Back in Black -- a very special color indeed

Back in Black: the Beauty of a Black Pet

By Joanna Dunn Samson

as seen in the "Aiken Standard" 5/18/14 edition

Black is the chicest of colors.  Coco Chanel once said, “A woman needs just three things; a black dress, a black sweater, and on her arm, a man she loves.”  Gianni Versace said, “Black is the quintessence of simplicity and elegance.”

The black robes of a judge symbolize morality and justice.

The black robes of priests and pastors symbolize a connection with God.

In the 1960’s, a new generation of young people challenged conventional ways of thinking, and black became the color of individuality and intellectual rebellion.

Black is an artistic color.  “Black is a force,” said impressionist painter Henri Matisse, who said he always chose black when he didn’t know what color to lay down on the canvas. 

So if black symbolizes elegance, simplicity, justice, spirituality and art, then how come black dogs and cats take 4 times longer to be adopted from a shelter than their lighter counterparts?

The rescue world calls it “Black Dog Syndrome,” a well-known, but little understood, phenomenon.  Black dogs and cats are often passed over by potential adopters for a variety of relatively vague reasons, like indistinct facial features and “generic” body types – issues compounded by poor lighting in many shelters – and size: large black dogs are even harder to adopt out.

Here’s an even more perplexing fact: a large majority of the black dogs at shelters who do not get adopted are Labrador retriever crosses, yet year after year, Labs top the list of the most popular breeds in the country.  They are friendly, playful and promiscuous in their love of humans.  They are goofy, good-tempered animals – an excellent choice for families with children.

Here’s another fact: the traditional black Lab is far and away the most popular and prevalent color of the breed – possessing sleek, muscular bodies that shine like polished ebony.

So why do black lab mixed breeds endowed with the same admirable and lovable qualities have so much trouble finding forever homes? 

It makes no sense.  Take a tour of any animal shelter, including the Aiken County shelter, and you will often find medium to medium-large sized Lab crosses with bubbly, affectionate personalities, just waiting for a family to love, entertain and protect.

Black dogs and cats are victims of an irrational prejudice and a genetic formula that determines color.  Despite negative portrayals in literature and ancient folklore (think black cats and witches or the black hounds of hell), there is not a shred of evidence that black dogs are more aggressive or untrustworthy than their lighter colored brethren. Ninety-nine percent of the time, aggression is a function of abuse and poor training – not a function of color.

FOTAS is a network member of the Best Friends Animal Society, which is dedicated to rehoming shelter animals all over the country, and Best Friends has designated the month of May as national “Back in Black” month.

In honor of this national promotion, the Aiken County Animal Shelter has reduced adoption fees for black dogs to $33 and for black cats to $13 through May 31.  This fee covers spaying and neutering, all necessary vaccinations and microchipping.

Two black Shelter puppies, Brooke and Logan, were recently adopted by this young woman and her mother.  Why don’t you come on over to the Aiken County Animal Shelter like they did and take home your next best friend.  By the end of the day, you will be snuggled up on the couch watching American Idol with a happy black bundle of pure love.

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 333 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers”

May 5, 2014 - May 10, 2014

25 dogs and 10 cats  SAVED

Year to Date:  

351 terrific pets   SAVED

ADOPTION SPECIALS MAY 1 - MAY 31:

BACK IN BLACK -- black dogs $33 -- black cats $13

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

SMOKEY   Lab mix, male, 3 yrs old, 42 lbs.  Only $70 

SAVANNAH  Domestic short hair -- female -- 2 yrs old  Only $13

Sad Pet Surrenders -- Please Help Us Stop Them

Sad Surrenders can be easily avoided by owners

By Joanna Dunn Samson

as seen in the "Aiken Standard", April 13, 2014 issue

I was manning the desk at the Aiken County Animal Shelter one afternoon when a car pulled up to the curb in front of the Main Administration Building.  The driver, a woman, emerged from the front seat with a leash in her hand, and the passenger, a man, gets out and opened the back door.

My heart sinks.  An overweight black dog - a lab mix - is sitting in the back seat, panting anxiously.  The woman clips on the leash.

“Come on, June,” she says, “let’s go.”

June is having none of it.  She backs up in the seat.

The man tries to coax June out of the car.  Uh huh.  No way.  June hunkers down; her panting increases.

For the next 5 minutes, I watch a heartbreaking tug of war that, in the end, June inevitably loses.  Dragged out of the car, June follows her owners reluctantly to the Intake Door.  The owners pay a $20 drop-off fee and go home.

June is led to the Adoption Building to join 30 other dogs waiting to be adopted.  

I keep harping on this number, but it can’t be repeated too often: 4800 animals were consigned to the County Shelter last year.  4800!  Despite our success at increasing adoptions, fosters and transfers – we were unable to save them all.  Not even close.

Why do owners surrender their animals to a shelter?

In a study conducted by the National Council on Pet Population and Policy, the top 7 reasons dogs and cats are surrendered are: moving, landlord not allowing pet, too many animals in the household, costs, personal problems, inadequate facilities and no homes for litter mates.  Only 3% of dogs were relinquished for biting.  96% of the dogs had never had any obedience training. 

Of course, life happens and sometimes surrender is the only option, but it should always be the last option, because in Aiken County, there is a 70% chance (based on last year’s numbers) that a dog you relinquish to the shelter will be euthanized.

There are common sense things you can do to avoid surrendering a helpless animal to a shelter and an uncertain fate.

If you rent, check with your landlord before you bring a pet home.

Do not take on more pets than you can afford: additional pets = additional expenses.

Train your dog so it becomes a well-behaved family member.  There are easy, no-cost training programs online.

If you must move and can’t take your pet, or if you are having personal problems, ask responsible family and friends to help, or call local rescues who might be able to find a foster family for your pet on a temporary basis.

Neuter your pets.  Do not bring more unwanted animals into this world.

There are people who suffer when they are forced to surrender their pets – like the Army recruit deployed overseas who sobbed when he turned over his beloved Luci to Animal Control - but all too often, surrender is a callous and unnecessary option.

P.S.    By the way, there is a happy ending for June.  She is being fostered by a loving family who tells us, “she is an angel,” and will be on her way to a new home next week.

One more down, 4388 to go. 

One of those lovely animals is waiting for you.  Don’t wait - adopt today and save another life.

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 333 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  Statistics Jan. thru Mar. 2014

Animals received         746

Animals saved 411

(adoptions & transfers)

Animals euthanized 431

We saved 57% so far, but don’t get your hopes up: breeding season has just begun.  Intake numbers are much higher during the summer months.

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

RAMBO   Chocolate Lab, male, 8 yrs old, 61 lbs  Only $70 

MODI  Domestic short hair -- male -- 2 yrs. old, 8 lbs  Only $35

The Morning After

By Joanna Samson, FOTAS Director

as seen in the Aiken Standard 3-30-14 issue

By all accounts, the Grand Opening Ceremony for the new Aiken County Animal Shelter on Sunday was a great success.  

Over 300 people attended the celebration. Six dogs and one cat went home with their new families.  Even the weather complied: by 2:00 the rain had stopped and the temperature had risen.

It was a wonderful day, and I was honored to be a part of it.

Now that it’s over, the difficult and frustrating work of dealing with the County’s overpopulation of unwanted animals must continue.  The stakes are high.

Here are the grim, cold facts:  In the last fiscal year, 4794 abandoned animals passed through the County shelter’s doors. The County and FOTAS were able to save 1581 of those animals.

Do the math, folks:  67% of the animals that came to the shelter had to be euthanized, many of which would have made someone a great pet.  And although 67% is a significant improvement over the 90 – 95% numbers of the past, it is still a dismal number.

“I am worried,” says Annette van der Walt, the County’s Adoption Coordinator, “that people think because we have this brand new facility the overall picture is rosier.  It’s not.  Yes, it’s a healthier environment; yes, adoptions and transfers have gone up, but the intake numbers are so much higher than the adoption/transfer rates.”  She shakes her head.  “That’s heartbreaking.”

In the 45 minutes I was at the shelter last Tuesday, a woman surrendered a lively Jack Russell cross because she was, well . . . too lively.

Then, a man surrendered 15 puppies from two separate litters.  When Sandy Larsen offered the man an opportunity to participate in the County’s low cost spay/neuter program, he dismissed her with a shrug and left.  No doubt, he’ll be back one day in the future with another 15 puppies for which the County and FOTAS will have to find homes.

“It’s been a hard day,” said Brandon Anceume, one of the kind custodians, staring glumly at the intake papers on the desk.  “They just keep coming in.” 

Is spay/neuter the answer?  Yes, it is.  But here’s another cold, hard fact: most experts believe it will take 10 years of a rigorous spay/neuter program to see a dramatic drop in the local intake numbers.

We just can’t wait 10 years!

Today, the County and FOTAS are still obligated, both legally and morally, to care and find a home for those 4800 animals.  

What can we do now?   You are the answer.  Adopt!  Adopt!  Adopt!

Thinking of getting a kitten for your kids?  Adopt from the County shelter.

Thinking of adding a new dog after your beloved canine companion has passed?  Adopt from the County shelter.  

Thinking of adding another dog or cat to your family?  Adopt from the County shelter.  

And now that the adoption experience at the new shelter is peaceful and upbeat, there is no reason to go anywhere else.  Please take advantage of the ½ price adoption special in effect until the end of this month.  Cats are $20 and dogs are $35.

Every time you adopt from the County shelter, you save the life of one of those 4800 unwanted animals, and that, my friends, brings us one animal closer to our goal of never having to euthanize another adoptable animal in Aiken County.

at the grand opening last week, Linda Boatright adopts Tom Brady,
with FOTAS volunteer Bob Gordon and Shelter Chief Bobby Arthurs

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 333 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers”

Mar. 18, 2014 - Mar. 23, 2014

15 dogs and 4 cats adopted

Year to Date:  

129 terrific pets adopted

THANK YOU AIKEN COUNTY COMMUNITY!

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

ANDY   Shepherd mix,  male, 10 mos. old, 72 lbs  Only $35 

GABLE  Domestic long hair -- male -- 8 mos. old, 5.5 lbs  Only $20

A Day of Celebration at the new Shelter Ribbon Cutting

A Cause for Celebration

By Jennifer Miller, President of FOTAS

as seen in the "Aiken Standard" 3-23-14 issue

FOTAS was created in 2009 in response to the alarming number of stray and abandoned animals in Aiken County and the hopelessness of their plight.  At the time, because of the sheer number of these animals, “Animal Control” consisted of a futile attempt to reduce the homeless population by euthanasia.

The conditions at the shelter were abysmal.  It was not unusual for 200 animals to be crowded in a dark, airless building built in the 1980’s to house half that number – dogs were often packed 2 to 3 to a cage, and cats were held in small cages in a room the size of a closet in the back of the building.  Because of the open waste trenches and lack of air exchange, it was difficult, if not impossible, to keep the animals healthy. In short, a trip to the County shelter in those days was a near certain death sentence: despite the Herculean efforts of the shelter staff, 95% of the thousands of dogs and cats consigned to the shelter each year had to be euthanized.

Shortly after we created FOTAS, it became clear that any solution to these problems would be short-lived without a larger, better shelter to keep the animals healthy while we worked to find them a home.  Accordingly, the construction of a new shelter became FOTAS’s primary goal.

We created a public/private partnership with the county. FOTAS raised funds through private donations to pay for the shovel-ready plans, architect fees, cage banks, kennels, the cat adoption house and shelter equipment. The county used public funds to build the building. 

Finally, on March 3^rd, after years of planning and development, the new Aiken County Animal Shelter opened its doors to the public.

Bucky with his new family, adopted this week

So many people supported the efforts to make our collective dream a reality: County Council, the County Administration, the devoted shelter employees, and the army of FOTAS volunteers who walk dogs, play with the cats, foster puppies, help with transfers and assist with fundraisers. 

We are also forever indebted to you, the members of our community, for your support and financial generosity.

However, the completion of this shelter is just the first step in achieving our ultimate goal to never have to euthanize another adoptable pet in Aiken County.  There is still so much to do. 

• We must reduce the population of unwanted animals through public education regarding pet responsibility and the provision of affordable spay/neuter services.  The ultimate success of the new shelter depends upon maintaining and reducing current intake numbers. 
• We must find ways to increase adoptions on the local level and transfers of adoptable pets to our partner shelters in other parts of the country.

• We must continue to recruit and train volunteers and raise money for future needs.

Please join us today at 2 p.m. to celebrate the grand opening of the new Aiken County Animal Shelter at 333Wire Rd.  We will be serving refreshments, free giveaways, and cutting adoption fees in half.  It will be our honor to share the happiness of achieving this important milestone with all of you in the Aiken community.

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 333 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers”

Mar. 10, 2014 - Mar. 15, 2014

17 dogs and 2 cats adopted

Year to Date:  

110 terrific pets adopted

THANK YOU AIKEN COUNTY COMMUNITY!

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

FRANCES   Dachshund mix,  female, 1 yr old, 22.5 lbs  Only $35 

FRISKY  Tabby -- male -- 5 yrs. old, 14.8 lbs  Only $35

Moving On Up to the New Shelter

Moving on Up

By Joanna Samson, FOTAS Director

as seen in the Aiken Standard 3/9/14 issue

It finally happened.  As of last Sunday, County staff and FOTAS volunteers had completed the move from the small, outdated, dilapidated shelter to the beautiful new Aiken County Animal Shelter down the road.

The Cat House and the cats had been moved earlier in the week.

Then, on Sunday FOTAS volunteers walked many of the adoptable dogs the short distance to their new quarters in the Adoption Wing, while other FOTAS volunteers moved puppies and older dogs by truck.  County staff moved all of the intake dogs by truck to the Animal Control Wing.

By 3:00 p.m., all the animals had been moved and were safely nestled in their new digs.

It was a glorious, euphoric moment.  FOTAS volunteers and County staff were a little breathless with exertion, but they were all smiles.

And the four-legged residents?  The change was astounding.  The dogs wagged their tails and relaxed in their outdoor runs, enjoying the fresh air.  Despite all the activity and all the people, the shelter was the closest thing to peaceful that a building housing that many animals can be. Really.

Oh sure, there was the occasional hoopla over the escape artist who jumped from kennel to kennel until finally cornered, or the puppies yipping for dinner, or the little Chihuahua cross barking for attention, but by and large, the anxious, high-pitched barking so common in the old shelter because the dogs were all crowded together in close, inside quarters was absent.

I knelt in front of the kennel of an 8-month-old, little white and red pit bull named Pete, who showered my outstretched hand with big, wet kisses.   I thought: “You know what, Handsome? You’ll be okay in this place. Here you’ll have more time and a better chance for some lucky soul to overcome their uneasiness about pit bulls and fall madly in love with you.”  I leaned my forehead against his cage and choked back tears.  

But wait! We aren’t finished! Now that we’ve provided a clean, inspiring, happy community shelter for the animals, we need you, the community, to do your part.

Please: come to your community shelter and adopt your new pet.  Don’t be afraid you will be overwhelmed by despair. On the contrary, you will be able to take your time and find that perfect animal in a hopeful, cheerful setting.  Remember, every pet that finds a home makes space for another animal on the adoption floor, potentially saving two lives.

Please: volunteer your time with FOTAS.  We desperately need volunteers to sit behind the desk to greet the public, answer the phone and help the Adoption Coordinator.  

Okay, meet and greet not your thing?  We will find a job for you that makes you happy: walking the dogs, playing with cats and puppies, grooming, helping with the gardens – there are so many possibilities.

Pick up the phone now and call the FOTAS hotline at (803) 514-4313 or contact us at info@fotasaiken.org, and we’ll get you started.  I promise you’ll be glad you did.

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 333 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers”

Feb. 24, 2014 - Mar. 1, 2014

9 dogs and 1 cats adopted

Year to Date:  

81 terrific pets adopted

THANK YOU AIKEN COUNTY COMMUNITY!

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

PETE   Pit bull/boxer,  male, 8 mos old, 43 lbs  Only $70 

SIMON COWELL  Domestic short hair -- male -- 7 yrs. old, 10 lbs  Only $35

The New Aiken County Animal Shelter is Now Open -- It's the Place to Be!

The New Community Animal Shelter – the Place to Be

By Joanna Samson, FOTAS Board of Director

as seen in the "Aiken Standard", 3/2/14 issue

This is a big weekend for the Aiken County Animal Shelter, FOTAS and in particular, the 200 animals living at the old county shelter on Wire Road.  They are finally moving to the new County shelter after years of planning and a little over a year of construction.

The new shelter has been designed to properly house and care for the 200 animals that are currently crowded into a space designed 25 years ago for a maximum capacity of 100. In designing the new shelter, the County and FOTAS’ primary focus was to ensure that the animals were housed in a healthy environment to increase their prospects of adoption.

The most important defense against the spread of the disease among the animals in the shelter is proper air exchange and waste removal, so state of the art mechanical and plumbing equipment has been installed to address those issues.

While the physical improvements in the new shelter are noteworthy, the impact on FOTAS volunteers and County staff cannot be overstated; they will no longer report to a dreary, noisy institutional building to do God’s work. 

The new shelter is cheerful – colorful graphics of dogs and cats grace the walls of the lobby, along with inspirational quotes, like “In a perfect world, every pet would have a home and every home would have a pet.”

Volunteers can walk and play with dogs in two spacious playpens, located outside of the adoption wing far from the goings and comings of animal control.  All dogs and cats have access to the outside from their kennel runs or crates, a major improvement over the dark, indoor kennels at the old facility.

This new facility, a testament to the progress that can be made when public entities and private citizens partner to make the world a better place, is a concrete demonstration of the County’s move from euthanasia as its primary means of controlling the homeless pet population to a system based on animal advocacy.  

But this new facility is not a magic bullet to address the distressing overpopulation of unwanted animals in the County. We must continue to reduce the intake numbers at the shelter (4800 last year alone) through systematic, targeted spay/neuter and educational programs. If we do not, the new shelter will also be overwhelmed by the sheer number of the County’s homeless animals. We cannot allow that to happen.

In the meantime, FOTAS and its volunteers will continue to work like the dickens to find homes for the County shelter’s animals through increased foster families, off-site adoptions and transfer programs.

If you are considering adopting a pet or volunteering, now is the time and the new community shelter is the place. When you are adopting, the shelter is a pleasant place for you to meet your prospective new best friend.  As a volunteer, you can walk and socialize the animals, greet potential adopters in the cheerful new lobby, help organize transfers, and man off-site adoptions.  

Call or contact FOTAS today at (803) 514-4313 or at info@fotasaiken.org.  You will be glad you did.

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 333 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers”

Feb. 17, 2014 - Feb. 22, 2014

6 dogs and 3 cats adopted

Year to Date:  

81 terrific pets adopted

THANK YOU AIKEN COUNTY COMMUNITY!

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

FREDDY   Labrador retriever,  male, 2 yrs old, 51 lbs  Only $70 

BEN STILLER  Domestic short hair -- male -- 7 yrs. old, 10 lbs  Only $35

Felines are Masterpieces

“The Smallest Feline is a Masterpiece”

By Edie Hubler, FOTAS Board of Directors

as seen in the "Aiken Standard" 2-23-14 issue

That’s how Leonardo da Vinci spoke of cats.  They are special, just ask any other cat lover.  These beautiful creatures are agile, graceful and meticulous about their grooming.  While dogs live to please their humans and will do almost anything for food – sit, stay, roll over – cats by their nature are much more independent.  A good cat would consider a demand to perform a trick for food beneath him, and he would never, ever deign to respond to a reprimand. A cat could care less about packs or their human’s desire to be the pack “alpha.” A cat bestows its affection on a deserving human, and once they do – that cat becomes their friend for life.

Most Saturday mornings, Becky Reindl is walking dogs at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. She frequently takes her niece, Hope Dyches, who likes to spend time with the cats. Becky also fosters cats from the County Shelter and delights in talking about the experience.  

“Kittens start to play as soon as they can stand up,” says Becky, “but they fall down a lot because they have no balance. When they play, a kitten will stalk up to pounce on another unsuspecting kitten, but because they misjudge the distance they can jump, the stalking kitten misses and ends up pouncing air. Watching my foster kittens play and grow has provided me with countless hours of entertainment.”   

Becky’s current foster cat, Merlyn, plays with a mamma dog & four puppies she is fostering.  Merlyn jumps on the dog’s tail, then runs under the sofa to hide. The startled dog gives chase, but is too big to crawl under the sofa.  In the meantime, Merlyn, who has already crawled out from under the sofa unseen, sneaks up behind the dog again and pounces.  He’s a strategic hunter, that Merlyn.  

Then there’s Romeo, an affectionate 6 year old Serbian red cat who was adopted by Bobbie and Ron Kastet when he was a kitten.  Bobbie fell in love with the little red kitten at first sight, who greeted Bobbie with a kiss – hence the name Romeo.  He models like a pro for Bobbie’s camera, and purrs like an engine. Because Romeo also retrieves balls & toys, the neighbors claim he is really a dog in a cat’s body.  

Romeo’s best friend is Pinot, a bassett/golden mix adopted from the County shelter by Dave & Linda Engleman.  Romeo and Pino have play dates and even sleepovers.  When Pinot comes for a visit, he “calls” Romeo and the cat comes running.  Pinot licks the top of Romeo’s head and Romeo kisses Pinot’s feet.  They sleep and eat together, and when they are lucky enough to be given a little ice cream, Romeo puts his paw inside the dish and feeds both himself and Pinot.  Don’t believe it?  Well, just look at the photo of Romeo feeding Pinot!

Ellie and Bill Joos, FOTAS volunteers, walk dogs at the County Shelter several days a week.  Although they love dogs too, they are particularly fond of cats and have two of their own - Sheba and Buddy. While at the Shelter, Ellie makes a point to also visit the adoptable cats (which she calls fluff balls) to help socialize them. She often posts photos on Facebook of the available cats at the County Shelter -- she calls it kitty lovin’.  

Please join our other FOTAS volunteers at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.  The dogs and the cats can always use a little lovin’ and we are looking for lovin’ homes for them too.

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 411 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers”

Feb. 3, 2014 - Feb. 8, 2014

11 dogs and 3 cats adopted

Year to Date:  

72 terrific pets adopted

THANK YOU AIKEN COUNTY COMMUNITY!

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

MIA FARROW   American bulldog,  female, 2 yrs old, 38 lbs  Only $70 

BEN STILLER  Domestic short hair -- male -- 7 yrs. old, 10 lbs  Only $35

COLD NOSES FOR WARM HEARTS!

Shelter Dogs Warm Hearts With Cold Noses

By Joanna Samson, FOTAS Director

as seen in the "Aiken Standard" on February 16, 2014

All my dogs were adopted from a shelter.  It never occurred to me to go anyplace else.

Dogs with pedigrees are always more likely than not to find a good home, but the thousands of abandoned animals that end up in shelters every year are not so lucky.  It haunts me that an animal whose future has become uncertain through no fault of its own may die unloved.

My husband and I adopted four dogs from shelters and one abandoned on the side of the road.  Each one of them has enriched our lives in ways we could not have foreseen on the day we brought them home.

We often ask ourselves: how did we get so lucky to find five dogs that have given us far more than we have given them - a warm place to live, two square meals a day and consistent care?

I'd like to tell you there was some method to the selection process that yielded such great results, but that would be untrue.

Our first dog, Ricky, a white shepherd mix with boundless energy, was selected because our friend with many dogs who went with us to the shelter thought there was something special about him.

Our second dog, Maggie Mae, who was picked up on the side of the road by our vet, came home because Ricky fell in love with her while waiting to get his rabies shot.

When Maggie Mae died from cancer, we took Ricky back to the shelter to interview a few prospects. He selected Mack - a brown Australian shepherd mix who willingly shared his toys and his water bowl.

After Ricky died, I was directed by some internal force to go to the Aiken County Animal Shelter even though we weren't yet ready for another dog. When I walked into the back, the very first dog I saw was a pretty dachshund mix who cocked her head and met my gaze with a "what took you so long?" look.  When I found out her name was Maggie, I was undone. She came home with me over my husband objections, swiftly won him over, and has been by my side ever since.

I went back to the County shelter after Mack died of old age. One of the staff handed me a scruffy little black and white terrier mix.

"Absolutely not," I objected, "no terriers!"

"He just looks like a terrier," she assured me. "Really, he doesn't act like one." Jack joined the family. 

So you see, the selection process for a new dog is not an exact science. It is some quirky combination of luck, opportunity, instinct and reason. Sure, you need to assess the basics: how much time you can spend, the cost of care, the type of pet for your lifestyle and your age and energy level - all of those things are important.

But at the end of the day, consistent love and care transforms almost any dog into a loving companion, especially a shelter dog.

Ricky was a resourceful rogue whose escapades are legendary and hilarious. Maggie Mae was a little angel. Mack was protective and affectionate.

Jack & Maggie Mae during the winter ice storm this week in Aiken; don't they look comfy!

Miss Maggie is, well, simply the best dog in the world. And sweet, docile Jack? As it turns out, now that he is healthy, he is indisputably a terrier. 

None of our dogs turned out exactly as we expected -  they turned out better. When the time comes, adopt a shelter dog - the possibilities for happiness are endless.

FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 411 Wire Road.  For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at www.fotasaiken.org.

Aiken County Animal Shelter:  “By the Numbers” 

due to the ICE STORM here in Aiken, we don't have numbers to report this week

Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” 

**All adoption fees include:  spay/neuter, heartworm test, all shots, worming, and microchip.

TAYLOR SWIFT   German shepherd mix, female, 1 year old, 65 lbs   Only $70 

MANDY MOORE  Tortoiseshell, female, 3 yrs old, 7.7 lbs   Only $35