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Hernando Today

Help Give Dogs Like Daffney A Fighting Chance

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 19, 2008

It was a great turnout Saturday evening for Joanne Schoch's birthday party, held at the Humane Society of the Nature Coast. She, along with six other kind-hearted folks ranging in age from 10 to - well, way more than 10 - stayed another night with their "pen pals."

I made a few passes through the kennels this evening and stopped for a moment to speak with Christina, who slept at the shelter last night.

She was still sitting in a pen, next to her pen pal, Daffney. Daffney lay still, wrapped in a blanket, as Christina gently stroked her. She told me that Daffney had her final treatment for heartworms last night, and wasn't doing very well.

As I knelt down, Daffney, lying with her head away from me, turned her head towards me and looked at me. I don't mean a glance - Daffney looked at me. In her young eyes, I saw a great deal of pain. I saw the worry and concern in Christina's eyes. I noticed Daffney breathing quickly, and Tina held a cup of water as she drank what looked like to be the coolest, most refreshing water she'd ever had.

Without the Humane Society, I fear Daffney would have died a slow, painful death. Daffney isn't just a mutt left out and subsequently taken in. This is a soul, a soul that has had it rough and now knows love, a soul that was fortunate enough to end up at our Humane Society of the Nature Coast.

The reason why Joanne and so many others are gathering is for the more than 5,000 animals that were euthanized last year because they had no home. Their goal is to raise enough money to give all of them a home - or at least have a chance for them to find their "forever home." The Christmas puppies that have turned out to be a burden. The bad relationship that left an orphaned cat or dog that not only needs love and shelter, but gives love back tenfold. When Animal Control fills up, the Humane Society takes them in. When there is no room, there is no room. They want to keep that from happening.

I suggest that those who can donate, donate now to the Humane Society building fund. Give them the room and facility to take their commitment to a new level.

This situation spells the epitome of why we need the Humane Society.

Is Daffney going to be OK? Far better than without the kind folks at the Humane Society, I can assure you. Call the shelter at 796-2711 to track her progress. Or, visit http://www.hsofnc.com.

William Pierson

Spring Hill

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