There is now an Angel Bird at the Rainbow Bridge as BabyBigBird passed away leaving Andrea to mourn. Peso became an Angel Pup following surgery, 18 year old Buddy became an Angel Dog the morning we were to pick him up. Sympathy to Tom & Colleen on the passing of Lil Dikkins. K-9 Bereavement Counselor contact is Michelle at mzcgrief@yahoo.com if you need to talk with someone who understands your grief.

 Foster families are doing a fantastic job. Their updates on the profiles help potential adopters know if a fur-kid is suitable for their home. The more details that can be provided the less chance of a failed adoption.

Care Center visits are starting back up now that nice weather returns. Lil Hans visited wearing his little green shamrock jacket made by Mildred. He always turns the ladies' heads with his cute charm. Bryan & Tramp went to the Good Samaritan Care Center with Trina & her Be A Good Dog University folks, Gwen & Emily. From there Bryan & Tramp went to the Boys & Girls Club K-5 at the Cole Camp Elementary School. Trina spoke on the proper way to meet a pet to avoid a bite. Gwen & Emily took Bryan & Tramp for a stroll through the children. Collar ID was discussed. The Club is raising Pennies for Pooches. We are asking them to sponsor Max, the miniature pinscher at the pound so he will get the extra TLC he will need. We firmly believe that the future of pets lies in the youth of today.

Adoptions continue slowly as fantastic homes find our pets. Foster moms Judy V & Barbara placed Precious, Fargo, Kristopher, Meshack, Pierre, Jenny. Foster parents Jim & Jennifer placed Ricci, then failed Fostering 101 on Mitzie, adopted her. Foster mom Susan handled the adoption on Libbie. Foster moms Michelle & Connie failed Fostering 101 on Stevie Wonder, adopted him. Leaving from the Sanctuary were MaryEllen, Annie, Christi.

Judy V continues to wear her paws slick helping with local farm pups. The adult female must be altered, the puppies are vaccinated, wormed, homes are found, then the pups are altered PRIOR to placement. One small town at a time, we WILL make a difference.

Be A Good Dog University folks Trina, Gwen, Emily came on site to observe the different behavior of the fur-kids. BarbaraAnn was a focus with her "attitude" that means a very careful placement, someone that LOVES the breed. They also visited the Cole Camp pound dogs, finding Goldie the yellow lab quite energetic, needing obedience training, discipline, a very nice dog. We are grateful for Trina's helpful hints.

Cole Camp Pound dog "Arizona" was the first dog adopted with the Spay/Work Pilot Program. T & D Heating and Air Conditioning & Best Fence Co will be helping repair some of the fence to prevent escapes. We are also planning a future work date with more improvements courtesy of locals & Team Whiteman. Public Works Director AKA Animal Control Officer Klark has requested 2 more concrete kennel pads. Miniature Pinscher male with a skin condition arrived late in month. He also arrived with a string about his neck, paper note "My name is Max." Starting in Feb 2009 we began doing a monthly article in the Cole Camp Courier "View from the Dog House" to bring awareness to the community of the homeless pet situation in our small town. We HOPE it encourages more folks to be responsible, spay/neuter, collar ID. Max actually had his collar ID on, at least with his name, so maybe one person read the article, put on the string/paper ID?

Maifest is May 9 downtown Cole Camp. Pets & visitors will be adored for a day of celebration for the Children. The K-9 Red Hat fur-kids will be in attendance under the guidance of Char. Look at our home page on petfinder.com for upcoming attractions to welcome pets to town.

Freedom Torch Award - Judy of 7 Bells Sanctuary honored in Sedalia Democrat. We are humbled. We hope the article will heighten awareness of the problem facing shelters & rescues everywhere. http://www.freedomtorchaward.com/

We want to remind our adopters to update their microchip information with the appropriate M/C provider. Then VERIFY it a week or 30 days later, make sure no typographical errors on the data. This will help get your pet back to you should he/she be lost, strayed, stolen.

Petfinder.com continues to be responsible for the majority of our adoptions. We do encourage you to get a copy of the Adopted Dog Bible from petfinder.com. We have finished reading our copy front to back, wealth of information on choosing, training & caring for your adopted shelter or rescue dog. This may help you be a better pet parent.

Wish List - We are so grateful when we receive those gently used items. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Please continue to think of us & our little Cole Camp/Lincoln pound before throwing anything away that may be used for the fur-kids.

We give thanks to each of you who so generously give of your time & talents to help these fur-kids as they wait patiently for their fur-ever homes. Rescue life is good, yet a fur-ever home is best. We could not do this work without your continued support. God bless you each & every one.

And last, but not least, a very special prayer for those in uniform keeping us safe & free. In the words of a dear friend "How would we have the ability to take the time, enjoy the right to do so, if not for the sacrifices made, by our men and women in uniform? Perhaps today, they are sitting in a trench, walking a patrol, in harm's way ... Freedom has never been free: they are making payments. To our men and women in uniform: Thank You!"