Hi, this is me Lazurus (Appropriate name)

Thank goodness for those kind souls that run the animal shelters,long hours and cages to clean and feed to be distributed,some of us need to be cuddled a little others need meds, and still more require a walk. Some of the animals thought they had a forever home only to hear that their owners can't take them to their new home for one reason or another. So many lame excuses to dump us off. We got the baby now. I think I am allergic to the dog....right !!!

Take me for instance, I had a great home with a great human boy to play with. We used to go everyplace together,baseball games,swimming at the lake on a hot day. Playing catch was great fun. We even camped out in the back yard that was a blast. Long bike rides.Then one day after a lot of yelling between the big humans they decided to go different directions in life, who knew, neither one could take me. So here I am in the town shelter waiting for some nice family to take me to my forever home.They treat us ok here and the food is great but at night when I lay down to sleep on the thin mat they give us i get very cold and empty inside, I try to dream of the future..playing ball again wrestling with a boy again teasing the cat.and waiting for my master every day to pat me on my head. Then I wake up.I just know tomorrow will be the day I get to go home. I am older now and probably not as cute as the puppies in the next cage, but i still have lots of years left and lots of love licks for somebody..But realize now I am 11 yrs old and weigh about 75 pounds,I got one dumb ear and one perky one.I thought one time I was a german shepard but it turns out I am just a "heinz 57" but I sure love humans.

Your Pal Waiting Patiently,

Lazurus

When you get a new pet, check with your landlord, it may not be ok to have a pet where you live.

When you get a pet be sure to spay or neuter it so you don't have unwanted puppies that will eventually end up in the pound or euthanized.There are enough puppies and kittens in the world so everyone can have at least 2 or Please don't add to the problem.

Have your pet vet checked annually so you know it doesn't have any parasites or diseases.Check your pet at home for ticks and fleas and unusual bumps or sores so you can treat the problems quickly.Trim their nails regularly and only the hook at the end should be cut so you don't cause unnecessary pain or bleeding. Cleaning the ears when they have a bath is great idea.

If you should find anything unusual on your pet, notify your vet as soon as possible.

Your pet depends on you for their good health.

No-kill shelters

Most nonprofit no-kill shelters are privately run. They are not associated with any government, operate on donations and fund-raising projects, work closely with rescue organizations, and try a variety of innovative programs to reduce the numbers of stray animals in the community. They often spay or neuter every animal that leaves the premises or give coupons to a local vet for the service, check for heartworm, treat dogs with minor illnesses or injuries, organize feral cat care colonies, conduct obedience training classes or work out training agreements with private instructors or membership clubs, and offer pet care education programs to schools. Some no-kill shelters work with service dog organizations to provide dogs for training as helpers for handicapped owners. Many offer spay-and-neuter assistance and rabies vaccination clinics for low-income pet owners.

Volunteers often flock to private shelters because people are more likely to work with a dog if they know the end result is a chance at a good life, not euthanasia.

No-kill shelters do euthanize some dogs - old, chronically ill, severely injured, and aggressive dogs that cannot safely be put in new homes do die to make room for more adoptable animals. They also keep waiting lists so that needy animals can get in as soon as space is available and prospective dog owners can be referred to those who have a dog of a specific breed or type to give up.