South Pacific County Humane Society’s ‘Pet Pics with Santa’ 2010 event is scheduled this year for Saturday, December 4, from 10am – 2pm.

This year, SPCHS is excited to be offering two great options.

First, is our traditional Quick Pic event which takes place at Dennis & Company in down town Long Beach.  This event is a ‘first come, first served’ event.  So drop in any time between 10am – 2pm for refreshments, pets, pics and Santa!

Second, is our new Portrait event, which will take place at The Breakers in Long Beach.  Our Portrait event, also runs from 10am – 2pm and will include a personal, 15 minute portrait sitting for your pet and Santa.  You may also take this opportunity to include you, family or friends in your holiday pet portrait.  Just keep in mind, groups and multiple pets may require more time to pose and limit the number of final photographs.  Photographic services for this event are being donated by Ed Streit of Ed Streit Images.  Space for this event is limited, so pre-registration and payment  are required to confirm your reserved sitting.  And Yes!! refreshments are also provided!

For more information on both these events, or for information about pre-registration for the Portrait event, please click the link below.

SPCHS Pet Pics with Santa 2010

South Pacific County Humane Society is deeply grateful for the generous support of the following foundations, which share our mission to improve the lives of animals and people through advocacy, education, and support. Our supporters’ commitment to animal welfare improves the lives of the animals and people we help every day, and ensures that legacy.

The Healthy Paws Foundation

The Herbert M. Zahl Charitable Foundation

The Loren H. Corder Foundation

The Pedigree Foundation

The Templin Foundation

The Wyss Foundation

How?  Show up for SPCHS Advisory Council on Wednesday to help us fold, seal, label and stamp something like 900-1000 Annual Reports destined to be mailed by the end of the week!

SPCHS Advisory Council | Weds, Feb 8 | 4:30 PM | SPCHS Annex

We’ll also touch base on the final plans for the Beachpets Breakfast, set for Feb 25th, and Dine Out For Cory’s Cats and Melanie’s Mutts, currently happening at the 42nd Street Café.  Also, President Rod has some updated information following he and VP Michelle’s shopping trip in preparation of our BIG RAFFLE.

Beachpets Breakfast and BIG RAFFLE are in need of volunteers!
Dine Out For Cory’s Cats and Melanie’s Mutts is in need of, well, diners!

Our annual Fix Your Cat Free program is in full swing.  If you, or someone you know, is low income and in need of spay/neuter (for a cat!), stop by the Shelter for a voucher and more info.

Questions?  Contact Executive Director Jeannette Sterling at 360.244.9212

This was sent by email to our SPCHS Tail Waggers, which is our active volunteers list.  If you’d like to be included in the email announcements, send a note to webmaster@beachpets.com.

woofs & miaws…Past President Keleigh

Everything is working out better than I ever could have hoped. Buddy is such a kind, sweet, happy boy. He is great with the cats—–and in such a short time! And this morning he had his first of what will be many, many teeny tiny baby steps getting to know the chickens—–it went very well. Buddy is completely trustworthy in the house and in the truck—–he doesn’t touch anything without being told it is OK; I had to tell him repeatedly it was OK to play with the toys I bought him! Tomorrow he meets my friend’s 14-1/2 year old dog (the one I babysit at my house when she is out of town). We will be careful with the introduction but I have no doubt he will be gentle with her. And then we meet another friend’s dog (a 3-year old black lab) for a play session. Both of these friends have a little acreage and live less than a mile from me. AND, I just found out there is a HUGE (and I mean HUGE!) new park that allows dogs off leash that is so close to my house we can walk to it within just a few minutes!

I brought Buddy to my work on Tuesday to meet everyone. He was such a big hit that people were still talking about him today. I brought him in at lunchtime. People would come back to the office from lunch, stop to meet him and then just stay to visit and watch him until at the end of the visit a big crowd of people were all around him in a circle with him in the middle, calm as can be, doing his famous “rolling on his back waiting to be petted” routine. He would get up to meet new people as they came in, make the rounds to get petted and then walk back to the middle of the circle again and lie down. He was an absolute charmer. Even people who weren’t there that day have been asking me about him because they have been hearing about him from other co-workers who are STILL talking about what a wonderful dog he is.

I am completely and totally in love with this dog. It already feels like I have always known him. He is so sweet and loving (and so cuddly!). He is steady and well adjusted and remarkably responsive to direction. I love him beyond words. I hope you can tell Buddy’s previous owner that Buddy is well and happy and will never want for anything as long as he lives. And if you do talk with Buddy’s previous owner, please thank him for me. It seems clear that Buddy has been treated with love and kindness and respect all of his life. Buddy is a truly great dog and I believe his previous owner is responsible for that.

And I want to thank you, too—–you and the work you do makes happy endings like this one possible.

Rosemary

PS I will do my best to send pictures soon.

Saki at Home

Saki at Work

I can not begin to thank you enough for Saki. She is a joy and makes my daily routine much easier. She does pull the left side of my wheelchair, helping me to conserve my energy. She also will assist me with transfers by standing on my left and leaning her weight into me, which stabilizes my weak side. She goes to work with me and has become quite the celebrity on both hospital campuses. She is wonderful with people, other dogs, children, and cats. I couldn’t ask for a better companion.

Thank you again,
Darla

By Cory McKeown

All Smiley Sadie wants for Christmas is no more shelter sunsets

Researchers tell us that dogs don’t think the same way we do about the passing of time. While we humans can think about the past and project into the future, dogs tend to live in the “here and now”.
If this is true, then the unfortunate dogs that linger week after week, month after month in shelters must just spend each of their many days confined to a cage just noticing that over and over, the sun comes up (for dogs lucky enough to have some outside time every day, like ours) and the sun sets. They notice that after some sunrises, people come and adopt some of the more fortunate dogs around them, and leave them again to face another sunset alone.
This scenario has been played out for Sadie, time after time. If one counts the first time she was rescued from a bad situation in Eastern Oregon to the time she has been in our shelter, Sadie has been in a cage since August.
An unfortunate strike against her is that she is a black lab mix, and black cats and dogs linger notoriously in shelters. But, if you take the time to look past her coat color, you can see what a very nice girl she truly is. And, she smiles! She doesn’t just look happy and goofy like so many labs, she actually smiles! When people are wandering around the runs and most of the dogs are barking like crazy, this sweet dog is quietly circling her cage. She wags her tail non stop,  and smiles her smile,  usually with a toy in her mouth and the hope that  someone will notice her.
Sadie is a large, sturdy, and healthy young to middle aged dog.  She has a very nice energy level, and our dog walkers tell us she is excellent on a leash and a joy to walk- and boy, does she like to go for walks!
Other than her sweet personality, it is obvious that what Sadie loves more than anything is people. When someone takes the time to talk to her, she rolls over on her back, hoping for a belly rub and attention. She loves people of all sizes and ages, and would be a great dog for older kids.
Just like us people, Sadie really likes some of her own kind, but isn’t as fond of some others.  If she likes a dog, she is on her best behavior, and could make a good companion to another dog in your family. Just bring your dog by for a “meet and greet”.
She is, however, not good with cats and should go to a “cat free zone” home.
It is kind of amazing how Sadie can smile through so much time in a cage. But, dogs are like that, aren’t they? If you are looking for a very loyal and sweet canine companion, please take some time out of your busy holiday season to come and look at Sadie. She doesn’t deserve more shelter sunrises and sunsets- she deserves  a place in a loving home of her own, where she can watch the sunset with her new person. She is hoping  that person might be you…
Shelter Wish List
Usually, the holiday season is a time at the shelter where we see just how generous and kind our loyal supporters are- and the homeless animals are hoping the same will be true again this year! We are in need of dry kitty and dog food, as well as canned food.
Of course, monetary donations are also  very much needed and appreciated. Our shelter is largely volunteer-driven, and supporters who donate money can rest assured that a very large percentage of their donations go directly for the care of the animals.
Thank you from our hearts, and the critters thank you, also. Have a wonderful holiday season.

We’d just like to update you all about Lucy; the little terrier we adopted about a month ago. She’s doing very well adjusting to her new home. I took her to see Dr. Dale Marker at Jackson Highway Vet Clinic in Chehalis and she received her Rabies and Microchip and another dose of worming medication. She was 37 pounds then and I think she’s gained a few pounds since! She outgrew her new bed already. Apparently she’s not a boxer/lab mix but Dr. Marker said more like a Staffie mixed with Jack Russell and possibly some other type of terrier.

She’s quite a little squirrel chaser and has chased out all of our moles in the yard so that’s great news. We just love her and we think she feels the same about us but it’s hard to keep her still long enough to know…she just gives out kisses and keeps running. J

Thanks again for such a wonderful addition to our family and have a wonderful holiday season and New Year!

Sincerely,

Lori

Cheri Diehl, Broker of Discovery Coast Real Estate, says:

This time of the year I start worrying about homeless pets languishing in shelters.  Thankfully, the South Pacific County Humane Society is a no-kill shelter, but it’s still not a forever home.  Now until December 24, you can adopt a pet and Discovery Coast Real Estate will pay 50% of your adoption fee.  There are even some adoptable cats totally sponsored by us. All you need is a loving home and a big heart.  Be sure to ask about the “Black Lab Special” for even more fun!

Come in today to meet the pets Cheri has sponsored for adoption!

Visit Cheri’s page on her adorable Boxer, Porsche, and meet her happy household of cats.

Cheri with her Boxer, Porsche, in her Porsche

Cheri Diehl – Discovery Coast Real Estate
We’re Looking Out for YOU!

e    |    cddiehl@gmail.com or cheri@discoverycoastrealestate.com
p    |    360-642-3325 or 360-244-2660
w    |    http://www.discoverycoastrealestate.com

1711 Pacific Ave So  |   Long Beach, WA  |   98631

Mrs. Frace’s kindergarten class at Ocean Park school collected  and counted  $122 in  pennies then they donated them to the Shelter. The kids were also able to come down to the shelter for  a field trip. We really appreciate the donation and had a great time hosting the kids. Thank you Mrs. Frace and your class!

Carys (Nikki) has just been wonderful. She’s been well behaved and friendly to everyone she meets. There’s a dog park near my house, and we’ve gone for the last 3 days. She loves the people there even more than the dogs, especially the kids. She even responds wonderfully off-leash, and comes to her name almost every time, even from across the park and with distractions, which is pretty amazing considering she’s only had this name for a week. Anyway, here are some pictures of her enjoying herself (and the attention) at the park.

Laura

December 3, 2011
Pet Pics with Santa!

NOW through December 24th
Let us send your holiday cards & gifts.

Lucy is adjusting very, very well. She is so darn fast and has very sharp eyes. She chases squirrels and raccoons up the trees but leaves our chickens alone for the most part since they live in our backyard. Our chickens are used to dogs so they don’t pay her any attention. She hasn’t had any accidents yet and uses the doggie door pretty well. She really likes to go, go, go! We made a good choice and am looking forward to many years together. Thanks so much for all your help and what you do for the animals. We’ll come to visit next time we’re in town!
Sincerely,
Lori

Just wanted to share our experiences from her first day with me. Her name is Carys now, and she’s starting to respond to it already. She was very good in the car (threw up once, but Ocean Beach Hwy is really curvy, so I can’t fault her for that). She completely ignored my dad’s cat. She did amazingly well walking through downtown Portland and made friends with everyone she passed. She did just fine with my mom’s two Italian Greyhounds, though they weren’t as thrilled with her being in their house. She and my cat, Natalie, are getting along great. Natalie thinks she’s pretty neat, and she’s glad to have a dog to curl up with again.

Carys does seem to be scared of smooth floors, though, which is funny. She stayed glued to my doormat when I first brought her in, and I thought maybe she’d move to see what I was up to after a while, but she wouldn’t put more than a paw onto the hardwood before backing up and whimpering. After a while I carried her to her blanket next to my bed, and she stayed there until I took her outside. With a little coaxing I was able to lead her around the house, but she heads for every rug she sees, and seems very uncomfortable when she has to be on the bare floor. I imagine she’ll get used to it soon. Her food and water are away from the rugs, and that’s a powerful motivator.

Thanks so much – she’s a wonderful dog and has already made a lot of friends here.

Laura

FABULOUS Grand Prize:  60″ PLASMA Big Screen TV by LG!

• 1st Prize: $300 Dennis Company Gift Card
• 2nd Prize: Blu Ray Player by Sharp (valued at $250)
• 3rd Prize: 1-Night Stay at Shakti Cove Cottages (valued at $80)

Hello,

I wanted to let you know Charlie is doing great. We took all the dogs on a mile walk Saturday. Saturday and Sunday was working on letting the dogs bond. They spent a lot of time on our covered deck. Charlie has started joining in on the play, even batting and biting Opie. Opie and Charlie have even laid on the floor chewing on each other.

Last night was Charlie’s turn to sleep on the bed for a little while. We have a lot of work to do on his training – we haven’t found much that he seems trained on. But, he learned very quickly and easily that dogs aren’t allowed in our kitchen. We really enjoy and love Charlie – thanks!!!

If it’s true that “you can’t herd cats”, why do we have such a large herd of cute cats and kittens?

The first person who coined this now-popular phrase undoubtedly knew cats well, and for some reason was frustrated by the behaviors of his own cats. Yes, cats can be independent, and sometimes stubborn critters, but they can also light up our lives with their winning ways.

We have a higher than average number of cats and kittens at the shelter  right now looking for loving homes, including an unusual number of Siamese mixes and red tabbies as well as  other exotic looking felines. It is wonderful to be able to offer such a variety of adoptable cats and kittens, but of course, we are most anxious to see them find good homes.

So, if you are interested in a great new feline companion, come on down to the shelter! We are almost sure to have just the kitty you want, and we are offering very good adoption rates. Our “two-fer’ offers are the best around, so ask when you come in if you have room in your heart and home for a pair of kitties.

Frightened Lexi needs a patient and loving person to give her a break

Lexi originally came to the Humane Society several years ago, and it soon became obvious that she was going to be one of the “shy ones”. She would head for the back of her cage when anyone approached her and would more or less cower there until the person gave up interest and left.

But one lady came along who didn’t give up on her. The lady came to see Lexi frequently, and would talk softly to her. Over time, she would quietly go into Lexi’s cage and just sit with her- just “hang out” if you will. All the while telling her what a sweet dog she was, and that she had no intention of hurting her.

She eventually gained Lexi’s trust, and then the best thing ever happened- the kind lady took Lexi home! The lady said that Lexi was a wonderful and loyal companion, and gave her several years of unconditional love.

Sadly, the lady suffered some health problems, and recently had to bring the shy girl back. Of course, this made the lady very unhappy and made us all very sad. Needless to say, Lexi is suffering the most from this loss.

So, here she is, after thinking she had found her forever home, back at the shelter, hiding at the back of her cage. She is not aggressive with visitors; she just retreats. We are very much hoping that there is a patient and kind person out there for Lexi who will take the time to give her a chance. Surely there is someone who will come and sit quietly with this frightened but very sweet dog?

Shelter Wish List

We are very pleased by the donations of shelter supplies we have received the past few weeks, but find we are still in need of canned dog food. Thank everyone for your wonderful support!

Going on day three with the new arrivals, and all is well. They seem to have settled in well, and my other dogs have been very tolerant of them pushing in and taking over the couch or chair.

Ben, now “Jetsam,” loves to run, despite that bum rear leg. I plan to bring them to my vet this week and maybe put him on some meds if we think he’s in pain from it. Sally, new name “Flotsam,” is one confidant little dog. It’s different having such a small dog here, and she snuggled up on my lap last night while I watched TV.

They figured out the dog door finally, and come and go outside when they please. Mostly, though, it’s nap time.

I think they are happy to be here, and I’m happy to have them.

Ron