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Notice: Stafford Animal Shelter’s dog wing will be closed to complete dog kennel renovation through Tuesday November 8th and open at noon on Wedneday the 9th. The cat wing will remain open with plenty of cats, kittens, ginnea pigs, parakeets, ball pythons and a rabbit up for adoption! See all adoptable pets at: http://staffordanimalshelter.org/available-pets/ or visit during business hours: Tuesday through Saturday noon to 6 pm.
First Place: Kermit, adopted 2006. “We love Fall!” says adopter Allison Marie. She describes 
Kermit as, “Smart, loyal, quiet and exceptionally well-behaved,” and adds, “I couldn’t ask for a better companion. He may be my first rescue dog, but will definitely not be my last. Spay, neuter, adopt!” We couldn’t agree more, Allison, and congratulate you on your photogenic companion and applaud ALL adopters for giving waiting pets forever homes.
Second Place: Dakota, adopted from the Stafford Animal Shelter in 2008. She is the protector, friend, loyal loving companion and val
ued member of the Naro family of five. They describe her as an, “Intelligent, spry, active puppy that has brought a lot of love and many laughs to our family. She’s given back to our family asmuch as we’ve given her.” They encourage people to adopt a pet from a shelter because, “these animals need a loving home and bring so much to the table. You couldn’t buy better companionship. They’re priceless.” Indeed.
Third Place: Millie (on the right, with the impressive derriere) adopted from Stafford Animal Shelter in 2008. 
“What a sweet thing she is,” says adopter Alta LeDoux. Millie is thriving despite having been very neglected prior to adoption and is great buddies with her adopted brother Oscar Meyer Weiner III. LeDoux says, “ People say that you should get a puppy because they are easier to train. NOT TRUE! I will never have any but a shelter dog because they want to please. ALL dogs, like children, need discipline and love. Shelter dogs are the best!!” We would add that adopters are the best too and thank everyone who participated in this contest to celebrate Adopt-a-Shelter Dog month and who personify the adage: Don’t Shop – Adopt!
I have no idea why I waited so long . . I really missed having a cat & the mice were driving me nuts. A quick sweep through the cat quarters and a cat picked me. I say that because if you know cats as I do, people don’t have cats; cats have people. Twiggy twined between my legs and hopped into my lap each time I knelt at a cage door, purring and kneading. My eyes scanned the cages and hammocks trying to sort through the options, personalities and needs. Then Natasha jumped down off the sill onto my back, walked to my shoulder and rubbed my face with her whiskers. So the decision was over. I filled out the papers, loaded my two friends into the car and headed home to the country.
Since it was my son’s birthday and he had 4 friends sleeping over, I tucked the cats into the old dog house to protect them from the madness that 5 fourteen year-old boys were sure to inflict on the evening. But not for long. Natasha forced her way past the closure and soon both cats were in the thick of the events; Twiggy watching somberly from the window sill and Natasha, paws curled under her chest, lay right in the middle of the flying pillows and wads of wrapping paper, fascinated and content to observe the ‘wildlife’.
The cats now sleep with whomever they choose, obey the sanctity of the kitchen and romp the night away after lazy days of sunning on the back of a couch or window seats. Both are well trained at using their box and containing the claws to only toys and an occasional bug.
Don’t wait like I did to adopt. Cats are one of life’s simple pleasures and ask very little in return. Stop by the shelter and let a cat find you.
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and Stafford Animal Shelter is celebrating with an adopted dog photo contest. Email a photo of any dog you have adopted from a Shelter to shelterbark@imt.net and we will choose a winner to feature in our November newsletter as well as on our website and Facebook page. Any photo you feel captures your adopted dog’s personality can be submitted; color, black and white, action, dressed up – you name it! Please include a sentence or two about why you would encourage others to adopt a shelter dog. Photos due by Monday, October 24. And if you haven’t adopted a shelter dog yet; consider one of these: http://staffordanimalshelter.org/available-pets/
