by Lorraine Monfils and Mary Peabody
Early one Thursday morning there was a knock on the front door of the Hollywood Pet Salon. It was a usually-closed business day for grooming, but one when I get a chance to do a multitude of things related to the Sanctuary. It might be taking any of the animals that have come to us with wounds or are ill to a veterinarian or checking up on any needs of the animals that we care for. Then there is the paperwork for my own business as well as AAS and the planning for our AAS fundraisers. For being my 'day off', it is most always a very busy day!
On this Thursday the lady at my front door had an injured cat in a carrier. Despite the large open wound on the side of his face, as well as the fact that he had lost the tip of one ear to frostbite, he was one of the most affectionate and beautiful cats that I have ever met.
The lady told me that she had tried to get help for him locally but had been unsuccessful. She also told me that he had been found living inside someone’s barn. This kind person knew that it was way too cold to turn him away, so she began to feed him and continue to try to get some help for him. She finally found that help when she came and knocked on our door.
This was no small cat but rather a very large fellow who had not been neutered. Because of his size, as well as his wounds, we decided to call him Bruiser. We took this homeless but very lovable cat to the veterinarian that day. He was neutered, his wounds cleaned, antibiotics given, and he was returned to us so that his healing process could begin.
Bruiser is loving life inside where it is warm! He now has an endless supply of food and water, something he obviously hadn’t enjoyed for awhile. He will lay and purr in his comfortable bed while his wounds are healing.They are nearly all gone. His frost bitten ear only adds to his majestic character. Bruiser’s wonderfully friendly nature tells us that he musthave belonged to someone at some time. He is estimated to be between two and three years old.
Bruiser is looking for a home where his humans will take care of him. In return they will get his endless supply of unconditional love. We are hoping that someone out there is ready to make a difference in the life of this animal. He has had a rough start in life and is now looking and waiting for a real home.
If you are interested in adopting Big Bruiser, please call the ARK ANIMAL SANCTUARY at 532-7387.
Benefit Night will again be hosted by the Horn of Plenty on March 16th. Please join us for The Horn’s scrumptious food and know that you are again helping us to help our AAS animals. Call ahead for reservations at 532-2260
We're introducing our new Guardian Sponsor Program:
Most of you are aware that we are a non-profit organization that works very hard to create money to help abused animals. We don’t like to ask for money but we greatly appreciate any help.
For a $30/month donation you can sponsor one of the animals at The Ark. This will help pay for food, litter and medical needs. You can choose which pet, or have us choose for you. Photos are available on the our website and also here on Facebook in the Adoptable Pets album.
We're also introducing our new Business Sponsorship Program:
For a $25/month donation your business card, link to business website, or business name/contact info will be placed on the AAS Website and Facebook as a Business Sponsor. We will highlight the Sponsorship twice monthly on FB at www.facebook.com/arkanimalsanctuary
As with the Guardian program, Business Sponsorship donations can be mailed in, brought in to Hollywood Pet Salon, or Sent through PayPal (via keeper@arksanctuary.com). Arrangements can be made to pick them up if needed. Donations can be made monthly, quarterly or yearly. Email reminders can also be sent.
Again, asking for money is hard, and we try not to ask very often. If you feel that you could help us at this time, we sincerely thank you! We are so grateful for the wonderful support that the people in our community and surrounding towns and even great distances have given us! These are not just words, but heartfelt appreciation!
More info available online: www.ArkSanctuary.com or Email: keeper@arksanctuary.com
The AAS took in no dogs and we currently have no dogs. We did take in 2 cats. We were happy to adopt 6 cats who now have “fur ever” homes. We still have 46 cats who would love to be part of a family!
Our donations: $283.25
Our expenses: $$1,466.36
I don’t like to finish on a sad note, but must relay that Webster, the AAS mascot pig, passed away this past Friday. Some of you who read our column may remember that in a previous column we wrote about a young girl that raised this pig to auction off at a fair. When the time came to sell him for slaughter, it was too difficult for her. A wonderful man bought Webster, and the Ark agreed to try to find this very large pig a home.
For those that feel we only care for dogs and cats, having little or no interest in the fate of non- domesticated animals, that is not the case! The Ark Animal Sanctuary does what it can, the best that it can, to save the lives of all animals in this area. In this case it was a pig! Bob and Lorraine Monfils did everything in their power to keep large, lovable Webster healthy. I have been told, by at least one that should know, that a pig has the intelligence of a dog. Bob and Lorraine gave Webster a wonderful home.
When it got cold, and they felt he seemed to be not “himself”, he was made more comfortable with his own heating blanket. He was served the best food, received the best medical care that was available, and given all the love and attention that they could. He received all of this care from day 1!
All one can do IS TRY THEIR BEST! I know both Bob and Lorraine have always given their best, and not just for Webster, but for all those that the Sanctuary gives (what we hope will be) temporary refuge to.
Please think about adopting!
Thank you for reading our column and for your continuing interest and support
Rest in Peace, Webster
