Friday, June 16, 2006

Looking For A Weekend Outing?

Stop by and visit Luna on Saturday and Scooter on Sunday at the San Diego County Fair! It's a fun way to stay cool along the coast!

We will post pictures early next week!

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Now He's Got A Fan Club!

Scooter expects fan mail any day now! And he tells me he'll read and reply to every letter, signing it "Scooter, GHAS Ambassador". Scooter and I, along with Dr. Booman, our regular veterinarian (and my boss!) hit the road Friday night to do a presentation for a troop of Junior and Senior Girl Scouts in Oceanside. Dr. Booman spoke about animal laws, environmental hazards and careers with animals. I, on the other hand, had laryngitis, so Scooter did most of the talking! We told the girls about the sanctuary and its variety of residents. Scooter demonstrated his charm; they were surprised he doesn't expect sympathy, he just wants to have a chance at life (and to play!), just like all of the animals here.

This is just the start to our educational outreach programs. There may be no living with Scooter, now that he's a star!

Monday, June 05, 2006

Road Trip!


Look for Scooter, Luna and myself at the San Diego County Fair Pet Care Center on Saturday, June 17, and Sunday, June 18.

We are hitting the road to spread the word about the joys of living with senior and handicapped pets, and offer ideas and resources for people who live with pets in their "golden years".

Come by and introduce yourself as you enjoy the 2006 fair!

Healing Touch for Animals


Healing Touch for Animals is incorporated into every animal's wellness program at the sanctuary. What is it? From the website and brochure:

"Healing Touch for Animals® / Komitor Healing Method, Inc. (HTA/KHM) uses bio-field therapies – recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) – to integrate, balance and clear the energy body. It works by releasing endorphins to establish a deeper relaxation and state of being, allowing the body to function at a greater level. By allowing muscles to relax, circulation is increased, sending more oxygen, nutrients, and hormones into the body to support healing...HTA/KHM Techniques work on all levels of the body: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. These techniques allow the animals to come into a deeper instinctual presence and knowing of their body."

It's a wonderful way for all of our residents to relax and work in to daily life here. I, along with Sandra, the sanctuary's Treasurer, were able to attend a Level 2 (of 4 levels) seminar at the beginning of May. We work in class with dogs on day 2, horses on day 3, starting every level with a lecture the first day. The photo above show how happy and relaxed one of the horses was by the end of the day; we saw a whole barn of performance horses snooze as feeding time rolled around at the end of the day! Please visit their website to learn more ~ our animals highly recommend it!

Sweet 16!

Sweet Fidelity turned "Sweet 16" years old a couple of weeks ago, so I thought I'd share a picture of her enjoying her Birthday treat. Every critter gets to enjoy a birthday celebration, with kitties receiving a tuna treat, dogs receiving a grilled chicken treat, and goats enjoying grain. Yes, we even sing "Happy Birthday"!

The day a new resident moves in becomes his or her "birthday"; we feel everyone deserves the chance to be fussed over as we celebrate life and spirit, surrounded with love and treats!

Geez, I Can't Even Get A Nap Around Here...

At least that's what Fidelity says! Fidelity has always been in charge of raising cats, welcoming cats, playing with cats, and everything else cat-related. Here she is trying to take a nap, because at 16 years old, it's okay to do that, when along comes MeiLi wanting to share the bed and nap with her. Maverick actually spends most of his day watching (or quietly trying to herd) MeiLi, giving Fidelity a much deserved break from kitty care.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Time to Catch Up!



It's truly hard to believe June is here, yet the sudden onset of summer weather confirms it! It's time to catch you up on everything that's been going on here at the sanctuary.

Steve & I continue to improve existing structures on the property in order to create comfortable living quarters for our special residents; we do all of the work ourselves, with help from wonderful friends. We also fund it ourselves ~ your donations do indeed go strictly to food, litter, medication, and veterinary services for the animals.

The Kitty Office Staff are enjoying their newly finished office and outdoor enclosure. In order to handle urinary incontinence and the resulting sanitation issues, the room was repainted in bright glossy paint, the carriers used at feeding time and for kitty beds were given a bright coat of paint, and the floor was recovered in an easy-to-clean vinyl. The enclosure was expanded outside, doubling it in size, bringing it up to the house; the kitties have a door and ramp, and can go in and out at their leisure! Now, if I could just get them to take phone messages!

The photos above show the new office, complete with the fish tank (the stand was turned around to make a cat hiding spot), and the armoire keeps all kitty paws out of the computer, printer, and makes sure they won't be sending unauthorized faxes! The crates are used to separate everyone for morning and evening feedings, as they all have different dietary & medication needs. They make great beds too!

Our great hunters Scooter & Marci found a frog lurking around their enclosure last night. They gave chase, so he stopped once there was a chain link fence between them! Drying litter boxes also double as a shield when you're huntin'!




This is MeiLi enjoying the smaller outdoor exercise yard we call "Shiloh's Yard", and enjoying a nap with Steve. We found during her laryngeal exam that she had sinus passages that were incredibly tiny, due to scarring from chronic disease. Her biospy showed evidence of feline herpes virus causing the sinus problems, so at this point she will stay on steroids for inflammation, cyproheptadine (an antihistamine), and chinese herbs to thin mucous and act as an antibacterial agent.

At this point, we know that she has a finite number of comfortable days remaining. She has her own room with a Hepa filter running constantly, she gets plenty of lap time (she likes Steve's the best!) and she's even decided that the dogs are okay. We take it one day at a time, and treasure each of those days!