TPURRADISE

301 Stockbridge RdGreat Barrington, MA 01230

413-717-4244

alesMAIN SHELTER214 Barker RdPittsfield, MA 01201413-447-7878

HBERK SH I R E H UMANE S O C I E T Y N EWS L E T T E R • W I N T E R 2 0 1 3

www.berkshirehumane.org

umane

“If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.” ―Mark Twain

Chris and Karen Senay had experienced two very difficult yearswith their two Golden Retrievers. Andrew passed away from cancer,and then Juju, their other Golden, had cancer in one leg and had tohave it amputated. Though they had intended to just focus all theirenergy on him, they found that he was lonely with his buddy gone.Four months ago, they happened to see Pup in the Berkshire HumaneSociety’s weekend advertisement and came to the Shelter to see him.They brought Juju in to meet him and the pair got along just fine.Here’s their story as told by Karen.

Pup adjusted to his new home immediately, as though he had alwaysbeen there. He followed us everywhere. As he is lucky enough to liveon 47 acres, he gets plenty of exercise. Since we have chickens, hefollowed us on our chicken chores and was very curious over those funny-looking things.

While Chris was cutting trees, Pup and I walked out to the areawhere Chris was working to bring him his lunch. There Pup foundJuju, who always rode out in the Gator ATV, and stayed with Chris allday. The next day Pup followed Chris in the Gator and stayed withJuju, safely away from where Chris was working. When Chris wouldtake a break from his work, both dogs knew it was play time.

Pup used to follow Chris in the Gator to cut and split wood up thedriveway, but after watching Chris lift Juju in the back of the Gator, henow barks for his lift into the Gator. We guess he figures, why botherwalking when I can ride!

Pup and Juju became best friends and enjoyed being together allthe time. Pup was even lucky enough to vacation at a cottage in Mainewith us. He decided the couch was his bed for the night and Juju couldsleep on the dog bed. He was happy to sleep there until we were up andmoving around. At the beach he enjoyed watching the seagulls andgreeting other people and their pets.

He adores Chris and jumps and runs all over when he comes home.He knows Chris will be going outside to do something and he willfollow. While Chris was digging up potatoes and carrots, Pup becamethe vegetable thief. He would snatch one, run off and snack for a while,then go back for more.

Pup can be a couch potato. At night he will jump up on the couchand lay on Chris’ lap. In the morning whoever gets out of bed first isreplaced by Pup. He will place his head on the empty pillow and willstay there until it’s time to get up.

We shared our Thanksgiving dinner with the two of them - turkeyand veggies from our garden. Later we made sandwiches for our latesnack. Chris left the room for a few minutes and when he returned thetop piece of bread and the stuffing was missing from his sandwich. Pupstood there, no guilt at all on his face, as if that was supposed to happen.

Christmas was a fun day. We spoil both of them with many wrappedtoys and snacks. Pup unwrapped his gifts with no help and was in hisglory with his new toys.

We were excited to have the snow arrive to see how he would beoutside. We shovel the snow and throw it at him and he barks for more.

Though they occasionally like a little personal space, for the mostpart Pup and Juju love each other. They keep each other companywhen we go to work, and when we get home Pup is so excited he doeshis burst of Pup energy laps outside.

Pup has his new forever home and we are so grateful we adoptedhim. Thank you BHS for such a wonderful dog, for giving Juju a bestfriend again, and for allowing us to enjoy such a fantastic companion.

PUP,A GOLDEN RETRIEVER

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Like us on Facebook. Call us at 413-447-7878. Visit us at berkshirehumane.org • Like us on Facebook. Call us at 413-447-7878. Visit us at berkshirehumane.org

A NEW HOME FOR SALLYThe BHS “Senior-for-Senior” program allows senior persons of

over 65 years to adopt senior cats over seven years old for only a $50adoption fee.

Before the holiday season,Edith Greene, who has been livingat Kimball Farms since mid-June,visited Purradise in Great Barringtonwith the hope of finding a catcompanion.

Not only had Edith enjoyedthe company of cats in the past,but during her husband’s workingyears for MIT, they lived in

Indonesia and Cairo, amongst other places. At different times theyhad taken two of these cats with them to other countries.

Though Edith was thinking of an orange tabby, as she hadenjoyed four of them in the past, she was lucky enough to find a 10-year-old cat named Sally who had just come into the Shelter.Sally and Edith bonded immediately, and Sally, who had been in theShelter for a very short time, was lucky enough to be adopted.

On the second day after Edith took her home, Sally hid way inthe back of a storage closet for a period of time, which is somewhattypical for a cat when they go into a new home. (There is an adjustmentperiod for them especially when they are older.) Even though sheenjoys being out around the apartment with Edith now, that littlespace in the back of the storage closet is still her favorite place tosleep. Another time, she sneaked behind Edith in the kitchen whenshe was taking her oatmeal out of a storage cupboard. After breakfast,Edith looked all over for her. When she finally opened that kitchencupboard door, Sally walked out as if hiding in there was a perfectlynormal thing to do!

In addition to sitting beside Edith on the couch, where she enjoysbeing brushed, she loves to sit on the window sill in Edith’s bedroomto admire the outside world. Edie refers to her as a “treasure.” Shesaid, “I love the way she purrs when she comes near me.”

The Senior-for-Senior program is great, especially for older catswho have more difficulty being adopted. What a bargain for twolucky seniors to share their lives together!

We are happy for Edith and for Sally, and we thank Edith forvisiting Purradise and finding her new friend.

Not to sound repetitious, but by incorporating a PlannedGiving intention into your estate planning or will, you will benefitnot only the Berkshire Humane Society’s planning for the future,but you will benefit financially, as well as passionately. However, it isimportant that you make this commitment immediately for bothBHS and yourself.

For instance, donors over the age of 70-1/2 can roll up to $100,000from their IRA’s to BHS without paying income tax on the donation.And if the distribution is made before February 1, 2013 it can becounted retroactively for the 2012 tax year.*

But, amounts of any magnitude will certainly be welcome as aresult of your commitment in your estate plan, bequest, or will. Andwe will honor that commitment in your name by entering you into

our Circle of Compassion. In this “Circle”, you will join a group ofdedicated givers who have expressed their confidence in the futuresuccess of BHS in its endeavors to continue to effectively help animalsand the people who care for and love them.

If you wish to be included in our Circle of Compassion, pleasecontact John Perreault, Executive Director (confidentiality is assured)by mail at Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield,MA 01201, or by telephone at 413-477-7878, extension 33. Pleaselet us know if you want your name to appear on the Circle ofCompassion Honor Roll among dozens of other animal lovers.

*Please consult your tax advisor for details of the IRA rolloverand other means with which you can financially assist BHS with itsfuture plans.

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FAMILY DOG SCHOOLGroup Classes ~ Private Lessons ~ Consults

Lisa Corbett, Senior Instructor413-447-7878 ext. 39 • lcorbett@berkshirehumane.org

BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY, INC.214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201

www.berkshirehumane.org fax 413-443-3347

PLANNED GIVING

NEW PURRADISE MANAGERThe Berkshire Humane Society wel-

comes the newest member of our team.In October, Danielle Hammell was hiredas the Shelter Manager for Purradise,the feline adoption center located inGreat Barrington.

Danielle was raised in Old Chatham,NY. She attended SUNY Potsdam andreceived a Bachelor’s degree in Literacyfrom Saint Rose College. For seven

years Danielle followed her dreams to work with “at-risk youths” atthe Berkshire Union Free School District.

While working at the school, Danielle was able to work with theyouths performing community service at local animal shelters and toteach them how to take care of farm animals. It was during this timethat Danielle realized not how much the children helped the animals,but, in reality, it was the animals helping to rehabilitate the children.A life-changing moment happened – Danielle changed careers andbegan her fight against animal cruelty and neglect.

She started working at the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA,where she was the kennel supervisor for five years. She has also hadthe opportunity to work in partnership with the ASPCA Disasterand Response Team, aiding in the cause to help animals in need.

Danielle comes to Purradise with experience, drive, and a uniformgoal: to be the voice for the animals. As the new Manager, her firstgoal is to help aid the Berkshire Humane Society in reducing theepidemic of homeless cats. With the help of the community, Daniellewants to start more community outreach – attract volunteers, donors,and, most-importantly, adopters. Every Saturday, Purradise will beconducting cat and dog nail trims and low cost micro-chipping clinics.

Danielle also wants to reach out to local schools to educatestudents about animal awareness and to allow our youth to becomeadvocates for the animals.

It is only with the support from the community that the BerkshireHumane Society and Purradise have been able to grow continuallyover the last 20 years, and we hope that you will continue to supportthis growth.

HOLIDAY MIRACLE(A Story of Hope and Perseverance)

Purradise received a true “HolidayMiracle” gift when one of their pastresident cats was returned to her newhome!

Maura, a long-term resident ofPurradise finally found her perfect,forever home with Igal Harmelin-Moriafrom Foxhollow, in Lenox, MA, buta week later, on December 4th, shebroke everyone’s hearts when she gotloose outside.

Her new owner called everyonein a desperate plea to help bring Maura back. Purradise volunteers,staff, and supporters all went looking for her and prayed for her safereturn. Maura would be fighting the hardships of predators, thebitter cold, starvation, and fear.

It had been just shy of three weeks when an angel, by the nameof Heather, from High Lawn Farms thought she spotted a despairingorange and white tabby around her house. Purradise staff andvolunteers went out to the farm numerous times looking for thisdesolate cat, but with no luck and little hope left.

Finally, at 7p.m. on December 23rd, we received a phone callfrom Heather that they had caught a cat that fit Maura’s description.It was by fate and the dedication of true animal lovers that we wereable to catch Maura and bring her to her home safely. Purradisewould like to thank everyone for never losing faith and for helping tobring our beloved Maura home safe and sound.

A special “thank you” to Tracy, Barb and Heather!

Like us on Facebook. Call us at 413-447-7878. Visit us at berkshirehumane.org

SENIOR CATSA very generous person has made

a special donation for our Senior Catsfor 2013. If you want to adopt a SeniorCat, you will receive a 50% discounton its adoption.

Senior adoptions are $50 and ifyou are over the age of 65, the adoptionwill be free.

Senior cats make wonderful companions as most of them arejust looking for a lap to sit in and someone to pet them. Look atour wonderful Senior Cats at www.berkshirehumane.org or comein to see them at BHS on Barker Road in Pittsfield!

On Sunday, December 16th, 9½-year-old, Bryson Rose came to BerkshireHumane Society with his dad, Jim, and ayounger brother. Bryson had a gift of $77for the Shelter to help the animals.

He had decided to do some work tomake this money because he wanted todonate this special gift.

His family helped him out. He did yard work for his family andneighbors, helped his grandmother make meatballs, went to work athis Dad’s 7-Eleven in Adams, and also went to work one day atCanyon Ranch with his mother to make all this money in one week.

We are very proud of this young man. It makes us all happy toknow that even children care enough to help us do the work we do.

Kids Care, Too.

BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201

www.berkshirehumane.org 413-447-7878

Newsletter Editor: Beverly Trowill, Design: Shirley Sparks, Stockbridge, MA • Photos: BHS Staff • Printed by: Quality Printing, A Green Co.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cindy BartlettPresident

Fred PomerantzVice-President

Leslie WeilVice-President

Deborah StorieSecretary

Patricia SinclairTreasurer

Alix CabralJonathan Cluett, M.D.

Assist. Secretary

Karen Leopardi

Jackie McHughAssist. Treasurer

Evan MorowitzChristopher Nerrie

Jane PattonJohn ReynoldsJanie StrachanDiana Wall

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFJohn PerreaultExecutive DirectorLisa Corbett

Family Dog SchoolHead Instructor

Cheryl TruskowskiShelter Manager

Karen KarlbergCommunity Outreach

CoordinatorTerry Bissaillon

Volunteer Coordinator Diane Briggs

Administrative AssistantSherry Betit

Financial Specialist

PURRADISE

Berkshire Humane Society Cat Adoption Center301 Stockbridge Road Great Barrington, MA

413-717-4244Danielle Hammell

Manager

CAUSE FOR PAWS7TH ANNUALRAdiOTHONAPRiL 2Nd6AM - 6PMLiVE

• LiVE testimonials• Chances to win prizes

• Have your favorite songsplayed, or dedicate one

to someone for $20

THE BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY

PRESENTS A FUNDRAISING

PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE

PURRADISE CAT ADOPTION CENTER

Wed. April 4th – 5 to 7PMCrissey Farm

426 Stockbridge Road Great Barrington

$12 adults $6 children under 12

Both meat & vegetarian lasagna

50/50 Raffle, Purradise Boutique, Cash Bar

www.berkshirehumane.org

413-447-7878

ANNOUNCEMENTSCAMP SCHEDULES

will be posted in March

CAMP APPLICATION FORMSwill be available in March

CAMP REGISTRATIONwill begin in April

Please continue to visit our website

www.berkshirehumane.org

2013