““““Best Friend TailsBest Friend TailsBest Friend TailsBest Friend Tails””””Skippy & RalphieSkippy & RalphieSkippy & RalphieSkippy & Ralphie

Sometimes fellow Journey's End residents find a true kindred spirit

and a best friend for life. Skippy and Ralphie definitely fit that bill,

and what a joy to see them together! Ralphie is 9 while Skippy is

12, so hopefully they'll have many more years together.

They also share similar physical conditions. Skippy came to us

when he was only 8 months old with a rare condition that causes

numerous bone spurs. As a result of his disability, Skippy uses

doggy wheels to get around, and he does so very well! He’s

known to be a “Mama’s Sissy Boy,” very spoiled and demanding.

He loves riding in the car, and has a tantrum if he sees anyone take

the car keys and say “Bye-bye” without taking him along. He

especially enjoys his long rides to Jacksonville, where he sees a

specialist. He’s all smiles all the way, but as soon as he sees the

vet tech enter the room, he gives a very distinctive glare!

Ralphie arrived at Journey's End when he was 5 years old, from

Tampa, where he was slated for euthanasia. He has a congenital

bone deformity in both front legs, causing them to turn outward.

When he first arrived, he would start to run and would fall. His

wonderful doctor, Dr. McKenzie in Jacksonville, said not to put

him in doggy wheels, but to “Let him go”, and sure enough, now

Ralphie runs with the best of them! He loves keeping up with his

other pals, Weezer and Opie, who are two of our fastest dogs.

When Ralphie runs, he “bunny hops” with his back legs, an

adorable sight.

Ralphie now has premature arthritis, and his feet are rotating

outward, but he is still active and very mobile! Corrective surgery

was considered at first. But Ralphie continues to see the same

specialist in Jacksonville that his best friend Skippy sees, and the

doctor recommended no action, saying surgery might make his

condition worse. And his mobility is excellent just as he is now.

So Skippy and Ralphie are happily running together, Skippy in his

wheels, Ralphie with his little outward-turning feet, and these two

BFFs are a wondrous sight to behold!

journeysendsanctuary.org

Journey’s End Animal SanctuaryNovember 2019 NewsletterNovember 2019 NewsletterNovember 2019 NewsletterNovember 2019 Newsletter

Vol. 20, Issue 4

facebook.com/journeysendsanctuary

Ralphie

Strolling along, side by side

Skippy

Stubby Beats the OddsStubby Beats the OddsStubby Beats the OddsStubby Beats the Odds

You may remember Stubby from our last newsletter. He was the cat

injured in an act of cruelty...apparently kids cut off his lower left front

leg and paw. He was rescued by a couple and lived happily on their

front porch for 5 years until they had to get ready to move, so they

made arrangements for him to come to JE.

The vet found that Stubby needed dental surgery, which he soon had,

but during the exam she also felt a small mass in his abdomen. After

X-rays, ultrasound, and a biopsy, it was still unclear what type of

tumor it was, but it was almost certainly cancer, most likely

lymphoma or intestinal cancer. Either had a poor prognosis for

survival. We were heartbroken that after all he had been thru, this

sweet cat would have his life cut short by cancer.

The surgeon had to make a 5-inch incision to remove the tumor, along

with 6 inches of intestines. To everyone's surprise, it turned out to be a

leiomyoma (a benign smooth muscle tumor). The tissue samples show

that it was entirely removed.

Stubby is semi-feral, and no doubt it was extremely stressful for him

to adjust to a new environment (he remains under home care by a

couple of longtime Journey's End volunteers) and then recover from 2

major surgeries. At first, he was clearly depressed and spent at least a

couple of months in his bed, often hissing or growling if something

disturbed him. But slowly he began exploring his environment and

acting interested in life again. Now he is much more at ease and has

bonded with us and the other cats, and he often purrs (and snores)

contentedly.

- 2 -

More FriendsMore FriendsMore FriendsMore Friends

Stubby (under sedation) on his initial visit

to the oncologist

A few months after surgery –

feelin’ groovy

Dakota

& Cowboy

Thelma

& Louise (rear) Lucy (R. I. P.) and Amber

Friendly

Gaggle

Cat House renovation begins

After months of discussion, planning, engineering, and

permitting, the construction has begun for our Cat House

renovation. First, the resident cats were all herded into the

back part of the Cat House. A fence was built to keep the

dog yard fenced-off, and some of the pigs were relocated.

Then the 50-year-old front part of the building was

demolished, and work began on rebuilding it from the

ground up.

The rebuilt part of the Cat House will have a kitchen for

food preparation and a new bathroom. It will have germ-

resistant, easy-to-clean flooring. The entire Cat House will

have a new electrical system and energy-efficient air

conditioning and heat, and a new metal roof. The work

should be finished in a couple of months.

The Cat House renovation is critical to providing a safe and

healthy environment for our many feline residents. We are

so grateful to everyone who has helped support this

important project. You have come through for our animals

again, and we thank you with all our hearts.

- 3 -

The Cat House back patio, which will be

expanded after the rest of the Cat House

renovation is complete

The back room of the Cat House, the only

part of the old Cat House still standing

An easy way to support Journey’s End

If you shop on Amazon, please consider starting at

smile.amazon.com and selecting Journey's End Animal

Sanctuary as the charitable organization. Amazon will donate

to us 0.5% of the price of anything you purchase, at no

additional cost to you. You'll enjoy the same products and

prices as always and help the animals at the same time.

Journey's End T-shirts

Our T-shirts feature the Journey's End logo

designed by artist Don Nedobeck. They are

100% pre-shrunk cotton and are available in

sizes S, M, L, and XL. Just $15 plus $3

shipping. Order in our online store at:

http://www.journeysendsanctuary.org

or mail a check to:

Journey's End Animal Sanctuary

PO Box 220163

Glenwood FL 32722

In Memory of…In Memory of…In Memory of…In Memory of… fromfromfromfrom In Memory of…In Memory of…In Memory of…In Memory of… fromfromfromfrom

- 4 -

In Honor of…In Honor of…In Honor of…In Honor of… fromfromfromfrom

Alan Neese ................................ ............................... Leslie C. Neese Aunt Florence Brown's 94th Birthday............Georege & Dawn, Ina & Cal, Sue, Lois & Ryan, Alice and Charlotte Bali ............................................ ................... Albert & Nancy Hobbs Bonnie ....................................... ......................................Judy Boyce Brook And Corin Denmon's 20th Anniversary ............................. Paula Kennedy Buck .......................................... ................. Doherty Enterprises Inc. Chris Stouffer's Birthday ........... ............................Marianne Crouter Corrine and Brook Denmon's Anniversary .................................Carol Fosgate Denny, Marie & Casey.............. .............. Gordon & Beverly Patrick Fritz ........................................... ............... Donna & William McLay Kelsey Zeidner .......................... ............................... Kristen Zeidner Lori Welch ................................ ............................... Leslie C. Neese Marina Geys' Birthday............... .................. Lynne & Heinz Michler Marina Geys' Birthday............... ......................Susan & Skip Perkins Misty ......................................... ....Anthony & Michaelyn Milidantri Moe Neese................................. ............................... Leslie C. Neese Opie........................................... .................George & Lisa Quinones Papa the cat ............................... .............Joanne & Edwin Granberry Sonny......................................... ..........................Pat & Tom Nasella Stubby & all others.................... ................. Ilene & Peter Lombardo

Abbey & KC.............................. ................................... Joyce Dreher All of ours ................................. ............................ Christy Lancaster Art Connor ................................ ................................Leanne Connor Baby .......................................... ..................................Edward Wesa Barbara...................................... ............................... Donna DeCarlo Boots ......................................... .............................. Helen V. Martin Bristol........................................ ........................Linda & Noel Smith Buddy........................................ .................. Judith & Richard Basen Buffy & Coco Chanel................ ...............................Charles E. Lane Candy, Scout & The Chickens .. .................................. Lauri Barkley Charlie, Missy & Lady .............. ....................................Pat Maenner Christine Conforti...................... ...........................Nicholas Schirmer Christopher & Bridget ............... .................... Jim & Helen Simmons Danny ........................................ .......................Alan & Mary Wedge Daphne Spencer ........................ ............................... Rachel Frawley Delores Kelly ............................ ................ Paul & Charlene Holland Dillan......................................... .............................. Linda R. Adams Elliott Smith .............................. ......................................Suzy Smith Freddy Smith ............................. ...................................... Olga Smith Gringo, Cleo & Lucky............... ....... The Farrands, Blackie & Mimi James Abrams ........................... .............................. U. C. San Diego Jean LucPicard .......................... .................................. Lauri Barkley Jennifer Blair ............................. .................................. Thomas Blair Jim Shea .................................... ........................... Harriet R. Clinton Joan Weigel............................... ...........................Carole Fortenbach Larry Bonner ............................. ................... Nancy & Ronald Balde Lonnie ....................................... ................................... Jane G. West Lulu ........................................... ....................J. W. & Robin Abrams Lulu ........................................... ......................Susan & Skip Perkins Lulu Perkins .............................. ...........................Carla Blackwelder Maggie & Marquis .................... ........Raymond & Madeleine Allard Mini Mouse ............................... ............................... Connie Shrader Misty & Freckles ....................... .................................... James Labor Molly......................................... ............................... Connie Shrader Monte ........................................ .................................Hayes Law PL Mozart, Melba, Cloud & Katy... .............. Gordon & Beverly Patrick Noel........................................... ........... Mr. & Mrs. James Crawford Ollie........................................... ....................Mark & Carol Sullivan Papa Zeller, Baby, Puccini, Giovanni, Lieutenant & Giacoma ......................Elizabeth Francis Pat Kisbany ............................... ..............William & Donna Kisbany Paul & Alyce Robertell ............. .......................David & Alyce Wise Peggy Elaine Friel RN............... Chuck Friel, Rachael Donaldson & Emily Anthony Pepper ....................................... ......................Susan & Skip Perkins Polly & Shakespeare ................. ......................................Gerri Engel Prince ........................................ ................................ Theora Bertish

Riley .......................................... ......................................Nilda Cook Robert Miller............................. ........................... Harriet R. Clinton Rusty ......................................... .................................Robbie Zarske Sam Williamson ........................ ...................................Becky Bostic Sam Williamson ........................ ....................................Brenda Krist Samson & Kuz .......................... ........................Karen & Allen Sapp Savannah Lee Sizemore ............ ..........................Celestine Sizemore Savannah Sizemore ................... .................. Adam & Lori Braddock Scotty & Mark........................... .....................Doug & Vickie Henry Shadow...................................... ................................ Theora Bertish Skyy & Charlie .......................... ....................................Pat Maenner Son of Margie Mears................. ........................... Harriet R. Clinton Stella.......................................... ......................................Nilda Cook Toby .......................................... ..................................Helen Woody Tom........................................... .................................. Linda Kowall Valerie Tulip ............................. ............................................ Lisa Le White Tornado .......................... ................ Pete & Lynn Rounseville William Gregory ....................... .....Journey's End Animal Sanctuary

Extra Special Heartfelt Thanks to our Wonderful Supporters

It is always impossible to thank you enough for your faithful support of the mission of Journey’s

End, which continues to save and enrich the lives of so many animals. There are times when we

feel overflowing gratitude, and this is such a time. No words could express our appreciation for your

wonderful support of late, when our needs and issues have been especially challenging. Every

single gift and acknowledgment is a godsend, whether a monetary contribution, donations of

needed items and food, or the kind words, notes, and gifts so many of you have blessed us with.

“Thank you” can hardly suffice. We love and honor each and every one of you.

- 5 -

Egg white omelet, avocado toast, coffee black.

Diversionary tactic

Is this a sensor flush?

We’re not BFs but we like to hang out.

Headrest

Consider yourselves

mesmerized.

Journey’s End

PO Box 220163Glenwood FL 32722-0163

- 6 -

Journey’s End is a non-profit 501(c)3 humane organization ensuring the lives of over 100 companion special needs

animals from dogs and cats to horses and pigs! ++Every penny received goes to this effort and tax-deductible donations

are our only income. All donors receive our newsletter.

Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ____________________________ Email Address: ____________________________________________________

Donation enclosed: $_____________ Thank you for your support!

A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling

toll-free 1-800-HELP-FLA or online at www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or

recommendation by the State. Registration #: CH11158.

The Journey's End 2020 Calendars

Our beautiful calendars include all new photos of our

resident animals and provide a whimsical look at life

around the sanctuary. The calendars are $15 each plus

$2.50 shipping. Order in our online store at:

http://www.journeysendsanctuary.org

or mail a check to:

Journey's End Animal Sanctuary

PO Box 220163

Glenwood FL 32722