Forever Friends Humane Society

PeeWee The Pittie Goes From Street Stray To Hero

MartiL — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:37:17 GMT

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For a long time, prior to January 2008, Oklahoma City Animal shelter euthanized all American Pit Bull Terriers not reclaimed by existing owners, feeling this was best due to the underground dog fighting that goes on in the state. They weren’t available for adoption, nor were given to rescue groups. However, the state of Oklahoma has a statute forbidding Breed Specific Legislation in municipalities.

A woman who found a stray pit and turned it in to the shelter, but then later asked to adopt it when no owner came forward, was denied the right to do so due to the OKC shelter policy. The woman filed a law suit claiming the policy was not in line with state law. Although it was too late for the dog she found, she won the lawsuit, which was later upheld by an appellate court. The last week of January 2008, the OKC shelter indicated that all dogs at the shelter would be treated the same, regardless of breed, and be available for adoption and to rescuers.

PeeWee had been living on the streets, and Cheryl at Forever Friends Humane Society had first heard about him by a woman who was hoping a rescue could come and pick him up. The good Samaritan had named him PeeWee because he was small, skinny and very shy, but she noticed that he had a little thump thump to his tail for those that would look!

Before Cheryl could get to him, PeeWee was picked up by animal control, and the lady feared all was lost when she contacted Cheryl. But Cheryl said, “wait a minute, I think the policy changed!”. Cheryl called Mary Katherine Long, who had recently moved over to OKC shelter after a successful tenure as director at Second Chance Animal Sanctuary in Norman, OK. Mary Katherine advised Cheryl that the policy had indeed changed, and FFHS pulled him and he lived at Betty’s foster farm for many months.

PeeWee was the first American Pit Bull Terrier pulled by a rescue group after the policy change. Forever Friends Humane Society had PeeWee on their petfinder web site, but elected not to take him to adoption events because he was so shy.

Then one day in the fall of 2008, a lady in Kansas named Stacy saw him on the FFHS web site, and asked to visit with PeeWee and another dog named Ace. Stacy drove down with her baby, spent a lot of time with both dogs and finally decided on PeeWee, because she thought Ace was more adoptable and that PeeWee needed her.

Over the past year, Cheryl and Stacy have kept in touch. Cheryl has marveled at how Stacy and her family have brought PeeWee out of his shell. Pictures of him on the couch upside down, in the backyard inside the kid’s toy car, all show he has blossomed from the shy, scared street dog about to be euthanized, to a treasured companion animal.

At 3:00 am this past Sunday morning, November 8, Stacy awoke to the sounds of her sweet, shy PeeWee, barking at her. Stacy went on alert instantly, because PeeWee never barks.

Stacy got up and headed for her bedroom door. As soon as PeeWee saw he had Stacy’s attention, he took off for the living room where the baby girl’s crib is located, and he started pawing at the crib.

Stacy ran to the crib and discovered her daughter was tangled up in her blanket, and it was wrapped around her neck. She removed the baby from the blanket, and found her neck was red. After carefully checking her over, Stacy allowed PeeWee to sniff the little girl. Satisfied the situation was better, he then lay quietly back down underneath her crib.

Stacy sent an email to Forever Friends Humane Society Sunday afternoon, saying, “There is no telling what would have happened if PeeWee wasn’t there. Again thank you so much!”

Great news for everyone, but especially in PeeWee’s case, this rescue story almost wasn’t meant to be. How he got to be with Stacy and his little girl is a miracle, too.

How You Can Help:

It is inspiring and heart-lifting to hear when dogs save people, especially babies. The American Pit Bull Terrier used to be considered a nanny dog, as PeeWee shows, but recent years have caused their reputation to be greatly tarnished, and produced more heartache than allowing them to be the best that they can be.

Best Friends has four campaigns going on, and one of those campaigns is called “Pitbulls; saving America’s dogs”. Please help us in this campaign, so we can help more animals like PeeWee to live up to their potential.

Posted by Marti Lombardi, Best Friends network volunteer. Photo of PeeWee and his little girl provided by Forever Friends Humane Society.

FFHS Announces PetSmart Adoptathon days

MartiL — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:56:44 GMT

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Plan to join Forever Friends Humane Society at the Yukon PetSmart on November 14th and the Rockwell PetSmart on November 15^th.

Review their web site here for adoptable animals!

Pictured is Ace, available for adoption.

2009 October Adoption Statistics for FFHS

MartiL — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:59:18 GMT

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Total: 153

Dogs: 63

Cats: 90

Guess me going to Petco has really made a change in our cats totals! Cool!!!

Tails Humane Society, DeKalb, IL, Conducts Mutt Strutt 2009

MartiL — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:16:52 GMT

In a partnership with several rescues in Oklahoma and Arkansas, Tails Humane Society took in many dogs originally rescued in Oklahoma. These were transported to Illinois, and adopted out at the yearly fundraising event.

Click here to see pictures from the Mutt Strutt 2009 event on October 11, 2009, in Cortland.

Connie Guthrie from Save Our Strays noted “In Sunday's parade in the Chicago area most of the dogs/puppies in the parade was from our transports. Everyone looks to be having lots and lots of fun!! Beth Drake with Tails Humane Society in DeKalb Illinois took these dogs. They have taken 400 of our moms, puppies and little dogs since June 1^st of this year. The puppies and little dogs come from Tina (Forever Friends Humane Society in Sallisaw) and Shana in Arkansas. And we do the transports.”

How You Can Help:

Tails Humane Society and Forever Friends Humane Society are both 501 c 3 charitable organizations, and all contributions gratefully acknowledged and appreciated. Please check out both organizations if you are considering adding a companion animal to your home.

Posted by Marti Lombardi, Best Friends network volunteer. Pictures provided by Tails Humane Society, with photo credits to Toni Moon.

2009 September Adoption Statistics for FFHS

MartiL — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:30:06 GMT

From Tina:

Wow!!! This is the first month EVER since we have been doing rescue that we adopted out more cats than dogs!!!! YEAH!!!

September adoptions

Total - 129

Dogs - 64

Cats - 65

Oklahoma Pit Bull Awareness Day October 24, 2009

MartiL — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:43:24 GMT

Saturday, October 24^th

11 am ~ 4 pm

Mann’s Best Friend

Chatenay Square Shopping Center

Southwest 104^th and Pennsylvania

Cheryl with Oscar

Featuring:

*Adopt-a-Bulls - Plenty of Pit Bulls of various ages who need loving homes! These pets have been to the vet and now they just need YOU to stand up for them.

*Kiss-a-Bulls Kissing Booth - Feeling a little blue? We have just the cure with great big Pittie kisses! Step right up… let our lovebugs show you all the slobbery love you can handle!

*Guess the Pittie - The term "pit bull" has become so generically used in the media, we bet you'll have a hard time determining which photo is the REAL Pit Bull! Winner gets a gift!

*Howl-o-Ween Costume Contest - Let your furry buddies compete for prizes in Funniest, Scariest, Most Original, and Best Couple (dog/dog or dog/human). All breeds are welcome!

*Pin the Tail on the Pittie - A fun game to help children learn about "doggy strangers", including information packets for parents to review with their children. Remember... "Ask the owner before you pet Rover!"

*Auction - Bid on various items or purchase pro-pibble merchandise. All proceeds benefit Forever Friends Humane Society, a licensed 501c3 non-profit animal rescue organization.

Breanna (rescuer) with Delilah, who is deaf.

Charlie

Holly

Contact elizard24@yahoo.com if you have any questions. All pictured animals available for adoption from Forever Friends Humane Society.

Delilah (sweet, deaf pointer-pit mix)

Buy pit bull awareness t-shirts from Cafe Press, and benefits FFHS. http://www.cafepress.com/ffhs

Posted by Marti Lombardi, Best Friends network volunteer. Pictures provided by Cheryl Melton.

Senior Cat and Dog Sallisaw, OK Need Place To Call Their Last Home

MartiL — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:24:16 GMT

These two beautiful animals was dumped at the Sallisaw pound because their wonderful loving family said "They are getting old and we just don't have the time for them anymore"

pupsnpuddles@aol.com

The purebred husky is male....10 yrs old..very friendly & in good shape

Siamese....male....12 yrs old..very scared & upset...very thin

Pretty Pretty Princess Pixie Pirate Puff

MartiL — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:59:25 GMT

This little baby was found last Monday, outside in the pouring down rain.

The eye was swollen and sealed shut, the nose was crusted over. The kitten could not see, nor smell, was scared to death, hungry and alone....about to die....when a neighbor found her.

The neighbor (Kellie), called Free To Live, who could not help but gave Kellie my contact info.

I had her take the kitten to our vet, Dr. Reser. He did not think the kitten would make it, but kept her overnight to give her fluids and antibiotics. We tested her the next day, thinking if she tests positive for a disease we will release as she is so very sick...but she tested negative!

Dr. Reser decided to keep her for the week, and all the vet techs fell in love with the sweet, purring, blind baby! They call her Prettty Pretty Princess Pixie Pirate Puff!

And she is precious! Strong will to live!

She will lose her eyes when she gets stable enough for surgery, as they are destroyed by the infection.

She learned the litter pan today! She loves Nutro kitten canned food. She has two stuffed animals and tries to nurse on one of them! She is a true little doll baby!

Forever Friends Humane Society is a 501 c 3 charitable rescue, and all donations acknowledged and greatly appreciated.

Posted by Marti Lombardi, Best Friends network volunteer. Photo credit Cheryl Melton.

Tator's Excellent Flight Adventure

MartiL — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:19:40 GMT

Tator and his brother were found starving and very sick.

From the very moment he was brought in we could tell he was a fighter. Unfortunately, his little brother did not make it, they just got to us too late. But little Tator must have known there was a reason to fight for his life. He became stronger and stronger each day. One day a great lady from the border collie rescue came to the shelter to rescue a border collie and happen to pass by the kennel where Tator was. She could not take her eyes off him and wanted to take him right then but with the one rescue she had her hands full. But the very next day we received an email from her saying he was going to the rescue on Colorado! How exciting for Tator! Then the next thing we knew we was told he would be flying in a special plane with some special people. The weather was against this for almost 2 weeks. We would tell Tator every day that soon he would go on his journey. Well, if finally happened today. I just received an email from the foster home and from what she says he sounds spoiled rotten already! Well, here are pictures of Tator’s exciting day with his comments.....

"I wonder why I am in the car? Where am I going? It must be fancy and special since I am wearing a brand new bandana"

"Okay we have stopped now and I am not sure what this place is. I better go check it out....."

"Hey, you are nice...so you fly this thing? I am precious cargo you know"

"Can you go with me Randy? I sure got used to being your little buddy"

"I wonder what everyone is doing, is all this for me?"

"Okay now, how high are we going????"

"Oh no, not another crate...hey someone tell me what I am doing in here again?"

"Oh I get it now, buckle up!"

"Ready - set - go"

Good bye Tator, we'll all miss you here in Oklahoma!

How You Can Help:

Forever Friends Humane Society is a 501 c 3, and all donations gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.

Posted by Marti Lombardi, Best Friends network volunteer. Pictures provided by Tina Holman.

Can We All Save Penny?

MartiL — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:28:49 GMT

Penny is a very special girl.

When she was brought to the pound she was hurt. She would not put weight on her front leg. We took her to our vet and was told that it will require surgery.

We do not have the funding to give her this. She needs this done soon, if not her leg will eventually be amputated. Right now it can be saved but she needs a home/rescue that is willing financially to do this. Please give her a chance to keep her leg. Our vet does not do the kind of surgery she requires.

How You Can Help:

Please email Tina at pupsnpuddles@aol.com if you can help save her.

Posted by Marti Lombardi Best Friends network volunteer. Pictures provided by Tina at Forever Friends Humane Society.

2009 Adoption statistics for FFHS

MartiL — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:18:38 GMT

Total: 82

Dogs: 67

Cats: 15

Adoptable Pets from Sallisaw Animal Shelter (Sallisaw, OK)

MartiL — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:56:53 GMT

Tina from FFHS requests assistance with any rescues who can take adoptable animals from the municipal shelter.

If there is anything on this site that you see that you can help, please email me! He is out of room and has many more coming from a neighboring town tomorrow. Thanks! There is a male brown tabby (not listed yet) and a mom with 5 kittens (not listed yet).

List of adoptable pets from Sallisaw Animal shelter.

How You Can Help:

Email Tina at pupsnpuddles@aol.com if you can take an animal in to rescue, or have suitable adopters.

Posted by Marti lombardi, Best Friends network volunteer. Pictured is Tator, available for rescue and adoption.

2009 July Adoption statistics for FFHS

MartiL — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:51:47 GMT

Total: 91

Dogs: 56

Cats: 35

2009 June Adoption statistics for FFHS

MartiL — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:20:32 GMT

Total 148

Dogs 92

Cats 56

Resources

admin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:06:59 GMT

Documents

Links

Fundraiser For FFHS Barn And Feral Cat Colony

martil — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:20:56 GMT

In these tough times, donations are down and your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Email from Cheryl:

As you know Forever Friends has taken in unadoptable kitties for several years now. We have a member of our group with 100 acres and three barns and she has given many cats a second chance at life when no one else would. We always require that the cat be completely vetted and a small donation come with the cat upon delivery. However, we do not ask for continued support after the cat is delivered. That means, we rely on donations and money out of our own pockets to support the needs of the colony. We are down on donations and are in great need of cat food!

How You Can Help:

Please consider helping, especially, if you have ever sent a kitty to our farm! Thank you for anything you can spare! Feel free to share!

Here is the link to donate!

Forever Friends Humane Society is a 501 c 3 charitable organization, and all donations gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.

Posted by Marti Lombardi, Best Friends network volunteer. Photo credit of Cheryl and friend Marti Lombardi.

Sallisaw, Oklahoma Animal Shelter Adoption Event To Be Held June 12, 2009

martil — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:13:15 GMT

Show up and support the Sallisaw Animal Shelter for Forever Friends Humane Society!

Friday June 12 is our special adoption event at the Sallisaw Animal Shelter. This article came out in the paper today and was great!

The Sallisaw City Shelter Adoption Event:

Friday…. June 12…. Noon till 6 pm

The Sallisaw Animal Shelter is overrun with unwanted animals. There are many wonderful dogs and cats that are in dire need of a forever, loving home. Too many are left behind, too many are left on roadsides to fend for themselves, too many are scared & frightened wondering where their family went or when they are coming back to get them. They sit and wait and wait and wait, but no one comes back for them or no one comes to claim them. So there they are with no place to go.

The Sallisaw City Shelter strives to instill within our community two basic humane values. First and most important is reducing the birthrate of unwanted litters through spaying/neutering; second is educating new owners regarding the lifetime obligation of owning a new pet.

Forever Friends Humane Society along with Save Ours Strays, Inc will be sponsoring an adoption event for the Sallisaw City Shelter. There will be a small adoption donation of $15. ALL spay and neutering will be sponsored by Save Our Strays, Inc. There will be refreshments and literature handouts. Any donations made will be tax deductible through Forever Friends Humane Society. All donations will go towards the care of the animals.

There is a national website that all the adoptable pets are posted on. You may also look at the Forever Friends website and any animal that you are interested in can be brought to the shelter that day if it is located in one of our local foster homes.
Contact information:
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/OK172.html
www.ourfurryfriends.petfinder.com
Randy Freeman –SHELTER ACO – 918-315-1867
Tina Holman – FFHS – 918-775-7172
Connie Guthrie – SOS – 918-773-8200

Pictured is Sid, a bull terrier puppy available for adoption at Sallisaw Animal Shelter.

How You Can Help:

Support the Sallisaw Animal Shelter, and its partners Forever Friends Humane Society and Save Our Strays.

Save Our Strays, Inc. is a 501 c 3, not for profit with the state of Oklahoma and Missouri. They do not have a web site because of the focus on rescue and transports, and they use Forever Friends Humane Society as the adoption arm of their operation. Fosters (between transports), adoptions, and funds are all needed and appreciated for rescue efforts of all three organizations.

Forever Friends Humane Society will take donations for SOS using their paypal (Tina says put SOS in memo), or donations for SOS can be snail mailed to Tina at:

Forever Friends Humane Society
*Eastern Division*
Rt 1 Box 335-2
Sallisaw, OK 74955
Phone: 918-775-7172
Email: pupsnpuddles@aol.com

Posted by Marti Lombardi, Best Friends network volunteer. Picture provided by Sallisaw Animal Shelter.

FFHS Vice-President Visits Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

martil — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:51:20 GMT

Cheryl describes the sanctuary as peaceful and beautiful on arrival, and that was just the beginning.

Late in 2008, Forever Friends Humane Society vice-president Cheryl Melton indicated she was determined to visit the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary with Marti Lombardi (Oklahoma network team leader) in May of 2009. In January, flights were booked, and within a few short months the plans were finalized.

However, the weeks leading up to the sanctuary trip seemed to cause some challenges. Cheryl lost a colleague from News 9 (Oklahoma City, CBS) named Nick Prindle, who passed suddenly in his sleep four days before the flight. The day Nick passed away, a newly adopted FFHS cat also went to the bridge. The week before that, Cheryl’s manager Julie had two horses sadly struck and killed by lighting. And, a stray intact male pit bull was found in Norman, OK by Dr. Deb Nicholson (sanctuary exotic bird vet) around May 20, and by coincidence, Dr. Deb reached out to FFHS because Best Friends animal help department located FFHS on PBRC (Pit bull rescue central).

After taking care of all immediate issues, and arranging care for her many rescue cats during her week away, Cheryl joined Marti on an 8 am flight out of Oklahoma City on Memorial Day, headed for the sanctuary. The one thing Cheryl was able to relax about was that this was Marti’s 9th trip to Kanab in four and a half years, so for her first visit, Cheryl could watch and learn, and maybe lead (and bring) others on future trips. Indeed, Randy Freeman, an ACO and pastor on her board of directors, had been to the sanctuary two years ago for the Animals in Religion seminar, and he had strongly encouraged her visit.

Beautiful as it is, the sanctuary is not the easiest place to get to quickly. It is an all day trip from almost anywhere in the USA, so it is best to make the most of the journey. After arriving in Las Vegas (closest commercial airport, Salt Lake City about 80 miles longer drive), gathering luggage, and getting a rental car, Cheryl and Marti were northbound on Interstate 15, passing the brown desert of Nevada (getting groceries in the town of Mesquite)…..

…… into the brown/greys of Arizona……..

….. and finally seeing the red rocks of Utah.

They selected the northern route when reaching Hurricane, Utah, and passed through Zion National Park en route to Kanab, finally arriving at the sanctuary around 4:30 pm Mountain daylight time.

Because Marti and Cheryl had arranged to meet cottage mate Frankie at 5 pm (Frankie had arrived two days earlier), Marti took Cheryl quickly to Angels Rest, and showed her the memorial for Marti’s dogs Cody and Duke, before settling in.

Cheryl and Marti arrived at cottage #6 to meet Frankie and the delightful dog Sindy, selected by Frankie as the sleepover dog for the night. After unpacking, meeting more new friends (colleagues in cottage #1 had the famous Theresa as a sleepover dog), and having pizza, and evening walk around the horse pasture allowed us to check on the miniature horses Luna and Trixie, as well as Guardian Angel program horses Curly Sue and the new Clyde. Cheryl summarized her first day on in a blog that was posted on the News 9 web site: NEWS 9er Visits Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

Cheryl took this picture of the Monday evening dinner team (Frankie, Carrie, Pat, Marti, Joy) with Theresa:

Tuesday morning Cheryl took a tour and filled out volunteer agreement paperwork while Marti worked in Dogtown. After a wonderful vegetarian lunch and more afternoon activities (including Riley’s memorial service), dinner was held in town at Fernando’s with friends. During this dinner, Cheryl met one of the cat managers, Joni, who shared her views on the possibility for long and useful lives of cats who test positive for Feline Leukemia, and Cheryl hopes to visit more with Joni in a future visit.

Wednesday Cheryl and Marti first attended the 30 minute puppy socialization class, then volunteered at the Amra/Rhonda octagon pair in Dogtown (walking/socializing), had lunch again at Angel’s Landing, then met Dr. Deb briefly and arranged to do a more formal interview with her the next day for News 9. Marti arranged for a sleepover dog Boomer after picking up some dinner groceries in town. Sleepover dogs must have someone with them at all times, so it is necessary to either eat in, or eat at a restaurant that permits dogs (who are friendly with other dogs and people) on the outdoor patio.

On Thursday, Cheryl conducted an interview with Dr. Deb in the morning (Marti operated the flip video camera), then after another great lunch, we headed to the Lodges (Dogtown) to volunteer for the afternoon. To our pleasant surprise, Barbara in PR arranged for Cheryl to meet with trainer Ann and the Vicktory dog Lucas later that afternoon. Cheryl wrote up the story of Thursday’s events which News 9 posted here: NEWS 9er Reports from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary on May 29, 2009.

While the Vicktory dogs may be big in the press right now, it should be noted that many other dogs of concern, many with worse behavioral issues, reside at Best Friends sanctuary. A fairly new resident named Goose requires two caretakers be present at all times for all needed activities (feeding, poop scooping, etc.) because his fears can drive him to make bad decisions. Goose is desperately terrified of thunder storms, so his caregiver Terri asked Marti and Cheryl to sit on a golf cart eight feet away from him (he was behind his gate) and talk ‘soothing baby talk’ to him while she determined if a clinic containment cage was available during a weather incident Thursday afternoon. When leaving the Lodges that afternoon, Marti and Cheryl took Ogy on a sleepover.

By complete coincidence (or divine intervention) the sleepover dogs spread their attention around the cottage. Sindy slept with Frankie on Monday night.

Boomer slept with Marti on Wednesday night……

…….and Ogy slept with Cheryl on Thursday night.

On Friday morning, for a change of pace, Cheryl, Marti, Frankie, Pat, and Carrie went 15 miles south to Fredonia Humane Society to volunteer by poop scooping, walking and socializing dogs. FHS has a network community here. FHS has a specific dedication to the animals abandoned by the area known as ‘the gap’ by the Indian reservation. FHS and the work of rescuing animals abandoned in this location are highlighted in the second Dogtown episode in season 1, and will be featured again in a new episode this coming fall.

Season One - Episode 2: Second Chances featuring dogs Hemi and Tiki from ‘the Gap’.

Friday evening ended with a surprise. The owner of The Rocking V restaurant in Kanab, Victor, previously worked with Cheryl in the Oklahoma City television news back in the early 1980s, and he asked about her when he saw her News 9 sweatshirt. Sometimes, it can be a small world.

Detailed pictures from Cheryl and Marti on the visit

Posted by Marti Lombardi, Best Friends network volunteer. Photos and videos by Cheryl Melton and Marti Lombardi

Fundable Goal Reached! FFHS Rescues 12 Cats From Animal Cruelty Case And You Responded

martil — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:14:38 GMT

Donations and food needed to help the foster with the cats until they are cleared for adoption.

Update May 22, 2009:

From Suzanne, the volunteer taking care of the Sallisaw 12!

I also want to sincerely thank all of the donors in behalf of the Sallisaw 12. And it was done ahead of schedule. Shouldn't be a surprise. Animal people are the best and always come through for our little four-legged children. One-half of the Sallisaw 12 were in for spaying this morning and are back home and doing fine. One may be a litle ticked off. She had already been spayed, but no one knew until the vet got in there. Maybe we need to use a zipper so this will be more evident. The 5 guys go in tomorrow - the sixth has already been neutered. Is easier to tell with the guys. They said if I got them there by 8 they would be through around 9 and I could bring them back home then. Great news, as I never like to leave them any longer than I have to. I wish they could understand what is happening to them. But at least their trauma/stress will be short lived. We finish worm treatment this Friday, Saturday and Sunday and they finish up their shots in about 2 weeks. Then all that is left is to finish fattlening them up, a little socializing for some, and beginning to grow fur where it was scalded off. All in all they appear to be a pretty happy group. Having them spayed and neutered will also make me and the rest of my guys happier. It has been a little more stressful with unfixed guys and gals in the house. Thanx again to everyone who chipped in. You really made a great thing happen. God bless all of you and keep up your good work with what one animal group in Dallas calls "the other homeless."

Suzanne and the Sallisaw 12

Update May 20, 2009

I want to thank each of you for your donation! Thanks to you all, we have reached our goal way ahead of schedule!!! I know that the Sallisaw 12 are going to get some top notch care and be healthy soon. We also need some name suggestions! We are working on getting a picture of each of the 12, so that we can post the pics with some information about that cat. Then, you can help us name them! Thank you again, from the bottom of all our hearts here at Forever Friends Humane Society! Cheryl

Update May 12, 2009:

FFHS is less than half way to their Fundable goal of raising $826 by June 2. Please help us reach the goal!

Fundable goal for the Sallisaw 12

The following email went out from Cheryl on Wednesday May 6, 2009.

You all have so graciously supported my group Forever Friends Humane Society, so I am asking for your help now in an extreme situation. Last week, in Sallisaw (where I am from), a horrible cruelty situation was discovered. Neighbors called the Sequoyah County Sheriff in regards to a woman who had too many animals of various species and was unable to feed them. Due to overwhelming issues in rural areas, the sheriff did not go out initially. By the time he got out there, the following was discovered, and he placed a call to the Sallisaw Animal Control.

13 alive cats in a well house room...no food, no water, no light, no litter box

8 dead cats

8 large breed dogs in one kennel...dead

4 Chihuahuas found in a closet...alive

No one appears to know what happened to the horses ,that was believed resided there.

This woman has 16 felony charges on her and her fines are well over $100,000. She has disappeared so there is a search warrant out for her. The court date was today and she did not show. The court did not allow the animals to go back there, and ordered them to be euthanized. You must understand, this is a county case and they have no animal sheltering facilities, and the city was not going to allow the Animal Control officer of Sallisaw to keep them at the Sallisaw Dog Pound. However, we are friends with ACO Randy Freeman, he is also on the Forever Friends Humane Society board of Directors, and he put out the word that he would hold them for rescue if someone would step up immediately, so of course we responded!

FFHS member, Suzanne, from Ft. Smith Arkansas, went to the pound today and picked up the 12 cats. The 4 Chihuahuas were picked up by another rescue.

The cats are in extremely poor condition. They are so thin you can feel all their bones. Some have lost their hair, some cannot stand, but they continue to look at you, reach for you and purr for you. They still crave affection and want to be loved. I cannot begin to imagine what it must have felt like to be locked away to be forgotten to die; it makes my heart hurt.

The vet, Dr. Gary Cox of Sallisaw, has recommended for at least one week, maybe two, we make sure they are fed well. After a week or two, we can then worm them, and after a month we can then look at giving shots and doing spay/neuters.

In the meantime, we are asking for donations of food for these kitties. I am going to drive there on Sunday to deliver the food. The preference is Purina Kitten Chow or Purina Cat Chow and a lot of cat canned food, but we will accept any cat food you can spare!

We are a tax deductible organization, so I can provide tax receipts! I will also take whatever we can collect in our puppy jar in the break room to buy cat food! FFHS Eastern Division is based in Sallisaw and run by President Tina Holman. I am the Vice President and Western Area Director based here in OKC.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and if you can’t help at this time, please pass along to others that might!!

How You Can Help:

So far Cheryl has received $325 in donations for Suzanne, and some cat food. She has started a fundraiser online at www.fundable.com. You can go specifically to this link to read the story and see how FFHS is am continuing to raise money for these cats. They will continue to need your help and care for a few weeks. Thank you to all who have responded!

Fundable Donation Page for the Sallisaw 12.

Posted by Marti Lombardi, Best Friends network volunteer. Picture provided by morguefile.com

My Diamond In The Rough Came Calling…..

martil — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:30:32 GMT

Adoption of puppy mill youngster helps rescuer reconnect with a past furry companion.

Sabrina tells this story:

When I lost my boxer back in 2000 due to old age, well, it killed me. She was 14 yrs old, and I had her for 12 of those years. This was longer then I had any of my children at that time. I said I would never get another one. I didn't want to replace my Sissy Lou; she was my everything. About three years ago I started wanting a boxer again. I've been telling Cheryl for close to 9 months now that I want one, but I don't have room. She said it will always find a way. So as time passed I've been seeing them more and more. I was talking to Tina one night about getting one but I was scared to. Tina said to me "That one special one will come and you will know it is the one; stop looking - it will find you.”

Well, he came. I got a call from a rescuer , her sweet little voice saying “Brina, how are you doing love? I've got something I need help with. I sent you an email about this pup needing rescue. I quickly told her I was not taking anything in, but allow me get his story out. She then starts to tell me he was a boxer. HUH? A boxer? How old? What color? What is wrong with him? I started to drill her. When I got home I ran inside and opened her email about him. .OHHH my LORD, I had to have him and I wanted him now. Now I need another dog like I need a hole in the head, but this face was screaming my name all over him.

One set back though; he has mange. I called the people who had him and told them I wanted him, mange and all. I would take him to the vet and get it taken care of. They told me his story and how they came to have him. He was given to them from a puppy mill. Initially, they were looking to buy a boxer and found this ‘wonderful breeder’ in Arkansas. Well, they said the lady turned out to be a puppy miller and it was awful. She saw one lonely pup sitting in a crate and she told her husband that was the one they needed to buy. The lady said she would give him for free, because she didn't want to deal with the mange. So, they took him home and started to treat him while looking for a permanent home for him. He was not what they were looking for, but she wasn't going to leave him at that place. She said I was the third person to call about him. But, but the other two callers wanted him for breeding and she wouldn't allow that. She was told I was a rescuer, and then she said when can I get him to you...I told her tonight! I drove to Henrietta the night of April 24th to pick up my new baby boy. He is a joy. The vet checked him out April 27th, and he’s on the road to recovery. I can’t wait until he heals and his hair grows back....he is going to be my little shining diamond.

I named him Ezekiel, but will be called Zek for short. I just can’t stop giggling every time I look at this little mangy face and I see my Sissy Lou smiling down on me...happy that I've got another one to love as much as I loved her. I just wanted to share my new baby with all of you. He is a boxer through and through, even down to his little boxer walk.

How You Can Help:

Forever Friends Humane Society is a 501 c 3 charitable organization, and all donations gratefully acknowledged and appreciated. If you are looking to adopt a cat or dog, consider contacting Forever Friends Humane Society.

Posted by Marti Lombardi, Best Friends network volunteer. Pictures of Zek provided by Sabrina Cantrell.