Dear Valued Friend,

North Shore Animal League America would like to take a moment to inform you of the passing of our adored feline friend, Lady Harmony.  

Beautiful Lady Harmony joined the Animal League’s Sponsor Program in 2008 at the age of 10 – 11 years old.  She was diagnosed with diabetes and required daily insulin shots twice a day as well as monthly check-ups. 

Animal League veterinarians suspected a previous history of urinary tract infections and possible pancreatitis.  In addition to the diabetes, they found bladder stones. Lady Harmony had a cystotomy operation to remove the stones and made a full recovery.

It wasn’t long before an associate of the Animal League’s Alex Lewyt Veterinary Medical Center fell in love with the onyx-colored cat and brought her home to foster.

Though Lady Harmony often felt shy around her feline foster siblings, there was one special kitten who stole her heart. Lady Harmony cared for this little kitten as a mother would and we believe that this special relationship helped Lady Harmony to find peace and solitude.

The Animal League is so grateful to all our Sponsors and to Lady Harmony’s foster mother for giving her the best quality of life possible. Without this unconditional love and devotion, we would not be able to give our special-needs pets the extraordinary care we so lovingly provide.

Though we will always miss Lady Harmony, we take solace in knowing that she had a wonderful loving home and that she was cherished. Our memories of her will melt our sadness and our affection for her will make us smile once again.

Sincerely,

The Sponsor Team

Dear Friend and Sponsor,

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching,we are reminded to be grateful for all that we are so fortunate to have: our health,our loved ones, and of course, our pets. Life is so fragile and fleeting that we must remember to be thankful everyday for those who are dear.
It saddens us to inform you that we must say goodbye to a dear sponsor pet, Nina. Nina joined the Animal League’s Sponsor Program at only 6 months old. She had very weak ligaments in her legs, pneumonia and diabetes melitus. Sadly, Nina’s diabetes led to blindness, and eventually, she developed an ulcer in her eye which led to the loss of that eye. But through all the inconvenience, all the doctor visits and all her health troubles, Nina never failed to take into account what was important to her – her family and her life. Always a faithful friend and loyal companion, Nina was a wonderful dog and cherished pet. She loved her life, and we loved her in our lives.
The Animal League would like to send our deepest condolences to everyone who knew and loved Nina. We share in your grief. We are thankful to have known Nina – even for such a short spell – and to have had the opportunity to care for her for almost her entire life.
For all the wonderful animals, and the love they so selflessly give, weare truly thankful.
Sincerely,
The Sponsor Team

Beautiful lady indeed! Here’s Lady Harmony relaxing on her hot pink bed in the comfort of her loving foster care home. Thank you to her Sponsors for all their support!

Dear Sponsor Pet Parent,

Life is such a precious gift. Days go by so quickly and we are blessed with countless wonderful memories. Today we are celebrating the memory of a lovely little feline who was only with us for a short time, but who still made a tremendous impact in our lives and in our hearts.
On the evening of July 7, 2009, a few months after being diagnosed with a malignant cancer on his tongue, our sweet, charcoal cat, Napoleon, passed away. When Napoleon first came to the Animal League, it was apparent that he was once somebody’s pet. However, he had been living as a stray cat for more than a year. Napoleon had several conditions which included a heart murmur, chronic uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye) and tumors in both ears due to neglected ear infections. Luckily, Napoleon made his way to North Shore Animal League America where he was cared for and loved. Shortly thereafter, he was placed in a loving foster care home, where he lived out the rest of his very happy life.
Napoleon was a wonderful cat – loving and affectionate, personable and sweet. We feel grateful to be able to have given him the care he needed and the love he deserved.
The Animal League would like to extend our deepest sympathy to his foster family, his Sponsors and to all who were lucky enough to know him. Napoleon will be greatly missed but remembered forever.
The Sponsor Team

Dear Sponsor Pet Parent,

Over the years, North Shore Animal League America has been fortunate enough to rescue and care for many wonderful animals. Our Sponsor Program pets with special-needs are no exception. Because we care for them their entire lives, we build special bonds. We share in their joys and in their sorrows. And when one of them passes on, it affects us all.
It is with a broken heart that we write to you today to inform you that on June 24, 2009, our treasured Hurricane Charlie passed away. As his name suggests, Charlie came to us as part of the Hurricane Katrina rescue. Charlie had heartworms and an upper respiratory infection; but even worse, Charlie was in the late stages of kidney disease which required daily medication and special food. He also had some behavioral hurdles to overcome. Charlie seemed fearful of men and possessive of his food. The Animal League suspected possible physical abuse in Charlie’s past, as fear and worry are often common indicators. Charlie had a difficult beginning. Charlie was in the Animal League’s care for more than a year before a family inquired about him. They fell in love with his poignant story, and they fell in love with him. Hurricane Charlie started a new journey – rescued from Louisiana, nurtured in New York and then off to California with his adoptive family.
Lovingly known as Charlie Bear, he spent his days strolling on the beach and in the orchards, playing in the sand or searching for golf balls and being adored by his new family. Thanks to the patience and loving determination of his family, Charlie Bear was a changed dog. From love, his behavioral issues subsided and he learned to trust again.
Though Charlie’s early years were trying, his latter years were filled with love and adoration. Hurricane Charlie’s illness took him from our lives, but he forever lives in our hearts and his story will always grace the pages of North Shore Animal League America. We were blessed to have known him.
The Animal League would like to extend our deepest sympathy to his adoptive family, his Sponsors and to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

The Sponsor Team

Dear Valued Friend,

There comes a time when we know we have to convey some news that will bring sadness. Though we dislike being the messenger of despair, we know it’s important to keep our dear friends informed of the animals we all care for so deeply. That is why we write to you today. It is with great sorrow in our hearts that we inform you of the passing of our beloved feline friend, Lady Grace.
Lady Grace was abandoned at North Shore Animal League America. She was adopted and returned in May 2005 due to her multiple health problems.  She was initially diagnosed with asthma. Shortly thereafter, upon further examination, it was discovered that Lady Grace also had diabetes and liver disease. Lady Grace was on an array of different medications for her conditions. Lady Grace lived at the Animal League for 6 months in the Surgery Ward before going to a wonderful foster care home with one of the Animal League’s veterinarians in November 2005.  Lady Grace could not have been in better or more loving, skilled hands.

Lady Grace passed away peacefully in her sleep on her favorite pillow. Her foster mother says that she seemed to be as content as one could be. We estimate that Lady Grace was between 12-14 years old, but can not be exactly sure.The Animal League is extremely saddened by the loss of our very special onyx kitty, who was known for giving her foster mother the sweetest kisses on her nose.

We extend our deepest sympathies to her Animal League Sponsor Program donors and especially to her foster mother, who cared for her so tenderly for the last three and half years.

At the Animal League, all her needs were met and she was able to live a good quality of life.A beautiful Lady indeed, she will be greatly missed.
The Sponsor Team

Hurricane Charlie hasn’t let the passing of his favorite gift giving time of year get him down. While he truly loved sniffing around for wrapped presents and ringing in the New Year with some barks and tail-wagging with family members, he has gotten back to some of his other favorite activities with ease. Charlie’s family advised that their loveable canine has been scavenging for golf balls that are hit over the fence at a nearby miniature golf course. Even though it’s getting colder outside, he could spend hours sniffing around for stray golf balls with content.

In 2009, North Shore Animal League America will turn a very proud 65 years old – 65 wonderful years of rescuing, nurturing and adopting!  With the invaluable help of loyal friends and supporters like you, the Animal League is able to save nearly 20,000 lives each year.  The Animal League and all of the Sponsor Program pets would like to thank you for your life-saving monthly contributions.  Thanks to Sponsors like you, Charlie can receive the medical care he needs and deserves as well as enjoy the best quality of life in the comfort of a loving and safe home.  We are counting on your continued support in the New Year.  We look forward to a very happy and healthy New Year for you, Charlie and all of our beloved special-needs Sponsor Program pets!

Dear Valued Friend, 

Our furry, four-legged friends bring so much joy to our lives. Their wagging tails and bright eyes make us smile and their open hearts make us humble. They teach us patience, loyalty and unconditional love, and when they leave us, they take a part of us with them.  

It is with great sadness and loss that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Terrier mix, Benji. Benji came to the Animal League through long distance rescue efforts. After being a faithful pet for six years, he was given up because his chronic illnesses became too much of a burden for his owner. When the Animal League saw Benji’s sad but hopeful eyes, we knew we could make him happy again.  

Animal League Veterinarians diagnosed Benji with heartworm, an upper respiratory infection, diabetes, and cancer. But Benji found a new lease on life through our Sponsor Program and was placed in a loving foster home where he spent the rest of his days. 

It comforts us, and we hope it comforts you to know that Benji was a very happy dog. His days were spent being spoiled by his foster family who always showered him with love. He was the focus of everyone’s attention and adoration, and we think he knew it and reveled in it.  

The Animal League is very happy to have been able to help Benji have the happiest life possible. His absence may leave a frown on our longing faces, but his wonderful memory will leave a smile in our hearts forever. 

Sincerely, 

The Sponsor Team

Hurricane Charlie has been very excited because he knows the holiday season is here and his family has a special tradition for him around this time of year. For Thanksgiving and Christmas his family treats Charlie to three walks each day; one in the morning, afternoon and evening. Since his walks are Charlie’s favorite part of the day he is definitely a happy pup. In addition, Charlie’s family will also be buying him some special treats. At the local farmer’s market near their home there is a vendor who makes homemade dog biscuits with rice flour. Because of his renal failure Charlie has a restricted diet and these special treats are perfect for him!