Click here to register!

Saying goodbye is one of the best and worst parts of the job. We know our role in the lives of the animals we serve is only temporary. Our goal and our purpose is to be a stepping stone on their path to happily ever after but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Siddalee was broken when she arrived as a “stray” at the end of December. Her frail body weighed only 18lbs and we weren’t sure she had the will to survive. She received emergency medical care and our worst fears were confirmed; there was no underlying medical condition or trauma, she had simply been starved. We got to work on getting her back to health with a slow and steady feeding plan and lots of TLC. She was so easy to love and I started to fall hard. She shared my office, not spending one day in a kennel during her stay with us.

As her weight crept up so did her strength and she started to show us her wonderful personality. Before long she was ready for the adoption floor and we were thrilled to give her the chance at the life she always deserved but never had.

Her dreams came true the day before Cupid’s birthday and letting go was the best and worst part. I choose to reflect on the relationships I’ve built with the four-legged friends who run away with a piece of my heart as a way to cope and I penned this letter to my girl.

“Dear Siddalee,

Your transformation has been my very most favorite. I’ve been thinking about how I would feel today, your adoption day, for the last week or so. I’ve been trying to find the words to explain what you’ve given me.

I’ve settled on thankful.

I want to thank you for surviving. That first night when you crumpled at my feet I felt my heart break into pieces; I was sure we were too late to make a difference but you held on. I’m so glad that you did.

I want to thank you for letting me in. I wouldn’t have blamed you for a second if you hadn’t wanted my love or attention, if you hadn’t wanted to trust me; I was prepared to earn your love but you gave it so freely despite all that you had been through.

I want to thank you for reminding me that you don’t have to hold onto your pain, you don’t have to carry it with you. Your trauma doesn’t have to control you. And that beautiful things are possible when you set it (and yourself) free.

I want to thank you for filling the void that was left in my heart and my office by a shelter dog who came before you; I wasn’t sure my heart was ready but you showed me that it was and reminded me to love the underdogs, simply because not everyone can or will.

You will forever be one of “those dogs”- the ones you never forget, the ones who change everything and the ones who remind you why you’ll be back tomorrow to do it all over again.

Thank you. I love you. I’m so proud of you.

I’ll miss you so,

Lisa”

We are back to our regular business hours at HSMC and no longer requiring appointments for casual visits to the shelter. COVID-19 taught us a few valuable lessons that we will carry into how we operate on a regular basis so some things may look a little different the next time you visit us.

The biggest change is that we are no longer allowing the public into our adoptable dog kennel area. There are a number of reasons for this change, the biggest being the safety and well being of the canines in our care. This is the only space the dogs have at the shelter that is considered “their own” and it can be very stressful when they feel that space is threatened. Some dogs have poor kennel behavior in the stress of the shelter and we do not feel this should have a bearing on whether or not they will get picked for adoption. We would prefer to bring them out for you to visit with after they have had a chance to go potty and decompress from the kennel environment. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these changes that will ultimately improve the experience for the animals in our care.

We will also continue to require applications ahead of visiting with animals for adoption. We put a lot of time and effort into finding wonderful matches for our shelter pets and want to make sure we can devote the time and attention you need. If you are not looking to adopt but wish to visit with shelter pets, we strongly encourage you to join our volunteer program so you can help us, help them.

Masks are not required but are encouraged for visitors, staff and volunteers according to CDC guidelines:

• Everyone 2 years of age or older who is not fully vaccinated should wear a mask in indoor public places.
• In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings. (In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
• People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including waring a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
• If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.

In addition we ask that if you have any cold-like symptoms regardless of vaccination status that you wear a mask when interacting with our staff or volunteers.

We are looking forward to moving back into fundraisers and more of our normal activities and are happy to be seeing you on the other side.