It s about people too.

Volunteer ADOPT ICAS DONATE It s about people too. Volunteering is not just about the animals It was a typical Tuesday, the lobby was full, and the amazing gals at the front desk were helping people as fast as they could. I asked if I could help anyone, and a lady with three young children said franticly I lost my dog, is he here? Let s go back and see. The Lady with three kids in tow, and I made our way back to the dog wards. As I was about to open the door to Ward 2, I asked what kind of dog she lost. It s a Pomeranian she replied. Oh, I said we have one of those. As the door opened, I pointed to a small cage on the left. When the little dog saw the lady, his whole body started wagging and his tail was thumping on the cage. When I glanced at the lady, her eyes were filled with tears of joy. And so were mine. More good stuff Mobile Adoption Schedule 2 Parade photos 2 Ask Bobble 3 Short & Tall Tales 4 Mark your calendars 5 AUGUST 2008 Newsletter ideas, stories, or questions for Bobble, contact Deb Allen at debmydeb@aol.com. Ingham County Animal Shelter 600 Curtis Street Mason, MI 48854 517-676-8370 www.ingham.org/ac

Mobile Adoptions On another day, I was helping out in the cat ward. A big man with bib overalls and a long beard came in and said he was looking for a kitten to adopt. Any particular kind I asked. I want an orange one. he said. I reached into one of the lower cages and pick out my favorite orange kitten. He cradled the tiny kitten in his large hands and a big smile covered his face. It was love at first sight. To volunteer contact Sally at beebes@cablespeed.com Soldan s Okemos 12-4 August 17 We are at Soldan s in Okemos every third Sunday. Petco Frandor 530-830 August 15 We are at Petco in Frandor every third Friday. Fourth of July Parade A BIG SUCCESS A big Thank You to the Beebe Family for making our debut in not one, but two Fourth of July parades a big success. The float was awesome and we even won a trophy for the Mason parade. The mobile adoption on the Capital lawn, after the Lansing parade, found homes for nine animals.

Ask Bobble We need toys, blankets, beds, litter, leashes Dear Bobble, I can t volunteer all the time, but I would like to bring things for the animals. What do they need? Big Heart Thank you, Big Heart for wanting to help all my animals friends at the shelter. There are so many animals at the shelter now, we need lots of things. Things to bring for the dogs : Toys, toys and more toys Raw hide chews (big & small), Kong chews Blankets and small rugs Lots of cloth leashes Stainless steel bowls Brushes and combs Kuranda Dog Beds Kuranda.com/catalog Poly Resin Bed, 40x25 Things for the kitties: Cat litter, We use 600 lbs. a week. Canned cat food Stainless steel bowls Cat toys, scratching posts We also use a lot of detergent (HE front end washers) and Clorox at the shelter. Please drop off donations at the shelter. Sniff y" later, Bobble

Short and Tall Tales Volunteer Stories Wonderful foster parents share their stories If there is one line that I have heard a thousand times by people when they go into any animal shelter it s, I wish I could taken them all home. I know exactly how these people feel. To me, fostering kittens from the shelter is the closest thing possible to doing precisely that. I have always felt so selfish going to the shelter, seeing all of the critters in their cages, with their sad eyes looking up at you, and then leaving to go back to my spacious home, acting as if they didn t need me once I walked out of the door. Finally, I just couldn t turn my back anymore, and I signed up to be a foster parent. I have never regretted my decision (except, perhaps, when I walk into the bathroom to see the entire roll of toilet paper laying in a pile on the floor). There is no greater feeling than bringing home a scared little animal, and showering them with affection, and then watching them come out of their shell. I have fostered kittens that were underweight, sick, and had dried poop sticking to their fur. Over time, they gain weight, return back to health, and are eventually running the house, begging for your food, and sleeping in your bed. Fostering gives you a sense of fulfillment that you just can t get by writing a check. I love the fact that I have nearly always been able to meet the people that will be adopting my fosters. I always give the people the option to return the kittens back to me if the adoption doesn t work out. This seems to give all parties involved a warm sense of contentment. To date, this is something that has never happened. Sometimes it is hard work, and I have had some heartaches along the way. It is always sad to see a member of your family go to a new home. But, in the end, the gifts that you receive from fostering have always outweighed the cost. Just one trip to the kitty cages at the shelter proves that. Greg McCausey

Mark your Calendars We need you! August September I Need a Home 17 Lake Lansing Mobile Haslett, noon -4 19 Petco Mobile Friday 530-830 Lansing Contact Teresa to volunteer ac_carter@ingham.org 20 Wag n Wednesdays Discount adoptions at the Shelter 6-8 21 Soldan s Mobile Sunday 12-4 Okemos Sandy was heartworm positive when I got her, almost five months ago. She is my first foster and I have been through a lot with her, the recovery from heartworm, her spay surgery, etc. But seeing her personality bloom after a few weeks in my house, was really wonderful. She was quiet, shy, very timid and skittish when she first came home with me. Now her personality is blooming and she is healthy. I am so glad. My home may have been the only home she has ever had, and it is nice to see her happy and comfortable. I would say overall the experience has been very rewarding. It is great to know that you saved a dogs life and gave them a chance to have a forever home. Even the socializing (with my dog, and cat) was good to see. It was a great experience for everyone. My dog and cat have another friend to play with. The best part is seeing Sandy becoming part of a family. Fostering helps a dog become an easy addition for a new family. Sandy still needs a forever home. Contact me at kraklana@msu.edu if you would like to see her. Ashley