Community Announcements

Your Grant County Humane Society (GCHS) has had calls from folks who have lost their dog or cat to illness, old age, or cancer this year, more than in past years. I never dreamed I would add my name to that list.

My 6-year-old rottweiler/labrador passed on just about 2 weeks ago. He had been a former stray brought to the GCHS; I adopted him. What a wonderful, big nanny! He also liked to run after deer, I guess I didn't give him enough exercise after his being abandoned for some 3 months, so he became a house and enclosure dog.

He got cancer. Specifically, he had 2 kinds: osteosarcoma and chondroblastic sarcoma. I'll not go into detail about those except to say that chondroblastic sarcoma produces cartilage and it greatly disfigured his lower jaw until he could neither eat or drink. But we had marvelous times together and we loved one another.

But I still have 1 other adopted HS dog and foster 4 others. Just goes to show ya can't always predict the future, hmm?

If you are planning to use your dog for hunting this fall, why not consider getting it and yourself in shape by taking walks and/or jogs every day, reviewing basic training and hunting maneuvers. Maybe you will be a great team more readily and easily out in the field. Maybe, too, the GCHS will end up with fewer abandoned hunting dogs.

And for those of you who leave your dogs outside this time of the year, please consider working with it now to stay close in the yard, keep it in your sight at all times, or kenneled or tied up. Maybe the GCHS will end up with fewer calls from people who's dog has disappeared.

Enjoy the cooler temperatures, the contrasting colors of harvested grain and green corn and beans, and life in general. Sue C.

A stray cat named Suzy came to the Grant County Humane Society early this spring. Suzy was a strong fighter and managed to keep herself alive despite her poor health. Thankfully, she was rescued by a nice gentlemen and has been receiving top of the line vet care ever since. Wary that she may have had some internal damage, GCHS decided to fight for Suzy and try to help her make a recovery. Her leg seemed damaged beyond any kind of repair. Initially, she was misdiagnosed and has had a long struggle to move around. Her leg used to stick straight out and she could hardly move around and play as the other kittens.

GCHS polled together and raised nearly $260. A generous donor contributed $100 alone just for Suzy. This money was indeed very helpful. GCHS is struggling financially, but could not let an innocent darling cat die unnecessarily. In late May, 2005 her leg was put in a cast, in hopes she would make a full recovery. Unfortunately, this was not enough. Her tendons atrophied, and the vet believed she needed to have an amputation done. On August 26, 2005 Suzy was taken to the veterinarian to have her leg amputated. ….Check back for more updates. Nancy R.