TailsInc.com

Greyhound Rescue 
of N.E., Inc.
508.478.1617
GreyhoundRescueNE.org

Hi! My racing name was “Logical,” but now my kennel buddies call me Cal. I’m a big, rambunctious boy, and they tell me I have a bad habit. You see … I love when people come visit me, and I get so excited I jump on them. I now realize that I shouldn’t do this, but sometimes I forget. I’m trying so very hard to please everyone. I just love attention and can’t wait to have a family of my very own. If you’re looking for a companion that’s big, happy, and full of life—I’m your guy.

What movie star would you want 
to portray you in a movie of your life?
I’d like to be the movie star and I’d like to be Forest Gump. He just enjoys life—every moment of it. I hope to someday see more of the world and just soak up every experience.

If you won the lottery, what would 
you do?
I would donate it to Greyhound Rescue so that all Greyhounds could be saved, and placed in loving homes.  And I’d save a little to buy dog toys, a couple of Nylabones, and maybe a spiffy new dog coat for me.

This story is from the wonderful folks at Northeast Animal Shelter.  It’s a reminder of the responsibility we all bear (most of us without any reservation) when it comes to our beloved pets. And tells of a spunky little Chihuahua who just needs a little special attention.

Just a few weeks ago, 2 young men arrived at Northeast Animal Shelter begging us to Save This Dog! In a small shoe box they had a small Chihuahua who was obviously in some sort of medical distress. When NEAS staff reached for her, she snapped and growled. The men were telling us they had no idea what was wrong with the dog, they found her in a parking lot like this. We knew we had to help her. We asked if they wanted to name her – they thought of Cosita.

After some coaxing the little dog, now named Cosi, went to Cindi, a staff member at NEAS who works magic with often sensitive Chihuahuas. It appeared that Cosi was having some sort of seizures and didn’t look like she was going to make it. Cosi spent the night with our veterinarian who monitored her and ran some initial tests. It turns out Cosi has a heart condition and was having repetitive seizures. The initial prognosis wasn’t good. Even if she wasn’t going to make it, we wanted Cosi to feel loved in her final hours.

Cosi’s seizures started to lessen but they would still happen randomly every few hours. We ran some blood work to rule out certain conditions. Cindi offered to take Cosi home to monitor her for the next 48 hrs. Cosi was put on anti-seizure medicine and pain medication to keep her comfortable. Our vet was thinking she may have ingested some sort of poison and if we could keep her alive for the next few days we would hopefully see a difference. Cosi then went to foster care with an employee from the vet hospital who could manage any emergency medical issues that might come up. It was touch and go for the next few days. We almost lost her.

Cindi called the 2 young men who brought Cosi to us to give them an update on her condition and to let them know they did a great job saving this little dog. That’s when one man confessed that Cosi was actually his dog. Cosi was sick and he didn’t know what to do. He didn’t have enough money to take her to a vet. She is 9 years old, her real name is Cosita, and that is all the information he wanted to give us.

Today, Cosi is still with NEAS and has been living in a foster home where she is being pampered. Her seizures have almost stopped and the vet is reducing her medications every week.

Through our Emergency Medical Fund we were able to provide the expensive medical care it took to make sure Cosi was going to be okay. Through our Foster Care Program, Cosi was able to take the time she needed to show us the sweet, amazing, little survivor that she is today.

Unfortunately, this type of story is happening more and more. People are unable to afford the care their pet needs. They then either dump them somewhere unsafe or lie when bringing the pet to a shelter. We ask everyone looking to add a new pet to their family to please consider all that pets need, including veterinary care, as well as committing to providing food and enough exercise to keep that pet healthy and happy.

If you’d like more information about Cosi, please contact me by email laurie.m@neas.org. You can also watch Cosi’s video <http://youtu.be/MGJhUPitB3E>. She’s a special girl!

Laurie McCannon
–
Northeast Animal Shelter
978-745-9888, X 303

Boston store sells shirts honoring fallen soldiers and dogs
By Landon Cassman

The picture is iconic: a dog named Hawkeye lies next to a coffin containing his guardian Jon Tumilson who died fighting for his country. The image inspired the owner of Audrey’s Pet Supply and Services, Brittany Bang, to create Project: BART in tribute to fallen Navy SEALs like Tumilson.

“I came up with the idea to design a t-shirt, mocking up the idea of dogs, SEALs and heroes,” Bang says. “50 percent of the proceeds from the shirts go to the Navy SEAL Foundation to help families and pets of fallen soldiers.”

The project gets it’s name from a military working dog named Bart who lost his life in the August 6, 2011, helicopter crash in Afghanistan that also killed 31 servicemen, including Jon Tumilson. Read the rest of this entry →

Animal Rescue League of Boston
617.426.9170
ARLBoston.org

Hello! I am Stella, a beautiful 4-year-old spayed female Australian Shepherd. I love my human friends here at the shelter and I am very affectionate. I also go out in playgroup where I enjoy playing with my doggie friends. Aussie Shepherds are active dogs that need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation, so I would do best in an active home.

What movie star would you want to portray you in a movie of your life?
Natalie Portman. She is a beautiful and smart woman—just like me.

What is your favorite board game?
Clue. I always love a mystery—I think that is why I always have my nose to ground sniffing away.

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
I need some room to run and roam! I don’t want to be cooped up in a cage anymore. Plus, I am smart and willing to listen.

What is your favorite song?
99 Red Balloons. I enjoy popping balloons, and it would be a lot of fun to almost get 100.

Animal Rescue League of Boston
617.426.9170
ARLBoston.org

Hello friends! My name is Javier, but my friends call me Javi! I’m pretty much one of the coolest cats you’ll ever meet, so I’ll cut right to the chase. I am an outgoing, and AWESOME 1-year-old male cat. I’m wicked affectionate! I loooove being petted all over! I’m a lap cat! I love to play with all types of toys! And I love other cats! As you can see, I’m pretty awesome, so be sure to come check me out!

What movie star would you want to portray you in a movie of your life?
Jack Black! That guy likes exclamation points as much as I do!

What is your favorite board game?
Twister! I am very bendy!

If you won the lottery, what would you do?
I would build myself a giant kitty condo!

What do you dream of at night?
Pickles! I know that is odd, but I go nuts around those little green things!

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
I believe I have already told you how awesome I am, so what else do you need to know?

What is your favorite song?
76 Trombones! It’s just a good tune.

Sen. Clark seeks to protect animals from abuse
By Brendan Quealy

Domestic violence is an issue that people sometimes wish they could sweep under the rug. In fact, lawmakers in Topeka, Kansas, recently repealed the ban against domestic violence in an effort to save time and money. Massachusetts State Senator Katherine Clark sees things a bit differently. Not only has she been fighting for stronger laws to help battered women and children, but her most recent battle is to make sure that family pets are included in restraining orders against abusive spouses.

In most states, pets are seen as property and therefore not legally protected by restraining orders. According the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s 2011 report, Massachusetts ranks as one of the “Top Tier” states with regards to animal rights legislation. In spite of this fact, Sen. Clark, proud guardian of a rescue dog herself, believes that this is one area that the state is sorely lacking. She has introduced and supported Senate Bill 682—An Act Relative to Domestic Violence and Animals—to the Massachusetts Congress on numerous occasions, but has yet to see the legislation pass. “This bill is actually a very simple and common approach,” explains Sen. Clark. “It would allow pets to be included in the restraining order and protect them from being threatened or abused or disposed of.”

Sen. Clark says that nearly half of all battered women fear leaving an abusive situation because they are afraid of what will happen to their beloved and loyal four-legged friend. “I was a former prosecutor, and I worked for many years on improving safety issues for women and children. But I am also an animal lover—so I know they need protection too.”

Read the rest of this entry →

PAWS New England
KellyPawsNewEngland@hotmail.com

Hi, my name is Duke and I am a gorgeous black Lab. I am between 1-3 years old. I had a tough start in life, and my hind leg had to be amputated. I do not consider myself handicapped at all and this does not slow me down. I can run along just as quickly as any of my dog friends—did I mention I love to play with other dogs? I am smart, gentle, and obedient. I am nervous around children and am looking for a home with adults only. Won’t you please consider making me a part of your family?

What movie star would you want to portray you in a movie of your life?
Iknow this is odd since I am a boy and she is a girl, but I would have the actress who portrayed Bethany Hamilton in Soul Surfer. Bethany Hamilton was a rising surfing star when she was attacked by a shark at the young age of 13 and lost an arm. She did not let it stop her from pursuing her dream of becoming a professional surfer. I can identify with this, and she is my hero!

What do you dream of at night?
I dream of my forever home. My ideal day would involve lots of belly rubs, a long trip to the local dog park for some play time with some dog friends, and maybe a treat or two—followed by some snuggle time on the couch.

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
I have been patiently waiting for a long time for a loving home. I am a good boy, and I am smart. I have been told I am a quick learner.

Animal Rescue 
League of Boston
617.426.9170
ARLBoston.org

Hello! My name is Karelia and I am a sweet and affectionate 15-month-old female stray. I love being around people, and love to talk! After all, a good relationship is built on good communication! I enjoy butting my head against you, playtime, and taking naps. I am a lover, for sure.

What is your favorite board game?
I’ve always been a big fan of Checkers. It’s fun and simple—just like me. Maybe we can play sometime, but I’ll probably just bat the pieces around.

If you won the lottery, what would you do?
I would make sure that my new family had everything they needed. I know that with them I will never want for anything and I will want to repay the favor to the great people that bring me home.

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
I love people! I am so affectionate and I just want a great pair of legs to rub up against and a warm lap to curl up in. I know that I can bring so much love to your family.

Beach or mountains?
I prefer to stay inside, actually. But I am totally cool if you want to go for a hike or a quick dip in the water. Just leave me a fresh litter box before you leave.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
The reason why you are happy to come home. I want to put a smile on your face every time you walk through the front door. I’m pretty good at that already, don’t you think?

Spay Waggin’ helps control pet population
By Brendan Quealy

If you spend just one minute talking to Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore about her work with the Spay Waggin’, you will quickly realize that she loves what she does.

“I could spay all day,” says Smith-Blackmore, the director of veterinary medical services for the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL). “It’s like knitting.” She loves the physical activity of the surgery and enjoys the camaraderie that she has developed with the people she works with on the truck.

“The Spay Waggin’ is like a ship out to sea. It’s self-contained. It’s predictable,” she says. “My enjoyment is in knowing that every time you spay or neuter an animal, you are saving a life.”

The Spay Waggin’ has been around since 2000, when it was created by Smith-Blackmore’s predecessor, Dr. Bosmat Gal. “Her goal was to try and get spay/neuter services to animals that may not be brought to a veterinarian,” Smith-Blackmore explains. “It is such an essential part of individual animal welfare, and in terms of population medicine—it makes a difference in how many animals we see in our shelters.”

Smith-Blackmore estimates that she has done more than 10,000 spay/neuter procedures since she joined the program, which she is quick to point out is only a “conservative estimate.”

Read the rest of this entry →

Kitty Connection Incorporated
KittyConnection.net
781.393.9995

Hi, folks! My name is Ace, and I am a 2-year old who grew up in a rescue situation that didn’t work out with 50 other cats.  I am one of the lucky ones that made it out alive.  I’m being fostered now in Malden and I’m learning how to be around people, although I’m still a little shy. I just need someone to take a chance on me and I will love you FOREVER!

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?
The kind with deep roots. I’m a survivor and once I get planted with a family, I want to be there for good.

If you won the lottery, what would you do?
Set up a great place for me and my other animal friends to hang out and have a good time.

Why should YOU go home with a family right now?
Because I am a good cat that came out of a bad situation. I’m lucky and I want to show other people how lucky they could be with me.