The Pet Gazette News from Animal Harbor December 12, 2019
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You better not scratch, you'd better not chew, You better be good, whatever you do. Santa Paws is comin' to town. Puppies be kind and kittens be sweet, Stay off the couch and you'll get a treat. Santa Paws is comin' to town. Roll out the Christmas Spirit. Don't bite or growl or hiss. Just stroll right up and say, "Hello" and give a Christmas kiss. Oh, you better not yowl, you'd better not bark, You'll have to stay home while the angels sing, "Hark!" Santa Paws is comin' to town.
Pets of the Month
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My name is Zenyatta, and I’m a gorgeous six-month-old dilute calico kitten. I am the last kitten of my litter remaining at the shelter since all my siblings have been adopted. I am so happy for them, and I am thankful they found a forever home. Yet, I still feel it is my time to find my purrfect place. Every day someone comes in and pets me, but overlooks me because I am more reserved than the other kittens. I often sit in the viewing window hoping someone will come in and say, “Oh that's my kitten right there!” I love to play with toys, and I also could be taught to fetch. Yes, cats can play fetch! Would you love to have a beautiful and unique calico like me? I would love your home and heart. I am fully vaccinated, spayed, and microchipped. Please come rescue me from the shelter so that I can be home for the holidays!
📷📷📷📷 Spunky four-month-old Jack Russell Terrier sisters Thelma and Louise are sure to give you a run for your money! Named after the dynamic duo in the 90’s film Thelma and Louise, these two are bound to get into a little trouble now and then, but have very sweet and rather determined spirits. If you are familiar with the film, you may know that at the beginning of the story Thelma and Louise were emotionally bonded and did not have personal freedom, just like these girls that were found abandoned and discarded at Walmart. These pups may be living on the edge, but we know they are destined for true freedom and a happy ending. Their prior circumstances will not dictate their future! Both are up to date on age appropriate vaccines, awaiting their spays and microchip implantation procedures. If you want to learn more about how to start the adoption process, contact us today! NEWS FLASH! THELMA (ON THE LEFT) WAS JUST ADOPTED! NOW LOUISE IS HOPING TO BE JUST AS LUCKY. IS THERE A PLACE IN YOUR HEART FOR LOUISE? MAKE A DATE FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS BY CALLING AT 962-4472.
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The SCA “Goes to Combat” for Kitties
The SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational history society committed to preserving the legacy and traditions of the Middle Ages and Renaissance eras of pre-17th century Europe. From the first gathering in Berkeley, California in 1966 to 53 years later, the Society has grown to one thousand events happening on five continents every year! Recent cat adopter and cat lover Jennifer Matthews and son Brody are members of the southern region branch Kingdom of Meridies, whose passion lies in animal welfare. When two southern SCA chapters, the Shire of Glynn Rhe and the Shire of Rising Stone (members of the Kingdom of Meridies) began planning their charity battle tournaments, Jennifer rallied her troops for Animal Harbor to be a recipient of the funds raised through the reenactment battles. On November 2, 2019 at a special event in Chattanooga, TN the medieval knights “went to combat” for the kitties of Animal Harbor, and raised over $700 for the veterinary care of cats currently in the shelter. We thank them so much for “fighting” for the welfare of homeless kitties not only at Animal Harbor, but throughout the southern states. What an exciting, creative way to raise money for a great cause! To learn more about SCA, upcoming events, and how to become involved visit https://www.sca.org/.
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Jennifer and Brody with a “king’s ransom” for Animal Harbor from the SCA
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Sir Spens, “Thou drone! Thou slug! Thou snail! Thou sot!” Sir Adlingar, “I’ll split you open like a ripe melon!”
SASSY SAFFY - A SWEET SUCCESS
Saffy Marmalade is my name, and sass is my game! That’s right - I am a three year old red tabby, and since only about 20 percent of red (orange) tabbies are female, I think I’m a pretty smashing. But have no fear, I am a loving kitty! To add to my quirks, I have a unique half-tail that I sway back and forth with contentment as I daydream in the sun. Recently, I found myself in a pickle: after being with a family for three years, a baby arrived and I was OUT! I had not seen a veterinarian in all that time, and was said to hate strangers and bite people. When I returned to the Harbor, Whitnie, the intake specialist, looked me over. I could tell she was a bit worried, but the staff gave me all the time and space I needed to settle in. As they spent more time with me they realized my “hiss” was just a quirky habit, and I showed them my true colors by never biting or scratching anyone! It’s a fact that I was not open to my fellow “cat-mates” at first, but then realized that they were not too bad after all. Life had taken a turn... A serendipitous day dawned when a woman named Cheryl came to volunteer at the Harbor to socialize the cats. It was love at first sight! She thought my spunky personality was just what she needed in her home, and I sensed that she understood me, and was going to be my BFF. Now I live with her and another cat friend. She calls me Sassy Saffy and we have good times playing with a mouse on a string, and - my personal favorite - a laser light. I am so happy when I sit on her lap, and we “hold hands” with my paw on top. Life is good. I know that now I have a forever home.
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Sassy Saffy dons her lady pirate costume in her role as Ruth in Gilpurrt and Snuggllyvan’s 1879 hit, The Pirates of Purrzance.
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Sassy Saffy in a mellow mood.
DECEMBER 15TH - NATIONAL CAT HERDER’S DAY IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!
Remember the Super Bowl commercial by Hewlett Packard in 2000 that popularized the phrase, “like herding cats.”? They compared their customer service to the hardy “cat herders” of old, who brought in the herd without losing “a one of them,” and staked out a claim for HP: “In a sense, this is what we do. We bring together information, ideas, and technology and make them go where you want.” December 15th now honors anyone who can manage themselves and others no matter what the situation. The filming was done at the Tejon Ranch near Los Angeles after a casting call across several states for real cowboys rounded up 15 who wore their own clothes for the shoot. Wondering about the welfare of the cats, I found this information: There was one trainer for every 5 of the 50 cats filmed, while the rest were computer generated. The “'river' was actually a small pool warmed by a portable heater, like a little cat Jacuzzi” and cats were lured by clicker training and “strategically smeared tuna.” The cats worked in shifts, while head trainer Karen McElhatton hid in bunches of tumbleweeds to give verbal cues! Cats and horses were filmed separately, the whole process being monitored by the American Humane Society. Herding cats indeed. So on the 15th, you can organize your world by doing a little herding of your own. For a trip down memory lane go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_MaJDK3VNE
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“This man right here is my great-grandfather. He’s the first cat herder in our family.”
FUN FOR CHRISTMAS
Here are some links to entertaining videos for you and the young ones as well: Pets Add Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDHTyzBRvAQ Take a listen to pets giving their rendition of “Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore. The voice overs are spot-on. Animals of Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZC7zuhkLRU Videos by average folks of their pets “singing” “Up On the Housetop.” The solos by dogs, cats, hamsters, horses, reptiles, rabbits, and even a chicken will have you smiling and singing along. The Elf on the Shelf and Santa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-WGMhfL0-s Elf Pets: A Fox Cub’s Christmas Tale If you have fans of The Elf on the Shelf in your home, this musical adventure will keep them busy for a half hour with a story of persistence and hope. Books to engage and charm young readers: Pre-schoolers to third graders will love Bear Stays Up For Christmas by Karma Wilson and illustrator Jane Chapman, as they learn about friendship and the gift of giving. Fine illustrations to please the most demanding readers. A Swedish tale, The Wild Christmas Reindeer (ages 4-10) shows that bossy isn’t always best as Little Teeka learns she must find another way to ready the reindeer for Santa’s sleigh. Written and gorgeously illustrated by Jan Brett. From Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson, and illustrator Axel Scheffler, comes the hair-raising Christmas adventure of Stick Man, perfect for the 3-8 year old boys you know. It will keep them on the edges of their seats until the happy ending! If you need a few minutes break and a mug of hot cider, try the 1905 favorite, “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry. Dickens fans might like Samantha Silva’s 2017 novel Mr. Dickens and His Carol. A Hanukkah Present by Mark Binder was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award for Family Literature, and contains eleven multigenerational tales and a novella, while A Treasury of African-American Christmas Stories by Bettye Collier-Thomas includes stories from historic literary giants such as John Henrik Clarke and Langston Hughes. Whatever your taste, pull up a cat or dog pal and relax with a good book.
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ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL Holidays to share with your friends. DECEMBER National Cat Lover's Month 12/02/19 National Mutt Day (July 31) 12/04/19 World Wildlife Conservation Day 12/10/19 International Day of Animal Rights 12/15/19 National Cat Herder's Day`22 12/27/19 Visit an Animal Sanctuary Day