Year: 2022

An Amazing Dog’s Legacy of Love: Bodj’s Story

May 18, 2022

By Judy Layne

It’s said that pets come into our lives to teach us about love. The steadfast unconditional undying kind of love. We open our homes and hearts to them, and they become cherished members of our families. For a brief time on this earth, we have a loyal friend who never doubts or judges us….. a faithful soul who never wants to leave us.

But leave us they must. And when they do, it’s devastating. And while the joy they brought has vanished, the love they gave us never dies; it becomes a part of us forever. And what better way to honour the life and memory of our treasured pet than by sharing that love with others.

This is the story of Bodj, a beautiful German Shepherd. For 12 years, Bodj shared her love, enthusiasm, and zest for living with her family. She was a true social butterfly, rejoicing in being with other dogs and in meeting new people. When Bodj’s dad Sir Paul was diagnosed with ALS, she went above and beyond to comfort him. He shared some of his favorite memories of this amazing girl with me.

“Bodj was my last ‘Canine Companion.’ She came to me at five months of age, to be greeted by Cheeba – my official Canine Companion at the time. Sadly, Cheeba was dying from cancer. They bonded instantly, as if Cheeba said… “I only have a short time left, and this what you need to know.” Everything from how to anticipate a problem that could hurt my human to how to find a hidden toy under two feet of snow. Within 16 days, Cheeba passed away, knowing she had done the best she could do. Bodj never failed in that trust.

Bodj saved my life on four documented occasions. I am a disabled military veteran and on occasion, I stop breathing. Once, Bodj found me on the floor and started jumping on my chest and continued until my Medical Attendant (MA) returned. She had not been trained to do this but had witnessed my MA perform this procedure! On other occasions, at night for example, she anticipated problems, woke my wife for medical intervention, intervened directly by nudging me to take medication or fetched my MA either by barking or by grabbing hold of their pant leg and tugging them to follow her!

Bodj also completed the Canadian Kennel Club ‘Good Neighbour Program’ with the highest performance level seen by judges in the program! She received no pre-training for this program, we just registered her and Bodj did the rest. After the judging, Bodj appeared to be smiling as if to say “Didn’t I do good?!”

Bodj brought much joy and laughter to our lives. Her favorite game was two-fold. She would find a piece of rope (the thicker the better) and wait for you to tie it into knots (the more knots the better), then she would find an “approved” (by her) area of floor and untie each knot. On completion, she would go outdoors and hide the rope for us to find. Failure to go outside to look for the rope meant “punishment” for her humans, because playtime involved ALL people present. The punishment was Bodj sitting next to her humans and barking, moaning or making other appropriate dog noises until the humans went and found the rope!”

Bodj’s mom Doreen shared her deep love for Bodj below.

“Bodj crept into our hearts and souls in a way no other dog had done. As the years progressed, we realized how important and necessary she was to us. A friend once told me “Dogs make people better people.” Bodj was proof of this … not only with us but with acquaintances and friends. We watched with concern as she aged and became infirm. Still, her zest for life continued even as her world shrunk to just around our property. If something was happening, she had to be there to supervise.

Inevitably, we reached the point of saying good-bye…… a heartache deeper than any we had previously felt (and we have had many fine dogs in our lives). We could not let Bodj’s life go unacknowledged. Her loyalty, love and complete commitment to us were stellar. It needed to be recognized.

We looked for a meaningful way to honor Bodj, her caring spirit and intelligence, yet be of practical use. What better way than to help those who choose to make animal care their life’s work? What better vehicle to help reach this goal than the SPCA who so tirelessly work with unwanted and abused animals? Bodj would approve.”

Inspired by Bodj’s love and loyalty, the family started a scholarship in her memory. Each year, a dedicated student pursuing higher education centered around animal care will be awarded $500 towards their education. Launched in 2021, Kaitlin Coles was the first recipient. The 2002 scholarship application window opened in March and the deadline to apply is June 30, 2022.

To find out more about the Bodj von Grunfeld® Scholarship or to apply for this amazing opportunity, click here. If your pet left paw prints on your heart and you would like to explore the establishment of a scholarship in their memory or leaving a gift in your will to honour them, please reach out to the Nova Scotia SPCA for help.

 

 

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

Brenda – The Fabulous Fundraiser

April 28, 2022

By Taylor Huestis

When you think of volunteering for the SPCA, what activities come to mind? Maybe cuddling baby kittens or taking dogs on nice, long walks.

While all volunteering is amazing and extremely valuable, one form is often forgotten.

Fundraising.

The Nova Scotia SPCA is proudly no-kill and will tackle difficult medical and cruelty cases. Antibiotics, surgeries, and emergency veterinary treatment are expensive… especially for a charity with no government funding for our shelters.

Fundraising is crucial to ensure hurt and homeless pets are saved. Sadly, there are always more. But thankfully, there are fabulous fundraisers, like Brenda Bell, to help.

“I wanted to make a difference in the lives of animals,” Brenda shared. “It saddened me to hear about the thousands of stray and feral cats living on the streets and the hundreds of animals that are euthanized every year. I wanted to do what I could to reduce those numbers and help those animals in need. I wanted to be that voice for them.”

“I started helping with the yard sales,” remembered Brenda. “I was asked to take over the SPCA Christmas fundraiser and then in 2011, I started the Sponsor-A-Kennel program. I agreed to do these two fundraisers in spite of the fact that I knew nothing about fundraising.”

But Brenda is very humble. Over the last 12 years, these two fundraisers have raised $370,000.

For the holiday fundraiser, Brenda is quick to credit this achievement to her team leaders, Judi Bell and Linda Stewart, and the rest of the volunteers who work the tables. “If it wasn’t for Judi and Linda, this fundraiser would not be the success that it is today,” Brenda beamed. “Together we prepare and collect all the inventory to sell at the tables and manage all the volunteers that come out to work at the tables.”

“I feel touched when people show up every December to volunteer at our Christmas tables or donate something for us to sell at the tables,” Brenda continued. “As challenging as it is sometimes to bring everything together, it always works out. We always find someone to fill that shift. Maybe it’s divine intervention. Whatever it is, I am truly grateful for it.”

The hustle and bustle of the holiday fundraiser also brings memorable moments.

“A favourite memory that I have of volunteering was at the Christmas fundraiser,” Brenda recalled. “We had a therapy dog named Roc. He was a St. Bernard. One day this beautiful, young girl (maybe 13) and in a wheelchair and hooked up to IV came over to see Roc. She held Roc’s large head in her tiny hands and they both stared into each other’s eyes. It was truly magical to see how happy Roc made her feel when it was obvious she was very sick.”

It’s moments like this that keep Brenda pushing and so giving of her time. On top of the holiday fundraiser, Brenda also manages another fundraiser.

“The Sponsor-A-Kennel fundraiser is where I call all current sponsors or solicit new sponsors and ask them to renew or sponsor a new kennel,” she shared. “For their $365 donation, they get a plate on one of our kennels and we send them a certificate of appreciation in the mail. I love the sense of accomplishment I feel whenever I sell that kennel sponsorship.”

“Raising this much-needed money for the Nova Scotia SPCA makes me feel like I am at least doing something to help animals in need,” Brenda explained. “It may not be much when you look at the big picture but if all of us do a little – host a bake sale, host a party and ask everyone for a donation to the Nova Scotia SPCA, donate, volunteer, foster – it can all make a difference.”

Brenda is 100% right. Everyone can use their talent and time to find fun ways to give back. It’s lifesaving for pets… and it can be life-changing for you.

“I love volunteering for the Nova Scotia SPCA,” Brenda exclaimed. “In fact, I love it more than my paid job.  It is so satisfying to know that the money I help raise actually saves lives. I love that the Nova Scotia SPCA is a no-kill shelter. I love that I get to meet amazing people who love animals as much as I do. Well, almost!” 😉

Taylor Huestis

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Bonnie and Boy. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local animals in need. Connect with Taylor at thuestis@spcans.ca or 902-222-0378 today.

Fostering Pets in a Pandemic

April 28, 2022

By Taylor Huestis

You may have heard stories that more pets were quickly adopted during the pandemic. But that wasn’t the case at the Nova Scotia SPCA.

When the lockdown hit, adoptions were actually paused for six weeks. When we were able to reopen, public health protocols led to a more involved application process. Because of this, families who adopted were really ready for the long-term commitment.

Animals continued coming in as normal. Only now… we had to figure out a way to manage the health risks in our small spaces.

Thankfully, the one big rise we experienced was one we desperately needed… more fosters.

Animal shelters and rescues often rely on fosters to help care for pets who need extra TLC or are too young for adoption. The SPCA provides all the supplies and fosters open their hearts and homes until the pet is ready for their new family.

Like many first-time fosters, Lindsay Reynolds started during the lockdown. And she hasn’t stopped. In fact, she has fostered 16 pets for the Pictou County SPCA now!

“We began fostering at the beginning of the pandemic,” Lindsay recalled. “I figured we’d all be home a lot more so why not? It’s always been intriguing to me but I didn’t know what all was involved. When I looked closer into the process I saw it was very doable!”

Fostering frees up space at the shelter and sets pets up for success, but it also has a lot of perks for foster families. One of those is having the opportunity to test out pet parenthood. If you love animals, but you’re not sure you’re ready for the full responsibility of a pet, fostering gives you a flexible experience.

“My middle boy wanted a cat SO BAD,” shared Lindsay. “So, fostering was my middle ground.”

Another big perk is the amazing memories you make and the lessons you learn.

“Getting to know their different personalities, wants and likes, there is no one-size fits all way of taking care of any creatures,” Lindsay explained. “They have taught me about patience and going at their pace. Comfort comes from trust, and trust from consistency!”

“Any time the kittens were big enough to explore a bit is a special memory,” continued Lindsay. “Especially when they decided our dog Lucy’s big fluffy tail is the best hiding spot/climbing wall in the house.”

And the best part of all? When you foster, you can see the difference you’re making.

“You can feel how important it is when those little creatures curl up next to you fully relaxed, not worrying about being in a strange place while they wait for their fur-ever homes,” Lindsay smiled. “This whole process is so rewarding. It feels weird to even be thanked! I’m the luckiest volunteer ever! I get to cuddle with kitties, and one old gentleman puppy, all the time! It is the easiest work ever!”

 

 

Taylor Huestis

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Bonnie and Boy. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local animals in need. Connect with Taylor at thuestis@spcans.ca or 902-222-0378 today.

Volunteer Spirit Runs in This Family

April 20, 2022

By Judy Layne

Volunteers are the backbone of the Nova Scotia SPCA; the organization could not do its life-saving work without these selfless dedicated individuals. April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month and we wanted to take this opportunity to honour and applaud the work of all our amazing volunteers throughout the province.

I caught up with Paula Hasler, a loyal SPCA volunteer for over 15 years! Paula shared “I joined the SPCA team because of my strong belief in the organization and its mission. Over the years, I was happy to do whatever was needed, whatever would help. I served as team lead for dog walkers, did laundry, picked up donated dog food and participated in most fund-raisers – anywhere it would take us. It was particularly exciting for me when it was announced that a Kings County Thrift Store would become a reality and to be able to help bring that dream to life.”

Paula’s involvement started while the Thrift Store was under construction. She was literally on the ground floor of this important initiative. And she enlisted the help of her entire family in the labour of love to bring the Thrift Store to fruition. “My daughter Shannon and son-in-law Mark did many hours of needed prep work – painting, cleaning and putting up shelving units,” related Paula. “My husband Dave and son Ryan also joined in during the grunt work stage of things. Once the store was up and running, Shannon and Mark became familiar faces with Shannon accepting donations, sorting and on cash. Mark was busy in the back sorting, testing our electronics, audio equipment, toys and games.”

The volunteer spirit definitely runs in Paula’s family. She explained “For us, the Kings Thrift Store has become a family affair. I raised our children to feel empathy and respect for animals, as I believed this important life lesson would help them become the best adults of tomorrow. Children who are kind and gentle to animals are more likely to be respectful and empathetic to people.” Paula continued “Shannon and Mark were also very active volunteers at the Kings Shelter, but unfortunately with the advent of Covid, they had to take a step back as Shannon works in healthcare with vulnerable people and couldn’t risk being infected.”

Paula noted that “Every day at the Thrift Store is new and exciting. Greeting and meeting our loyal customer base is amazing, as the majority of our clients are animal lovers themselves. We get to meet their current pets, hear about the beloved pets they have lost and share in their passion for their animals. In addition to day-to-day store operation, I love participating in store events like setting up displays, helping with in-store fund-raisers like bake sales and lottery ticket sales.”

Community support for the Kings Thrift Store is strong. “We are very fortunate to have the support of a local hardware store that generously donates their write-offs to us for resale,” Paula explained. “I make weekly and sometimes bi-weekly trips to pick up these goods and bring them to the store. Their generosity is a tremendous boost to our financial bottom line every month.”

Ask any volunteer and they’ll tell you how rewarding the experience is. Paula is no exception. “Volunteering at the SPCA’s Waterville Shelter and now at the Kings Thrift store has been a very rewarding venture,” she beamed. “It has provided me with a natural sense of pride and identity and is a boost to my self-esteem and life satisfaction, knowing I am contributing to my local community. Volunteering also brings together a diverse range of people from all walks of life, creating new and wonderful friendships.  It makes my heart smile to know we’re helping animals in the community.”

Paula encourages everyone to consider volunteering at one of the Nova Scotia SPCA’s four Thrift Stores in the province. “If you want to work in a fast-paced environment, meet new people, learn new skills, be part of a great community and make a difference in the lives of homeless animals, grab a volunteer application the next time you’re at the Thrift Store or apply online – you won’t regret it!”

 

The SPCA always needs volunteers to join the Thrift Store team.  If you’re interested in putting your paw up to help by volunteering at one of the stores, learn more here.

 

 

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Gracie. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

Caring Heart, Caring Hands

April 20, 2022

By Judy Layne

It’s been said that volunteers are ordinary people with extraordinary hearts. They offer the gift of their time and talents to teach, to listen, to help, to inspire, to comfort, to build. They expect no pay but the value of their work is priceless.

Mary MacIsaac has always had a caring heart. She spent her career as a Registered Nurse, caring for people. In 2018, she left nursing and found she missed the caregiving role that was a large part of her identity. Mary shared “I was going through a personally difficult time in my life and felt I needed to do something that would allow me to get outside of myself and do some good along the way. I’ve always loved animals so volunteering with the Nova Scotia SPCA was a natural choice for me.”

Mary began her volunteer journey with the SPCA by serving in various capacities at the Colchester shelter.  Working alongside staff, she fulfills a weekly shift that focuses on animal care. Mary related “On my day at the shelter, I do loads of laundry and tons of dishes. I’ve learned the hard way to wear old clothes since a lot of bleach is required to keep the animals and their environment clean and healthy. I come home smelling like bleach every Thursday,” she laughed.

Volunteering is personally rewarding. Mary remarked “I enjoy being at the shelter. The folks that work there are so dedicated; they go above and beyond for the animals every day. They are always willing to share their knowledge with me so I can learn and provide the best care I can. I can’t say enough good things about them and they are lots of fun.”

Mary’s shelter experience led her to become a foster fur-mama. Since 2018, Mary has fostered a remarkable 50+ cats and kittens! “On stormy nights, I feel good that my foster fur-babies are safe and cozy with me, as opposed to being strays outside,” shared Mary. “And although it’s hard to say good-bye to my fosters, I am happy to play a role in helping them learn to trust humans and in giving them a good start in life. I know they’ll be adopted into wonderful homes. I also know that there will be another kitten waiting in the wings that will need me.”

Among Mary’s fosters were two senior kitties – Robbie and Gizmo – with health issues. “These two boys definitely needed me most. Little did I know that they would become ‘foster fails’ and turn into permanent members of my family!” chuckled Mary. Several of Mary’s fosters were adopted by close friends. She explained “Folks met them when visiting and fell in love immediately. It’s wonderful to receive a steady stream of updates and photos showing the kitties thriving. They are clearly living their best cat lives.”

Every foster cat has their own special story. Mary related “Captain and Feather were part of a large litter that were in ill health, requiring daily meds and syringe feeding. They were the slowest to recover and were with me for 5 months. I receive regular updates and pics from the wonderful family who adopted them – together! Feather is now a beautiful young lady and Captain went from a frail sickly kitten to a grey lion who looks like Simba in The Lion King. And my most recent foster kitten just left for her forever home in Ottawa by 18-wheeler!”

Mary sums it up perfectly. “People tell me all the time that they couldn’t do what I do, but we are all stronger than we think we are. Any tears and sadness are more than offset by the joy, fun and satisfaction of helping babies get off to their best start and giving other animals a safe happy place to live while waiting for their fur-ever homes. I’ve met some great people and animals through my SPCA journey and am sure to meet more.”

 

With thousands of abused, neglected, injured, homeless animals to care for annually, there is much work to be done and never enough hands. Please consider becoming a volunteer and make a difference in these animals’ lives. There’s a wide range of opportunities to engage and inspire you.  Check them out here.

 

 

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Gracie. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

From the Streets to Social Media Star

March 23, 2022

By Judy Layne

On May 28, 2020 SPCA Enforcement Officers were driving back to the shelter when they spotted a stray cat. The cat was very thin and had a huge wound on his face. He had clearly lived a hard life on the streets. He was brought to safety at the shelter and was rushed in for emergency veterinary care. Shelter staff named him Champ.

Medical care was the first critical step in 7-year-old Champ’s recovery. His wound scabbed over and healed but his right eyelid was permanently turned up. It was also discovered that Champ had feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), likely caused by previous trauma. Champ needed to heal emotionally too. Over the next week, staff and volunteers showered him with love and attention and worked hard to re-build his trust of humans. It was decided to place him in a loving foster home where he would be more comfortable while he recovered.

Champ’s foster fur-mom Lesli cared for him for six months. Then on November 10th, Champ’s wish for a loving home came true. Valerie Hemeon and her fiancé Jamie Lechmann were on the SPCA “Adoptables” webpage and Champ was the first kitty listed. Val shared “You could say it was love at first sight. Something about Champ drew us in – we knew he had a story to tell. While some people may search for a ‘perfect’ cat with no ‘issues,’ we took one look at Champ and decided that his wonky eye made him special and unique, and he deserved a loving home like any other pet.”

“When we met Champ for the first time, we had an immediate strong connection and we knew that he was the perfect fit for our family,” said Val. “The SPCA gave us excellent information on how to take care of his eye and his dietary needs due to FLUTD.” Then Champ was off to his new home.

“It took a few weeks for Champ to adapt to his new surroundings and to us,” related Jamie. “Vestiges of his life on the streets were evident. He was very scared of jackets, loud noises and people standing over him. But Champ settled in quickly in other ways. His foster family told us that Champ loved to drink from the sink. We didn’t really think much of it until we brought him home and then a few hours later, we couldn’t find him until we checked the bathroom and there he was, sitting in the sink waiting for the tap to be turned on! We couldn’t contain a little laugh and thought it was so cute how he knew exactly where to go for water. Since then, we find Champ in or by the sink asking for his tap water every single day!”

Champ’s eye doesn’t cause any problem with his vision, but he does need daily eye drops to prevent his eye from drying out.  “He takes the eye drops very well, like a ‘champ,'” Jamie chucked. “He doesn’t even need to be held to put the drops in. Because of his FLUTD, we feed him at specific times of the day to prevent any blockages in his urinary tract.”

Champ is definitely living his best life. Val shared “He absolutely loves going outside (under supervision). When we don’t have time to take him for a drive or to the park down the street, we allow him ample ‘screen time’ – opening the window so he can feel the breeze and watch the birds. He also enjoys playing with his toys and sprawling out with us for a good movie.”

Champ’s foster family played a huge role in setting him up for success, and they still have a presence in his life. Val explained “Lesli actually found us on TikTok and that’s how we connected. She kindly sent us photos of Champ while he was in her care. We live in Waterloo, ON now but we visited with Champ’s foster family when we were home for Christmas. Lesli was really excited to see Champ again and we plan to visit with them every time we’re in Halifax.”

Champ has won many hearts. “He’s called ‘Handsome Man’ in our home,” said Jamie. “It’s really just to let him know how special and beautiful he is.” Last year, the couple decided to create a TikTok account for Champ and today, he is a social media superstar with over 1,900 followers! “We set up the account to share the wonderful world we live in with Champ. We hope it will inspire people to give cats with unique characteristics and older cats a second chance at happiness.”

November 10, 2021 was Champ’s one-year adoptiversary. Val stated “We are so grateful that Champ came into our lives. He has brought us much joy and laughter and we are creating many special memories together. Champ definitely repays our love many times over. He’s also incredibly supportive. I had knee surgery in April 2021 and he never left my side the whole time I was recovering.”

The couple’s final thoughts? “Sometimes, the ‘perfect’ pet doesn’t fit the ‘norm,’ but that doesn’t mean they are less deserving of love. Champ’s imperfections make him perfect!”

 

Click here for a link to Champ’s TikTok account. Check out some of his awesome pictures and his wonderful adventures: @Champtherescue

Thanks to you, Champ is living his happily-ever after. Please help other animals like Champ by donating today.

 

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Gracie. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.