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The Animal Welfare Society is fortunate to have a Mobile Adoption Team that works with Shelter Dogs on a one to one basis. This includes bringing animals to events, through shelter Obedience Classes and in some cases, providing a foster home until a forever home comes along. The primary focus is Long Term Residents who have been at AWS for 8 weeks or longer. This enrichment program is a way to keep the spirits of the dogs buoyed and most certainly enhances their adoptability. The following are excerpts from notes to AWS known as MAT's Musings! Enjoy!
More Musings...
Well, this is what happens when Hound Hazen is left to her own devises. This MAD MAT member is what volunteering at AWS is all about. First, to back up. A call went out for one, anyone to go to The Kennel Shop at Mill Creek. Beth was the first one to respond. The only one to respond. That was what the Hound Gods had in mind for Beth and Stella.
 Beth and Stella waved good bye to Astrid as they left the shelter and drove to South Portland. Stella is a quiet, reserved hound who needed about twenty minutes to figure out that the place she was at had friendly people there. People who loved animals. People who wanted to meet Stella and make friends. Experience with Pointers was key in Hound Hazen’s next move. No vest. Sit with Stella on a blanket and keep her comfortable while people came to meet this super slim dog.
There was a couple who took a very special interest in Stella. They visited with her. Stella, who is normally cautious around men immediately greeted this man, no hesitation. The couple already had three Golden Retrievers at home. Practical dog owners and obvious shelter dog lovers this anonymous couple bought the biggest bag of Blue Buffalo dog food in the store and gave it to Beth and Stella before they left the store. The food was for Stella to have and enjoy at the shelter or go home with her to her new family, whichever came first.
Thank you for that heartfelt donation. Hopefully you are reading this musing and keep reading. Karma. Good Hound Karma was on the way. . .
Stella was getting her groove, but Hound Hazen needed to get Stella back to the shelter. They said good bye to our friends at The Kennel Shop and Beth drove home. Karma didn’t just tap Hound Hazen on the shoulder. It beat her over the head. Beth took a detour on the way back to the shelter. Her neighbors had adopted Anya, a hound, from AWS, a few years ago and always are up to meeting another deserving hound. Well, Stella pulled at their heartstrings, but these people knew of a perfect family for Stella. In an unusual move, Beth, Stella and Beth’s neighbor drove a few houses down, in true Mobile Adoption style, and Beth’s neighbor brought some friends out to meet Stella.
 Kismet!!
The match was made as it was meant to be. Stella visited with her new people. Everyone got a tour of the house. Stella felt so at home she went upstairs and checked out every room in the house. Back downstairs Stella looked at the inground pool. She looked up at her people. Yes, her own chaise lounge was promised. All that was left was the paperwork. Beth, Stella and her new family put the shelter formality on a match that was already meant to be.
Many thanks to all those who were part of this very special day for Stella!!
Congratulations to Hound Hazen for her second Hound placement via The Kennel Shop Mill Creek.
MAT will be doing double duty July 17, 2010 at the Alfred Festival from 8:30-10 and from 12-2 and also be at Pet Quarters in Scarborough from 11-1.
The night time is the right time for the AWS canines and MAT!
Friday, July 2, 2010 everyone permed their hair with Toni, teased it with combs, pulled it back in a pony tail or slicked it back with some Vitalis. Poodle skirts were cleaned and pressed. T-shirt sleeves rolled up with packages of cigarettes in them. The classic drop tops were shined up with the tops down and parked on Beach Street in Ogunquit ready for crusin’ later and the music was playing. All to benefit the residents at AWS. Thank you to all those who participated and donated. The hard work paid off with more than $2,100 raised for the shelter residents!
AWS canines joined their fundraising fifties friends decked out in their own poodle skirts and fifties garb. Milo and Roberta, Sasha and Bill, Norm and Beth, Marilyn and Eric and Pat and shelter alumna Cha Cha all enjoyed stepping back in time at The Village Food Market to show the rest of the world that like classic music, cars and clothes, dogs never go out of style.
The dogs and handlers enjoyed the attention of all the visitors who attended. Many were from out of town, but were nonetheless drawn to the comfort of the dogs. The emcee showcased each dog in the courtyard in front of Fancy That. In an hour and a half the dogs were too pooped to party. Their handlers happily obliged their canine companions and
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 the dogs and handers were ready to Bar-B-Que all for a good cause. The nice folks at Congdon’s in Wells held a benefit for the Sadie Fund, a fund dedicated completely to the medical care of the animals at the shelter, especially those who need a little extra help. Thank you!! After all the ribs, chicken and barbeque sauce were served up more than $ 1,200 dollars was raised to assist in the medical care for all the shelter residents!
Beth always wonders why Astrid shies away from taking puppies to events. Yes, they’re cute. They have puppy breath. They are a lot of fun to play with, handling the little cuties is much different than adult dogs. Knowing Beth and Roberta were up to the challenge, they brought Flossie and Dusty to the event. Beth refrained from going with a donut, pastry or barbeque theme in the vest department, but she did dress Flossy in a lovely lemon outfit and changed her to a souped up AWS t-shirt.
Flossie, a very cute Dachshund mix, was carried, with permission, around to various diners most of the time. Beth fell in love, but did remark that Flossie was smaller than her cats, so if only she was larger. . . but, there were plenty of people who thought Flossie was one of the cutest puppies going. Until. . .
Dusty, the cute Walker Hound mix puppy made the rounds in his cowboy vest. The fringe. That’s what it was. That and the denim. Brought out the hound in him. He strutted around making the fringe flow and bounce. Roberta had her hands full with all the people asking about puppies and hounds. Good work!!
Emile made her 2010 MAT return with Eddie, a Jack Russell terrier. Eddie is more reserved than the puppies and wore an Adopt Me bandana. He enjoyed visiting with people and reminded everyone that age is a number. Eddie’s only ten but has plenty of enthusiasm for riding! If you’re looking for a co-pilot when you’re running errands, and the weather allows, Eddie is your man! Emilie only had good things to say about Eddie. He made an appearance inside to visit with some of the benefit supporters who loved him.
Dalilah, another hound entry, Basset variety was sporting the pink camo vest. Beth couldn’t resist a pink flower to attach to Dalilah’s collar. With some coaxing, this was Dalilah’s first barbeque by the looks, she and Astrid walked around and visited. Basset hounds always draw a crowd with their wrinkles and long ears.
Bill and Sasha were there too. Sasha was her usual reserved self and let Bill take the lead as far as the visiting went. They were inside, outside, everywhere.
Astrid needed to get back to the shelter to help Amy with a puppy class, but everyone else stayed and stayed and stayed. They stayed till the last rib was eaten! They didn’t get back to the shelter till almost eight. The event was only till seven. Curfew ladies! Amy and Astrid heard all about what happened after hours, so to speak.
Emilie, Roberta and Beth updated Amy and Astrid on the end of the event. Just like After the Catch on Deadliest Catch, well, this was After the Barbeque at AWS. Everyone blamed the puppies for the lateness. Couldn’t tell time. Nice try, but it sounded like after the last group of people at the benefit finished eating they couldn’t resist visiting with the dogs. Just as well. Dusty may have hit the jackpot. Keep your ribs crossed. All the dogs were tired. They’re waiting now, expecting really, to go out a couple of nights a week. That’ll keep MAT on their toes!
Join MAT for their next visit Saturday, July 10, 2010 from 11-1 at The Kennel Shop at Mill Creek.
How does MAT beat the heat? Water of course. The best place to find water was at the Dock Dogs event at The Kennel Shop in Scarborough. AWS had an information booth set up which was manned by Carol Carey, Chester (her Chocolate Lab) and Carol’s two granddaughters. There was lots of foot traffic all morning according to the Carey’s.
 A lot of thought went into which shelter dog to bring to this event. The decision to counter a royal visit by Prince Harry to New York City this weekend was made, AWS style. Bring Princess to Dock Dogs!! Princess treated herself like royalty on the ride up. She sat in Astrid’s lap. No squirming, no snuggling, just sitting there. All she wanted the warmth and comfort of a person. Astrid, as she has so often done, tried to explain the distracted driver law to Princess, while keeping her own hands at ten and two. When Her Royal Highness was so moved, Princess went back to the back seat and not before. Whew, no Troopers were the wiser.
There was little fanfare for Princess when she arrived. Everyone at the AWS booth said hello. The AWS booth was right next to Chihuahua Rescue. Astrid decided to take Princess on tour. They stopped at lots of booths and everyone wanted to know what kind of a dog Princess was. Malinois? Dingo? A Shepherd mix of course. There were lots of interesting comments. Princess warmed up to women especially.
Sasha, another interesting mix, Akita and something short haired, came with Bill McGovern and Kathy the AWS Volunteer Coordinator for the one to three shift. Carol and Chester were very happy to see them because they were competing in the Dock Dogs competition at one thirty.
Princess, Astrid and the young Carey’s all lined up to watch for Carol and Chester. One of the girls was filming. Princess used her nose to try to help get the best possible angle. Well, maybe Princess needs to take a few more filming classes. Chester and Carol did very well. The first jump was 8 feet four inches and their second jump was ten feet four inches. There was an unusual entrant, a Bernese Mountain Dog. He was only one hundred and twenty two pounds. He did an excellent job having fun.
 Sasha worked the crowds. She visited and visited some more.
Princess showed off her ability to learn and learn quickly. Astrid taught her a trick! Take a bow! Princess learned that in no time and showed everyone she visited with her new trick. Princess is extremely treat motivated and intelligent!! When you come to visit with her at the shelter make sure to have her take a bow when you’re outside!
After watching Carol and Chester, visiting with all kinds of folks, including a retired K-9 officer who really liked the looks of both Princess and Sasha, Princess’ shift was over and she and Astrid left Sasha, Bill and Kathy to keep up the good work at the event.
MAT will be making two very special evening appearances in the next week. Friday, July 2 from 7-8:30 p.m. join MAT and adoptable AWS canines in Ogunquit for a Poodle skirt fundraiser. Don’t worry Beth, the MAT costume mistress, has fifties appropriate vests for our dogs. Then Wednesday, July 7 the good folks at Congdons will be hosting a barbeque benefit to benefit the Sadie Fund, a fund devoted 100% to medical care for shelter residents, from 5-7 p.m. The AWS canines will be there in full force at this event too. Don’t miss these two very special evening appearances by MAT.
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