Kathleen came to UVHS as a small bundle in a red sweater. Soon after arriving, Kathleen became very ill. We almost lost her to a very serious viral infection; we had to check her IV every hour to ensure she made it through. The infection left Kathleen with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, but she was too young for the standard treatment.

After many trials with a variety of dietary treatments, UVHS turned to holistic medicine and helped put together a regimen of diet, supplements and even behavior work. After months of care and treatment, Kathleen began to flourish and grew into a wiggly, goofy, and confident black Lab.

When Kathleen was a year old, she met the Flanders. They were very dog savvy and ready for the medical challenges that accompanied Kathleen’s boisterous personality.

After just a month in her new home, Kathleen was visiting the beach, riding in the car, and hiking with her new family. She has two cats to keep her company, and her family takes her where ever they go.

The Flanders committed to Kathleen’s holistic medical treatment and returned to UVHS for training classes. UVHS and Kathleen fought for her life, which the Flanders have now filled with love and happiness.

When we first visited UVHS in October 2008, we came home with a superhero, our adopted hamster, Batman.

We went back to UVHS in November and adopted our new cat, Zephyr. Zephyr, which means “gentle breeze” or “the west wind,” has been a breath of fresh air for us. Since she was the longest resident at UVHS with an eight-month wait for adoption, her new home was refreshing for her, too. Her personality is unique, but she resembles our late beloved 20-year-old cat, Charybdis.

We are very grateful that UVHS was able to take such good care of Batman and Zephyr until we were ready to adopt them. Our Catwoman is interested in our superhero, but Batman remains blissfully unaware of her as he makes his home in his secure habitat.

We look forward to watching them both every day — same Bat time, same Bat channel.
— Justin, Kevin and Cathy Hybels

As winter crept into the Upper Valley, a pair of ducks arrived at UVHS from a family who could no longer care for them. We converted one of our large dog kennels into a duck abode, complete with a makeshift pond. T-Bone and Porterhouse happily quacked at everyone who walked by.

We put the word out about these unique additions, and within a week the Kowalskis came to the rescue. The whole Kowalski family slogged through a snowstorm from their home to UVHS and swept the ducks right out the door.

The ducks moved into a heated henhouse they share with geese, chickens, and a rooster. In warmer weather, they venture outside and bask in the sun.

When the family feeds the platoon, the ducks happily hide behind the geese that fiercely protect the whole flock. The ducks and their fowl family have a pond to frolic in with two friendly family dogs. The Kowalskis’ children collect duck eggs and love watching the ducks waddle among their new friends.

T-Bone and Porterhouse came in from the cold and found the warmth and care of their UVHS friends and a wonderful forever family.

Dear UVHS,

Mazie is a great cat. I could not have asked for a better matched companion. Thanks for all your help. I have a ton of pics…I've attached a few.

Paul D. Casa

Hi Everyone at the Upper Valley Humane Society from Mary and Maggie (formerly Stella) in Wall Township, New Jersey!!

Tomorrow, Jan 14th, we are celebrating “Maggie Day” – because Maggie will have been a part of our family for one year – and what a year it has been! She is sleeping in her bed, curled up next to my desk right now and snoring! We had a full morning on the trails through the woods next to our home – and she’s resting. I can’t believe it is a year already. Maggie has been an absolute joy to have with me at home and at the office. We walk to Nannie and Poppop’s house every morning where Nannie has treats. Maggie has learned to kayak – and sometimes she actually stays in the kayak. Mostly she likes to chase the ducks and the swans. Nightly she’s on watch for that very persistent raccoon who checks out our garbage itinerary. When the raccoon visits, the whole neighborhood is made aware – thanks to Maggie!

She still has noise issues – diesel engines (the mail truck, UPS truck, school buses), and still chases bikes, if they are being pedaled by strangers. Thunder storms, loud fireworks, and starting guns are very traumatic (our office is right alongside the track fields of the local high school). But we try to avoid these things as best we can and love her for her sometimes trying quirks as well as her great qualities. She has so many great qualities – she always wants to be with me, right at my side – she’s gentle with my nieces and nephews – she loves playing tug of war with her rope toys – she meets and greets all of our visiting clients and sits with us in the conference room during meetings (she has her own chair) – she runs in the yard after deer and bunnies and chipmunks and ducks and swans. She’s very curious and hunts like a good hound dog – but doesn’t seem to catch any of those very elusive chipmunks living in the ivy on our back hill (for which I’m thankful).

She loves our vet, Dr. B – we’ve been to see him a couple of times – Maggie chewed the pads of her feet last Spring, she has had some ear infections and lately we have experienced some leaking  - all at separate times, and all seem to be manageable – I’m learning a lot about being a dog Mom. She is very good with the kids – my nieces and nephews are six to nine years old now, and we gradually exposed Maggie to them with caution and they are fine together, we have told the kids to always respect Maggie’s space and they are around her all the time now – they help me walk her, feed her, play with her. Maggie has a cousin, Tye, a 6 yr old yellow lab, who she adores. They play together nicely. I have had some out of town company come to visit with dogs over this past year – and Maggie has been very good with them as well – some small territorial squabbles over the “sacred toy”, but generally – she’s very good with the other dogs. This “sacred toy” is the toy that she brought home from the Upper Valley Humane Society – mind you, she has twenty toys in her bin, and she plays with about half of them, but her absolute favorite one is this rope/stuffed animal toy she came home with – and this thing has definitely seen better days!! We keep the blanket you sent her home with on her bed here at the office. She’s snuggled up in it right now.

She has changed my life – I can’t imagine my days without her. She is absolutely spoiled rotten, and as I say – “It used to be all about Mary – now it’s all about Maggie!” I thank you for her. Keep up the great work. Keep me on your list of supporters, I would be proud to continue our relationship. Sincerely – Mary Hearn

*Photo was taken during Maggie’s time at UVHS.

Dear UVHS,

An update since we have been in our new home.  We are doing great.

[From] Little RC.  They have all of these windows so I can watch the birds and squirrels all day.  The afternoon is nap time with Velma on her pink blanket.  We play in the evening with Pat.

[From] Godric.  I like the high places such as on top of the fridge and they made me a bed in the book case.  I love to run from one end of the house to the other.  I also watch the birds.”

Both cats made the change very easily and we are enjoying them very much.  Thank you again for your help.  Pat & Velma Sprague

*Pictures were taken during Godric and RC’s stay at UVHS.

One sunny day in mid-July, Beth Demers came to UVHS and spent some time watching some of the cats playing in the Community Cat Room. She noticed two large green eyes gazing in her direction. Beth asked the UVHS Cat Team about this timid, petite kitty with the brilliant green eyes.

The cat was named Namatai and had come to UVHS when her previous human had moved into assisted living and could no longer have pets. The Cat Team described Namatai as being “very frightened” upon arrival and needing a home with lots of love and patience. I have lots of love and patience, thought Beth, and she is so beautiful! A couple more minutes, and Beth was smitten.

She had not had a cat in several years, but Namatai convinced her that the time was right. So the pair became a family.

It wasn’t long before the timid Bengal cat Beth first met became comfortable in her new home. Very soon, Namatai was striding confidently from room to room, busily doing “her own thing,” and amusing herself. Calah Beckwith, Head of the UVHS Animal Care team, called Namatai “one of the most active, athletic and vocal kitties I’ve ever met!” Beth agreed. Namatai was soon renamed Magpie (Maggie, for short) because she loves to talk so much!

As for being active, “she plays fetch almost compulsively,” says Beth with awe. (Foam balls only, Beth quickly adds. Maggie will not play with any toys except her foam balls.)

Some people choose a pet. Other times, as we often see at UVHS, the pet chooses the person. Such was the case when cats Henry and Leo, two Siamese/Tabby brothers, found their forever home.

Henry and Leo came to UVHS after being abandoned by their family. They were found wandering together looking for food and trying to get inside people’s homes. Their first few days at the Animal Care Center were pretty nerve-racking for the two brothers. Quickly, the UVHS team realized how much the boys were truly bonded and kept the brothers together. Happier and calmer, very soon Henry and Leo’s fantastic personalities really shone.

Together, the brothers settled into the Community Cat Room, capturing the hearts of everyone they met with their beautiful markings, endearing charm, and profound affection. Yet the days passed as they continued to wait for their new family to come along. When that moment finally came, it was evident to everyone involved.

“They chose me,” says Betsy Dumas. Living on her own, Betsy visited UVHS in search of some feline companionship. She specifically wanted two cats, so they could keep each other company while she was at work. Betsy remembers that she walked into the room, and Leo immediately came right up to her. Henry, of course, was not far behind. As soon as the brothers cuddled up to her, Betsy knew she had found her pair…or, more accurately, her pair had found her!

Dear UVHS, 

We just love our Dooley! You know him as Mandu, and we can’t say enough about how wonderful he is.

We first saw Mandu/Dooley on your web site and were just drawn to his thoughtful-looking face. When we met him, he was definitely handsome (those soulful eyes!) and had a calm, yet “puppyish” demeanor and liveliness. Then we learned his history. Mandu had been adopted from UVHS a couple years previously to a great home. Then his family had to go abroad for several months and made the difficult and selfless decision to take Mandu back to UVHS in order to find this terrific boy a new, stable home. Any dog that could inspire such love was one we wanted in our lives.

When we first brought him home, we were prepared for some adjustment anxiety. Certainly there were a few anxious moments; in the first week alone he ate a dog bed, a towel, and a chocolate/vanilla cake Pam left on the counter. (Don’t worry! The only result was his feeling a bit sheepish!) But overall he settled in quickly. Since then, Dooley has learned some tricks, such as taking a bow, and remains very playful. He will roll onto his back and do a little “wiggle worm” dance until you rub his tummy. What a goof!

Dooley’s absolute favorite thing to do is to perch somewhere up high and enjoy the scenery around him. He manages to find the highest place he can possibly be. The top of the stairs, hills, hay bales—he even sleeps on top of his crate! Dooley and Pam enjoy long walks near Mascoma Beach, and he has found his new favorite place—the lifeguard chair. He will sit in the chair for hours and watch the water. We think he must have the meaning of life figured out by now.

Recently, when we were packing to go out of town for a few days, Dooley sauntered into the room, carrying his dog bed in his mouth. He wanted to come with us! We put the dog bed back and continued packing. A few minutes later, Dooley was back, bed in mouth, staring up at us with his deep brown eyes. Such expression! How could we not love him?

We hope to continue taking UVHS classes with him again soon, maybe even try agility. In the meantime, thank you to all of you at UVHS for helping bring Dooley into our lives. He is an absolute joy!