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Together, we can conquer pet overpopulation in the Shoals.

A Missive from Maisie

When last we left our faithful heroine Maisie, she was still recuperating in Dr. Cobb's Colbert County Clinic. She has sent word on her condition via the good doctor:

I would like to update everyone on Maisie the wonder beagle. The pin is out of her leg and we recently spayed her. She is doing well, she still has trouble with her leg but I believe that will get better. The important thing is that she is alive and well and, as the old saying goes, full of piss and vinegar. Trader came by to see her not long ago and was thrilled. She is an inspiration to everyone she meets. To all of you who donated let me say thanks on behalf of Maisie and the staff here at Colbert Animal Clinic. All the donations were used exclusively for Maisie. I read a great quote the other day that fits occasions like this,"The fact that you can only do a little is no excuse for doing nothing". The combined efforts of all of you produced great results. Once again, thank you and if you're in the area Maisie does receive visitors.

Joe D. Cobb DVM

Colbert Animal Clinic

As you can see, it's been a very long road for her. We hope to help others with Maisie's Fund for injured animals, and we'll have more on this later.

-()-

If any of our readers know of poisonings or other animal abuse in the Cherokee area, please contact us at:

theconnection807@att.net

Sampson Has Been Shot...He Needs Our Help

Reposted from O. B.'s Corner:

Hi, my name is Sampson. I live out in the county and sometimes I like to roam to see the neighborhood. I like to visit with my friends around our little community. I am a rescue dog also. I came to my owner with a broken jaw a couple of years ago and she was nice enough to have me fixed up and let me stay.

This past weekend while exploring, someone shot me. Four times with a 22 caliber rifle. I don't know why they did this. Maybe they thought I was a coyote. But the vet said I was shot and I needed surgery. I've been staying with the vet until I am able to eat something. Cat food is kinda bland. I really don't know how they eat that stuff. But right now my regular food isn't all that inviting either.

So I am asking for your help today. To offset some of my owners expenses on my surgery. If you can help, you can send a check or go by the Center Star Veterinary Clinic at 8123 Hwy 72 Killen AL 35645 (256) 757.5323 Be sure to tell them it is for me and put "For Sampson" on the check.

-()-

Remember that we have Maisie's Fund at Dr. Cobb's in Colbert County. If you find an injured animal and can make it to the Colbert Veterinary Clinic, we have a permanent fund set up there. Any and all donations are appreciated.

We will have big news about Maisie's adoption in about two weeks. She will finally be going to her forever home, and we will bring you pictures of this wonderful new family, finally complete.

Beauregard Needs a Home

Beauregard, shown here in classic mug shot form, needs a new home. This beautiful kitten is five to six months old and has black and brown tabby markings. Beau's medium length coat is easy to care for, while still producing regal ear tufts.

He has not had any veterinary care as yet, coming from a large underprivileged litter. Despite his humble birth, he has a majestic motor and never met a lap he didn't like.

If you have room in your home and your heart for Beauregard, please call 256.335.7285 and leave a message.

Maisie's Fund

Yes! We've hit $500.00 for Maisie's surgery and recuperation. Unfortunately, Maisie will be staying with Dr. Cobb for about five more weeks, so we don't know what the final bill will be. Dr. Cobb is offering many of his services free, and we owe him a tremendous thanks.

Last week we were also asked to help Zeus, a cat that was believed to have been seriously injured in a Florence house fire. Thankfully, Zeus was only singed, sooty, and scared--not a great combination, but not life threatening either.

However, Dr. Cobb was on standby for the cat should he have needed actual medical attention. It's not a rare thing for the small animals who make up part of our families to need emergency attention. We firmly believe that families who adopt animals should be responsible for their basic medical needs, but none of us can predict an emergency brought about by freak accident--or finding a homeless animal like Maisie who would die by the side of the road without help from her human friends.

Therefore, we are establishing Maisie's Fund, a permanent fund that will reside in an open account at Dr. Cobb's Colbert Animal Clinic. We'll be providing more details on how to give as we provide the final update on Maisie's health and her placement in a forever, indoor home.

Trader will also be contacting each of you who've given so generously with more details on the end of Maisie's wonderful story of recovery. Did I say end? I meant beginning...

Maisie Keeps Improving

Injured Beagle Maisie remains at the Colbert Animal Clinic. Dr. Cobb wants to keep her with him for two more weeks until her hips have healed. At that time, we will be looking for a permanent home for this beautiful little girl.

Trader tells me that $394.00 has been collected, with more promised to arrive within the next few days. Due to her extended stay, the bill for Maisie may exceed the original estimate of $500.00. We will keep you posted on both her health and the public's donations.

Thanks to everyone who has been rooting for Maisie!

"John" Is Now "Maisie"

Taking into consideration John's gender, the injured Beagle has been redubbed "Maisie." I had the pleasure of visiting with Maisie this afternoon, just a few hours after her surgery.

Maisie is a real trooper. She was already awake, and now her tail is capable of doing some first class wagging. Despite just coming out of the anesthetic, Maisie was up for socializing and let me pet her.

The staff at the Colbert Animal Clinic has obviously been taking excellent care of this little girl, and props to Dr. Cobb for doing the surgery on what could be termed an installment plan.

As of this afternoon, Trader has collected $288.00. This amount did not include today's unopened mail, so we're hopeful that we'll reach our goal by the end of next week when Maisie is ready to be placed in her forever home. If you know someone who has room for Maisie in their life, please forward these blogs to them. She has a lot of love to give, and thanks to several readers out there, she will now have a chance to give it.

Donation address: Link

Injured Beagle Update/End of an Era

So far, at least $65.00 has been collected for the injured female beagle being treated at the Colbert Animal Clinic. If you haven't read about this courageous young pup, you can find her story at:

Link

"John" obviously needs a permanent home--and a new name wouldn't be bad either.

-()-

Dr. William D. Lazenby Jr. is officially retiring from his veterinary practice in Florence. Most of us who have been fortunate to know Dr. Lazenby over the years call him "Chip."

I knew that Chip had limited his practice in the past few years, but am saddened that he will no longer be there to treat our animals. Chip studied under Dr. David Mussleman, who also retired this year. Life being what it is, veterinary care will go on in the Shoals, but it will never reach the learned and caring heights to which Chip brought it.

Chip has turned over his client/patient records to the Connolly Animal Clinic. I'm sure these two fine veterinarians will provide excellent care; however, if any feel that this practice is not for them for any reason, I highly recommend Dr. Sheila Gilbert on East Tennessee Street in Florence. She is knowledgeable, caring, and a great addition to the Shoals world of animal care.


Disclaimer: The above opinions on local veterinary care are personal in scope and do not reflect professional opinion or endorsement in any manner or form.

Bobtail--Calico Kitten

Please adopt "Bobtail." She obviously needs a real name.

Precious--Tortie Kitten

Precious needs a forever home--along with several other cats and dogs at the Florence Shelter. Please consider visiting the shelter and making your family complete; it's the only love you can "buy."

We recently heard of a story that happened 30 years ago, but it still bears telling. A young grandmother and her two small grandchildren owned a beautiful color point cat. The cat somehow wandered out an open door and climbed a tree. The children were disconsolate, so the grandmother called the police department.

A Russellville police officer soon arrived and promptly shot the house cat--in front of its owner and her two small charges. We don't know why the woman didn't file a complaint against the officer, but it was a different time, and Russellville has never been known for progressive thought.

The above tale is horrible to think about, but so are the innocent kittens and puppies that are put down for want of a home. Please neuter your pets...and please adopt from local shelters.

Rock Cats & More

We understand the two dogs from Center Star Market have now been rescued. Thanks to those who took the time and patience to provide these dogs with a good forever home.

The reward for information in the attack on Jake is now $150.00. If anyone has information on who at the Hensley-Thompson Apartments threw a bottle at Jake, please call the Florence Police Department. Your name will not be given out.

For all the cat lovers out there, here's a must see video:

Starving Dogs at Center Star Market

We have received a report of two stray dogs located at the Center Star Market. These dogs are homeless and starving. Locals have been able to feed the dogs intermittently, as well as provide them with water, but have not been able to coax them to safety.

If you have any interest in adopting or helping these two dogs, the market is located on Hwy 72. Traveling east from Florence towards Rogersville, the Center Star Market is on the right, just past First Baptist Church of Center Star.

If you have knowledge of other strays in such dire straits, please e-mail us at:

baylockerbie@hotmail.com

Thanks to all those who care!

PAWS Rummage Sale

Pets Are Worth Saving (PAWS) is having a rummage sale today and tomorrow, June 11th & 12th. The sale is located in the former Chevron building on East Tennessee Street between the old Sears/Martin Ind. building and the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Florence.

The sale begins each day at 7:00 a.m. and will close approximately at 3:00 p.m. Saturday. We hope everyone will come out to support this wonderful organization.

Pet Adoption Day This Saturday

Saturday May 15, 2010

10:00 a.m. - Until

Southgate Mall - Muscle Shoals

Someone's waiting for you...

Who Hurt Jake? Reward Offered !!!

From Shoalanda Speaks:

North Florence Apartments, a Hensley-Thompson property, is located at 1414 Chisholm Road, adjacent to a once quiet residential area. Last week, someone standing with a small group of individuals in the parking lot of this complex attacked Jake, a friendly family dog who had managed to escape the safety of its home.

The attack cost Jake his left eye and fueled the animosity of neighbors toward residents of the Hensley-Thompson facility. Currently, Capt. Ron Tyler of the Florence Police Department is heading the investigation into the attack. Capt. Tyler may be reached at 760-6500. Perhaps a call to Hensley-Thompson at 764-3033 would also be in order.

We understand several individuals and organizations are considering a reward for information concerning this crime. If anyone provides info that leads to an arrest and conviction of this God-forsaken piece of filth, we at Shoalanda will add $100.00 to the reward. Someone knows something. It's free money for doing the right thing...think about it.


The reward is now $125.00. Please call Capt. Tyler at 760-6500 if you have any information as to who threw the bottle at Jake. Many thanks.

Save the Mexican Dogs?

Today's blog is veering from our usual format, as will the next one or two. If you're like me, you get requests daily to help animals. From aardvarks to zebras, there's an organization out there bent on helping the sick and homeless. This week I received a letter from an international organization dedicated to helping animals outside the United States; Mexican canines were specifically mentioned.

I wish this organization well, but I don't plan on donating. I also no longer donate to PETA. Why? I want my donations to help animals in the United States with their basic survival. That leaves out the Arctic polar bears and the advertisements chastising us for wearing leather goods.

I hope each of you who cares about animals will begin your charity at home in Lauderdale, Colbert, and Franklin Counties. Adopt from a local shelter or PAWS. Send your donations to these organizations. When we no longer have a local problem with homeless and sick dogs and cats, then we can begin contributing to the zoo in Timbuktu.


PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving)

Florence-Lauderdale Animal Shelter

Colbert County Animal Shelter