On December 5th, 2006, Young at Heart Pet Rescue took in a scared, abused little black cat. She had a burn on her hip and was as sweet as pie – unless she saw your hands coming near her – hands triggered a self-preservation defensiveness in her. We’ll never know what happened to Winter in someone else’s hands, but we promised her that she would never know anything but gentle hands again.

Winter came to live at our small cageless adoption area at Best Friends Pet Care where, year after year, she made huge strides in trusting people again. She had occasional interest from adopters, and we always warned them that she would bite people she had not yet learned to trust (and occasionally those she did trust!), but alas, our warnings were not heard, and the potential adopters would leave with another cat, or no cat at all.

Over the last 5 years, Winter watched a lot of her feline pals find forever homes, but though she fast became our longest resident, she was content to be in a safe, known environment, watching the world go by on her perch in the window or high up in the cat tree. She knew love, friends, and gentle hands over the last 5 years with us. But we always hoped there was someone out there that would love her and understand her as we did….

Last year, a wonderful couple adopted a Young at Heart cat named Rain. Rain was at the same adoption center as Winter, but Winter was not even on their radar at that time. After all, they had a scared, biting cat at home already. But when that cat passed away earlier this year, and the couple looked on our website once more, there was Winter.

After the traditional Winter warnings and a meeting, they wanted to adopt her. Another meeting to get to know Winter a bit more, and the paperwork was signed. As we said goodbye to Winter with tears of happiness in our eyes, we wished her luck and happiness. For the first time in her life, Winter got into a cat carrier without a fight, as if she knew a new and more wonderful future was in store for her. She was on her way home.

Today, we are happy to report, that after 5 years, 2 weeks, and 4 days in Young at Heart’s loving care, Winter has found a family that understands and respects her needs. Their first report is that Winter is adjusting beautifully, acclimating in a guest room and hogging the pillows, as if they were the greatest cat beds ever invented. Winter officially has a family of her own. We’ve seen great things over the years while rescuing and adopting out seniors, but Winter’s adoption touched us all.

Merry Christmas, Winter! We are so incredibly happy that you have your Christmas Miracle!

I’d like to take a moment to thank each one of you for your support and encouragement throughout the year. Because of you, over 435 senior pets have now found their way from death row into loving, forever homes.

As we each celebrate the holidays in our own unique ways, I’d like to once again share with you my favorite Christmas story of all time. It’s about a gift that we here at Young at Heart try to give to senior dogs and cats the whole year through, and it’s what every homeless pet wants – a ring!

Wishing you and your family lots of love, laughter, warm beds, friendly purrs and wagging tails this holiday season.

Toby and the Christmas Ring, © 2008, by Scott Craven

Toby knew what he wanted for Christmas. The same thing everyone here wanted.  A ring. Christmas was close- he could feel it.  Ribbons were hung on the walls, and there were special treats with dinner. More people came by to visit, and everybody was in a good mood. Except Emmett.

When Toby shared with Emmett his Christmas wish, Emmett just shook his head. “Toby, you and I don’t get rings,” he said. “Look at us, a couple of losers who were given up on. It’s the youngsters that get rings.” Toby looked at his reflection in his water dish. There was gray on his muzzle and along the tips of his ears. It was true he couldn’t play fetch like he used to. And his legs hurt when he walked too much. But he could still race to the front door when he heard it swing open, wagging his tail like a pup, and go on a slow walk around the block, sniffing here and there. And how he loved to curl up at the foot of the bed, keeping watch during the night. But those were the old days. Now he was here, with Emmett instead of with…

“See, here we go again,” Emmett said as puppies up and down the long hallway yapped and barked, a sign that people had just arrived. Emmett stretched out on the concrete next to his water dish. “Wake me when it’s over. ”

Toby peeked through the gate and saw a little boy and girl walking slowly his way. They stopped in front of almost every kennel, and sometimes they would kneel in front of one and laugh. Toby wished them closer, his tail wagging. He knew if they saw him, then maybe . . . just maybe . . . “Don’t get your hopes up,” said Emmett, his eyes still closed. “You’ll only be disappointed. ”

Toby looked down the hall. The woman in the blue shirt who brought food every day was opening one of the gates. A brown puppy bounded out and into the arms of the girl, who squealed with delight. From her back pocket, the woman in the blue shirt brought out a ring, pale gray, just like all the rings. She slipped it over the puppy’s head.

“Everyone wants cute and adorable,” Emmett said as he heard the door close, knowing what surely had happened. “Years ago we were cute and adorable. No more.”

But it was Christmastime, Toby thought. Things are different at Christmastime. There is happiness. There is cheer. There is hope. Toby remembered when he had a home and a bed and a yard and a person who loved him. But one day, people came and they were crying, and the next day he was here.  Now all he wanted was a ring, again. Emmett opened an eye when the barking started again but closed it as he stretched out. Toby pressed his muzzle to the gate and wished again. “It’s Christmastime, ” he said. “A season for miracles.”

He saw the woman in the blue shirt, and she had by the elbow a man walking very slowly down the aisle. They were talking, but Toby couldn’t hear them over the barking. They came closer. And closer. Almost, thought Toby. Almost. Toby squeezed his eyes shut. He wished harder than he had ever wished before.

“Hey, fella, what’s your name?” Toby heard. He opened his eyes. Toby noticed the man had gray around his muzzle and more gray around his ears. He was bent over slightly, and Toby noticed a cane holding the man up. Toby wagged his tail and put his paw on the gate, and when he did, it opened. The woman in the blue shirt reached behind her. There in her hand was a ring. Gray, like all the rest. But the man shook his head. Please, Toby wished. Please.

The man reached behind him and pulled out his own ring. It was red and had green and gold stones that glittered in the light. He slipped it over Toby’s head. Toby was going home. “C’mon, boy,” the man said. “Cute and adorable, you are. Lots of life left in you, fella.”

As Toby placed one paw outside the kennel, he stopped for just a little.  Lowered his head for just a little. Glanced behind him for just a little. The man looked at Emmett, and Emmett looked at the man.

“That one, too, if it’s OK,” the man said.  “Looks like a set I’d hate to break up.  My home may be a bit small, but my heart is big enough.” The woman in the blue shirt took the ring and slipped it over Emmett’s head. And that’s when Toby knew Christmas miracles do happen.

Emmett wagged his tail and spun in a circle and barked. Just as if he were a puppy.

If you’ve ever wanted to donate to Young at Heart to help homeless senior pets, now is the time! An angel donor has offered to MATCH all donations that come in between now and December 31st, up to $5000! That means your donation is automatically doubled!

Help us raise $10,000 for the senior pets who need our help, and make 2012 a much happy new year for many grey muzzles!

To donate, click here!

Filbert: Finding A Forever Family

by Filbert

ACT 1

Once upon a time I had a home where the people taught me things.

They taught me to do my business outside, and not to jump up on people, and definitely NOT to get up on the furniture. I learned that the refrigerator is something you want to be near when it opens, because there are good things in there and great smells.

I learned to love people and other dogs and to cuddle and snuggle and enjoy my humans. I learned not to bark much, usually not even at the mail carrier. I learned to like car rides and to walk gently on a leash. I learned that sometimes you need to bark at a random squirrel or passing dog, and that small, yappy dogs may need to be checked out closely, although no one told them this because they don’t seem to enjoy it that much.

I learned to turn in one circle when you see the full food bowl headed your way, and then to sit calmly before eating. I learned that people cannot resist petting you if you put your head in their lap or lay your body across theirs (with your back feet still on the floor – since furniture is a no-no!).

I must have been well cared for too, because I am healthy and in all this time I didn’t get bad teeth or yucky ears or flaky skin or mottle fur or anything like that. I was not neutered but I also wasn’t a humper or otherwise dominant type.

A mostly-Doberman mix, I don’t have what you may think is the classic Dobe look since my ears and tail were left natural – or uncropped. This means I don’t have that intense, intimidating look you think of when you think Doberman, and that I have a lovely, long fluffy tail and medium, floppy ears. Also I am what in Dobe-speak is known as “red,” which really means I’m a gorgeous chocolate brown tinged with caramel accents. That’s a little too dainty-sounding for a boy like me but it’s an accurate description!

Things went along pretty well for a while, maybe five or six years or so.

And then things changed.

I learned that people aren’t perfect.

ACT 2

Something went terribly wrong and I don’t understand it. All I know is that I was not being fed so I got really, really, REALLY skinny. Even for a breed that is generally thin and kind of bony, I was just a skeleton, a shell of my former self. I have seen pictures of myself at that time and they are sad.

I was taken to a place where there are rows and rows of cages full of other dogs that don’t have any place else to go. It was loud and chaotic. I heard my person say that I was sick and needed to be put down, whatever that means. But somehow I knew it wasn’t a good thing to hear.

Then a nice person who works at this place with all these homeless dogs said maybe I just needed some food! And sure enough when she offered I gobbled it up because I was super hungry! So Nice Person told not-so-nice-person(s) to leave me there and go away. So they left, I stayed, and then I got to eat every single day again!

One day, a group of people from Young At Heart Senior Pet Rescue came to the place with all the dogs and cages and gathered some of us up and took us away with them on an adventure! I didn’t know exactly what was up but I was very nice and friendly because somehow I just knew these were Very Nice People.

I rode in a crate in the car for a while then went to another place with cages and other dogs, but this was smaller and not as crazy. I stayed there for a couple of days so the Very Nice doctor could double check to make sure I was healthy, and I was.

Well, other than being nearly starved to death, that is.

I learned that hope springs eternal.

ACT 3

A week later I went to live with my foster family which includes a man, a woman and three beagles. I took to everyone immediately and we all get along great.

I am so good in the house. I prefer to be near my people and often curl up in a tight ball right by their feet or close by. One of my favorite places is right at the bottom of the stairs so I can see what’s happening all around me.

At night I curl up into a dog bed on the floor of the bedroom and I don’t get up until you do. If you happen to get up in the middle of the night, I’ll come with you to make sure you’re okay. Then I’ll go right back to sleep.

If you let me outside, I can just hang out there and enjoy myself. Sometimes I’ll just sit right on the back step and observe the world. When you leave I am content to just snooze somewhere loose in the house. But prepared to be greeted with great enthusiasm when you come home! I will squeal and bark just a little bit until you get in the door, then I really want to stand up and cling to you for a while.

I love everyone I meet! I love your rubs and scratches and pets. Every so often I will come up and ask for some attention by nudging your arm or leaning into you or just putting my head right smack into your lap. I like to be brushed but need no grooming other than an occasional nail trim. If you need to clean my ears or wipe my paws, I just sit quietly and let you take care of things. Not even a hint of annoyance from me.

Wow, these people are really treating me to the high life! I’ve been getting extra food and plenty of treats, which I can easily catch if you toss them my way. I am especially fond of canned pumpkin which is nutritious and filling. YUM-O. I gained 14 pounds in about one month!

The good news is that I gained the weight. The weird news is that meant I had to have a little procedure called neutering. But the best news of all is that it went great, I was myself again within a few hours and now I can be adopted to a new home!

I have such a gentle, loving soul. I would be such a good addition to your family.

I learned to never give up.

THE FINAL ACT

This is the audience-participation portion, because YOU get to play a part in this story now. The Final Act is yours to play.

You can to donate to Young At Heart Pet Rescue (www.yahpetrescue.com) on my behalf, or just in general to help other older pets who need your help.

Maybe you want to meet me to see how sweet I really am. We have adoption events all the time.

Or, if we’re both really lucky, maybe you’re Filbert’s Forever Family!

And together we can learn about unconditional love.

July 29

Many celebrations in the Chicago area begin before the 4th of July, so it is important to use caution even days before the holiday.

From dogs to cats and even horses, this is typically not a time of year that animals feel safe. The loud noises of fireworks spark, no pun intended, fear into animals.

Keeping identification on your pets during this time of year is extremely important. Make sure all tags have a current address, phone number and email. If your pet is micro-chipped, make sure that you have let your pet recovery service know if there have been any changes since the microchip was placed.

According to the American Kennel Club Companion Recovery Service, the 4th of July the most active time of year for pet recovery. Dogs are most susceptible, as they tend to get scared at the sound of the fireworks and run away.

Several Chicago area publications, such as The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and animal advocacy Facebook groups have offered advice to keep your pets safe during the holiday weekend. (Please also see link at the end of the article to help pets that become homeless during the holiday weekend.)

The SEAACA has issued helpful tips to pet owners across the United States and is encouraging cross-posting and publications to share knowledge in their “Keep Your Pets Safe This 4th Of July And All Summer Long” campaign.

1. Beware of fireworks. Fireworks are no blast for some pets, with many cats and dogs becoming easily frightened by the deafening roar of rockets bursting in air. The best option is to leave your cat or dog indoors (not leashed in the yard) during the holiday weekend (July 1-4) in a safe, secure, escape-proof room of the house with comfy bed, food and water. Also consider leaving a TV or radio on to drown out the sound of the fireworks and to provide familiar noises while you’re out.
2. Confirm your pet’s collar and I.D. information. Dogs and other pets can become easily frightened by loud celebrations on the 4th of July. Make sure your pet is wearing a properly fitted collar with correct identification and tags just in case he or she becomes scared and runs away from home. Micro-chipping also is a great precaution to make it easier for your pet to be returned home safely and promptly.
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3. Be careful with 4th of July decorations. Remember that your pet may easily mistake your red, white and blue decorations and glow sticks as chew toys; cats can even become tangled in streamers and ribbon. Make sure to pet-proof your home and keep fun decorations out of a paw’s reach.
4. Call your vet. If you think your pet needs to be sedated or tranquilized to handle the fireworks noise and celebrations, contact your animal care provider.
5. Watch the alcohol. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets; never leave your beverage unattended. If alcohol is ingested, your pet could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed, and could go into a coma or worse.
6. No picnic table and grill scraps. Always be aware of what friends and family are sneaking to your dog under the table. While tempting on such a festive occasion, human food (bones, onions, avocado, grapes and raisins) should be off limits at all times to your dog. Some human food may be toxic or dangerous if ingested and cause stomach upset.
7. Never leave animals tethered or chained outside. Pets can injure or hang themselves if they jump around or leap over a fence while trying to run from the noises. Cats should stay indoors.
8. Never leave pets in unattended parked car. Partially opened windows on hot days do not provide sufficient airflow and also can put your pet in jeopardy of being stolen.
9. Stay in the shade. Like humans, dogs and other pets can suffer from heatstroke. Keep your pets in shaded areas on very hot and warm days.
10. Stay hydrated. Dehydration is the #1 concern and danger during those long summer heat waves. Make sure you have a generous amount of fresh water on hand to quench your dog’s thirst.

Article by:
Joshua-Paul Angell

Chicago Animal Welfare Examiner