Special to the Star-Herald
It was so nice to see so many smiling, friendly faces at the Kiwanis Home and Garden Show. We always have a great time and the cats and kittens are always a hit. It was a very successful weekend.
Photo courtesy of Christine Robinson
CRYSTAL BELANGER, founder of Pennies for Paws, at left, helps Central Aroostook Humane Society Manager Betsy Hallett hold up a quilt she donated to the shelter. The blanket was raffled off, with Betty Barnes-Hartley, of Fort Fairfield, being selected as the lucky winner. Other winners included: Gary Condon, of Fort Fairfield, who won a tote bag; and Dale Easler, of Easton, who won a dog kit. Sandra Bruton, of Houlton, had two of her tickets pulled and won two kits but chose to give the kits back to the shelter to be given to new adoptive families.
Winners from the Craft Fair raffle are: blanket winner, Betty Barnes-Hartley of Fort Fairfield; tote bag winner, Gary Condon of Fort Fairfield; and dog kit winners, Sandra Brunton of Houlton (who donated her kit back to the shelter to give to new adopters) and Dale Easler of Easton.
The 2008 “Paws for the Cause” Walk is just around the corner, so come to the Central Aroostook Humane Society and pick up a pledge sheet. Our walk is our biggest fund-raiser of the year! It is a 2-mile walk and will be help Saturday, June 7 starting at the shelter. Registration starts at 9 a.m. There will be refreshments, a dog wash, pet photos, a rabies clinic from 10-11 a.m. and a micro-chip clinic starting at 10 a.m.
Bring your whole family for some “canine camaraderie”! We could use volunteers to help us out with this event as well.
We need dog walkers! The weather is getting nice and our dogs need to get outside. If you have time on your lunch break or just some extra time, please visit the shelter and walk a dog. We are also looking for volunteers to brush cats and take them out of their cages for some playtime. Both activities are rewarding for you and good for the animal’s physical and mental health. We also need help with raking our lawns and sweeping our driveway! There is always work to be done, so if you have even a little bit of time, please come to the shelter and help us out. You must be 16 years old or older to volunteer without an adult.
Dogs are very in tune with us emotionally. It is good to pay attention to the signs of stress in your dog. Some signs are shaking, panting, not eating, barking, and/or whining. When you see the signs, it is time to get out and get moving. Something is troubling your dog, what has changed in that dog’s environment? When it is going to storm, my dog Tommy visibly shakes, he paces and his pupils dilate. He looks for a place to hide.
Be aware of your dog’s mental health. A well exercised dog is a happy dog and you will find if you are having behavioral issues, exercise can help a lot.
If you are looking for a “friend for life” please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday or give us a call at 764-3441.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
Photo courtesy of Christine Robinson
Four local children donated blankets – two were bought and two were made – to the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Pictured with the blankets are: Jessica and Joshua Baldwin, Shantel and Joshua Seeley.
