Hola, Lola! Tuna Melts My Heart Pg
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A nonprofit Humane Society serving Greater Cleveland and Cuyahoga County since 1913. PatterSeptember 2014 Letter from the CEO pg. 2 Hola, Lola! Tuna Melts My Heart pg. 4 An Injured Dog Welcomes Radiothon and Rockin’ Rescue pg. 7 a New Life In late January 2012, the APL’s Animal Transfer Coordinator made a visit to the City of Cleveland Kennel to bring eight dogs back to the APL for adoption who hadn’t been reclaimed by their owners. One of them was a three-year-old Chihuahua named Marchesi. City Kennel staff reported that the tiny, cream-colored dog had been found under a car. She had large, painful, ulcerated areas on her back, the result of burns. She had a skin infection, and, understandably, was somewhat fearful. As soon as Marchesi arrived at the APL, she received treatment for her wounds, but because of her condition and experience, the APL staff determined that she would benefit from some time in foster care, not only to recover from her physical trauma, but also to receive love and attention to begin to help her recover from the emotional trauma she had suffered. Marchesi went to the home of one of the APL’s foster care volunteers— heroes who provide love and care for our most fragile animals, then return them to the APL to find their permanent road to recovery, Marchesi was now ready to take the homes. And next steps toward her new, happy life. a few weeks She didn’t have to wait long... later, her foster mom brought Four days later, Cindy and her family came to the APL Marchesi back to look at dogs. While they weren’t set on adopting to the APL that day, they were open to the possibility. Cindy and reporting that her daughters walked through the dog adoption area, she was “100% looking at the available dogs. Her niece, Eva, was looking housebroken,” in the cages, when Marchesi caught her eye. The little and got along Chihuahua “cowered in the front corner of her cage,” well with Cindy reports. Eva reached down and put her fingers children and in front of the cage, and Marchesi began to lick them. small animals. Cindy admits that the rest of her group “wasn’t too Well on the convinced” that timid little Marchesi was the dog for 14-APL-722_Pet Patter_Q3 copy.indd 1 7/18/14 10:29 AM Letter from the CEO The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. These first two accounts couldn’t For some, it’s a Clint Eastwood movie better illustrate the Bad and the released back in 1967. To those of Ugly … in ways we wish we didn’t us working in animal welfare, it’s have to witness or share. But, being what we see every day. There’s never their voice and seeking justice a time when it’s not our reality, for their pain and suffering is a but there are some times when the cornerstone of what the Cleveland who donates, who volunteers, who spectrum is especially striking. The APL does and what you, through speaks up for animals, who values weeks spanning late May and early your support, allow us to do. their place in society—you’re the June were a good example. Where’s the Good, you ask? Well, Good. It started with a horrific report of that same weekend, we were on Hopefully, by the time you receive animal cruelty. Witnesses described the verge of exceeding our capacity your issue of Pet Patter, we will a man repeatedly slamming a cat to for cats at our facility. Honestly, have gotten justice for the cats who the ground, knocking it senseless, we already had and couldn’t let suffered unspeakable cruelty at walking away, coming back with it go any further. Because we will the hands of the Bad and the Ugly. lighter fluid, and setting the poor not euthanize healthy, friendly Meanwhile, hundreds more cats, animal on fire while it was still alive. animals or animals who we can dogs and other wonderful, priceless The cat belonged to the suspect’s treat through our Second Chance animals will have found their happy grandmother—he didn’t survive. program, we had a decision to make. endings with loving, compassionate A few days later, our humane Either we had to stop bringing cats people. It’s an emotional roller investigations team received another in, leaving some without help when coaster at times—there’s no doubt! call about a man who had been they need us most, or find a way to But, it’s one we’ll ride with our caught on video surveillance walking get LOTS of cats adopted. We chose hands up in the air, screaming with down the street, bending over to pet the latter and sent out a cry for silly glee, whenever we can turn a a friendly cat, walking a few steps help, and it was heard. During that sad beginning into a happy ending past the cat, and then turning and evening and the following two days, for an animal. As for the animals shooting the unsuspecting animal. more than 150 cats were adopted. who we couldn’t help in time, we Sadly, the cat’s spine was shattered All we had to do was ask people will be their voice and will work to and he had to be euthanized. who care to come forward and make stop the Bad and the Ugly. a difference, and they did. For us, Thank you for being the Good … every person who cares, who adopts, Hola, Lola! continued from page 1 them. But, they agreed to meet with her, just to see Cindy’s family gave Marchesi a new name—Lola— how it would go. chosen, Cindy says, because it was “a fun and vibrant Marchesi may have drawn some courage from Eva’s name, just like her.” And Lola’s new life is fun and kindness. Cindy describes what happened next: “We vibrant, too. She has extended family who “all want to were patiently waiting in the meet and greet room, play and love on Lola.” She likes snuggling under the suddenly the door opened and in ran this dog who covers, going on walks, wearing pretty pink dresses, was the complete opposite from the one we saw in the and giving lots of big, sloppy kisses. “She is extremely cage. THIS dog literally pranced to visit each one of us pampered,” Cindy says, but is well worth spoiling. and ran around and licked each of our hands. She was “She had a hard life before but we are glad that she quite possibly the cutest dog we had ever seen! We is with our family now. We wouldn’t have it any other just couldn’t say no to her and adopted her into our way!” The little Chihuahua is enjoying the life she was family.” meant to live. As she might say, she’s living la vida … Lola! 2 14-APL-722_Pet Patter_Q3 copy.indd 2 7/18/14 10:29 AM A Little Dog Lost Finds her “Fur-Ever” Home When you look at a picture of Counselor Deanne Troi— eventually to be known as “Foxy”—it’s hard to imagine her running loose as a stray on the streets of Cleveland. But that’s exactly what this puppy was doing. With her fluffy white fur, biscuit-colored ears and freckles on her nose, it seemed certain that she was a family pet who had slipped out of her yard. But when nobody claimed her through the Cleveland City Kennel, the staff of the APL set to work to find this three-month-old charmer a home. The little rough collie mix was examined by the APL Foxy enjoying her back yard. veterinary staff, given a clean bill of health, and spayed. Then she was ready to go! Foxy already has graduated from K-9 U with her Canine Good Our dogs, cats, and other animals are always available Citizen certificate. Because of her sunny nature and her ability for adoption at the APL adoption center in Tremont, at to learn quickly, Matt says therapy dog training is in her future our Everyday Adoption Center in the Parma PetSmart® as well, after she has matured a bit. store, and to give even more people an opportunity to Smart, sweet and comical, Matt describes Foxy as a “once-in- meet them, we also take cats and dogs “on tour” to a-lifetime dog.” He expressed his thanks to the APL staff and offsite events. Counselor Troi was chosen to go to an volunteers: “I have to commend each and every one of you offsite event at the West Creek Metropark, and that’s for being so caring, compassionate, friendly and loving toward where her new life began! these animals who so need it and toward the people who On that summer Saturday, Matt and his wife were at the soften their hearts and adopt these animals for wonderful Metroparks for a Parma Police K-9 event when they saw pets.” Looking at the photographs of Foxy, happy, healthy her at the APL table—the next member of their family. and well-loved, it’s clear that we are the ones who owe the Matt remembers noticing those pointy ears and her thanks to Matt and his family, for giving one of “our” dogs a “perky attitude.” Matt and his family had to say good- wonderful home. bye to both of their dogs the year before, and they weren’t sure they were ready for another dog so soon.