AWOL feline returns

By Pam McLoughlin
A beautiful thing happened this week when my daughter Kathleen's beloved cat Kessy returned after a week AWOL. Kessy, a sweet, gentle, affectionate purring machine who can easily withstand sudden tail pullings by toddlers had never been out for more than a night
The skeptics among us thought she had fallen prey to a coyote, been hit by a car or catnapped because she's so nice.
But Kathleen kept believing and on Friday after school created flyers with Kessy's picture, then went around the neighborhood with her best friend Jackie to distribute them. I picked them up at dusk by the community center after distribution and as we pulled into the driveway Kathleen opened the door and jumped out of the moving car, as Jackie and i looked at each other, perplexed.
Kathleen had spotted fur in the deep grass, ran up to the cat and it turned out to be a black and white cat - not Kessy - who likes to hang out by our door. But just as Kathleen saw it wasn't Kessy, she heard a meow from behind that she recognized and all Jackie and I could see was Kathleen's elated expression (car had just stopped moving) - something usually reserved for favorite band or boyfriend.
She picked up Kessy who was atypically skittish and smelled, we decided later, like dog, cigarettes and gasoline.
The first thing I said to Jackie was "Kessy must have seen the flyer!"
Jackie chuckled and said that when they were distributing the flyers, Kathleen had said, "Maybe Kessy will see the flyer."
Anyway, I keep going over the scenarios in my head and am wondering if anyone who knows anything about cat behavior or catnapping behavior can tell me - Was it just a coincidence that she came home minutes after the last flyer was distributed? Did someone holding her captive see the flyer and let her go? Was she just out on an extended romp with the other cat (Kathleen says they're friends!)? Was it the prayer Kathleen's sister Debbie said two hours before Kessy came home? Or did Kessy indeed see the flyer?

The Big Guy

I have to admit that I have been sorely missing the big guy (Bogart).
And this past weekend at the AARF rabies clinic I was approached and actually offered a Great Dane. It would be very difficult (and emotionally painful) to explain the mental rollercoaster that I have been surfing since then.
Anyway, I thought it was time to share some memories of this wonderful creature that shared our lives for many years. I first wrote this in February about a month after losing him.

Remembering One Very Loyal Friend
I remember the first time I saw Bogart; it was love at first sight. His beautiful high black face mask and deep golden color were spectacular. His feet were absolutely huge and his puppy breath was intoxicating. But I wasn’t sure he was the right great Dane for me. Driving down the road leaving the kennel I turned to my friend Mary and said something like “I want him.” She looked at me and said “I know. Call the kennel.” And the rest was history.

Bogey soon after became the most wonderful companion one could ever ask for.

He immediately took over the futon in the den calling it home. That mattress has been replaced several times during his tenure on it.

He always kept me on track with feeding times, getting up and marching into the kitchen reminding us it was dinnertime.

And when he realized it was time to go for a ‘car ride’ he would squeal with delight. In his younger days he would leap into the air.

And he had his best girls. When Pat would stop by Bogey would forget about everyone else in the room and lay at her feet. Of course that was only after she showered him with love. Lorraine was the same way. They would go out into his playpen (a 20 X 20 6-foot high fenced enclosure with pea size gravel) and have ‘personal time.” I was never allowed to know what those conversations were about.

When Bogey was about 5 years we took a vacation and he went to the kennel. As soon as we returned and brought him home he had to go back for a few more days because of a family emergency. When I brought him home again I had to go right back to work. Something inside me urged me to check on him at lunchtime. Thankfully I did. Bogey had bloated due to the stress he had been under. Bloat is a very serious lethal canine condition.

Following a week of surgery, cardiac consultations and medical melee I was faced with the difficult decision. They said there was nothing else they could do for him implying his time had come. I just couldn’t give up on him. There was a look in his eye that told me he was counting on me. I brought him home and syringed food into him all weekend. Friends came by, looked at him and just shook their heads at me not wanting to say those terrible words.

That following Monday I was on my veterinarians’ front steps when she opened. Dr. Kim, who had been on vacation during this ordeal, kept him all day. When I picked him up he was able to walk out to me and he took a biscuit from her. A true breakthrough. We all cried with relief and happiness. He was finally on the mend.

The next several years were challenging with Bogey. He had to have a very specific diet, If he ate too much it would come back up. If he did not eat enough other problems would develop.

There weren’t many vacations those years. His care was too all consuming.

And then we found the most extraordinary boarding kennel, Larkin’s Run in Durham. Bogey thrived there and they showered him with love, catering to his many special needs. They gave us peace of mind.

Last Thanksgiving we had a very special vacation in Provincetown thanks to property owners who allowed Boo to stay with us. Bogey loved having a beach and ocean water right outside his door. He absolutely loved going up to the fence and saying hello to all the people strolling the beach. Lesley too loved the property because she was able to visit with the dogs strolling. It was truly a wonderful weekend.

This past November Bogey took another turn for the worse. He was having significant problems with his rear. Losing his balance. He was also in severe pain.

With the assistance of Dr. Kim we sought out acupuncture treatments for him and found a truly compassionate veterinarian in Dr. Greg in Northford. He gave Bogey considerable relief to the point he was able to get off pain medication.

Bogey spent Christmas at Larkin’s Run one last time. In January Bogey went down hill quickly. Unable to move and in severe pain we had to make the most difficult decision one can possibly make. Bogey crossed the Rainbow Bridge to be with his buds Prudence, Lady Jane and Sophie.

The only comfort I have is knowing that my dear friend Leontine Smith is keeping a close eye on him for me up there. They are both sorely missed

Recycle For Rescue

Orange resident and AARF volunteer Vin Russo is a local “Make an Impact in 3 Words” winner. The workplace contest was sponsored by a partnership between the Alcoa Foundation and the Pew Center for Global Climate change. It’s part of a community focused project aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing action on climate change.
The Russo family donates bottle deposit refunds to local animal rescue groups. Pictured are Vin and his son Dan with their three adopted dogs: Ripple, Rommel and Bubbles.

Is it time?

Back in January we lost our beloved Bogart, AKA Boo.
He was an amazing friend. Extremely loyal.
While I still miss him every signle day I think we are ready to consider adding a second dog back into the family.
While I know we will always find room for Peoria (at Best Friends) if she is ever ready for a home, my heart is ready for a second canine.
We have begun to look at Great Dane rescues as well as Border Collie ones. Something seems to be amiss with the Great Dane Rescue of New England as its website advises no dogs are available and no applications are being taken.
There is a wonderful Border Collie Rescue called Glen Highland Farm that seems to resemble a mini Best Friends. However it only caters to Borders and Border mixes. It also offers insightful information about the breed and what a Border Collie owner needs to be capable of.
The journey to finding another Boo has begun. Where it will take us is anyones guess.

Dachshund social

DURHAM - The 2nd Annual Durham Pet Fair, Sunday, May 16, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Coginchaug Regional High School, 135 Pickett Lane includes rescue dogs available for adoption. Email anjordan55@comcast.net for more information.

Two local rabies clinics to choose from this Saturday

In Milford, Animal Control is sponsoring a rabies clinic Saturday, May 15. Inoculations are $10 and cash only is accepted. The clinic takes place at West Shore Recreation Center, 14 Benham Ave., and runs 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers. Dr. Stan Weill will be donating his services for this clinic. For information, call the shelter at 203-783-3279.

Amity Animal Rescue Fund and Country Companions Veterinary Services will also be hosting a rabies and micro chipping clinic on May 15, 1 to 3 p.m. at Country Companions location, 9 Amity Road, Bethany. Dr. Kimberly McClure Brinton will be inoculating animals 1 to 3 p.m. Rabies inoculations will be $12 and Micro chips $15 while supplies last. There is an additional fee to activate the microchip. To receive a 3-year rabies certificate at either clinic bring proof of current inoculation. All animals without a current rabies certificate will be given a one-year vaccination. Animals must be on leash or in carriers. For additional info on the Amity clinic call 203-389-1996.

Miraculous dog rescue raises awareness

First 12 News KX11.com

VAN ALSTYNE, TX - Statistics show that for every animal rescued two more have to be euthanized due to overcrowding in shelters or poor health. But one Van Alstyne woman is working hard to change all that through her own rescue efforts, and one special dog in particular.

Anita Armstrong is a local business woman, but she’s also an avid animal advocate. She has been working with animal rescue groups for years, and now on her own she tries to do her part. And luckily, one night while driving down Highway 82, she saw a wounded animal on the side of the road, so she stopped to help.

"There were lots and lots of prayers within 30 minutes of finding her to please pray for this dog because she is so broken,” said Anita. “And they were all answered, so it was that night she was named mercy."

When Anita found the Great Dane puppy mix lying in the mud on the side of the highway both of her back legs and pelvis were badly broken. The vet told her she probably wouldn't make it.

"She has been amazing, I think she's taught a lot of us ‘don’t give up,’” said Anita.

And Anita didn't give up on Mercy either, saying she knew no matter how bad Mercy was, she couldn’t put her down. She took her to an emergency veterinarian in Grayson County, and then a special treatment center in Plano.

"I knew the dog had landed in the right place; that she was going to get the help it needed,” said her good friend and fellow animal rescuer, Kathy McVean.

That help wasn't easy either, and Anita has paid roughly $9,000 of her own money on medical costs. But weeks later, after extensive surgery, almost all of Mercy's rear end is metal plates. But amazingly she’s walking again.

"She is a miracle dog, absolutely she is. I mean the way Anita found her in the ditch, it’s amazing,” said Kathy.

But Anita and Kathy, who also works for rescue group Paws in the City, said there are countless stories just like Mercy's that don't have a happy ending.

"These babies have no voice, and they need all of us to be their guardian,” said Anita.

They said one of the best ways to help is have your pets spayed and neutered, and always give them the care they deserve.

"They need help just like anything else and we need to step in when they need help,” said Kathy.

And while Anita can't keep Mercy forever, she knows this puppy will give someone else the love that Mercy has shown her.

"She has 14 years to give someone more joy than they can ever imagine, so that's what we're looking for, for someone to love her,” said Anita.

“Paws in the City” is assisting in the adoption of Mercy, along with many other rescued dogs and cats. For more information, go to their website: www.pawsinthecity.org.

There has also been an account to help out with Mercy’s high medical bills. It’s set up as the “Friends of Mercy” account at Wells Fargo Bank.