Save the Date

The News, Monday, March 21, 2011 A-7

Pit bull Fauntine finds love in the arms of an angelBy Maria DeFillipoCumberland County SPCA

When you walked past Fauntine’s ken-nel, you could hear Sarah MacLachlan’s “Angel” play-ing in the back-ground.

A brown pit bull, hunched over, tail wag-ging softly.

First you would notice her sad, round eyes, quietly begging for affection.

Then you would notice the scars — every-where — especially on her throat.

Her legs and sides had several pressure sores, some that were still open and raw, some that healed long ago.

The end of her tail was gone, down to the bone.

The odds for dogs like Fauntine are not good.

She’s a pit bull, the most misunderstood breed of dog.

Even adorable, young, friendly pit bulls have a difficult time finding a home.

She had no stand-out features — unless you count the dozens of scars, which do not tend to help a dog find a home.

Would you take a dog like that home? However, the more we learned about her

temperament, the more amazed we were by this dog.

All you had to do was look at her, and she was your best friend.

I introduced her to a troop of Girl Scouts to show the girls the true face of animal cruelty.

Fauntine eagerly ran up to each child, raining kisses on their faces while her tail wagged the entire time.

Our biggest fear was her reaction to other dogs.

We introduced her to another pit bull, and by the end of the night Fauntine and her buddy Anita were sharing a blanket on their bed.

Fauntine was officially an “awesome” dog.

But would we ever find someone willing to look past her scars and into her future?

However, the angel that helped Fauntine survive her past, stayed with her at the shelter.

Tara Collins walked into the shelter and stopped short at Fauntine’s kennel.

“The second I saw her, I couldn’t believe anyone could do this to a dog so sweet. The way she wags her tail — how she wanted only to be petted and loved.”

Tara didn’t see how anyone could disre-gard Fauntine, and wanted to show her what a good life felt like.

She submitted an application, which was quickly approved, and we moved onto the next step — the dog meet, with Tara’s three Great Danes.

The dog meet wasn’t perfect, but it went well enough for Tara to feel comfortable bringing Fauntine home.

Sometimes we say it’s more important to have an owner who understands dog behav-ior than dogs that get along perfectly!

Tara reports that since coming home, Fauntine is doing well with the other dogs, is well-behaved and loves long walks.

She is always looking for approval and has a constant desire to be loved.

Fauntine has a new angel.Her name is Tara. Many who met Fauntine were moved to

tears at the thought of her suffering, and everyone is overjoyed by the miracle of her survival and adoption.

She reminds us of what is truly amazing about man’s best friend, and maybe pit bulls in particular.

Despite her suffering at the hands of men, her love and devotion has not wavered.

Her ability to forgive and move on, the epitome of grace, is truly a lesson for all humans.

—Shelter Needs: The CCSPCA shelter

in Vineland seeks donations of canned dog and cat food, puppy and kitten chow, cat litter, bleach, hand sanitizer, fabric softener sheets, and gift cards from grocery, pet care and hardware stores.

—Pets of the Week

CatsAUDREY HEPBURN is an adorable

kitten who needs a home. She is sweet and friendly.

CLINT EASTWOOD is an orange tabby. He loves attention.

WOBBLES is having some neurological issues. We believe it could be due to a reac-tion from a flea product. He is a sweet lov-ing boy and needs a new home. Wobbles is about 7 months old.

MOMMA CAT is full of fun and antics. She is a 1-year-old calico tabby. She is fun and friendly.

PUMPKIN is about 3 years old. He and his kennel mate are looking for a new home. They were turned in to the SPCA because a family member was allergic. They are both already neutered.

INDIE is a Calico tabby. She is 8 years old, spayed and declawed. She would make a perfect pet for an older person or a family with a baby.

DogsANGEL is a sweet, playful, 1-year-old

Lab/Pit mix. She is a comical, fun loving girl that is housebroken, crate trained, wonder-ful with older kids and great with other dogs. She is an active girl and probably not suited to a home with young children or tod-dlers but older kids would be great.

RYDER is a wonderful, 2-year-old lab mix. He is fun, friendly and loves attention. Ryder is already housebroken and good with other dogs. He was released for adoption when his owners had to move and were

unable to take him along.CHINA is a beautiful and amazing dog.

She is 6 to 7 years old and residing in one of our foster homes. She is people oriented and friendly with kids. She is housebroken. She came to us with dull and missing fur, skinny and suffering from an eye infection. She has gained 10 pounds and looks a million times better! Rottie lovers, don’t miss out on this great dog! She would love a relaxed home where she can bask in your attention — and you will love loving her! If you are interesting in meeting China, please submit an online application and follow up with a phone call to arrange a meet and greet.

COMET is a 9-month-old puppy who is just as cute as can be. He is affectionate and loving. He is also well-behaved in the house and totally housebroken. But Comet is a special needs pup because he has an intense fear of men. He is never aggressive, but he just can’t seem to warm up. Comet needs a home with only females, or a mostly female home where the male will under-stand that this dog may never bond to him. Once relaxed, Comet is playful and gentle; he is a loving and shy soul. He is adorable and wonderful, but he needs a family fully committed to making him the best dog that he can be. He is in foster care so if you are interested, please submit an application and follow up with a phone call to arrange a meet and greet.

NYLA is a gorgeous, 9-month-old mixed breed pup. She is housebroken, having only an occasional accident, crate trained, good with kids and good with other dogs. They don’t come any better than our lovely, good natured Nyla.

DEMI is a very sweet, 9-month-old pit bull terrier mix. She was released for adop-tion along with her litter of six puppies. The puppies have all been adopted and this young dog is hoping for a forever home of her own. Demi is almost housebroken, hav-ing only occasional accidents. She is friendly and fun loving and good with other dogs. This sweet girl is little more than a pup.

AUDREY HEPBURN

DEMINYLACOMETCHINARYDERANGEL

INDIEPUMPKINMOMMA CATWOBBLESCLINT EASTWOOD

Urgently in need of a loving, forever home!

JESABELLE is 4 years old. She has long hair and is a dilute calico. She is in desper-

ate need of a forever home. She is FIV positive. FIV is a cat-only disease and cannot

be spread to humans or other non-felines. FIV cats most

often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with

no symptoms at all. FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread casually—

like in litter boxes, water and food bowls, or when snuggling and playing. It is rarely spread from a mother to her kittens.

This pretty girl with stunning eyes is SUZIE. Not only is she gorgeous,

but her foster mom raves about what a wonderful dog she is at home! She is an adult husky mix who is as good-natured and agreeable as they come. She is very

friendly and enjoys the company of people of all ages. She is housebroken

and working on her leash-walking skills (she’s very eager for her walks!). She is a well-behaved and sweet dog who gets along very well with other dogs. Suzie

came to us with a horrifying skin condi-tion that left her back end with no fur

and infected skin. All her fur has grown in and she is feeling and looking bet-

ter than ever. We sent Suzie to a foster home to speed her recovery. If you would like to meet her, please submit an online application and follow up with a phone

call to arrange a meet and greet.

We Offer: • Heated & Air-conditioned Indoor/Outdoor Runs • Quiet Room just for Cats with No Dogs • Grooming by Appointment or while Boarding • Training & Supplies

Hours:Mon., Tues., Thurs.7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wed., Sat.8:00 am - 3:00 pmFri. 7:00 am - 5 pm

Closed Sunday

If your pet is not becoming to you...He should be coming to us!

Located just 8 miles west of BridgetonIn Stow Creek Township

348 JERICHO ROAD (Rt. 624)

856-451-0350746625

FAUNTINE

Step-For-A-Pet April 10The 17th annual Step-For-A-Pet will be held April 10

at Parvin State Park in Pittsgrove Township.Visit the Cumberland County SPCA’s website at www.

cumberlandcountyspca.org for details or visit the shelter at 1244 N. Delsea Drive, Vineland, to get your registra-tion form

Foster Family Orientation April 13The CCSPCA will host a Foster Family Orientation on

April 13 at 6 p.m.We currently have over 60 dogs and puppies in foster

and are anticipating the arrival of hundreds of kittens.Join us for this information session if you think you

may be interested in opening your home to a needy ani-mal.

Plant & Bake Sale April 30-May 1Join us at the CCSPCA for our annual Plant and Bake

Sale on April 30 and May 1. Meet many animals for adoption at our huge adopt-a-thon at the shelter and at PetSmart this weekend, as well.