Zipper is looking for a running partner

Zipper is a playful boy with a lot of energy.  He'd make a good running buddy, or maybe he would like to play frisbee with you.  He's currently playing and sleeping at one of our great boarding partners, Pampered Pooch Playground, but he would really love it if he had a real home to go to.  Zipper plays well with other dogs and is fine with cats. If you would like to meet Zipper, please let us know at dogs@pethavenmn.org

Adoption Update Monday

None of our dogs were adopted this holiday week, so I'm bringing you an update on a recent adoptee.

Ella, formerly Emma, is a medium-sized, mixed breed dog who came from Red Lake with her sister Lola.  They were said to be German Shepherd mixes, but looking at Ella's recent pictures and knowing that she weighs  29 pounds at eight months of age -- let's just say that we're skeptical.

Here's a brief update from her new mom:

She LOVES playing in the snow and playing with all her toys.  We took her to the vet yesterday and they said she is perfectly healthy and has already grown to 29lbs.!  We are excited to take her home to Iowa over Christmas so she can meet the rest of our families.

  

Here's Toby!

Toby was adopted a couple of years ago.  You can see from the pictures that he is living the good life and loving it.

With his Beagle nose, he can cause a little havoc.  Last Christmas Eve, he ate his grandma's birthday cake, so his mom had to call all over town trying find a new one -- an unmanageable feat on a holiday.  She ended up baking a new cake in the wee hours of Christmas morning.

This year, Toby will be spending the holiday with his foster foster mom.  Laura knows she will not be able to leave any treats within reach of this motivated boy and hopes he will spend his time happily snoozing as in the picture below.

Adopted Dog Monday!

We had a busy adoption day on Saturday.


Hailey's delighted to be in her forever home with her Basset Hound/Springer Spaniel sister, Molly. The two hounds will share a fenced yard and two nice parents.  Hailey came to us from the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley.  She could not be placed through them because she had a history of nipping at small children, but we were able to place her with a couple without young kids.

Our lovely Shepherd mix from Red Lake, Daisy, found a new home. She'll be living with a young Irish Wolfhound.  Her doting dad enjoys visiting area dog parks, so Daisy is sure to have a fun, busy life.  She's a calm and beautiful dog who has many friends and admirers at Pet Haven.  Thank you to Karen Good at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue for giving this girl a second chance.

Mac Daddy is happily at home with another small Poodle mix, Pickles.  The two dogs met and played together beautifully at the Petco adoption event and are looking forward to many eventful days ahead.  Pickles has his own Facebook page, co-authorized by his mom, so we're thinking that perhaps Mac Daddy will have one, too.  Mac Daddy was a stray picked up by Minneapolis Animal Control and taken to Camden Animal Hospital for treatment of a broken leg. The leg healed and he found rescue with us.

Dakota was returned to Pet Haven recently because of changes in his owner's life. Dakota spent a few days in foster care and went home with his new forever family after the adoption event.  He's the perfect 'family dog' and will have two young boys to love in his new home.

Adoption Day tomorrow!

We'll be at the Minnetonka Petco tomorrow, Saturday, December 19, from 10 until noon.  It's our last Adoption Event of this year, so if you are out and about doing some last minute shopping, stop by and meet our adoptable dogs!

"I will never do that!"

Most people who work in animal rescue have said, at one time or another, "I would never give my dog (or cat) up!"  Options like living in a car; begging, borrowing or stealing; or the flexible, "I'd do absolutely anything" are frequently mentioned.  There is a kind of snobbery amongst Those Who Rescue against Those Who Surrender, a feeling that if people truly loved their pets, they would not give them up.

The realities of life are not so easy, not so clear-cut.  The fact is that sometimes very good, very caring people are faced with situations that make it impossible or unkind for them to keep a beloved animal companion.  Many of these people, if asked when life was flowing along smoothly, would have told you the same things that the rescue people so confidently speak.

We recently took a Pet Haven dog back. Dakota was adopted five years ago.  Dakota's guardian loves him dearly, but some significant and difficult changes in his life meant that Dakota was spending twelve or more hours a day all alone while the man worked.  The man came home each night to a dog who was so happy to see him that it somewhat assuaged his guilt for the long, lonely hours beautiful Dakota had just spent waiting for him.

Eventually, the man made the painful decision that Dakota needed more in his life, that it would be selfish to keep his beloved companion for those few short moments they spent together each day.  The conversations between the man and Ann, our Intake Coordinator, were heart-wrenching.   The day Dakota was dropped off, he left some of his own shirts so Dakota would have the scent of home, of his person with him as he moved into his new life.  

It is hard to imagine having to do what Dakota's owner did this week.  But it is not unimaginable.  Not anymore.  One of our Dog Division volunteers said in an email that "After reflecting upon why (Dakota's story)  has so touched me, I guess it is because this could be me."  It could be any of us. Even those of us who say we would take drastic measures to keep our animal friends with us.


Dakota's dad acted out of love for this happy, friendly dog.   Dakota has adapted easily to his foster home  and he already has a lovely family coming to meet him at our adoption event on Saturday, so his journey into a new life will probably be a quick one.  


Pet Haven's lifetime commitment to its dogs and cats provides a safety net for all who come through our program.  The story of Dakota and his dad will stay in our hearts for a long time, and remind us that "never" can creep up on any of us, even as we deny that sad possibility. 

Pet Haven Ink newsletter is available!

The latest issue of our print newsletter, Pet Haven Ink, is now available. You can download a copy from our website. We have some great stories in our latest newsletter along with photos from our recent Fall Benefit which raised $30,000, all of which will go directly towards our adoption and spay/neuter programs.

If you would like to receive a hard copy of our newsletter, consider becoming a Pet Haven member. Annual dues are $25 (which is also tax-deductible). Click here to learn more about Pet Haven and to become a member.

Hank is back

Hank, our Beagle friend, has come back to us.  He was adopted by a nice family a few months ago, but it seems that once the kids were back in school and Hank spent much of his day all alone, he got a little nervous.  Threw up a lot, showed signs of separation anxiety, was generally not a happy boy.  Hank has asked us to make sure that his next home has at least one other dog and that we give him at least one parent that either works a part-time job, works from home or is retired.  He prefers not to have time on his paws to think about being lonely.

Pet Haven hosts animal welfare leadership seminar

Reposted from the Animal Welfare Leadership blog:


Saturday morning at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park, more than 50 people from 12 different animal welfare organizations came together to discuss Leadership. There are so many of us working tirelessly to rescue and rehome dogs and cats. So many of us share the vision of a day when there will no longer be a need for us to euthanize healthy, adoptable dogs and cats. We as a community must come together to address the pet over population problem. Every year 6- 8 million animals are surrendered to shelters. Every year 4 million are euthanized for lack of homes ... that's one animal every 8 seconds (source: HSUS).

It was exciting to see leaders from so many organizations come together. This was a kick off session to simply determine if there was an interest. The response was overwhelming. The first half of the session focused on leadership development which I led/facilitated. We spent some time reflecting on what leadership means to us and also what our dream is for a better world for animals and humans. Some wonderful ideas were provided which I will share soon once I compile them. I then provided an overview of various leadership frameworks.

During the second half of the session we had 4 guest speakers: Kathie Johnson (Director of Animal Services, Animal Humane Society) talked about the Pet Overpopulation in Minnesota; Dr. Kim Culbertson (of Animal Humane Society and Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Project) talked about HVHQSN - High Volume High Quality Spay Neuter; Nancy Minion (Second Chance Animal Rescue) provided an update on the puppy and kitten mill legislation in Minnesota; and Rachel Anderson and Lara Peterson (A Rotta Love Plus) presented on Pitbull 101 and also shared about the education/outreach work they are doing on behalf of pitbulls.

I've decided to start this blog as a quick way for us to remain connected and to help spread the word so we as a community can come together to work towards our shared vision of a home for all healthy, adoptable animals.

Many, many thanks to those of you that came yesterday and for our invited speakers. I am truly, truly excited about the collaboration. Ongoing sessions will be developed and plan to stay tuned for when our next leadership gathering will take place in 2010!

From "Leading from within":

- Leaders find and Listen to their Inner Voice
- Leaders Listen and Attend to Others
- Leaders Cultivate an Organization's Creative Imagination
- Leaders Evoke Conversations that Matter
- Leaders Foster Renewal
- Leaders Tell Stories and Inspire Shared Vision


Let's all stand together and be a stronger voice for both humans and animals!

With gratitude for all who dedicate so much of their hearts, time and resources,
Marilou Chanrasmi
President, Pet Haven of Minnesota


P.S. Groups represented at our kick off session were: Pet Haven, Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota (RAGOM), A Rotta Love Plus (ARLP), Animal Humane Society, Chuck & Don's Pet Food Outlet, Animal Folks MN, Voters for Animals, Second Chance, Minnesota Spay Neuter Project, Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Project, Red Lake Rosie's Rescue, Beltrami Humane Society.

Leadership illustration by John S Dykes.

Update on Koda: Another Happy Ending for a Pet Haven Dog

Koda is a Dalamation/Lab who was returned to Pet Haven in May after four years.   He was another casualty of a difficult economy.  His guardian was having to work so much that poor Koda spent most of his day alone.    In November, his new family came along to adopt him.  Here is a brief update from his dad.  Tucker is Koda's canine brother.


Koda is doing very well.  He has a lot of energy though usually he and
Tucker run around throughout the house and tire each other out.
(Aside from) a run-in with a farm cat in Iowa, he is very healthy and
energetic (he learned that cats have claws).

He is very good with the kids and has taken to sleeping on my
3-year-old daughter's bed.  He is a very good guard dog though he gets
particularly wound up when it comes to large, white trucks.


Koda also gets an a occasional ride in a small  airplane for a weekend at the family cabin.   


We at Pet Haven are always thrilled to learn that one of our dogs is living the good life!

Santa Photos with your Pet

On Saturday from 11 AM - 4 PM you can have a photo taken of your pet with Santa at the Richfield Petco.

Cost: $8.95 + tax, of which $5 will be donated to Pet Haven!
Location:
Richfield Petco
710 West 66th
Richfield, Minnesota
(66th and Lyndale)

How about taking a trip out to Richfield on Saturday with your furry friend and letting your pup show you just how cute s/he is :) And at the same time, you could support homeless dogs and cats!

Photo borrowed from Flickr :)

Once in Love With Amy

Always in love with Amy.... there's an old song that begins this way.  If you're old enough, you might be singing it when you meet this cute white miniature Poodle.   Even if you don't remember the song, you will still enjoy meeting Miss Amy.

Amy is seven years old -- just hitting the prime of her life.  She is a girl who would be perfectly happy being your one-and-only dog.   (She asked me to tell you that other dogs are just an annoyance.)

If you have a warm lap and would like to share it with Amy, please let us know at dogs@pethavenmn.org.

Amy thanks you!!


 

Adoption Day tomorrow!

Please join us at the Eden Prairie Petco store (8020 Glen Lane) as we have an Adoption Event there on Saturday, December 5 from 10 a.m. - noon.

Many of our dogs will be there.  It's a great opportunity to meet them (and us).  If you're looking to add a new member to your family before the holidays get too hectic,  now would be a good time for that.

The perfect holiday gift!

A Share Card is the perfect gift to give in place of a material item. It lets the recipient know that you are thinking of them, honors them, and helps a non-profit orgainization fulfill its mission. When you purchase a Share Card, you receive the Share Card itself which gives information about the organization as well as the efforts the Share Card donation supports. In addition, you will receive a greeting card featuring a piece of artwork from one of the artists of Partnership Resources, Inc. The Share Card and greeting card can either be mailed to you or directly to someone else as a gift.

You can purchase a share card for Pet Haven online by clicking here.

Pet Haven along with A Rotta Love Pluswill be the featured non-profits on Friday, 12/4 and Saturday, 12/5. Be sure to stop by and say hi.

For more info, visit the Twice the Gift website.

Meet Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a recent surrender to Pet Haven.  It was a reluctant and very sad surrender.  The only reason Cinnamon needed to find a new home is that the children in her home developed some severe allergies to their beautiful girl.  Below is a letter from the couple who offered Cinnamon respite foster care over the Thanksgiving weekend.   Cinnamon is staying at Auntie Ruth's until we can find her a regular foster home.   If you are interested in meeting this nice family dog, please email us at dogs@pethavenmn.org.

Cinnamon is a friendly, eager to please Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix.  She adores people and is very affectionate, but not kissy.  She came from a house with several children and so is comfortable with high-energy households, but she’s just fine at taking an afternoon nap with you, too.  She wants to be a part of your life.  She’s simply a very good dog with a cute doggy smile.

Cinnamon is a very polite young lady; she will walk on a loose leash (unless there is a rabbit nearby), will gently take treats out of your hand, and can be separated from a toy, rawhide, or her food bowl with no fuss or discussion.  She can’t be persuaded to climb on the couch, but would love you to join her on the floor once in a while and just lay with her head in your lap for hours.  She is happy lying on a cool part of the floor with you in sight.  She’ll leave the kitchen at meal times if you just point your finger at her bed.  She is housetrained.  She is not interested in open toilets, food on the kitchen counter, open bags of dog food or treats on a chair, loose socks, or dirty dishtowels.

Cinny would be best in a house with a yard, because she is somewhat curious and likes to walk around.  Like many retrievers, she will play fetch with a tennis ball until exhaustion (yours).  She will either wait for you to take the ball from her, or if you’re too slow, she’ll toss it back to you!  She is usually more interested in a ball than in food or treats.  Cinnamon is not comfortable in a kennel. She doesn’t fight, but she’ll whine piteously.  Whining and standing by the door is her signal when she needs to go outside, too.

If you’re looking for a dog that is young enough to play, go for a jog or hike with you, and old enough to be disciplined and stable, Cinny is your girl.