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NFW Happy Tail: Buddy & Carol

NFW Happy Tail: Buddy & Carol

NFW Happy Tails:  During the week of November 15, 2010, Buddy (previously Suede) was featured as the Cleveland Neighborhood Friend of the Week.  Now Buddy has made a new friend: his forever guardian, Carol.

Carol and Buddy’s tale began after two of her four dogs passed away.  After this, her Shepherd/Husky mix went into depression, and Carol decided to look for a new animal companion.  She contacted PAWS because she had helped foster some of their dogs in the past.  She and her husband saw Suede’s picture, and they fell in love with him the second Suede dove on top of Carol’s husband.

Suede’s life has now been changed for the better.  He even has a new name: Buddy.  Buddy was named such because he needed to fill many hearts and every member of his new family needed a buddy.  Buddy loves to cuddle and always finds someone’s arms.  Carol says, “[Buddy] will dive on you and bury his head into you thinking like he’s a 3 lb Chihuahua (although he is really a 75 lb Mastiff mix).”

Buddy has definitely found the perfect family.  He is super friendly and loving, and now he has a family to share these traits with.  Carol is very happy and considers herself lucky to have Buddy in her life.  When asked why other people should adopt, she said, “Rescue animals know you are rescuing them.  They are incredibly grateful and appreciative for their second chance.”

We hope this story inspires you to consider adopting a loving animal companion of your own.  If you have a special Happy Tail of a pet featured on the NFW that you would like to share with the followers of the Neighborhood Friend of the Week, please email us at bcyanak@sbcglobal.net

National Day of Prayer

National Day of Prayer

Governor Kasich encouraged Ohioans of all faiths to join together in prayer today by issuing a resolution designating Thursday, May 5, 2011 as an official Day of Prayer in Ohio.  The designation coincides with the National Day of Prayer observed across America on this day.  

“Prayer has been a significant part of my life for many years.  I turn to prayer as a source of guidance, comfort and inspiration, and no matter our beliefs, prayer can serve as a strong pillar of support in our lives.  During moments of great joy or great despair, people of all different faiths look beyond themselves to offer thanks or search for hope.  On this Day of Prayer, I hope we each take a few moments for private reflection to offer penitence, give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy, and strive to find ways to do more for our neighbors, our state, and our country,” said Kasich.

The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 and is observed annually on the first Thursday of May.  On this day, people of all faiths are invited to pray for the nation.

Ward 2 Cleveland City Councilman Zack Reed welcomes people of all faiths to observe the National Day of Prayer in Cleveland City Council Chambers.  The prayer service is from 9am - 10am and open to the public and all denominations are welcomed to attend, pray and reflect.

“Christian, Jewish, Muslim and all faiths can bring about positive changes within our community and across our globe.  I welcome all to join us tomorrow as we pray as one community, one faith," said Reed.

 

Solon Girl Scout Troop Earns Bronze Award with Adoption Care Packages

Solon Girl Scout Troop Earns Bronze Award with Adoption Care Packages

Junior Girl Scout Troop 610 visits Geauga County Dog Shelter this Tuesday afternoon the 5th to deliver eighty adoption take-home packages designed and produced by the Troop.

Troop 610 decided early last year to address animal welfare as the theme for their Bronze Award, the highest achievement for a Junior Girl Scout.  For the past two years, the Troop has been working on the project that culminates with this delivery of packages to be distributed to new owners of adopted dogs.  The Girl Scouts have worked diligently creating the care packages that include a collar scarf, a fleece tug toy and a biscuit.  The 10 and 11-year-old Orchard Middle School girls sewed, braided and baked the items by hand, putting together the packages in time for the Geauga County Dog Shelter’s upcoming adopt-athon.

In addition to satisfying several prerequisite accomplishments, the girls must perform a minimum of 15 hours toward their final project to earn the Bronze Award.  “They have far exceeded the required devotion of time to this cause, which also included discussions of extinct and near extinct animals, a trip to Geauga County’s Rescue Village last March and a recent visit to an Alpaca farm nearby,” states Troop Leader Carol Ward.  “We have spent many meetings with needle and thread in hand, not to mention a recent camping trip making home-made doggie biscuits!”

Several of the Scouts are animal owners; all are concerned animal lovers.  In the coming years, Solon Girl Scout Troop 610 hopes to be able to assist at the shelter - once they reach the minimum age requirement necessary to volunteer!

We’re Halfway There

We’re Halfway There

The goal of the Neighborhood Friend of the Week (NFW) is to help the thousands of abandoned animals in Northeast Ohio find caring homes and forever guardians in which they can share their enormous love and receive love in return.  By featuring four new animals every week, we hope to be the means of helping all those looking for a wonderful animal companion find their new best friend.

On February 1, we issued the NFW Challenge 2011.  We challenged all compassionate Northeast Ohioans to come together and make a difference in the lives of these deserving animals.  We asked for everyone, in any way possible, to help 100 featured Friends of the Week be adopted by the end of 2011.

Last week, with the adoption of Bling, we have reached the halfway point: 50 amazing animals have been adopted.  Thank you very much to all those who have helped find these animals a home. 

However, our job is far from over.  We ask you to please reaffirm your commitment to helping these great animals find the people that will love them and care for them always.  Remember to follow the articles every week, tell your friends and family about the NFW, and let us all join together to make a better and happier world.  After all, saving just one dog or cat will not change the whole world, but it will change that one special animal’s world forever.

New adoptable animals will be introduced every Monday, and all previous articles can be found in the “Pets” section of the Neighborhood sites.  We have 50 more adoptions to go!  We’re halfway there!

Help Fritz Stay Footloose!!!

Help Fritz Stay Footloose!!!

Fritz is in desperate need of your help.  Please read on to see how you can help ensure this great dog a better life.

During the week of December 13, 2010, Fritz was featured as the Cleveland Neighborhood Friend of the Week.  His claim to fame is his amazing, wonderful, and loving personality.  This little guy will actually smile because he's so happy to have a person love him and pet him.  It is tough to find anything bad to say about Fritz.

Fritz’s absolute favorite thing to do is to play, play, play.  Capitalizing on his great agility, he loves to run around outside.  However, give him some tennis balls, and he is set.  Unfortunately, his playful way of life has been threatened, and he needs your help to get the skip back in his step. 

Fritz has always had luxating patellas.  However, his left hind knee cap has slipped out of place and has not corrected itself.  Fritz now requires a knee surgery.  This surgery took place on March 22, 2011, and we are happy to report went well.

Fritz’s surgery and recovery will cost $600.  This goal is within reach.  To date, $415 dollars have been raised.  Please help this guy out so he can continue to chase his toys around pain free.  All excess money raised will go to Fritz’s basic obedience training so he will be even more ready for his forever home. 

Any donation is extremely appreciated.  If you would like to give money to help Fritz, you can donate through PayPal at Fritz’s Petfinder profile: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/17108533

By mail, donations can be sent directly to Havranek’s Rescue at:

       PO Box 35416     Cleveland, OH 44135

Havranek’s Rescue

City display honors military heroes

City display honors military heroes

TWINSBURG, OH - The City administration has created a large, lighted, glass enclosed military display at City Hall honoring our local military service members. The exhibit includes photos and memorabilia of Twinsburg area residents currently on active duty at home or abroad.

At this time, all residents are encouraged to submit a military photo of any family member currently serving in any branch of the U. S. Armed Forces.

Submissions should include: branch of service, rank, HS graduation year, current location (if available to the public), names of local family members, personal quote or information on the service member’s hobbies, sports, etc. Also, Please provide a local contact name and phone number for update and communications purposes.

Submit items to:
Military Display
Twinsburg VFW 4929
9825 Ravenna Road
Twinsburg, OH 44087
email: vfw4929@aol.com
Phone: (330) 425-2752

NFW Happy Tail: Lucy & Loretta

NFW Happy Tail: Lucy & Loretta

NFW Happy Tails:  During the week of November 29, 2010, Lucy was featured as the West Neighborhood Friend of the Week.  Now Lucy has made a new friend: her forever guardian, Loretta.

After Loretta’s wonderful sixteen year old dog from the APL (Animal Protective League) passed away, her daughters decided to help Loretta find another dog that could receive Loretta’s love.  The searching seemed endless; however, one online site changed it all.  Lucy was a perfect match for Loretta.  When Loretta met Lucy, she thought Lucy was adorable.  A happy life for the two of them was about to begin.

Since the adoption, Loretta has found that Lucy has many cute personality traits.  Loretta’s favorite is when Lucy turns onto her back and then proceeds to push herself with her back legs.  Loretta says it looks like Lucy is swimming.  Lucy also jumps into Loretta’s lap whenever Loretta gets home.  What follows is lots of love in the forms of snuggling and petting. 

Lucy has definitely found the perfect Mommy.  Loretta considers herself lucky to have Lucy as a companion and friend.  She says, “For anyone who lives alone and is lonely, adopting an animal is the greatest thing you can do for yourself.  Nothing compares to having a pet in the house.”

We hope this story inspires you to consider adopting a loving animal companion of your own.  If you have a special Happy Tail of a pet featured on the NFW that you would like to share with the followers of the Neighborhood Friend of the Week, please email us at bcyanak@sbcglobal.net