The doctor kept moving the stethoscope all over Barney’s body to find a heartbeat- no…nothing! Barney was relinquished to

the shelter and was morbidly obese. The seven year old beagle weighed 84.8 pounds- 60 pounds overweight. That’s like three and a half beagles in one beagle body! The doctor announced, “I can’t hear a heartbeat through the massive amount of blubber.” Barney quickly became a cause for people to rally around. Volunteers showed up specifically to walk Barney. They would call the shelter to check on what Barney weighed that day. Every pound was a celebration and a point of pride for all that cared for this gentle “giant”. As he started to lose weight, more and more of his vibrant personality came through. A previous adopter, Nancy Masten, was one of Barney’s fans. Driving in from Montana every week, Nancy would come to the shelter to walk him and check on his progress. On one of her visits, a staff member recommended she foster Barney at her ranch where she could regulate his diet and ensure he was exercising. Barney was sure to lose more weight in an open environment where he could walk around rather than be confined in a kennel at

PAS. Barney is now living with Nancy and Mike Masten, his foster family, at the Amber Bear Inn in Montana. He has lost 24 pounds and is showing great progress. Nancy is proud of Barney. She reported back to us, “Barney enjoys being a ranch dog and thoroughly enjoys following his nose around. He’s frequently up at the goat pen and trotting after the geese. Additionally, we own a lodge and restaurant. Barney quickly assumed the role of Host. He greets the guests upon their arrival and accompanies them as they walk the nature paths.” The goal is to have Barney the beagle back to a healthy weight in several months and in his forever home. For now, Barney is enjoying his rehabilitation time at the lodge. Nancy believes Barney is making great strides and will be a cherished member of a family. “His energy level and stamina improves daily, and he is becoming quite a handsome, charming, and outgoing beagle. Barney is housebroken, loves people, gets along well with other dogs, ignores cats and chickens, and enjoys lying on our wrap-around porch. He will make a great pet for an active family with a large yard.” n

Is there a biggest loser for dogs? Barney would win!

Calendar oF eVenTS

November 10-PopovichComedy

PetTheateratthePanida

11-JazzforCatsatDiLunas

17-GirlsNightOutattheThriftStore

December 4-TreeLighting

Celebration

2012

February 13-WestminsterParty

atSlates 18-FreezeYourTailOff 26-KegPull

march 10-DOGFUN-d-raiser

Nov 2011 Shelter 208-265-7297 www.pasidaho.org Thrift Shop 208-263-0706

NeWSLeTTer

Barney relaxing after a long calorie burning walk.

Paw PrintsPanhandle

animal ShelTer

Recycle foR the AnimAlsBring your old laptops, toner cartridges, cell phones and ipods to Panhandle Animal Shelter and we’ll recycle them for you!PAS receives a small cash bonus for recycling these items. Every penny helps us continue our mission.

PresIdenT’srePorTleTTer From The PreSidenTby Suellen crettol

In the spring, I spoke about the changes happening at our Shelter and the Thrift Store. Those changes included our new Executive Director, Mandy Evans, who hit the ground running- I don’t think she has actually stopped since. It is rewarding to see how Mandy interacts with so many in our community and how she has brought attention to the Shelter and the Thrift Store in many positive ways. We were also happy to welcome Claudia Dick and Jaye Pietsch-Schuck as new members to our Board of Directors. I hope you will take the time to stop by our Thrift Store and meet Christy Syth, our new manager. Christy comes to us with great enthusiasm for making the store the best that it can be. This is a tremendous benefit to our animals. The store can always use good clean merchandise as well as volunteers. Gather some of your friends and have a work party in the back room sorting clothes. It is great fun and a huge help to our staff as they try to keep up with the sorting process. Please take a moment to read the newsletter…you will find wonderful stories, information on how we are giving back to our community and to the animals. My hat is off to the Shelter Manager Ryan, our staff and all who are donating countless hours to see our new programs succeed. No matter how large or how small the act of kindness, it makes a difference in achieving the ultimate goal of top notch care for the animals. The Shelter helps our community animals with open arms but operating it takes funding on a continual basis, especially as we come into the winter with higher heating bills and other expenses, so I encourage all of you to give a donation of any size if you are able. Our thanks to you in advance for your generosity. With Sincere Appreciation n

2

Focused on Adoption

Panhandle Animal Shelter is taking a proactive approach to adoptions. After receiving a grant from The Heart of Sandpoint and Panhandle State Bank, through a fund managed by its Trust & Wealth Management Division, the

shelter implemented a new dog evaluation process and will be introducing the “Meet your Match” program. This is an adoption program developed by ASPCA which has had tremendous success when utilized by shelters. The “Meet your Match” program has helped increase adoptions up to 39% and reduced returns by as much as 30% in other shelters. It involves working with a certified trainer that trains designated staff and volunteers to assess animals upon intake in the shelter, code them by color (purple, orange or green) for the type of adopter needed, and interview adopters on the kind of home and lifestyle they have. The process then matches the animals with the adopters. We strive to streamline the adoption process, create a more customer focused atmosphere and reduce our adoption returns. In addition, we welcome Bill Borders to our volunteer family. Bill will be coming in to do professional photos of our dogs, especially our seniors and dogs that have a poor kennel presence. These new photos can be used on PetFinder, at the shelter, and in our newspaper spread once a month. The first scheduled photo session will take place this month. (Thank you to our photographers, assessment teams, and a special thank you to Cheryl who manages Pet Finder). n

Kaluha- available for adoption. Photograph by Bill Borders.

Volunteers are appreciatedhere iS a liST oF SPeCiFiC TaSkS we need helP wiTh aT PaS.

• Our forever tiles need to be laid along the building • A wet sprinkler line needs to be converted to dry • Pull linoleum and clean cement • Replace light in our reader

board • Replace cement at mailbox and fence posts in our outdoor run • Work the floor and backroom at the thrift store and the front desk at the shelter • Clean

kennels, walk dogs and pet cats

3

low inCome SPay and neuTer ProgramOur county has its share of economic woes with a large percentage of residents falling at or under the poverty line. This prevents people from altering their family pets. PAS is sensitive to this issue and in an effort to help, the Low Income Spay and Neuter assistance program was launched in May 2011. Since the inception, we have assisted over 100 area animals. A special thank you to our area veterinarians who assist us with this program- Dr. Kathy Caldwell- Center Valley Animal Hospital, Dr. Bob Stoll- Animal Medical Care and Dr. Dawn Mehra- North Idaho Animal Hospital. We would also like to thank The Cadeau Foundation, Kristensen Family Trust and Panhandle State Bank, through a fund managed by its Trust & Wealth Management Division, for granted funds to support this program.

PawS To readIn cooperation with the Sandpoint Branch of the East Bonner County Library District, we launched PAWS to Read, a program to assist young struggling readers. Shelter dogs with a volunteer handler attend a scheduled reading session at the library. The young, reader picks his or her book and has a seat in a low chair on a blanket next to a dog. The dog’s job is to be an attentive, non-judgmental listener. The dogs love being out of the shelter

and having a “job” and the kids love the idea of reading to a dog. This concept was tested at UC Davis’s School of Veterinary Medicine with wonderful results. Reading fluency improved as much as 30% and 75% of parents reported that their children read aloud more frequently and with greater confidence. A special thank you

to the Sandpoint library and our dedicated PAS volunteers for making this program happen!

PawSiTiVe workSWe are proud to host the Pawsitive Works program at our shelter. The program is dedicated to helping “youth at risk” through canine assisted activities with shelter dogs. Our dogs benefit by receiving basic obedience training which makes them more adoptable and they are helping a young person feel valued and important.

CPr TrainingThis past July, PAS initiated a new program to train all the Bonner County firefighters on animal CPR. The goal is to have all

the fire stations trained by July 2012. We would like to extend a special thank you to those who are contributing to the success of this program. Invisible Fence of North Idaho (donated all the animal specific respirator masks), Mrs. And Dr. Marty Becker (purchased the dog CPR mannequin) and Dr. Chrissy Wetzel who is actively planning and performing the trainings.

PaS Food BankOur food bank was designed to assist people who need temporary assistance feeding their animals when they are unable to purchase food. We pick-up dog and cat food donations from grocery stores in our area such as Wal-Mart, Super One and Big R. Volunteers take the food and divide it up into small bags which the public can come pick-up for free. A BIG thank you to our volunteers and to our local super markets for the generosity of product and time!

iTem donaTionS Through The ThriFT SToreThe thrift store regularly donates items such as wheelchairs, walkers, and clothes to our local senior care facilities. We also help Kinderhaven by donating girl clothes and toys. This past year we assisted Angels over Sandpoint with their Backpack Program.

SeniorS For SeniorSPurdue University School of Veterinary Medicine writes, “People, in the contact with animals experience a decrease in blood pressure, reduced anxiety, and a general feeling of well being. The therapeutic value of animals, for socially isolated individuals in nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, and prisons has been documented. People in the presence of animals are often perceived to be more happy and healthy.”The Seniors for Seniors adoption program invites senior humans to rediscover the joys of having a cat or dog in their lives. Senior cats and dogs (typically over 7 years old) are matched with senior humans over 60 years of age. The adoption is free.

new Program For nexT year-Classrooms can rarely take a fieldtrip due to cutbacks. PAS is researching grants to assist in paying for the school bus rental. Children shape our future. If we can teach them about what it means to be a responsible owner and to spay and neuter, we have made a significant impact for the future.

Maile Evans reads to a shelter dog during a PAWS to

READ session.

Dr. Wetzel training the Sandpoint Firefighters

PAs Gives Backby Mandy evanS

A recent posting from a non-profit marketing blog immediately made me say, “YES!” The quote stated, “Generosity inspires generosity, so I’ll give when I’m hungry. It’s not what I need, it’s what I provide. I’m in the business of giving, not extracting. I’ll focus on the resources I have, not those I lack. I’ll care about relationships, not transactions. True partnership creates prosperity.” Katya’s Non-profit Marketing Blog. Based on those terms, I believe in giving back personally and encouraging my family and our organization to do the same. PAS has initiated some fantastic programs that benefit our community. Please take a moment and read about them. I’m proud of what we have accomplished in the last ten months and hope you will be too.

4

To Kailee, by GeorGe cordinGly

You were abandoned, like an old pair of shoes, out on the Upper Pack River Road, and left to your fates in early April 2007. I found you at the old Sandpoint Animal Shelter, curled up in a ball, in a very small cage. We talked, we walked and you came home to a lovely little house on Trestle Creek. Later you moved to Derr Island, and entered dog paradise…and that’s where we’ve been together for four and a half years of tender love, kindness and companionship. In the early morning hours of September 27, 2011 you were in a terrible accident, and left us all way too soon. We will remember forever your subtle smile, those

warm loving brown eyes, your bouncy style of running, the lonesome distant sound of your baying somewhere on the island at dawn, those long ears flapping in the breeze outside the car window, and taking up the best seat on the green couch for sleep time. Skeeter misses you beckoning to go patrol the island’s mysteries, and won’t leave the lodge grounds. You are missed terribly, but there is no doubt whatsoever that you have passed over the rainbow bridge to heaven, where we will all meet and be together again.From all of us who love you ♥

Thrift store Update We are welcoming Christy Syth as our new store manager. Christy comes to us from our local Goodwill and plans to make a few positive changes to our store. Christy is excited about this new challenge and had this to share, “I bring my own sales touch, but a business sensibility that has been created and nurtured by management with Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest and a small retail store that I owned and operated with my husband in Sandpoint some years ago. Long before launching into these, however, I became a lover of thrift stores and a partner of animals. Combining these elements has been a fascination of mine and, ultimately, my driving force in joining this wonderful team.” n

whaT Can you exPeCT?• Lower prices.• More quality product on the sales floor.• Great Customer Service.• Timely handling of your valuable donations.• Specials and new promotions on a regular basis.

“Like” the Panhandle Animal Shelter Thrift Store on Facebook and receive wonderful specials only available to our fans. n

Help us continue our good work…since January PAS has seen almost a 10% increase in owner

surrenders, we have assisted over 40 animals saved from hoarders and abusers and had 420 animals brought in that were simply abandoned. The good news is we are here to help those animals and we are dedicated to ensuring all our “residents” receive the love and care they need during their time of transition at the shelter. PAS has been successful in placing approx. 900 animals this year. We do good work. With the combination of dedicated volunteers and a hard working staff, PAS helps not only our residents, but our community as a whole. PAS needs people like you to help us continue our mission to help the cats and dogs of our counties and to continue to provide services and support to our community. Donations can be made through the envelope provided.

did you Know?• Every animal adopted out at Panhandle Animal Shelter is spayed or neutered to help reduce our overpopulation problem in our counties.

• PAS vaccinates, de-worms and treats animals for fleas and other parasites as needed, once they enter the shelter.

• We purchase our vaccines from Merck. Merck is on a mission to battle canine rabies in the Serengeti. In Africa, it is estimated 25,000 people will die contracting rabies from their family dog. For every vaccine we purchase, a rabies vaccine is donated to the Afya Serengeti Project. Through this program they have seen hospitalizations for rabies reduced by 93%. PAS is proud to purchase from a company who shares in our belief of helping animals and people. n

5

spot’s storyby Mary levy

June 18, 2011 COMe sPOT COMeHis rescuer- a burly truck driver, had scooped Spot off the road just before a convoy of equipment rounded the bend. Spot was in trauma. His life had pulled a 180 degree turn in the last 48 hours. He had lost his human family due to an encounter with a deer (which, of course mandated a lengthy chase). Though we don’t know all the facts, we do know that Spot spent 2 days searching for his people around Priest Lake. He was exhausted and fearful when he arrived at the shelter. Why “Spot”? This charming Aussie/ Border Collie was snow white with one large patch of dark brown over the left eye and ear. We quickly discovered that Spot was a fabulous dog who had been loved and cared for. He knew his basic commands, was friendly and eager to please. Spot was selected and put to work as a “reading dog” for our PAWS to Read program at the Sandpoint Library. He was there to sit and listen as children read out loud to him.

oCToBer 5, 2011 We WAnT sPOTInquiry off of Petfinder – “We saw Spot on your site and we think he is our dog.” After checking the time line, age and particulars of the dog, it seemed these people might be right. The one hesitating and confusing factor was- the family lived in Tacoma, Washington and we couldn’t be sure, even with photos that this was their dog.

oCToBer 6, 2011OUT sPOT OUTUndaunted, the family headed East at 5:00 the following morn-ing, and arrived at the shelter 1 hour after we opened. This was a real “family effort”! Dad headed the pack; Spot was his dog, he brought him home when he was a 6 week old pup. Accompany-ing him were his two adult daughters and all their children.The staff led the way to Spot’s ward. Spot joined his fellow

“bunk mates” with a loud barking welcome. His owner reached the kennel and Spot stopped barking and stared in disbelief. “Watcha doin here Chance?” – Spot (aka Chance) yelped and jumped at the gate. The family wept, hugged, and managed to make it up to the lobby with Chance in tow.Chance trotted out the door leaving behind an amazing adventure and a tearful staff. The questions might be asked: Would Spot ever chase another deer, or had he learned a lesson? “Yes” to the first and “no” to the second! n

BYe sPOT BYe

An excited Spot with his family.

You don’t have to drive to Spokane to get your favorite treats. Enclosed is an order form for See’s Candy.

Order forms and full payment must be submitted on or before Tuesday, November 22 to the Panhandle Animal Shelter. Checks made payable to Panhandle Animal Shelter.

Mail in your order or drop off at the shelter (open 7 days a week) 12pm-5pm. Orders will be available for pick-up on December 15th.

See’S Candy FundraiSer

6

Lucy’s Luckby Kat HoertH

PAS cat staff member Colleen was giving the cats in our Isolation room their early-morning medicines when she heard a frantic knock at the window. Going outside, she found a tearful lady holding a little, cloth-wrapped bundle. “I’m a caregiver,” the lady told Colleen, “and I was driving down Rapid Lightning Road on my way to work when I saw a car just run over this kitten. They just kept right on going. I scooped her up and wrapped her in my work smock, and now I don’t know what to do.” As soon as she looked at the tiny tabby, Colleen knew the kitten was in trouble. She rushed her across the street to Pend Oreille Veterinary Services. The vets found that the kitten had a broken foreleg and a bad case of road rash—skin rubbed raw by contact with the road. But most dangerous of all, she was in shock, a life-threatening condition in which the body’s circulatory system begins to shut down due to trauma.The vets didn’t hold out much hope as they began the supportive

care that would give the kitten her best chance. But against all odds, the kitten—soon named Lucky Lucy—survived the night, and Colleen brought her back to PAS to recover from her ordeal.In a day or two, Lucky Lucy was hobbling around on her splint, curious, friendly, and playful like any other kitten. Community support through PAS’s angel fund, and the kindness of many local vets, allows PAS to rescue hundreds of cats and dogs in crisis, like Lucky Lucy, every year.Thanks to all our Thrift Store shoppers and everyone who donates finances, goods, or time, Lucky Lucy’s life was saved. But would her luck hold long enough to get her the perfect home? Lucky Lucy’s rescuer couldn’t get the kitten out of her mind, and often came to visit. She knew she couldn’t adopt a cat herself, but the gentleman she took care of had recently lost his own cat—coincidentally also named Lucy. Could this be a match made in Heaven? It was! As soon as she was healthy—and spayed—Lucky Lucy went to a loving home where she’ll never need to put her luck to the test again. Another “happily ever after” made possible by the friends of PAS! n

sATOrI’s sTOrYby donna lentine

Last Spring I traveled to Idaho to care for wolves at a sanctuary. Living apart from my animals left a void so I went to the Panhandle Animal Shelter to walk dogs. I was

escorted to an “easy” dog named Satori. She was an older black Shepherd with amber eyes. “Come on old girl” I said, as we set-off on what became a journey. She was sad yet carefully gauged my steps, eager to please me. I returned the next day and each day after, waking early to walk her before going to work. I returned at night to spend time with her. I asked to adopt her but the shelter said they didn’t think this was a good idea considering how far Satori would have to travel and because I had dogs. My home was clear across country and Satori had a history of fighting with other dogs. Instead, they asked me to foster Satori and explained that she had been at the shelter for quite some time. Together, we explored the beautiful sights of the Idaho Panhandle. We walked, played, ate, and slept together. Satori wore a bright yellow vest that said, “Please Adopt Me.” I told everyone who’d listen that she was a wonderful dog. I handed out flyers, taped posters on windows, and had a U-Tube video made about her. Set to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” it

rarely left a dry eye. I became discouraged at times but Satori and the shelter staff renewed my faith. Eventually I needed to return home. By now the shelter agreed to let me take Satori but flight was out till summer’s end and there was no ground service near the Panhandle. I registered Satori with a voluntary truck service, prepared her for travel, and left. Three days later I called the shelter to discuss transport options. They informed me that a woman from Oregon called about Satori. Numb, I spoke to the woman who immediately decided to take her. Pictures she sent revealed a happy dog in a permanent home. One caption stated, “She’s such a wonderful dog.” I once read, “To love for the sake of being loved is human. To love for the sake of loving is divine.” There are millions of wonderful dogs in shelters. Sad and frightened, they remain hopeful. Like Satori, they wait to love you just for the sake of it. Rescue. Donate. Volunteer. Foster. Most of all, adopt. n

There are many wonderful dogs like Satori at the shelter looking for a home.

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Yappy Hour successfully Completes Third seasonby connie taylor

Who would have thought three years ago that Yappy Hour (Happy Hour for you and your dog) would become one of the Panhandle Animal Shelter’s signature events of the summer? Local pubs, restaurants and wineries vie with each other to hold this last-Thursday-of-the-month event that raises, on average, one thousand dollars per Yappy Hour! With Evans Brothers Coffee leading the charge, a friendly competition has developed among the hosts to see whose Yappy Hour can raise the most money. This year, Trinity at City Beach won the competition by raising $1,500.00 Executive Director Mandy Evans conceived the idea of annually awarding a traveling trophy to the host raising the most money for the animal shelter. The prize, dubbed the “Top Dog Trophy,” is a fire hydrant. Each year, a new brass plate with the engraved year and name of the winner will be added. The winner will be encouraged to prominently display the trophy at the business until the next year when a new winner will be named. n

Mark your Calendar!noVemBer 10

Popovich Pet Comedy Theatre comes to the Panida. Great Family Show! $15-$25

Go to www.pasidaho.org under events for more information.

noVemBer 11Jazz for Cats at DiLuna’s in Sandpoint – Dress up as a cat! Funds support an independent group raising money to support feral cats.

deCemBer 4Panhandle Animal Shelter Tree Lighting – Santa is coming, music, treats, and more 4-6p

Suki is available for adoption.

Justin Dick proudly accepts

the trophy for best Yappy Hour

2011 Season” Proclaiming with

confidence, “I’ll be keeping this

for a really long time!”

“I love cats because I love my homeand after a while they become its visible soul.” — Jean Cocteau (1889-1963)

870 Kootenai Cut-Off RdPonderay, ID 83852

Return Service Requested

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S.POSTAGE

Paid SANDPOINT,IDAHOPermitNo.275

MembershipsIndividual . . . . . $25Family . . . . . . . . $50Business . . . . . $250Sustaining . . . $1,000

Kennel Sponsorships$150

Cat & DogRoom Sponsors$2,500 - $15,000

Forever Tiles$200 - $350

Mission StatementTo diminish the number of lost, abandoned, neglected

and abused dogs and cats through adoption, litter

prevention and identification of missing pets.

Thank You Newsletter Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mandy Evans Layout and Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Randy Wilhelm Writers: . . . . . Kat Hoerth, Mary Levy, Connie Taylor, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Masten and Donna Lentine Photos . . . Bill Borders, Marsha Lutz, Tina Friedman Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selkirk Press

The Panhandle Animal Shelter is a 501 C 3 that funds itself solely through community contributions, grants, and Thrift Shop revenues. We do not receive any city or county tax dollars. Please help us help the animals and

donate with the enclosed envelope. No donation is too small and you can give in many ways. If you have any questions about choosing a contribution please contact Mandy Evans at 208-265-7297.

See our newSleTTer on The PaS weBSiTe www.pasidaho.org Tell your FriendS!