Satin gets a homeNew owner 'just couldn't leave her' after meeting pup at Animal Society By PRENTISS FINDLAY
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Melissa Haneline Satin, an 11-week-old shepherd-chow mix, and her new owner Melinda Hamilton enjoy the back yard of their West Ashley home on Wednesday. Past storyMore people surrendering animals to shelters, published 08/20/08 The camera loved Satin and so did Melinda Hamilton. The page-one pooch pictured in Wednesday's editions of The Post and Courier has a new home with Hamilton, a West Ashley resident. "I kind of missed having a little girl around the house," she said. The love-at-first sight moment happened before newspaper readers got a gander at Satin, a four-month-old shepherd-chow mix who was brought to the Charleston Animal Society by an owner who couldn't take care of her any more. Satin posed for a newspaper photographer Tuesday, then Hamilton stopped by later that afternoon looking for a female companion for her male shepherd-husky mix named McInerney. "When I saw her, I just couldn't leave her," Hamilton said. Satin had the same effect on others who called the Charleston Animal Society on Wednesday when they saw her picture. "Lots of calls. She's just your quintessential mixed-breed dog. Just as sweet as she could be. I think that's what helped her get adopted," said Kay Hyman, the society communications and outreach director. Linus the cat, who also got some front-page ink, is a step closer to finding a home because people called about him, too, she said. Dozens of shelter dogs and cats need a home, including seven hound dogs seized in an animal cruelty case west of the Ashley. More than a dozen of the abused dogs were euthanized because they were in such bad shape. Among other problems, they had serious skin problems, cancer and severe dental disease, officials said. Shelter officials said more people are giving up their pets because of economic problems such as a lost home or job. To help people facing tough times keep their pets, the shelter will have a pet food bank beginning Sept. 2 that will provide a free month's supply of pet food to those in need. The shelter welcomes corporate sponsors of its pet food program as well as individual donations, said Charles Karesh, president of the animal society board of directors. The new shelter on Remount Road can hold up to 300 animals, and it is usually full. It took in 11,000 animals last year, and it is on track to receive 12,000 critters this year. Chickens, a miniature horse, donkeys and waterfowl have entered its doors. During the first six months of this year, the shelter euthanized 2,855 animals compared to 6,537 animals euthanized in all of 2007. Humane killing of a diseased animal is a last resort. In addition to preventing animal suffering, it is a way to reduce the spread of illness in overcrowded quarters. Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@postandcourier.com |
Article tools |
|
Notice about comments: Charleston.net is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Charleston.net does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not charleston.net. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here. |
Comments
This article has 35 comment(s)
Posted by moonpie on August 21, 2008 at 6:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mut.... Irresponsible owners. You know that's an accident when you get a chow mixed with anything!
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am happy for Satin, but is this really newsworthy on this level? Can't they find a more challenging article out there in the Lowcountry somewhere???
Posted by Weeeee on August 21, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me first apologize to any other posters who may get offended by this rant. Moonpie, you need anger management or something. Even a feel good story like this, you HAVE to post something negative about it. Do you just have a horrible attitude on life or something? Gawd. Eat a xanax or valium...or even a whole bottle...for all of us.
Now that that's done, I'm glad Satin found a home. I've been debating adopting a friend for my cat, but the SPCA doesn't really have any cats I bonded with when I went to check things out. The search continues though. I hope Linus finds a home too. Sickens me to see animals put to sleep that are otherwise healthy.
Posted by ysillyme on August 21, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cypress~
Two points: It is refreshing to have the P&C publish a feel good story. Secondly, you are to be commended for going to the shelter and saving animals certainly marked for death, they are indeed a gift from God. BTW this story had absolutely no reference to saggies or Al Parish, or Al Parish wearing saggys.
Posted by LadyRenegade on August 21, 2008 at 8:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
cypress good for you! moonpie, your prejudice is showing, my chow mix is an angel, unfortunately he was an abused angel. He is being worked with and can be around a few people and has no problem as part of my pack of 6 dogs. You're probably one of those who'd like to see all of the pit bulls, shepherds, rotts, chows, you know, all of those big nasty breeds banned, huh? Let the teacup chihuahuas snarl and nip and think that's all cute. Wait did I just paint you with a big brush? Oops! What goes around comes around. wpc3iop a dog of that size should cost no more than $20 a month to feed if fed proper healthy food. I currently have 6 large dogs (german shepherd, lab, golden/chow, border collie, lab/border collie, rott/husky) and it costs me a little over a $100 a month to feed them. I'm not talking Ol' Roy here, I feed them a very high quality pet food.
Posted by Marianne0558 on August 21, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not all chow-chows are bad!
My dog is a rotteweiler/chow/pitt mix and she is the best dog I've ever had. She was rescued from the shelter when I worked there. They were literally about to poke her with the death needle when I pulled her away. She was only 5 weeks old. If you have a puppy (no matter WHAT breed), it is the owner's responsibility on whether the dog turns into a biter, a jumper, or whatever. Parents are supposed to correct misbehaviors of children and ALSO pets. It's called being a responsible owner.
Sheesh. If I didn't know better, I'd have to say you were a mutt too.
Posted by Marianne0558 on August 21, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought the headline of this story said "Satan found a home"
Posted by BerkeleyCo_Mom_of_3 on August 21, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
would have probably been a more interesting story Marianne...but in case you're wondering...I think he lives in Berkeley County.
Posted by RTC on August 21, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL@ Marianne. I'm glad someone adopted that pup. That little face haunted me all day yesterday.
Posted by Marianne0558 on August 21, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RTC-there are about 300 of those faces at the Animal Society..
Be glad you didn't work there. I brought too many animals home that were facing the old death needle.. nursed them back to health and found them homes on my OWN personal time.
Posted by LadyRenegade on August 21, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It has been YEARS of work to get this far with my chow, but I refuse to give up. Admittedly I'm not a very social person (I much prefer my dogs to people) but, if you know aggressives at all (and something tells me you do) you have to have the right person to work with you or it sets the dog back. You cannot set your dog up for failure ever! A fear aggressive dog CAN be rehabilitated but only with the help of someone who will listen and understand that you have to deal with them in a certain way. No sudden moves, don't look at them, and for Christ's sake don't put your face in theirs and start with baby talk (unless you really want that nose job)...
Posted by ysillyme on August 21, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cypress~
There wasn't even
a mention of the mayor of No. Chas. wearing sags...great feel good story on a rainy day.
Posted by Marianne0558 on August 21, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
cypress,
The fact of the matter is that most of the people who abuse animals are the ones who mistreat hunting hounds, dog fighters, and a lot of the time, just people who have that attitude that a "dog is just a dog."
I have had many people turn in their own animals for a variety of reasons and they were bawling their eyes out. Those are the owners who really felt their pets were apart of their families. What's really sad is that when these hurting families have no other choice but to try to give their animal a new, loving home, the shelter forces them to "donate" money and then the animal, 9 times out of 10, is directly put to sleep due to "lack of space."
Posted by mdellolio on August 21, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Weeee,
Good for you in wanting to give a home to another rescued cat that needs a home. You can check out our available cats at www.catnipcottage.petfinder.com
I also get between 12-24 calls daily that I have to turn away from people wanting me to take their cats for one reason or another.
Times are hard for us rescues also. We take the cats the shelter's and vet's cannot place and save them from death, while they wait in a foster home to be adopted.
As they leave, we have space for one more.
Times are hard for us in rescue also. Crumbs don't fall from empty tables, and we get far less publicity. Our cats are fabulous and as deserving of homes.
Perhaps who you've been searching for is also waiting for you at one of our foster homes.
Posted by RTC on August 21, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Marianne, I have adopted from the shelter in the past. I could never work there, as I would want to bring them all home with me. My understanding is that is grounds for divorce. At least that is what my husband wants me to understand. :)
Posted by onevoice on August 21, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope for the new owners sake the SPCA doesn't see this picture of him outside in the yard or they will come haul him away. They think it is inhumain for these "BABIES" (dawgs) to be in a yard.
Posted by RTC on August 21, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I adopted my cat about 6 yrs. ago from the shelter. I have heard horror stories from so many people since then about how they were treated by employees at the shelter. What is up with that? What has changed so much that people are being put through so much trauma to adopt a pet?
We had no problems back then, but too many people have told me that they were put through pure hell when they went to adopt.
Posted by Weeeee on August 21, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Inhumane for a dog to be in the yard? I have a keeshond and a chow mix. They're both full of fur and go outside plenty of times throughout the day in the summer. We keep them inside mostly in the summer for fear that extreme heat will kill them. I have no problem with that because I love my pets.
mdellolio,
I want a friend for my cat. I checked out your link. My cat looks very similar to the cat named "Donny" in your "adoptable pets" section. To be honest with you, I want either this cat or a cat that looks very similar....
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/display...
Posted by Marianne0558 on August 21, 2008 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well when I was doing the adoptions, it was about 30-45 minutes of paperwork and checks that I had to perform. Then you can't even take the animal home until the next day, after it has been fixed (which is a good idea I might add). I guess what has changed is people don't see how $5/hour can equate to all the BS they make you do. They asked me to clean toilets one time--they HAVE a custodial staff. I don't use the toilets (they are awful) so I'm not cleaning them. Especially when they pay someone more than me to clean them.
Management sucked too.
I have seen ALL of the people working there mistreat animals (except for a handful of the employees that actually cared about the animals).
I have also seen some of the employees doing the owner-give-ups, actually pocket the cash that was donated and not log it in.
Corruption is everywhere.
What's worse is what they used to do with the animals PRE-new facility. Haul the bodies into the dumpster so they can rot in the Summer heat, then haul the rotten carcasses to the landfill.
Posted by Marianne0558 on August 21, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
onevoice:
They don't think it's inhumane to let a puppy run around outside. It's inhumane to leave a puppy outside in extreme weather conditions with no shelter or water.
I assume you have been ticketed before..
Posted by mdellolio on August 21, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Weeee,
Donny is still available and is a great boy. He is very, very snuggly & loving. He gets along with dogs and cats very well. Call or email his foster mamma soon to meet him. Her number and email link are at his web page.
Posted by STREETLAW on August 21, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone ask me what I call my dobberman rottwielder chow pit bull mix.
Au contrare, it calls ME!
Posted by onevoice on August 21, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Marianne0558- Never been ticketed, I always keep plenty of fresh water for them, feed and shelter. I have kept there shots up to date, even believe in having them fixed. I just have a son with terrible allergies and I don't like my house smelling like a kennel. I grew up in SC we always had dog's and took very good care of them. It's just that some people forget that they are just animals.
Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on August 21, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We have a Jack Russell. Friends have a Shih-tzu. We've discussed developing a new breed called... Jack Sh*t!
Just kidding, both dogs are "fixed." But we cracked up at our own cleverness!
Ours is a rescue dog, and she's the most affectionate, calm, obedient dog you can imagine.
Here's my favorite dog quote of all time:
"You wonder if dogs go to heaven? I tell you, they will be there before any of us." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
Posted by Marianne0558 on August 21, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To some people, they are just animals. To people like me, our pets become members of our family. I love my dog more than I care about most people I run into.
It's almost cruel to leave dogs outside 24/7 in the summer-even with shade.
Posted by RTC on August 21, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CB, please tell me that you don't dress your dog in clothes like my disgusting neighbor. She thinks that Shih-Tzus are the only breed of dog that should be allowed to live. All it does is bark nonstop when she carries it outside.
It also has a carseat. Gag. Why can't people let dogs just be dogs. They are not stupid dolls that need to be dressed.
One of my other neighbors has a York-Shytz, and yes, it does that alot in my front yard. They wouldn't let me spell it with a "I". LOL
Posted by Weeeee on August 21, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah um mdellolio? I'd like the himalayan in that link I posted or a cat similar.
Posted by Marianne0558 on August 21, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm going to design, make and sell hamster clothing, goldfish clothing, and cat clothing. Bet I'd make a killing.
Oooh, another good idea: Sea monkey clothing!
Posted by RTC on August 21, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CB, I know just what you mean about your daughter not taking care of the dog. My son did the exact same thing when we got him a Golden Retriever. It much prefers his sisters, as they show it all of the attention. My other dog is a rescued Shepherd/Lab mix. My question is what else is thrown into the mix. She's the sweetest dog I've ever owned.
Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on August 21, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do people dress their little dogs? You never see a German shepherd in a sweater with rhinestones spelling out I'M FABULOUS. I once knew a woman who made her Lhasa Apso wear little coats and hats. One day that dog will grab her throat and never let go...
Posted by LadyTarHeel on August 21, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Marianne: Cats wont wear clothes. I tried with my cat and she figured out how to get out of it and brought to me and placed it at my feet. She's a bright one:o)
Posted by melberta on August 21, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am the person who has adopted Satin. Having had dogs for the past 20 years I do know the cost of feeding and caring for a dog - big or little. My dogs do not stay outside. I don't have lawn ornaments I have dogs to love. Of the 4 dogs I have had over the past 20 years 3 have come from the SPCA and one that was living under a church who had been badly abused. They have all lived long, happy, loved lives. They are allowed on the furniture and they sleep on our bed. Satin will be no different. I didn't go out to the CAS with the idea of adopting. We have been taking food to them for a long time and we always look at the dogs. But I have to admit Satin stole my heart. I am thrilled I brought her home and she will be well taken care of and loved.
Posted by JourneyOn on August 21, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Melinda, it sounds like you are a dog's best friend! Thank you for your care and concern and for sharing your home. Bless you.
Posted by moonpie on August 21, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WAIT TILL THE INSURANCE MAN FINDS OUT YOU HAVE A CHOW!
Posted by luvmydogs59 on August 21, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My dogs are not "just animals". My "girls" are treasured members of my family. I have a boxer/pit mix (my "velcro" dog and snuggle bunny), a cattle dog mix (everyone's "mamma") and a sheltie/shepard mix (my dignified lady). Gentlest, most loving dogs there are. Years ago, I had a friend who had a 2 lb. yorkie. This dog would rip your face off, she was nasty as hell. The dog I had at that time was scared to death of her and she outweighed that yorkie by a good 45 lbs. I know a lot of people with pits, chows, rotties, etc. and their dogs are wonderful! They were raised with love and care and that makes all the difference in the world!