Doris Marie's Heartwarming Tale ▪ Healdsburg Happenings

Shelter Medicine & CVC Updates ▪ Gifts That Give Back  And MORE…

 
 
 

Just the sight of Doris Marie strutting down the halls of HSSC in her brightly patterned pajamas was enough to take the chill off a frosty morning. Arriving at work with her foster mom each day, the tiny, marshmallow-colored mini poodle was the picture of comfort and joy. Her cheerful “onesies” weren’t just cute though, she needed them to keep her warm while she healed.

The 11-year-old miniature poodle came to us with a history of chronic skin issues and ear infections. She was missing large patches of fur on her neck, belly, legs, paws, and around her eyes. Her exposed skin was itchy and severely inflamed. Our shelter veterinary team started her on a special therapeutic diet, anti-inflammatory and antifungal medications, and regular medicated baths.

We know the best healing takes place when medical treatments are paired with a heaping helping of TLC. Our staffer Anna stepped up to foster Doris Marie. She set up a cozy, cushy bed for her in her office and brought her home each night for extra snuggles. She made sure Doris got her medications on time, gave her medicated baths and doted on the sweet senior dog so she felt safe and cared for. Given the severity of her skin condition, Doris Marie must have been so uncomfortable, but she soaked up all the attention with a gentle sweetness. She craved cuddles and lap time!

It took several weeks, but we began to see amazing results. Her skin began to look better and her fur was growing back! We knew it was time for her to find a quiet, permanent home where she could get all the companionship she deserved. We are thrilled to report that Doris Marie was adopted last week by one of our beloved volunteers! She’ll be spending the holidays in the arms - and on the lap! - of someone who will love her for all of her days.

Watching Doris Marie walk down the halls of our shelter in her pajamas each day gave us all the feels, but nothing warmed our hearts more than seeing her walk out the door and into a home with her loving new guardian!

As 2022 draws to a close, we reflect with such profound gratitude on all that was good and beautiful about this year: animals like Doris Marie, who put their trust in us to provide them with hope and healing, and YOU, standing right by our side, making their journey home possible.

❤ Thank you for your support ❤

 
 
 

❤ Ready to bring home your new fuzzy family member? Click here to see how!! ❤

 
 

HEALDSBURG HAPPENINGS

 
 

Happy Tail For The Holidays ❤

We love every animal that comes through our doors, but from time to time, there’s an animal at our shelter who touches the hearts of every staff member and volunteer they meet. An underdog with a story to tell, who’s resilient and loveable, but who has a hard time getting adopted.

Diego is one of those dogs. After nearly two years searching for his forever home, we are thrilled to share that he's finally found a loving home of his very own! And when everyone at HSSC heard the good news, there wasn’t a dry eye in the building.

His enthusiastic personality and passion for stuffed animals lead him to become a favorite of our staff and volunteers. He was frequently brought on "out-and-abouts", especially car rides to his favorite coffee shop for a “Puppiccino”. He was our resident fashion model, always down to wear a costume in exchange for belly rubs. And his happy face and wiggly silly ways melted the hearts of everyone at HSSC.

There were glimmers of hope for interested adopters, but none of them turned out to be his forever home. Little did we know that his future adopter, Karen, had her eye on him for a while, but she hadn't been ready to adopt. Her house was under renovation, so she patiently waited.

When Karen was ready, the timing was perfect. She visited our Healdsburg shelter to meet Diego, and it was mutual love at first sight! She adopted him the very next day, and Diego was officially on his way home for the holidays…and for Furever.

(Cue the Happy Tears!)

 
 
 

Pave your way into your favorite animal lover’s heart with a commemorative brick, and help the Humane Society of Sonoma County continue their life saving work! 

For a donation, you can purchase a brick in honor of your true love, best human friend, or best furry friend. Or celebrate your love of animals with a heartfelt message inscribed with your own name. The Healdsburg Shelter Commemorative Brick Project offers an opportunity to be part of our life saving work - providing a safe haven, new beginnings and second chances for animals. (Bricks are installed in our Memorial Courtyard at the Healdsburg Shelter).

Order your brick HERE

 
 
 

NEWS FROM THE CVC

 
 
 

Mono Y Su Madre ❤

12 year-old mini poodle Mono, aka Mr. Magnificent, is one of our CVC’s original "year one" patients. He bears the distinctions of being among our sickest upon presentation, of filling the most prescription refills, and easily wins in the "most improved" category. He's even single-handedly encouraged more of our staff to learn a little Spanish.

His owner, Rosa, first brought him to the CVC in 2019. He was suffering from a neurological condition that caused him a great deal of pain and made it difficult for him to walk. He could not stand from a lateral position and was unable to move from his bed in a laundry basket. We discussed options with his family – ideally, he would have been hospitalized in an intensive care unit - and we gave them a very guarded prognosis for improvement with an outpatient therapy plan. His family believed in their beloved pet and were fully committed to his care.

We started him on two immune modulating medications and scheduled him for a recheck. His family’s faith in Mono’s ability to make a turnaround was correct – his spirit was much stronger than the challenges of his disease. They kept up with his complex medications and rechecks, and within weeks he was living up to his magnificent name! We knew then that he had significant dental disease and would require extensive dental care, but we were hesitant to challenge Mono’s hard-won neurological stability, so we forwent any procedures at that time.

After two years of steadily lowering doses of his medications without any relapse, we knew we could not delay his dental work any longer. We are pleased to report that Mono’s dental treatment was a great success! He had heavy calculus with infection, gum recession and some loose incisors. He needed 22 extractions, but had an easy anesthesia, recovered very well and has been eating much more robustly since his procedure. Rosa reports that Mono is like a whole new dog! She tells us that he is eating better than he has in years and is very active and chipper.

Rosa works as a housecleaner and is usually able to contribute some money towards Mono’s veterinary care and his lifesaving medications, even if she does not always have the funds to cover the full payment. She’s so grateful for our services that she sometimes even brings in homemade tamales for our staff!

Grants from the Grey Muzzle Organization and DogsTrust USA helped us cover Mono’s cost of care, helping him stay happy, healthy and in the arms of his family.

 
 

NEWS FROM SHELTER MEDICINE

 
 

Braxton's Cherry Eye

Braxton came to our shelter with a condition called cherry eye, also known as a prolapsed nictitating membrane or prolapsed tear gland (seen in photo, left). Dogs have an extra tear gland in the lower lid that may occasionally prolapse, or swell out, which shows as a little red bleb at the margin of their eye. This can occur due to trauma, but some types of dog breeds are predisposed to this condition. Cocker Spaniels, Bulldogs, Boston terriers, Beagles, Bloodhounds, Lhasa Apsos, and Shih Tzus are commonly affected breeds.

Cherry eyes are problematic because this gland produces up to fifty percent of the watery portion of the tear film. Without the right amount of tear production, dogs can develop "dry eye," which may lead to impaired vision. Surgical correction is the recommended treatment if the cherry eye is causing a problem. Unfortunately the repair may sometimes fail, especially in those predisposed breeds.

We’re very happy to report that Braxton healed well from his corrective surgery, and was joyfully adopted just 2 weeks later!

 
 

In these challenging times, your support helps Our Community Veterinary Clinic and Shelter Medicine department provide lifesaving procedures and surgeries for animals in need. Any gift you can spare right now allows our medical teams to continue saving these precious lives.

❤ THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! ❤

 
 
 
 

COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

 

Thank You Russian River Brewing Company! 

Over the years, RRBC has received many accolades and dozens of awards for their beers at the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup and other renowned beer competitions. They are considered an innovator on the international beer scene, while their Santa Rosa and Windsor brewpubs are popular local fixtures.

Although beer is what they do best, their purpose and passion lies in supporting and giving back to the community. Owners Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo are big time animal lovers and longtime supporters of the Humane Society of Sonoma County. Each year they graciously sponsor, donate beer, and attend HSSC’s annual Wags, Whiskers & Wine (and Beer!) gala. Natalie has a reputation as a fierce bidder during the Cake Frenzy!

Please join us in raising a toast to Vinnie, Natalie, and the entire RRBC team! We thank them for being such an amazing force for good in our community! ❤

 
 
 
 

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK

 
 

Your ❤  For the Animals

Looks So Good On You!!

HSSC merch is such a good-looking way to support the animals and all our new swag will have you heading through the end of the year and into 2023 in style!

Visit our Bonfire merch store to grab your very own tees, hats, long sleeved tees and sweatshirts now!! 

We've teamed up with CoZzzy Comfy for a Bed Linen Fundraiser! These sheets are incredibly buttery soft, comfortable and come in a variety of cool colors- and CoZzzy Comfy gives back to the animals with every purchase.

From now until December 31st, HSSC will receive $12 for each set sold and $3 for each additional set of pillowcases!

Order your new sheets
HERE 
Select code Humane Society Sonoma Cty 1 - 2022 at checkout and we'll receive proceeds!
(Don't forget to put in your home address for delivery!)

 
 

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE ANIMALS

 
 

A Little Help Goes A Long Way:

Become a Humane Partner

It can be such a challenge to give to the causes you love when times are hard. Sometimes giving a little at a time makes it easier to keep your loving support going. A monthly, automatic payment through our Humane Partner program ensures ongoing support for the animals through thick and thin - it's a subscription to a lifetime of love! ❤

With as little as $5 a month, your Humane Partner gifts provide homeless animals with safety, stability and the time they need to find their new forever homes. Every penny makes a difference, and you touch so many little hearts with the kindness of your recurring gift. 

Click the button below to become a Humane Partner

Thank you! ❤

 

Double Your Love For The Animals!! ❤❤

Right now, thanks to a longtime donor and friend of HSSC, every gift we receive from now until December 31st toward our Holiday Fund Drive will be matched dollar for dollar!

There has never been a more powerful time to give. And your support has never been more important. The cost of caring for pets is higher than ever because of record-high inflation. We urgently need your help. And right now, you have an incredible opportunity to save twice as many homeless pets in Sonoma County! Your kindness will help them find loving families and forever homes.

If you are able to give toward our Holiday Match, we will be doubly grateful for your support.

❤ ❤ Thank You! Thank You! ❤ ❤

 
 
 
 

Thank you to our loving community!

 
 

❤  Was our eAnimail forwarded to you by a friend?  ❤

Did a fellow animal-lover send our newsletter your way? Sign up here to make sure you get HSSC's amazing animal stories and shelter news delivered directly to your inbox! 

 
 

Your ongoing support enables us to continue our lifesaving work for the animals during changing times.

Together we are providing every animal protection, compassion, love and care. We are so grateful for this
connection that inspires so much hope. 

 
 
 
 
 

Follow us for more animal stories on our socials!

 
 
 

HSSC's Santa Rosa Shelter:
5345 Hwy 12 West
| Santa Rosa, CA 95407
707-542-0882 | info@humanesocietysoco.org

HSSC's Healdsburg Shelter:
555 Westside Rd
| Healdsburg, CA 95448
707-431-3386 | info@humanesocietysoco.org

 

Humane Society of Sonoma County
Board of Directors 2022

Kristen Trisko , President
Sophia Grossi, Vice President
Vee Wright, Secretary
Kelly Stromgren, Treasurer

Kati Aho, Sandy Chute, Johnny Drake, Chris Kittredge, Steve Maass,
Robert Quail, Tim Wingard

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