Archive: Messages from Kim We thought we should have a place for an archive of Kim's homepage messages.

8/24/08
August has been a particularly hard month. People are on vacation and aren't looking to adopt. AND many people go on vacation and abandon their dogs either on the streets or in shelters. So....we are full to the rafters.

To add to our burden, we are in the "red" as our Sanctuary Fund & our Medical Fund are depleted. Sammy's vet bill to pull broken teeth was $350, Cheyenne's heartworm treatment was $460, then 5 days later she suffered an intestinal infection that put her in the hospital for 3 days and cost $1,200 for a total of $1,660, and that's not including her spay & shots. Tina's lab work and medication cost $700. BIG HIT for us!

And, we've almost completed the play yard. Materials and labor cost $3,400 which drained our Sanctuary Fund. We are struggling financially, so please help us if you can. THANK YOU! Donate securely with PayPal.

8/6/08
Misty's pups turn 1 year old today!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Our medical fund is depleted. Sammy's vet bill to pull broken teeth was over $300, Cheyenne's heartworm treatment was $460, then 5 days later she suffered an intestinal infection that put her in the hospital for 3 days and cost $1,200, and Tina's lab work and medication cost $600. BIG HIT for us especially because these came at the same time we're paying for the finishing touches on our play yard. Your help is GREATLY appreciated. Donate securely with PayPal.

Congratulations to our AGILITY graduates! Everyone worked hard and had fun while trying to keep up with their dogs! A big THANK YOU to Terri who kept everyone happy and busy for 6 weeks, even through smoke & heat!

Dinner under the Stars is 3 1/2 weeks away and we have only 24 tickets left. Please consider being a sponsor or purchasing a ticket to this elegant and fun dinner party at the Sanctuary on September 13! The funds raised will help us finish the play yard and pay off vet bills.

We invite you to help us spruce up the Sanctuary! Labor Day Weekend and 9/6 & 9/7. Contact me for details.

BIG RED NEWS!

7/22/08
A year ago we poured the foundation for our kennels! And now the building is almost finished! We're waiting for a bid to find out how much it will cost to make the play yard fencing "bullet-proof" so the dogs can safely play in it without supervision. I am overwhelmed by the support we've received to make this all possible.

Dinner under the Stars is less than 2 months away and we have only 30 tickets left. Please consider being a sponsor or purchasing a ticket to this elegant yet fun dinner party at the Sanctuary on September 13!

The smoke is almost gone and we're grateful to Doug, Kristi and Jan who offered us a place to go in the event of an evacuation! Paws crossed there aren't any more fires.

BIG RED NEWS!

7/9/08
Can I complain about the smoke?
It's scary to be in week 3 of smoke filled skies and very hot temperatures. Fires have burned all around us and sometimes I can't see our property line. Hopefully, we won't have to evacuate, but if we do, who wants 26 four-legged houseguests?

6/27/08
JULY 4 isn't here yet, but the fireworks are.
When I lived in Sacramento, neighborhood fireworks started July 1 and lasted till July 6...keep your dog safe the entire week! The ASPCA reports that shelters throughout the US are most crowded during this holiday.

Tips for keeping your dog safe:
~Don't take your dog to fireworks displays or parties where there will be fireworks.
~Keep your dog inside and in a quiet place.
~Don't leave your dog in the yard.
~Put the TV or stereo on loud to drown out the firecracker noise
~Give your dog a kong toy stuffed with peanut butter
~If you know your dog freaks this time of year, talk to your vet now about using a mild sedative.

Please spread the word and help all dogs stay safe.

We began our Agility classes 6/24 and all the 4-legged students went through the tunnel, over jumps, and began weave poles by the end of class. MacKenzie and Petie are being handled by volunteers, and the other participants have brought their own dogs to teach. Classes run 6 consecutive Tuesdays. See Updated Slides!

The Pt. Isabel Reunion!
Thank you to everyone who came on a record breaking hot day in Richmond! It was so hot that most of the dogs spent the afternoon swimming in the Bay!
Aussies Playing Reunion 2008 Slideshow
The reunion is a time for me to catch up with people whom I've not seen for a long time. I enjoy hearing about these kids who've come through our doors and into wonderful homes. I'm happy that I've met so many terrific people through rescuing these amazing dogs... including pocket dogs like Pippin (formerly Tyra from the Delano shelter) who is in training to be a therapy dog!
Please look at all the great photos!

Big Red now has a pledge drive!
His story is tragic...we're happy to help him begin a new life.

Big Red was found listless on the side of the road in Auburn. Fleas and maggots were embedded in his skin and in his ears. A woman brought him to the Placer County Shelter where he weighed in at 124 lbs. He tested positive for heartworm and will be treated in July. We would be grateful for any help towards his medical bills. You can donate securely using Paypal on our site, or by mailing a check to NCAR, 10556 Combie Road, PMB 6200, Auburn, CA 95602, or join our pledge drive.

Care to make a pledge for every pound Big Red loses? After we drop 20 pounds, I'll change his name to Red!

We need foster homes....people who know Aussies and don't have small children please.
It's staggering how many purebred Aussies are unclaimed in shelters or surrendered by their owner. We try hard to take them all, but the reality is we can't. We're asking people with no small children to adopt an Aussie from a shelter or foster for us.

Some of our Aussies are hard to place....whether they're head strong, are seniors or are ultra shy like Tiffany and Dutch from the puppy mill in El Dorado County.

People losing their homes are abandoning their pets in astounding numbers. Read this article about abandoned animals in Chicago.

If you have thought about fostering an Aussie, please help now! Call me at 530-268-1600 or fill out a Foster Home application by clicking on Volunteer from our home page.

We have only 2 of the 3 ancient red Aussies that came in as strays at the Sacramento County Shelter. One has already found her forever home. Papi and Noni are brother and sister and at least 12, maybe older. see video

Go to Shelter Aussies to see the beauties who've lost their homes. Also look at Owner Listed Aussies...they are in trouble too. If you'd prefer a "go anywhere, little dog", please look at Pocket Dogs - little Lana is a kick!

Our kennels are installed and being used! This has been a 15 month project, but we're not yet finished. Your help has made this possible... THANK YOU! See the pics and videos! Read more »

On Christmas eve, George Warren and his News 10 crew filmed our Sanctuary and all the dogs! See if you recognize our "stars"!
News story

See Puppy Mill Update to learn about the bust that we initiated that shut it down after 30 years of illegal operation. We rehabilitated and rehomed 60 Aussies over 2 years. We have been fostering the last 5 for more than a year: Dutch, Noel, Lass, Tiffany and Bailey.