Eva's Page

Nearly eighteen years ago, a group of us gathered together with the goal of building a shelter for homeless cats and dogs. For reasons mostly financial, it never materialized.

Nobody in our group could house the strays, and I wound up doing it--possibly because I had the room and an affinity for animals. Thus it was that a public operation found its roots on private property.

Animals feel safe here. They are housed in kennels with large areas to run in. Their individual (or community) dog houses have straw and cedar shavings for bedding. Once a day I take whoever is here--from 3 to 10 critters--back through the fields and woods to a creek that runs through the property, or we go to the lake. In summer I walk with them, and in winter I cross-country ski.

Once on the trail, dogs race and romp, sniff here and there in the woods, storing up good smells and such to tell each other when they get back home or to dream about when they sleep.

Those who have been here a while know the routine well, but the new ones are hesitant at first, and they keep coming back to me on the trail to touch my hand with their noses to make sure I'm not lost…

If puppies are not big enough to tag along, you have to know how to do the "puppy shuffle", because they like to be right by your feet. Sometimes they get tuckered out and have to be carried on the return trip.

When we reach the water, it's every dog for himself, and much splashing and "dog foolery" goes on. (Did you ever notice that a dog can't shake a wet coat unless he's right next to his person?)

When it's time to return to the homestead, I call, "Come on, troops," and they all fall in line 'cept for some who have to have one last SNIFF! They look forward to a good meal, fresh water, and a nap. Me, too!

The cats that live here have their own "cat house", but at times, it bulges at the seams. We look forward to warm weather when they can roam around the yard and climb trees, and we are forever hoping that someone will come to adopt one or four…

I am grateful to all of you folks who have helped me with donations over the years. It costs so much for vaccine, cat and dog food, kitty litter, advertising--especially those Polaroid films that cost a buck apiece--also vet bills, telephone, etc. I can do the work and furnish the space, but I could never support it. Many thanks!

A new shelter will be built. I am getting weary but will keep at it until I can hand over the reins to others.

Eva