Sanctuary animal updates:
Since our last update on February 21st the following dogs were adopted: Maggie, Oliver, Ninah, Bruno, Annie, Simba, Daisy, Sadie, Donnie, Fuzzle, Duckie, Nikki, Luke, Piglet, Bambi, Katie, Miles, Tiffany, Cappi, Tulip, Donner, Misty, Peanut, Umbro, Nelson, Mooch, Whittley, Emily, Freddie, Bunker, Sodie, Garret, Pete, Nibbles, Manly, Harley, Peanut/JRT, Meeko, Mooch (again), Queenie, Zoey (again), Kendall, Teek, Jett, King, Victor, Simba (again), Hazel and Doty.

One of the standouts here is Tiffany who has been with us for a very long time. She went to a great home with a family that is absolutely nuts, crazy in love with her. We loved them too and Tiffany goes everywhere with them. Yes — Our sweet girl is a car rider, and a couch potato and a bed hogger. They say she is the most well behaved dog in the world. (There are more updated pictures on our forum).

Another stand out is Ninah. The people who adopted her had a difficult time with her going after their dog. Anyone else I think would have brought her right back – but they loved her and they wanted it to work. They started reading up all over the Internet and getting advice and while everything is still not absolutely perfect it is almost there and Ninah (now Frannie!) will be staying with them. This really touched us all – the amount of love, work and dedication they put into keeping her. A very special family, indeed.
Meeko. Wow. What can we say? Our eleven year old Husky got adopted. More amazing was that the people were here to see Jett or King our German Shepherd puppies. They came down and the pups were surrounded by families looking to adopt or volunteers oohing and ahhing over them (listen — those dogs were freaking CUTE!!!). While waiting we walked all around (it was a nice day so the dogs were out). They kept stopping at Meeko and asking about her. I explained the story of how she came to be here and moved on…..but they didn’t. The wife looked at her husband and said “Dear those pups are going to get adopted easily…Meeko won’t. I believe that Meeko is our dog and she needs a chance at a home.” He nodded and said he believe she was right. Meeko is now in their home with their dog and there is an update on her in the forum as well. Wow. Isn’t it touching and amazing that people can adopt a senior dog, knowing the heartbreak they will have in a short time? I am always floored by these people and deeply touched.
Check our forum for additional updates on adopted animals.
We also adopted out five cats. Peanut, Tucker, Kiera, Nikko, and Butch. The most amazing of those adoptions was Butch. Butch is an FIV positive cat. He was an absolute sweetie. He suddenly started going downhill after he had been here for a few months and shortly thereafter had serious seizures. Dr. Furman diagnosed him with diabetes. It was many days before they were able to get his seizures under control and the expense of testing and other procedures ran over $800. Thankfully for us and for Butch, he had a sponsor – an agreement with the person who originally saved him and brought him to us and they will help cover his medical expenses but we still had a serious problem. he had to have regular blood draws and he had to have two insulin shots a day. They had to be 12 hours apart. We are not here twelve hours apart. Dale offered to come back in every night at 9PM to give the second shot but we said we couldn’t have her do that…she then offered to try to foster him with her crew until we could find a solution but her home is already filled with her own crew and the situation was not ideal. Enter Cynthia N. Cynthia and Matt adopted Kuma our blind akita a couple of years ago and they also adopted three FIV cats for us. Add to this that Cynthia has experience with diabetes and we decided it could not hurt to call and see if she and Matt could foster Butch for us. They came late one night, met Butch, fell in love and decided to adopt him. We’re so grateful to Matt for not throwing Cynthia out (smile) and so grateful to them both for opening their homes to this cat that really, truly needed them. Thank you both. We are very grateful to you. Latest update had pictures of Butch laying in Matt’s lap watching TV. BTW if anyone is interested, Cynthia is a tax preparer. Her website is: www.wanttaxprep.com – please let her know we sent you.
Intakes:

Since the last update we took in three shitzus from a woman who was afflicted with dementia and had somewhere along the line stopped caring for her three dogs. They were in very serious condition when we got them…severely matted, nails over two inches long with some growing in a circle and then into the paw pads on the underside, infections, problems with eyes, ears and teeth – it was a bad situation. We got them groomed up and tended to their medical needs and they are really coming out of their shells now – running to see you when you come into the room and wagging their tails. We are really hoping we can find them a good home again. They were definitely once very loved. Please people if you have an elderly parent, when you check on them and tend to them please also see to their pets and make sure their pets are still being properly cared for. These poor dogs suffered a great deal needlessly.
Additionally we took in Teek and Moxie, two mini pinchers. They lived together in a home where the family just was away working all the time now and the dogs had to be crated most of the day and night. It was not a happy situation for them anymore. Teek has already ben adopted by one of our staff and Moxie is waiting for a new home. They were both adorable, although Moxie tends to be grumpy the first time he meets new people. So we walk out, come back in and then he’s fine. Ha. Too funny. Cute too.
Kendall, an adorable little beagle came to us from Animal Haven, the shelter that was forced to close in Queens. he was adopted that same week by our own Trudy S. (who had adopted Aaron from us). Kendall is doing great in his new home and really happy.
Most of you know about us taking in 25 dogs from South Carolina. This shelter is forced to euthanize up to 300 dogs a week. it is a TERRIBLE situation down there and Rhonda from Freedom Transports has been desperately trying to make a difference. She is a HUGE force in the rescue world and has done amazing things to save the dogs and cats down there. We took in 25 of them and all but three have already been adopted – that is how cute and adoptable they were. All scheduled to die in gas chamber and now all in good homes. It is amazing. We simply must stop the killing. Please make sure you spay and neuter your pets. This is such a simple thing to do and would stop so many of these needless and senseless deaths. Thanks also to ARF, the group of pilots that flew these dogs in their own planes, at their own expense, to us here in Orange County. You guys are amazing.
Pancake, a dog we adopted out in December also came back. He pulled too hard on the leash and was digging in the yard. Sigh. Poor Pancake. he doesn’t understand why he is here and is very depressed. He is still young and just needs some very minor training. He is great with kids, other dogs, people – he is young and very adoptable. His name is now Bruce but I think we’ll stick with Pancake. Volunteers, please come down and walk him and remind him how very much he is loved.
Moet came to us from another shelter where his time was up. That shelter does not adopt out pit bulls so any pit that walks through the doors must be saved from rescue, or they die. How disgusting. That is truly a DISGUSTING example of breed profiling. Pit bulls are one of the best family dogs you can find. They are a wonderful, loyal, intelligent breed. To make it worse Moet was unneutered and almost 12 years old. Very sad. Some of our regular volunteers and supporters heard about him and asked if we could help. They went to get him and brought him to us. He’s doing very well. We would love for you to come and meet him…he acts like a young spring chicken.
Isis is another dog we took in this month. She is old too – over eleven and her family was moving and decided they did not want her. They were prepared to drop her off at a shelter, where we all know what her fate would have been. The family’s adult daughter was hysterical at this thought. She called everyone she could think of and no one would take the dog. No shelters would offer any hope. We did. Isis is now here with us, she is extremely thin and confused about what has happened. She lived with them since she was one year old. We will hopefully find her a new wonderful home. The daughter would love to take her back if she can find living arrangements that allow her to have her and she plans to come up and walk Isis, take her for overnights and try to let her know she still loves her. It is a very sad story. We will never understand how people can live with a dog for ten years and not be emotionally attached. At least one member of the family cared deeply enough to try to make sure her life was spared. Please come and meet Isis, give her treats (she needs them) and walk and love on her. She could really use some affection right now.
Finally we helped adopt out a little JRT/Chihuahua mix named Peanut. This family was one of the few people that had to give up a dog that I had respect for and wanted to work with. First they refused to bring him TO the shelter. They would surrender him to us but he was a much loved member of their family and they didn’t want him to have to stay here. They wanted a reputable organization to help them find a home though because Peanut was small and nervous and their six year old son was typically loud and active and the two didn’t mesh. Peanut was frightened and had once bitten the boy in the face. The boy needed to be able to be a boy and act like one and the dog needed to feel safe and secure and not frightened in his home. The parents decided that they would place him in a better environment. We found a great home for Peanut and he never did have to stay a day in our shelter. The two families keep in touch and down the line will even be visiting. It was a sad story that turned out okay in the end.
Remember Fifi (Mickey now)? We used to call her “Fifi the grinning dog”. She had the cutest grin where if you asked her to smile or smiled at her she would mimic you and smile back. So cute. Her dad stopped by with her this month and we got to say hello. She looked great and really happy! Jean and her mom stopped by too (and brought us a donation!) Jean was a little chihuahua that we had for a while and all fell in love with. If you happen to be driving by with a pet you adopted from us, stop by for five minutes! We’d love to say hello to you and our past furry roommates.
General Updates:

We lost Kingfish last week. He had been doing so well lately after we cleared out his abscess but then he started to rapidly go downhill again. He was getting caste and making very little effort to get up. We tried for a long time last week to get him up but he was not willing to even try. We were forced to let him go. It was very painful for all of us here and it’s been very depressing to know he didn’t make it. We had all been buoyed by his recent rally. Moonray who lived with him was there and spent some time standing with Kingfish, and we let him mourn. When he finally moved off, we took him away and put him in the paddock with the other horses. He was unusually quiet for a few days and so were we. He is now hanging around with the other horses though and doing fine. The rest of us….not so much. We buried Kingfish in the back and will plant a tree on his grave to memorialize his resting place. RIP Kingfish. You were a great and willing little horse. We miss you very much.
Events and Fund Raising:
Friday, March 13th, the V.F.W. hall (1316 Route 6 in Greenville), is splitting their annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner with Pets Alive and equally split any money raised from the event. The cost will be $15.00 per person, or 2 people for $25.00. Dinner starts at 5:00 and music will begin at 7:30 for dancing. There is no pre-purchase for the tickets – you pay at the door! Reservations would be appreciated so we know how many to set up for (but NOT required). Call 845-412-5250.
Judith is also holding another Penny Social for us. The Spring Penny Social will be Sunday March 22nd at the V.F.W. hall (1316 Route 6 in Greenville). Doors open at 1 — calling at 3 sharp. If you have any NEW or LIKE new items that you would like to donate for it, please bring them down to Pets Alive. Thank you very much!
We know this is early to promote, but our Spring Yard Sale Fundraiser – run by the extraordinary Becky – will be held on June 6 and 7. We are ready to start taking your items for sale from now until about three weeks before then. Please bring any items you can contribute to the fundraiser to Pets Alive. Please check with us first about furniture….depending on the size we may not be able to store it easily. Please email becky@petsalive.com before bringing furniture!
The first annual ‘Alumni Picnic’ will be held on June 20th. This is for all dogs that have been adopted from Pets Alive to come back for the day with their families to enjoy a picnic, games, and fun day! There is NO COST! it is our way of thanking you. On that day we will move all our dogs in to the kennel for the day and set your dogs up in the outdoor runs. If yours gets along with others we’ll match up a few dogs per run! It will be great to wander from run to run and say hello to everyone that was adopted in the past few years. We’ll put cage cards on them too – with the name that we had, and their new name. It should be a lot of fun! PLEASE PLEASE COME! Even if for a little while, we would love to welcome you and your dog(s) back, say hello, love on them for a little while and talk and laugh with you. We will be serving drinks and beer and food (vegan and vegetarian) and we invite you to bring something if you wish – BUT NOT NECESSARY!
Please do come. We are so excited about this event.
Special Thanks
We’d like to thank Jim for all the work he has done this month at Pets Alive. Jim’s girlfriend Brittany is our horse caretaker, so while she is working he has been puttering around doing all sorts of repairs. He has fixed so many things that had gone bad or that we didn’t even know were broken. He does great work and things are running really smoothly. He is so talented – able to work on some plumbing, some electrical, some general repairs and always with a smile. What a sweetheart. Thank you so much Jim for all your help. He also brought us a GREAT work bench for the workroom, runs errands for us and is now working – officially – on Saturdays and Sundays with the dog staff. Welcome aboard Jim!
Thank you to Karen K. for the all the stamps and the doggie care packages, thanks to Trudy for all her dog toys and packages and bandanas for our adoptable dogs, thank you to Rose for the anti-pull harness’ and dog toys, thanks to Frank for all the assorted donations (tape, whistles et al!), thank you to Roxanne who comes down here every week and helps us with MANY needed changes, implementing them, sorting things out for us…she’s been great. Thanks Roxanne. Thanks as ALWAYS to all our regulars especially Becky for all the photos and Carmine for being Carmine and all his work on our behalf. They have cleaned out the entire garage and you would not believe it. I didn’t know we HAD so much space in there. Thank you also to Aspen Pets for the donation of Dogzillas (and to Rose for asking them to help us) and to all of you that have sent us care packages and donations this month – THANK YOU.
Thank you to Darrick and his mom who continue to come every week and play with the dogs. They take them into the exercise yard and let them run around and play. When I hear them out there I always stop my work, to watch out the window. Matt and I love to watch them and we laugh hysterically at how much fun the dogs are having out there. It doesn’t matter if it is raining, cold or muddy….the dogs get to play with Darrick and Natalia. Thank you guys so much for what you do for them emotionally and physically.
Thank you to everyone who donated to help Garret get his surgery, to Rhonda for facilitating that and to the veterinarian (who until I have her permission won’t list her name) for offering to do his surgery for us. Garret is a sweet puppy that came in and had a badly broken leg. His surgery to repair it was going to be extensive and expensive. We are very grateful for this help and he is already in a loving home pending his operation. Thank you to his adopters for seeing past his special needs and giving them their hearts and a home.
Thanks also to Joy who does so much stuff behind the scenes probably much of which she doesn’t even tell us about – good things “just happen” sometimes because of her.
Thank you to my husband Tom for being willing to part with our extra tractor. We really needed it around here and the boys are already putting it to good use. In fact they love it and have already bathed it, tuned it up and given it an oil change. They can get so much more done here in so much less time with the tractor. It’s a relief to have one, finally.
Last but never least, thank you to John & Betty Heads. John has custom made all our kitchen cabinets. The bottom is already done and he is now working on the top. It looks FABULOUS. This has been so much work for him and we so appreciate the two of them donating their time, expertise and love to Pets Alive. Thank you. (Picture below shows bottom half done, top half about to be ripped out – and check out the new sink too!).

Special Needs
Needs – Wahl clipper for horses – Murphy has Cushings and we need to clip him down as he does not shed as well as regular horses. Does anyone have an old horse clipper – or can you lend us one for the day? We can also need plastic tubs – large plastic containers with sealable lids for food storage and yard sale item storage. Lastly we can use garbage bags again – kitchen and the big yard bags.
The weather is shaping up so we are ready to start preparing our outside runs again. We need people to come and help us get them ready. Poop scoop the runs, lay down fresh pea gravel, igloos all need to be scrubbed with bleach and water, kuranda beds need to be scrubbed, shade cloths and/or tarps need to be put up, general chain link fence repair. Once we have the runs ready we can start getting the dogs out again!