The PAW Print A Quarterly Publication

Humane Society of Midland County Winter 2009

Inside this issue:

Happy Tails for the Howlidays Message from the 2

HSoMC President
It’s nice to know that for all the cases of neglect and abuse that we hear and see, there are also
HAPPY TAILS to look forward to. All of our battles are worth it when we can introduce animals to Round of A-Paws 2

people who need them. One particular Happy Tail is that of “Missy.” This once sad, big eared
Midland JCC makes a 2
beagle had been on Pet Finder for 4 weeks and her time was coming to an end at the shelter.
difference
Nobody seemed to want an older beagle with oversized ears, skin problems, a limp, and cysts on
her belly. One lucky evening Missy had been noticed 2010 Goals 3

on PetFinder and suddenly, Michelle came into her

life. It’s all in a name 3

Michelle had lost her beloved dog, Precious, a few Winter Care Pet Tips 3

months prior and was not sure that she was ready
Poets Place 4
for another pet. She still had Precious’ food bowls
out, had her bed near the fireplace and could not HSoMC Wish List 4
imagine finding another dog who could be the friend
that Precious was. Even though Michelle is not a big
believer in “signs,” one day she was convinced that
her beloved Precious was telling her that it was time
to move on and share her love and compassion with Missy found her forever home this year. A
another dog who needed her. HAPPY TAIL of two souls who found each other!

When Michelle saw Missy’s sad eyes on Petfinder and saw her “urgent” need for a home, she in-
stantly knew that it was fate for them to rescue each other. In spite of Michelle’s research about
beagles which suggested Missy may not be the right breed for her lifestyle; Missy’s health issues
and potential medical costs, Michelle took Missy home for some long overdue TLC and attention.

Today, Missy is the perfect friend and pet that Michelle needed. Missy contradicts all facts about
beagles being barkers. Thanks to Michelle’s care, Missy has a shiny coat, healthy skin, is cyst free Board
and is comfortably and constantly on the move. Missy shares her life with a woman who saw be- of
yond her “not so glamorous” exterior to provide her with unconditional love, affection, respect Directors
and compassion. Thank you Michelle for giving us more reason to believe that the human-animal
bond exists beyond death. Precious told you it was time to move on and another life was saved.
Neil Wackerle
You are the reason for our Happy Tail this season!
President

Kris Bunner
2009 Adoptions Vice President

Woof Woof! HOWWWWL!
MEOW!!! Hooray!!
The Humane Society of Mid-
land County is VERY pleased
to announce that we have
over 200 Happy Tails to
share with you for 2009.
We have placed a total of
122 cats and kittens &
88 dogs and puppies in
Kathleen Russell
2009 alone! Congratulations and THANK
Secretary
YOU to all who volunteer,
This is a HUGE accomplish- foster, sponsor, provide a Mike Zimmerman
ment considering that we voice for the voiceless and Treasurer
operate 100% on volunteer adopt! Special thanks to our
Deb Witt
commitment and have no friends at MAC who and help Director
official facility to call our us make a difference in more
very own. To ANYONE who lives each day. Kathy Reichow
has questioned our ability to Director
succeed while still looking for Happy HOWLIDAYS from the
Mike Borsum
our own “forever home,” the entire Board at the Humane Director
proof is in the stats! Society of Midland County.
 From our President...
As we come to a close of 2009, I would
like once again to say how proud and
humbled I am to be a part of this or-
ganization.
In spite of the challenges we faced in
2009, we have several great things to
take great pride in. We saw our 200th
adoption, less resistance and more pro-
gress at MAC, our third and largest open
house, our grant for the washer dryer
being approved; and have welcomed
new volunteers, friends and supporters.
We have met every challenge head on,
and although we have lost some battles,
we have WON more. We did lose a few
members here and there, but that is par
Scooby’s Round of A-PAWS!
On behalf of
the HSoMC,
I would like
to offer a
Round of
A-PAWS to
some very
special peo-
ple. Thank
you and “woof” to all of you who offer
your time, energy, services, homes,
voices and dollars to help me and other
pets in our community.
JCC Youth Make a Difference
From the entire Board of Directors and
volunteers of the HSoMC, we would like
to give a big, warm thanks to the youth
and staff at Midland’s Juvenile Care
Center.
For the last year, this group of teens has
helped our volunteers with special pro-
jects at MAC such as walking dogs,
cleaning, and building proper kennels. It
gives us great joy to share in the growth
of our JCC friends, and show them that
their responsibilities can positively im-
Page 2
for the course. We are thankful for now is that we hear more of, “I hear
every bit of time served to support our good things about your organiza-
mission and we remain focused on the tion.” Thank you all again for
very professional and hard working peo- your hard work, support and commit-
ple that have recently joined and remain ment to the HSoMC. I'm looking for-
in our ranks. ward to a great new year for our
group. As our “pack” gains strength in
There is no doubt that 2010 will con- numbers, the “howls” for our cause will
tinue to have many challenges. I am be heard from near and far!
very optimistic that we will have more
grants approved, that we will partner Neil Wackerle
with the County, that our ranks will
grow, and we will grow as
an organization.
Every one of us has heard the comment,
“I didn't know there was a Humane So-
ciety in Midland.” Our great compliment
Me and my pals recognize that our hu- offer your energy and time away from
man friends come in many forms. They family to support our cause in an admin-
come as caregivers at MAC who help istrative capacity. Many offer support by
clean and spend time with us, and they donating dollars and supplies while
come as volunteers who work and plan some share their gift of voice.
adoption fairs and special events to find
us homes. You appear as veterinarians No matter how our human friends offer
who donate care and supplies to keep us themselves we simply offer you ALL a
healthy while we wait for new homes, huge ROUND of A-PAWS for giving us
and you also come in the form of spon- a second chance to find forever families.
sors for special events to help raise WOOF and Thank you!
awareness for us. Some of you open
Scooby
your loving homes to us while others
pact the lives of so many others. They
DO make a difference.
The JCC youth donated all of their No-
vember bake sale money to HSoMC, and
we are constantly amazed by the com-
passion they show for our animal friends
in need. These youth are the future for
animals...the future voices who will
stand up and impact the world!
Thank you JCC youth...you make a dif-
ference and you make us proud!
A Quarterly Publication
 Things to Accomplish in 2010
As we depart from 2009 and welcome
2010, we still have much to accomplish.
Our biggest objective and most tangible
solution to finding our own forever home
would be partnering with the county in
their everyday operation on a perma-
nent basis. We have the manpower, the
dedication and the know-how to turn
MAC into the most adoption friendly
facility in Michigan!
While we as an organization aspire to
have a “no kill” community, it is our goal
to find a more “friendly” method of
euthanasia when the times are deemed
as necessary. The current gas chamber
method used by the County is not hu-
mane, nor is it quick. To be respected as
a “Humane” society, we must practice
the highest quality standards to make
animal’s lives as comfortable as possi-
ble.
Our smaller goals and objectives include
the installation of the washer and dryer
at MAC, continue to grow our member-
ship by 15% annually, and implement
more fundraising and outreach efforts.
We aspire to provided monthly/quarterly
mobile vaccinations, spay and neuter
and adoption clinics; and will continue to
promote National pet awareness and
education.
Education and public awareness will
always be a part of our focus. Through
outreach, community presentations,
school events and fundraising programs,
we encourage more youth involvement
with our organization. The children in
our community hold the future for all of
us!
Another great opportunity for HSoMC
would be to partner with area senior or
assisted living communities, and incor-
porate a therapeutic program for people
and pets. How wonderful would it be to
offer a visit from a furry friend who
could help return a smile to someone’s
face? And in return, a pet who is looking
for a forever home gets a new best
friend...if for only a day.
We look forward to many
rewarding experiences
for people AND pets in
2010!

It’s all in the Name

Buddy, Riley, Bailey,
Shadow, Lady, Lucky, Misty,
Bear, Sadie and Patch are all
fine names for your pet...but
they are also the most com-
monly used. Perhaps you
can take a moment to ask
yourself...does my pet’s
name make a statement
about his/her personality?
Does that name command
the attention from a crowd
that my pet SO deserves?
Here are some fun things to
consider when naming your new
pet. Think of your favorite things
in life...and how your pet will
become one of those favorites.
Name your pet after your favor-
ite car, state, city, celebrity,
sports team, wine, music or
even color.
Consider a name that will grow
Tia T-Bone...a princess with your pet and one that you
the size of a steak and will enjoy calling out. Try not to
the meat of our family!
use too many syllables! You can
also consider your pet’s breed heritage
and name them after a human/foreign
name category. For instance, pick a
French name for your poodle or a Ger-
man name for your shepherd. Wait a
couple of days to study your pet’s be-
haviors or appearance before you settle
on the purr-fect name.
Be adventurous, have fun with your pet
and make a statement about your rela-
tionship and dynamic with each other.
After all...It’s all in the name!

Winterize Your Pets

Now is the time of year when we break
out our heavy clothes and face another
winter. As we prepare ourselves for
Michigan winter, what do we do to pre-
pare our pets? Sure they have winter
coats all year long, but are they really
ready for winter?
If you must leave your pets outside,
please take the following measures to
keep them safe, warm and as comfort-
able as possible:
- Provide a stable shelter to protect
them from the biting winds, blowing
snow and freezing rain. Ears and noses
can be prone to frostbite.
- Insulate the shelter with a nice layer of
straw to keep their paws warm.
- Use a heated water dish.
- If the temperatures drop below zero,
find a way to bring your furry friend
inside.
- Clean the snow out of their paws, es-
pecially between the toes.
- When bringing them inside, take a
towel and dry your pet off so they can
rest comfortably with you.
By taking care of your pet, no matter
what the weather conditions are, you
will have a best friend for life by keeping
them safe and protected from the ele-
ments.

The PAW Print Page 3


Humane Society of Midland County
HSoMC
PO Box 1034
Midland, MI 48641-1034
Phone: 989-948-8804
Web: www.hsomc.org
E-mail: info@hsomc.org
501 (c)(3) non-profit organization
We're on
Facebook!
Road Trippin’ to New Homes
Thanks to Ryan Conners for the artwork
she allowed us to use for custom T-shirts!!
HSoMC WISH LIST
Premium Dog and Cat Food (wet or dry)
Kitten replacement milk
Cat litter
Large wire or plastic crates
Towels for bathing and bedding
Gently used or new collars and leashes
Stainless steel bowls
POETS PLACE
Tray’s Poem
Written by: Leslie Whalen
2/01
One by One, they pass by my cage, Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can’t run and play. Then they shake their heads slowly
and go on their way.
A little old man, arthritic and sore, It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed, A place that was warm, and where I was
fed.
Now my muzzle is gray, and my eyes slowly fail. Who wants a dog so old and so
frail?
My family decided I didn’t belong, I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head, Can’t justify how they left me for
dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day, The younger dogs get adopted
away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope, You saw my face, and I finally
had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age, And felt I still had life be-
yond this cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed, And shared your own pillow with
my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low, You love me so dearly, you want
me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another, But you outshine them with a
love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give, To you, my dear person, as long
as I live.
I may be with you for a week, or for years, We will share many smiles, you will
no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave, I know you will cry and
your heart, it will grieve. And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new, My
thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear, Of the person who made my last days so
dear.
Dedicated to Missy’s mom...and everyone else who sees the beauty in
the older and “not so pretty” animals who need loving homes.
Long cable teathers and tie anchors (for Office supply store gift card
foster guardians with no fenced yards)
Enclosed trailer for storage and trans-
Dog and cat toys and treats ports of food and animals
Gentle shampoos Office/exam space for HSoMC staff and
veterinarians
Combs, brushes and nail trimmers for
grooming
Postage stamps
Paper for office use and collateral