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Animal Friends of NCWV, PO Box 1244, Morgantown, WV 26507.

AFNCWV wishes to thank everyone that made our 4th Annual Cash Bash a success. Since the Animal Friends Cash Bash has such a large increase in attendees every year, we had to move the event from the Westover VFW to the Elks Lodge which is a much larger venue. As usual, the 4th Annual Cash Bash on April 14, 2007 was a great time and a huge success. We would like to offer special thanks to Bobby Doyle for being our Master of Ceremonies, yet again. We would also like to recognize Charlotte Johnston our D.J. We gave away $3,400.00 in prize money. David Tennant (brother of AF volunteer Debra) won the grand prize of $1,000.00. He generously donated the money back to AF. Thanks so much to the whole Tennant family. Watch for upcoming AF events. We hope to see you all at the next Cash Bash.

The Howl-o-ween Costume Party/Contest will be held on Sunday October 28th at 1:00 pm at the Mountaineer Mall. We hope to have the same photographer this year as we have had in the past. As the date gets nearer we will make announcements with all the specifics of the day.

Lucky's Attic is thriving. Our customers are wonderfully faithful, and between spring cleaning and end-ofsemester moves, donations keep coming in steadily. As usual, we need a few more shop volunteers. It is fun, easy work and the schedule is very flexible. We also need more help with furniture pick ups. Please call 291-5825 for information.

There is one important feature of Lucky's that not many are aware of - our dedication to partnership with other charitable agencies in our community. With so many blessings flowing our way, there is simply no reason not to share. Any items we receive and cannot use are passed along to another appropriate group. Clothing items, purses, shoes, lots of toys and "overflow" household items are sent to Christian Help. When books begin to exceed our storage space, we send boxes of them to Friends of the Public Library. Baby items have been shared with Rock Forge Neighborhood House. Recently, not-so-gently-used bicycles were shared with Positive Spin, a group which refurbishes bikes for individuals who need them. And building materials are now being channeled to the new Habitat for Humanity Resale Store. In return, Habitat is sending us the household donations they receive but cannot use.

We are proud to be in partnership with groups doing such great things. We all work hard, and by working together we can all do a better job for our community.

2007 Easter Egg Fetch The weather was beautiful this year for the Animal Friends Annual Canine Egg Fetch. It was a huge success with over 50 dogs attending and having a tail wagging good time! The Easter bunny came early this year and led the hunt hippity hopping around the park with the dogs in hot pursuit. All eggs contained a treat as an incentive and several had "lucky dog" prizes and 3 contained the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. Regardless of winning a prize the main focus of the event was for everyone to have fun socializing with fellow canines and owners. Thanks to Georgia Swierc some even headed home with a few homemade dog biscuits!

2007 Dog Day in the Pool Splash Bash 2007 - "A Dog Day in the Pool" will be held on Sunday, August 26th, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Marilla Park Pool. This event grows every year and is such a fun event for both dogs and their humans. Even if you don't have a dog this is a great event to just sit back and relax and watch the dogs having a good time. In addition to swimming in the pool, dogs can take part in several contests such as water relays, dog owner look alike, best dog trick, and celebrity look alike. Door prizes are awarded for oldest, youngest, largest and smallest. It is a great way to let your dog make new friends and end the summer with a real splash!!

ANGELS AMONG US

There are still angels in our midst, inspiring and uplifting us as we work to save the animals. Here are a few we can list from recent months who gave in special ways, touching our hearts, and bringing us closer to our goals. There was a most wonderful couple at Christmas who decided that rather than buy each other gifts which they did not need, they would use that money to give a donation to Animal Friends Sanctuary. They toured the new facility and then presented a Christmas present in the form of a very generous donation. What an incredible example of the Christmas spirit!

One angel named Debby spotted an ad for a charitable garage sale one weekend. She went to the sale at closing and asked for the leftovers for Lucky's Attic, packed them in her car (and they were packed), and delivered them to the shop. She said "I can't give money, but I can do this." She may not have given money, but the items she brought to the shop certainly generated funds for the animals at the shelter.

Then there was a nine year old angel (and amphibian lover) named Noah Adams who asked for donations for the Sanctuary for his birthday party rather than birthday gifts. He received many needed items from our wish list plus several cash contributions. Happy Birthday, Noah, and Thank You!

As part of Random Acts of Kindness Week, the local Talbots staff collected shoe boxes for our shelter kittens to use as snuggle boxes. These ladies found lots of boxes, enough to take us through the summer kitten seasons. And local Girl Scout Troop 4501 undertook a project to use shoeboxes to make snuggle boxes for our kittens. They not only decorated them, but added little sleeping mats and a braided toy for each one. The kittens absolutely love them. Thank you, girls!

Worst Excuses Not to Spay or Neuter Your Pet       Just one litter and then we'll have Fluffy spayed. Studies show that virtually the entire pet overpopulation stems from the "just one litter" mentality. My dog doesn't run loose, so he doesn't need to be fixed. Murphy's Law says otherwise. We always find homes for all the kittens/puppies. And that means an equal number of kittens or puppies at the pound will be killed. I want my children to witness the miracle of birth. Rent a video. My dog is just so-o-o cute and so-o-o unique, that there should be more of her. The shelters and pounds are full of cute and unique dogs, most with only a few days to live. It's not natural. There hasn't been anything "natural" about dogs since we began to develop breeds thousands of years ago. I just couldn't look my dog in the eye if I had him castrated. Watch it! You are REALLY anthropomorphizing. A female dog or cat should have at least one litter for health reasons. Medically, factually, and ethically indefensible. Neutering my pet will change his personality. The primary influence on an animal's personality is the kindness and care with which we raise him. (Reprinted from Rocky's Fund Dog Rescue.)

Icy Paws Recipe 2 (32oz.) plain or vanilla yogurt 1 small (8oz.) can of tuna in water 2 tsp garlic powder 24 3 oz. plastic cups (not paper) Open yogurt, if they are full to the top use a spoon and scoop out one cup (these will be frozen as plain yogurt). Put half a can of tuna in yogurt container, add garlic powder (1 tsp. in each) and stir thoroughly. Use a spoon and scoop the mixture into the cups. Place on a tray and freeze overnight. Makes about 24 treats. Variations: Natural Flea Prevention: mix in garlic powder and brewers yeast. Veggie Delight: mix in cooked peas or other vegetables. Chicken Icy Paws: use canned chicken instead of tuna. Potassium Boost: add in a mashed banana. From: Tibetan Spaniel Network

Animal Friends Sanctuary is pretty much up and running at full capacity. Since we have opened we have had 58 adoptions, mostly cat/kittens. Ziggy the pig and the iguana were the most unusual pets we've had adopted so far. Animal Friends works shelter to shelter which means that we do not take animals from the public but only take animal from another shelter or pound.

Titan the mastiff and Isis the cat are the shelters mascots and are doing well. They get along well for the most part. Anyone who wants a REAL workout please come and let Titan take them for a walk.

The shelter still needs a few outside details like lattice along the bottom of the deck, landscaping, bird feeders and flower pots for the deck to make it more inviting and homey. Anyone who wants do divide their perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees we could really use them for the landscaping. We will even come dig them up.

Volunteers are needed to weed whack and create walking trails on our 3 acres so that we will be able to walk the dogs in a safe environment. Anyone who needs seasoned firewood (down 3 years), are welcome to come out, cut and carry as much as they want. There is quite a bit along the driveway.

See See text version of this Biker Pet Contest information.

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me...It is crucial to my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment. I only have you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand. But I chose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, maybe I've been out in the sun too long, or maybe my heart and bodyis getting old and weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old, you too will grow old in your time.
10. Go with me on my difficult journeys. Please, please never say "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everythig is easier for me if you are there.