet stores while no regard was paid to her health or well-being. During her first vet visit at HUA she lost 22 teeth. A year passed and Carlita became healthier, friendlier and more trusting every day. A heartfelt application arrived from Frank and Dianne in Florida who wished to bring Carlita into their family. They had just lost their lovely little Maltese who passed on Christmas Day at the age of eleven. Carlita was the exact age of their dear departed girl. While most families look for a young dog so they do not have to go through the pain and loss again too soon, Dianne said she fell in love with Carlita on the HUA website and was so afraid that she would never get a home if they did not take her. Frank flew into Omaha to pick up Carlita so she could ride in the plane with him on the way back. She was quite a VIP, receiving congratulations from Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, Frank’s college roommate at West Point. Frank was smitten the moment he saw Carlita from across the room at the airport. He said they are committed to her for whatever time she has left, even if it is not much. Carlita is having a marvelous time in her new home. She is being spoiled to no end and enjoying every moment of it. Frank and Dianne had an eleventh birthday party for her shortly after her arrival, complete with a cake and basket of treats. She is the light of their lives, and they mean the world to Carlita who came from an atrocious Midwest puppy mill and now has more comfort, peace and love than she could have ever dreamed of having. This October we received a lovely photo of Carlita in a Snow White costume with a note stating how much they love her. She is their little princess, the most beautiful and fairest of them all.
Calamity Jane Calamity Jane spent the first nine years of her life in a small outside kennel. She is a social girl and hated living alone. Many times she escaped, jiggling the gate loose and even rolling up chainlink to create a hole big enough to squeeze through. When her family grew older, they decided that they had had enough of her running episodes and she should go to a new home. One of their neighbors talked of taking Calamity and chaining her to a front porch. Very fortunately for Calamity, the city they lived in had recently passed an anti-tethering ordinance. Calamity was given away to a family living on a farm. When we heard about Calamity, she had one hour left before she was going to be shot. At her new farm home, she decided to go to the house down the road where there was more activity, and she was trying to play tag with the chickens. Our volunteer was an hour and a half away from the farm when she called the farmer pleading for Calamity’s life until she could get there. When she arrived, she found Calamity tied to a chicken coop. This old Malamute was filthy, covered with clumps of hair and embedded ticks, and smelling much like the chicken coop, but she was still gorgeous. At her age, Calamity really had outgrown most of her wanderlust. She just wanted to be with people and be loved. She is brilliant, as Malamutes are, and so sweet and loving. When Calamity’s story was put on our website, Laura and Daniel in Colorado Springs, Colorado, wrote us saying that they had been wanting a puppy because they had two older dogs and wanted one that they could love for many years, but a beautiful old Malamute stole their hearts. They could not bear the thought of Calamity not having a warm, loving home for the rest of her years. Calamity Jane has two sister Huskies, and they all go for long walks with their people. Her yard is huge and has a six-foot wooden fence. She and her sisters occupy any portion of the house that they like, which is often couches and human beds. She is so happy in a home where dogs are privileged members of the family. The beautiful old Malamute is home for the holidays and forever.
BooBoo BooBoo was one of a dozen dogs being used for extra income by a backyard breeder. Rather than face charges for criminal neglect, his owner signed over the dogs to the city humane society. BooBoo was eight years old by that time, and when the kind people at the city shelter had no offers of a home for him, they asked if he could come to HUA. BooBoo is just a little guy, a seven-pound Pekingese missing his left eye. After having lived a hard life outside for years, he especially loved the comfort of a snuggle bed and soft blankets. One thing he really hated was snow. With even the barest sprinkling on the ground, his trips to the yard were very brief. Everyone at the shelter loved BooBoo, the sweetest fellow who was so grateful for everything he was given. When BooBoo had been at the shelter for about a year and a half, he received a wonderful offer of a home. Pamela in Louisville, Kentucky, had recently lost two beloved dogs. When she saw BooBoo on the HUA website, she could not get him out of her mind. Also, she had a little thirteen-yearold Pekingese named Herbie who was missing his left eye. It was as though BooBoo’s adoption was meant to be. BooBoo rode with an escort in the cabin of the plane to Louisville. When he met his new brother Herbie, the two boys seemed to know they are two of a kind and have been the greatest companions ever since. BooBoo enjoys his big grass yard in Kentucky and his house where the dogs have every luxury imaginable. He has the warmth and love of the holiday season every day of the year.
Wade Wade was touring the town when the dogcatcher found him. He learned that dog jail is no fun. His bed was the concrete floor. The food was bad, and there were no toys whatsoever. He was very happy when HUA came to spring him. Wade is so nice and so cute that he was soon chosen to go home with Brandie, Sean, and their son Alex who live in Lincoln, Nebraska. Wade is very grateful to have a home of his own. He loves the whole family and especially Alex, his chosen person who knows lots of games to play. Wade gets to go on walks with his family, bury bones under the deck, and best of all, he has a toy box full of toys that are all his. Every night Alex reads some bedtime books to Wade. Wade sits politely on his bed beside Alex’s bed and listens intently to every word. When the lights are turned out, it is time to snuggle in and sleep soundly until morning. The first night that Wade was home, he could not settle down so easily. It was almost midnight when Brandie and Sean heard the tip-tap of little dog feet. Over and over again, there were pauses and then more tip-taps. Finally, Sean went into Alex’s room to see what was happening. Wade was taking every one of his precious toys from the toy box and putting them one by one in a ring around Alex’s bed. He wished to give Alex his toys to show how grateful he was, and anyway, he thought there might be more time to play. Wade is being careful to exhibit only the best dog behavior except for a few thefts of shoes and socks which he sincerely regrets. He does not want any more run-ins with the law. He plans to keep this great new home of his forever.
The Humane Movement Throughout this year, major events have occurred that affect the retail business of selling puppies. The owner of seventy shopping center malls in cities across the country refused to renew the leases of all stores selling pets effective within thirty days. Jack’s Pets, the largest chain of pet stores in the Midwest with 27 stores in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, has stopped selling puppies in all their stores. The corporate office of Petland in Canada announced that their Canadian stores will no longer sell puppies stating that the public had changed its method of obtaining dogs. Cities in California, Texas, Missouri, and Ohio have passed ordinances banning any store sales of cats and dogs. Some of the stores have formed partnerships with local shelters and are featuring rescued dogs and cats for adoption. The emphasis is on stopping the killing of millions of companion animals in city pounds and humane societies. The shopping mall owner stated that animal welfare is good business. The change of policy in these stores is very encouraging news. The pet industry relies heavily on retail outlets in metropolitan areas. The puppy mill/pet store connection was the big factor in the growth of large breeding farms and a volume business that flooded this country with dogs. The humane movement in the pet stores reflects the way millions of Americans think. A huge majority of people in this country have said—no to puppy mills, no to fragile, sick puppies in the stores, and no to the killing of millions of companion animals because there are way too many of them. It is not the American way of life. We are much better than this. As the pressure mounts opposing the pet industry, the flood of dogs abandoned by breeding operations will continue full force. We ask your help for the monstrous number of homeless animals who come to us for care and comfort. We thank you for the wonderful, loyal support that has enabled us to save thousands of dogs for over twenty years. We wish you every blessing in the new year, and we thank you for joining us in the fellowship of mercy.
Together we are Hearts United for Animals. P.O. Box 286 • Auburn, NE 68305 • www.hua.org • hua@hua.org