Seasons Greetingsfrom

Cookie Monster

Cookie was evicted from his home in January of 2007. He arrived at the HUA shelter with a small, ragged, dirty towel—his one possession. Cookiehad a habit of letting people know his strong displeasure if they stopped himfrom doing something he wanted to do. When adoption offers for him did not materialize, he moved to a foster home where he could have a lot ofspace and freedom.

Cookie thrives on being busy. He loves activity. He can cover a stretch ofterrain very fast and appear out of nowhere to get in on the action. He is a

chewer, a digger, and a lover.When his foster parents comehome to find a sea of stuffingon the floor, they know thatthe last comfortable chair hasmet its demise. Anyone mowing the lawn has to wear aseatbelt to keep from beingthrown off the mower whenencountering one of Cookie’smagnificent holes. It is all unimportant, however, for this bright-eyed, sturdy little fellow

with the wild hairdo who loves his people with all his heart. Cookie is alwaysalert, attentive, watching the humans to see if they might need something fromhim. The slightest sound of his name means that he is on a lap, in the face, eye-to-eye, intensely concentrating on his person, ready with some kisses ifappropriate.

Soon after Cookie’s arrival, a friendship formed between him and Digger, anelderly Border Collie mix and resident of many years. Digger was a self-taughtexpert herder, the guardian of his flock, a kind, gentle, devoted, loyal dog—thenoblest of creatures. Cookie loved Digger very much and often showered hisface with kisses, politely accepted by Digger. Digger always accompaniedCookie on his digging excursions. The two of them were seen everywheretogether. When Digger died, Cookie looked for him for days. He is still sittingin Digger’s favorite spot by a porch waiting for Digger to come home.

Cookie is a priceless gift. His exuberance is contagious. He gives the purestform of love and reminds us all of what is really important. In a city poundCookie would have become a statistic. Cookie joins us in sending you, ourloyal friends, our heartfelt thanks for the support that gave him his life.

Cookie Monster

One cold winter morning volunteers wereabout to turn into the shelter lane when theysaw something on the country bridge about ahundred yards farther along the road. Theyfound a large Shepherd sitting forlornly on thebridge waiting for the people who had left himthere to come back for him.

The dog was cold and terribly frightened.When he tried to stand, his legs almost collapsed from under him. One of thevolunteers slowly and gently led him to the shelter.

Thor was a sight to behold—a dog of majestic stature standing almost as tall assome people. He was extremely thin at 75 pounds, and his hair was rough, buthe was gorgeous. He politely accepted the attention of the people who surrounded him wishing to pet him, but he was still very shaken.

Shelter life was good for Thor. He made friends with Sampson, a huge Labrador,and together they ran in the villa yards entertaining themselves for hours.Although Thor ate vast quantities of grain-free food, he did not gain muchweight, but he became incredibly strong. He was happy, but still he wanted whathe once had and lost, a home with people.

When a nice young couple wished to adopt Thor, it was a happy day, but theyregretfully returned him the next day. Thor was accustomed to having a dogdoor at the shelter and decided to make one at his new home out of the patiodoor by knocking out the whole door, frame and all. When the people returnedhome to find a good portion of the backside of their house lying in the yard,they decided Thor was more than they could handle.

Eight months went by before the right home camealong for Thor. He now lives in Wheaton, Illinois, withEvelyn, an expert trainer who understands that he stillneeds time to overcome his abandonment. She saysthat Thor is so intelligent that he can learn anything,and he has such a loving nature that he is kind andfriendly to every dog and human that he meets. Heloves to play with other dogs, especially his sister Abby,a Golden Retriever, and he is very gentle with

neighborhood children who all want to be with him. While going on a walk, heencountered a tiny dog, no more than five pounds. Apparently understandingthat it was not one to play with, Thor sniffed it and went on his way.

Evelyn says that she cannot believe that the dog she admired so much on ourwebsite is there for her to hug and cuddle, and she truly adores him. He is sucha big baby that he rolls over on his back, long legs in the air, for belly rubs. Thorsends you his love and thanks for the support that saved him and gave him suchhappiness.

Thor

JacquesSome very kind people brought Jacques to the HUA shelter after he had beenfound lying injured in someone’s backyard in a small Kansas town. Jacques is aten-pound Poodle type dog. He had obviously been attacked by something

much larger than he is inflicting bitewounds all around his shoulders andthe lower part of his body. Theinjuries were not fresh. They wereinfested with maggots.

When we wrapped this mangled littlefellow in a blanket to rush him to ourveterinary clinic, the most beautifulhazel eyes in a darling face looked

out at us. Jacques was transferred to a veterinary specialty hospital in Omahafor days of intensive care. He returned with a cone on his head and his body covered with a slimy green horse solution used to extinguish parasite eggs.

We were so sorry for this pitiful little waif. The green goop had to be reapplied numerous times. Jacques always sat on laps covered with a largetowel for his treatment. He was very sweet and uncomplaining. We could not cuddle him and had to settle for rubbing his little face and ears inside thecone. In spite of the towel, people always turned green, too.

Jacques recovered fast. He is young, and his veterinary care was expert. Soon the cone was off his head, and he could have a bath. His hair was growing back, and he was becoming beautiful, something he always was in oureyes from the moment we met him. Every morning when we arrived in thebuilding where Jacques stayed, he let us know that hewanted out of his playpen immediately. He would run tous and dance on his little back feet to be picked up sothat he could cling to us and smother us with kisses. Itwas hard to say who loved whom more.

When Jacques’s story and pictures were put on our website and Facebook, there was an outpouring of loveand support for him. He had many applications foradoption, but he had already been chosen by Pam andTom from Hickman, Nebraska. They had visited theshelter to meet Poodles before Jacques’s veterinary carewas completed and he was ready to go home. The HUA Poodles are alldelightful dogs, but when these good people met Jacques, there was no contest.

Soon Jacques went to a home where he will always be protected. He has twoPoodle brothers, Cooper and Tucker, to romp with in the yard and a dad whoknows fun games for dogs. Jacques now has the life he always should have had.This holiday season we are thankful for the precious time we had with Jacquesand very thankful that he has a home where he will be cherished forever.

A young couple from Thunder Bay,Ontario, drove all the way tosoutheast Nebraska to adoptAnnabelle and bring her home.This was the second trip inAnnabelle’s life, vastly differentfrom the first one. A year earlier abreeder brought her to the shelterriding in the trunk of a car.

Annabelle’s physical condition atthat time was sickening even to

the shock-worn staff of an animal shelter where puppy mill rescue is continuous. She had mammary tumors so numerous and large that theyformed ridges across her underside. This nine-year-old dog afflicted with life-threatening growths was still being used as a breeding machine.

Two extensive surgeries were performed to remove the tumors, and twomonths later an additional surgery was required. Even then we were warnedthat the tumors could recur. Those were sad times here every time we had tosend her back to the hospital, but she was always cheerful through the painfulrecoveries.

Like many puppy mill dogs, Annabelle was a humble creature, expecting thatnothing good would ever be hers. This sweet-natured Cocker loved humanattention, but she would sit back, politely waiting, and then be so happy whenpeople cared for her.

In her home Annabelle has learnedabout going to the store to pickout nice things that she likes, goingon walks and to the dog park, andsnuggling on a couch with peoplewho love her. She had to have yetanother surgery to remove atumor, but she recovered in notime and had to be stopped fromjoining her two Cocker brothers,

also rescued dogs, in a wild wrestling game. Annabelle has been given all theworld by the most selfless, generous, loving people. One thing she really findsdelightful is tearing up paper. This holiday season there will be many gifts forher under a tree, and she can tear them open to her heart’s content.

Annabelle

When Yancy was brought to the HUA shelter from a South Dakota puppy mill,he was a tiny pup, the cutest thingever. Everyone wanted to hold andcuddle him, but when we reachedfor him, he curled into a ball like alittle wild animal and showed us hisbeautiful white puppy teeth. Yancyhad suffered more than the typicalcruel neglect of a puppy mill. Weknew that he had been intentionallyabused.

It was pitiful to watch a baby whohad already learned so much fear of people, something that is very hard toovercome, but there was also a soft side of Yancy. At times we saw a hopefullook in his eyes. He so wanted to be loved. He accepted attention from someof us, and he adored Therese, the volunteer who works miracles with fearfulpuppy mill dogs.

Many people wished to adopt Yancy, but when they visited him, the cold reception he gave them ended in discouragement. Finally, after he had been atthe shelter for five months, we heard that Sam and Nathaniel and their fatherCurt were driving from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, to visit relatives in Nebraskaand also to visit Yancy, hopefully to take him home.

The meeting went about as we thought it would. Yancy bristled with hostility,shot them suspicious glances, and stayed well out of arm’s reach. They tried giving treats, a trip to the yard, a leash walk. Nothing helped very much, and

the family looked at other dogs, farfriendlier ones. We thought all waslost for Yancy, but Sam and Nathanielwould not give up. They had traveledall the way to Nebraska to give afrightened little puppy mill fellow ahome, and they chose Yancy.

They carried him to the car, and weheard that long before they reachedNew Mexico, Yancy was in love with

his boys. It took a little longer for him to learn to love their parents, but soonhe realized that everyone in the family loved him. Yancy will never live in fearagain. He is secure in a home of love and privilege—a gift he was given by twofine, dedicated young men.

Yancy

In response to an urgent phone call asking for help, we drove to a small townabout twenty miles from the shelter. The temperature was not much above zero, and thesnow was several feet deep. A large female dogwas on a chain in a yard with an airline kennelbarely big enough for a Cocker Spaniel as herhouse. It was hard to walk to her through thedeep, crusty snow. As we drew closer, we couldsee that she resembled a German ShorthairPointer mix. She was due to give birth to puppiesany day. She was afraid of us and cringed low tothe ground, but after just a few kind words fromus, her tail started to wag. We unfastened her

chain and carried her to the warmth of the van. Jenica snuggled into a soft, thickcomforter for the ride to the shelter.

Within the week, nine large, fat puppies were born, all looking like Labradors,eight black and one chocolate. Jenica was skin and bones and had little energy,but she was a good mother, watching over her babies to make sure they hadeverything they needed.

Soon the pups were huge, beautiful pups as sweet as their mother, wildly playfuland totally in love with people. Working in their midst was not remotely possible. Jenica did the staff members a great service, however. She would serveas a decoy leading her family outside so that their room could be cleaned beforethey all came thundering back in. When the pups left for their homes, Jenica gaveevery one of them a kiss on the head. She seemed to understand that the bittersweet event was for the best. The pups needed homes of their own.

Not much later Jenica was adopted,and she went to live with Mindy inOmaha, Nebraska. Mindy says thatshe is so mild-mannered and sweetthat people often call her a gentlesoul. She has grown sleek and gorgeous and receives many compliments when she is out forwalks. Jenica does not understand

toys and games, but she shows a playful side of her nature when she racesthrough the apartment and jumps on the couch to cuddle with Mindy. The miserable life that she was given in her first home is a thing of the past. Now all she knows is love and comfort, and she is very happy.

Jenica

On a day late in March of this year, we were in a dog breeding place inMissouri walking around by the cages and pens with the breeders taking thedogs they had decided to give us. They could no longer afford even the veryminimal care they were providing. At one shed with small makeshift outsideruns, there was a Yorkie standing on his back feet at the fence barking as theyall were, pleading for attention. Every time we looked at him, he flashed us abig, toothy grin. We asked the breeders if we could have him, and they saidthey were not willing to let him go. We had to turn away and leave the littlecharmer there.

Two days later the breeders called again asking us to make the five-hour driveback to take more dogs. We asked especially for the Yorkie, and they agreed.The little guy that we named Hoot became ours to hold and love.

We found out that Hoot was not really so much of a hoot. He was a tenderbaby who clung to people for comfort. We rarely saw the big, toothy grin

again. That was his serious attention getter.Hoot’s stay at the shelter was brief. We knewsome fine people who were looking for onelike him. Karen and Joe who live in Omaha,Nebraska, were returning from spending the winter in Arizona. They cut their trip shortand hurried back to Nebraska to meet Hoot.

Karen says that they cannot believe their goodfortune in having submitted an application justat the right time to adopt such a little darling.There is so much love in this home between

Hoot and his people. He does not take his eyesoff Karen and wants her nearby at all times.When he returns from his walk with his mom,his dad is usually sitting in a chair about fortyfeet from the front door. The minute Hoot’sleash is off, he lowers his head and runs fullspeed ahead. He makes a flying leap turning tothe right in mid-air and lands sideways on hisdad’s lap. There was some question aboutsleeping arrangements for Hoot, but he tookcare of that decision. He sleeps between thepeople, sometimes on the pillows, and if they get up in the night, they return to find theirwarm spot taken.

Karen writes that they are trying not to spoil Hoot too much, but that is ahard thing not to do. They are so grateful for having been considered worthyof adopting The Hoot. That is a precious tribute to a little puppy mill dog.

Hoot

Tallica was the darling of the shelter. She was brought to us when she was aneight-week-old Boxer puppy—the cutest thing on the planet.

The beginning of Tallica’s story is something that happens way too often. A youngman wishing to give his children a nice surprise went to Missouri to meet a dog

breeder in a public place. He paid a huge amount ofmoney for a seven-week-old puppy.

When he arrived home, the children were delighted, butthe fun did not last long. The parents realized that thepuppy was ill. They took her to a veterinarian who confirmed that she was a very sick pup. She was fourpounds underweight, almost the equivalent of her totalbody weight of 5.8 pounds. The puppy was infested withintestinal parasites contagious to people, especially tochildren. It would take lots of time and care for her torecover. The parents were advised that they could

return the puppy to the breeder for a full refund. They refused to take her back to a place where she had been so neglected and brought her to the HUA shelter instead.

A regimen of wormers and immune boosters was prescribed for Tallica. She wasoffered the most tempting food and given fluids in a baby bottle. We kept her inan isolation room near the main office so that we could hear every sound that shemade. The entire shelter staff watched over her and worried. Within a week shewas feeling better, and she had learned an important principle of puppyhood, whichis all you have to do is yell, and people will come.

Two months passed before Tallica could be pronounced completely healthy. During that time shewas most often seen being carried around, sitting onlaps, or out in the yard playing games with people. Wemade some progress with house manners and leashtraining, but mostly Tallica learned that she wasadorable, and her every wish would be granted.

We hoped for a home for this baby with people who were experienced with theBoxer breed. When we received an application from Angelica and David in Omaha,Nebraska, it was good news for Tallica. She would have a home with loving humanparents who had rescued Boxers for years and also with two adult Boxers—Lindy,age seven and the motherly type, and kind, handsome Clark, age five. Tallica reallyloves her new mama dog who replaces the first one from whom she was takenwhen she was too young. She also has as role models two well-behaved adultdogs. She is sure to become a good canine citizen and a happy one.

Tallica

The Year 2011

A little white dog sits in a cage at the pound onhis last day of life. His family knows he is there,but they are not going to pay the fine to get himout. The telephone rings, and the caller tells usthat he found three puppies set out in a box inthe frigid weather. Still another call comes frompeople who have lost their jobs and their homeand are no longer able to provide for theirbeloved pet. In a dog shelter this is the constantdaily drama that dictates action.

In the winter months of 2011, a continuous stream of homeless animals camethrough our doors. Puppy mill dogs arrived from all around us—Nebraska, Iowa,Kansas, South Dakota, Missouri. Often they are in small groups received from

other shelters or breed rescue groups whohave become overburdened. Many of the dogsneed special care. Five old male Dachshundsarrived from an Iowa shelter. They were part ofa large group taken from an extremely badbreeding place. Every one of them was pitiful—only a shell of the dog that he used to be. Thework of restoring health and giving spirit todogs such as these began many times over.

January 28th was a day that made HUA history.On that day we met a Nebraska breeder in a parking lot, something we had donemany times before. Eleven dogs came back with us, the last dogs owned by thatbreeder, bringing the total number rescued to 78. No longer would we havefrom there the Yorkies with no bottom jaws, the Maltese with heart disease and

monstrous hernias, the Shih Tzus riddledwith mammary tumors. These dogs have allbeen the sweetest animals, loved by everyone who meets them.

The month of June broke all previousrecords. In one week 46 dogs from a confiscation case and a Nebraska breedergoing out of business arrived at the shelter.At the same time, the catastrophic flood ofthe Missouri River left homeless animalseverywhere in this area. Labradors too

Elton John from the pound

Snickey feels much better now

Libra - a sweet Shih Tzu

numerous to count, an elderly Beagle, a frightened Border Collie, a mother dog withthree puppies, a mother cat with five day-oldkittens—the refugees from the flood waterspoured in—a total of forty animals.

On July 29th, we made our last trip to a puppymill in central Missouri. In this year alone wehave taken 68 dogs from this place. We havebeen there during every season of the year. Inthe spring we have walked over soggy groundloading drenched, wet animals in the van. In thewinter we have taken dogs with their ears

frozen off and permanent frost damage to their feet. We have watched thebreeder use a shovel to get a terrified Dachshund out of her cage. The

Dachshund was missing part of one ear fromcage aggression. The dogs rescued that day hadbeen eating macaroni and dirt. Three years agothis puppy mill had over 300 dogs. Now thedog breeding days there are over.

As the last months of this year go by, the hecticpace of rescue continues, including dogs savedfrom the rubble of cities struck by storms ofthe summer. Over 400 animals call the HUAshelter home. Many will be adopted; otherswill live happily in the HUA sanctuary. They areall precious creatures to care for and love.

We send you our heartfelt thanks for the support that enables us to save somany animals. Your generosity means that we can continue to say—yes, we canhelp.

Kimber is happy to be on dry ground

Buddy Beagle clings for comfort

All are happy to be safe and loved at the HUA shelter

A little Shih Tzu girl named Gabby had a surprise forus. Five days after she arrived from a Missouri puppymill, she gave birth to four puppies. The caregiverswho first went into the Intake Wing that morningsoon came back out the door with the amazingannouncement. The only one not excited about itwas Gabby.

Gabby and her family moved into a pup-proofplaypen in an isolation room near the main lobby.

Gabby stayed with the pups or came out to the lobby. Either place was finewith her. She was the funniest little dog—solemn, quiet, very self-assured. Thelook on her face never changed, and she was given to no emotional displayswhatsoever. When visitors arrived, she was mildly curious. After a few sniffsat a pants leg, she went back to what she had been doing. When we gave hera toy, she accepted it as though it had become her responsibility and carried itover to a corner to set it down. After she had a small collection of toys inone corner, she quietly moved them one by one to another corner.

Gabby’s puppies were named for the royal family—William, Kate, Harry, andPippa—but their behavior was not so royal. The wild play they engaged inoften became confrontational, and the vicious sounds coming from their roomsent us running to break up the battle. Gabby, who was probably wiser thanwe were, calmly watched all the activity and let the pups settle it themselves. Although they certainly all had opinions, Gabby’s pups were popular adoption candidates.

One thing, however, that Gabby found unacceptable was the caregivers’ habitof taking her pups’ blankets to the laundry every morning and replacing themwith clean blankets. When she discovered that this had happened again, shewould sort through the laundry basket to find her pups’ blankets and carrythem back to lay them in front of their playpen. Apparently, we were stealingtheir stuff.

This amazing little dog who was a source of great entertainment for us nowlives with Tami and two brother dogs, Rory and Reggie, in Lincoln, Nebraska.Tami says that Gabby has fit in so well. There was no adjustment time for her.Gabby took everything in stride. She has some peculiar pastimes like sittingon the toilet seat, but she is truly the model of good dog behavior. Tami says,“I can’t even tell you how thrilled I am to have her as part of the family.”

Gabby

On a cold winter day after a terrible snowstorm, afarmer came upon a dog lying in a ditch, too coldand afraid to move. He could not believe his eyeswhen he found that this dog was a gorgeous Mastiffpuppy. At 80 pounds the pup was emaciated. Forweeks he lay in the laundry area at HUA snugglingin blankets to keep warm, too weak and fearful tostand up and venture out. The volunteers and staffcomforted him day and night. His paws were the

size of dinner plates, indicating he had quite a bit of growing to do. He was namedSuh after the huge Nebraska football player.

Suh now weighs in at 250 pounds. Julie Lavin, an HUA director and founder ofAlmost Home Canine Rescue, adopted him. He has become the most popular resident of Madison, South Dakota. Not only do people stop and have to meet himon the street; he also literally stops traffic. He adores dancing and playing chasewith all of the resident dogs and foster dogs at Julie’s house. Suh loves to play tugof war with a seven-pound Italian Greyhound. He gently holds the toy so that hispal can tug on it, letting the skinny little guy think he is winning. He is an expert atcatching toys in his mouth when they are thrown in the air and loves to show offthis skill in front of his little friends who are not so fortunate as to be able to landan airplane in their small mouths.

Although Suh loves to spend time being a big, sillygoofball, he also has a serious side and some veryimportant job responsibilities. Suh loves to rideshotgun on rescue missions so he can greet incoming dogs. He also volunteers as a surgicalassistant on the spay/neuter days of the BrookingsHumane Society, keeping a close watch on thepatients, pacing back and forth until they come outof anesthesia and he knows they will be okay. He

pursues a love of higher education by frequently stopping for a rest in front of theDakota State University sign on his much-enjoyed walks around town. He is afraidto walk over the metal grate on the sidewalk near the sign, so he has to stop tosummon up his courage. Then, after Julie goes first to prove that nothing bad willhappen, he leaps over it with his eyes closed. A petition is being started to changethe school mascot from the fighting Trojan to the snoozing Mastiff.

Living with a dog of this size brings its own unique challenges. Like most Mastiffs, ifSuh decides he does not want to do something, he will not budge an inch. Thisdoes not bother Julie at all. She is head over heels in love with him, and he completely adores her. Even when he decides he will not get in the car to go tothe vet and she has to walk him a mile there and then walk back and get the car topick him up, or he thinks that she is not moving fast enough to get outside for walkand play time and runs crashing into her from behind sending her airborne, shelaughs and knows that it is all worth it for her precious 250-pound baby boy.

Suh

When Jackie Wrieth of Omaha adopted Sophie, a little puppy mill survivor, inNovember of 2010, her employer announced Sophie’s arrival in a special article. For 26 years, Jackie has worked as the assistant to Harold W.Andersen, former CEO and publisher of the Omaha World Herald. Mr.Andersen now writes a website column entitled “As I See It” on subjects ofcurrent interest. Just a brief introduction to this website draws the reader inbecause it is so informative and well written.

The article about Sophie told the story ofhow Jackie and her husband Don had gonedogless for five years after the death of theirbeloved yellow Labrador Bud. When Jackie’smother died, she thought her stepfatherwould like some canine companionship. Shetook Sophie along on visits to sit on herstepfather’s lap, and that proved very beneficial for both him and the dog.

Of course, Sophie leads a charmed life in her own home, too. Mr. Andersenhas written about how she came to be in charge of the entire household andeven required the purchase of a larger human bed because she is a twelve-pound bed hog. Sophie also modeled her new yellow rainslicker on his website, something she had to have because she hates rain.

Although Sophie was not so sure she wanted toshare her comfortable lifestyle, Jackie thought sheneeded a companion dog. She returned to HUAthis year and adopted Tucker, a little fellow salvaged from the ruins of a storm struck city.Tucker is a lively fellow and so loving and nice thathe is a very pleasant addition to the family. Mr.Andersen announced Tucker’s arrival also in hiscolumn, paying all due respect to the new co-chairman of the household.

Jackie has given a great home to two dogswho came from the worst scenes of suffering. Mr. Andersen encourages his readers to help the rescued dogs of HUA.The kindness of these two dog-loving people has done a world of good for the dogs.

Sophie & Tucker

Micah was one of two surviving dogs found at anabandoned rental house in a small town near theshelter over a decade ago. Micah's sister wassoon adopted, but he was not so lucky. AlthoughMicah was the most gentle and loving of souls, hewas passed over for adoption time and timeagain. He resided at HUA for eleven years. Heloved his time with the volunteers and staff andwas the mildest, most mannerly fellow at theshelter. As Micah aged and arthritis started toset in, everyone thought that chances of adoptionfor Micah were over.

Soon after Micah’s arthritis diagnosis, a lovelyapplication came in for him from Sindy in Lincoln.

She and her eight-year-old daughter Nevaya were looking for an easygoing,loving companion to share their lives. They wanted to give a home to a dogthat might not otherwise get one. Even though they were told of his arthritisand age, they did not waver. They met Micah and knew he was the one. Micahand Nevaya fell instantly in love.

Sindy sent wonderful reportsabout Micah. He loves car ridesand becomes more playful astime passes. Micah and Nevayabounce around playing chase andtug of war, and he adores all ofNevaya’s friends. Sindy says thatMicah is behaving more like apuppy than a senior dog. Theyreport that in addition to being gorgeous he is also very smart. He washousetrained instantly, and he claimed his spot on the couch on Day One.

Several months after Micah’s adoption, we received a frantic call that he was atthe emergency vet suffering kidney failure and that he might not pull through.Everyone was heartbroken at the thought of losing Micah but so happy that hehad had the opportunity to be in this wonderful, loving home. Micah surprisedeveryone once again, though. After finding his perfect home and people, hewas not about to let death cheat him of happy years with them. He ralliedand is back at home bestowing love and gratitude upon his family for the miracle they gave him--at the age of thirteen, after eleven years at HUA, finding the happiest of homes at last.

Micah

Carlita was rescued from a horrible puppy mill, the oldest of several dogsarriving at the shelter. She was matted, filthy and afraid. For ten years she hadbeen used as a breeding machine, churning out puppies to be sold to petstores while no regard was paid to her health or well-being. During her firstvet visit at HUA she lost 22 teeth.

A year passed and Carlita became healthier,friendlier and more trusting every day. Aheartfelt application arrived from Frank andDianne in Florida who wished to bring Carlitainto their family. They had just lost their lovely little Maltese who passed on ChristmasDay at the age of eleven. Carlita was theexact age of their dear departed girl. Whilemost families look for a young dog so they donot have to go through the pain and lossagain too soon, Dianne said she fell in love

with Carlita on the HUA website and was so afraid that she would never get a home if they did not take her.

Frank flew into Omaha to pick up Carlita so she could ride in the plane withhim on the way back. She was quite a VIP, receiving congratulations fromNebraska Governor Dave Heineman, Frank’s college roommate at West Point.Frank was smitten the moment he saw Carlita from across the room at theairport. He said they are committed to her for whatever time she has left,even if it is not much.

Carlita is having a marvelous time inher new home. She is being spoiledto no end and enjoying everymoment of it. Frank and Dianne hadan eleventh birthday party for hershortly after her arrival, completewith a cake and basket of treats. Sheis the light of their lives, and theymean the world to Carlita who camefrom an atrocious Midwest puppymill and now has more comfort, peace and love than she could have everdreamed of having. This October we received a lovely photo of Carlita in aSnow White costume with a note stating how much they love her. She is theirlittle princess, the most beautiful and fairest of them all.

Carlita

Calamity Jane spent the first nine years of herlife in a small outside kennel. She is a social girland hated living alone. Many times sheescaped, jiggling the gate loose and even rollingup chainlink to create a hole big enough tosqueeze through. When her family grew older,they decided that they had had enough of herrunning episodes and she should go to a newhome. One of their neighbors talked of takingCalamity and chaining her to a front porch.Very fortunately for Calamity, the city theylived in had recently passed an anti-tethering

ordinance. Calamity was given away to a family living on a farm.

When we heard about Calamity, she had one hour left before she was goingto be shot. At her new farm home, she decided to go to the house down theroad where there was more activity, and she was trying to play tag with thechickens. Our volunteer was an hour and a half away from the farm whenshe called the farmer pleading for Calamity’s life until she could get there.When she arrived, she found Calamity tied to a chicken coop. This oldMalamute was filthy, covered with clumps of hair and embedded ticks, andsmelling much like the chicken coop, but she was still gorgeous.

At her age, Calamity really had outgrown most of her wanderlust. She justwanted to be with people and be loved. She is brilliant, as Malamutes are, andso sweet and loving.

When Calamity’s story was put on our website, Laura and Daniel in ColoradoSprings, Colorado, wrote us saying that they had been wanting a puppybecause they had two older dogs and wanted one that they could love formany years, but a beautiful old Malamute stole their hearts. They could notbear the thought of Calamity not having a warm, loving home for the rest ofher years.

Calamity Jane has two sister Huskies, and theyall go for long walks with their people. Heryard is huge and has a six-foot wooden fence.She and her sisters occupy any portion of thehouse that they like, which is often couchesand human beds. She is so happy in a homewhere dogs are privileged members of thefamily. The beautiful old Malamute is home forthe holidays and forever.

Calamity Jane

BooBoo was one of a dozen dogs being used for extra income by a backyardbreeder. Rather than face charges for criminal neglect, his owner signed overthe dogs to the city humane society. BooBoo was eight years old by thattime, and when the kind people at the city shelter had no offers of a home forhim, they asked if he could come to HUA.

BooBoo is just a little guy, a seven-pound Pekingese missing his left eye. Afterhaving lived a hard life outside for years, he especially loved the comfort of a

snuggle bed and soft blankets.One thing he really hated wassnow. With even the barestsprinkling on the ground, histrips to the yard were verybrief. Everyone at the shelterloved BooBoo, the sweetest fellow who was so grateful foreverything he was given.

When BooBoo had been at theshelter for about a year and a

half, he received a wonderful offer of a home. Pamela in Louisville, Kentucky,had recently lost two beloved dogs. When she saw BooBoo on the HUAwebsite, she could not gethim out of her mind. Also,she had a little thirteen-year-old Pekingese named Herbiewho was missing his left eye.It was as though BooBoo’sadoption was meant to be.

BooBoo rode with an escortin the cabin of the plane toLouisville. When he met hisnew brother Herbie, the twoboys seemed to know theyare two of a kind and havebeen the greatest companions ever since. BooBoo enjoys his big grass yard inKentucky and his house where the dogs have every luxury imaginable. He hasthe warmth and love of the holiday season every day of the year.

BooBoo

Wade was touring the town when the dogcatcher found him. He learned that dog jailis no fun. His bed was the concrete floor. The food was bad, and there were no toys whatsoever. He was very happy when HUA came to spring him.

Wade is so nice and so cute that he was soonchosen to go home with Brandie, Sean, and theirson Alex who live in Lincoln, Nebraska. Wade isvery grateful to have a home of his own. Heloves the whole family and especially Alex, hischosen person who knows lots of games toplay. Wade gets to go on walks with his family,bury bones under the deck, and best of all, he has a toy box full of toys thatare all his.

Every night Alex reads some bedtimebooks to Wade. Wade sits politelyon his bed beside Alex’s bed and listens intently to every word. Whenthe lights are turned out, it is time tosnuggle in and sleep soundly untilmorning. The first night that Wadewas home, he could not settle downso easily. It was almost midnightwhen Brandie and Sean heard thetip-tap of little dog feet. Over andover again, there were pauses andthen more tip-taps. Finally, Seanwent into Alex’s room to see whatwas happening. Wade was takingevery one of his precious toys fromthe toy box and putting them one by

one in a ring around Alex’s bed. He wished to give Alex his toys to show howgrateful he was, and anyway, he thought there might be more time to play.

Wade is being careful to exhibit only the best dog behavior except for a fewthefts of shoes and socks which he sincerely regrets. He does not want anymore run-ins with the law. He plans to keep this great new home of his forever.

Wade

Together we are Hearts United for Animals.P.O. Box 286 • Auburn, NE 68305 • www.hua.org • hua@hua.org

Throughout this year, major events have occurred that affect the retail business of selling puppies. The owner of seventy shopping center malls in citiesacross the country refused to renew the leases of all stores selling pets effectivewithin thirty days. Jack’s Pets, the largest chain of pet stores in the Midwest with27 stores in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, has stopped selling puppies in all theirstores. The corporate office of Petland in Canada announced that their Canadianstores will no longer sell puppies stating that the public had changed its methodof obtaining dogs. Cities in California, Texas, Missouri, and Ohio have passedordinances banning any store sales of cats and dogs.

Some of the stores have formed partnerships with local shelters and are featuring rescued dogs and cats for adoption. The emphasis is on stopping thekilling of millions of companion animals in city pounds and humane societies. The shopping mall owner stated that animal welfare is good business.

The change of policy in these stores is very encouraging news. The pet industry relies heavily on retail outlets in metropolitan areas. The puppy mill/petstore connection was the big factor in the growth of large breeding farms and avolume business that flooded this country with dogs.

The humane movement in the pet stores reflects the way millions ofAmericans think. A huge majority of people in this country have said—no topuppy mills, no to fragile, sick puppies in the stores, and no to the killing of millions of companion animals because there are way too many of them. It is not the American way of life. We are much better than this.

As the pressure mountsopposing the pet industry,the flood of dogs abandoned by breedingoperations will continuefull force. We ask yourhelp for the monstrousnumber of homeless animals who come to usfor care and comfort. We thank you for the

wonderful, loyal support that has enabled us to save thousands of dogs for overtwenty years. We wish you every blessing in the new year, and we thank you forjoining us in the fellowship of mercy.

The Humane Movement