It isn’t unusual for me to get involved in cases that occur outside the Humane Society.

For this reason, I maintain two separate funds.

It is well documented that the animals I have cared for who needed urgent care were within Foothills Humane Society.

The goal of my personal “Lennie’s kids” fund is to assist animals outside the purview of FHS and hopefully prevent them from landing on our doorstep.

Still, I am at FHS nearly every day checking on my kids and using my funds to assist wherever I deem it’s needed.

I walk by their cages and often spend time with them and try to keep up with their histories. Every single one of them has a story to tell or they wouldn’t have wound up at the shelter. Sad to say, for many of them our shelter is the best life they’ve had thus far, but all of them long for a loving home. Others reach us who have come from loving homes but reach our doorstep for all sorts of convoluted reasons.

Some of these I’ve assisted in keeping in their loving homes and I’m grateful to all of you for the ability to do that. I often work with the area veterinarians and rescues on such matters and help where and when I can. Still, all my kids at FHS often cry out to me, “It’s our turn, Uncle Lennie.”

“Come on, kids,” I reply, “you’re all fine, you have brothers and sisters out there who have greater need than you, besides I’m keeping an eye on each of you and watching your progress.”

They’d have none of it.

“It’s our turn,” they repeated with emphasis.

“Oh, so I’m only as good as my last performance. I’d expect that from humans, not from you kids. All right, but I choose.”

“Thanks, Uncle Lennie.”

All right, folks, let me introduce you to Cherish and Treasure. Both are Boston terrier mixes. Cherish is the tan and white, mixed with Boxer. Treasure, the black and white, is mixed with a Pit. I chose these two females for two reasons. No. 1 – Don’t you just love those names? No. 2 – being a Boxer owner, I have an affinity for “push face” dogs, as I call them. They are both sweet, cute and are estimated to be between 3½ and 4½ years old.

Each were strays that have been with us approximately three weeks and contrary to what the rest of my kids will tell you, I’ve sat in with them and received only love and affection. Come visit them and perhaps someone would take Cherish home to treasure and Treasure home to cherish. Please visit the rest of our animals, too. We are loaded with beauties that need a forever home.

“How was that, kids?”

“Thanks, Uncle Lennie.”

“You know I love you all, promise me no more outbursts.”

With that I was greeted with silence.

“Okay, can I sign off now?”

“Yes, Uncle Lennie.”

Underneath it all I could swear I heard giggling.

Thanks for listening.