Well, that can be true of dogs, too.

Savannah, a stunning, smart dog at the Aiken County Animal Shelter, is fun, playful and affectionate with people she knows. But when she first meets people, she becomes fearful and unsure of herself. She gets nervous, paces back and forth and sometimes hides behind the staff member introducing her to potential adopters.
It’s so frustrating. Savannah has all the goods but doesn’t do well in her interviews. We think this is the main reason she’s been waiting for a home longer than any other dog on the adoption floor.

Poor Savannah arrived at the shelter because her owners surrendered her when they moved. She was shell-shocked to find herself in a kennel among so many other dogs. She is also 10 years old and doesn’t like to share her home with other pets.

But if you want just one great pet in your life to be your loyal companion, Savannah is the perfect dog for you. She walks wonderfully on a leash. She’s athletic, goofy — and cuddly once she knows she can trust you. When she feels safe with you, Savannah gives you all of her love.

But don’t take my word for it. Here are some testimonials from FOTAS volunteers:

“Savannah is a beauty inside and out,” says Jody Clark. “She is very loving and will richly reward her forever family with endless devotion and affection. We volunteers will so happy when Savannah is chosen by her lucky someone!”
“I walk Savannah every morning,” says Jackie Edel. “As soon as she sees me, her tail starts wagging. Right after she relieves herself, she is delighted to play and be petted.”

“Savannah is a gem,” exclaims Jennifer Jotblad. “Do not let her age fool you. She is a fun and energetic lady. She loves to be brushed, will flop over anytime for a good belly scratch, and chases tennis balls with gusto. She is super sweet and once she knows you, her true, fun-loving personality shines.”

So, if you don’t have any pets but are looking for one dog to be your best buddy, come see Savannah. Take her on a Doggie Day Out or even have her sleep over. Once you spend some time with this special girl, it won’t be long before you see her true personality and fall in love with her.

To meet Savannah, please call the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 803.642.1537 (option # 5) or email info@fotasaiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

That’s the power of social media and a great example of how it saves homeless pets’ lives every day. When you share a FOTAS Facebook post or create your own post about a dog or cat available at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS), that pet’s face and description reaches more people than any advertisement or print media – and often results in a successful adoption.

For Benson and Aggie, their journey to a new home began when Martinez, GA resident Steve Wall saw Martha Anne Tudor’s Facebook post about the two dogs in need and decided to share it on one of his favorite Facebook community pages, called “I love my Beagle.” Cindy Lejeune of Cleveland, Ohio saw Steve’s post and commented that she missed her two late Beagles who had recently died from cancer less than two months apart. From there, Cindy contacted Steve on Facebook messenger and a dialogue began.

After communicating with Steve, Cindy wanted to learn more about the dogs, so she called the ACAS and talked to FOTAS volunteer Joanne Goble. Joanne answered all of Cindy’s questions and told her that the Benson and Aggie had been on the adoption floor for a long time. Joanne also explained that their previous owner had passed away and that’s how the poor senior dogs had ended up in the shelter.

“Everyone was so helpful and friendly,” Cindy said. “But I wasn’t sure how I was going to get them here. To be honest, I was a little afraid of driving all the way to Aiken and back by myself.”

Then Steve Wall made a very generous offer. He said he could transport Benson and Aggie part of the way. If they met at Beckley, WV – the halfway point between Aiken and Cleveland – it would cut her trip in half.

“I told her we shouldn’t let 675 miles stop these dogs from finding a good home,” he said.

Cindy agreed and on Saturday, Feb. 22, Steve picked up Benson and Aggie for their ride to a forever home. Shelter staff members and FOTAS Program Coordinator Kathy Jacobs processed the dogs and got them ready, so Steve could pick them up first thing in the morning.

At 3:30 in the afternoon, Steve and the dogs met Cindy at a BP gas station in Beckley. Steve also passed along their paperwork, medical records and toys. By 8:30 p.m., Benson and Aggie were safe and sound in their new home.

“They’re such sweet dogs,” Cindy said. “Benson jumped up on the bed right away and made it clear he was sleeping there and Aggie, who’s a real sweetheart, slept with her head on my shoulder.”

–By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

But then we moved Mia, the 2-year-old gray Tabby Coco was surrendered with, into Coco’s condo and everything changed. Coco started strutting around and stretching, ate some food and cleaned and groomed her coat, making it gorgeous again. She even took some cat treats from a staff member’s hand. It was then we knew that Mia and Coco were bonded and needed to be adopted together.

Poor Coco and Mia were surrendered by their owners, who didn’t include them in their moving plans. So, now they only have each other.

While not uncommon, bonded adult animals at the shelter tend to take longer to adopt out since people are often seeking one pet to join their other, established pets at home. But Coco and Mia would be perfect for a person or family who doesn’t have any cats and want to add some furry indoor-only felines to their home. Double the cats, double the love! Both Coco and Mia are spayed and can be adopted for just $20.

SHELTER HAS EXTENDED ADOPTION HOURS TUESDAY & THURSDAY
Don’t forget! The ACAS now has extended adoption hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The shelter is open for adoptions until 7 p.m. twice a week to make it more convenient for you to visit and select a homeless pet for your family. The shelter’s adoption hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. And on Saturday the shelter is open for adoptions from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

REGISTER TO RUN IN FIRST FOTAS FURRY 5K RACE
Register to run in first FOTAS Furry 5K race A race to benefit the homeless animals at the ACAS is scheduled for Saturday, February 1 at Generations Park in Aiken.

The First Annual FOTAS Furry 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run will feature adoptable dogs from the county shelter and FOTAS will be accepting dog and cat food donations as well as toys, treats and other goodies at the event. Participants can bring their own furry friend to run with them and are encouraged to dress up their dog for the canine costume competition.

The special event is being organized by 2 Girls and a Clock Racing & Timing Services and registration can be done on runsignup.com through Jan. 28. Late comers can also register in person on the day of the event.

The 1-Mile Fun Run starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K race begins at 9 a.m. Winners of the 5K will receive awards and prize raffles will be held following the race. For more information about this event, please go to fotasaiken.org.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

PETS OF THE WEEK

PIPPA
Mixed breed, female, 4 years old, red, 56 pounds – $35

ARCHER
Domestic medium-hair, male, 2 months old, Tabby, 2 pounds – $10

My pack teaches each new foster about the rhythm and the rules of living in my home much faster and more effectively than I ever could. They teach the new dog about the schedule and protocol for feeding, walks, and going out to do their “business.” They teach them about playtime, bedtime, and how to get on all the best furniture.

Best of all? My foster dogs learn to make friends with my friends and their dogs! The love and appreciation I get from them in return more than makes up for the time and effort I put into them.

Recently, the county shelter has had an influx of older dogs whose owners had no way of caring for them any longer. They need homes. It’s particularly hard for these dogs, who wait anxiously for their owners to return for them. It’s heartbreaking.

Jennifer Miller, the president of FOTAS, called and asked me if I could help. Everyone who knows me knows I am always begging my friends and family to adopt from the shelter. I called my neighbors who in the past have adopted shelter dogs, but now that they are older, they worry leaving their dogs behind when they are gone.

Herein lies the beauty of adopting older dogs. Plus, there is none of the chewing and housebreaking that goes with raising a puppy.

One of my other neighbors recently came through and adopted a sweetheart of an older girl with a heart murmur, and she fits in beautifully with their other two adopted dogs.

There is a tea towel hanging in my house that reads, “There is always room for one more dog.” That’s how I live my life. That’s how and why Rosie came to live with us. Her life had been hard; she had lived on a chain for most of it. In fact, her top and bottom front teeth are missing from trying to chew her way to freedom. She has already had a litter of puppies, and she is heartworm positive. Potential adopters walked right past her at the shelter, and she became depressed.

Rosie came home with me and settled in right away with my pack, who accepted her without a hitch because they are so used to foster animals coming in and out of our lives. Rosie is so grateful for a home that she follows me from room to room and lies down next to me wherever I go.

Guess what? Now my pack is five and we couldn’t be happier.

Please consider adopting one of these wonderful older dogs into your home. My pack and I can attest that you won’t be sorry.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By FOTAS Volunteer Sam Cato

BY THE NUMBERS
In October, the Aiken County Animal Shelter received 467 strays and surrendered pets. Please spay/neuter your pets.

PETS OF THE WEEK

DIXIE
Mixed breed, female, 6 years old, black w/white, 68 pounds – $35

CARRIE
Domestic Shorthair kitten, female, 2 months old, gray Tabby, 1.5 pounds – $10

Someone surrenders a senior pet to the Aiken County Animal Shelter, or even worse, someone dumps their senior dog or cat on some country road far from home and Animal Control finds them wandering aimlessly around the County, hungry and disoriented. They arrive at the Shelter bewildered and scared. They did nothing to deserve this cruel betrayal and abandonment . . . other than get old.

How could they know or understand they had become inconvenient? They spent their lives with a family they loved, protected, and comforted. Sure, as the years progressed, maybe they slowed down, got gray around the muzzle, had trouble jumping in and out of the car, but their blind devotion to their humans never wavered.

Then one day, through no fault of their own, they end up in a strange place with people they don’t know, and no matter how great the shelter, shelter life is exceptionally stressful for an older pet. They know what it’s like to have a home, and it looks nothing like their stainless-steel kennel at the shelter. Those animals get discouraged when potential adopters walk by their cages without a single glance or kind word looking for younger, cuter pets.

It’s heartbreaking to watch the hope fade from their eyes, so I beg you: Don’t do it! Don’t walk by that senior dog or cat.

Senior pets make great companions. They are mature and calm. They don’t make mistakes on your rug. They are way past the “teething” stage. They don’t need a lot of exercise; they are happy to hang out with you on the couch and binge-watch season after season of The Voice. They are grateful for the chance to love someone—so grateful.

All it takes is a little patience and kindness.

By the way, the advantages of an older pet make them a particularly smart choice for older folks looking for a companion. The emotional and physical benefits to seniors of caring for a pet have been well documented: lower blood pressure, fewer visits to the doctor, a sense of purpose, and companionship. Senior people with pets are often more active, less isolated and lonely, and less likely to suffer from depression. It’s a win/win for animal and human.

There are so many lovable, healthy senior dogs at the shelter now. Like Manfred, who has quickly become a volunteer favorite. Manfred was picked up by animal control as a stray—the tips of his ears raw and bloody from flies and insects. We are baffled about why Manfred was abandoned: he is gentle, affectionate, and housebroken. All he needs now is a second chance, another human to shower all that love on. (Manfred has since been adopted — yay!)

And then there’s Theo, a lovely senior gray tabby with bright blue eyes. He, too, is lovable and personable, and because he is declawed, he will make a great house kitty.

The adoption prices at the county shelter are $35 for dogs and $10 for cats for fully vaccinated and neutered animals. That’s a great deal for all that love.

Caesar Milan says there is a special place in heaven for people who adopt older pets. I say “Amen” to that.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

I increased my dog walking activities at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) and enjoyed contributing more time to FOTAS. Then one day, my wife saw photos of available shelter dogs on the County web site. She noted an older, mid-sized, black dog named Arthur who caught her eye, and suggested I go look at him.

I drove to the shelter and asked the FOTAS volunteer who was walking Arthur if I could cut in and finish the job. After walking this calm, friendly dog for a bit, I sat down on the ground in the play area and asked Arthur if he was ready for a foolish old man to take him home. Arthur responded by wagging his tail and we bonded. I took Arthur home and, just as the shelter staff suggested, slowly introduced him to our other pets. Arthur, being a charmer, was promptly accepted by our 4-year-old Carolina dog and three cats – two of whom were adopted from the ACAS.

Since adding Arthur to our family, I’ve learned much about older, abandoned and abused animals. And I want to pass along what he’s taught me.

• Firstly, bonding with an older dog happens very fast. This is important for us older folks who have unknown, but probably limited, time ahead.
• A senior dog with heartworms can be cured and live a normal life. (FOTAS paid for Arthur’s treatment.)
• A senior dog usually can do his potty business outside from day one.
• An older dog is not hyper and prefers to snooze along with his older companion. He wants to stay close to home, rather than wander off.
• A senior dog will be less inclined to chew on the furniture, sofa pillows, or available shoes.
• Lastly, and this surprised me, even though Arthur is 9 years old, he still has the ability to change. He taught me that an older animal can unlearn memories of fear and relearn trust in a human companion.

Arthur and I are still learning from each other and walking down our shared road of life, proving that old dogs can learn new tricks!

If my experience with Arthur has sparked your interest in adopting a pet, please visit the County Shelter located at 333 Wire Road in Aiken. Check out the available animals and meet the wonderful volunteers and staff. You can also volunteer some of your time to the animals, participate in FOTAS programs, or make a financial pledge to keep the operation going and growing.

Just tell them Mike and Arthur sent you.

 – By Mike Hardwick, FOTAS Volunteer

By the Numbers

March Adoption Special: Dogs/puppies $35, Cats/kittens $10

Pets of the Week

KANE

Mixed breed, male, 1-1/2 years old, brown & white, 51 pounds – $0 (adoption fee paid for by FOTAS donor)

SELENA

Domestic Shorthair, female, 2 years old, blue gray, 8 pounds – $0 (adoption fee paid for by FOTAS donor)