By Cory McKeown with photos by Melanie Epping

Chipper is going on his fifth month of loneliness

When we wrote about this young Lab/Dalmatian mix dog that has been with us at the shelter longer than any of the others, we were so hoping someone would come and bring him home. But, sadly, it just didn’t happen.

Chipper is not alone at the shelter. He has other dogs, and lots of people around him. But, he is lonely. One just has to look into his brown eyes to see how much he wants a person of his own to love him.

He has become a staff favorite- several of us have wanted to take him home, but couldn’t because we have cats. And Chipper’s only fault that we have seen is that he is not good with cats…

Chipper is very well behaved, and loves to go for car rides and walks. He is a wonderful size, weighing in at a trim 40 pounds or so. He is very affectionate and calm, yet loves to play.

Five months in a cage is five months too long for this poor guy. Please come and meet Chipper, and maybe give him the chance he so needs.

Sweet, saucy redhead looking for loving relationship!

Jasmine is kind of the kitty equivalent of Chipper- she has the dubious distinction of having been at the shelter almost longer than any other cat. She is unusual in that she has a lovely orange coat- orange cats are almost always boys, yet this demure little kitty is all girl!

She has been in our kitty room for months now, and although people stop to pet her, no one has taken her into their hearts and home. Perhaps it is because she looks a little older than she really is- orange cats, like redheaded people, are sensitive to the sun and often get “freckles” around their mouths and noses. No, these are not “horrid old age spots”- just harmless freckles she undoubtedly got when she was fending for herself outdoors.

Jasmine would make a wonderful and sweet kitty for a mature couple or anyone with a quiet home. This little orange girl really needs some sunshine of the loving kind in her life!

Shelter wish list

Our kittens have arrived in force, and they are hungry! We desperately need donations of Purina Kitten Chow (the kind in the yellow bag) to help tame these tiny tigers!

Our dogs are reminding us, also, that they are running low on kibble, and would be very grateful to receive donations of Pedigree or Kirkland dry dog food- they say that this seems to be the easiest on their tummies. We humans at the shelter have a vested interest in keeping their tummies settled, as we are the ones that do the “scoop duty”!

Thank you for supporting the Humane Society and the needy animals in our care.

By Cory McKeown with photos by Melanie Epping

Please help Sammy get the heck outta Dodge!!

While we are totally committed to the concept of the no-kill shelter movement, the fact that the pets are sheltered until they find a home can mean that the more needy animals, the ones without the built-in cuteness of kittens and puppies, can linger.


Sometimes the pets just settle in well to shelter life, and are very content with the comforts a well-run shelter can provide them. Some, however, like poor Sammy, get more restless with time, and their good traits become hidden by their escalating energy levels, as they bark and jump to get attention.

One on one, Sammy is a very nice dog. He is playful and affectionate, and very bright. But, it will take the right person, a person who knows dogs and has love and patience to give, to get Sammy back on track. If that person doesn’t come along, Sammy will continue to be overlooked day after day. What a shame it would be for this nice Border collie mix to spend even more of his time searching the faces of the shelter visitors for the one person who will give him a chance.

Weak in the knees for Siamese??

Cisco and Trudy are the kitty equivalents of the dog Sammy, but as cats are inclined to do, they don’t get more energetic as they spend more time at the shelter- they withdraw and hide.


This trait is truly unfortunate, as people tend to pass by the “fraidy cats” and are drawn to the more outgoing felines. But, just as it is with Sammy, there must be cat lovers out there who would have tender hearts and would give these two beautiful Siamese’s a chance.

Cisco is a handsome flame point Siamese, with gorgeous blue eyes and orange coloring on his “points” (you Siamese lovers know what this means!!). Trudy is a pretty petite Snowshoe Siamese that became homeless when her owner lost her home. Both of these classy felines would be very happy in quieter homes, and both of them are desperately hoping to be given a chance. It is time for them to come out of hiding. Frightened cats need love, too.

Shelter Wish List

Our adult kitties have informed us that they are running low on dry cat food, and would be very happy to receive donations of kitty kibble. They thank you very much for caring about them and the other needy shelter pets.

By Cory McKeown with photos by Melanie Epping

Double your pleasure, double your fun!!

Diesel and Shadow are charming young Australian Cattle Dog brothers. Cattle dogs are known for their great energy levels and active minds. They are very intelligent, take well to training, and are wonderfully loyal companions.


Aussies, however, do not like to be bored. They need a living situation where things will interest them, and prefer to be with active individuals and families. They make outstanding Frisbee and agility dogs.

These guys are on the smaller size for Cattle Dogs, and have beautiful markings and short, dense coats. Diesel and Shadow love people, and are eager to please. If you have an active lifestyle or kids who love to play, come and meet these two Aussies. They truly love each other and are very bonded, and it would be wonderful if they could go to a good home together!!!

Miss Kitty needs her own person to love

Miss Kitty ended up in the shelter when her elderly lady owner became allergic to her. Life at the shelter has been hard for this pretty five year old cat. She very much dislikes other cats, and has spent the past several months huddled in the corner of a room. Truly a bad way for her to have to spend her life…

She would be most comfortable repeating the living situation she is used to: being a loving companion for a single person or couple who has no other pets. Miss Kitty really needs a better chance again at a good life. If you have a quiet home, please come and meet her. Life is too short to spend it huddled in a corner….

Thank you to our loyal supporters

We are very appreciative to Todd Kaino and the staff of Lighthouse Realty and to Cheri Diehl of Dennis Oman Realty for their sponsorship of shelter pets. The ads they have funded have resulted in some wonderful adoptions of needy pets. Thank you so much- we are grateful for your community spirit and support!!!

Shelter wish list

We are running very low on the 13 gallon garbage bags we use so many of in keeping the shelter clean. We would be very grateful to receive donations of these bags- Costco sells some very durable bags for a very reasonable price. Thanks!!

By Cory McKeown with Photos by Melanie Epping

Maggie

In the harsh weather of last November, Maggie’s people moved and just left her to fend for herself. Sadly, that wasn’t all…. they left her with her tiny kittens to care for. Kindly neighbors brought this sweet young mom cat and her babies into our shelter, where they would be warm and safe.


The weeks passed, and as it so often happens, Maggie’s kittens were all adopted to good homes. This has left this pretty kitty lingering in the shelter, waiting for the time when she to will have her forever home.

Maggie is a lovely tortoiseshell- patterned girl with a short, plush, easy care coat that shines with multiple colors. She was a little shy when she first came to the shelter, but over the months she has been with us, has become much more outgoing and affectionate. She would thrive in a quieter home, and would be a good companion for another cat or gentle dog. Please come and ask to meet this loyal little cat. She deserves and needs a chance to have a better life.

Roxy’s not really serious- she is a clown at heart!!

When people stop by Roxy’s cage to say “hi” to her, they are sometimes fooled by her serious-looking demeanor and intense yellow eyes. While this young Aussie shepherd mix might look very serious, she is in fact a clown that loves people and loves to play!


Spend some time with her and have a toy with you and she is your best friend- she actually is one of those dogs that can smile!


Roxy comes alive with attention, and is a delight to be around. She is extremely intelligent and affectionate, and very trainable and eager to please. Roxy is a great size, is trim, healthy and athletic, and has a bobbed tail and a short, glossy dark pewter colored coat.

This young dog would be an ideal companion for an active person or family. She would probably be happiest being an “only pet”.


Got tennis ball? Going camping? Roxy is the canine companion to make your life more fun!!!

By Cory McKeown with photos by Melanie Epping

There are new kids in town!!

Over this past week, we have received a great selection of new dogs for adoption. We have dogs of all sizes and varieties.

“Abby” is a very nice 4 year old lab/shepherd mix. Other larger dogs available are “Duke”, also a handsome lab/shepherd mix, and “Roxy”, a bright Aussie mix. “Rusty” is an athletic lab mix that loves to swim.

Our smaller newcomers include “Bernie”, a 2 year old doxie, “Alvin” a cute little Chihuahua, and “Roscoe” a 1 year old terrier mix. “Alvin” came to us from another shelter and he arrived with a cast on his front leg! Apparently, he came into the other shelter as a stray, and the reason for the cast was a mystery. By the time this column is published, however, the mystery will be unraveled because we will have taken him to the veterinarian for a check-up. Other than the cast, he seems very healthy and active, and very much wants a home of his own

Bring the family and come and see the wonderful new kids on the block!!!

Is it true that Manx are cat/rabbit crosses??

Manx cats, in addition to being tailless, have compact bodies and their back legs are longer than their front legs. They sometimes have a slightly “hopping” gait, and this overall “bunny like” appearance has sometimes led to the theory that they are a cat-rabbit cross. While amusing to think about, this is of course a biological impossibility.

What Manx cats are is one of the most interesting and unusual of all the breeds. “Kiki” is true to the Manx breed for she is lively, playful, and very affectionate. She has a beautiful petite body and a short plush, easy-care coat. She lost her home when her human passed away, and at a young 2 years old, this delightful little cat is just ready to enrich the home and heart of her new person.

By Cory McKeown with photos from the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project

When dogs cry

I knew I was in deep emotional trouble when in just watching the previews of last Friday’s Oprah show featuring puppy mills I was reduced to sobbing. As someone very involved with humane issues, I knew I should watch the show to learn more about the deplorable lives these dogs in these “puppy factories” live. After all, they say knowledge is power, and Oprah is a very powerful public figure who exerts tremendous influence on American Society. And her shows are always well done and informative. So, even though I knew the program would be hard to take, I felt I needed to know as much about the subject as I could learn to be a more effective and caring animal advocate.
Well, the previews were heart-wrenching enough, but the whole program was the things nightmares are made of for those of us who care about animals. The dogs were shown in beyond-deplorable conditions. Some of them couldn’t walk on normal surfaces because they were only used to walking on wire…. Female dogs being bred every heat cycle, producing litter after litter of puppies and getting no attention from their owners other than the basics, such as food. The expose said that the adult breeding dogs are often shot to death by the owners when they can no longer produce puppies…

While we have no large-scale puppy mills in our community, we do have “back yard breeders”. These breeders might treat their dogs a little better than the ones shown in the puppy mills, but the bottom line is the same: the dogs are bred time after time all in the name of profit.

The very sad thing we do have all too often in our community is dogs living their lives on the end of chains. Sometimes they have shelter; sometimes they don’t. Because their chains are usually in a fixed spot, the areas around the dogs, their entire worlds in effect, become mucky, muddy pits. And they live in these pits year after year, with little, if any, contact from their owners other than to be fed.

And because dogs are such social creatures, being so isolated causes them to cry and sometimes bark endlessly. This behavior often either concerns or aggravates neighbors, depending on how they feel about the situation.

We want to do something about chained dogs and are starting a new program at the Humane Society called the “3-F’ program. What this stands for is “Fences for Fido”, and we are hoping for donations of sturdy welded wire fencing and posts, or cash donations to help us get dogs off chains and into a cleaner, fenced environment. Our members donate the labor, and we have already put up several new yards for some dogs that were living their lives on chains. A wonderful secondary effect of these yards is that the owners are often much more likely to interact with their dogs and provide them much- needed human contact when the dogs aren’t leaping at them from the ends of chains, and jumping all over them with muddy paws. Please contact the shelter if you would like to help with this program.

One thing the Oprah program stressed over and over is that public awareness and action can put puppy mills out of business. There are some wonderful dogs and puppies available for adoption in shelters, even some pure-bred dogs. Did you know that statistically, about 99% of the puppies available in pet shops come from puppy mills?

Animal lovers, it is time for us to turn our passion into action. As they say: “think globally and act locally”. If you see dogs in our community living neglected lives, or dogs that could benefit from a better environment, please call us. Those of us who care need to be there.

By Cory McKeown with photos by Melanie Epping

Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty!

No, we haven’t mistakenly switched our dog and cat picture- this sweet black lab mix female dog is named “Kitty”. When we got her several weeks ago from another shelter, she was almost painfully shy. But, with some good old TLC from our staff and volunteers, Kitty is coming out of her shell and proving to be a very nice dog, indeed.

She is about 2 years old, housebroken, and has a very soft, sweet face with big brown eyes. Kitty loves to go for walks, and is a pleasure to take out. She gets along well with other dogs, and would probably even be a sweet companion for dog-tolerant cats.

Kitty would be the ideal dog for someone, individual or family, looking for a quieter, sweet-mannered dog. Visitors to the shelter often don’t notice our quieter dogs such as Kitty. But, if someone takes the time to pet her and speak softly, it becomes apparent that she is truly a good little soul who is just waiting to quietly enrich someone’s life.

Little Lady has been passed over now for months

Sadly, Little Lady’s story is one we see too often. She came to us way back in June, and had with her a family of tiny kittens. She and the kittens went to one of our “foster moms”, and when the kittens were old enough, the little family was brought back to the shelter.

The kittens have all gone to good homes and poor little mama lingers day after day in the kitty playroom- passed over for the more brightly colored or more outgoing cats. Little Lady is just barely out of kittenhood herself, and would love a quiet home where she would be appreciated for her gentle nature. She was a wonderful mama to her babies, and now it should be her chance at a good life.

Shelter Wish List

What we are really, really hoping for and needing is a good turn-out for our upcoming St Patrick’s dinner and auction. This is our biggest fund-raiser of the year, and is vitally important in helping us get the money needed to help care for the animals.

The event will be held on March 15 at the Chautauqua Lodge, with a wonderful Irish dinner catered by the Shoalwater Restaurant. We have received some very nice items for auction. We are asking for everyone’s support for this important event- two years ago at our last auction, our business supporters were very active participants, and everyone had a great time! Come on bankers, realtors, and other business people- the animals need your support! We are selling tickets in groups for those who want to reserve a table. Tickets are $30, and are available at the Humane Society shelter.

By Cory McKeown with photos by Melanie Epping

Hoss and Tammy: “We really miss our homes- are you looking for us?”

These two nice dogs are about as different as two dogs can be, but they have something very important in common- both were found as strays, and both were dragging leashes when they were found. They have been at the shelter for several weeks now, and sadly, no one has coming looking for either of them.

“Hoss” is a handsome older Rottweiler with a wonderful disposition. He was found in the Naselle area, and the vet estimates his age at 12 or so. This friendly, very mellow fellow was very stiff with arthritis when we received him, but is moving about much better now that we have been giving him arthritis medication. Hoss appears to be purebred, and is just an all-around nice guy.

Little “Tammy” is as small as Hoss is big, but shares his story. This sweet terrier mix was found waiting outside Jack’s County Store in Ocean Park, and is well-cared for. But, like Hoss, no one has called or come looking for her.

If these two nice dogs were lost by good owners who simply don’t know where to look for them, we are hoping with all our hearts that they will come and get them. But, if as sometimes unfortunately happens, they were “dumped”, then we hope that they can find new loving homes. They are both up for adoption. It would be so nice if they found homes, and we didn’t have to look at their sad “are you looking for me?” faces much longer.

Poor Sweet William has been planted at the shelter for 183 days!!

Several months ago, we featured Sweet William in this column, and sadly, he is still with us, watching the other cats go to loving homes. He is a very affectionate and mellow adult tabby cat, who loves attention and is good with other cats. Sweet William is very good with his scratch box habits, and lives up to his name all around.

Some people insist that animals don’t have the same sense of time passing that humans do, and this may be true. But, even though Sweet William can’t tell you himself that he has lingered here for 183 days, you can see the look of hope and optimism on his face when a visitor stops to pet him, only to have his hope dashed time after time as they walk away without him. Someone please give this wonderful cat a chance in a new loving home- Sweet William might have nine lives, but it would be a shame if he spent so many of them alone.

 Shelter Wish List

What we are really, really hoping for and needing is a good turn-out for our upcoming St Patrick’s dinner and auction. This is our biggest fund-raiser of the year, and is vitally important in helping us get the money needed to help care for the animals.

The event will be held on March 15 at the Chautauqua Lodge, with a wonderful Irish dinner catered by the Shoalwater Restaurant. We have received some very nice items for auction. We are asking for everyone’s support for this important event- two years ago at our last auction, our business supporters were very active participants, and everyone had a great time! Come on bankers, realtors, and other business people- the animals need your support! We are selling tickets in groups for those who want to reserve a table. Tickets are $30, and are available at the Humane Society shelter.

By Cory McKeown with Photos by Melanie Epping

Jax is a perfect “there’s no good reason” dog

“No good reason” dogs aren’t a new breed we are seeing at the shelter - these are the dogs we get in that are so nice, so well-behaved, so good with everyone that we wonder to ourselves what in the world the reason could be that they have lingered so long unadopted. Unfortunately, these great dogs often had the misfortune to have been born black in color. It is a well-known but sad fact in the humane community that both black dogs and cats are often the last to be adopted from shelters - and in “kill’ shelters, they are euthanized much more frequently because of this.

Such is the case with Jax, who was passed over at another shelter for several months before we received him. This very handsome and very nice black lab mix is just two years old and would make a loving addition to any home. He is gentle, likes other dogs, is housebroken, loves to go for walks and is attentive and very anxious to please.

Jax is such a great dog that we are sure that if given a chance his good qualities would quickly become apparent to anyone lucky enough to adopt him. We are sure he would have his new owners also thinking: “there’s no good reason why he wasn’t adopted sooner but we are glad we are the ones who gave him the chance he so needed.”

Loving adult kitties need homes before kitten season

In just a few short months, we will again be getting kittens surrendered to the shelter. In the meantime, we have some wonderful adult kitties still awaiting homes. We have cats of many descriptions and colors, all spayed or neutered and ready to be adopted. Kittens can be a lot of fun, but there is a lot to be said for bringing calmer, and usually better-behaved, adult cats home. Come and spend a quiet afternoon in the “kitty playroom” - you probably will find your next best feline friend!

Now is the time to prevent unwanted litters- check into our “Fix Your Cat Free” program

If you or someone you know is a low-income resident of South County and have a cat that needs altering, come to the shelter and get a voucher to have the cat spayed or neutered absolutely free! Vouchers are limited but are still available during our regular business hours which are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. It is a wonderful opportunity to do the right thing, and the price is right!We’re hoping you’ll be “wearin’ the green” with us March 15

Don’t forget our biggest fundraiser, the St. Patrick’s Day dinner and auction, is just around the corner. Tickets are only $30 and include a delicious full-course Irish meal catered by the wonderful Shoalwater Restaurant, and all the fun and excitement of the auction activities. Tickets are available at the Humane Society at 330 2nd St. NE, and at beachdog.com at 1517 Pacific Ave. N., both in Long Beach.

By Cory McKeown with photos by Melanie Epping

There’s Nothing “Lucky” About Spending 103 Days in a Cage

Poor, sweet, goofy, 3-legged Lucky will have been at the shelter for over 100 days by the time this column is published. Kind of reminds you of the old “Lucky” dog joke, doesn’t it?? You know the one where there is a poster on the side of a telephone pole for a missing dog- a one-eyed, three-legged, deaf dog that has a hernia, and answers to the name “Lucky”. It is an old joke, but the longer this young lab mix stays in a cage, the more this joke comes more to mind. The only “lucky” part of the story for him is that he is at our no-kill shelter, and although his time is running on, it will not run out.

Lucky lost his leg in a fall from a truck, but doesn’t let his “tripod” stance slow him down- he is a real trooper, and loves to go for walks. He wouldn’t be a good companion for a jogger, but is a wonderful friend on shorter walks. He probably would enjoy the company of another non-aggressive dog, but would be happy being an “only” dog as well.

There has to be room in someone’s heart for this wonderful but “imperfect” dog that tries so hard to please. Adopting a “special needs” pet can be very rewarding. Please come and meet Lucky- you might just be the one to turn his luck around.

Sterling is Also a “Long-Timer”

This young, very handsome pewter-colored cat was with us only a short while when he came down with a horrible “kitty cold”. The virus involved caused damage to his eyes, and one of our dedicated volunteers took him home and spent weeks treating him back to health. His eyes now look great- only a hint of cloudiness, and he sees so well he can fling a toy up in the air and catch it before it falls to the ground!

The volunteer who took him home fell in love with his wonderfully easy-going and friendly nature. He gets along very well with other cats, likes dogs, is incredibly affectionate, and is immaculate with his scratch box manners.

Unfortunately, the volunteer is on “kitty overload” at her house, and Sterling needs to find a forever home. If you are looking for an especially nice, big, “mush ball” kitty, Sterling would just fit the bill!!  See Sterling on petfinder.com.

Shelter Wish List

We would be very grateful to receive canned dog food- we love to spoil the dogs with a little canned food on their kibbles, and we are almost out!!

Thank you very much for your support.