TELL TAILS Holiday 2013 INSIDE: Who s your Daddy? President s Letter Welcome new volunteers Smile.Amazon.com Black Pictures our pups at home Thank You to our Merchant Supporters DNA results Remember homeless dogs Happy Tail : Clyde Who s Your DADDY? Dog DNA Testing For our special HOLIDAY EDITION of Tell Tails we thought it would be fun to DNA test a few of our long time residents and find out their true identity! DNA testing is fun for most dog owners but it does have a very important function...knowing the breed(s) of your dog can be extremely help- ful for veterinarians in identifying breed specific genetic disorders and diseases. How accurate are these results? Mars veterinary claims that its Wisdom Panel is 95% accurate, based on breed testing from 13,000 dog DNA samples in its giant canine DNA bank. Here are the dogs we tested. Can you guess their breed(s)? See results on page 7. Paws to Remember pavers are still available. Go to our web site: BANDIT CLOVER JOLIE Www.theshelterconnection.org And click on the paver on the home page. LEVI PATCHES The Shelter Connection is a volunteer organization at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter. Our mission, in partnership with the Town, is to improve the quality of life for the dogs at the shelter and increase adoptions through training and socialization. A secondary mission is public education to shift the public perception about shelters and dispel the myth that shelter dogs are damaged goods. The shelter is located at 75 Marino Avenue, Port Washington, NY 11050
The Shelter Connection 2 Board of Directors Robert Slifkin MD President Jeff Rosen Treasurer Marianne Sikora Secretary Rosanne Palumbo Wellmaker Director of Training Regina Lagrasta Volunteer Coordinator Denise Waters Special Events Coordinator Newsletter Editor Paula Hornak Kellner Education and Public Awareness Coordinator Advisory Board Sue Hassett Asst. Director, North Hempstead Animal Shelter Erik Tallbe, CPA Accountant Chantelle DiLorenzo Attorney Special Thanks to: CastleRock Printing for their contribution towards printing this newsletter The Shelter Connection P.O. Box 226 Greenvale, NY 11548 516-626-8948 tsc@theshelterconnection.com www.theshelterconnection.org The Shelter Connection is an all volunteer nonprofit charitable organization. All contributions are spent on programs and services to improve the quality of life of dogs at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter. All contributions are fully tax deductible. President s Letter: As the holiday season approaches reflecting upon the 15 years that The Shelter Connection has been at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter I realize that we have so much to be thankful for: -our wonderful volunteers who, as adoption advisors, spend so many hours helping people connect with dogs that fit their life style or, as dog handlers, socializing and giving our dogs the basic skills that make them more adoptable. -the incredibly dedicated staff at the shelter. They are truly animal people who go beyond what their job calls for to help the dogs and make their stay at the shelter comfortable and as safe as possible. -the Town of North Hempstead government which has been so supportive of The Shelter Connection s work and efforts. -and last, but far from least, our wonderful community of supporters who supply the funds that enables The Shelter Connection to help so many dogs in so many ways, and through their feedback, let us know that our work is appreciated. In 15 years (as of November 2013) The Shelter Connection has spent: -over $115,000 for the Mend-A-Paw fund which has paid the medical and surgical bills of shelter dogs that are not covered in the shelter budget. We are now Heartworm testing all of the dogs and treating any infections before the dogs are adopted. -more than $42,000 to supplement the shelter food budget to buy a premium food and healthy training treats. -more than $91,000 for physical improvements to the shelter that help the dogs stay sane and happy while they are at the shelter such as the nature trail, agility park, real life room, etc. In the next year we look forward to continuing to meet our mission of improving the quality of life for the dogs at the shelter, increasing adoptions through training and socialization, and educating the public about our wonderful shelter dogs. Bob Slifkin WELCOME! The shelter would like to welcome our newest volunteer adoption advisors: Jacob Brinster, Molly Edelblum, Susan Edelblum, Ian Fuller, Fran Gelfand, Corrinne Hall, David Hall, Kendall Hall, Laura Hall, Randy Katz-Lane, Mia Krishnamurthy, Mary Margiotta, Kimberly Lasek, Lisa Lebowitz, Keith Mait, Roberta Oswald, Joanna Reisman, Natalie Reisman, Donald Scal, Jane Scal New Program to Help The Shelter Connection: SMILE.AMAZON.COM We are registered as a charity in the program- for our supporters to make it work: You need to go to: www.smile.amazon.com, use your amazon ID and password to log in, register Shelter Connection, Inc. as your charity. Even if you search Shelter Connection, Inc. you will get a list of possible charities and our listing is on the second page. Once you list us you don't have to select again but you do have to shop through smile.amazon.com. Thank you for your support and tell all your amazon shopping friends to please do the same!! Send email to your contact lists!!! Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping atsmile.amazon.com.
Tell Tails Holiday 2013 BLACK Black...the color of choice for dogs...it goes with everything, is flattering to your outfit when you walk, hides a multitude of sins (dog hair) on your little black dress and makes you look slim...is officially back in fashion this season. But it never really went away. No household is complete without a black dog, a staple since the 1920s. Black was the color at the end of the 20th century and its popularity goes on. Shelters all over America have black at the heart of their collections. Often overlooked or fading into the back of a kennel unnoticed, black dogs are de rigueur this year for only the most fashionable dog adopters! Come meet our most fashionable black beauties! A black and white boy who is nervous in the company of other dogs but so cuddly with people he deserves a lap to crawl into & snuggle. No other dog needed. Diego has all the love you will need! Ebony was the greatest mom ever when she gave birth at the shelter. Her pups are long adopted but this black and white beauty remains. She loves her people at the shelter & smiles a big toothy grin when you talk to her. DIEGO EBONY A black and white He looks like an over- stunner with a mis- sized Boston Terrier. chievous and fun way He is black and white about her. She would and a smart and con- surely be a dazzling fident fellow, with accessory to someone that square jaw of a looking for a one and runway model. He only companion as she would prefer to be does not enjoy the your one and only company of other and would do well dogs. See her DNA test with proper structure results on page 7. JOLIE NICO & guidance. No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich. Louis Sabin 3
The Shelter Connection BELLA with Roxie BOBO BEANS (Tweak) BANDIT with his men BELLA BECKY (ROXIE) BUDDY SAM with Coco BOBBY (Jake) with Hartley BLITZ CLYDE COSMO CAGNEY (Shibby) COLA BOOKER 4 AUTUMN WIND CAPUCCINO (on left) CRACKERS
Tell Tails Holiday 2013 BUTCH (Murphy) BRANDO BUTTER with Deuce BUTTONS (Marley) CHARLIE CANAAN (on right) CHECKERS (Ally) COCO with Daisy DAISY NEPTUNE with Drummer AJAX DAISY DILLON DILLON DAKOTA ARCHIE 5
The Shelter Connection The Shelter Dogs wanted to thank the following folks for helping make their lives just a bit better while they wait for their forever homes THANK YOU to all the Merchants who have helped keeping the funds coming for the animals at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter. They re eating better, playing better and healing better thanks to the generosity of local businesses. Please help us by patronizing the following Pet friendly merchants. Merchants who helped The Shelter Connection with a special price for: Printing the newsletter CastleRock Printing & Graphics, Port Washington Merchants who sponsored special events for The Shelter Connection: Unleashed Pet Boutique & Spa, Port Washington Howl-O-ween Pet Parade Shield s Hardware, Port Washington TJ Day Joanne s Gourmet Pizza, Roslyn Please shop at and look for The Shelter Connection collection boxes at the following merchants: Bagel Boss, Port Washington Bott s Service Station, Port Washington Diane s Place Hair Salon, Port Washington Diva Flowers, Albertson Frank s Pizza, Port Washington Garden World, Flushing Grace Wine & Spirits, New York City Main Street Wine & Spirits, Port Washington North Shore Farms, Port Washington Petland Discounts, Port Washington Port Washington Animal Hospital, Port Washington Shields Hardware, Port Washington Unleashed Pet Boutique & Spa, Port Washington Yogurt & Such, Greenvale Joanne s Gourmet Pizza, Roslyn This was a tough year for everyone. Thank you to the people who still found a way to help the animals. 6
BANDIT: Bandit is a Redbone Coonhound, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier Cross! His great grandparent was a Staffie and the other a Coonhound/Bull Terrier cross. We always knew he was part hound from his strong hound like features and a bit of bay in his bark, but we surely wouldn t have come up with such and exotic sounding hound dog! CLOVER: Clover has a strong dominance of American Staffordshire Terrier going back to her great grandparents. One of her great grandparents was a mixed breed (too dilute to identify breed) and so her breed is a Staffordshire Terrier Mix. She strongly resembles a Staffie in body but wouldn t it have been great to know what that mix was that gave her the cutest face ever! Oh well JOLIE: Jolie is a Dalmatian/America Staffordshire Terrier and mix breed cross! Sure didn t see that one! The fun of mixes is the creation of some of the cutest faces you will ever see and Jolie sure fits the bill! LEVI: Levi is an American Bulldog/Greyhound/American Staffordshire mix. Wow! His great grandparents were a Staffie and Bulldog/Greyhound/mix breed and down to his parents he was Staffie from one parent and that incredible mix on the other. It sure makes for one cute dog! PATCHES: Patches is an American Staffordshire Terrier Mix with the mix too dilute to identify. Her long legs and thinner body make me wonder what exactly that mix is?! Tell Tails Holiday 2013 REMEMBER YOUR HOMELESS DOGS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON When your pooches are tucked in and snuggled up with you on these long winter nights, let us not forget the dogs at the shelter who are safe and warm and loved but do not have their own special person or family to love. The gift of a medium or large rawhide with knotted ends goes a long way to relieve boredom and keep the dogs busy until that special someone comes along. Thank you on behalf of our furry friends. Please Help us help the dogs At our local shelter Yes, I want to help improve the quality of life for the dogs at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter. Enclosed is my gift to support The Shelter Connection: $100 $50 $25 $15 $10 Other $ Please make checks payable to: The Shelter Connection and mail to: Your donation is fully tax deductible and will be acknowledged with a receipt. 100% of your donation will be applied directly to program services. The Shelter Connection P.O. Box 226 Greenvale, NY 11548 7
The Shelter Connection Tell Tails Holiday 2013 HAPPY TAIL: CLYDE I adopted Clyde in November 2006. He's been a never ending source of joy---the best thing I, a senior, could ever have in my life. He's a great companion--full of love and makes me laugh with his goofy stunts. Clyde is my reason for getting up in the morning. He had a very painful injury but with excellent care he's now doing fine and ready to resume the walks that he loves so much. He loves people, other dogs and even at 8 years old he still loves his squeaky toys. I was very lucky to make a "wrong" turn on my way to find the perfect dog. Thank you for having him at your shelter and giving him good care until I found him. The Shelter Connection P.O. Box 226 Greenvale, NY 11548 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Greenvale, NY Permit No. 144 Got medium & large Rawhide bones with knots?