A letter from Jessie Dear Ava,

Remember me? I was the Mom who had 17 puppies. I was brought to Animal Lifeline with my 15 surviving puppies (2 of my babies did not make it, it made me so sad) I now know how the Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdy felt with their 15 puppies! I want to tell everyone that Animal Lifeline was like heaven for me and my puppies.

The volunteers spent lots and lots of time caring for me and my family. We had to have extra supplements and feedings as I could not care for all of the puppies by myself. Our care required lots of extra money to purchase the food we needed. All of my puppies were adopted to loving homes, and for that I am very grateful.

I won the hearts of many volunteers who cared for me, but most especially Dean McIlravy, my new Dad, who just couldn't resist my beautiful brown eyes!

I sure am glad no one told him I still needed to be a "puppy" as I didn't get a chance to do that when I was younger! I sort of chewed a few holes in Dad's socks and sheets, but they weren't very important things, and this only upset Dad a little. I'm just about ready to grow up ......at least I'm trying!

Now, down to a few facts. If only humans would have their pets spayed/neutered many horrible things wouldn't happen to us. Some are shot at or dumped out when it is found out that we are going to have babies. Some of us don't get fed or to the vet to stay healthy. Keeley and Angel Scooter were both shot and left for dead, but they are doing fine now, thanks to Animal Lifeline.

I know you need lots of help to clean and feed all the current residents of the Shelter. Many of them require lots of time to heal their physical and emotional scars. Maybe some kind humans who read my letter would be willing to help care for my friends at the Shelter. Gentle hands, soft voices and loving faces mean so much to us. I know lots of other things need to be done at the Shelter, too. Maybe someone out there can help in the office or help do repairs or help with the lawn work, so there will be more time to care for my friends.

I also thought I would mention how much my friends enjoy soft warm blankets to rest on. We don't mind if they are "second hand". I know there are lots of supplies needed to run the Shelter and keep everyone comfortable. The Wish List is included in the newsletter each time for people to read.

Guess I've barked on long enough. I hear my dinner going into its dish and anyway it's time to chase the cat (just kidding). Hannah thinks she is the princess of the house just because my Mom adopted her first from Animal Lifeline. I'll never tell her how nice it feels when she bats at my face with her soft paws!

Thanks again to all of the volunteers who saved me and my family and the many, many other animals you have saved.

Love, Jessie

Toby's Story

Hi,

My name is Rick and I adopted Toby from Animal Lifeline. Toby is one of many dogs I have helped to care for at the Shelter and who now shares my home along with my other dogs and my cat ..... and we all know whose home it really is!

Almost seven years ago I was diagnosed with a terminal illness and shortly after that I became involved with Animal Lifeline, the no-kill shelter near Carlisle.

At the time I learned of Animal Lifeline, I was unable to work and was struggling to feed myself and my pets. They were all eating, but not as well as when I was able to work. My sister told me about Animal Lifeline and I contacted them for help. I spoke with a woman named Ava Bothe and she arranged to get food for my animals so I could keep them with me and also so I could use my money to buy food for myself. She also arranged for me to get my animals spayed and neutered at a reduced cost. I was so grateful that I became a volunteer, as many people who become disabled at a young age will attest, (I was 30) I needed something to define my life, as I could no longer define myself by my work, since I could no longer work full time.

Toby arrived at Animal Lifeline at 3 days of age after his mother was killed by a chicken farmer who fed her poisoned meat because she had killed one of his chickens. This left Toby and his sister, Kaycee, orphaned.

Animal Lifeline is a special needs shelter that prioritizes sick, injured, pregnant, nursing, orphaned and handicapped animals without owners. Ava has an incubator for the orphans and Toby and Kaycee were soon the new residents of it. That was 2 years ago and I cannot tell you how many before or how many after have taken up residence in ALI's incubators, but I know Ava will always be there for the next one in need. Toby has been a handful, but he is worth it. He is a rat terrier mix, about 25 pounds and has the nickname of Wild Boy because he is so full of life and loves to play, play, play!!

The Shelter has been my reason for living and has given me great inspiration. It has also shown me my true calling in life. The Shelter is staffed entirely by volunteers, which is hard because the majority of work is done during the day and most people work during that time. More volunteers are always needed to help care for the animals. I help 3 days a week, though lately my health has taken a turn for the worse so I do not always make it in for my scheduled days to volunteer. I need to know that when I am gone the work Ava has committed her life to will continue.

Roscoe's Story

About 5 1/2 years ago Ava brought me to the Animal Lifeline Shelter. I was 2 1/2 years old and had lived a bad life. I won't tell you the events surrounding my life as I am trying to forget them. I have mostly succeeded, but every now and then I have nightmares about them.

My new (Shelter) home was excellent. I got my own bed, food and water (I didn't have to fight for them). Then ...Lucky Day... one of the volunteers decided she wanted to adopt me and give me a very loving home. When I went there, I was introduced to my two sisters (Cocker Spaniels) Heidi is blind and deaf and only knows I am there when I clean her face (Daily). Susie is my best friend. We play, sleep and talk all the time. I have a new brother now also (Peter Rabbit).

I really love my new home. I get lots of attention, love and food. Most of the time I'm really good, but there are times when my Mom tells me I am naughty (like every time I get into the trash or dig a hole under the fence and run off). I act like I'm really sorry but I really like getting into the trash and investigating other backyards. Mommy doesn't stay mad at me for long. I get on her lap and then curl up in her arms and give her kisses.

I sleep in a people bed with Susie and also Mom. (Susie and I let her sleep there). I sleep either on top of Mom under the covers or lay right next to her...it's nice and warm!

My grandpa adopted a dog from Animal Lifeline last November.. Lily...She is nice but big and energetic! She told me that she is very happy in her new home. She has lots of toys, food and love and she is also very excited because in a short time her backyard will be fenced in just for her to run and play in!

She comes to my house and visits all of us sometimes because she likes our fenced yard. Enough about me... there are many other dogs and cats out there that need good homes. Unfortunately they are abandoned, abused, homeless, hungry, cold and hurt. Please help them so that they can go to the shelter where they can be loved, healthy, warm, clean and their tummies will be full. Then they will get a chance at a wonderful home like I did.

My Mom still volunteers at the Shelter so she is gone part of Saturdays helping to clean, feed, walk, distribute medications and especially to give lots of LOVE to the animals. Even though my sisters and I want her with us as much as possible. ..we understand how lucky we are to be loved. Please help in any way you can, either by donating your money or your time to the Shelter. The animals love the smiling, laughing face and expressions of affection they receive, or donation items front the Shelters Wish List or when people volunteer their time to do the many other things that need to be done (like laundry, office work, grounds work, repairs, etc...).

Time for me to take a nap. Aarf Aarf for now.

Thanks for the chance at happiness! - Rosco

Tory's Story

Tory was born May 28, 1990. He is a Lab/Shepherd mix. He came to Animal Lifeline July 28, 1990 from another shelter. He had been passed over for adoption (because he was so shy he would not come up to the front of the cage for people to see). All his brothers and sisters were adopted, but not Tory.

Tory was slated for euthanasia. Someone called ALI and asked us to take him, so we said yes. Tory was indeed shy, but very sweet and loving. We cared for Tory and tried to find someone to give him a chance, but to no avail. Tory grew up here in the Shelter, loved and cared for by our volunteers. When he was about 9 months old we noticed him becoming very clumsy. He would have trouble going up and down stairs and have trouble walking on slick floors. I took Tory to Dr. Woodruff at Avondale Animal Hospital and told him my observations. He x-rayed Tory's hips and the bad news was that Tory had hip Dysplasia.

Hip Dysplasia is a painful and debilitating disease. Soon Tory would be in so much pain he would not be able to walk. However, there was a procedure that would bring Tory's hips into alignment and alleviate his pain. Dr Woodruff went to Iowa State Veterinary University to study the procedure and performed the operations on Tory's hips.

We are happy to report that the surgeries were successful and Tory is healthy and active today, even at 9 years of age. Tory will remain here at the Shelter with lots of loving care as long as he lives. He would appreciate sponsors to help with his care.

Keeley's Story

Keeley was very special to me. I found her lying on a riverbank near Des Moines, Iowa in May of 1997. A fisherman told me that she had been lying there for at least 3 days that he knew of. She had been shot and hit in the head with a blunt object and left there to die.

Keeley had an amazing will to live and inner strength.

Even though we had to amputate the leg that had been shattered by the gunshot, she learned to walk all over again. I gave Keeley (the name means beautiful) two good years before other ailments took her from me. My only regret is that I couldn't have known her longer. She was very special to me.

Keeley was about 10 years old when we found her. She died 5-14-99. -Ava

Angel Scooter's Story

Angel Scooter is a 2-year-old spayed female Red Australian Heeler who is paralyzed from being shot in the back. She is paralyzed in her hindquarter. Her sponsors kindly provided a K-9 Cart for her (she is adjusting to it slowly) so she can get around without having sores on her back legs.

She got her name from the way she "scoots" around - faster than most of the "leggers" around here! She is very sweet and playful and gets along well with other dogs. She is also incontinent due to her injury. So far, she has removed diapers when we have tried to use them on her! Scooter would love to find a home to call her own or sponsors to underwrite her care here in the Shelter.