Dear friends,

I think I know exactly how these polar bears feel, I am beginning to feel like one up here in the northern Maine wilderness too. Since we moved here in 1991 it has never been this cold this early. Usually we have to deal with sub-zero temperatures in February, never in November and December. Thank God it’s not quite as bad yet at the Shelter, the 250 miles further south does seem to make a big difference! We also already have an unusual amount of snow, even though we lucked out with  only eight inches. Another town, about 80 miles north from us, Fort Kent, which is the last frontier in Maine had a unbelievable 24 inches dumped on them last week. So I guess I should not complain. I do have a pair of snowshoes, so if the car can’t take the icebergs anymore, I’ll find myself a polar bear and have him pull me through the snow. If it works for Santa with Dasher and all those red nosed guys it should work for me too, or??? Which brings me to Christmas, I hope you had a beautiful and peaceful one. I know for several of our supporters Christmas is a terrible time; they have lost a beloved husband, wife or child. Being alone at this time of the year is a very sad thing. Hopefully next year will bring you some peace too.

Before I go on to the Shelter news: Jim and I have decided to quit Charley’s Strays. Got you. Ha! Only for a month, we will be hitting the warm weather down south again to warm up those old and brittle bones of ours, and to be able to make it through another long miserable cold winter way up here. Of course I will miss you, your phone calls, your nice letters, but in no time we will be back trying to do our part in the never-ending rescue business. To our donors who send their mail up to me; you either can send it to the Shelter, Karen will take care of depositing the money and paying the bills, or you can mail them as before up here and I will take care of it when we come back beginning of February. So please don’t wonder if you don’t get an acknowledgement in the mail, I will be back on track in February. This year is the first time we will be taking our dogs Nikki and Luke along, the last two years they had to stay at the Shelter. After lots of trying to convince Jim that a vacation without my two babies was only half as nice. He gave in. Buddy, the old gent who has been with us since last February has to go to the Shelter. Our vet discovered a half paralyzed air pipe which causes him to have lots of problems breathing when it’s hot, so it would be torture for him in the heat of Florida’s sunshine. Hopefully, he won’t be too mad at us when we return to take him home again.

He will be staying with his daughter Wendy, who still has not found a home. Poor Wendy. I had her photo in a previous newsletter, but just in case you don’t remember what she looks like, I got another one for you:

This photo was taken several years ago. Wendy is now totally gray in her face. She also filled out a little more; part of it is some fatty tissue on one side. The vet said not to bother with taking it out yet, but eventually we probably will have to have it done. Wendy has been at the Shelter since being a little pup, just like her daddy Buddy who came home with us last spring and who has learned how to fit into a family very well. Wendy is spayed, up to date with her shots, and seems to be in good health. She was born in 1993, has at least another 3-4 years left, and would be a very good companion for someone. We would be more than happy to pay any vet bills she may have in the future if the person who adopts her is afraid of the burden she may well be some day, if only we can find her a home. We don’t know if she gets along with cats, since she was never around any. She gets along well with most dogs, but hates others, just like you and I, like some people and dislike others. Here lately she’s been crying after she gets petted and then being left alone in her run. It’s really heart breaking. She needs someone who cares for her awfully bad.

This is Shamus, who’s also looking for a good home. He is close to 2 years old, not a small dog weighing around 70 pounds, and a very sweet guy. He came from “this other Shelter” the one we have rescued several dogs from because they are always being killed and are just a as much mistreated there than they probably where at their so-called homes. Shamus needs obedience training, but he is a fast learner and shouldn’t be any problem to handle. Since the other Shelter keeps no records of their dogs, we have no idea why he ended up there or if he gets along with other pets. But as you know: we would rather have someone give him a try and return him to us if it doesn’t work out than just keep him the rest of his life. And he does deserve a chance with a family; he is way too young to stay with us.

So much for the dog-news, the cat-news follows on the next page, and is written by our cat mom, Mary.

Just a short report, before our cats enjoy their Christmas presents. I don’t open things until Christmas day, but I can tell from the boxes and bags that they have lots of toys, catnip and food to look forward to. The people who gave us Mr. Tom sent a present just for him, as well as some cat litter for everyone, and Karen and Teresa both brought lots of nice things.

It’s been another fairly quiet month. Two of our seniors, Snooks and Kitchen Cat, aren’t in top

shape any more, Both are feeling reasonably well at the moment. I told you last month Kitchen Cat, who’s already on thyroid medication, and Alison were heading for the vet for thyroid checks: Both were normal in that department, but Kitchen Cat has a growth in her abdomen and Alison has an irregular heartbeat. The doctor advised watching both of them, and treating difficulties if they develop. Alison is doing fine. The doctor suggested feeding her more. A prescription Alison appreciates; and she appears to be no longer losing weight and perhaps gaining a bit.

On the younger side, White Peter, the kitten we acquired this fall, was neutered without complications. He’s a very nice little cat, affectionate with people and other cats, sedate and dignified a lot of the time, but able to play silly kitten games when he’s invited. I’d like to find him a good home, but I’d also like to keep him, he’s such a great guy.

I hope all of you, by the time you get this newsletter, will have had a pleasant Christmas and be looking forward to a happy new year.

Most of our donors are older folks; they don’t have much to do with computers. But there is a whole new generation out there who works with the Internet. Because of that, I have been trying for a couple of years to find someone who would help me put together a website about our Shelter, in order to reach out to more people. Several months ago I thought I finally had found someone: a couple whom I had met through the Internet (buying groceries from a German store) invited themselves up to our home for a weekend. They came with their 2 dogs, and really looked and acted like they were interested in helping me with this website. Well, after they left I received a note from the guy telling me that it would cost at least $1500 to set one up for our Shelter. Needless to say your money was not going to be wasted on him

Then a few weeks ago I met another German/American couple at our vet, and last week I met them again at the restaurant friends of ours own in Canada. We exchanged a few words, and “Charley” (what a coincidence, since our founder’s name was Charley also) said he would love to help. Within a week the whole thing was done. The cost: Nothing. Charley will even pay the monthly charge from the web host to keep the website running. So a huge Thank you to Charley!!! Our website is: www.charleysstrays.org.

A big Thank you  to all of the following friends of our animals, who once again helped to pay for the fuel, the electric bill, the never ending vet bills and all the little things which add up so quick and could be bought only with your generous help: