Special to the Star-Herald
Santa Paws’ encore performance was wonderful! We saw many new faces and also some familiar ones who come every year for pictures and to support the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Santa was so impressed with the first weekend, he came back for another. But that was it, Santa Paws has lots of work to do before Christmas! He and the Mrs. have gone back to the North Pole, but we thank them so much for taking the time to visit with us at the humane society.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
SANTA’S HELPER – Tuffy, a shelter cat, dressed as an elf, helping Santa Paws greet guests to the Central Aroostook Humane Society on Dec. 1. All the commotion didn’t affect this calm kitty, as he tolerated the many dogs waiting in line to have their pictures taken.
After speaking to Betsy and seeing all of the wonderful donations under our tree, I asked her, ‘what item do we need the most? What item do we spend the most on each week?’ Her answer was non-scoopable cat litter (we do not use scoopable because with the amounts we do use, it clogs drains). We go through literally tons of litter. If you are considering donating an ‘item’ this year, please consider donating cat litter. This isn’t in need only at Christmas but all year round. It might not be an item specifically for the dogs and you are a dog person, but what money we would save in not having to buy litter will be spent to keep our building warm and our light bill paid, helping all of the animals. Believe me, it is quite a balancing act to keep our little shelter going.
Our Board of Directors is made up of volunteers. This group of amazing individuals make decisions that impact our shelter such as money spending, raises and policy making. Board members also do most of the fund-raising and advertising for events. It is important to have a strong board of diverse individuals and to be able to discuss openly as a group our thoughts on what is best for the animals and what needs to be done to keep our shelter running. Fresh ideas are always welcome and new board members are welcome. How do you become a board member? Contact the shelter for an application, return it and we will invite you to a meeting so you can get to know us and we get to know you. It is honestly a fun group to be involved with and it is nice to be surrounded by people with a great passion for helping animals.
We at the Central Aroostook Humane Society are also very lucky to have faithful volunteers who help us with daily chores, walk dogs, help the board with fund-raisers, brush cats, greet customers and various other very necessary tasks. If you are over 16 (without adult supervision) and would like to help us at the shelter, stop by for more information. Our friendly staff would love to talk with you.
Please seriously consider all the consequences of giving a pet for a gift. We never discourage an adoption of a pet to a wonderful loving home, but Christmas is a busy time of year. Be sure the recipient wants a pet, let the whole family choose the pet that is right for you, wait until after Christmas and remember that Christmas can be a dangerous time for curious puppies and kittens. With proper planning, giving a pet as a gift can be a wonderful thing, but remember, puppies and kittens grow up to be dogs and cats, they don’t stay little forever. It is important that the whole family wants a pet.
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
With no thought of the dog filling their head.
And mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Knew he was cold, but didn’t care about that.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But Santa Claus – with eyes full of tears.
He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick,
Last years Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick.
More rapid than eagles he called the dog’s name.
And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain;
“Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Let’s find this dog a home where he’ll be loved by all”
I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year,
For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear,
The gift of a dog is not just for the season,
We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons.
In our haste to think of a gift for the kids
There was one important thing that we missed.
A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don’t give a gift, then put it on a chain.
And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight,
“You weren’t giving a gift! You were giving a life!”
author unknown
Merry Christmas from all of us at the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
