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

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!

Dear Friends,

It is with heartfelt condolences that we convey this news to you today. Tiki, our beautiful, male, Collie mix who joined the Animal League’s life-saving Sponsor Program in 2008, has passed away.  Though you may not guess it to look at him, Tiki had an array of medical conditions including epilepsy which caused seizures and Addison’s disease, where the adrenal gland doesn’t produce enough steroids to manage daily metabolic activity. This caused Tiki to collapse if he was overstressed due to decreased steroid production.  Tiki was medicated for both his epilepsy and Addison’s disease and was monitored regularly for these conditions. Prior to coming to the Animal League, Tiki had an allergic reaction to a common medication used to treat Addison’s disease, which caused skin irritation and permanent hair loss in two areas on his body. Tiki was a sweet and loving dog who enjoyed his life. He loved to play and cuddle, and had a beautiful temperament – even when he was feeling ill. At only 3-4 years old, Tiki was just like any other playful pet. His ailments certainly didn’t hold him back, and the short time he did have was full and happy. Though we grieve for Tiki, as we have grieved for the loss of other beloved pets who have touched us so deeply, we also feel filled with love and joy that we were able to know him and to help him live happily. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his caring sponsors and his wonderful sponsor mother, and close friend of the Animal League, for we know their pain is the greatest. Tiki was our friend, and he will be greatly missed.

Sincerely,

Tiki is a beautiful, male, adult Collie mix who joined the Animal League’s life-saving Sponsor Program in 2008. Tiki’s medical conditions include epilepsy which causes seizures and Addison’s disease, which is the common name for hypoadrenocorticism, where the adrenal gland doesn’t produce enough steroids to manage daily metabolic activity. This can cause Tiki to collapse if he is overstressed due to decreased steroid production.

Tiki has to be medicated for both the epilepsy and Addison’s disease for his entire life. Prior to coming to the Animal League, Tiki had an allergic reaction to a common medication used to treat Addison’s disease, which caused skin irritation and permanent hair loss in two areas on his body.

Tiki is a sweet and loving dog who enjoys playing and cuddling. In our care at only about 3 years old, Tiki is just like any other playful pet. His ailments certainly don’t hold him back, and as long as he stays on his medications, he should have a full and happy quality of life. North Shore Animal League America is honored to have Tiki as part of our Sponsor Program.

Benji came to the Animal League for his routine check-up and the staff couldn’t be more excited. Benji has such a gentle and friendly demeanor that everyone just loves when they get the chance to see his adorable face again. He had a full evaluation and based on the results of his blood work Benji will need to have an adjustment in his insulin to help regulate his diabetes. While Benji loved seeing his friends at the Animal League he was thrilled to get back home. As soon as he walked in the front door he begged for his daily brushing, which is his favorite time of the day. His adoptive mother brushed him for quite some time as a reward for being such a good patient during his visit. Benji expressed his gratitude and contentment with some wiggling and tail wagging!

Dear Valued Friend,

Sadly, there comes a time when we must bid farewell to the four-legged friends we love so much. We reflect on the joy they brought to our lives and feel thankful that we had the opportunity to know them.  It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Dachshund,

Survived by her foster mother and countless Sponsors,

Queen Charlotte will always rule over our hearts.

Sincerely,

The Sponsor Team

Hurricane Charlie visited his veterinarian last week for a regular check-up. Unexpectedly and sadly, Hurricane Charlie’s blood and urine tests returned results that show his kidney disease has most likely progressed. While this is sad news, Hurricane Charlie’s spirit doesn’t seem to be affected. He still thoroughly enjoys his walks, asking his family to take him for two each day by presenting his paw while holding his leash in his mouth. And the best news of all is that Hurricane Charlie will be celebrating his fifth birthday on May 10th. We are all sending our birthday wishes to him and hope for another year of happiness for this precious pooch.