The Fur (& Feather!) Flyer
Established in 1965, HAWS assists over 6,000 animals and welcomes more than 31,000 human visitors annually. As an "open admissions" shelter we lead the community in animal welfare and assure sanctuary for all animals in need, regardless of age, health or temperament. HAWS is a non-profit, entirely donor-fund organization with an active humane education program, and both wildlife and companion animal rescue services for Waukesha County.
HAWS License #267280-DS
"Fitness Unleashed!"
A book titled Fitness Unleased - A Dog and Owner's Guide to Losing Weight and Gaining Health Together found it's way to HAWS. I was immediately interested, being the advocate I am for the Four-Footed-and-Furry exercise partner. Hey, having a dog to walk helps you keep that same-old, same-old New Year's Resolution! This book agrees, and is a great tool to get you both started on a new fitness routine.
For the record, I do walk the walk on this topic - literally. My husband, myself and our 2 dogs are daily evening walkers, and on weekends I also join their twice-daily walking schedule. (Monday thru Thursday the a.m. walk is done at 5:30 - not for me! But I'm happy to go at the more SANE hour of 8am Friday - Sunday....)
At times, we get the strangest looks - especially when all 4 of us are bundled up beyond recognition and still out there moving. During snow storms, rain and frigid spells we especially like to look around and ask "Where IS everybody?!?!" (The putting on of the dog booties is a worthwhile hassle, trust us!)
Don't get me wrong, I don't always enjoy this routine. Many days our 9-year-old greyhound and I are of the same mind: seriously, the couch looks a lot better right now! But we definitely notice we are all 
more stiff if we don't go, and that extra cookie isn't so guilt-inducing once we've done a lap or 2. (This is the part where I tell you to ADOPT 4 PAWS FROM HAWS or, if that's not an option, BECOME A VOLUNTEER DOG WALKER!)
"Having" to walk the dog can be very motivating. Our primary source of that these days is our 12-year-old fuzzy mutt - a HAWS alumni. We've always suspected she's part Border Collie; she's always ready to go (dog owners, you all know what it's like having to spell certain words - we can't even say anything that RHYMES with "walk" without her running to get her leash). Lately, tho, her after-walk routine has us shaking our heads in amazement. She'll give us about 5 minutes to settle in after returning from our nightly exercise before...grabbing her favorite squeaky toy and running up and down the hall with it. Even better if one of us stands at either end of the hall way so it becomes a game of keepaway!
(I think in the dog-to-human-years comparison, a 12-year-old dog is equivalent to a 65-year-old human. We're not there yet, and she is NOT going to show us up.) But, really, we just got home....
To summarize, there is yet another role a pet can play in your life - personal trainer. Just don't teach them how to use a whistle.
By the way - in January & February we have several dog-centered seminars and classes. Check out our Events Calendar for puppy and dog events (play and exercise are a big part!), along with lots of other fun things to do at HAWS!
A Wonderful New Year to Explore
To set the mood for today's blog entry, think of Louis Armstrong's song "What a Wonderful World." Are you ready? Continue reading!
One day this past summer, when I wasn't at HAWS, I looked out the front window and spied the neighbor’s Golden Retriever playing in their sprinkler. She jumped back and forth in the spray, took a drink, got water up her nose, sneezed, and went back for more. All the while her human kids stood giggling at her antics from the front porch.
Now, really, what is better than that picture? Down economy, tough times or whatever, our pets are still living in the moment and finding the simple joys in life. THAT’S why we need to press on – and what we tell folks when we speak with them about adopting, volunteering, donating or sponsoring our organization. Our pets still think we’re rock stars, still believe we are the best, still find the fun in each day. They are there for us and their role as companion, listener, clown and exercise program has never been more relevant to our emotional well-being than it is right now.
Now, more than ever, we at HAWS and throughout our community need to be there for all of them! So let’s make this year a TRUE celebration of pets and their people – and what we give to each other.
Our sincerest thanks for your help, dedication and compassion, and belief in the HAWS cause! We are more than just a shelter because of you. C'mon by sometime and see what YOUR support continues to do for us.
By the way - we're having a White Out at HAWS: adopt any solid white or light colored animal at HAWS throughout the month of January, and the adoption fee is 50% off! We're here 7 days a week, adoption applications are available both online and at our facility.
Have a Wonderful Holiday and a "HAWS"-y New Year!
When you celebrate the holidays with your pets,
please remember…
Don’t let them eat the tinsel,
Don’t let them eat the turkey,
Don’t let them eat the chocolates
Because they won’t be very perky!
The electric cords are not:
Don’t let your pet chew on these --
Things could get a little hot!
From all the paws, claws, staff, volunteers and Board of Directors at HAWS:
Wishing you and yours the Happiest of Holidays and a Great 2010!
By the way - HAWS holiday hours are 9am-3pm Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve (receiving only, no viewing), Closed Christmas Day and News Year's Day.
HAWS Becomes Greyhound Haven
On Saturday, December 5th we at HAWS became a new safe haven for greyhounds being displaced due to the impending Kenosha racetrack closing.
Already in partnership with Greyhound Pets of America (GPA) – Wisconsin since February 2009, we're increasing the number of greyhounds housed at our shelter while GPA is inundated with dogs needing housing - with Dairyland ending live racing on December 31.
Our Executive Director, Lynn Olenik says its just the right thing to do. “We want to do anything we can to help them out in this time of need. GPA has many dogs to move in a short amount of time and we're happy to help out. The greyhounds add a wonderful spirit to our facility; our staff and volunteers love having them here.”
Female greyhounds Toy, Chic and Devi, along with male greyhound Bill, joined Lexi – a greyhound already in residence at HAWS due to the ongoing HAWS-GPA agreement – on the 5th. By Saturday, December 12th, Lexi and Chic had been adopted out to their new homes. Bill and Devi were placed on hold that day, and will be heading out to foster care this week prior to going to their adoptive families.
Five (5!) more greyhounds are scheduled to arrive at HAWS this coming Saturday, December 19th.
We work with Ellen Paulus, GPA-Wisconsin President. She notes, “It is great exposure for our greyhounds to be at HAWS, so people who see them realize that greyhounds can - and do - make great pets after their racing careers are over.”
The greyhounds participating in the program live at HAWS and receive spay/neuter surgeries from our SNIP clinic. They are available for viewing 7 days a week along with the other adoptable animals at HAWS. Those interested in pursuing adoption are directed to contact local GPA representatives to continue the process. HAWS viewing hours begin daily at 1:00 p.m.
By the way - HAWS will have modified hours during the holidays. We will be open from 9am -3pm on 12/24 and 12/31, but our kennel will not be open for viewing. We will be closed on 12/25 and 1/1/2010. Have a wonderful holiday season with all your Best Friends!
All We Want for Christmas is...
Have you ever moved into a new home and not had all the furnishings for it yet? Maybe you went from a small apartment to a full-size house, or upgraded to a bigger place - but the living room stayed empty while you decided on the new couch and chairs and tables that would best fill it...
As our shelter expansion project nears completion, we are taking stock of what we need to fill some of our new rooms! We have plenty of residents coming and going, now we need the little, final touches to make our shelter the best it can be.
Below is our "sponsorships" WISH LIST - we buy the item, but put YOUR name on it if you donate towards the purchase price. For example, is there a cat lover in your house? Donate in their name towards our cat townhouses and we'll put their name on a plaque by that item.
Most of the things on our list are directly for the animals, and some are to help us help the people that come to our shelter facility. Our goal is to have a place that is warm and welcoming for everyone that visits!
HAWS WISH LIST:
Climbing areas for the cat exercise room - up to $1000 each
Comfortable (and comforting) love seats for Friends Meeting Room, Home-like Interview Room & Rainbow Room - $850 each
