*ALERT*

Jackson County Commission Denies Budget Increase For Shelter

The following story was printed in our July 2000 issue of Paw Prints.

Am I Famous Now?

I was born today. One of 10. My daddy was very famous. I have lots of half brothers and sisters from the finest bloodlines. My mother is very famous. Since she got famous, she has only had puppies. No more loving hands, no more fun trips…just puppies. She is always sad when they leave her.

I left home today. I didn't want to go, so I hid behind my mama and my three littermates that were left. I didn't like you, but one day they said I'd be famous. I wonder, if famous the same as fun and good times? So you picked me up and carried me away even though you were concerned about me hiding from you. I don't think you liked me.

My new home is far away. I am scared and afraid. My heart says be brave; my ancestors were. Did they go to good homes like mine? I'm hungry because I can't eat too much because it will be bad for my bones. I can't bite or snap when the children are mean to me. I just run and play and pretend that I am in a big green field with butterflies and robins and frogs. I can't understand why they kick me. I am quiet, but the man hits me and says loud things. The lady doesn't feed me good things like I had with my mother. She just throws food on the ground, then goes away before I can get too close for touching and petting. Sometimes my food smells bad, but I eat it anyway.

Today I had 10 puppies. They are so wonderful and warm. Am I famous now? I wish I could play with them, but they are so tiny. I am so young and playful that it is hard to lay here in this hole under the house nursing my puppies. They are crying now. I am so hungry. I scratch and worry my fur. I wish someone would throw me some food. I am also very thirsty.

I now have only eight pups. Two got cold during the night, and I couldn't make them warm again. They are gone. We are all very weak. Maybe if I take them out on the porch, we can get some food.

They took us away today. It was too much trouble to feed us and someone came to take us away. Someone grabbed my puppies, they were crying and whimpering. We were put in a truck with boxes in it. Are my babies famous now? I hope so because I miss them very much. They are gone.

The place smells of urine, fear, and sickness. Why am I here? I was beautiful, like my ancestors. Now I am hungry, dirty, in pain, and unwanted. No one came, though I tried to be good.

Today someone came. They put a rope on my neck and led me to a room that was very clean and had a big shiny table. They put me on the table. Someone held me and hugged me. If felt so good! Then I felt very tired and laid my head over the arm of the last one who cared. I AM FAMOUS NOW! Today someone cared.

Memorial Pages

On Memorial Day we all remember our loved ones that have passed away. We are asking those who have a beloved pet that has gone to heaven to send us a picture of it with no more than 25 words explaining its name, dates and memorial words. We will feature it on the website for Memorial Day. All entries must be in by May 25 and it can either be dropped off at my shelter, emailed to the web site or mailed to P.O. Box 44, Cottageville, WV 25239. In my heart this will be a great tribute to those we have loved and lost.