Attendance: Pres. Walter, Coulter, Schmitz, Nuboer, Bilger Summers, Hurwitch, Mitchell, Sladen’s, Rego, Michael Johnson and our speaker.

We were all very pleased to see Alden back. He and Connie drove some 3500 miles visiting family. Phew…

Wednesday’s meeting:

Phonebook: 224 ads this year (228 last); $56,800. Not bad!!

Our speaker was Leah Ames from the Driftway Animal Hospital . Leah is the “patient coordinator” and she shared her stories of success and love at her facitlity. Leah has worked here for 10 years and the hospital is 31 years old. The practice includes medical and surgical care, boarding and adoption. They like to provide preventive medicine rather than just deal with problems. They work closely with the shelter, next door, helping with their medical/surgical needs. Together they are helping rescue animals from the south where they are not euthanized but kept in cages for endless years. They are brought here, treated and hopefully placed in adoptive homes.

She talked about the need for education of owners about care and animal needs. She mentioned behavior as a major pet problem that is best managed when pets are young. The behavior problems are what has led to the problems of securing home insurance. Leah is now providing help to secure insurance for people who want pets. (I had no idea!…)

She spoke glowingly of Dr. Hopi (who has adopted 7 hopeless critters herself). She says they do lots of laser surgery, offer pain relief, provide comfort care and deal with a lot of dental decay. There are plenty stories but not all stories have happy endings. While the stories are unfolding in real time the hospital can always use blanket and towels.  The shelter can always use newspapers. Keep them both in mind.

The club gives a free ad to the shelter in our phonebook. The hospital does not advertise. Oh well…

For Your Information:

Walter is in New Hampshire for the District Conference. Great Weekend! Weather-wise. Meantime, perusing the SS Council News – many new members within the area. We are missed at the council. Walter was our rep. And while he began his year saying that he wanted to keep going for us, I think he has changed his mind. Anyone want to go in his place? It is always the third Wed. evening each month, in Weymouth . Details on request.

If you cannot find a copy of the Object of Rotary or the 4-Way test, let me know.                                

Yours in Rotary,  
Janet Schmitz

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