Doll Stanley

The service road to the future office site, and canine care area is nearly completed. Any of you that have ever depended on others to get something done know that only you are ever committed to your deadlines, and specifications.

It has been a chore locating and leasing equipment needed for Billy and I do our jobs. The ground is brick dry and most rental agencies will not rent ground digging equipment until it rains for a while. I managed to locate a trench digger for our electric lines, and finally a hole digger. Billy has had to have help from another man to start the post holes for the support posts for our shade cloth. The holes are only moderately under way,

Mr. Brassfield will use his tractor equipment for the entrance gate holes.

I picked up the rest of our shade cloth, much of which was donated by the American Tarp Company. Big Kudos to them.

Our fence man came by to check out our needs for the Fowl House area fence. He will start next week if approved. We only have one more initial puppy area to enclose, and we will move our portable pens up when we have the electricity on.

In case you are wondering about our plans I will describe them briefly, and as best as I can.

Our 64 acres will have two entrances. One exists, but is in poor repair, and it goes to an area that is undeveloped. The entrance we made is far more accessible, especially for trucks, and vehicles pulling trailers. Most importantly it opens our service road for the hill which is being developed for our canine residents and fosters. Our office and the canine center overlook our beautiful pasture across the road, and the hills which frame our small valley.

We have a large pond which the horses and pigs love. When Natalie Woods hog can't be summoned to feed it is because she is in hog heaven in her wallow at the edge of the pond. She also has a great scooped area in front of the horse and pig troughs.

There will be a rock pile surrounding the light pole in the diamond turnaround in front of the canine area for the goats. Two decorated poles will stand and we will have a welcome sign at that point. We are leery of having a sign at the road for now. We see enough animals abandoned in our area without inviting the crime.

We are discussing having three guest rooms nestled above the office. IDA members will soon be welcomed to visit for E&W (ecstasy and work).

Our storage and wash building will be ready shortly. It will be located beside the canine care area.

We may move the cattery in the future. If we retain the 2 acres our sanctuary currently resides on we will not move the cattery. We also plan to build a flight cage for birds that require rehabilitation under Doc's care. He currently has an owl who needs this service.

Plans for other species we rescue are in the making. One step at a time. First we need to give our current friends the best of care and facilities for their needs.

On the Front News:

I worked several cruelty cases since I communicated with you.

I managed to get a man to find care elsewhere for his dogs and chickens. The site was one I've seen many times before, but it was totally painful. An elderly female boxer was chained to a pine tree that offered no relief from the 100 + temperatures. She had no water - of course. Two other dogs suffered her circumstance under separate trees. One had had puppies, but they had "disappeared". Excrement and garbage draped the entire property.

Open sewage ran down the slopped front. The precious young man who answered my questions was the elder son of two very pathetic parents. The boy has been in TWELVE FOSTER HOMES. His father was at work, his mother in temporary care at the regional mental health center.

When the deputy who accompanied returned me to my truck I headed for back with some food and money for the boys. I am trying to get help for them from an overloaded and often morally defeated Dept. of Humane Services.

I am amazed that with only the message we were able to leave for the father he had the animals safely relocated in a day. This is a man well known for defying advice and correction even more than for the circumstance he subjects his family to.

I am not filing charges because of his cooperation, and noted bend of the mind.

A veterinarian and fellow humane organization asked if we would investigate the neglect of a mare and her colt. The vet will aid the horses now that we have confirmed their plight. I am waiting for an agreement from their keeper. If he does not cooperate I will seek court backing. They were both thin, their pond has been reduced to an algae shallow. We have had no rain for ages. The man has increased their feed. Ignorance/simple mindedness is behind this sad situation.

Our cooperative collector called with 12 more dogs. I raced to remove them. I took a mother rottie and her 10 pups. There was also a small black darling juvenile. Without room at the inn the Oxford humane shelter took them in for us. I won't pretend that they will all be placed. I will steadfastly proclaim that until we can give the room and care to more dogs we must say no for now. At least these dogs will not be reduced to the hollow, hairless suffering figures we for far too long removed from E's "care". She trusts us and as twisted as it seems she truly does love the animals she rescues. She is simply desperately blind to their plight.

Other:

Our legislative group met to work further on a model ordinance we will introduce to communities here.

Dr. Steven King has asked for our assistance on pushing for the use of microchips. He learned that we had been active in introducing the idea in MS. He also wants to aid in making scanner checks mandatory at Ripley. We will also assist him in his drive to get Tupelo to embrace dog registration.

A TV show may come to MS to experience Ripley.

And lots, lots more. Sorry, I'm exhausted, and I know you don't have the time to read about everything going on here. I'll chat with you next week.