We've Been Busy!

            During the past few months our friends throughout Tioga County have become very active advocates supporting Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries. With the help of friends our mission to assist the many, many needs of homeless, harmed, lost and distraught animals and Tioga County citizens needing assistance with their beloved companions works. *Enclosed within this newsletter are some of the stories and descriptions of those incredible events planned and achieved by our partners in caring.

            The only way we could express how much of a BIG deal and honor this is for SCAS is with a really BIG dog!

            So from this really big dog and everyone associated with Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries...

THANK YOU!

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Hello again friends,

            SCAS has had an unprecedented winter this year! Individuals, community groups, and businesses have rallied to our cause, and things are really starting to happen! In late January Hitachi/H & N Automotive gave us a generous grant to apply toward the initial work on the Dorothy Condict Feline Center. In March Mountain Home magazine organized a Winter Jazz Fest at the historic Penn Wells in Wellsboro. Sponsored by Indigo Wireless and featuring Ed Clute’s Dixie 5 + 1 and Charles Kefover’s KBN Trio, this midwinter evening was attended by many and raised over $3000 for our building fund! Later in March Wendy Reber, of the Artisan’s Shoppe in Wellsboro, held an art auction. Various artists donated gorgeous original work for individuals to bid on, and once again, a substantial amount of money was given to us for our future buildings. We feel so very blessed and fortunate to have such wonderful animal lovers throughout our county who are heeding the plight of the future of animal welfare in Tioga County. This is what is all about….this is what needs to happen to make this a reality….everyone joining together to speak for those who have no voice.

            On another note, we continue to receive calls daily from people who are finding stray dogs and cats and have nowhere to turn.   The local SPCA has sent people to us because they are not taking any in. We are still awaiting a decision from the PSPCA as far as using their facility until our building is finished, but Howard Nelson, CEO, has been very noncommittal. Regardless, we must move forward toward our goal of providing a lifetime care sanctuary for animals in need.

            We are in desperate need of people to temporarily foster dogs or cats until we can find them a home. If we could possibly entice you into becoming a foster parent, PLEASE give us a call to discuss it further. It is so very rewarding, and you are saving an animal*s life.

            This newsletter is all about friends----Second Chance’s friends and supporters as well as our furry friends. We welcome any volunteers in many capacities as the summer months approach. Please email us or give us a call if there is anything you would be willing to do to help our cause. Thank you, and have a great summer!

Sue Cook, President

Winter/Spring Memberships

Winter/Spring Donations

SCAS  wishes to thank MORE friends!!! Hats off to the following for their efforts toward our cause:

Hampson’s Agway in Mansfield & Wellsboro

Rockwell’s Feed Farm & Pet Supply

Wellsboro Gazette

WNBT Radio

Businesses throughout Tioga County displaying our canisters

Our extensive list of people (Advisory Board) serving in an advisory capacity

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UPCOMING EVENTS

May 24th Cub Scout benefit at Hampson's Agway May 26th Bob Bridgman 5K at Mansfield University June 7 Laurel Festival Pet Parade June 14th CHILDRENS' HEALTH FAIR ON THE GREEN June 14th 1st Annual Food Cook Off  and Canyon Ride (Hot dog cookoff and poker run) August 16 Crafton St. Block Party

Cub Scout Pack 911, as a Service Project, will be at Hampson's Agway in Wellsboro on Saturday May 24th.  They will have canisters and more to raise money and collect pet food donations, etc. for SCAS. At their request we will also be there with animals currently up for adoption. Stop in and cheer them on from 9:00 until 3:00.

The 8th Annual Bob Bridgman Memorial 5K Run will be held this year on May 26th, 2008 at the Carl Van Norman Field / Robert T. Maxson Track on the campus of Mansfield University. Race registration will begin at 7:00AM at the track with the Race to begin at 8:30. This year, the Bob Bridgman Memorial Committee has decided to host a "Fun Run" in addition to the traditional 5K. No pre-registration necessary, just come prepared for a short run around the track.

            Proceeds to benefit the Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries, M.U. Cross Country, M.H.S. Cross Country, and the Bob Bridgman Memorial Scholarship at M.U.

            T-Shirts to the first 100 registrants * Age groups: 14 & under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

    * Wheel Measured Course

    * INSTA-RESULTS PROFESSIONAL TIMING

    * One Water Stop, Refreshments at the Finish Line, No Duplication of Awards

    * Registration Fee:   Pre-Registration - $14 (must be postmarked by May 15th)  Registration on Day of Race - $17

    * Please bring a bag of dry cat or dog food, which will be donated to SCAS

    * Kid*s Fun-Run  (no charge, no shirt)

Pet Parade

SCAS will be present at the Pet Parade in Wellsboro this year. We will have several of our dogs who are looking for homes as well as some of our lucky dogs who have found homes! We won't be hard to find....our dogs are the ones with the "ADOPT ME" cloaks on!

Schedule:

11AM register for Ride at Fred's with 12PM Start of Ride

3PM All are Welcome. Pay at front gate

(Kids' events throughout the day until 8PM, Under 21 must leave at that time.)

4PM Hot Dog Food Challenge

            Goal: To create the best tasting hot dog. 10 chef spots are available *****with judging by two professional chefs! Register by June 7 at 835-0289

6:30PM Bike Show: Stock and Custom

SAVE A LIFE- ADOPT A PET

Proceeds to benefit SCAS

Top Ten Reasons for Dog Relinquishment 1 Moving 2 Landlord not allowing pet 3 Owner having personal problems 4 Pet illness 5 No time for the pet 6 Too many animals 7 Cost of pet maintenance 8 Not getting along with other pets 9 Allergies in the family 10 Biting

 

Top Ten Reasons for Cat Relinquishment 1 Moving 2 Too may animals 3 Allergies in the family 4 Landlord not allowing pets 5 Cost of keeping pet 6 Kittens 7 House soiling 8 Owner having personal problems 9 Not getting along with other pets 10 Inadequate facilities

 

 

 

 

·       37 percent of dogs and 30 percent of cats were owned by the families for at least 7 years.

 

As summer approaches remember that these items may be dangerous to your pet:

 

alcohol   chocolate  coffee  moldy or spoiled foods  onions    salt    yeast dough

 

 

FROM THE ROSES

            Earlier this month I meandered along what others refer to as a northern PA trail, actually the last remnants of my driveway, following the escape of winter frost. I searched for returning swallows, bat comrades against pesky insects, and soldiers from the ever dwindling number of honey bees.

            My journey was nearly concluded when I heard a rustle in the multiflora roses west of the horse barn. We'd had sightings of a young bear mixed with gobbling tom turkeys, so instead of walking forward I strained my neck around the barn to grab a glimpse of the rustler.

            From the brambles emerged a very blond, thin, very talkative little girl about the age of a first grader.  As she picked her way down towards the barn, mumblings and exclamations flooded from her. She talked to the roses, disgustedly noticed and wiped horse leavings from her new white sneakers, and without pause began walking right up to the ........HORSES!

            I bolted from my observation stand towards what I foresaw to be a potential catastrophe. She was innocently walking up to the horses, carrying on a conversation with them while they were walking straight to her.(I had realized that Zeke and Jessie, an adopted quarter horse and Tennessee walker respectively, had never been near young humans to my knowledge.) Then it happened. They lowered their heads, she reached up...and petted them like two very tall puppies.

            Soon she saw me and asked what the big things were, what were their names, what were they doing there, did I ride them, what was a saddle, could she ride one without a saddle.... WE WILL PLAN ANOTHER MEETING ONCE THE ADULTS CALLING FROM THE HILLSIDE allow her to leave the premises with permission.

 

            The lesson: Time after time I've witnessed children meeting dogs, cats, goats, cows, horses, chickens, pigs, frogs, bugs and other earth creatures. I remember my grandparents plucking me down in a piglet's watering tub surrounded by dozens of inquisitive piglets and standing away. In today's world we often over-critique situations, over-protect and indeed deny our children these lessons of life. Later we wonder why these same children can appear cold or even cruel to other life of our Earth. Some of these children even rise to be our decision makers.

            This little girl believed. The horses believed. I believe they should meet. Can you permit this belief and innocence and humanity to be passed to your children and your neighbors' children?

 

            Note: A friend reading this story told of her horse frequently lowering its head to her youngest daughter who, in return, whispered her fairy tales in his ear.

 

A special issue of Second Glances will be coming soon.  It will outline our plans and needs for the DOROTHY CONDICT FELINE CENTER!

We invite you to join in the excitement and the quest!

 

 

 

DID YOU KNOW?

 

·       Ever tried to outrun a dog? The average dog can run as fast as 19 miles per hour. That’s about a 3.15 minute mile! The fastest human mile ever run was a 3.43 minute mile. It’s better to climb a tree as you you are not likely to win that race!

·       Know a cuddly cat that likes people? No matter their name, it’s a good bet that it’s easier to say than “ailurophile” which is the name for a person who likes cats.

·       More money is spent by Americans on dog food than on baby food each year.

·       If the dog is a man’s best friend, then Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan had the most “best friends” to date. Kublai Khan is on record as owning 5000 mastiffs!

·       Cats' brains are more similar to the human brain than they are to dogs. In fact, cats and humans have identical regions in the brain responsible for emotion.

·       Louis Doberman, a German tax collector, created the Doberman dog breed in the 1860’s to protect himself while he worked.

·       Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not colorblind but can, in fact, see color.  However, their color scheme is not as vivid as ours and can be likened to our vision at twilight.

·       It's sad but true; 52% of pet owners report that their pets get more exercise than they do!

 

 

 

Thanks, Second Chance, for finding us homes!

 

We are very appreciative to the following 2 sponsors for this issue