Monthly Archives: February 2017

Volunteering: Fun, rewarding and a great way to get in shape

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications It’s 5:30 p.m. and the County Animal Shelter has been closed for a half hour, but FOTAS Volunteer Karen Brady has some unfinished business. She is concerned about one of the dogs, Monica, who is having anxiety issues, so she’s taking her home to foster. As Karen opens […]

The love of a cat

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President “What greater gift than the love of a cat.” Charles Dickens “Cats are smarter than dogs. You could never get eight cats to pull a sled through the snow.” Jeff Valdez, television writer and producer As much as I love my shelter dogs, Maggie and Jack (and I do […]

Joy and love on Valentine’s Day

By Tom and Martha Portney, avid FOTAS and Aiken County Animal Shelter supporters “Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.” Karen Davison, Author & Dog Trainer Dearest Joy: It wasn’t the fastest bonding to ever take place. We had recently lost a dear […]

Dear Valentine

By Joanna D. Samson, Vice President, FOTAS “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways . . .” William Shakespeare Although I am certain Willie the Shake did not write the 43rd Sonnet for his dog, I am equally certain that most of us with canine or feline friends could rattle off their […]

Mom and son add something special to FOTAS volunteer team

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications The first thing you notice about Derek DeMio is how open and friendly he is, even with total strangers. The 26-year-old makes a habit of greeting everyone he comes across, and if he hasn’t met you yet, he will introduce himself and offer his hand to shake on […]

Doggie day out: Hilde’s excellent adventure

by Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President Hilde is a beautiful blonde with golden eyes, an enormous smile and a gigantic heart. She is a big-time favorite among the FOTAS volunteers and the Aiken County Animal Shelter staff – everyone likes to spend a little “me” time with Hilde. So how is it that Hilde […]

Son’s memory lives on through Roger the Shelter cat

by Martha Anne Tudor There’s a lot of talk in animal shelters about cats and dogs needing rescue. But we all know theirs aren’t the only lives saved through adoption. The power of animals to connect with humans in transforming and powerful ways is well-known by anyone who’s spent time with them. The adoption last […]