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Current diary entries    I    Past diary entries A Week in the Life of IDA-Project Hope Account by Doll Stanley, July 15th, 2006 July 15th, 2006 Floating in a sea of countless responsibilities, our eyes can be seen just above the water line. It has been a hectic time lately here at IDA-Project Hope. With many new animals arriving on our doorstep all the time, sanctuary care has become a minimum 16 to 20 hour a day job. A number of pups, kittens, dogs and cats have been left at our gate or on our road recently. Since there are no animal shelters in our area, we are working with two shelters -- one in Pennsylvania and the other in Indiana -- that may be able to take all of the younger animals. We were able to find new homes for two dogs this week. Dover, a very cute pup, was adopted, but we worry he may be returned to us for being aggressive. If that happens, we will work to resolve any behavioral issues so that he can find his forever home. Petey, our jewel who was returned to us twice (not because of any shortcomings on his part), now lives in a wonderful home with the relative of a deputy who works with us on cruelty cases. Being that IDA-Project Hope has been around now for 13 years, we naturally have our share of aging residents, two of whom passed away this week. Merry died in my arms from a suspected aneurysm, and Duchess, her companion of 8 years, was finally released from her losing battle with cancer. While we mourn and grieve over these losses, we continue to do what we can for the animals whose lives depend on our tender loving care. Annie is suffering from an enlarged tumor and is taking medication for arthritis, and we recently had a tumor removed from Pretty Girl. Happily, there are new pups in our midst whose personalities bear an uncanny resemblance to the girls we just lost. We hope that these young dogs will be blessed with loving guardians of their own who can provide a stable home. The four feral dogs and pups I have been socializing are coming along well. Idaho and Lillian were at our adoption day this weekend, and Robert may make his debut there in a month or so. We rescued two neglected and starving horses—a quarter horse mare and a Shetland pony—on June 28th with help from the Panola County Sheriff's Department. After they were surrendered to our care, we placed them with the family of the Vaiden Police Chief. They now share a home with another horse and a dog we rescued from a hoarder. Read the story of this rescue  It took months for one of our court cases to come to trial, but the wait was finally over this week and well worth it. The offender did not show, and in his absence was found guilty for the death of the dog whose corpse we found on his property during our investigation. Unfortunately, most of his $244 fine went to court costs. However, as warrants are out on this man for other charges, he will likely serve some time in jail.  We are aiding with a number of other important cruelty cases, but because of my duties at the sanctuary I must assist as best I can from the office. We are making strong efforts to transfer guardianship of some of the animals in our care so that I can spend more time in the field providing relief for the many animals in our community suffering from abuse and neglect. In between all of my other responsibilities, I am preparing for my presentations at next month's AR2006 conference in Washington, D.C. and compiling materials so that Mississippi law enforcement and citizens will know how to pursue and prosecute cruelty cases. I also attended a SPAN workshop this week on trap/neuter/release, ferals and cruelty issues. All the while I am keeping up with the banking, correspondence, supplies and other varied tasks that are essential to the smooth functioning of IDA-Project Hope. While there is no end in sight to the hard work ahead of us, I am eternally grateful that I am able to be of service to the many animals in Mississippi who desperately need our help. There is nothing more meaningful to me than knowing we are making a huge difference in their lives. I often get a strong sense that the animals we help are aware of what we are doing for them, and that they greatly appreciate our efforts. Their wisdom, love and companionship give me the mental, physical and spiritual energy I need to keep up with the unrelenting pace of sanctuary life.