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Buddy June 2025 

Dear Friends,

Well, this is a first. But if you know me very well you know I love making new friends.  This is a bird friend.  A female Grosbeak. This gal got herself caught in a Baltimore Oriole feeder.  Wow, how do you get yourself caught in a bird feeder? Well, it had fallen down on the ground and the Grosbeak decided it was lunch time.  She began eating and her one foot got caught, or maybe stuck we are not sure.   My friend the bird watcher saw what happened and got some help and this is what they did.  They put some warm water in a bowl that covered the feet of the Grosbeak and that warm water allowed that bird to free its foot and then fly away.  Don’t you just love happy endings?  I sure do.  Doesn’t matter to me if it’s a bird, bunny, cat, dog or even an elephant.  It is one of those warm fuzzy deals that just makes your heart feel good.

The girls, Sunny and Lollipop have many toys.  Of course they want the same one. I watched them last night and there are two exact squeaky toys. How do they know one from another? I watched my town mom toss them and they would leave one behind and go after the other. I wonder do squeaky toys taste different? I personally think they are a little crazy. The dogs not the squeakys.

Seems like I have had a little more time to do some surfing – not on the water silly, on the internet.  I’m getting pretty good too.  I found a couple of things I thought you might enjoy.  Here goes:  To moms - You feed me when I’m hungry, you keep water in my dish, you let me sleep on anything, or in any place I wish.

You sometimes let me lick your hands, or even lick your face, despite the fact I’ve licked myself in every private place.

You taught me how to come when called, you taught me how to sit, you always let me go outside, so I can walk and ?.

You’ll always have my loyalty, up to the bitter end, because after all, it’s plain to see…that you are my best friend!

Here is another:  People in 2020 – “This is the worst year in the history of our lives.”  Dogs in 2020: “what a time to be alive! Every single one of my humans is home ALL day EVERY day!  Taking me on walks.  Lounging around on the couch.  About time humans came to their senses and adopted our way of life.”

And the last: I gave you my house when you were alone.  When I walk thru the door it now feels like a home.  Tail wagging and waiting. Our bond quickly grew.  Such unconditional love who rescued who?

I want to thank my friend who helps me clear up mistakes.  Sometimes my toes hit the wrong key and she helps so that my stories are easier for you to read.  Thanks!

Golf tourney coming up on Saturday, the 21st.  Have you had your human sign  up?  Call the shelter at 260-463-3142.  Sure to be fun!

Your ‘furever’ friends

Buddy, Sunny and Lolli. 

 

 

Buddy June

Dear Friends,

My name is Zoey and my sister’s name is Harley.  She is not a motorcycle.  My dad calls her that because she has a white tip on the end of her tail and actually calls her all of this, “Harley Davidson motorcycle company chief cat executive officer” because she motors through the house.  I get called Zo Zo bear. My mom just liked the name.  I am sort of cuddly like a little teddy bear. I’m ok with that.  I like to be cuddled.

Our mom always takes her jewelry off at night and puts it on the dresser.  Well I don’t know if you know much about jewelry being a canine and all, but it is really sparkly pretty and shiny.  My sister and I like to roam around the house at night and find new adventures.  You guessed it, we found that shiny sparkly and pretty stuff on the dresser.  There was one thing that was really shiny.  I told my sister let’s play soccer.  She wasn’t too sure that should be done, but I talked her into it and we picked out the shiniest thing and oh my goodness we had a blast.  It scooted across the floor, banged up against the wall and came back to us and we did it all over again.  Back and forth and back and forth.  Our mom never woke up and so we just kept playing.  Our dad played soccer in college and so we knew some of the rules and stuff like that.  We didn’t pay much attention to this off side stuff.

When mom got up the next day and noticed that shinny bright soccer ball was gone she could not believe it. Mom and dad searched everywhere, suitcases, floor, called her mom to see if maybe it was at her home.  No luck.  We were sort of afraid to say anything so we just kept quiet.  My mom was sick. 

Well, all is well.  About 6 months later we were playing with something when my dad was getting ready for work.  We were having a good time and our dad couldn’t figure out what we were playing with.  He got down on his hands and knees and yep you guessed it my soccer ball was our mom’s ring.  What did she do?  Well, I can’t yet figure this out because she cried.  I thought she would be happy.  We had played so much soccer that the ring had found its very own home tucked way back under the dresser and behind a leg. We are sort of sad because we lost our soccer ball but we are also happy because our mom is happy now. You can catch our pictures on the Ark website under Buddy’s Antics.

Dear Zoey and Harley,

Thanks for the letter.  Soccer isn’t great for me, I like track.  I can run and run and run. Maybe your mom and dad should get you a real shinny soccer ball.

Your ‘furever’ friends,

Buddy, Sunny and Lolli

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Buddy May 2025 

Dear Friends,

When you read this Memorial Day will have passed.  I hope you all took some time to think about all the freedoms we have.  You may think it is odd that a dog would want to remember what it stands for.  Actually I am very patriotic. I always stand for the National Anthem.  It is a little difficult for me to put my paw over my heart but my heart is full of pride when I hear it played or sung.  I know what it means and I hope you do too.

Here is our latest comment from one of our families that adopted from Ark.  “Our Saint Bernard, Gideon took a bit to convince that Liberty was fun and not just here to steal all of the attention.  He can be a very jealous boy!  Liberty is the cutest darn think and we have fallen so madly in love with her!  She is settling in and making herself at home.  And Gideon needed someone to run around with him, through he is not match for her speed!  She loves running laps around our big backyard and is constantly getting the zoomies!  She has met both of our families and is such a people person.  Both of our families love her!  Thank you so much for taking her in and loving and protecting her.  You have made our family whole again!

I don’t know about you but I love hearing how my pals are doing in their new homes.  Just last night I heard my town mom talk to one of her friends, and she said, “My two that I adopted seem to have really turned a corner for me this past weekend.  Walking well as any puppy on a leash.  I made a 5 hour road trip and they did amazing on it.  Sat in their car seats the whole time.  Sleeping through the night without pottying or crying.  Starting obedience training nest week.” She adopted two pups, sisters that came together and as my town mom says ‘full of it.” It took a little talk to get them to go together, but they did and it sounds like it is working out.

Have you remembered to put on your parents calendar “How Now Brown Cow?” This is the new summer program at Paws and Claws bookstore.  On Thursdays in the afternoon, you can learn about different animals each week.  Starting June12th.  Call the bookstore for more details.  It sounds like fun. 260-562-2100. I heard things like a 3 leg dog, horse, bats, and I am sure there are more. No cost, just come and have some fun. I might even get to go!

And then tell your golfing friends about the golf outing on June 21st.  You can call the shelter, 260-463-4142 or text 260-336-5455.

Here are a few things to think about: Name one development in the history of humankind that has increased happiness more than the domestication of dogs. -Aaron Easterly When an eighty-five-pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it’s hard to feel sad. -Kristan Higgins

Your ‘furever’ friends,

Buddy, Sunny and Lolli

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Buddy May 2025

Dear Friends,

Can you explain why one day I wear a sweatshirt to walk and the next day my town mom takes a water bottle along for us because it is so hot? Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.

 I had my trip to the vet.  You know all that stuff you need to do once a year.  A checkup, my heart listened to, a body massage, that strange light into my eyes and then my mouth propped open.  When that happened, I knew I would be making another trip.  I was right.  I had my teeth cleaned.  I must admit my mouth feels great and I hear my lake mom say, ”Buddy your breath is much better.”  You need to nudge your family and make sure you get your necessary checkup and of course, ouch, those shots that give you protection from nasty stuff.  It’s for the best for you and of course everyone and any dogs you come into contact with.

My lake mom said to me “Buddy, your collar looks terrible.” Well, I just thought it was comfortable. You know like a pair of jeans or a good ol sweatshirt.  I guess it was bound to happen. Now I have a brand new red collar that matches my red harness.  I gotta tell you I am looking pretty good.  Funny how a new collar and clean teeth makes a guy feel. Try it.

 I just saw on TV how a lab wearing a special vest was sitting by a doctor in a hospital and he was just petting him.  You and I have known long time because I have shared this many times how just petting a dog or cat helps people feel better.  My heart is so warmed and my poof just wags a little harder when I hear these things.  If you don’t have a dog or a cat I can sure tell you where to go to find one that will change your life forever not to mention the dogs or cats.  Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption.  A perfect time to adopt, as you will have lots of extra time to spend with them learning what they like to do.  Think about it!

Ark went to the first grade class at Topeka again this year.  The mom’s make cookies and the kids sell them for 25 cents. They gave Ark a check for $454.24. They have done this for a long time.  The teacher told Ark the moms have baked over 17,000 cookies.  I didn’t go but I would love to have had a cookie.  Thank you moms, teachers, and students.  We appreciate your help every year! I think I will try and go next year.

There is that golf outing coming up and the special summer story time at Paws and Claws. Call the shelter 260-463-4142 with your foursome in June.

Your ‘fur-ever’ friend,

Buddy, Sunny and Lolli

Wag more, bark less

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Buddy May 2025 

Dear Friends,

Jack at the bookstore asked me to remind all my readers of this.  Do you remember Jack?  He visits the bookstore every Thursday to meet and greet all the people who come.  Do you know there are people that choose to come only on Thursday just to see Jack? Humm, I may be a little jealous. Here is what he wanted me to remind you all of.  Beginning June 12 and running through July on Thursdays are special days for kids.  A special program each week at 1:30 with someone special and their special pals will share with the kids who come. Jack said it is not a long program, but sounds fun.  And, I think Jack will be there too! Pre-register recommended, call 260-562-2109.

Two things the shelter asked me to remind you of is the Steak Fry and Bake Sale at the Legion on May 9th and the golf outing at Cedar Lake on June 21. More information if you need it at the shelter, 260-463-4142.

Here is the latest note from one of Ark’s adopters: “You wouldn’t believe this is the same puppy we left with.  We named him Otto. Otto is Japanese for little brother and we love cars too.  He also “otto”matically made himself at home.  It has only been a week, he has found his voice.  He doesn’t just bark, he howls.  He loves his brothers, he sleeps all night, he has learned how to be on a leash and how to shake for treats.  He is too smart for his own good and a very good jumper.  We love him he was the perfect fit for out little family.  We hope this helps get his siblings adopted as well.  We know they will also thrive.  I can’t say it enough.  Adopt Adopt Adopt!

I saw something this week I have never seen.  I was walking with Sunny and Lolli and we past a tree that had a very large swarm of bees hanging from it.  I heard my town mom say move over kids, we don’t want to get near this.  Well, my town mom did some checking and they were honey bees and her friend that has a whole bunch of bee hives came into town and took them.  She said they were probably lost and the best time to get bees like this is after the sun goes down because they sort of go to sleep.  I thought that was kind of funny, bees going to sleep.  Do you think they have beds a warm blanket and a soft pillow?

This is the time of year for me to remind you about ticks.  They are out now and you don’t want them on you.  Please make sure your pet has the right protection and that you check them often.  One tick can cause a bunch of problems if it isn’t caught and destroyed.  Don’t forget to check yourself as well.

Your ‘fur-ever’ friends

Buddy, Sunny and Lolli.