New Hamphsire Humane Society

26
Mar

8th Annual Funspot Indoor Triathlon fun for all!

A staggering $16,000 was raised at the much anticipated 8th Annual Indoor Triathlon on a bright and sunny Saturday - St. Patrick’s Day.

Perhaps the NH Humane Society benefited from the ‘luck of the Irish’, or the phenomenal success of this much anticipated event simply solidifies the fact that there are many, many folks who care about animal welfare in the region.

29 Teams played Skee Ball, Pinball, Candlepin Bowling, Darts, and Miniature Golf (yes we are aware that a TRI-ATHLON implies 3 games, not 6 but that’s the tongue in cheek nautre of the event!).

18 Teams raised over $9000 in pledges to support the animals.

Team Kibbles & Bitches raised $2140 - the highest amount.

Followed by our friends at the Looney Bin Bar situated right across the street from Funspot brought $1202 in pledges!

Pawsitively Perfect team raised a very respectable $1067 in extra pledges.

The Usual Suspects (Kevin Spacey was not spotted at the event- also not seen Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Bryne or Benicio Del Toro) raised $1090 a good haul indeed!

Other team pledges Mainstay $610 * Women of the Whites $485 * Martian Multi Ball $300 *

Franklin Savings Bank -$285 Also event sponor www.fsbnh.com * The Jackalopes $284 * The Bottom Feeders $250 also our media sponsor MIX 94.1fm/Planet 100.1fm/WSCY 106.9fm - our friends at NorthEast Broadcasting, Fred and Amy et all who promoted the heck out of the event and accepted the throw down challenge from our shelter team. - WE beat them, shelter team came in 11th!

All Bark No Bite raised $245 * Pretty Little Kitties $223 with Spinney’s Girls, Aavid Angels, R 7 D paving The Riley’s, Pearl Jam, and D.A. Long Tavern bringing between $100 - $190 extra pledge monies.

8TH ANNUAL FUNSPOT INDOOR TRIATHLON GRAND CHAMPIONS - THE TEA BAGS.

Team captain Vynne Hale was astounded to find out his team came in first, and exclaimed loudly

“oh my God, I can’t believe we won, I need support!” he looked like he woudl topple over when accepting the trophy and the medals!

Our thanks must go to a very hard working group of volunteers who ensured everything ran smoothly..

Kirsten Provost, Pat Muzzey, Bonna Hughes, Phil Bohl, Jacquie Grinley, Kathryn Alhowik, Meredith Cashman, Deb McNeish, Jeff Beeman, Tapio Mayo, Frank Cashman, Victoria Santry, Danica Goodheart, Katelyn Hill, Seth Rowley, Hunter Rowley, Becky Mayo.

Also thanks to EV ERYONE who donated items for the raffles, and to Piche’s Sports & Ski for the tee shirts, and most importantly to

Starr Lawton, Steve Lawton and Sandra Lawton.

Save the Date.. March 2013!

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06
Feb

LOBSTER POUND CHILI COOK OFF - AN EATING EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED

SARAH, IS THE CHILI READY?

Though it was cold and icy outside, it was warm and spicy inside the Weirs Beach Lobster Pound Saturday January 28.

Within the Lobster Pound, fourteen area restaurants competed for top voting of the “Meanest” Chili at the 2^nd Annual Chili Cook Off.

The event, now in its second year, hosted an ever growing crowd of hungry people eager to discover the best culinary talent in the Lakes Region.

They were not disappointed. Votes were cast, and the people spoke: for the second year running, Lyon’s Den of Gilford took the trophy for best chili.

Weirs Beach Lobster Pound Function Coordinator Joanne McAllister said “We love to host the chili cook off. It brings people together to taste locally made chili from lots of area restaurants and supports our favorite animal welfare agency, NH Humane Society. The spirit and enthusiasm displayed by the contestants and patrons was well beyond our expectations.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s event!”

New Hampshire Humane Society placed

second at the event with our original

“Beanie Weenie Chili”

which consisted of classic chili ingredients but with the fabulous addition of white wine.

2nd place was quite an astounding achievement but not surprising when one learns that the chili was provided by Ms. Becky Mayo an active volunteer who hails from Colorado.

When Becky agreed to provide the chili she exclaimed “I know how to win a chili contest”.

She did not disappoint!

Coming in third - Gunstock Mountain Resort. Gunstock not only fielded a delicious chili, had the best set up with a ceramic pig standing front and centre, they also donated two Prime Time lift tickets as part of a raffle in support of the event.

Shelter spokesperson Marylee Gorham stated “What a terrific day. Fun was had by all. No one left hungry, and the shelter received the proceeds of the event, $1,700 which we will be able to use for Amigo, a cat who underwent orthopedic surgery very recently and is still in recovery”.

The $1,700 was the combined total of admission to the event and the raffles which were very successful thanks to every single restaurant supporting that portion of the day in addition to fielding staff and chilis.

CHILI CHAMPIONS

FRONT ROW

L to R: Becky - Volunteer at NHHS (2nd place) Staffer from Lyon’s Den Champions

BACK ROW

L to R: Bob co-owner of Lobster Pound, with staffer from Gunstock Mountain Resort (3rd)

Our thanks to all participating restaurants for making this such a warm and delicious event.

PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS

Annie’s Cafe & Catering
Burrito Me
Christmas Island
Common Man Rt 104 Diner
Gunstock Mountain Resort
Hart’s Turkey Farm
Heat
The Homestead Restuarant
Kitchen Cravings
Looney Bin
Lyon’s Den
My Family Tree
Tavern 27
Weirs Beach Lobster Pound

Don’t miss this event next year, mark your calendar!

The Usual Suspects, volunteers and staff ready for the contest

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21
Dec

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

Saturday December 17, though cold, and threatening snow, proved to be warm and cosy at the shelter.

Santa arrived early and parked his sleigh behind the shelter.

There was one elf on hand, who looked mysteriously like the Executive Director’s dog, Sampson…

…but it was difficult to tell, he was wearing a dashing disguise!

Many took the opportunity to bring items for the animals staying at New Hampshire Humane Society - so many items from the Wish List piled up it was difficult to see our Holiday and Memory Trees!

Children of all ages whispered in Santa’s ear, it seems everyone was nice this year!

Don’t forget, there is still time to give a little something for the creatures. Whether a monetary donation, which is entirely tax deductible, or something for the dogs and cats, puppies and kittens. Shelter is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10.00a.m to 5p.m Saturday’s 10 00am. to 4p.m CLOSED Sunday, Monday and Wednesday.

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21
Dec

HOLIDAY LUNCHEON THANKS HARD WORKING VOLUNTEERS

Mame’s Restaurant on Plymouth Street in Meredith has long been known for great food and service. The restuarant itself is somewhat of a local landmark having been built back in the 1825 by Dr. George Sanborn as both his private residence and office for his medical practice but loved by all as the cozy eatery it is, under the same ownership since 1979.

Naturally we picked Mame’s at the place to hold our Holiday Luncheon for staff and volunteers.

Volunteers & Staff at the Rowdy table led by Pat

Mame’s laid out a sumptuous spread for 40 plus volunteers and a contingent of our staff. Mindfull of dietary issues we enjoyed wonderful Chicken and vegetable soup, salad, veggie medley, lasagna and two types of quiche, followed by berries and ice cream. It was pretty rowdy on the second floor.

Each person brought an ornament for the Christmas Tree and via our own version of Yankee Swap, picked something to take home with them.

Development/PR/Volunteer Director, Marylee Gorham presented volunteers with certificates of

Volunteers Marie, Mary and Judy at the Luncheon

Apprecation noting the contributions of each and every person.

New Hampshire Humane Society is truly a family - without the hard work, dedication and literally thousands of hours of service given selflessly by over 120 volunteers, in many areas, the shelter simply could not run.

Volunteers Tina, Deb Sue and Ed and Brendan enjoying the party

Our sincere thanks to all the staff at Mame’s for making our event so much fun to attend.

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28
Nov

CHILDREN, OUR MINI PHILANTHROPISTS

Catherine is a friend to all homeless animals.

Even though her birthday is in September, her party, held in November still held special meaning to Catherine. You see, in lieu of gifts, she asked her friends to bring gifts for our animals. Her Mom, Michelle, brought the girls to the shelter right after the Adopt a Thon to bestowe our homeless animals with special kindness and love.

thank you so much Catherine!

: Daisy Troop of Gilford visit NH Humane Society

Gilford Daisy Troop, and quite a few of their friends visited our shelter recently with dog biscuits made specially for the animals.

These young ladies enjoyed a tour of the shelter and learned about the animals staying with us.

The treats were gobbled up in less time than it took to actually bake the dog cookies!

Catherine and her brother pose with ED Mary DiMaria

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28
Nov

A TERRIFIC WEEKEND FOR ANIMALS

A great day for dogs and cats was had at the BELKNAP MALL Friday November 25- so-called

BLACK FRIDAY.

While in other parts of the country humans behaved badly at shopping malls in the rush and scramble to grab deeply discounted items, the NEW HAMPSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY Annual Adopta Thon welcomed many would-be new pet owners without a push or a shove, as hundreds descend on the Belmont New Hampshire Mall.

NHHS staff and volunteers began the day at 7.00a.m cleaning, feeding, getting the creatures loaded up and transported over to the mall.

A Kid’s Corner allowed for children to participate in a colouring contest while their parents finalized same day adoption of the newest family member.

Big Cat Coffee’s provided gourmet coffee for ardent new pet shoppers, including some very special select flavours in keeping with the festivities.

At the end of the day, 30 cats and 14 dogs were enjoying their permanent homes. A phenomenal success for our shelter, and a truly wonderful day for homeless creatures.

There is of course, still time to find your perfect companion, the shelter still has cats and dogs awaiting forever homes, but as of Cyber Monday, not as many as we did prior to Thanksgiving.

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31
Oct

Good Morning America and others fluff over the horror - Daniel the dog who cheated death

I am not a morning person,

it’s true.

Everyone who knows me, voice of NHHS, bloggist, and animal activist, acknowledges I am not terribly coherent before 10.00a.m.. but Friday morning, garbed still in bathrobe and fuzzy slippers, swilling the mornings allotment of caffeine, I watched the co-hosts of

Good Morning America, ooh and aah over a little Beagle named Daniel.

The Beagle, now a superstar that everyone wants to adopt, somehow, miraculously, cheated death in a city animal holding facility in Florence, Alabama.

As the woman who represented him said on national TV ”as I opened the door” I found him.. Pray tell Robin, and Lara et al, what was that door that opened?

No one asked what that meant on morning television.. perhaps they didn’t want to know.. but the true story, the real teachable moment, the reality of shelter life in the south, that opportunity was glossed over in favour of superficial chat about how cute Daniel was.

In southern states animals are killed every day.

Euthanized.

Not with a painless injection of sedative, a super dose that calmly and quietly ends their lives. No, in some states, Alabama being one, dogs and cats are gassed in chambers built to hold many.

It’s horrific, brutal and inhumane. It’s ugly and disgusting.

It’s one of the main reasons New Hampshire Humane Society has ‘receiving agreements’ with certain shelters in Alabama, and other states, to accept dogs that might meet a fate such as the one Dainel, (released from the Lion’s Den) somehow managed to survive.

Now that Daniel is famous, perhaps his true purpose is apparent to those who are actually listening to the story.. he illuminates with his wagging tail, trusting face, and gentle demenour, the terror of life as a dog that no one wants in America.

Ask yourself, why no one grieves for the eighteen other dogs ’in the chamber” with him?

Ask yourself, why did eighteen dogs died that day, stuffed together in a box built to hasten their deaths. A box designed to feed in deadly carbon monoxide gas?

Every dog adopted from a shelter in the north, New Hampshire Humane Society, and many others, has many TRANSPORT DOGS from the south, just like Daniel. They too escaped death.

Adopting a shelter dog does indeed save a life.

If you feel strongly about this story, join with national lobbying entities such as ASPCA and HSUS to stop gassing of dogs - the root issue is the duet sung loudily in sheltering circles, spay/neuter & responsible pet ownership.

Eleventh Hour Rescue, whose motto is ‘until every cage is empty’ in shipping Daniel north to New Jersey where he plays happily and seemingly without injury in a foster home , may be the catalyistic event that finally prompts some changes to State’s laws regarding animal welfare issues.

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31
Oct

ADOPT A SHELTER DOG - OCTOBER WAS A BUSY MONTH

So stated our advertising, run so kindly by our local media connections.

While the stock market may fluctuate, and the European Union seems headed for calamity, and wages and earnings fall flat, the dedication of a dog never waivers.

Dogs just want to be our constant companions, waiting for their cue to cuddle on the sofa, and jump in the car for a trip; no matter if it’s a ten minute jaunt to the post office, or a long road trip, dogs just don’t care about such triffles. They just want to be with us, the humans they love!

I can report that October saw a number of our dogs, some of them long stayers, finally leave for a forever home..

Naturally our tiny bundles of fun went first… they sold themselves just by being little and adorable:-

Cutie Pie, Chanel, Constanct, Fluff, Roxie, Honey, Aubie, Chase and Pearl.

Then the well bred gorgeous pedigreed Hunter, Kiki, Mona, Reggie.

And a dog or two that we thought we would house for a long, long time.. everyone’s favourite, Bosco, Alice, who is deaf, Samba a mixed breed little brindle girl. And let us not forget Genevieve, Deniro, Bubba and Roscoe.

Twenty two dogs are now enjoying permanent loving forever homes.

It’s true, the rumours, Sarge and Tank have both been returned,, sometimes the HOME TRIAL proves the dog is not well matched with the family, which is why we do home trials first, rather than full on adoptions. The adoption revolving door is something we try to avoid at all cost.

Sarge would prefer a home where he can just ‘be’ without being worried and bothered too much.

Tank needs a foster home that can actively help him overcome his seperation anxiety and ‘please don’t leave me’ issues. He truly needs active folks who can stenuously exercise him, help him work off some of his nervous energies..

All in all, October was successful.

The rosta of available dogs changes constantly. They arrive, the stay a while, they are adopted.

Always look to New Hampshire Humane Society first when considering a new pet.

Remember, do not pity a shelter dog… adopt one! You will be glad you did.

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06
Oct

DO NOT MOURN ME WHEN I AM GONE…

…You may not see me, but I am still with you.

My Spirit stands beside you and holds your hand in mine.

I see your sadness and I allow it to turn to a smile.

We, as human beings, enjoy the company of our dogs, cats and other furry and feathered creatures.

We share our lives with them.

We give them the best view of the television from the sofa. We share our beds with them. They get to hang their heads out the car window to enjoy the simple bliss of the wind flapping their ears. Our cats just know where the sunniest spots in the house are. We cuddle and love these four legged companions, providing as much as we can to ensure their care and comfort.

We witness and participate in the slow decline into fraility that all mammals suffer.

Death is a welcome release from pain and suffering and the indignities of old age but their passing, whether quick or slow, as they travel over the Rainbow Bridge, is never easy for us humans left behind.

My dear friends Steve and Diane lost Miss Sparkle recently. She had a decidedly unfeminine name when she arrived at New Hampshire Humane Society - Meatball.

In truth she was a large, very large tabby cat, surrendered in late middle age to this shelter. Her hopes for a quick adoption almost nil, considering she would have to compete with cute, adorable tiny kittens. This big girl needed a home, and she found it as a “foster cat” with Steve and Diane.

Diane still hopes for a Cairn Terrier, but in the meantime she has opened her heart and home to four of this shelter’s neediest cats. Steve was easy to convince that they could take on another ‘cat with issues”, I won’t say he’s a pushover when it comes to the felines, but they love him, and he loves them.

Renamed Miss Sparkle, she blossomed with each day that she reaslized she was home. Didn’t loose that much weight, that is true, but she was more mobile and her stamina improved greatly.

A large, fast growing tumour took her life. Devasting in its stealth and ferocity, realizing the beast of cancer lived on Miss Sparkle was a terrible revelation to her wonderful owners.

” Miss Sparkle was such a wonderul friend with a loud motor to listen to, a fiesty personality and a courageous cat” says Diane. She crossed the bridge recently and now rest in the sunny meadow, chasing butterflies.

We miss you Miss Sparkle.

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12
Sep

RIESLING - SWEET AND DEMURE

Shot with BB’s which shattered the leg of this little kitten, Riseling was left to survive his injuries in New Hampton.

Q: Why do people hurt animals?

A: Because they have a lack of basic compassion for life and exhibit twisted sensibilities regarding what is right or wrong.

Perhaps they are themselves victims of abuse or grew up in an abusive home - lessons learned at home are repeated until eventually a law is broken or the crime warrants prosecution.

Riesling, so named by shelter staff did not deserve to be used as target practice. What kind of mind thinks it sport to load and pump the BB gun and aim it as a defenceless kitten?

Was the culprit trying to actually kill this animal or merely wound it?

If you know anything about the circumstances leading up to this kitten arriving at New Hampshire Humane Society, please stand up for the animals and speak for them by calling the shelter, we would be very interested to learn more about the chain of events leading up to this crime.

Shelter is open Tuesday-Saturday, but phone calls will be accepted in confidence 524-3252.

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