Second Chance takes dogs to Brookstone Estates

‘Tis the season for giving, and a potpourri of  “gift stories” is being featured in Fayette Faces   The theme – gifts do not always come wrapped in pretty paper and ribbons.

Photo by Panzi Blackwell

Buy this photo

Photo by Panzi Blackwell

Buy this photo

Recently, the story of Adrian and the unselfish gifts given to him by his birth mother and his adoptive mother was told.

This week, it is gift-giving of a different nature, but still in the spirit of giving. Meet the women of Brookstone Estates and their gifts to the less-fortunate—homeless dogs:

The Recipe
Stir in X number of cups of uncooked oatmeal, add wheat flour, blend in so much peanut butter, toss in pinches of baking powder and add milk until dough reaches proper stage to roll out, cut with cookie cutters  and bake.

When cool, pack the “cookies” into decorated tins and present them to the Second Chance Animal Rescue for the doggy residents

This was the recipe the ladies followed to make up Christmas treats for the homeless dogs that are waiting to become the beloved pets of some caring and fortunate individuals or families

It was the suggestion of  Beth Smith, assistant executive director, that the residents of Brookstone (most of whom have years of baking and cooking behind them) begin the project of “Operation Doggy Treats.”

The suggestion was enthusiastically received, and preparations were made, supplies brought in and the women went into action.

The results were happy doggies, represented by three of their own to receive the gifts from the ladies.

On hand for the presentations were: “Toby”, a women’s favorite who is a friendly, lively Jack Russell mix; “Bailey,” a white boxer who is deaf, gentle and quiet, and touches your heart; and their friend "A.J.", a young  St. Bernard, who was at the dog pound and, although he was denied adoption from the pound by Second Chance, was rescued by a family. It is difficult to say who is the most fortunate one in this case – A.J. or his new family.

Toby and Bailey are both up for adoption. They are both “inside dogs” and are up-to-date on all required shots, chips, etc.

Accompanying Toby, Bailey and A.J. were Second Chance volunteers Cindy Simmons and her daughters, Ashton and Kiersten.

Second Chance Animal Rescue Fund Raiser
Give your friends, relatives or yourself a gift of a beautiful studio photograph of you and your pet(s).

This Sunday, Diekemper Photography in downtown Vandalia will photograph you and your pet in a holiday setting.

This is an Adopt-A-Dog fundraiser for the Second Chance Animal Rescue. Added to the regular rescuing of homeless and unwanted dogs, Second Chance is receiving animals from some people who cannot afford to feed the them.

Diekemper said to bring in your pet(s) for a fun holiday photo. You will receive a packet. Christmas cards will also be available.

The $15 fee from each session will be donated to Second Chance.

Call 283-9790 or 780-1807 for more information. No appointment is necessary, walk-ins only.

Also the new, attractive Rescue T-shirts will be available.

For more information: www.petfinder.com  and type in "dog 62471" (zip code).