Saturday, April 6, 2013

New Kids on The Block


Kate opens the orientation. 
Mathew let me sit with him
during the orientation. 











Today was my first orientation. WOW is all I can say. There are some really fun friends coming to help here at the HSSET. I am so excited. They were eager to ask questions, offer suggestions and wanted to know if there were limits on helping... really ?!? Some people can give 2 hours a month or 2 hours a day. It doesn't matter. What matters is that you are willing to help out our furry friends. YAY us. Good job Carrie, Kate and Audine. I am proud of you!
Jaime is getting her volunteer T-Shirt. 





Friday, April 5, 2013

We've Been Edumicated!


Today we had some volunteers I haven't had the pleasure of meeting. And, let me tell you... they were so sweet . First, we'll talk about Rani. Now, this was one brave lady. It was evident she was afraid of my furry friends. However, I could also tell she was trying. To know that animals were not at the top of her love list and she still came to volunteer... kudos! I stayed close by to help her work through her fears if needed. Of course, my Audine was the same and after some time with me, she's working full time with all these lovely animals. So who knows how things will work with Rani!
Kelsey and Bryant were having fun with one of our four pups here. (I can't tell you the name because they all look so much alike). Every time they would throw the ball, the pup would run after it. I bet if they sat there another hour they would still be throwing that ball!


Anthony was trying to convince the pup he would come back and play again but I think the pup just wouldn't have it. Our animals just thrive with all the attention and are anxiously waiting to have a forever home. Until then, volunteers help keep them going.

Our final pair are Bambo and Cameren work with the cats during the first part of their volunteer time. Cameren really enjoyed Dexter darting in and out of the boxes along the floor and trying to catch him. I do believe all my new volunteer friends enjoyed themselves and we hope this will be a place they return to visit often. Some of them were kinda cute <wink>

It's All About the Animals


The bell rings again... we love the sound of our adoption bell ringing. It's something we all cheer about when it rings. This is our adoption board one day last week.


We love these kind of days as it means we have found homes for all these animals and we now have room to save a few more lives. Woo Hoo! Thanks to the hard work of our HSSET Staff.


Meet Carrie

This is how the camera sees Carrie. She is our Shelter Manager. She flitters and flies all over the place. Trying to catch her to slow down long enough to get a picture is rare. Then if you do catch her, she will not let you get a face view. Try as much as we can, it's a challenge. So, if you want to see what Carrie really looks like, come up the the Shelter!

Final Stages of Cleaning Pt. 3

Cupcake

Cupcake is one the dogs you just can't help but love, no matter what. She just filled my face with sweet dog kisses. Just loves and loves and loves to be around people. She gets so excited she just jumps up and down in the cage.

Dancing anyone? 
Yet, I digress again... so back to the cleaning. Once all the cages are cleaned, new paper is put in and the dogs returned, it's time to clean up the cleaning supplies.

We dump the water buckets in the floor drain. Then we sweep. I tried to get Audine to let me sweep. I even pulled the broom closer to me but other than slide down like a fireman's pole, there wasn't much else I could do with the big thing.

The last thing we had to do was mop up the floors. I thought about sliding all over the wet floor but once again, it's a bleach and water mix and I just couldn't see getting all washed out.

Stephanie and me. 

After the rooms were all clean, Stephanie and I went to the front desk to begin our next job... adoptions. More calls to make and people to please. Our work is never done!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Cleaning Part 2


Earlier, I began to tell about learning to clean out the cages.I want to share the next part of the process. When Audine and I were out, Stephanie was able to get Devon's cage all nice and clean and ready to get back in his temporary home.
Devon all tired out from his morning walk. 
Next, we began to clean out one of the other cages. Cinnamon and Katie were  next on our cleaning list. If you look at the cages with our precious furry friends, you would not know what all is done but I am
Cleaning food bowels. 
glad to learn about  all the care that is given to insure they are so protected. These to stayed in a small crate while we cleaned. First we had to remove the newspaper and shredding from their cages. Then we used a hand towel soaked in the bleach/water mix. We cleaned the sides, the bottom and the top of the cage with the cleaner.
Katie

While those dried, we took the water dish and let it soak in the bleach mix and the food dish and let it soak in the soap and water mix. Then we dipped them in the clean water and lay them on the towel to air dry. (The bleach will evaporate during this step).

The last step in cleaning the cages is to lay a few layers of newspaper flat on the bottom. Then get the long shredded paper and put enough for our small furry friends to "nest" comfortably. Then we put their water bowels back in their correct places and attached them with the cable ties to the doors. Then, back to their temporary homes the sweet pups went. Phew, I was getting tired just watching all of this!

Maid Service Available!

Before I do anything up here, I
 have to drink at least
one cup of coffee. It's a must! 
This morning, Audine and I helped out in one of the small dog rooms.

I must admit, it was fun learning all about how the HSSET cleans the cages, why certain things are done and the best way to do it.

Ms. Stephanie was so sweet and patient teaching me all the new things about working in this one room. Glad I was here to help. So, if you need some cleaning help just call... I know how to spill the bleach water really well!

Ready to go walking. Hmpf, this is
 one big handle. 

Here is what happens: first we fill three different buckets of warm water. One is soap and warm water, one is part bleach and water and the other is just clean warm water.

Then we carry these all back to the room and put them on the table. We begin the cage cleaning process one cage at a time. Now here is one of those situations of if/then. If the dog is of the right age (that depends on what Ms. Stephanie tells me), we take the dog outside for a walk.
Rachel and Coleman

Some of the dogs are younger and are not quite ready for those longer walks. We took Devon and Coleman out one at a time.  They were so excited to get outside I am not sure who was walking who at that moment. It was a little chilly and the ground was wet. Sweet Coleman kept hopping like a rabbit and having so much fun Audine and I just laughed watching him.

While we were out, Stephanie was able to get Devon's cage all nice and clean and ready to get back in their temporary homes.


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Hanging Around

There is buzzing all around. You can hear the sounds of families coming in the choose their new family pet. This morning there were several volunteers that came in to help socialize the dogs and cats. Some of our board members were here to get some of their special work done.

The staff had all of their work today as well. I just thought I would hang out in here with Audine and watch her work... (don't tell her but it is so much more fun hanging out at the front desk so I get to meet so many new families). It's the end of the day and time to get my sleep. I wonder what tomorrow will bring... keep tuned in ...

Ring That Bell Baby!



I only put my head down for a minute! And then, all of a sudden it was done! I heard that bell ring again.


Another family approved to adopt. I have to warn you, just because you walk in the door and want one of my furry friends, does not guarantee you are going to get one!

Sometimes there isn't a dog or a cat that will be the 'just right match' for your family. It's not always a no, sometimes it is just a 'wait'. Our goal is to find forever families. That means every application is reviewed and checked for your history with animals.



If you can see in this picture, Rachel and Diane are looking at a map to make sure this applicant's home has a fence and is in a a suitable area.If a family is seeking a large dog and will keep it outside they must have a fence. This helps prevent the animals from running away. It's also important our friends feel they are in a secure environment. The staff will also call the family vetinarian to insure their current animals are well cared for and given the necessary shots. Landlords must also give their permission in advance.

 This prevents a person from taking home an animal that may have to be moved because they didn't follow all the rules of their lease. Today it was interesting. A family came in to adopt a cat and changed their mind. After reviewing the application and talking with the family, the crew here just knew this was not a dog family.
I love hanging out with new adoptive families. They are always so excited!

Put yourself in our place here... a family wants a dog but all of the staff at the HSSET knew it was a really a cat family. If they were not so in tune with understanding our furry friends, and just gave them what they thought they wanted, the dog is returned to the shelter.


Now, do you really think that dog understands for a couple of months it ran free in this home and yarn and now, it's back in  a kennel? How would you feel? We understand that same thought. So, our job is to make the best fit!

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Imma Bear Watcher

Have you met my friend Bear? He is so loveable. He's two years old and and is every bit of the momma described "terrible two's" you can think of. He's in and out of everything. So loveable and climbs up and down, wants to love on you and then runs... and runs .... and runs.

Bear had been a stray when he was brought to us. He had no idea how to act around people but thrived on their interactions and hugs.He just didn't know his own strength and would get excited. Bear just wants to love everyone.

His best friend at the shelter use to be an older female who let him know in a loving way 'stop' and Bear would stop.But, alas, she found a forever family.

Today, I watched Bear play with the pups for quite a while. It was fun to watch Bear play on the outside of the cage with the pups. Bear would run and the pups would follow. Then he would run to the other end and the pups would run the other way. I am not sure who had more fun, the pups or Bear!


Bear has calmed down a lot since his arrival. His manners are improving daily and he has learned to respond to stop and no. Bear has watched several friends go to their forever families and is a little sad right now. I hope he too can find a forever family soon. Do you know one? 

Ever have one of those days?


I tried running like Bear so the pups would chase me. It didn't seem to work the same. For some reason the pups thought it would be more fun for me to run this way. Hmmm.... what's wrong with this picture?

My New Friend

Come on in and meet my new friend, Ms. Betty. She is one of our regular volunteers. I have seen her come in and out the door but had not had the chance to sit down and talk to her for very long. I I saw her playing with Andy. Of course, I could not be outdone so I jumped right in her arms with Andy. It's not a BOGO... it's a "LOGO": Love One Get One. Ms. Betty is such a sweet person. Would you believe she comes to the shelter several times a week? It depends what she is doing each day but she may be here as much as 4 or 5 hours each visit. She told me once that she has extra time to give and just loves dogs so why not give time to those who really need her?!  Not everyone can give as much time but EVERY volunteer is valuable to us. Ms. Betting will be going to Alaska this summer and we sure are going to miss her warm smiles and the time she is able to spend with all the animals. Do you have some time to give? Don't you think you need to personally meet me? I am sure you will enjoy me! Come check us out... you never know what kind of 'loving feelings" you may get!