Humane Society of Northwest Iowa

The Humane Society of NW Iowa is holding a PAWS With A Cause Quilt Auction on November 15, 2009 at the Milford Community Building. A Delicious Pancake feed will be served from 9am-12pm with the Auction to follow at 12:30.

Please take a few minutes and read about just one day in the Paws with a Cause program and you will see why this Quilt Auction is so important.

"While a few leaves swirled on the sidewalk, dark ominous clouds skittered through the heavy sky, and the chilly rain continued to pelt at the windows outside, thirty to forty elderly men and women gathered in a large, cozy room, at Hilltop Care Center, to await our visit. Some had gotten there early, (treats in hand!), to ‘get the best seat’. For others, it was their first time, and after hearing about it from their table mates during supper, they did not want to be left out of the fun. Then, there were those who were not really sure where they were going- or even where they were- but had been brought out of their rooms by gentle hands and loving hearts, to experience something that would hopefully bring back a happy memory of times long past and make them smile. All were anticipating this event.

When we arrived, with kittens and puppies in tow, we were greeted by a huge array of happy faces and even applause! Everywhere we looked we saw smiles. Elderly men and women in wheelchairs and with walkers began to roll closer to their furry visitors and outstretched arms offered treats and snuggles.

As we moved through the crowd of excited residents, the fragile arm of a 97 year old woman, half hidden beneath comforters and blankets on her rolling bed, reached out to touch and stroke the velvety ears of a tiny lab puppy. We watched as her eyes opened in wonder when the pup acknowledged her hand with his cold little nose and a gentle, enduring ‘kiss’. The bed-ridden woman broke into the first smile anyone had seen from her in weeks.

A grandfather confined to a wheelchair, made his way up to a small Shepard-mix puppy. The pup, recently rescued from a horribly abusive situation, had come into the shelter a shy, half- starved, dog in desperate need of love and kindness. After weeks of gentle encouragement and care from the shelter staff, this young dog was making his ‘debut’ back into the world, with our visit. The gentleman, a robust man with a huge personality and a gentle, loving heart, had also experienced his share of struggles early in life. Even now, in his eighties, no family ever visited him as they were all ‘too busy’ or lived too far away. Other than his ‘Hilltop family’, he was all alone. This gentle giant must have sensed the pups' need for love for when he leaned over in his chair to stroke between the little guy’s soft ears. The two immediately locked eyes and hearts. At once the shy, timid dog was in the arms of the lonely man. The man's eyes teared over as he grinned and the little puppy felt his joy and was happy too.

Also that day, one tiny orange and white kitten found a ‘home’ in the arms of a new resident, a feeble grandmother who had to leave her two precious cats to the care of her family when she moved into the nursing home. The transition had been a difficult one, for both she and her loved ones, and the tiny woman stayed to herself except for meals. It had been a very sad time and the staff and family were becoming concerned about her health. The nursing staff knew how much her pets had meant to this lady, and they hoped our visit would bring her some much needed joy. Now, this petite, white haired grandmother, dressed in lavender and antique lace, refused to part with her tiny companion. The kitten had happily curled itself up in grandma's arms and purred itself to sleep, while the sweet woman hugged it’s tiny, warm body and serenaded it with songs of her childhood.

As our visit ended, the residents wanted us to stay longer - they didn't want to give up their furry friends. The animals did not want to leave either. This is the way each Paws with a Cause day seems to end - and so the anticipation of our return begins once again to build.”

(Judy, Vern, Rita, Kate, Susie, Christopher Jon, Connie, Kelly, Jane, Suzanne, Judy H, Paul, Hanna & Sue, MaryAnn, Jody, and Hana – staff and volunteers)

PLEASE HELP US KEEP IT GOING!

These gentle, older souls are our family; our mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. Once, not so long ago, they awoke everyday to a life full of activity, hope and promise. They had their own homes and spent their lives caring for us. Now, these cherished family members have transitioned into the unwanted, yet necessary, confinement of wheelchairs, walkers, and even rolling beds. For most, this is the most difficult thing they have had to accept- they can no longer care for themselves and must rely on the care and loving kindness of our elder care facilities and their capable staff.

Every month, the Humane Society of NW Iowa receives calls from Nursing homes and Assisted Living Communities all over the six county area that is served by your shelter. During its first year, PAWS With A Cause staff and volunteers placed kittens, puppies, dogs and cats, rabbits, ferrets, and even a skunk into arms and laps of our elderly residents 3080 times! Please help keep the dreams, memories, and miracles going - come to our quilt auction and take home one of the many quality, hand-crafted quilts donated for the love of animals and the spirit of kindness! You can make a difference - quilts make wonderful wedding, birthday, and Christmas gifts that will last a lifetime and become a family heirloom. Please join us on Sunday, November 15th to eat from 9am-12pm - bidding begins at 12:30