i am spartacus - humane society of lawton-comanche county

Fall 2012

Donations to the Humane Society of Lawton - Comanche County should be addressed to P. O. Box 3134, Lawton, OK 73502

Humane Society of Lawton—Comanche County

www.lawtonhumanesociety.org

“I am Spartacus”

Hello, my name is Spartacus, I’m a German Sheppard Puppy and I was born in

Clarksville, Tennessee on May 5th, 2012. Although I don’t look it, I was very ill

when my above photo was taken at the tender age of just 10 weeks old. You see my

Human Companion and I were united when I was only six weeks old. Although I

was very skinny and small for my age he immediately fell in love with me and took

me home with him anyway. My Companion is a young Soldier stationed at Fort

Campbell, Kentucky. He is a very brave Human and I am very proud of him. When

my Soldier came to take me to our new home my Parent’s Companions told him

that I had been given all of my Immunization Shots. You see Immunization Shots

are very important for us Puppies because most of our Immune Systems are very

weak during the first four to six weeks of life. So when my Companion took me

home he did not know I was already sick with a terrible case of Round Worms ,

and the dreaded Parvovirus.

Continued on Page 2

Although my life was cut short I was a very happy and curious puppy that enjoyed adventures, playing fetch and exploring everything I came in contact with. I loved my

Companion and I know he loved me dearly. At the age of eight weeks old my Companion and I traveled to Lawton, Oklahoma to visit his Parents that were going to watch over me while my Soldier is deployed overseas. During the drive to Lawton we had sooooo much fun with me sticking my head out of the window and enjoying the view. I never realized that the world was so big. I especially liked the rest stops so I could stretch my legs and

explore the new surroundings. I also didn’t mind staying at the Hotel and watching satellite TV. When I arrived at my new temporary home in Lawton I was introduced to my new “Companion-in-Laws” who immediately fell in love with me as I with them. For the first time in my young life I had my very own back yard to run around in and plenty of toys to play with. Although the neighbor pets and I didn’t always agree on everything

(like sharing the ball), we still managed to become good friends. One day unexpectedly my Companion noticed that there were some Round Worms where I had just finished

going to the potty (oops). Anyway, he ran to the store and got me some deworming medicine to make me all better. He is smart and knows me well enough to know that I will not take it so he hid the medicine in my favorite treat. In a couple of days I started feeling better and even started to gain a little weight and was having so much fun. However, we

didn’t know that at only nine weeks old, I already was infected with a serious illness called Parvovirus. I immediately started to lose my appetite, started to vomit, didn’t want to play and was running a fever. My Companions took me to the Animal Hospital where I

stayed for two days undergoing treatment to cure me. On the third day I was able to go home for half a day to be with my Family. Although it was only half a day my

Companions made sure I was comfortable and would not leave my side. They kept trying to get me to eat and drink something but I was too weak. I was really just happy to be

home. They showered me with love and that I think is the greatest feeling in the world; to know that you are sincerely loved. Later that day I had to go back to the Hospital for more

treatments and as my Companions and I said our goodbyes I knew something was not quite right. You see it was my time to die. I did not like it but that’s the way things turned

out. I had plans. I was going to be a great friend to my Companions and was looking forward to a lifetime of fun, love and those tasty treats. Anyway I’m in Doggie Heaven now and many new Companions to play with and although I have passed on I hope my

short life and story will have some meaning. So I am asking that all of the Human Companions out there to please make sure that your Animal Friends receive their

immunization shots.

Grady Morgan

In memory of Spartacus



Miss Kitty

Hello, my name is Miss Kitty. I have

never been married, but came close one

time. He was much older than me and

we disagreed violently about the

wedding plans. He wanted his sister to

be the maid of honor and she was much older than both

of us and would probably curl up and take a nap half

way down the aisle. I wanted my sister Carmel Candy

(CC) to be the maid of honor; I told him that it was

customary. But then CC eloped with a big striped tom

cat from Cache and lost interest in my wedding. Then, I

woke up one morning and found that my fiancée had

been stepping out with an older grey shaggy feline just down the street. She was not refined

at all. He was definitely stepping down. So I told him to take his litter box butt and hit the

road. I am happy being my own woman so I will always be Miss Kitty.

Report from Director of the Spay/Neuter Assistance Program Humane Society received 379 telephone calls for spay/neuter assistance in August & September In that time period the following were spayed/neutered: 135 cats, 23 small dogs, and 22 large dogs. Director of the Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) Donna L. Campos-Barahona


Interview With The Dog the silence is broken

We asked a dog to pull aside the shroud of secrecy and be interviewed. He asked that his name not be

used but for the good of all dogs he agreed to share these ten insights with humans.

7. Remember before you hit me that I

have powerful teeth, but I choose not

to use them.

8. Before you scold me for being

uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask

yourself if something might be wrong

with me. Perhaps I’m not getting the

right

food, or I’ve been out in the sun too

long, or my heart is getting older and

weaker.

9. Take care of me when I get old.

You’ll be old one day.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys.

Never say: I can’t watch – it’s too

painful. Everything is easier when you

are with me.

And through it all: Remember that

I love you.

www.aplacetolovedogs.com

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years.

any separation from you will be painful

to me. Remember that before you buy

me.

2. Give me some time to understand

what you want from me.

3. Place your trust in me. It’s crucial

to my well-being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long and

don’t isolate me as punishment. You

have your work, your entertainment

and your friends. I only have you.

5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t

understand your word – I understand

your voice.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I

will not be able to forget it.

http://www.aplacetolovedogs.com


Annette Garza

Chaperone for your Pets

Vickie Payne, owner of “The Home Chaperone of Lawton” will watch any animal, no matter what size, and the house it resides in as part of her new service. Payne is a 20 year veteran of animal care. She has worked kennels and boarding services for much of her adult life. Whether it is a week, a day or several hours, Payne will come to your home and make your pet’s life much more enjoyable and you will feel relieved to know that they are happy and cared for. Call 512-2148 or email [email protected] or for more information visit www.thehomechaperoneoflawton.com.

“ Honest, I didn’t make this mess, I am trying to clean it

up. I have been looking over our inventory and really,

really like the new shoes and boots for winter. Come by

Steve’s Shoes and have a look!”

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.thehomechaperoneoflawton.com

A Purr, a Lick, and a Wag to the Following Great People; Our Donors!

These people have donated to the Humane Society since the last Pet Gazette publication.


In Memory Of:

Animal Lover Susan Ivy Clark: Donation by Claude & Roberta Matchette; according to the

Matchette’s, “Susan Ivy Clark loved and protected animals her whole life—and they loved her back!”

Donation by B.J., Emily, & Arthur South

Donation by Hyunsoon Whang

Animal Lover Emily Louise Perry: Donation by Carol Perry

In Celebration of Vito Baxter’s Life! Donation by Kimberly & Darrell Sadler

A Very Special Thank You to:

Billingsley Ford for their generous donation

John and Darla Pereira for their generous donation of dog food

Larry Woodell: Donation from McArthur High School Faculty

In memory of Ranger Danger who brought great joy and love to our lives. He will be in our hearts forever. Sharleen Gehers and Family.

Stanley & Elizabeth Albury Mollie Burton James & Nancy Caswell

Carol Callicut Elizabeth Chalkley KD Championmont

Michael & Cindy Chronis-

ter

Dr. Joe & Charlene Crane Chas & Mary Jean Doerler

Karen Espinosa William & Renate Extine Michael & Arabela Galen

Valeria Grant Greg & Terese Harrouff Anthony Layton

SFC Gerald Moose, Ret James & Gwyn Rice Robert & Kerry Sweeney

Linda West Iris Wilcox Sally Kehoe & Sandra Mor-

ley

Ted & Donna Clopton James & Renate Berger Omar Calciolari


A Long Road to my Forever Home

Once upon a time I had a mother, a brother and a sister. We were born under an abandoned shed in a dark corner. We slept, ate and grew.

When our eyes opened we played with each other, attacked pieces of twine and chased bugs that crawled across the dirt floor. We began to venture out into the world moving a few feet from our home and then a few yards. As the days went by my brother went to explore the world beyond and found a home with a family several blocks away. He used to come back to us and tell us about it. He spent less and less time with us. My sister left one day and did not return. I suspect she found a family to stay with, too. My brother reported that he

saw a lady petting her several doors down from his home. My mother spent very little time in our shed by now as she had her own life to live. I was about 3 months old and ready to start my own life. I wanted a career and my very own human. So one day, I walked away from the shed looking back at times wondering if I was ready to leave the comfort of my birth place. The first few days I wandered the streets at night hiding when danger approached. I jumped into a yard at one point and a giant dog came after me barking and snarling. I was so scared. I was scared, hungry and sad. I had no mother, no brother or sister and no human of my own. Time passed and I wandered and wandered in ditches, drainage pipes and alleys. I was getting weak because I was so hungry. One day I climbed up on a wooden fence that had shrubs growing into it to rest and hide. I slept for a time, but knew I had to move on. I started to move out of the bushes and I was stuck. I couldn’t move up, down or sideways. I was trapped. I struggled until I was exhausted. Then I started to cry. I cried and cried…..then I saw a human parting the bushes. She had a towel and placed it over me and gently pulled me out. She took me into her house and placed me in a warm safe cage and placed a plate of food in front of me. I ate and fell asleep. When I awakened, I heard her on the phone saying, “I found a small grey kitten lodged in the fence”. She turned me over to the Humane Society and a lady gave me a bath and declared, “This little girl is not grey….she is orange…the grey was just dirt.” I was declared by the vet to be fit for adoption. I was adopted by a human who is an angel in disguise. Now I eat, sleep, play and thank my lucky stars every day that I found my human. My name is Phyllis and I am at the end of the long road….I am home.


Annette Garza

Dog Bank Report

Top Dog for this Quarter is Pet Sense

The money collected from the dog banks is used to provide pet food to those in need. We sincerely

thank all of our supporting businesses.

July August September Total

All About Pets 5.93 1.16 Not Collected 7.09

Billingsley Ford 5.66 11.76 6.41 23.83

Burgess Grill 35.74 36.50 26.77 99.01

Edwards 1.85 1.64 3.11 6.60

El Greco 26.47 13.69 7.78 47.94

Gourmet Gadgetre 6.20 5.47 7.89 19.58

Hergenrether Vet 7.68 6.80 7.87 22.35

Jackson’s Laundry New 17.87 17.87

Pet Sense 13.24 74.90 85.39 173.53

Rocket Pawn 17.46 11.61 13.86 42.93

Russell’s Donuts 16.77 11.29 12.64 40.70

Steve’s Shoes 1.00 4.50 6.14 11.64

Taft Grocery 11.04 11.78 10.29 33.11

The 18th Block 8.62 3.15 Not Collected 11.22

Tractor Supply Co 10.74 6.58 2.80 20.12


Lincoln’s Adventure

My name is Lincoln and I almost used up all of my nine lives.

I decided to see what was on the other side of the alley and

then the other side of the street. I was just strolling along and

suddenly was in a street called Gore with big metal things

rushing around. I could hear the “whoosh” and smell orders

almost like a dirty litter box. I decided to make a run for it and

cross the street when one of the loud smelly things hit me and

I flew in the air and landed in the street. I was totally

befuddled as to what happened. Everything was rushing by

me. Then is when Dr. Wood from All About Pets saw me as

she was driving down Gore and tenderly picked me up and

took me to her clinic for a checkup. I was OK except for a few

scrapes and a wounded ego. So unflattering to fly head over

teakettle into traffic, but I will live over it. The Humane

Society posted my picture on Facebook and my humans

recognized me and I am now back home licking my wounds. The Humane Society dubbed me

“Freeway” for a few hours, but Lincoln is my name. I am 13 years old and that is much too old

to be running the streets.

Specializing in Hard-to-Fit Sizes

4-12 S, N, M, W


So You Got a New Puppy or Kitten. What Now?

The Pet Gazette will have advice from the Vet in each issue. Dr. Wood is our contributor this issue.

Before you leave the premises with your new purchase or adoption there are questions you need

to ask. Has this pet had any vaccines or deworming products? Get the NAMES & Dates of the

products. Many breeders will tell you they have already given all the vaccines a new pet needs.

That may be true at the present, but always ask when their next booster is due. Do they offer

any proof and give you the name of the vet. Not all vaccines contain the same combination

disease protection and does their “full set” include Bordetella, or feline leukemia? Some

dewormers only get a few types of worms. Other medications are effective with hooks, rounds,

whips and tapes. Very few get tapeworms so have them be specific.

Some breeders start vaccines when an animal is only 2-3 weeks old. While not harmful this is

probably a waster. Animals that still have antibodies in their blood stream from their mother’s

colostrum don’t respond well to vaccines. I recommend a set of vaccines be given at 6 weeks, 9

weeks and 12 weeks of age. Certain high risk breeds like Rotties, Pits, and Dobies may be given

an additional parvo shot at 16 weeks of age. When you purchase or adopt, make an

appointment with your vet ASAP. Some pet stores only give you 24 hours to return a sick pet.

Most breeders will give you 72 hours—a week at the most. Your vet will examine your new pet

for: cleft palate, open fontanelle, unbilical and inguinal hernias, cryptorchid, , heart murmurs,

teeth, eyes, ears and fecal. Your pet will be weighed as slow growth, “stunting and runting” can

indicate serious internal problems. Most of these birth defects are difficult and expensive to f ix

not to mention potentially genetic.

Spaying and neutered dogs and cats prevent headaches later. Female dogs can bleed for up to

3 weeks and cats will want to roam the neighborhood. Unspayed female dogs can develop

tumors or infections later in life that can be life threatening. I recommend spaying before the

first heat cycle eliminating the chances of getting breast cancer by almost 99%. Unneutered

male dogs will fight over females, run away from home, urinating on the corners of furniture.

They also can get reproductive cancers. Male cats fight, spray urine, roam, get hurt, develop a

bad smell and are susceptible to fatal viral diseases.

Just as you see your dentist and doctor regularly, your pets need to see their vets regularly, also.

All About Pets: Dr. V. Wood


Holly: From Hell to Hope

My name is Holly and I awakened every morning

feeling dirty and hungry. I was relegated to a

sweltering hot garage with no water and food for

days. I knew my human didn’t want me and I

yearned for a loving human to come and taken me

away. Then one day a beautiful human came. This

is my new human’s story: my name is Gabrielle

Warszawski; my family and I went to meet Holly

several weeks ago. We weren’t sure we wanted to

adopt or not. However, once we say her living

conditions, there was no way we could have left her

behind. She was living in a overly hot garage. She

had no water and the only thing in her food bowl was an inch of mold. She was filthy;

she needed to be bathed, brushed and a haircut. Once we got her home and got those

things done, the hard work began. Holly had no idea on how to be a dog. She is learning

to walk on grass and come when called. She has a long way to go, but she now holds her

head up and not cower in fear all the time. I have been telling my five year old daughter

about Holly’s experiences. She has always been told to be kind to animals and now is

getting a first had view of that. She tells everyone that she meets that we saved Holly from

the hot garage and we are teaching her to be a dog. Holly rolled around in the grass for

the first time this past weekend. My daughter was elated and jumped up and down

singing, “Holly learned to be a dog!” It is these little things that makes this all worthwhile.

Holly and Gabrielle

i am spartacus - humane society of lawton-comanche county

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