By Elizabeth Allen – Express-News

“Oh, don’t bite me,” Jeff Standage said as he held Mia, his 13-year-old Siamese cat, on the kitchen table while Linda Whittington inserted a needle under the animal’s skin. Standage’s wife Teresa stood near and called to the cat in soothing tones.

Mia mewed sourly and occasionally bared her fangs, but didn’t struggle too much. An IV bag on a wall hook dripped saline solution into her body, helping her kidneys continue functioning.

Whittington visits the Standages, who are in their 80s, twice weekly for Pet Pals of Texas. She is volunteer coordinator for the agency, which helps care for the service animals and pets of the elderly and disabled.

The Converse-based agency is one of many area nonprofits being profiled by the Express-News in its annual Grace of Giving series, which runs daily through Christmas.

Pet Pals was founded by Vicki Jurney-Taylor in 2003. Jurney-Taylor, who is quadriplegic and relies on a ventilator to breathe, started the agency out of her Converse home to help others with disabilities get support for their pets.

The assistance varies with the pet owners’ needs and income levels, ranging from grooming and transportation to a vet to food supplies and annual vaccinations.

“If you make $800 or less (per month), you qualify for a whole range of services,” Whittington said.

Pet Pals requires its 200-plus animal clients to be spayed or neutered, and in most cases limits to two the number of animals per household eligible for assistance.

“We’ll provide food and services for two of your four dogs,” Whittington said. “We’ll help you find homes for the others. If they can’t take care of two animals, then what are they doing with four?”

Sometimes people can afford their pets but have trouble physically caring for them, she said. People in assisted-living facilities who can have pets get help, too.

And for service animals, about 15 percent of the total, there is another level of service altogether.

“For service animals we always provide the food, and we always provide full medical services,” Whittington said.

“These animals need something more. When a person gets like a guide dog for instance … they get the animal, they don’t get any help with it.

“Quite often, they actually can’t afford the animal that they have,” she said.

Service animals not only fulfill the familiar role of guiding the blind and visually impaired. They also help people with hearing and mobility problems, and Whittington knows one that is trained to alert people when its owner is about to have a seizure.

“It also alerts the person himself, who might not be aware that they’re about to have a seizure — but the animals do,” Whittington said.

Like many charitable organizations, Pet Pals has struggled in the economic downturn this year. By June the agency was scrambling to cover its dog and cat food commitments as donations dropped off. Soaring gas prices cut into its deliveries.

“We have had times when the money for the food comes out of the pockets of the volunteers,” Whittington said. “We have lost volunteers because of the huge rise in gasoline costs. All of our money goes into helping the animals. None of it goes into salaries for anyone. The only overhead we have is maintaining our office space where our food pantry is.”

By: Siri Castillo

I was going through the empty nest syndrome, I was very depressed. My Husband took me to the Animal Defense League. He picked out this little 3 month old Fox Terrier Mix. I Just Love Him. 3 years later Ricco De Jesus rode in his first 3CR4 Scooter Rally. We really saved each other.

By: Fabien Jacob

My wife and I just moved to the east side of San Antonio about 10 months ago. At first we were very shocked by the number of stray dogs and cats. So we decided to save them one by one, in our own east side rescue project.

We have already saved 10 dogs and about the same numbers of cats – all of them have found new loving homes and are in good health. This has shown us that no matter where you live, second chances are always given.

By: Tasha Castillo

Last 4th of July, I was on my way to my aunt’s house. On my way there, for some reason, I took a turn down a wrong road and got lost. When I finally got on the main road, I noticed a small, black dog in the middle of the road, eating something off the ground.

Now, if you don’t remember last “summer” – it was really wet and humid. I stopped in the middle of the road and called the dog over to me (not the brightest thing to do, I’ll admit). He quickly came over to me and licked my hand and then ran back to eating whatever was on the road.

I pulled over on the side of the road and he ran straight toward me. As I touched him I noticed that he was COVERED head to toe in fleas and TICKS! The neighbor next door said that his owners never took care of him. I borrowed a towel from him and headed straight back to my home in tears. Once he got in my air-conditioned car, he passed out.

It’s a decent drive to my place from where I was, and when he awoke, he wanted so badly to lie on my lap. It was hard driving and keeping him down in place as the ticks were starting to move off of him (Eww)! Seven baths later (yes, seven), my beau and I were able to remove all the ticks and fleas off him. After taking him to the vet, we found out that the poor thing had worms and a whole bunch of white bumps on him from the fleabites. When we fed him, he ate his food like it was going to rot and even licked the floor where the pieces of his food fell.

My heart was broken at the thought of how irresponsible and pathetic people can be toward animals. His first night at our place, he slept like a baby (it was probably the best night’s sleep he’s ever had). We gave him treats, his own toy and plenty of food and water. He was potty trained and, above all, the most grateful creature I have ever met.

We took him for long, late-night walks so he would sleep like a rock when we came home. We still had a hard time stopping him from eating bugs off the ground. But, he would bark his head off immensely at anyone who came near us at night. He would cry out loud and run behind us when he saw children (we suspected that he was abused by them).

It was hard to part with this little guy. I cried immensely when we found him a home, as I remembered what he was like when I found him and never wanted him to live those days again. He, in turn, protected us as a way of his thanks and gratitude. We found him an owner that SHOWERED this (now huge) boy with toys, treats and a bed of his own. His name is now “Nibbles.” Nibbles gave me the strength to continue helping other animals in need, for they give us the greatest gift in return: their undying love, loyalty and protection.

I encourage everyone to save/adopt an animal, for they show you love and appreciation like no other. I miss you Nibbles – God be with you and your new owner, Ryan!

By: Sandra Griffin

Coming home tonight there was a pug sitting by the curb – in the street. Of course, my first reactions was, “Oh, crud!” It was too dangerous to stop right there, so I went to the first turn-in, parked my car and walked back to the dog…fearing the worst.

But, I guess when I honked at him, he moved on to the grass. Thank goodness! I sat down and he came to me. On his dog tag was etched his name and 
phone number. Here I am sitting with a pug in my lap as cars swoosh 
by. I called the number and the owner answered. In a matter of 10 minutes, man and pet were reunited.

Don’t get me 
wrong; I think microchipping is great – especially if a dog makes it to a shelter or a vet. But if we could encourage people to also have dog tags (fancy or just etched with a mini drill) we could prevent either the police or ACS from getting involved.

Of course, I understand that pets sometimes get lost. My vet etches the name and phone number on the back of the rabies tag. Perhaps AAPAW or OwnUp SA could purchase some with their logo or words on one side and just etch the contact information on the backside at various events. The different rescue groups or shelters could provide them when the animals are adopted. Just a thought! It worked for Flash!

P.S. I also gave the owner some ideas to help keep Flash in the yard – from making a dash, so to speak!

By: Martha W.

First of all, we want to thank you for all the wonderful work you do through OwnUp SA! We adopted two pups of our own, named Jake and Tycho, and can’t say enough about the smiles they put on our faces every day. We even put together a Web site of Jake and Tycho video comic strips and have produced a Public Service Announcement we would like to share with you.

You are welcome to use it on your Web site and can view it at: JakeandTycho.com. Although we have different video comic strips on weekdays, we run the video on weekends. Or, you can always see it at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=85lWz_b8dVI.

And, thank you again for the wonderful services you provide.

By: Madeleine Ortiz

I was looking for a dog for the longest time. I wanted – and needed – a loyal friend. Finally, I got awesome grades at the end of school and was able to get a puppy!

We went to Animal Care Services, where I found my puppy. It is a Catahoula – that’s a cow dog. She is such a joy! The first time I saw her, I absolutely fell in love. She is super hyper, just like her owner! I guess we’re pretty much alike when it comes to that.

And she needs training, but I will not give up on her. She follows me everywhere and loves me. And to me, that makes her a huge hero.

I also wanted to thank everyone at Animal Care Services for their help and dedication to animals!

By: Joseph Mutter

At 5:30 one morning, my mom had just dropped me off for cross-country practice at Brackenridge High School, where I am on the team. The sun had not come up yet and it was a cold start to the day – Halloween Day.

Certainly the weather was not suitable for babies of any kind…especially newborn kittens. I kept hearing tiny “Meowwws” but couldn’t figure out where they were coming from. I continued looking and eventually found four two-week-old kittens under an air conditioning unit.

They were tiny and I knew they needed special care. I kept one of them and then my mother called my aunt, who is a sheriff’s deputy, who took the rest of the litter to the Humane Society shelter. Mine had two spots on his back that looked just like wings, and so he became my “Angel.”

Now, almost seven months later, Angel has grown so much that he’s about five times the size he was when I first found him. And, he’s definitely more frisky: when tickled on his chest, Angel kicks with his back legs and even fetches his ball that I throw for him! But, he’s not only gotten bigger outside, but in my heart, too – I love my Angel!

By: Tina Valant

The following “little” labor of love – that took a year to complete – is now ready for your viewing pleasure! A 4-minute, 16-second piece, this film took its inspiration from a song that is used with permission in the presentation. Everyone participating in this effort volunteered their time, talents, etc.

One of my good friends – a golden retriever rescuer – did the live filming and editing. However, the original concept, logistics, location and still photos are mine.

The two “stars” of the film are Christine, a good friend and fellow Aussie rescuer, and Bella, a rescued solid-black “all American.” Bella is typical of the pets we find in shelters: all black.

All the dogs pictured in the still shots are actual rescues, including a lot of my personal favorites – Aussies, who have been given that crucial second, third or final chance at life. They are all happy, healthy and much loved!

By: Sallie Scott

Dumped out of a blue car about 2½ months ago, this dog has been frequenting the HEB at Nacogdoches Road and North New Braunfels. And this visitor has attracted quite a following, including a number of people feeding her, who have named her Lady. However, no one has been able to catch her.

Lady has a routine now. She comes to the HEB parking lot around 7 a.m., then leaves for awhile to go to Alamo Heights Junior School for breakfast. At 7 p.m. she comes back to the HEB parking lot and follows people to their cars. No one, however, can touch her. She studies each face – maybe to see if her owners have come back to get her. When she sees a car resembling her owner’s car, she sits by the car.

She carries off the dishes people put food in for her. One time, she was given a cup of food and took the cup and carried it off for later. Everyone has fallen in love with Lady.

This has become a community effort as they watch out for sweet Lady. Her caregivers include:

• HEB employees:

• The Security Guard has pictures of her on his cell phone and talks to her in the evening when no one is around
• The Unit Manager tells of her carrying off a plant in front of the store

• Frequent HEB customers
• Neighbors:

• Condominium owners, including one couple who gives her roast beef and chicken
• People living on Rock Hill

• Animal lovers who have heard about her
• Alamo Heights Junior School kids
• An SAPD officer
• and many others!

She has been crossing Nacogdoches and several times has almost been hit by cars honking and skidding to miss her. Although quite worried, her caretakers had little success in trying to rescue Lady.

The Humane Society came out and Animal Defense League loaned a trap, which had not yet worked because everyone was feeding her. Finally one morning last week on Thursday, May 22, she went into the trap for some cheese. Now, this community is so glad that our Lady is safe and hope she will be adopted into a forever home where she will be loved.

By: Caroline Byrd

The St. Mary’s University TNR program, “For Paws” has just celebrated taking its 100th cat under their organizational wing. Nearly half of this population – 43 – of this first 100 cats have been adopted by loving homes and many others have returned to surrounding neighborhoods – where they will not reproduce.

Currently, about a dozen cats live on campus in several colonies and have become recognized members of the St. Mary’s community. Every cat entering the program since 2007 has been microchipped and ear-tipped.

Active since 2003, the “For Paws” volunteer group of students, faculty and staff has been practicing the accepted TNR (trap-neuter-return) strategies on campus. Their two-fold mission seeks to improve the health and well-being of homeless animals on the college campus through long-term care and management, as well as to educate the university and surrounding communities on how to develop responsible and humane relationships with these animals.

Relying exclusively on their volunteers, the group humanely traps cats, funds sterilization and vaccination veterinary services and provides year-round feeding. The group also works to educate the university – and wider community – about the importance of spay/neuter and adoption.

“For Paws” is a recognized university organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The group raises funds through the sale of T-shirts and tote bags with the distinctive “For Paws” logo, designed by the well-known artist Brother Cletus Behlmann.

“For Paws” is proud to be part of the larger animal welfare community here in San Antonio and we look forward to the day we can save our 200th cat!

By: Paula Winslow

Most of my friends are pet lovers and each of them contributes to pet welfare in many personal and distinctly different ways. They donate money to shelters, rescue cats and dogs from the street and find them good homes and several actually volunteer to care for animals at shelters or have careers at shelters throughout San Antonio. These people are my heroes.

I have tried to avoid actually working around animals because I don’t have the personal courage to face the dark side of what happens to many animals at the hands of human beings. It’s been my preference to work on shelter boards raising funds, running events or simply making a financial donation when possible, but mostly trying to avoid getting emotionally involved in rescue. Oh, there have been the many lost dogs that have stayed at our house alongside our own rescued Golden Retrievers, until they were healthy and found good homes. It has always been rewarding to see how happy these dogs have made their new families. Taking them in is an easy thing for anyone to do.

In the last few years, however, my husband and I have slowly been persuaded to “foster this one poor pup with a broken leg,” or something of that sort, and it has actually been pretty rewarding. The biggest step for us came at the Animal Care Services Grand Opening on Feb. 2, when we were asked to foster a VERY pregnant yellow lab – Blondie – until her puppies were weaned and could find homes. Yikes! We knew nothing about having puppies and our busy schedules didn’t seem to fit this kind of commitment, but we said yes anyway.

The puppies are three weeks old now and certainly have resulted in some adjustments in our house and our schedules. Yet, it truly has been an educational and rewarding experience to be able to help a shelter keep this beautiful dog and her pups from meeting a dismal end. I find that there is no better relief from the stress of a hard day at work than holding a puppy when you come home. And, I’m happy to realize that I can handle letting them go to a good home when the time comes.

I have recently learned the importance of fostering in helping San Antonio to become a no kill city and I must say that if I can do it, anyone can. I hope that you, too, will consider fostering and reaping the many rewards of providing a temporary and loving home to some of the many animals that give so much back to us.

UPDATE:

Since this story was first submitted, five of the eight puppies have found forever homes and are doing very well. Two pairs went out together, so they will have a sibling to keep them company, and one yellow puppy went to the home of a 10-year-old girl, who hugs him all the time. Blondie, the mom, has gone to a wonderful home with two young children that adore her. She was the star of Show & Tell last week for a group of five-year-olds. Tuxedo was fixed April 15 and went to the home of a nice couple stationed at Randolph Air Force Base. She works for a vet on the base and Tux will live with a one-year-old Boxer that wants a friend. She is blue eyed and he is brown eyed and they like it that Tux has one eye of each color to represent them both.

The two cuties pictured here are still looking for their lifetime homes and will be available through SNIPSA for adoption. Of course, each will be sterilized, vaccinated, microchipped and come with warm hearts, cold noses and lots of ‘wags and kisses!’

Cooper had a rough beginning when he came to us. He immediately acted out biting people and it was soon learned that his history played a large part in the aggression. The aggression came from his time as a “bait” dog in dogfights. There was talk that he might have to be put down. The thought broke my heart and I began looking for help.

I was referred to a local trainer. She was an “Angel” named Jasmine Skala from Family Dog Obedience in San Antonio. I called her right away and explained my situation. She agreed to at least meet little Cooper to see what we were dealing with. Jasmine informed me just how serious the situation was and she was very honest with us, even though it was hard to take.

That day a relationship began. Twice a week Jasmine would visit our home and we had our training sessions. At times the sessions were so hard to be a part of, but Jasmine asked me to trust her and I did. We practiced daily all the tools she taught us. It went on for months and sometimes there was progress and some setbacks. The whole time I knew the reality was that if we could not manage this aggression that Cooper would have to be put down. We could not risk him biting a child or member of the community.

After months of training with Jasmine from Family Dog Obedience, Cooper became the dog we had wanted. He stopped attacking people who came into our home; he stopped attacking when on walks. It was amazing! When you greeted him his whole body would shake back and forth from excitement. He loved to run the yard, chase the squirrels and play with his brother, Chuy. The best thing about it is he would lie in our lap or next to us on the couch and, unlike before when he may bite for no reason, now he would like you for hours while you rubbed his belly.

In May, Cooper was diagnosed with late Stage 2 Lymphoma. Cooper was treated with a holistic approach since we could not financially do chemotherapy. The doctor gave him two months, but he survived long after doctors had thought.

It was truly a blessing to me and my family as we gave our time to this dog. Cooper left this world on Nov. 2, 2007 knowing that he was loved dearly and would be treasured always in our hearts, mind and memories. Cooper is a testament to rescue. With love, compassion and hard work a dog can find his way to peace.

To Jasmine & Family Dog Obedience, without you Cooper never would have come to his peaceful place before leaving this earth. I want to publicly acknowledge Jasmine for her compassion and love for animals. Her “tell-it-like-it-is” training was a blessing and all we can say is “Thank You,” which is not enough. She gave us the greatest gift which was our Cooper and she gave Cooper a peaceful trip to the Rainbow Bridge!

More than 3,000 folks packed the parking lot outside The Santikos Palladium IMAX Theater at The Rim on Saturday morning, March 1.

It wasn’t the latest blockbuster movie that brought them out. They came to adopt dogs and cats, puppies and kittens, at the second Super Adoption sponsored by the Animal Area Partners for Animal Welfare (AAPAW), a coalition of approximately 40 San Antonio area animal shelters and rescue groups.

By all accounts the event was a spectacular success.

According to Super Adoption Day Chair Ron Aaron, executive director of the Animal Defense League, “We exceeded all of our expectations for the event. More than 150 dogs and cats were adopted out. And thousands of people learned more about OwnUp SA, a community-wide effort to encourage responsible pet ownership, increased spaying and neutering of pets and adoptions to achieve No Kill status for San Antonio by the year 2012.

Currently AAPAW is planning four super adoption events a year. But organizers hope to increase the number of super adoptions to more than 12 a year.

“We have a long way to go to achieve no-kill,” Aaron noted. “Adoption is key to reaching that goal.”

For more information on OwnUpSA visit www.ownupsa.com. And for more information on AAPAW, visit its Web site at www.aapaw.org.

Each week, hundreds of companion pets pass through the doors of San Antonio area shelters, seeking the opportunity to share their unconditional love in a “forever home.” And that can be a tall order facing members of the Alamo Area Partners for Animal Welfare (AAPAW) – a coalition of about 40 pet advocate groups.

But, they don’t have to shoulder this responsibility alone, thanks to Vera, a brindle-colored 65-pound mixed-breed mutt and the Official Spokesdog for AAPAW. With a non-stop tail and a personality perfectly suited for hitting the public relations trail, Vera seems to be the very image of a pampered pooch.

But, she’s certainly earned the right to this royal treatment. Vera had been living a pretty tough life on the streets in a neighborhood near a cement plant. Concerned for her safety, area residents were finally able to obtain one of the coveted spots at the Animal Defense League for Vera. However, the night before she was scheduled to find safety and sanctuary at the facility, Vera was struck by a car.

A clinic volunteer and grant writer at ADL, Linda Mills, knew the grim prognosis; with life-threatening internal injuries and a badly-broken leg, Vera wasn’t expected to make it. Yet, it became obvious that Vera had other plans and became the “poster dog” for a singular will to live. Day in and day out faced with such determination and courage, Linda realized that Vera had her specifically in her keen canine sights.

Months later, after a belabored healing process, Vera joined Linda’s growing family and set about her mission of spreading the word about the importance of spaying and neutering, adopting and the fact that pets deserve the love and respect that you would give to any other family member. It’s like Vera knew that she was destined to speak up for every pet in San Antonio. And she does!