Pet Sitter in Hudsonville, Michigan

Following is a narrative I put together documenting some of my experience with animals during my life time: I wanted to preface the following information, that had I been more aware of animals needing adoptive homes earlier in my life, I would have participated in that process. I have had animals all of my life from childhood through adult-hood. During my childhood; my family owned a Miniature Schnauzer (Toby). . During my college years, I owned a Miniature Schnauzer. Some would say that college is a tough time to own an animal, but it was the best time. Many of our friends would come to us and ask if they could walk my dog (Joc), up on campus as he was a "chick magnet." He was a very fit dog! He was also allowed to roam the hallway in my apartment complex, and was welcomed into other apartment units. I was fortunate to live in a smaller apartment complex, than other larger units/complexes around campus.. After Joc passed away, I was married and once again, I am happy to report that my family purchased another Miniature Schnauzer (Weston), who is still with me today. When my ex-spouse and I divorced, I started working with animals, as this is my passion. I started by Fostering 3 Miniature Schnauzers (Parti-colored), from Ohio. I kept one of these Schnauzers (Zeke), who is still with me today. After Zeke grew to about 4 years old, I began fostering animals in need, until they found theiir forever home. December 2013: I started working with Lake Haven Rescue located in Newaygo. During this time, my first foster animals were two (pot-cake puppies), flown in from the Bahamas with the pilots for paws program. During their stay with me, they were neutered. I monitored them to make sure that progress was being made in their healing process. If complications arouse with these puppies, I would provide care for them immediately. I also administered pain medications to them. I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to assist in the adoption process for these puppies. A nice couple from Newaygo came to meet with the puppies at my home. They did not keep their dogs outside and had 40 acres for the dogs to run. They just had to put down their 12 y/o dog, that was ill for quite some time. They tried to help him as much as they could, but could not do enough. They were first going to look at one puppy, but once they saw how good the two were together, they wanted to adopt both. I spoke to the director of Lake Haven Rescue and felt that I was comfortable with the couple adopting both dogs. I had the fortunate opportunity to care for these puppies over Christmas Break; together with my three boys. During that time, the experience taught them many things,. Of most importance, is the respect of all living things and to help all animals in need. They must have learned over that Christmas break, as they still think and act that way today. A few weeks after Fostering the Pot-cake puppies, I was asked to Foster a Calico cat (Patches). She had already been spayed, so while she had her front claws declawed, I monitored her front paws to make sure they were healing properly. I gave her liquid pain medication during this recovery process. After caring for her, she was in the process of being put up for adoption, so of course I adopted her. She is still with me today. During this same time, a Tortie cat was dropped off in freezing temperatures in our sub-division. She had been hiding in my Neighbor's garage trying to keep warm. I contacted the Director of Lake Haven rescue to see if we could accept this cat into our program, which she agreed. Faith (named by the Neighborhood children), went through the same process as Patches, having her front paws declawed. I cared for her in the same way in which I cared of Patches. Faith had already been neutered, was put up for adoption and adopted. Finally, in March/April 2017, I had the opportunity to care for two puppies once again. Lake Haven Rescue became aware of two Mother Dogs living in Alabama in the woods, recently giving birth to ten puppies each. Apparently, Alabama has a very poor reputation involving abused, neglected and abandoned animals. Some of the volunteers from Lake Haven traveled to Alabama to pick-up and transport all the dogs back to Newaygo, Michigan. As in fostering the pot-cake puppies, I cared for these puppies after transporting them to Newaygo for their procedure of being spayed and neutered. After the procedure for each puppy, once again I cared for them during their healing process. I was also afforded the opportunity to help in the process of meeting with the potential adoptive families for each of these puppies. Both of these families had also been screened carefully and hand picked by the director of Lake Haven Rescue. Neither one of these families, could not have been a better fit for each of these puppies. It must have been meant to be, as both of these families decided to maintain contact, so that these two siblings (Brother/Sister), will still be able to see each other and play. In addition, both of these families live in close proximity to each other in the Jenison/Hudsonville areas. I presently own Crested Geckos in addition to my 3 boy, 2 dog and 1 cat family. All the best, Sue