MORSELS OF GOODNESS!

This Month's Morsel: Luke
Sweet Luke was a real favorite at United Animal Friends, and was unfortunately returned after spending a few months in one home. It seems Luke didn't like being left alone all day, locked up inside! Luckily, this sweet boy found his perfect forever home with Gail and Gary, who are home with him most of the day and gave him a wonderful new yard to romp around in! Check out those ears!!!

A Recent Update From Luke's Mom: . . . "he's wonderful! He's had 2 classes at Dandy Dawgs and if his parents will keep at it he's going to be a very well behaved dog. He's sooo smart! We were concerned about where he'd sleep when they (Daughter & Son-In-Law) came (he sleeps with me and takes a nap with Gary) but we put his bed at the end of my bed and he got in and stayed there all night! He loves doggie day care at kennel kamp and is staying alone longer every day.Gets 2 walks a day on most days and plenty of playtime - we'll keep him!"

SAVING MATTEO

This week, we want to draw special attention to a darling pit mix whose hoping for a second chance. Matteo certainly isn't a pure-bred pit, but we can't figure out what else about him - other than that smidgeon - that has caused him to be overlooked week after week at Prescott Animal Control. He's only about six months old and he's incredibly beautiful, with striking brindle markings and a gentle, playful personality that is quite hard to come by in a young dog. Even sadder, Matteo has now been put on the e-list because of an old injury to one of his front legs. The injury doesn't require any immediate medical attention - it's an old fracture - but he doesn't like to go for very long walks and prefers instead just to sit and play right next to you. When he gets older, he may need some arthritis medication, but UAF is going to try and pay for any medical expenses in the meantime (maybe surgery or leg amputation if necessary) - we just need to find this guy a foster or a home - desperately! He's such a gem and he's spent his whole young life at the pound . . . what is so ironic about Matteo's situation is that there seems to be lots of folks out there who love dogs but don't want to necessarily walk those dogs twice a day, seven days a week. Matteo is perfect for those folks! Where are they now?

HAPPY TAIL SYNDROME

As volunteers, some of us are frequent visitors to Prescott Animal Control, and of late, it seems there's been a whole lot of cases of one thing: Happy Tail Syndrome. Contrary to the connotation of the term, Happy Tail is actually very dangerous. Dogs end up with this ailment by wagging their tails so much that the concrete walls of the kennels split open the tips of their tails - causing infection in some cases and a bloody mess in most. Some dogs come into PAC with Happy Tail, and others develop it after a short while. The danger, of course, is that it can make the dog go from being very adoptable to very unadoptable - through no fault of its own. When blood is sprayed all over the surrounding walls of the kennel, it requires near constant rinsing - and more unfortunately, the dog often continues to wag his or her tail after it's been split open - so that anyone who walks that dog, takes him or her out to play or in some cases, simply walks by said kennel, ends up looking like they've been in a gunfight! So, what can be done about this unfortunate and harrowing trend? AC officers and volunteers often bandage up the tails of these dogs, but of course, unless they're monitored constantly, the dogs may very well decide to chew off the bandage or just keep on whipping that tail around until the bandage falls off. Opal - the gorgeous blue-tick featured in the accompanying photos - had a minor case of Happy Tail when we met her; luckily, she is now safely in foster. But that said, we can't rescue them from the pound unless we know they won't be kenneled either - which rules out taking them to some of our cooperating boarding facilities. So, it's a tough call. We're hoping we can count on our readers to offer up some suggestions of how to avoid Happy Tail and what do to once a Pound / Shelter dog has come down with it.

FALTERING ECONOMY AFFECTS EVERYONE

I thought we might use a bit of humor to start discussion on a very important issue - how the faltering economy is affecting adoptions and animal relinquishings. A recent UAF meeting featured a guest speaker from the Sedona Humane Society who mentioned that his shelter has had no problem maintaining their very successful adoption rate over the last few months . . . he attributed this to people looking for 'warm and fuzzies' during these troubling times. What do you think? How many adoptions are ocurring because well-informed people realize that animals are more likely to be abandoned and surrendered now? Is it equalling itself out because of these types of adoptions? Will these types of adoptions stick? And look at the picture - don't you think cats are SOOO DRAMATIC? (Just Kidding!)

ADOPTABLE MUTTS OF THE MONTH

HAZEL

Friendly, playful and affectionate . . . what more could anyone want in a canine companion? Darling Hazel is a very attractive, wonderfully colored Shepherd mix who is probably just under a year old. Hazel loves to play, run, jump and spin – all those awesome dog activities that say ‘hey, look at me – life is cool!’ With a great attitude like that, we know Hazel will be an excellent companion for just about anyone. She’ll need basic doggie training to learn the ropes and should definitely go to a home where she can put her cute, striped little paws to work on plenty of walks. Life with Hazel will be all smiles!

VOTE FOR UAF!

You can help secure United Animal Friends much-needed funds by voting for UAF in Petfinder's "Shelter Challenge." Now through July 26th, Petfinder.com will give away weekly cash prizes and a total grand prize of $20,000 to the winning Rescue Organization! Since UAF uses Petfinder.com to list our adoptable animals, we qualify for the contest. Please click here to go and vote today! And tell all your friends!

Breeder 'Vilified' After Selling GSD Puppy to Vice-President

Many of us have very strong opinions about whether or not buying a puppy from a breeder or pet-store can ever be justified. You can look to this week's poll about intentional breeding for a quick example. After all, as rescue volunteers, we see first hand some of the dogs that come out of puppy mills and some of the pure-breds who end up in city shelters. And of course, there are LOTS OF PEOPLE out there who agree that it's completely counter-productive and at times, downright selfish and greedy to breed dogs or cats when so many die in shelters every year (including many pure-breds). In fact, proof that the plight of the shelter animals may be gaining support can be found in an interesting article recently published on NBC's Philadelphia Newsite. The story discusses how a breeder who sold a German Shepherd Puppy to Vice-President Joe Biden and his family is now experiencing intense backlash from shelter supporters. The story is worth a read and begs the question: what is the right way to go about campaigning on behalf of homeless animals? This breeder has vowed 'never again' to sell dogs to 'high-profile' people, and claims to have even received death threats from activists. But do you think she's convinced she should change her ways? Or does the extremist view of some activists make breeders and their supporters feel even more righteous? What do you think? Is this article a sign that rescue groups are gaining ground? CLICK HERE to read the article.

Coming Soon: The UAF Woof Down Event

United Animal Friends is really excited about a new event we're hosting on May 16th in Downtown Prescott, called "Woof Down Lunch." For $15, folks will get to pick out a really nice, hand-crafted and glazed ceramic pet food dish, and then fill it with lots of samples and goodies. Plus, there will be raffle prices, micro-chipping, and lots of pertinent vendors onsite as well.

FOR TICKETS

Online: unitedanimalfriends.org

Call UAF: (928) 778-2924
Buy Tickets At These Stores:
Jay's Bird Barn
Olsen's Grain
Cupper's Coffee House

129 1/2 Jazz Grille

Morsels of Goodness!

THIS MONTH'S MORSEL: ZEUS

Zeus (originally named Wendall by UAF) was a VERY shy and timid black lab/heeler mix who hid at the very back of his kennel at Prescott Animal Control. Gabe - an ASU student who saw him online - thought he might be a good fit for this little guy and drove up from Tempe to meet him. As you all know . . . the rest is history! This story is special because many of us work with very nervous and/or frightened dogs, and we know how hard it can be to place timid dogs with the right homes - homes where these dogs can gently come out of their shells at their own respective paces. And sweet Zeus is getting just the right medicine with Gabe!

A note from Zeus' new dad: "Zeus has had a big day, he got microchipped, his rabies vaccine and neutered all in one day. Its terribly depressing looking at him with his E collar on, but he'll be fine. He's really warmed up to my roommate and I and is great with my cat. We've been going out for brisk walks a couple times a day, he's really good on the leash, always stays to my left side and a little behind me. At first he was a little afraid of passing cars and trucks now he just keeps on going. When I first brought him home he was all oily and flaky but I've given him a couple of baths since and his coat is looking much healthier and the flakes have gone away, I'm sure brushing him every couple of days does a lot for it as well. He already learned sit, lay down and come; he's a really smart boy. Other than that right now we're working on his fear of balls and squeaky toys. He's already become a little star at ASU, one of my friends has used Zeus for an art project." Thanks so much for saving a life Gabe!!!

Adoptable Mutt of the Month!

THIS MONTH: KENOE

Looking at sweet, gentle Kenoe may just bring out the adventurer in you! This male Husky mix just has the air of the wild about him, though he is exceptionally well mannered and polite. But because he has the gorgeous coat of a Husky and the wise eyes of a dog who has walked a few good trails, he just seems to exude the beauty of the natural world. Kenoe is around two to four years old, and seems to be in excellent health. He has the beautiful markings of a Husky and the body of a Shepard - what a great match! He's already neutered, and he even walks well on a leash. Our guess is that he would be the best sleeping bag - camping buddy of all time! He may be a bit timid at first but he warms up very quickly. And, if everything happens just right - if the planets align and the wind blows in a certain direction - as you look into Kenoe's eyes and know you've finally heard the call of the wild!

UAF & The Chino Valley Animal Shelter

Mornin' folks. As some of you may have heard, UAF has been approached by the town of Chino Valley about taking over / supporting the CV Animal Control shelter. If UAF doesn't step in to take over the shelter, the facility and all its animals will "be reduced along with the town's budget cuts." The problem is that the town of Chino Valley can't lend any financial support to the effort, so if it's going to work, UAF will need a whole slew of new volunteers who can help run the shelter. So, what are your thoughts? Should UAF take this on? What would it take to garner all the necessary volunteers? Post your comment below and weigh in on the discussion. To see the entire article about the proposal switch-over in the Chino Valley Review, click here.