Last week, I shared highlights of my interview with the Sauk County Humane Society (SCHS) and mentioned the Basset Hound mother, Princess, and her puppies. By the time Princess and her puppies were brought to the shelter, they were all close to dying. Princess was cruelly used for breeding purposes and was so emaciated that her milk had dried up. One puppy had already died. The desperate mother was pooping plastic, evidence that she’d desperately eaten anything she could find to keep her and her puppies from starving to death. 

After she and her four remaining puppies were surrendered to the shelter, volunteer and long-time board member Patty Mertz Miller knew she had to get involved. The shelter’s vet told her and her supportive husband, Bryan, that Princess and her pups needed to be fed and weighed every two hours. Patty and Bryan sacrificed their sleep to care for them. Patty talked gently to the pups, telling them they were loved, that things were going to get better, and that they needed to be strong. It was a rough time and included an emergency Madison vet visit, but Princess and her remaining pups soon thrived. 

Now plump, spayed, and socialized, Princess and her pups received over 40 adoption applicants. Patty and Bryan adopted one of the puppies and named her Honey. Patty said there’s nothing like the reward of knowing that she and her husband had brought this mother and her pups back to life and that these beautiful beings were now healthy and happy.

Patty also fostered a pug that belonged to a woman about to have surgery. Without family, the woman needed to find a temporary home for her pet. The shelter would rather pets stay with their owners, and they have several programs that make that happen. Contact SCHS at 608-355-4495 or https://bit.ly/3GzbxnT to learn more about programs that help people in crisis keep their pets, support those who can’t afford pet food or cat litter, and for fun, upcoming events.

Adoption and fostering aren’t for everyone, but the SCHS has many ways to volunteer. As director Dana Madalon says, “There’s a job for everyone.” Consider being a kennel assistant, dog walker, cat socializer, receptionist, event planner, groundskeeper, or veterinarian assistant. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the shelter offers a low-cost spay/neuter clinic for cats, which they can do because volunteer assistants sterilize equipment, assist during the surgery, and aid with animals’ recoveries. People can also help this non-profit organization through donations. (It doesn’t receive county funds, so they rely on the generosity of people and organizations.)

This week, the shelter is showcasing Rider, a pit mix who’s about ten months old and has already spent over half her life in a shelter. She appears to be a bit hard of hearing, so volunteers are working to teach Rider how to come, sit, stay, and shake with hand signals.

Rider wants to be everyone’s best friend and enjoys being around people, cats, and other dogs. She is very sweet, attentive, and walks well on a leash. She’s still a puppy, and her zest for life will sometimes get the best of her, so she will occasionally be jumpy. The shelter believes her manners will improve as she matures and receives continued training from a patient teacher. Due to her lack of manners and energy level, they recommend she find a home with older children.

  Rider is very calm when she’s in her kennel. If you want to cuddle, Rider is right there, ready to snuggle! You might want to check her out. Rider just might change your life.

From Strays to Soulmates: The Transformative Power of Shelter Animals 

Last week, I shared highlights of my interview with the Sauk County Humane Society (SCHS) and mentioned the Basset Hound mother, Princess, and her puppies. By the time Princess and her puppies were brought to the shelter, they were all close to dying. Princess was cruelly used for breeding purposes and was so emaciated that her milk had dried up. One puppy had already died. The desperate mother was pooping plastic, evidence that she’d desperately eaten anything she could find to keep her and her puppies from starving to death. 

After she and her four remaining puppies were surrendered to the shelter, volunteer and long-time board member Patty Mertz Miller knew she had to get involved. The shelter’s vet told her and her supportive husband, Bryan, that Princess and her pups needed to be fed and weighed every two hours. Patty and Bryan sacrificed their sleep to care for them. Patty talked gently to the pups, telling them they were loved, that things were going to get better, and that they needed to be strong. It was a rough time and included an emergency Madison vet visit, but Princess and her remaining pups soon thrived. 

Now plump, spayed, and socialized, Princess and her pups received over 40 adoption applicants. Patty and Bryan adopted one of the puppies and named her Honey. Patty said there’s nothing like the reward of knowing that she and her husband had brought this mother and her pups back to life and that these beautiful beings were now healthy and happy.

Patty also fostered a pug that belonged to a woman about to have surgery. Without family, the woman needed to find a temporary home for her pet. The shelter would rather pets stay with their owners, and they have several programs that make that happen. Contact SCHS at 608-355-4495 or https://bit.ly/3GzbxnT to learn more about programs that help people in crisis keep their pets, support those who can’t afford pet food or cat litter, and for fun, upcoming events.

Adoption and fostering aren’t for everyone, but the SCHS has many ways to volunteer. As director Dana Madalon says, “There’s a job for everyone.” Consider being a kennel assistant, dog walker, cat socializer, receptionist, event planner, groundskeeper, or veterinarian assistant. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the shelter offers a low-cost spay/neuter clinic for cats, which they can do because volunteer assistants sterilize equipment, assist during the surgery, and aid with animals’ recoveries. People can also help this non-profit organization through donations. (It doesn’t receive county funds, so they rely on the generosity of people and organizations.)

This week, the shelter is showcasing Rider, a pit mix who’s about ten months old and has already spent over half her life in a shelter. She appears to be a bit hard of hearing, so volunteers are working to teach Rider how to come, sit, stay, and shake with hand signals.

Rider wants to be everyone’s best friend and enjoys being around people, cats, and other dogs. She is very sweet, attentive, and walks well on a leash. She’s still a puppy, and her zest for life will sometimes get the best of her, so she will occasionally be jumpy. The shelter believes her manners will improve as she matures and receives continued training from a patient teacher. Due to her lack of manners and energy level, they recommend she find a home with older children.

  Rider is very calm when she’s in her kennel. If you want to cuddle, Rider is right there, ready to snuggle! You might want to check her out. Rider just might change your life.