Recent posts in the News category. Click a title to view the full post.
November 8, 2011 / by Stafford / Make A Comment / Filed under News
Stafford Animal Shelter’s most recent rescues are a pair of healing 
heelers. They are a blind mother and her “guide” daughter from New Mexico. While their history is largely unknown, the mother, Ema, was likely blinded traumatically by people and her daughter, Sage, acts as her “seeing eye dog” herding and guiding her away from obstacles and towards the food and water dish. The blue heeler pair had been in various foster homes and it was thought it would be easier to place this breed in Montana so a volunteer drove them to us. While a bit shy from abuse, they are very affectionate, adaptable and waiting for a home. We’d like to place them together and they’d do best with a fenced yard and home without too many physical obstacles. They get along with cats, other dogs, livestock and are so loving and snuggly they’d love to be your lap dog buddies. Can you believe they are still waiting at the Shelter? We dare you to come meet them without falling in love! http://staffordanimalshelter.org/available-pets/
October 28, 2011 / by Stafford / Make A Comment / Filed under Events
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!
October 10, 2011 / by Stafford / Make A Comment / Filed under Happy Tails
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 7, 2011 / by Stafford / Make A Comment / Filed under Events
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/
September 30, 2011 / by Stafford / Make A Comment / Filed under Happy Tails
Boo Boo found a home on October 9th! She is the companion to another small dog with a family who is often home to keep her company. So far she “fits right in.” Kudos to Executive Director Vicki Blakeman who took her home and socialized her daily for more than a month until a home could be found!
Boo Boo’s ad read: “Hello out there. Does your dog need a buddy? Do you? I’m a short, dark and darling middle-aged woman (with the middle-aged wide girth to prove it) looking for lasting love. I’m fine left alone with other dogs in the house or yard but HATE to be left confined in a kennel at the Shelter. I totally tore my nail out trying to get out of confinement to be with folks (my pedicure was ruined). I am low-key when by your side and spend hours just snoozing here in the office, waking occassionaly to help the staff when they need canine advice. I always let you know when I have to go out, I enjoy walks, and also get along with everyone – I haven’t met a dog, cat, Guinea pig, or bird I don’t like. I can be your low maintenance, green energy door bell and alarm system, canine entertainer and personal exercise machine. What’s not to love? My name is Boo Boo and I want to meet you. Hope to see you soon!”
Stafford Animal Shelter’s most recent rescues are a pair of healing 
heelers. They are a blind mother and her “guide” daughter from New Mexico. While their history is largely unknown, the mother, Ema, was likely blinded traumatically by people and her daughter, Sage, acts as her “seeing eye dog” herding and guiding her away from obstacles and towards the food and water dish. The blue heeler pair had been in various foster homes and it was thought it would be easier to place this breed in Montana so a volunteer drove them to us. While a bit shy from abuse, they are very affectionate, adaptable and waiting for a home. We’d like to place them together and they’d do best with a fenced yard and home without too many physical obstacles. They get along with cats, other dogs, livestock and are so loving and snuggly they’d love to be your lap dog buddies. Can you believe they are still waiting at the Shelter? We dare you to come meet them without falling in love! http://staffordanimalshelter.org/available-pets/
