Palmetto Dogs Mission

History: Since at least December 2008 3 dogs had been living on Interstate 85 at the Palmetto exit, exit 56. No one seemed to be able to actually find them. Once sighting them, they would be gone before we could stop. Someone from another rescue group dropped off 2 large bags of food in February between the grassy wooded area that divides the south on-ramp and the interstate itself. This is where she had last seen them, and when last seen one was extremely thin.

Once I heard about the situation I went out on a daily basis walking and looking for any signs of them. Finally, the first of March we spotted all 3 dogs laying in the sun on that same area. We were able to get two of the dogs, one a male Bluetick Coonhound mix and the other a female Pointer/Lab mix we think. When the male saw me you could tell he wanted to come but he was unsure, until I knelt down and talked to him and then he came to me and wanted to go right to the truck as if saying "Please, get me out of here!" The female was not so sure, but she wanted to be with him so she stayed close but would not come. It took some time, we got him back out of the truck and just sat there for a couple hours until we got her to come closer to him and then we lured her in to eat cheesecake with him and I was able to toss a looped rope over her head and pull her in. She was very thin with all rib, spine and hip bones exposed. The other dog which appears to be an Austrailian Shepherd took off like a bullet half way down the grass bank. She only stopped for a moment to look back but she turned and ran across the on ramp and into the woods.

The Bluetick mix and the Pointer-Lab mix they are doing well. All in all they are in good health with the exception of the male having an injured leg which is healing and the female being way too thin. They have tested negative for heart worms and parasites and have now had all their shots. The female is quite attached to the male. There is no telling how long they have actually been on their own or whether they have always been together or just met up along the way but she loves him. The vet believes he is approximately 2-3 yrs.

I am trying to find out if anyone has actually lost them, they are well behaved and seem to love truck rides. They seem to also be house-broken not having one accident yet. They are good natured happy dogs that also love children. They can dig under a fence but they do not appear to be jumpers and only seem to dig to get from one yard space closer to the house to be with me :) They are not trying to actually dig out of the yard. Not sure how they are with cats but they like the water.

With the good graces of both Guthrie Construction and Ken Kunkle, MCI Grading Superintendent, we were able to save two of these dogs. We are being allowed to continue tracking the last dog on the land where they are doing much work in hopes of saving the Aussie as well. If owners are not found, these dogs will need homes soon. Interested people can email gaheartland@live.com .

D. Ginn
Georgia Heartland Humane Society

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Life is Rosy for Rosie

Special to the Fayette Front Page

Since the beginning of the year, Georgia Heartland Humane Society has placed 125 abandoned animals in permanent loving homes. All pets are special to the volunteers of Georgia Heartland Humane Society; but special needs animals underscore what GHHS is all about. Committed to end the suffering of companion animals, GHHS helps needy animals who may not survive without their help.

Rosie is just one of those special-pets, abandoned by someone special, saved by special people and finally adopted by very special people. No one knows Rosie’s history. But GHHS volunteers agree that the person who tied Rosie to the dock of the Newnan Petsmart wanted Rosie to have a good life, one they could not provide.

GHHS volunteers were setting up for their regularly scheduled adoptions at the Newnan Petsmart when they heard Rosie’s muffled whimpers. Activities stopped as volunteers strained to catch the faint cries.

Christine looked at Barbara, a look which said, “Something is wrong.” They dropped what they were doing and walked toward the storage room. The cries became more distinct. Barbara rushed to the heavy door leading to the loading dock. The door stuck. They both pushed and nearly flew out as the door gave way, crashing loudly against the adjacent wall.

Rosie lay almost directly at their feet, but she didn’t move. At first, they thought she was injured. But as they moved into her sight, Rosie jumped up, gratefully and happily acknowledging their presence. Barb knelt before her. As Rosie licked her face, Barb whispered, “She’s deaf.” Then they saw the sign which had blown off the loading dock. The owner who loved her left a note which read: “I’m homeless and I’m deaf. Please help me.”

GHHS relies on foster homes to care for rescued animals until they are adopted. Foster homes are few and generally at capacity. Such was the case the day Rosie was found. All foster homes were filled. Barb and Christine, both leaders in GHHS, knew there was no room for Rosie. Nevertheless, the trio exuded confidence as they returned to the adoption center, Rosie between them. It was a time of joy. It was a scene of triumph. Rosie was rescued!

Cell phones appeared out of pockets and purses. Volunteers began calling potential foster homes, previous foster parents, and known animal-lovers, anyone who could and would meet their foster home criteria. An hour later, a volunteer’s shout signaled victory: I’ve found a home for Rosie….at least for awhile.”

Cheers rang out. Rosie didn’t hear a thing, but noting the excitement of her new friends, she wagged her tail until her entire body wiggled with delight. Relieved laughter rose from the group of volunteers. This was one of those days when everyone would go home feeling good about humanity.

Her foster parents, known by GHHS to be good, loving people, arrived at the end of the day. Leash in hand, Debbie and Larry stooped to meet their new ward. Instinctively, they knew to gently touch her flank to get her attention. Rosie turned to face them. And so started a love affair.

Larry and Debbie had Rosie one week. As all foster parents do, they committed to bringing Rosie each Saturday for possible adoption. When they arrived, volunteers read their faces and knew something was up. They weren’t dropping Rosie off to be adopted. They had come to adopt her. In one week, they had become a family. Lucky Rosie had found a home.

In a note to GHHS, Debbie wrote “Last weekend we purchased several toys that we thought Rosie would like, but when we offered them to her she didn't seem interested in anything. The next day she began tossing the toys, playing fetch, and generally having a ball with all of the toys. She constantly surprises us with how smart she is. Rosie seems very happy here with us (and the cats). She is quite entertaining at times and is better than TV. If you touch the leash, Rosie is ready to go for a ride."

Debbie and Larry see beyond the Rosie’s limitations. And although their commitment deserves praise, they are quick to reject it. If praise is to be given, they shower it on Rosie, who brings a new dimension to their lives.

GHHS is a non-profit, all volunteer organization which rescues abandoned and abused pets. They do not own a facility. Rescued pets live in foster homes until they are adopted. While the animals are cared for in the foster home, they have an opportunity to recover from any cruelty they have experienced while developing proper house manners. Most important, they learn to trust again. Foster parents learn the animal’s individual personality and habits, which enables GHHS volunteers to help the potential adopters choose a pet which will best fit into their family. The public is invited to visit these rescued pets at the Newnan Petsmart on Bullsboro Drive every Saturday between the hours of 10:30 am and 4:30 pm. Photos of the pets may be seen at their website www.gaheartland.com.

Although donations are always welcome, GHHS is most in need of loving foster homes. All medical care, food, and supplies are provided by GHHS. The foster family agrees to treat the pet as a member of their family and to bring the pet to Saturday adoptions. If you would like to foster a pet, please call GHHS at (770) 830-2820.

-----
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Newnan
www.fayettefrontpage.com
www.georgiafrontpage.com
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com

Atlanta Home Show Chooses Georgia Heartland Humane Society as Sponsored Charity

Come by to see Jack and Jill and the other GHHS animals before you go to see the Ultimate Airdogs. Stop by the Stage, also near the GHHS booth, to see celebrity guests from HGTV. Visit the Living Green Tour where you can test environmentally friendly products and learn how to conserve energy, live healthier and save money.

After seeing an article on the Georgia Heartland Humane Society, Ashlei Whitfield, a marketing representative for Marketplace Events, suggested that GHHS be their sponsored charity at the upcoming Home Show, held on October 17-19 at the Georgia International Convention Center near Hartsfield Airport.

As their charity partner, GHHS volunteers will be selling tickets, provided by Marketplace Events, for the Gas for a Decade raffle. Net proceeds will be going to GHHS.

GHHS will also receive the proceeds from another fun event, a silent auction for birdhouses painted by famous Georgians and Atlantans.

In addition Marketplace Events has provided GHHS an exhibit booth, evaluated at $5000, to communicate our mission to the public. Our booth is in a prime location near the main stage and the Ultimate Air Dogs presentation. GHHS will be bringing some of their current foster animals, such as Jack and Jill, two kittens who have Manx syndrome, a disorder which causes incontinence. In spite of their diapers and onesies to hold the diapers on, Jack and Jill are otherwise normal kittens who love to play and cuddle.

The Ultimate Airdog competition will be near the GHHS booth. Ultimate Air Dogs is one of the premier dock jumping organizations in the country. The President, Milt Wilcox, who pitched for the Detroit Tigers in the 1984 World Series, hosts professional events that draw in thousands of spectators, while maintain a family-friendly atmosphere. The public can register their dogs for the competition at The Home Show. For more information about Ultimate Air Dogs, go to http://www.ultimateairdogs.net/.

Come support Georgia Heartland Humane Society, an all volunteer, non-profit agency which rescues abandoned, abused and unwanted animals in Coweta and Fayette counties. (www.gaheartland.com) GHHS is looking for volunteers to help cover this 3 day event. If you are interested, please call Annette at 770 253-5083.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Newnan, Peachtree City, Sharpsburg