Merry Christmas

 

 The story of Marshall, a Christmas Miracle!

 My name is Christine and Marshall was given to me when he was 6 weeks old. He was born June 16, 2006, a Sheltie, and was a very small bundle of joy! He was so sweet, handsome and loveable that I held him constantly. I knew Marshall was a special gift from the moment he came into our family.

 

I could not believe how smart Marshall was. He became even more special as the years went by. Everyone who met Marshall loved him and almost always said that he seemed to be smiling. Not only did he have a beautiful smile but he had a perfectly silky, shiny coat of hair.

 

One night Marshall went out into the yard; however, when I went to call him in, he was gone. My immediate thought was that he had been taken by someone. We were heartbroken. We searched for him for weeks but never found him. Everyone in the family was so sad. Over the next year, they often spoke of how much they missed him.

 

I never gave up hope that I would see Marshall again. Many friends and relatives prayed for Marshall’s safe return. I believe that prayers are the power cells for miracles and I knew Marshall would come home to us the first chance he got.

 

That miracle did happen 16 months later ... a “Christmas Miracle”! Marshall was found on a very busy highway trying to find his way home, and he was still wearing the collar and tags he wore on the night he disappeared. He could have lost his life that night. The very special lady that found him kept him for two nights. On Monday, she contacted New Hartford Animal Hospital and through his Rabies tag number, they found out who he was. He arrived shortly thereafter and was finally, after 16 months, safe and surrounded by much love. The doctors and staff examined him, bathed him and comforted him while trying to contact me.

A miracle is defined as a truly astounding event attributed to divine intervention. This was a miracle. There are no other words to describe what happened. This miracle touched not only my family and friend’s lives but also those of strangers near and far.

We never know when and where miracles will happen but this is proof that they DO happen. You just have to believe, pray, and never give up hope!
 

From our staff to you:

We have been so blessed this year to have witnessed and shared many wonderful moments like this with our NHAH family. Each day is special and we love the pets and families that brighten our days. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, and peace in the New Year!

A Christmas Miracle!

Christine Johnson never gave up hope. A little more than a year ago, she let her Shetland sheepdog Marshall out into her yard in Utica one day and came back to find him missing.
"It was, I'm going to say, maybe 5 minutes max ... he just vanished," she said.

For months, Johnson and her family searched for Marshall without success, even sending his photo to local animal shelters and police departments. She eventually bought another dog, but she kept Marshall's photo on display in her home. Then, while out of town on a business trip Tuesday, she got a call from the New Hartford Animal Hospital -- Marshall had been found!

Dog and owner were reunited at the Animal Hospital on Wednesday morning amid tears, kisses and one eagerly wagging tail. Johnson said she always felt as if Marshall was coming home, but was still "speechless" to actually see him. "This is the type of joy you could never replace with a gift, money, anything," Johnson said.

It was a moving moment for staff members at the New Hartford Animal Hospital too, some of whom had been seeing the 6-year-old Sheltie since he was 6 weeks old. "It's our Christmas miracle," said Sandi Gentile, the office's supervisor for client service representatives.

Witnessing the reunion was also moving for Jennifer Major-Denicola, the Utica resident who found Marshall while driving home from Christmas shopping with her mother. While many other cars swerved or slowed down to avoid hitting the dog walking in the road that day, Major-Denicola made her mom stop the car. "I got out of the car and the cars coming behind stopped ... and I'm out in the middle of Oriskany Boulevard and was just like, 'Come here, baby,'" she said.

Marshall's fur was matted, he was dirty and he had a sore under his eye, but he seemed happy to see someone, she said. And he still had his collar with a rabies tag on it from the Animal Hospital.
Staff members at the vet's office said the dog's condition suggests he wasn't fending for himself for the entire year he was gone. It's possible, as Johnson suspects, that someone took him, and then either let him go or lost him themselves more recently.

Major-Denicola said she would have kept Marshall too if she couldn't find the owner, but since she could, she was happy to be able to return him. And Johnson was grateful to have her "momma's boy" back in her arms.

"I love her," she said of Major-Denicola. "I thank her for not taking him and keeping him away from me the way somebody else did."


http://www.uticaod.com/features/x1107421218/Lost-dog-reunited-with-owner-in-a-Christmas-miracle

Adopting a new pet!

Adopting or purchasing a pet is a big decision. Our pets become our family members and live within our households for many years. That is why it is important to carefully consider whether or not it is the right time to get that new pet BEFORE you actually adopt or purchase one. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help make the decision:

Can I afford a pet right now? It is important that you have the financial means to provide a pet with proper care, including high-quality food and both preventive and sick-pet veterinary care. While there are many ways to make things more affordable without shortchanging your pet and great choices in pet health insurance to remove some economic uncertainty, there are still basic needs that must be covered.

Have I realistically considered the kind of pet that fits my family? You may love dogs but your lifestyle may be better suited to a cat. While it’s not true that cats care for themselves — in fact, they frequently get forgotten when it comes to veterinary care — they are much more tolerant of days alone when the family is at work or school. Take a close look at your schedule before you decide what kind of pet is best for you and your family.

Am I prepared to raise a kitten or puppy? The appeal of puppies and kittens is hard to resist but the time and expense involved in the first year of a cat or dog’s life is considerable. And if you don’t put in the time, you likely will have behavior problems. For many people, an adult pet is a great option.  

Is this the best time for me to get a pet? If everything else is favorable, is the timing right to adopt that pet? No matter how perfect the match, you will need to get the relationship off on the right "paw". That means time. We encourage clients to take a little vacation time (or even a weekend) to set up routines and introductions. The investment of a few days is worth it for a relationship that needs to last a pet’s lifetime.

Last but not least... listen to your heart. If you really are ready, then go ahead and get your new pet! Once you have done the work in your head, your heart can be open to the wonderful possibilities of your new best friend!

http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/think-youre-ready-to-adopt-a-pet-ask-yourself-these-five-questions-first?Wt.mc_id=jcfacebook