SUMMER 2006 • V ol. 41 No. 2 - San Diego Humane Society and ...

College Educated Cat Ready for His Next Challenge
Skippo is a dashing 12-year-old who has been through taking oral medication to help
more changes in his life then most people, yet he remains him maintain a healthy weight.
a sweet and affectionate boy.
• Skippo can’t wait to find
• Skippo spent his younger days living in a fraternity a family with adults or older
house. Upon, graduation Skippo went back to his grandparent’s respectful children that will
house where he happily learned to live with other cats and be able to provide him with a
dogs. Eventually, his senior caretakers could no longer care for serene and stable home for his
him and he was brought to the San Diego Humane Society. twilight years.
• Humane Society caregivers often comment on this
If you feel that you may have
mellow cat’s great personality. Being on the mature side, a special connection with this
Skippo is ready to enjoy quality people time.
worldly guy, come down to the San Diego Humane Society
• Skippo has Hyperthyroidism, a condition fairly common and SPCA today and ask to meet the “Collegiate Kitty”
in older cats. Although his symptoms are minimal, Skippo is named Skippo.
TM
Photo: Tricia Macri
A Perfect Match
A
special little dog named Calvin got a second chance at
life and love thanks to our Sherman Street Program.
You see, the Sherman Street Program uses the
Humane Society’s former facility on Sherman Street to house
and care for animals transferred from overcrowded shelters
throughout San Diego and beyond. Calvin was transferred to
Sherman Street from an animal welfare organization in Los
Angeles and this is his story.
On February 9, 2006 Calvin (then named Derby) was waiting
at the San Diego Humane Society’s Gaines Street facility
in dog habitat #14 for his new pet parents to find him. On that
day Patricia Miller came to the San Diego Humane Society and
Patricia (left), Terry (right) and Calvin
pose for a reunion photo at the
San Diego Humane Society.
Photo: Simran Zilaro
SPCA with her caretaker
and friend, Ann, to find a
dog to be her companion.
They had come to meet
another dog they had seen
on the Internet, but weren’t
sure if her size and energy
level were right for Patricia,
who is handicapped. Luckily
their adoption counselor,
Terry Lockwood, knew a dog
that would be the perfect
match for Patricia and she
introduced them. It turned
out to be a great fit!
Here is a note we received from Patricia a few months after she
adopted her new friend:
Calvin… there aren’t words to describe what a cool dog
he is. He came in to my home via another dog whose cute
face on the Internet took me to the San Diego Humane
Society. That dog was a little too big for me, I wanted a
friend I could hold on my lap.
Our adoption counselor Terry said she had the dog
for me. She took me to see a little brown Chihuahua mix.
We were a couple immediately, him sitting on my lap
and licking my face. So off we went to his new home
in Escondido.
First, I changed his name to Calvin and he quickly
became the king of our home, sleeping under the covers,
which his dad said would never happen (little did he
know!) and having the run of the house. However, Calvin
is more than a beloved pet, he is also my protector.
Being handicapped I have difficulties swallowing and
often choke. One day, Calvin was outside in the backyard
with my caretaker, Ann, for his walk. I was eating my
breakfast and started choking. Neither Ann nor my
boyfriend was close enough to hear me, but Calvin did!
He pulled Ann, running through the patio at full speed
trying to get to me. He was going so fast trying to get to
me that he didn’t see the closed sliding glass door and
ran into it. Luckily, Calvin was OK and thanks to him,
so am I.
Calvin has been a wonderful addition to our home
showing us how dogs are our companions, friends and
protectors, giving us unadulterated love and devotion.
Thank you for enriching my life,
Patricia Miller
SW
AnimalFare • Summer 2006
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