The Fur (& Feather!) Flyer

While getting the invitations ready to print for HAWS upcoming Men at Work party, we were given a harsh dose of reality.  Along with the renewal for our raffle license was enclosed the following notice, printed on burn-your-corneas-pink paper:

"Phone, Internet, mail, and any other form of non face-to-face sales of raffle tickets are strictly prohibited by both federal and state law."

Anyone who has received one of our fall fundraiser invitations in the past via mail (or many other charitable invites for that matter) has probably also received a few raffle tickets along with - indicating if you'd like, please send back the stubs with the requisite funds for them.  If you don't want them, you're free to toss them in the recycling bin.

Well, apparently THAT'S a big no-no - and has been before, but up until now was not enforced.  It makes one wonder why now, suddenly, it is of the utmost importance to clarify this issue.  We suspect it is due to internet fraud, but who knows...

What we DO know is this:  in past years, we were able to sell $7500+ in raffle tickets - in the weeks leading up to our big fundraising event and at the event itself, with our donors having the option of mailing in their raffle tickets, or purchasing them online via our event web page, etc.  So, we're scrambling to make that up!

PSSSST:  Wanna buy a raffle ticket?  They're $10 each or 3 for $25, and the prizes allow you to (1) "Build" your Nest Egg (cash and a really neat birdhouse - worth $300+), (2) "Build" your Music Library (an iPod Touch - worth $250), and (3) "Build" your Green Space (a tree from Piala's - worth $400). 

By the way - all the information and tickets for our Men at Work party are available on our website - including the information on our "Build" Raffle (you can't purchase tickets for that other than at the shelter or the event itself, but at least you know, after reading about the prizes, that it'll be worth the trip - or the price of admission!)  Heck, you wanted to see how the build was going at the shelter anyway, so this give you an excuse...right?!

We're setting up shop off-site temporarily again, this time so we can get sidewalks, curbs...and a spiffy new parking lot! Work on our facility expansion continues right on schedule.

Thursday, September 10 and Friday, September 11, and again on Monday, September 14 and Tuesday, September 15 – there will be no public access to our shelter at 701 Northview Road.  Staff will be available at the shelter to answer phone and email inquiries.

Pet viewing and adoptions will again be handled our Mobile Adoption Unit, which will be set up from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all four days at Petlicious Dog Bakery and Pet Spa on 2217 Silvernail Road – a short distance from the shelter.  A small number of adoptable animals will be available at all times for viewing, but adopters interested in specific pets should call the shelter ahead of time to allow enough time for transport of that animal to Petlicious.  As always, adoptable pets can also be viewed online at HAWS’ website, www.hawspets.org. 

The shelter will be available for business as usual on the weekend – Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13.  Viewing and adoptions are from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. on both days.  Pedestrian paths will be marked for visitors to follow.  This will be a great chance to see firsthand the progress on our new facilities!

Surrenders, strays and wildlife rescues will be handled case-by-case - staff will be on call to do pick-ups or drop-offs as necessary.

 

By the way - our Mobile Adoption Unit has some VERY cool stops coming up...join us when we come to YOUR neighborhood!

HAWS of Waukesha County, Inc. invites all to join in the fun at the Men at Work Party, our annual fall fundraiser, set for Saturday, October 17, 2009 at Olympia Resort, 1350 Royale Mile Road in Oconomowoc.  The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs until midnight.

 

The gala’s construction theme is in celebration of the ongoing facility expansion at HAWS.  Highlighted by entertainment from one of Milwaukee’s favorite party bands, The Boogie Men, the event also features great food buffets including a sushi bar, live and silent auctions, raffles, a large casino gaming area, an adoptable pet meet’n’greet area, and much more.  All proceeds support the animals and the many educational programs at HAWS which promote responsible pet ownership and prevent animal abuse and neglect in our community.

 

Men at Work admission tickets are $55 per person, and can be purchased by logging onto www.hawspets.org or by calling the shelter at 262-542-8851.  A new feature of this year’s event: a limited number of special band-performance-only admission tickets for $20, which allow guests into the party after 9:00 p.m. to enjoy The Boogie Men and the casino gaming area.  Registrations close on October 10, 2009.  No admission tickets are sold the day of the event.

 

Can’t join the fun on the 17^th?  “Build” Raffle tickets are available, and you need not be present to win!  Three great prizes allow the winners to “Build a Nest Egg” with a cash prize and birdhouse, “Build a Music Library” with an 8G iPod Touch, or “Build Green Space” with a choice of 2 trees from Piala’s Nursery in Waukesha.  Purchase your tickets today at HAWS - $10 each or 3 for $25!

 

By the way...HAWS, a non-profit organization established in 1965, assists over 6,000 animals each year and welcomes more than 31,000 human visitors annually.  An “open admissions” shelter, HAWS assures sanctuary for all animals in need, while offering educational programs and services to promote responsible pet ownership and prevent animal abuse.  The shelter is located at 701 Northview Road in Waukesha, Wisconsin. For more information call (262) 542-8851 or log onto our website at www.hawspets.org.

This coming Saturday, August 22nd, is the 2nd Annual Menomonee Falls Pet Fair - co-sponsored by the Village of Menomonee Falls and HAWS.

Our Mobile Adoptions Center will be at Rotary Park - on Fond du Lac Ave. west of Lilly Rd. - from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., rain or shine.  This event is FREE - and well-behaved, leashed or kenneled pets are welcome!

Included on the list of events and happenings for the day are:
- Pet products and services brought to you by local vendors
- Obedience training, wild animal and police K-9 unit demos
- I.D. tags and microchipping for your companion pets
- Food, beverages, raffle prizes

Also this year, anyone who donates a bag of pet food to HAWS at the event will receive a FREE photographic session and 5"x7" print of their pet, provided by Nancy G. Photography.

Be sure to join us for this fun-filled event for pets and their people!

By the way - if you haven't been by the shelter lately, you really should c'mon over and take a look!  Our facility expansion is moving right along, and the changes are amazing!!  We're all looking forward to the new and improved facilities for our best pet friends!!

Here at HAWS we educate our adopters about the importance of using flea and tick repellants and heartworm preventatives for their pets.  Mosquitos spread Heartworm, ticks bring Lyme disease, flea infestations affect not only your pet but your entire house.

More and more it is being recommended that pet owners continue to use these flea/tick/heartworm medications throughout the entire year, to ensure your pet's protection from these pests and often fatal diseases they carry.  And, more and more it is recommended to take these precautions for both dogs AND cats.

We've had a dry summer, but we've still had spells of hot, humid, wet weather - fertile time for mosquitos.  All it takes is one mosquito bite to infect your dog with heartworm.  And it isn't unheard of for a rouge mosquito to be buzzing around in April or October.

So, don't risk it!  You keep your pets safe throughout the year - every way possible!  Contact your veterinarian and ask them about flea, tick and heartworm meds ASAP.

By the way - on Saturday, August 22nd we're co-sponsors of the 2nd Annual Menomonee Falls Pet Fair!  This day-log event for pets and their people features pet demos, vendors, prizes, merchandise, food and so much more.  And, this year, donate a bag of pet food to HAWS and you'll receive a FREE 5x7 portrait of your pet.  We'll see you there - stop by and say hello to our Mobile Adoptions staff, and see who we brought along...!

The family pet is just that – family.  They are such an integral part of our lives that often we don’t know what we’d do without them.  Here at HAWS we daily celebrate pets and their people, the bond forged between us, and the importance of pets to our community. 

Children who have pets in their lives learn greater responsibility and compassion for living things all around them.  Seniors with pets are shown to have lower blood pressure, decreased stress levels, and are more physically active and engaged in daily life.  And, single adults know that pets are a great way to meet people!

In their honor we present the Top 10 Reasons the Family Pet is TRULY "Family."

10.       In these cost-cutting times, walking the dog is cheaper than a gym membership.

9.         When you have a pet, you’re never lonely.

8.         Pets are great listeners...and not too bad as therapists, either!

7.         Your pet always thinks you’re a star and is happy to see you when you come home.

6.         MOST of the time pets don’t “sass” back…well, unless you have a cat or a terrier...

5.         Many pets sleep the day away – and are happy to take a nap with you, too.

4.         And while we’re napping, some pets make great pillows.

3.         No need to get out the vacuum to clean up various spills – Rover's Cleaning Service is at the ready!

2.         Who needs an alarm system – or a door bell for that matter?  Pets are always ready for visitors.

1.         Pets are great kissers.  (wink!)

By the way - at HAWS you can learn all about about how to integrate that new pet into your family successfully.  Talk to our adoption counselors, make an appointment with our pet behaviorists, or sign up for one of our many classes or seminars.

For the next few weekends, HAWS' neighbor across the street on Northview - the Waukesha County Expo Center - is hosting several dog-centered events.  Be sure to check them out - and stop by our shelter while you're in the area.  HAWS is open all during construction and we would love to see you!  (As would our adoptable pets...!)

This weekend is the Waukesha Kennel Club's all breed show.  Shows like this are a great way to research the dog breed you're interested in bringing home with you.  You'll have an entire room full of breed-knowledgeable people, who will love to tell you about their breed and what kind of care/lifestyle it needs.  You can also see some great demonstrations like obedience and rally trials.

Sunday, August 2nd is Dog Day Afternoon at the Expo, brought to us by our friends at 'KLH, the Hog and more!  We'll be at the fest with many of our adoptable animals, and they'll be featured in adoptables parades at 11:15am and 1:45pm.  When you're done hangin' at the expo, stop by HAWS for our "companion" event - including snacks (yum!) and tours of our construction project. 

Have a good weekend!

By the way - it is very easy to get to our building right now - take the driveway to the west, and follow the very-well-marked walkways, go through the tunnel and right on in our front door.  Take a moment to marvel at the building project (and the construction workers - they love it!).  We'll see YOU soon - all the paws and claws at HAWS are looking forward to your visit!

Periodically we feature a story from Sandy H., one of HAWS’ long-time supporters and friends.  Sandy is also a volunteer at HAWS, devoting much of her time to our Spay-Neuter Initiative Program (SNIP) clinic.  Working and living with animals for many, many years, Sandy often has remarked “Every animal has a story.”  We share her favorites.

 

They were our first cats – Misty and Cuddles.  They were tiger-striped darlings that began our cat craziness that continues today!

 

Both of us had never been allowed to have cats as children, but we always wanted one.  When we went to visit a relative’s farm we met Stripes and Blue.  These great cats followed us around, sat on our laps, gave lots of affection and completely stole our hearts.  We couldn’t believe how wonderful they were.

 

As fate would have it, they had kittens, and we were there to pick out “just one” (all cat lovers know that never happens).  We spied these 2 cute bundles and they were ours.

 

I'm not sure why, but at that time many years ago I was under the notion that all kittens born were of different colors, so to me these 2 tigers were very rare!  (This has been the laugh of my friends ever since, of course.)  But at the time I couldn’t believe we got these twin kittens and was so sure there weren’t any more like them on the planet.

 

When I took them to the vet the first time he said, “Oh, just plain tigers.”  Just plain?  No way!  They are really rare!  I was crushed.

 

And so began our love affair with cats that has grown through the years.  (We still think that “plain tigers” are rare and special - even if the rest of the world refers to them as "brown tabbies.")

By the way - if you're looking for your own "plain tigers" or "really rare" cat, we've got them at HAWS - stop by to see all of our adoptables.  And to give equal time to canines:  mark your calendars for Dog Day Afternoon at the Expo Center across from our shelter.  It's going to be a great day of pet-related fun and information!

HAWS and ProHealth Care (PHC) have partnered to create the PHC Cardiac Friends program.  Cardiac rehabilitation patients from Waukesha Memorial Hospital (WMH) have joined the ranks of the dog walking volunteers at HAWS, greatly benefiting both the patients and shelter residents alike. “The Cardiac Friends dog-walking program is a great way to get our cardiac rehab/EXCEL patients exercising, and at the same time helping their ‘friends’ increase their activity too,” said Jennifer Ehrhardt, an ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist with PHC’s Regional Heart & Vascular Center.  “The group is really enjoying their time at HAWS; time spent with the dogs and each other.” The program is the brainchild of Susan Kidder, founder of the WMH pet therapy program.  Kidder was looking for ways to expand patient and dog interaction, and came up with the idea to bring HAWS and cardiac rehab patients together.  Kidder noted:  “Walking your best friend is one of the best exercises - and must be done in any weather, several times a day.” 

According to Kim Kalczynski, HAWS Volunteer Coordinator, “The guys are loving it and they’re doing a great job!  They don’t hold back - they are motivated, and very good dog handlers.”

PHOTO:  Cardiac Friends members Ole, Charlie, Bob and Dick with HAWS adoptable dogs.

By the way - we can always use volunteers!  Just come to one of our orientation sessions to get started.

This time of year we receive MANY phone calls here at HAWS from people asking for help with dogs and fireworks.  Seems lots of our canine companions don't enjoy the sounds of summer quite like we humans do!  (And we would also like to decrease the number of strays that come in who have run away from home because of the noise.)

HAWS business partner and animal behaviorist Claudeen McAuliffe, M.Ed. offers these suggestions for helping your pet deal with "The Big Bang."

About Fear
Those of us who live with dogs know that fireworks and thunderstorms can stress some animals to the point of panic.  Some simply retreat to a dark place such as under a bed or in the bathtub.  Others are so terror-stricken that they injure themselves by jumping through screen doors or windows.  Lest we think ill of our fur kids, understanding the nature of the problem may not only improve our opinion of their behavior.  It may also give us hope in a toolbox full of options to improve it.

Some fears, such as those toward strangers, children, boxes and ceiling fans, are learned through association with upsetting situations.  But in some individuals fear may occur with no conditioning or learning whatsoever, because the brain already contains the circuits that respond to a limited spectrum of stimuli, such as the loud and sudden crack of a lightning bolt.  As our dogs get older, their sensitivity to storms and other loud, sudden sounds may increase. 

While some fears may be linked to a past event, such as being tied out during a storm, or taken to a Fourth of July event during a critical fear period, often there is no such connection.  Some breeds, such as Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Labrador and Golden Retrievers seems to have a genetic predisposition to develop noise phobias, although it's possible we just see more storm and noise phobias in these breeds because they are more popular than other breeds.

What You Can Do to Help Your Dog
Besides behavior modification, the best results for helping dogs with sound sensitivity are obtained by simultaneously teaching the dog self-control and coping skills, such as running to get a tennis ball when a storm approaches, or using bodywork techniques like The Tellington Method® to facilitate a learned response to a word like "easy."  And as alternative and complementary treatments become more mainstream, we find there are actually quite a few things we can do to help our dogs.  Though they may never be completely calm at the approach of a storm, they may be content to lie at our feet rather than exploding through a screen door. 

There are many other things you can try, including flower remedies, aromatherapy, herbs, homeopathy, pheromones, and pharmaceuticals.  For more information see the booklet "The Big Bang: How You Can Help Your Dog Cope with Storm and Noise Fears" (Mc Auliffe, 2006).

By the way - Claudeen's book, "The Big Bang," is available at HAWS - stop by today and pick up your copy, so you're prepared before the fireworks start - and before that next round of thunderstorms sweeps through!

This particular edition of "Sandy's Stories" reminds us at HAWS of the importance of properly dealing with the local wildlife.

From spring through summer, young wildlife are born and learning to venture out on their own.  Often when we spot young ones, mom is closeby, watching from a safe distance - but definitely watching.  When you find a baby bunny, small bird or other species, before doing anything be sure to survey the situation.  Allow for nature to do its thing - and keep at a safe distance yourself!  (This, of course, includes keeping your pets away from them, too!)

If you have any questions about the wildlife in your area or what to do with wildlife you may find, call us here at HAWS or contact the Wildlife in Need Center.  Having wildlife around us is a wonderful way to learn - please respect them.

SAM THE GOPHER
"Sam" is the name we gave to a gopher that lived by a large, beautiful tree in our backyard.  He delighted in running up to our dog fence and causing our two Airedales to go absolutely wild - it made his day.

The dogs would be motionless, and then tails began to quiver, and then loud barking ensued, followed by frantic jumping and general chaos.  It was better entertainment than any movie you could go to.  Of course, when the dogs finally calmed down, Sam would come right back and it all started again....

One day Sam even brought his wife along - this time coming through the fence to harass the dogs who were inside in our family room at the time.  Sam and Mrs. Sam both sat up and chirped right by the window, which resulted in the dogs heads being plastered against the glass, slobbering everywhere, bodies shaking with every sound a dog could make coming from them.  We had great time - and still laugh thinking about that day!

This went on for years, with Sam becoming part of our family.  When we moved we told the new owners "Sam comes with the house!"

By the way - you can c'mon in through our shelter front door now, and we even have a fresh new lot to park in!  Stop by and see the construction progress, join us for a class or seminar and, as always, maybe you'll find a new best friend to bring home...

Maybe "construction" isn't the term we should use for the progress on our building expansion this week....

Before the new areas of HAWS can be built, some of the old areas need to make way - including our parking lot and the outdoor runs and offices on the west side of our building.

There's a hole in the wall as I write this.  Actually, the wall is mostly gone.  Thank goodness it's a beautiful day outside! 

This week we're also getting a trial by fire in how to operate under less-than-ideal circumstances.  With our driveway and parking lot gone, and those areas now occupied by backhoes, dumptrucks and dumpsters, it is pretty hard for someone to get to us for assistance.  Thank goodness for the volunteers who are set up at the end of our former driveway, ready to direct people to our Mobile Adoption center and temporary hub over at Petlicious Dog Bakery and Spa.  Rule of thumb this week:  CALL AHEAD!  (We've got it figured out, just tell us what you need and we'll be there for you:  262-542-8851.)

As the saws and airhammers become background noise, and we deal with interruptions in electricity, we are reminded this is really going to be worth it when it is all done for all the paws at HAWS.

Jackson, who is currently gnawing on a rawhide under my desk, couldn't agree more!

By the way - we're still "fully operational" during our construction and remodeling.  And, we have a complete slate of activities, programs and seminars going on - so don't miss out!  As our building project progresses, we'll keep everyone updated on what's up, and we'll let you know what to do when accessibility to our shelter is limited.  We're still here - and we're ready to help!!

Thanks to Fox 6 and Jennifer Reyes for helping us get the word out!

Maybe it's the construction dust getting to us, but we got to wondering around here...what or who would our pets be if they were people? 

Seriously, we really do have these conversations at HAWS.  And mostly, we've come up with alternate realities for our cats because our dogs aren't nearly as secretive...score one for the dogs.

For example, one HAWS staffer is sure her cat is British.  "Beaker" is quite polite and very thoughtful/cerebral, and probably has the secret to cold fusion drawn up in a series of schematics, which she'd be delighted to share if asked.  She is also a financial guru and surely has  an entire plan figured out to allow our staff member to pay off all debt within a year.  Beaker would most likely drive a Camry - something sensible - in light grey or beige so as not so show dust.

Another anthropomorphic staff pet is "Linx."  Linx's prior name was Bruce, and he can be pictured wearing a workshirt with a name patch on it.  Linx has an affinity for home improvement - he has even saved his family more than a few dollars (and averted many mistakes) by meowing loudly during the various projects...or throwing up on the different supplies/components.  His interruptions have caused the worker (husband) to review the directions and realize "oh, wait, we don't need to do that!"  Uncanny.

Next time you're petting your dog, or watching your cat snooze, think about it.  Along with unconditional love and companionship, they might have even more to offer!  Now THERE'S a reason to bring home your new best friend!

By the way - one week from today, Tuesday, June 9th, is HAWS fundraising nite at Culver's of Sussex.  Our Mobile Adoptions unit will be on hand with coupons to ensure 10% of your food purchase price goes to HAWS.  Fundraising couldn't taste any better!!

By the way, part 2 - our parking lot is ground up, and the walls are scheduled to be knocked down/framed up/moved....  Stay tuned to our website, this blog, our Facebook page, etc., and we'll keep you informed on the progress.  We'll have to do some improvising on the way, but we will remain open throughout our construction and continue to provide all the services you rely on us to provide.

Here is another one of "Sandy's Stories."  This one seems very familiar - most dog owners have lived this story in one way or another!  We all have a bond with our very first pet - both as a child and then later as the primary adult caregiver.  Pets keep us healthy, sane and happy.  And safe!

As an adult, I found our first family dog, strangely enough, while inside a drug store.

A woman was with an adorable yellow lab mix puppy, which I immediately had to pet.  She said "I only have one left but you won't want it - it's black - all the other puppies were much cuter."

I said I'd take it, and we started on the craziest adventure!

While Smokey chewed the entire house apart, she also had an undying love for our children, never leaving their side.  She wouldn't let anyone go to the end of the driveway - even pulling the children back if need be.  She finally just stayed in the middle of it watching closely so no one would come too far.

As the years went by she watched the house with everything she had.  Once, when the town hall was robbed not far away, we knew she heard something and was alerting us in the middle of the night.

She was in the midst of all the kids activities until, at the age of 16, she passed on to watch us from above.  The dog no one wanted turned out to be an outstandingly loyal, loved member of our family and we were blessed to have her.

By the way - we have some great choices for pets at HAWS - dogs, cats, rabbits....  And, we also have some great events, classes and seminars coming up for pet lovers!  Come and learn how to have a puppy and your sanity at the same time!  Learn first aid for pets, find out about common canine behavior problems and their solutions, even send your kids to camp at HAWS!  Don't miss out on a minute of the fun.

Please enjoy another of "Sandy's Stories" - told to us by a HAWS volunteer extraordinaire...

"I guess in everyone's heart there is a special place only for your first dog.  Mine was named Dutchess.

My grandfather, who shared my love of animals, gave her to the family when I was about eight years old.  My six-year-old brother and I took complete care of her, making sure she never did anything wrong (or covering up if she did!) so she was never taken away from us.

She was our constant companion and as she grew older she became the best player on our baseball team.  She played outfield - it didn't matter what position, she could play them all!  She always waited patiently for any ball to come her way.  At times, we had to chase her down to retrieve the ball, but, hey, then that meant a sure home run!

Her biggest job of all was looking after my brother - which could be quite a challenge...

She knew all our friends in the neighborhood and where they lived.  I would put a note on her collar and send her to find my brother - they would come back, Dutchess in the lead, tongue hanging out and tail wagging knowing she again did a great job."

By the way - this time of year is a popular time to bring home a new pet - summer is here, kids are home from school, what better time to adopt, right?  Be sure to do your homework first:  IS it the best time for YOUR family?  What is the best pet for your lifestyle?  When summer is over, what's the plan for the rest of the year?  A pet is a lifetime commitment - make sure yours is the right fit.

At HAWS, we're always on the lookout for a neat fundraiser.  We've partnered with a local printing company and an author with local ties to bring our HAWS fans another great gift idea.

"That's My Dog" and "That's My Cat" are children's books that can be personalized with both the name of the recipient and their favorite pet.  The brainchild of Jan Krystkowiak (wife of Larry), you can order these books and a portion of the proceeds is donated to HAWS when you use our special internet code, hawswauk.

We are VERY excited to be participating in this fundraiser!  Thank you, Teuteberg Incorporated for thinking of us - and thank you, Jan, for your amazing talents.  These adorable books will be a wonderful addition to any child's library.  And some adults are quite enamored with them, too!

Stop by HAWS to see a sample of the books if you like - our Mobile Adoption unit also brings one along on all of their visits.

By the way - kitten season is here!  If now is the time to bring home your new best friend, we KNOW you can find him or her right here at our shelter.  Visit us today - viewing and adoption hours begin 7 days/week at 1:00 p.m.!

Periodically we'll be featuring a story from Sandy H., one of HAWS' long-time supporters and friends.  As a volunteer at HAWS, Sandy devotes much of her time to our Spay-Neuter Initiative Program clinic.  Working and living with animals for many, many years, Sandy often has remarked "Every animal has a story."  These are her favorites - we hope you enjoy!

SUNNY & PETE
I had a very lonely 15-year-old parakeet who really needed a best friend.  Sunny came to the shelter after being found in a firehouse, and I just had a feeling that Sunny was meant to be that friend.

From the time they were introduced, Sunny took care of my old bird, being a constant and faithful companion.  When the older bird died peacefully, Sunny was overcome with grief, not eating and remaining in one position on his perch.  Then...along came Pete.

Pete came to the shelter displaying the same behaviors that Sunny was showing at our home.  Again, I felt that was a sign that they were meant to be together.  Sure enough, the minute they were introduced they bonded and they have continued to be two of the most compatible birds I've ever had. 

Shelter pets give back love each day - they are a blessing to all who have them.

By the way, part 1...so many of the adoptables at HAWS share stories like Sunny and Pete.  Not sure how to take care of a bird, rabbit, or other "non-traditional" pet?  Attended one of our seminars (pictured above), or stop by to talk to our small animal volunteers.  Second chance pets are the best to have - many of them know just what it is to be "saved."  It is a feeling you'll definitely want to experience for yourself; stop by HAWS today to adopt, or donate to help the pets you may not be able to take yourself!

By the way, part 2...with YOUR help we raised over $35,000 this past Saturday at our annual Pet Walkathon...and we're still receiving and counting donations.  WE CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH for continuing to walk for HAWS!

This just in - the schedule of events for HAWS' 26th Annual Pet Walkathon sponsored by the Friends of HAWS.

9 a.m.                     Kick-off the Walk
9 - ??                      Appearance by Marilynn Mee from Classic Rock 96.5 WKLH
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.       Lure Coursing - extended hours ($5 for each fun run - prize for the fastest participants)
10 - 10:30 a.m.        Contests: Owner/Pet Look-alikes, Shortest Legs, Tallest Pet (all 4 paws on the ground)
10:30 - 11 a.m.        Featured Breed:  the Greyhound
11 - 11:30 a.m.        Mascot Fun:  "Marilynn (Simon) Says" - Laugh and play along!
11:30 a.m. - Noon    Poo Toss & Contests: Longest Tail, Most Spots and Biggest Smile
Noon - 12:30 p.m.    Let's eat - Lunch break!
12:30 - 1 p.m.          Parade of HAWS Adoptable Pets
1 - 1:30 p.m.            Special recognition for Survivor & Senior Dogs - dogs that have overcome a disability or are seniors
1:30 - 2 p.m.            HAWS Alumni Parade - show your HAWS pride with your favorite alum
2 - 2:30 p.m.            More Contests:  Best Kisser (pet!), Best Trick, Best Rollover
2:30 - 3 p.m.            Lure Coursing Awards, more games
3:00 p.m.                 Winners of "Win at the Walk" announced!

So far the weather forecast is looking favorable for Saturday, too...fingers and toes crossed...

Come, join in HAWS annual celebration of pets and their people!

By the way - there is still time to collect pledges and donations - log onto our Walkathon web page to get started!

We at HAWS have been the proud (?) users of a “Sha-poopie” for about 6 weeks now.

The first reaction from staff and volunteers was “Sha-what?  What’s a Sha-poopie?”  (And, of course, there's the obvious singing of "Sha-poop, sha-poop, falala-lalala lalala-lalala...")

For the uninitiated, a Sha-poopie is a hand-held, telescoping-pole device to be used for easier and cleaner dog-doo pick up (think golf ball retriever).  The idea is for your pooch to do his business straight into a plastic collection tray/liner/reservoir at the end of the Sha-poopie pole, eliminating (heehee – get it?) the need for humans to stoop, scoop and toss.  This saves waste baggies, is cleaner for the human, and keeps the bacteria count down in your yard.  Or wherever your canine companion is prone to poo.  Check it out at www.theshapoopie.com.  (The inventer has both Hollywood and Wisconsin ties.)

Our device was a gift of sorts from our friends at 96.5 WKLH Classic Rock – we have lots of dogs and lots of doo, so who better to test it out?!

One of our long-time dog walking volunteers was game to try it out as soon as we got our Sha-poopie, but abjectly REFUSED to be photographed in the process (chicken!).  Unfortunately, the dogs she was walking were not as cooperative.  And, as luck would have it, test day #1 was rather windy, and the lid to the plastic tray kept blowing closed – or flapping into the behind area of the dog, which would in turn startle the canine and produce…poopus interruptus.

Subsequent testing went a little better – and the helpful hints for ease of use started to, um, flow:

“How about a trigger of some sort at the top of the pole to open and close the lid on the collection liner?  Sha-poopie Sharp-Shooter!”

“If the plastic tray were a little heavier it might stay in the scoop-pole better – it blows out on windy days, well, before it’s full, anyway.”

“We’re gonna need a bigger model for some of our bigger dogs…”  (Hmmm, why does the theme from Jaws come to mind?)

Overall we’ve been having some success with our Sha-poopie – and a whole lot of fun.  Once the dogs get used to what we’re doing, they aren’t so freaked-out by us trying to catch their deposits.  (Well, maybe they still are, but they’re putting up with it.)  And, our SNIP Clinic vet techs have found it is pretty helpful if trying to collect a sample for any medical testing.

So now we ask our newbies:  “Have YOU Sha-poopied?”

Thanks, 'KLH!

By the way...in case you hadn't heard, our 26th Annual Pet Walkathon is coming up VERY soon - Saturday, May 2nd.  Raise funds on foot or online - log onto our Walkathon webpage for all the details!

Exactly one month from today:  its the HAWS 26th Annual Pet Walkathon, sponsored by the Friends of HAWS. 

On the first Saturday of May each year - this year its May 2nd, hundreds of pet lovers high-tail it to our day-long festival of pets and their people.  The main event is walking the 1-, 2- and 3-mile trails of beautiful Minooka Park in Waukesha.

Not a fan of hoofin' it to secure pledges?  You can create an online fundraising page for the HAWS Walk - actually, close to 20% of our funds for this event now come from online pages!  Start your own team online, or do an individual page; either way you can personalize it and forward it to all your friends so they can get involved, too.

Your participation and pledges ensures that HAWS can continue to provide proper care, food, bedding, toys and lots of attention for the animals at HAWS.  Funds are also used to support HAWS' humane education programs, which promote responsible pet ownership and prevent animal abuse - ultimately making us ALL better pet people.

There's so more to do than just walk:  visit vendor booths and do some shopping, participate in contests and games (back by popular demand...LURE COURSING!), have a great lunch, meet adoptable pets from HAWS, enjoy meeting up with old friends - and making new ones.

The best thing about this event:  100% of the money raised for this event goes straight to HAWS!

So join us, won't you?

By the way - HAWS is a busy place this spring!  We've got seminars and classes galore...and we're diggin' in and starting the building on our facility expansion!  Don't miss a minute of the action...