14 | The Tribune | Weekend
Friday, October 22, 2021
animals
A message from the bridge By KIM ARANHA Animal Matters
H
ello everybody, it’s me, Chiefie, from Rainbow Bridge. Sorry, I have been “off radar” (in more ways than one), but things can get pretty hectic even in doggy heaven. Some new arrivals were on the younger side and didn’t realize that there was no need to carry on with naughty puppy antics up here. No need to chew Francis’s sandals. Oh, Nimba was not pleased with their behaviour and we had to hold a few puppy behaviour seminars. Her English is really good now and this unruly bunch came from an Englishspeaking place…. football types. Anyway, that problem has been resolved with love and understanding. They have taken quite a shining to me and follow me around. It is really rather sweet because they are all my kind of colour, sort of minimes! I make a good role model for them; wish you could see them. Actually, the reason I am taking time out of my very busy schedule to write this is yesterday when I was checking in on Mum I saw she was at her desk filling out raffle tickets for nice people who had bought entire books of 21 tickets for $100. Yes, it’s raffle time again and the prizes are really good. Perfect for a homeowner and especially for somebody with furry friends. The first price is $10,000 worth of groceries at Super Value (those folks at Super Value sure do love animals, I know, I have heard Mum talking about how kind they are). It’s a great prize; just imagine how much pet food that can buy. There are a bunch of other very useful gift certificates too - BPL and BTC. Both of those certificates were donated “in memory” of VIPs (very important potcakes). The BPL certificate is in memory of me, because I “lit up her life”! And the BTC one
IT’s raffle time at the BHS was donated in memory of dear Bob, a super star who did tons of photos for the Bahamas Humane Society. There are also certificates from Kelly’s, Keshon’s Fashions, Aquapure, d’Albenas, and one for car gas. Geoffrey Jones has donated a deep freeze and there is a tank of cooking gas; something for everyone. When I was looking over Mum’s shoulder, very carefully so that she couldn’t see me, I thought that this is a pretty wonderful raffle. Ten prizes, a real “homeowners delight”. The wonderful thing about this raffle is that it serves two purposes: the first and obvious is that by buying raffle tickets you are supporting the
Bahamas Humane Society and the work they do, plus you could win a really amazing prize. The BHS is struggling lately because so many poor puppies and dogs, kittens and cats are being brought in and surrendered. I know what is like to be a stray, because I, Chiefie, was a rescue. I was lucky to be picked up off the road when I was still a little boy, but I remember those days in the bush, when it rained, we got wet. I hate the wet and rain because of that. I would see my birth mother trying to keep us dry, and safe and feed us. I was sad when I got caught and brought to my dear Rosie’s house, I missed
pet of the week
A potcake puppy bonanza
spayed (or neutered) so they won’t be adding to the potcake population. We potcakes are extremely loyal, usually very smart dogs, and there are many seeking homes. Would you like to adopt one? If so, please give the BHS a call at 323-5138 or come in for more information. I’m sure they’ll find just the right match for you!”
By THE BAHAMAS HUMANE SOCIETY “Hi, there! I’m your cuteness overload for today. My name’s Wilma, and yes, I was actually adopted from the Bahamas Humane Society. But I’m here today to tell you that there are so many other puppies at the shelter waiting to be adopted. They’ve all had at least their first vaccines and will be
my mother, but she was so kind to us, and then this family adopted me, and I had the best 15 years with them. I didn’t want to leave them, but we dogs have a limited time on earth before we get called back. You know we are really angels, but we are sent down without the wings, they would get in the way, and humans simply would not understand, that’s why the transition is so easy for us on rainbow bridge. There some other pretty amazing things going on down on Earth: There are the Sunday spay clinics at the shelter held every second Sunday, lots of dogs and getting spayed and neutered and then over in Eleuthera there is a big BAARK spay and neuter at the end of this month. Hopefully people will take advantage of these clinics. We have too many dogs and cats needing homes, we need to slow down the birth rate. Please buy sone tickets! Being a fur angel is quite a lot of work. Archie and I work together frequently, we have a squad, watching over our homes and the people we love, comforting new arrivals, helping transitions, having mud baths, it’s all in our paws. Don’t get me wrong, I do miss snuggling on the bed with Mum and running up and down along the wall barking at passersby…but I had a great life and I have been up here for close to five months. My biggest problem is trying to get Mum to stop tearing up when she thinks about me, she is still missing me so much.
PHOTO/Linda Gill-Aranha
• The Jewellery Sale at the BHS Thrift Shop was so successful that it’s been extended two more days. Stop in today (11am - 3pm) or on Saturday (10am - 2pm) and check out the extensive selection. You might find something amazing for yourself or a loved one. All proceeds go to the BHS.
