Update

It is later than usual for our newsletter. I am surprised we actually got it done at all. Ever since you heard from us last, our lives have been rocked to the core! During the Fall of 2008 we were asked to assist a 71 year old woman, Catherine T. who was living in a broken down van and caring as we were made to believe, for 65 dogs. We could not help but feel sorry for the woman and immediately took action. The count of dogs turned out to be a slight understatement and instead of 65 dogs we soon learned that she had 161 dogs, most of them small to medium in size. None had been vaccinated and/or spayed and neutered. Among them were several litters of puppies, many with mange. Many older dogs tested positive for heartworms. All animals roamed free over many acres of land. The dogs found shelter under old, broken down sheds and vehicles. The stronger ones were the leaders of several, individual groups that dominated and bred the rest of the animals. Otherwise all appeared in fairly good conditions, considering their way of life and while we tried to get them veterinary care, new animals continued to be dumped.

With the special help from one of our new board members, we managed to get all of them fixed and vaccinated. The RENO Veterinary Hospital in Midwest City, OK did 30 dogs free qf charge. They also wormed and vaccinted them. Dr. Colins from Ardmore, OK, also spayed and neutered 5 of them, free of charge. A caring gentleman came from Karfsas, to adopt 2 older dogs. He later called us and told us that they were all doing great.

DavidColburn ,afmous artistcamei" tfiewayfromLouisi.slnato.Q~ij;J. HetookseveralpicturesQfthedogs"including theoneonourfrontRage, .. "Missy". 8avi,d does incredible art. He has an account on E-Bay and it is worth taking a look at paintings, prints and cards. A.A.C. Inc. which were the ones that originally called us to help with the issue, paid $1,200 towards the spaying and neutering. Their clinic only 30 miles from us was booked and had no openings for several months. We drove all over Oklahoma to get the animals done and traveled altogether about 2,000 miles. Thanks to all the low cost spay and neuter clinics around Oklahoma City, the dogs were fixed as quickly as possible. They were all frightened and alarmed when we came to crate them. The first load took all day and the animals had to stay in their carriers overnight. At 5:00 a.m. we got on the road to be at the clinic on time. We were scheduled for 8:00 a.m. sharp. Since it "'-_0.::lI was winter, the dogs were bedded on straw. It does create its own heat and sheds moisture. The dogs were dry and warm. Unfortunately, one of the helpers at the clinic had asthma and became ill from breathing the straw dust. The next time we used newspapers and the animals were dirty and cold, after beingin the carriers for 18 hours. Regardless, they all survived. We bought and set up many kennels, several dozen of dog houses, dishes and water bowls, including pallets of food and also paid a huge bill, which