Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

Friends For Life Offers April Animals For Adoption

Story by Celeste von Mangan

“April is the cruelest month...” wrote poet T.S. Eliot in his poem “The Waste Land,” though a local pet rescue and foster group is hoping that April will be the kindest month with increased adoptions for Watauga County Animal Control dogs, puppies, cats and kittens.

Spring is often viewed as a time of hope, renewal and second chances. High Country Friends For Life, a nonprofit dog and cat rescue and foster organization, has many beautiful pets available for adoption. If these animals are not adopted or fostered, they will be returned to animal control and euthanized as soon as the cages and kennels fill up. Penny Muller, founder of Friends For Life, is issuing a special plea to the community at this time of spring rebirth. Waggle is a two year old male neutered beagle

The group hosts pet fairs outside Lowe’s Home Improvement in Boone every Saturday between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

“We can’t save the animals without the help of the community,” she explained. “This is not a one-man show or a five-man show. We need help on Saturdays, we need members to join Friends For Life and we need funding. We are the caretakers of the planet; God has entrusted these animals to us.”

Muller said that people think it is fine to drop off unwanted animals at Lowe’s or drop off animals at the animal control shelter instead of taking the time to find a good home for their pet.

“We will help you find a home for your pet,” she said, “but you have to be responsible and not just leave your puppies, kittens, dog or cat with us. The animal has to go back home with you at the end of the day if they are not adopted.”

Call Penny Muller at 828-773-6688 if you can volunteer with the dogs, foster a dog or adopt one. Call Joanne Nelson at 828-297-1344 if you can volunteer in an administrative capacity or adopt Heidi.

To become a member of Friends For Life, look for the new flyers around the High Country or stop by Lowe’s on Saturdays. Your membership helps save lives.

April Animals Seeking Forever Homes

Most of these animals will be at Lowe’s on Saturday, April 7.

Cleo and Sadie are two hounds who desperately need homes. They do not have to be adopted together, though they do get along very well with one another. Cleo is a young, neutered, tri-colored male, possibly a walker/beagle mix. “Cleo wants to be with people,” said Muller. “He will curl up next to someone and go to sleep. Cleo needs a break. He and Sadie have been in foster care a long time.”

Stella is a 13-inch, 11-year-old spayed beagle. She was found as a stray in Valle Crucis. “Stella is the most lovable, incredibly wonderful dog, ” said Muller. “She is housebroken and walks on a leash. In fact, she is a housedog. She cannot be an outdoor dog because she will find her way out of a yard or pen. If she gets loose, she gets confused and cannot find her way home. Stella would love to snuggle with someone. She still has a lot of life left in her.” Because Stella has trouble staying put if left outside, Muller said she will interview potential adopters thoroughly to make certain Stella would be strictly a housedog for a committed couple.

Jessie is a purebred Brittany spaniel who almost had a home last December, but the potential adopter never returned for him. Jessie is about 9 years old and loves people. He is neutered and housebroken. “ I wish we could get Jessie a home,” said Muller who has fostered him all these months. “He is a very nice dog.”

Louise is a black lab mix, spayed, about 6 months old. “Louise is a very bright-eyed, sweet puppy,” said Friends volunteer Joanne Nelson. “When she looks at you and flutters her eyelashes, she looks like a southern belle.”

Marley is a yellow lab mix, smaller than a purebred lab. “He is a very timid dog,” said Nelson, “house trained, about one and a half years old. He gets along with other dogs and with children and he would be a terrific guardian for a woman.”

Freckles is a spayed female who is housebroken, good with children, cats and other dogs. She loves to be outside when it is not raining or cold. Freckles is 2 years old. Marley is a yellow lab mix

Heidi is a spayed female, mixed-breed dog about 4 years old who is house and crate trained, independent and happy to spend time in a fenced yard. Heidi likes to curl up with people.

Georgia is a spayed female shepherd mix who had severe ear infections. They are now healing and according to foster mom Joanne, she is feeling better each day. Georgia is very smart and has learned basic obedience commands.

Waggle is a small, 2-year-old neutered male beagle who has a “full body wag.” He is friendly and sweet.

Fluffy is a long-haired orange and white tabby cat who was adopted from Friends For Life by a young couple when he was 2 months old. Seven months later, the couple had parted company and Fluffy was turned in to the animal control shelter. The line on the form asking the reason the cat was being relinquished read “No Longer Loved.” “Fluffy is just beautiful and very sweet,” said Friends volunteer Charlotte Garrison. “We are looking for a mature couple or person committed to keeping Fluffy forever.”

Flood Relief Needed for Former Watauga County Animal Control Dogs

Despite his name, Gentle Waters swam in some pretty rough waters on Wednesday, March 28, as the rain pounded down, streams overflowed and the reservoir flooded, placing towns in Ashe County knee-deep in water for a brief period. Not a problem if you are a human adult; big problem if you are a short-legged Bassett-beagle mix. As the waters rose, Gentle Waters escaped from his pen at the Kindred of the Wild Animal Sanctuary and swam into the arms of an Ashe County Animal Control officer. Twenty other dogs were evacuated from the sanctuary by animal control and founder Celeste von Mangan, over half of them dogs from Watauga County Animal Control dogs. All the canines had been deemed unadoptable and were placed at the sanctuary as special needs or special breeds. Many are long-time residents, living out their days in a permanent safe haven. The 21 dogs were housed overnight at the animal control shelter.

No lives were lost in the flood, though many supplies were. The resulting cleanup and repair of the farm/sanctuary will take weeks, and funding and donations of specific items, new or used, are needed.

Pet Carriers: Any size, cat, medium and large dog carrier/crates; 26 required for future evacuations/emergencies

Food Pans/Water Buckets

Leashes/Collars

Horse Water Buckets/Mangers

Blankets/Sheets/Towels

Cattle/Horse Gates

Horse Hay

Monetary Donations

Make checks or money orders payable to Kindred of the Wild, “Flood Relief Fund” and send to 207 Dale Adams Road, Sugar Grove NC 28679. Call 336-384-2686 to donate supplies.