Nancy Alden's Adopt-A-Pet 
Sponsored by Invisible Fence® Brand

 Pet Tip of the Week:
Provided by the Cleveland Animal Protective League

Listen to Soft Rock 102.1 WDOK Saturday Afternoon at 1:15 p.m. for Nancy Alden's "Adopt-A-Pet." Each week Nancy features animals up for adoption at area shelters as well as helpful pet tips to keep you pet happy and healthy!

• If your pet has temperament, health or other physical limitations, as much as you’ll miss each other, it may be less stressful to leave him behind.  Consult your veterinarian if you’re unsure.
• If you decide to take your pet along, you'll need look into travel restrictions on airlines, pet restrictions in destination cities, states or countries, and availability of pet-friendly lodging.  You’ll also need to pack his travel bag so he has everything he needs while he's away from home.
• If you decide not to take your pet along, consider the options: a responsible friend or relative to take in your pet, a boarding kennel, or a pet sitter to stay in your home with your pet.
• If you decide to board your pet, get references and inspect the kennel well in advance.  Consult your or local shelter for recommendations.  Once you’ve selected a kennel, take your pet there for a two or three day trial stay before you leave him for longer periods of time.
• If you decide to hire a pet sitter, interview the candidates and check their references.  Observe the pet sitter’s interaction with your pet.  Once you’ve selected a pet sitter, schedule a weekend away for a trial run before you go away for longer.

• Photos must be of pets only—no people, please!
• You may complete the registration and payment form online and then submit your photo(s) electronically via email to Contact@ClevelandAPL.org with “Furry Friend” in the subject line, with your name and contact information in the body of the email OR by mailing a color 4x6 horizontally-formatted photograph to our regular mailing address, ATTN: “Furry Friend,”  with your registration form and payment.
• We cannot accept Polaroid photos or copyrighted professional photographs, and we cannot return the photographs.
• Do not stamp or write on the back of the photo.
• For digital photos, provide sharp images that are 300 dpi or larger and in JPEG (JPG) or TIFF format.  Please name digital files with the pet’s first and last name, i.e. “FidoJones.jpg.”
• All entries will be blind judged by the Cleveland Animal Protective League and the top 12 selected photos will be featured as “Pets of the Month.”
• All entries must be postmarked by August 1, 2008, and will be included in the 2009 calendar.
• Those chosen for “Pet of the Month” will be notified by phone or mail. 

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Shelter of the Week- May 12:

Lake County Humane Society
7564 Tyler Blvd. Building E.
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-951-6122

Cookie:
Cookie is a lovely spayed female, three year old Domestic Medium Hair cat, brought to the shelter as a stray way back on December 6, 2007.  She is such a sweetie, always wanting to play with her toys, followed by a nice cuddle session—with YOU!  It is uncertain as to if she would live with other kitties in the household, but any slow introduction should do the trick!  Cookie is also up to date with all of her necessary vaccinations.  Make her your summer addition to your family!



Champ and Dixie:
Champ and Dixie are wonderful dogs that were surrendered to the shelter on February 24, due to their family having to move—and of course were unable to take their canine companions with them.  Champ is a one year old neutered male Labrador and Beagle mix.  He knows commands such as “stay,” “sit,” and “come here.”  His sister is Dixie, a two year old spayed Beagle mix.  She also knows how to “sit” and “stay!”  They are truly a bonded pair, so they would preferably be adopted together.  Both of these gems are also current with proper vaccinations, get along well with cats, and after meeting with other potential canine family members, would probably do fine with them!  Take these two beauties home together and you will have playmates for life!

Here’s Janine Ortiz and her two shelter dogs, Selena and Chevy.  She talks about adopting and her love for them.  As far as the "pic telling a thousand words" ...Selena, the smaller dog, is more independent; after all she'd been through she looks so regal.  Chevy, thinks he is a lap dog and likes to stay close to me.  His bright eyes - a very aware dog.  Then, of course, there is me with that shirt and my dogs - that could tell a keen observer alot about me.
 
As mentioned before, Chevy is an APL dog - from an APL shelter in Massillon, not Cleveland.  Unfortunately, the Massillon shelter shut down.  Adopting Chevy was about wanting a dog and also about adopting a homeless dog.  I do not know exactly when he was born, but he was about 5 months old when I brought him home which puts him at about 6-1/2 soon.  Chevy has been an absolutely awesome buddy; an intelligent and fun dog!  He keeps me hopping.
 
As for Stark County Pound dog, Selena, it was not about really wanting another dog it was about making another small dent in the homeless dog situation.  About 2-1/2 years after adopting Chevy I set out to adopt an older, less-likely-to-be-adopted, dog with pretty much no other requirements except being able to fit through our medium sized doggie door.  On Dec 17, 2004 I pulled a nameless dog from the pound; she was dirty, emaciated, flea infested and freezing.  I fed her a bit in the car and straight to the vet we went where it was obvious, also to the vet, that she had bonded to me all ready.  I took her home, gave her a flea bath, kept her warm etc.  Her actions showed she was grateful.  It was one of the most rewarding things I'd ever done. How old?  She refuses to tell me!  Selena was pretty much nothing I'd ever wanted in a dog but she does not care because she won --  I love her to pieces! 
 
Janine Ortiz ~ a listener in Massillon
 
...and a shirt says it all  :  )

I’d love to hear from you!   Share your shelter story with me and send us your “thumbs up” picture at nancy@wdok.com.