Archive for October, 2009

Elementary Students Help ECSPCA

Sunday, October 18th, 2009
Ms. Vitullo's Second Grade Class

Front Row: Hannah M., Maddie H., Kylie G., David M., Tori M., Livi W., MacKenzie T., Christopher D., Ali M. and Haylee M. Second Row: Macy T., Jaci K., Katy P., Marcus M., Caleb W., Luke V., Austin M. and Isabelle C. Back Row: Robin V., Rachel F., Chris S. and Nikki W.

MIDLOTHIAN—Second grade students at J. R. Irvin Elementary in Midlothian recently raised several hundred dollars for the Ellis County SPCA.

Teacher Robin Vitullo said the class staffed a booth at the recent Midlothian Fall Fest and promoted the shelter and asked attendees for a donation to help the dogs and cats at the ECPSCA shelter.

“I want my students to be involved in at least three community service projects this year,” Vitullo said. “Several years ago our school, J. R. Irvin raised money and became founding members of the Ellis County SPCA. Every year I have done some sort of fund raiser for them at my school. We have had a kissing booth with one of my dogs, sold bone shaped cookies, collected blankets and toys, and done several other activities.”

Vitullo said that she has even adopted a dog from the ECSPCA and hopes to increase the public’s awareness of the shelter and the great need it has for both volunteers and contributions.

“The SPCA is my favorite charity. I am worried that today’s economy is prohibiting people from giving donations. I want to do what I can to keep the ECSPCA up and running. I know every penny counts,” she said.

Shelter Director Dana White said she is very impressed with the work of these young volunteers.

Class booth at the Midlothian Fall Fest

Hannah M., Christopher D. and Luke V. with Ms. Vitullo and her dog, Allie who was adopted from the ECSPCA

“We are a non-profit organization that relies on donations and volunteers to keep the shelter open and caring for the hundreds of animals that are brought to us,” White said. “We’re honored that Ms. Vitullo’s students chose the shelter for their fund raising efforts. Their work will help us out so much and it will help to pay for the care of the dogs and cats that waiting for a home to take them in. We thank the students very much for what they’ve done for us. We’re proud of all of them.”




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Thumbelina Gets a Home!

Sunday, October 18th, 2009

Thumbelina was brought to the shelter about six months ago as a stray. Once we took her in, we found a big surprise — Thumbelina was expecting a litter. So, soon she gave birth to the cutest, fuzziest kittens that we had seen in a long time, and she cared for her kittens in Dana’s office until they were old enough to be adopted — the office gave her the room and privacy she needed to care for her kittens like a good mother should.

Thumbelina is sweet, loving and playful.

Thumbelina is sweet, loving and playful.

One by one, once her kittens grew up, they were taken in to loving homes, but day after day, no one came for Thumbelina. She had spent nearly half her life at the shelter, but no one seemed too interested in her until one day, Saturday, October 17, a nice family with two children came in to see all the cats that were available, and Thumbelina turned on her charms.

She showed them how much energy she has and how playful she is, and the family couldn’t resist her. And on top of all that, Thumbelina has an impressive quality that not too many cats can claim: she has thumbs! She also likes to put out both of her arms and hug her human pals. She’s very affectionate.

The family spent about 45 minutes with the cats, and Thumbelina won their hearts. Now Dana’s little office friend is going to a nice home for good. We’re so happy for Thumbelina and we wish her and her family well.

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Doggie Thought For The Day

Monday, October 12th, 2009

Inner Peace: This is so true    
      
 If you can start the day without caffeine,
  If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, 
 If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles, 
 If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it, 
 If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time, 
 If you can take criticism and blame without resentment ,
 If you can conquer tension without medical help,
 If you can relax without liquor, 
 If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
 
 Then,

You are probably the family dog!

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Yoshi finds a home!

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Yoshi was brought to the shelter as a stray.  After a thorough examination, he was found to be a Japanese Chin.  Yoshi was clearly someone’s pet; however, his family never came looking for him. 

When I saw him, I knew he didn’t belong with the big dogs, so I took him to foster until I could find him a home.  As soon as I got him home, I realized that this dog had the best personality.  His breed was created for Japanese royalty, and he fits the breed description to the letter.  Very calm, doesn’t bark a lot, likes to be up high (I find him on the back of the couch all the time), gets along well with others.  Anyway, he went to the beauty shop (BowWow Barbers) and got a shampoo and blow dry. 

Now he was ready to find a new home.  I started emailing my friends and my customers about Yoshi, I even started off a webinar with his picture, just hoping that someone would think he was as cool as I thought he was.    Finally, one of my co-workers from Washington DC saw him and called me.  I described his personality and she thought he would be a perfect match.  So, I started sending pictures on a daily basis and calling his new mother to tell her all of the “cute” things he was doing.  Yoshi’s new family is very excited. 

So, Yoshi and I are off to Washington DC in a couple of weeks to start a new life in our nation’s Capitol with Lori, Peter and Annie Turley!  He will fly with me on Southwest Airlines.  I will stay with them for a few days to help the transition process, but it looks like a match made in Heaven!

You can follow Yoshi’s journey by following us on twitter @EllisCountySPCA.

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First Annual Barkin’ BowWow Luau

Monday, October 5th, 2009

On  Sunday, September 27th , the Ellis County SPCA and the Humane Society of North Texas partnered to host a charity event at the Hawaiian Falls Water Park in Mansfield.

  It was a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon and people came from all over North Texas so their furry 4-legged friends could play in the water.  Hawaiian Falls opened it’s “wave pool” and “lazy river” attractions to our wonderful dogs and supporters!  Approximately 350 dogs of every shape, size and breed descended upon the water.  There were plenty of tennis balls, frisbees, and toys to keep them occupied for hours.   Many of our furry friends were wearing bathing suits and life jackets.  At any given time, there was barking, swimming, jumping and good natured fun as the dogs got to know each other.  It was described best as what “doggie Heaven” must be like!

 Everyone played and sniffed and waited patiently as the planned activities of the day began.  There was a costume contest and a dog/owner look alike contest.  The biggest event of the day was the ECSPCA’s first annual Duck Race.  Supporters could buy a duck or ducks that would then race down the “lazy river” to the finish line.  With close to 700 ducks in the race, it was a photo finish.  Our winners took home some fabulous prizes, including roundtrip airfare on Southwest Airlines, 4 Dallas Stars VIP hockey tickets, and a massage by Attitudes Salon and Spa.  Congratulations to first place winners, Frank & Roberta Guy of Waxahachie, second place winner, Jessica Hein of Ovilla, and third place winners, Don & Cindy Hellstern of Ennis.

We got fabulous feedback from the humans that attended, many begging us (no pun intended)  to make this an annual event.   Let’s keep our fingers crossed for lovely weather again next year!

Special thanks to Hawaiian Falls Water Park and our sponsors, Petco, WNI Newspapers, Bow-Wow Barbers, and AT&T, The Real Yellow Pages.  Without you, this wouldn’t have been nearly as successful.

Posted by:  Johnna Wallace

Posted in Event Roundup, News | No Comments »

Barkin’ Bow Wow Luau Roundup

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

This past Sunday, September 27th, the Ellis County SPCA and the Humane Society of North Texas partnered to host a charity event at the Hawaiian Falls Water Park in Mansfield.

It was a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon and people came from all over North Texas so their furry 4-legged friends could play in the water. Hawaiian Falls opened it’s “wave pool” and “lazy river” attractions to our wonderful dogs and supporters!

Approximately 350 dogs of every shape, size and breed descended upon the water. There were plenty of tennis balls, frisbees, and toys to keep them occupied for hours. Many of our furry friends were wearing bathing suits and life jackets. At any given time, there was barking, swimming, jumping and good natured fun as the dogs got to know each other. It was described best as what “doggie Heaven” must be like!

Everyone played and sniffed and waited patiently as the planned activities of the day began. There was a costume contest and a dog/owner look alike contest. The biggest event of the day was the ECSPCA’s first annual Duck Race. Supporters could buy a duck or ducks that would then race down the “lazy river” to the finish line. With close to 700 ducks in the race, it was a photo finish. Our winners took home some fabulous prizes, including roundtrip airfare on Southwest Airlines, 4 Dallas Stars VIP hockey tickets, a massage by Attitudes Salon and Spa,

Duck Race Winners:
1st Frank & Roberta Guy of Waxahachie — duck number 67
2nd Jessica Hein of Ovilla – duck number 531
3rd Don and Cindy Hellstern of Ennis – duck number 213

We got fabulous feedback from the humans that attended, many begging us (no pun intended) to make this an annual event.

Special thanks to Hawaiian Falls Water Park and our sponsors, Petco, WNI Newspapers, Bow-Wow Barbers, and AT&T. Without you, this wouldn’t have been nearly as successful.

Posted in Event Roundup | No Comments »

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