January 2005 

Senior Pets for Senior Homes

Wow, already a new year at www.7bellssanctuary.petfinder.com. Just a brief update to friends, family and supporters on the seniors here.

First of all, our sympathy to Sonja on the loss of Sadie Joe. Then our sympathy to Sherrie on the loss of Isis. The difficult decision was made to send these beloved companions to the Rainbow Bridge. We share their grief.

If you have not already done so, please check out the story of Tarot on our site, under Happy Tails, original story plus Parts 2 - 7. This is one little blind, senior chow that had a lot of help from many wonderful folks to reach her final home in Ocala, Fl. Bless you one and all for your help.

The month of December has been quite busy. All of the dogs, with the exception of Longview, have been regular visitors at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Cole Camp. Most all of the dogs and cats have spent the past few months bringing smiles to the residents' faces.

December adoptions were Spotlight and Taco Pierre. Their updates can be found under Happy Tails on our site. Bijou was returned to us as he must have a home without stairs. Jeff & Cindy were heartbroken, yet we welcomed him back. He has now finished his Rx for the sprained muscle and will soon be ready to search for a permanent home.

We have prepared our 2004 year end statement for the Mo. Dept. of Ag. We took in 19 animals, adopted out 10, 2 died, 2 were put to sleep and 5 are still waiting for their forever home. 4 of the 5 have special needs, thus we expect them to remain here for quite some time. We are asking our foster homes to help more in 2005 by taking in the small dogs that adopt out quicker to help offset the expenses on the larger dogs that remain longer. We refuse to put these special needs dogs to sleep just because they are not adoptable. These special needs dogs are NOT in any pain, get around fairly well, make the best visitors to the care center, thus deserve the TLC we can provide.

The City of Cole Camp took in 9 dogs and all 9 were adopted. We were thrilled to be able to assist our local city pound. They are completing the paperwork to receive their license, and we look forward to our continued teamwork. We also had 14 individuals list their pets on our site. 9 were adopted, 2 died, 1 was put to sleep, 1 was deleted and the 1 listed with us on Dec. 26 is waiting for a forever home with inquiries already coming in.

We must say "Thanks" to Joe Wilson, Man's Best Friend, Jefferson City, Mo. for always encouraging us and others to do the paperwork, get the license, be inspected, follow the rules, and work together to save lives. Janice W. gets a "Thanks" for encouraging us to do this newsletter to keep folks updated on the happenings here.

We hope to make some changes to our home page in the near future. With Petfinder's permission, we want to place a link to a dog obedience/behavior modification trainer on our site. Trina's goal is to help owners keep their pets out of shelters and to keep the adopted pets from being returned to the shelters. We have met her, spoke with her at length, gotten positive feedback from one of the adoptive parents we referred her to. In the meantime, you may visit her at www.trinasobedience.com.

We appreciate the continued interest you have shown in our seniors. Our first year has been full of challenges, heartbreak with the deaths we had, yet great joy at the lives we were able to save and the wonderful homes that were found for these pets. Thanks to each and every one of you for all that you have done and continue to do. God Bless!