Puppy Update

We received this nice update from a family that adopted Tedy, formerly Malcolm from the shelter right after Christmas last year.  It just goes to show you never really know how big a puppy is going to grow when you don't know what the parents looked like!

Well, 1 year ago tomorrow, we adopted tedy (Malcolm) from your care.  He is doing quite well, and is big as a horse.   He's over 100lbs now, a little bit better with behavior, but still a VERY large puppy.  28 inches at the shoulder, and a 26 inch neck !!!  I've attached a picture from early December.

 

We still have no idea what breed he may be mixed with, as you can see from the picture, it's a mystery.  So, we have submitted a DNA test - will let you know when we find out.  Someone has said, maybe part Great Dane, Newfie,  very large lab,  but who knows.  Will keep you updated.

This is Tedy as a puppy

And here's a recent photo of him weighing in at 100 lbs.

Too much holiday cheer?

This is Dora, a Terrier mix who was adopted from the Medfield Shelter 1 1/2 years ago.  She is a well loved and very spoiled pup who looks like she may have overindulged on chicken jerky treats she received for Christmas.  Of course she could just be tired from playing in the snow with her doggie siblings.

Lovey and Coco get homes for Christmas

Bothe Lovey and Coco were adopted today.  We are particularly excited for Coco since she spent almost 8 months at the shelter waiting ever so patiently for a home.  She is such a sweet and cuddly rabbit and while we will miss having her sit in our laps, we couldn't be happier for her.

'Tis the season to be jolly

It's been a good week for the Medfield Shelter dogs and here's why they are all so jolly:

Buddy is jolly because he spent less than 24 hours at the shelter before finding his next family.  We think the third time's the charm for him.  Big thanks to Christina from Alpha Dog K9 Training and Caryl, for making the connections for him.

Teddy is jolly because after 8 months in a shelter he now has a great home!  He is settling in well and enjoying his one acre fenced yard.

And Billy is the jolliest of all because his foster home is keeping him!  Having done rescue for years they more than understand what Billy needs to stay healthy and happy.  He had a check up this week and his skin and ears are looking great!

Our favorite time of the year

We love opening the mail this time of year to see all the great photos and read the updates on how the pets adopted from the shelter are doing in their new homes.  This card from Rocco (formerly Schroeder) arrived by e-mail and is particularly cute.  The gorgeous all gray cat is Rocco's kitty sibling, Shadow.

Teddy's outing

Teddy had a very busy first full day at the shelter.  One of our volunteers took him for a 5 mile hike with her own dogs and he met lots of dogs and even some horses!  He also reluctantly posed for some Santa hat photos before settling in for a much-needed nap.

Our First Greyhound

Teddy is the first Greyhound to come to the shelter to find a home.  Well, he's actually a Greyhound mix, but he came to us from Greyhound Friends, who rescued him back in April when he was an emaciated, sickly guy in dire circumstances.  They got him nice and healthy, but he was overlooked by adopters because he was a mix and they always have so many Greyhounds looking for homes.  We are hopeful Teddy will find a home for the holidays, and in the meantime our faithful dog-walking volunteers are lining up to walk him.

Sad News

Last fall one of our volunteers matched a lovely senior from a nearby town looking for a walking companion, with a senior dog who had been heartlessly abandoned.  It was a great match, and the pair visited the shelter from time to time, which always made our day.  Sadly, Curly, the senior dog, died suddenly yesterday.  We are all grateful that his caretaker was able to give him such a great last year, and only wish they had more time together.  

Four new dogs arrived today

We took in 4 new dogs from the Indiana group that has been driving dogs to New England monthly for the last 4 years.  What a fun and adorable group they are!  Cosmo, the Chinese Crested is going to Save a Dog rescue after his quarantine and we are placing the other 3.

Matching Challlenge Fundraiser is back!

New Matching Challenge Grant Announced To Benefit The Medfield Animal Shelter

The Medfield Animal Shelter is pleased to announce that our matching challenge fundraiser is back!  A small group of longtime shelter supporters, who wish to remain anonymous, have once again offered to match every dollar that is donated to the Medfield Animal Shelter between December 1, 2008 and January 15, 2009 — up to $10,000!  Previous matching challenge fundraisers have been a huge success and helped us raise most of our operating budget for the year, allowing our volunteers to spend more time caring for the pets. 

This year's fundraiser is more important to the Shelter than ever before, as we have experienced a significant drop-off in donations over the last few months as a result of the recession.  At the same time we have experienced a large spike in the number of pets needing help, and are trying to help as many as we possibly can.  In the last few months we have taken in many adoptable dogs from local Animal Control Officers and dog pounds where they would otherwise have been euthanized.  We have also sponsored a veterinarian who has provided low cost spay and neuter services at the Shelter for over 500 cats this year.  These services are a crucial part of our ongoing commitment to help end the overpopulation of pets that results in an estimated 5 million companion pets being euthanized at shelters in the U.S. every year. All of our work is possible thanks to our wonderful volunteers and supporters. 

You can make your donation to this worthy cause go twice as far by making a donation to the Medfield Animal Shelter by January 15, 2009!  Please include a note with your donation letting us know that your donation is for the Matching Challenge Grant.  The Matching Challenge Grant is open to anyone wishing to support the Medfield Animal Shelter, so please spread the word and make a donation today! 

The Medfield Animal Shelter is an all-volunteer, nonprofit facility.  The Shelter is a no-kill facility and in order to help reduce the population of homeless and unwanted pets, every pet is spayed or neutered prior to being placed in a new home.  The Animal Control Officers from both the towns of Dover and Medfield bring all of their stray pets to the Medfield Animal Shelter, and we take in pets from the surrounding area as space permits.

For more information about the shelter, please visit our website: www.medfieldshelter.com.

Tax-deductible donations can be sent to:

Medfield Animal Shelter
PO Box 271
Medfield, MA 02052