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Busy week at Second Chance

February 1, 2014
It's been a busy week at Second Chance Animal Adoption, with a family desperately trying to find their lost pet, dogs found wandering who want to go home and concern that there may be loose hounds starving in the Camp Nine area just as temperatures begin to plummet.

On January 27, Vicki at Second Chance Animal Shelter had a call about a lost dog, a dark brindle pit bull male who went missing in the Kootenai River Inn parking lot. They called again Thursday, and were still looking for the dog. He is further described as having a Shar Pei like face, and although he may look intimidating they say he is actually a big sweetie.

The owner said the dog either managed to get out of the car on his own, or someone took him out. They are desperate to find him. If you know anything about a dog like this please give Second Chance a call at (208) 267-7504.

It appears that the two Plott hounds found in the Camp Nine area January 22 were not alone. This sweet fellow showed up on a couple’s doorstep Thursday in that same area. Identical to the first two, it was clear upon their reunion that the three are well acquainted.

The first two hounds were thin on their arrival at the shelter. Obviously the eight additional days that this guy has spent without food or shelter has left him in grave condition.

"My fear is that perhaps there are still more yet in that area, now on the verge of starving to death," Vicki said. "And a cold snap is forecasted to drop our temperatures significantly. I’d like to ask all of our Facebook friends who live around Camp 9 to please keep a lookout for any more of them. And if you know anyone in that area please spread the word. These are nice dogs who don’t deserve this."

This young lady was picked up January 30 on Highway 95 in the 45 mile per hour section by McArthur Lake.

"She is very friendly," Vicki said. "If you recognize her please let her owners know that she's visiting us at Second Chance Animal Shelter, or give us a call at (208) 267-7504. Thanks!"

While the thought of stray pets waiting to go home from the shelter is heart-wrenching and the fear that lost dogs may be starving as frigid temperatures return even worse, not all the news at Second Chance was bad.

On January 28, a timid and scared little Chihuahua-Aussie mix showed up at the pound, and it was clear that he was missing someone terribly. It turns out that someone was missing him, too.

Not long after his picture was posted online, tips began to come in, and the next day, a very happy owner and her friend Pepe were reunited.

"The best part of a shelter day is when the owner comes to retrieve a much loved pet," Vicki said. "The look and happy sounds are priceless! Pepe was beside himself with joy to see his people again."

And while some of the stories on long-time "guests" at Second Chance are sad, hope never wanes.

On January 21, a young female Newfoundland mix was picked up as a stray. She waited and waited, but no one came to take her home. Instead of languishing, though, the frisky seven month old endeared herself to staff and guests alike, and as it became clear that she would soon be looking for a forever family, she was given the name Tasha.

"Tasha never goes potty in the shelter nor has she torn up any of the toys that she's been given," Vicki said. "The only bad I can think of to say about her is that she needs work walking on leash as she tends to walk too close, getting underfoot sometimes. Although at her current weight of 40 pounds there's only so much underfoot she can get!"

Tasha, though older, still plays like a puppy and lavishes love like there'll be no tomorrow, and already, several people have fallen in love with her.

"Tasha already has a number of people interested and the application flood gate has opened," Vicki said. "I expect we'll be buried in paperwork soon!"
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