Bond County Humane Society

YouTube video: Tennis Ball Drop at 2019 Paws in the Park

Relive the moment the tennis balls dropped or watch the phenomenon for the first time! #TennisBallDrop #RaffleFundraiser

YouTube video: Paws in the Park 2019: Clips from the Costume Parade, Musical Hoops, Best Tricks

More Paws day highlights!! Relive the fun or enjoy for the first time! #festival #fundraiser #dogcontests

A Passion for Rescued Pets with Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue

BCHS President, Rachel Hundsdorfer, was feaured in one of Pro Plan’s pet food commercials long before the Rally to Rescue Shelter Ambassador program was discontinued in 2018!

YouTube video: “I Like Cats” by David Burns

Some talented guys from Greenville College visited Bond County Humane Society back in 2011 and shot some footage for their media project. Check out our cats in this hot music video! The video was shot and edited by Devon Meadows with tons of help from Arley Cornell and Zach Williams.
“I Like Cats” is closed-captioned for the hearing impaired.

“Puttin’ On The Ritz For Fritz 2014” Fundraiser Program Slide Show

“Puttin’ On The Ritz For Fritz 2013” Fundraiser Program Slide Show

“Puttin’ On The Ritz For Fritz 2012” Fundraiser Program Slide Show

“The Naming of Cats” by T.S Eliot
from “The Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats”

The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn’t just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.

First of all, there’s the name that the family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey—
All of them sensible everyday names.

There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter—
But all of them sensible everyday names.

But I tell you, a cat needs a name that’s particular,
A name that’s peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?

Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum—
Names that never belong to more than one cat.

But above and beyond there’s still one name left over,
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover—
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.

When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation

Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.

Fostering (a poem)
— Author Unknown

There I sat, alone and afraid,
you got a call and came right to my aid.
You bundled me up with blankets and love
and when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.

I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold,
that sometimes there is someone to have and to hold.
You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend,
You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.

And just when I thought you’d done all you do,
Millie There came along not one new lesson, but two.
First you said, “Sweetheart, you’re ready to go,
I’ve done all I can, and you've learned all that I know.”

Then you bundled me up with a blanket and kiss,
along came a new family, they even had kids!
They took me to their home, forever to stay
and at first I thought you had sent me away.

Then that second lesson became perfectly clear,
that no matter how far, you will always be near.
M’Lady And so, Foster Mom, you know I’ve moved on
and I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.

But I’ll never forget what I learned that first day.
You never really give your fosters away.
You gave me these thoughts to remember you by,
We may never meet again, and now I know why.

You’ll remember I lived with you for a time.
I may not be yours, but you’ll always be mine.

Do I Go Home Today?
— Author Unknown

My family brought me home, cradled in their arms,
They cuddled me and smiled at me, said I was full of charm.

They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys,
I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats,
They even let me sleep with them, all snuggled in the sheets.

I used to go for many walks, often several times a day,
They even fought to hold the leash, I’m very proud to say.

These are the things I’ll not forget — a cherished memory.
I now live in the shelter ’ without my family.

They used to laugh and praise me, when I played with that old shoe,
But I didn’t know the difference between the old ones and the new.

The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug,
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.

They said I was out of control and would have to live outside,
This I did not understand, although I tried and tried.

The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn’t time,
I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.

My life became so lonely in the backyard on a chain.

I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane.

So they brought me to the shelter, but were embarrassed to say why,
They said I caused an allergy, and then they each kissed me goodbye.

If I’d only had some classes when I was just a pup,
I wouldn’t have been so hard to handle, when I was all grown up.

“You only have one day left,” I heard the worker say.
Does this mean I have a second chance?
Do I go Home today?

I Rescued A Human Today

Written by Janine Allen CPDT, Rescue Me Dog’s professional dog trainer. Janine’s passion is working with people and their dogs. She provides demonstrations for those who have adopted shelter dogs, lends email support to adopted dog owners that need information beyond their Training Support Pages, and aids shelter staff and volunteers in understanding dog behavior to increase their adoptability. Copyright 2009 Rescue Me Dog.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.

I would promise to keep her safe.

I would promise to always be by her side.

I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

A Pet’s Ten Commandments
— Author Unknown

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God’s critters. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!

Ailurophile

Main Entry: ai·lu·ro·phile
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek ailouros cat
Date: 1927
: a cat fancier : a lover of cats

Harley’s Story
— Author Unknown

When I look at you, old dog, I wonder who you are. Where did you come from? Did someone love you, care for you, once? When you were a cute puppy, with innocent brown eyes and a round plump belly, did someone cherish you? I hope so, for you deserve to be loved.

Then what happened to bring your life to such misery? When did “your people” stop loving you? When did your food and water dishes remain empty and your “place” become the cold hard ground on the end of a 6-foot tie outside, instead of a warm hearth? What did you feel, hour after hour, day after day, stuck on that chain with no safe corner of peace?

Poor old dog — your life is worth nothing, except to you. I don’t even know your name, since you were rescued from that yard — a skeleton in fur, barking aimlessly — unwanted, unwelcome, unloved. Near as we can piece together, you spent eight years on that chain until those who were supposed to be your guardians just upped and moved, leaving you behind to die.

Nothing can make up for what you have endured, for years of lost joy, for your empty stomach, aching bones and broken heart. Nothing can restore your youth, remove the gray from your muzzle or the cloud from your eyes. Nothing can revive the spring of your life and erase the loneliness and betrayal you have endured.

As nature teaches, though, there is promise in renewal, and hope in survival. Life, the mere beating of a heart, in its essence, offers potential, offers hope and another chance.

So, old Harley, sleep peacefully now, for you have found friends who will love you until your last breath. In the autumn of your life, your bowl will always be full. Your heart will once again know peace and your eyes will see only the faces of love.

Never again will you be chained to a stake; alone, hungry, and unloved; through cold and darkness. That is my promise to you. So sleep deeply, old dog. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow will all be good days for you, from now on.

I promise that — my solemn pledge.

“Abraham Lincoln, our sixteenth President, loved cats and could play with them for hours. When asked if her husband had a hobby, Mary Todd Lincoln replied, ‘cats.’ President Lincoln visited General Grant at City Point, Virginia in March of 1865. The civil war was drawing to a close and the enormous task of reuniting the country lay ahead, yet the President made time to care for three orphaned kittens. Abraham Lincoln noticed three stray kittens in the telegraph hut. Picking them up and placing them in his lap, he asked about their mother. When the President learned that the kittens’ mother was dead, he made sure the kittens would be fed and a good home found for them.”
— Lincoln Pets, from NPS.gov

“No matter how much cats fight, there always seems to be plenty of kittens.”
— Abraham Lincoln

“Love the animals: God has given them the rudiments of thought and joy untroubled. Do not trouble them, do not harass them, don’t deprive them of their happiness, do not work against God’s intent. Man, do not pride yourself on superiority to the animals; they are without sin, and you, with your greed, defile the earth by your actions, and alas, only you leave the traces of your foulness.”
— Fyodor Dostoyevsky quote (Russian novelist and writer, 1821-1881)

“If cats could text you back, they probably wouldn’t.”
— Anonymous

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
— Anatole France

“The moral progress of a nation can best be judged by the way it treats its animals.”
— Mahatma Gandhi

“It is hard to be brave, when you’re only a Very Small Animal.”
— Piglet (A. A. Milne).

“Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.”
— Anonymous

“A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays.”
— English and American Proverb

“When a Cat adopts you there is nothing to be done about it except put up with it until the wind changes.”
— T.S. Eliot

“Among the things in my life I am grateful for, the most is my love for animals. My heart would be emptier and my life would be less without them.” — Unknown

“The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog.”
— Mark Twain

“When a man loves cats, I am his friend and comrade, without further introduction.”
— Mark Twain

“The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven not man’s.”
— Mark Twain

“If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.”
— Mark Twain

“Dogs come when they’re called; cats take a message and get back to you later.”
— Mary Bly

“Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative.”
— Mordecai Wyatt Johnson