Humane Society Training Day

It's been raining cats and dogs here the last couple of days. Our water table must be over the brim by now! I'm not complaining though, if it had been snow we would be under a foot of the white stuff!

Saturday was a busy but fun day. We had our training sessions at the Humane Society all morning. They felt it would be good for the board members to know what goes on over there and I agree. We all learned so much and have an even greater respect for those that work there.

We started out in the O.R. where they do up to as many as 25 procedures per day. This includes spaying, neutering, blockages, amputations etc... Each animal that is brought in is thoroughly evaluated and has whatever needs attended to. Fleas, worms, ear mites and injuries are a few of the most common issues. Our OR is very up to date with all the implements needed to do proper surgery. We do not allow a dog to be adopted until they are 'fixed' and cats are given a voucher to come back when old enough for their spay or neuter operation.

The evaluation system is quite involved for the dogs to insure the proper fit when adopted. We don't like to see pets come back because they weren't what the people were expecting in some way or another so we try very hard for a thorough and correct evaluation.

Cleaning the facility properly is MAJOR to protect our pet population. Everything was described to us in detail. When we were in the cat section we had to wash our hands each time we touched one of them so as to not spread anything around. I just fell in love with a little gray tabby and he would be here in my lap today but he had already been spoken for!

The staff explained to us the process of taking in pets and the process of adopting them out. It is a high stress job seeing so many come in but the happy endings help a lot. We did have to go to the euthanasia room and that whole process was described to us. The pets that are put down are ones that have illnesses that can't be taken care of, ones that come in such bad shape that they can't survive or dogs that bite. It is against the law here in Maine to adopt out a dog that has bitten. Now we do try to place them with a rescue organization that takes them for life if at all possible.

I was very impressed with our staff, their caring and concern about the animals and how hard they work at making a better life for them. As with all nonprofit organizations we are feeling the pinch of the economic times and are trying to come up with innovative ways to raise money. We have a very dedicated board and I know we will come up with something!

Mom continues to improve each day. She is doing more for herself all of the time. I am still hacking and coughing but everyone says that hangs on for a long time. I did well in church this morning and didn't have any big coughing spells thankfully. I had to mouth the words to most of the singing as that can get me coughing.

I was sitting in our pew, box of crayons & coloring book ready for T who is old enough to come to big church. D was in the nursery. I looked and T was coming up from Sunday School with a big group of little girls and walked right past me with a wave and sat with them!!!!! My baby is growing up!!!! SIGH........why do they have to grow up so quickly? sniff sniff WAAAAAAAAA!!!