There has been such an incredible outpouring of support for a dog that came to us recently from Caribou.
“Honey” came to the shelter very weak and depleted, and our shelter employees have worked especially hard to help get her strong physically and mentally. She trusts more every day and has gained weight, and her strength is slowing coming back. Honey will be going to a forever home and will be loved and cared for beyond belief. To all the good-hearted people who visited Honey during her road to recovery, sent thoughts and prayers, those people who paid her medical bills, who gave this beautiful little girl a new life, thank you, thank you. Your generosity, love and support have renewed our faith in people. Honey will never ever feel hunger or neglect again. She has an amazing home lined up as soon as she is physically healthy.
I noticed on Facebook lately that the Central Aroostook Humane Society has received a number of nice gifts from our Amazon Wish list. Betsy, our shelter manager, had many requests as to “What can you use?” for donations. Amazon has a wonderful program that enables non-profits to register and select a “wish list” of items that would be useful to have. People just go to the site, type in the Central Aroostook Humane Society and click on our list. The items are sent directly to the shelter with a personalized note from the generous person who donated it.
It truly amazes me the animal lovers and the kindness of people who we have as supporters. It is so nice to receive gifts, not only at Christmas time but through the year. It is people like you; your generosity is what keeps our animal shelter open, and the girls that run the shelter, the manager Betsy, her crew Sharon, Crystal, Dez and the volunteers. We, the board member,s so appreciate the gifts for the animals. Being a non-profit, everything helps so much.
It is very gratifying to go into the shelter and see the number of volunteers there, helping to clean the cages, do laundry or socialize the animals. There is always something to do. I try to get up there once in a while, not as often as I would like to. I like to take a treat in for the crew, just so they know how much we care and depend on them all. Yesterday I stopped in with some Tim Horton donuts and even did a small amount of shoveling around the doorways. It makes a body feel good, even if it is to help for just a few minutes.
If you have never been to our shelter, please take a few minutes one day to just go up and chat with the girls, see the beautiful animals we have there. You never know you may find a cuddle buddy to take home with you. The girls are so good about finding the animal that will fit your home perfectly. They evaluate each and every one of the animals that enter the doors. They temperament-test all the dogs that come in to make sure there are no issues with them. They also work with the dogs and help them become more adoptable. It takes time, patience and a huge amount of dedication, to do this kind of work. We are truly so fortunate to have the staff that we do.
Again, we are so very thankful for the community, and the thoughtful people that have crossed our paths over the years. The money donations that come in, the gifts that continue arriving at our doors, the generosity is simply heartfelt. Since becoming a board member, which has been about five or six years now, I have heard so many wonderful stories of pets that were adopted from CAHS. I love to hear all the stories. Sometimes the pet has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and it was sad to see them go, but you have the beautiful memories to remind you of that special family member.
So please, take a moment and stop by our wonderful little shelter at 24 Cross Street Presque Isle and maybe you will find that friend for life.
Our hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed for lunch 12 to 12:30 p.m.
Please be responsible: spay and neuter your pets.
“The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.” ~ Andrew A. Rooney
Gail Wieder is a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
