We make sure that the older dogs and those with special needs have air conditioning and the cats all have the option of getting indoors out of the heat. The pigs have to be kept cool with water. The chickens are housed in the shade of a big tree, the goats and horses stay under the trees and they don’t seem to mind it as much, but basically, everybody lays low during the extreme heat of the day and it’s virtually silent out here between the hours of noon and 7 PM or so.

When the sun starts to set the animals begin to stir. Of course, they all get pretty animated around dusk, but it’s the dogs that are the most boisterous. We have what we call the “group howl” every evening and every morning when the sun appears and more often throughout the day and night. It’s a funny thing to experience for the first time. Some of the dogs just bark coarsely, but some have the most melodic voices. It always makes me smile no matter how many times I hear it. We liken it to “the wave” at sporting events because it starts in one section of the ten acre compound and makes its way around until everybody is howling and wagging his or her tail. It’s a happy thing; sworn enemies stop their battles during the group howl. It’s a form of solidarity among canines I suppose.

It doesn’t take much to start them off, as I mentioned the rising and setting of the sun does it, but it can be a strange noise or if somebody gets into a squabble, a high pitched bark by some lone dog, the coyotes howling, a loud car sputtering down the road, a gun shot, the donkey braying will set them off sometimes. When I hear them all happily howling, I’m reminded how surely every animal that has made his or her way here would be dead if people like you and me didn’t care. While most of these animals out here are highly adoptable, there simply are not enough homes for all of them and appallingly, millions of dogs and cats are killed each year in the United States simply because nobody wants them.

Recently, a young woman was out here on a work related visit. She works as a veterinary technician. Immediately, she fixated on a dog we have here named Nigel. Nigel is a great big pit bull mix, but she decided he was some sort of “rare breed” of dog and that he must be given over to “purebred” rescue group for adoption with a loving family. When I explained that Nigel had in fact been adopted in the past along with his pen pal Felicity, but had killed a cat and attacked a horse while away and that I believed it was best for Nigel that he remain here with Felicity, she kept pressing that he must live with a loving family. I tried to reason with her and explain that there are almost 600 other dogs here that could easily be adopted that have great behavior, and that once when Nigel had to be hospitalized for several days when he was ill, Felicity was broken hearted and very despondent until he returned. My words fell on deaf ears and she persisted that it didn’t matter about the other dogs, what mattered in her very narrow opinion, was that Nigel was some fantasy breed and needed to live elsewhere no matter what because he was, well, “better” than the other dogs here.

I later heard through the animal rescue grapevine that because of the Nigel incident, it appears that I do not want to find homes for the animals! Well, not the ones that pose a danger to other animals or humans. How about those other 600 dogs here?! Feeding and caring for them is a huge expense and requires a lot of work and dedication. If only somebody would adopt the adoptable ones!

I know things are tough all over during these uncertain times, but please give what you can when you receive this newsletter because funding is way, way down and our costs just keep rising: during the intense summer and early fall we have increased electricity use, a need for more flea and tick prevention, stepped up grooming, more staff, more of everything. I always say I don’t have any problems that money wouldn’t fix. We have a great place right now, but with your help, it could be so much more.

Thank you for all your help and support.

All my best,
Tracy Frank

News & Events

SARA Open House a Success!
Open House- Thanks to everybody who made it out for our open house and to all of those businesses and individuals who gave donations for our silent auction. Thanks to the terrific volunteers who made it all happen.

San Antonio animal activist John Bauchman (seen here holding some adorable heeler puppies) came out to lend his usual support and help. Two of these puppies got fabulous homes that night. We still have one very cute heeler pup remaining named Azaria and her mother Angel. Angel was pregnant when she was left at SARA by a former neighbor who never came back for her along with his two other dogs and six puppies! She is now spayed and ready for adoption. These are but just a few of the many loving animals that need a home.

Blues artist and animal lover Gary Primich and his band kept everybody entertained with some howling good tunes! We all had a great time and hope to see you all again very soon!

Regular volunteers Aleia Schurtz, Tait Stahl and their happy dog Matilda (pictured below) enjoy a break after working all day to get ready for the open house. Tait and Aleia come out here at least once a month to help and we could certainly use more people like them at SARA.

Please contact us if you’d like to come out and volunteer or if you would like to fill one of these important volunteer positions: Adoption Coordinator, Grant Writer, Volunteer Coordinator- one for Austin one for San Antonio, Chairperson to help organize and procure items for our upcoming December gala in Austin.

We also need help with construction of shelters out here for the winter, painters, landscaping specialists, people to help with gift wrapping during the holiday season at Barnes and Noble and Book People in Austin.

Check out our new and improved web site (courtesy of Laura Seargeant who worked for months to create the fabulous new look) for other ideas on how you can help us help them. http://www.sarasanctuary.org

Visiting SARA:

Come See Us! Visitors are welcome by appointment on the third Saturday of the month (subject to weather). Please call 830-401-0280 to register in advance. It’s hot, so wear a hat, comfortable walking shoes and please bring plenty of drinking water for people in your party. Expect to have dogs and other animals near you. If you are afraid of dogs or have allergies to animal dander, this may not be a good experience for you.

Bring your camera! Lots of happy faces and great photo ops!

Adoptable Companion Animals of the Month: 
Sandy

Sandy was found tied to our gate several months ago with two other dogs, Annie who was just a small puppy, and D. W. a very funny dog with bright blue eyes who recently got a great home. All three are wonderful, sweet and very playful dogs. Sandy attaches herself to every visitor or employee and wants desperately to be adopted. She loves children, gets along well with other dogs and cats, and loves to chase a tennis ball. Won’t you open your heart and home to this deserving animal? Email for details sarasanc@swbell.net

Special Needs Adoption: BB 

This beautiful healthy cat came to us recently after he was rescued in San Antonio by Jessica seen here holding him. Unfortunately he has tested positive for FIV which is transmitted through biting, so he cannot live with our main population. He would be perfect for an “only one cat” home. He is very friendly and affectionate.

Rescue Report:

Bodette This loving dog was found abandoned and scrounging for food at a Motel 6 parking lot in Houston, hence the name. She was very shy and scared, but with some patience and coaxing, SARA Veterinarian Joe Pamplin and his wife Sandy were able to finally gain her trust and get a leash around her neck. She was very thin and appeared to have just had a litter of puppies when they found her. She has tested positive for heartworms and will be treated once her health improves. She will also be spayed and ready for adoption in the coming weeks. She is very sweet and loves people. She gets along well with other dogs, but has shown some aggression towards cats.

Can you welcome this sweet animal into your home? Can you be her foster parent?

Vet's Corner, Advice from Dr. Joe Pamplin:

Recipe for Ear Wash You Make at Home:
Combine equal parts of white vinegar with water. This makes a good all purpose flush and helps to combat yeast infections for those dogs that like the water.

Remedy for Hives or Allergic Reactions:
Oral Benadryl - Give 25 mg capsule for every 25 pounds for a dog
Use liquid Benadryl for cats – half a cc/ml per 10 pounds

Some Unknown “Homeopathic” Dangers for Dogs and Cats:
Tea Tree Oil- While this may be good for your minor skin problems or cuts, it’s not good for companion animals. They can become ill if they ingest even a small amount.

Garlic- Often touted as a natural alternative flea control, too much garlic can cause illness in dogs just as onions can. Both garlic and onions contain N-Propyldisulfide which is toxic to dogs.

Dangerous Human Pain Killers for Pets
Never give Ibuprophen or Tylenol to dog or cats. Aspirin should never be given to cats. You can give buffered Aspirin to dogs for pain, but it upsets their stomach so ask your vet before administering it to your pet.

FYI

Some Good News:

Pooch with no legs "walks"

Pup discarded as trash in Indian dump has new life thanks to caring woman

A woman who refused to give up on a pup who was born without any front legs is delighted after the dog was fitted with wheels to help him get about. Padma Vala found the dog in a rubbish pit in Mumbai, India, when he was just days old.

She set about looking for a doctor who could help the pup to walk.

"Everybody said his lifespan was too short. They advised me to put him to sleep. I wanted him to live," she said.

She eventually found someone to help and the pooch is now scampering around. The dog is much loved! He has been named Chhotu.

Padma is a volunteer for an organization called the Bahena Trust, which works with animals. The organization was so inspired by Chhotu's story that it's now pledged to help other creatures with disabilities like him.