PET TALES

I want to share something with you all today - my other life.

Yep I live a double life.

Not a secret agent 007 James Bond kind of life but a double life all the same.

Aside from working as a writer I work at an animal shelter in Port Charlotte. For just over a year I have been working as the assistant director of the Animal Welfare League - a friendly moderatesized shelter.

Every day is truly a day for joy and tears.

I want to share a brief snippet of life as a homeless pet.

When we walk into an animal shelter we have the tendency to want to help every critter that walks through the door.

Whether they are short, big, furry or hairless each of the homeless animals at the shelters needs one thing - a loving home.

Some of the pets luck out pretty quickly winding up with sweet families.

But then there are dogs like Sheila who aside from being homeless also suffers from a disease.

Sheila will haunt me forever. And she should - her gentle spirit deserves at least that.

The sweet black and tan German shepherd mix was a diabetic and needed insulin twice a day. The seven-year-old dog became homeless after her owner had to move into an assisted living facility.

Sheila never seemed to know she had a medical condition. She was always ready to greet everyone with a wag and good sniff with her black nose.

Unfortunately folks sometimes shy away from a pooch that requires medical care.

Still the once bright-eyed dog never winced once when she got her treatment. If anything she seemed grateful for the care. She would lick the staff while she was getting treated.

But Sheila deserved much more.

Unfortunately her body got too tired and sick before someone had a chance to know how wonderful of a pet she would have made. Waiting is the hardest trial of all for homeless pets.

So, if any of you kind folks get the chance to adopt a homeless pet please do so - you will not be disappointed.

For those of you who cannot adopt but want to help homeless pets fostering, volunteering at shelters can be a great help.

Food and cleaning supplies are also always needed to care for the homeless pets as well as educating family friends and neighbors about the importance of spaying and neutering.

For more information, contact a local shelter. ¦

Local shelters

>>Gulf Coast Humane Society 2010 Arcadia St., Fort Myers, 332-0394 www.humanesociety-leecounty.org

Lee County Animal Services 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, 432-2083 www.leelostpets.com SPAY-LEE Inc. (no shelter but has off-site adoptions), PO Box 6577, Fort Myers, Fl33911 936-2727 or 936-3680 email: FlSpayLee@aol.com, or APic@aol.com

Animal Refuge Center, Inc 18011 Old Bayshore Rd, North Fort Myers, FL33917, 731- 3535 www.animalrefuge.com

Contact Ella

>>Readers are welcome to share their stories, information and needs with Ella Nayor at enayor@florida-weekly. com. Pet Tales is designed to provide entertainment, support and education to our pet lovers.