By Julee Russell 

As we look back on the activities and accomplishments of the Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals over the past six  months we see many cats and dogs that have been assisted in finding their original homes or a new home. 
Foster homes play a significant role in the process.  They allow us to get to know the pet and look for an appropriate adoptive home.  Recently, one of the puppies moved from foster care to an adoptive family.  Before she left, she gave us permission to share part of her journal, which follows here.
Little things about me you might like to know:
I answer to Sandy-----also  Sweet Pea-----or Little Girl.
I'm just so happy about life in general that I'll make you smile often and sometimes I'll make you laugh out loud.
I love people, they're my favorite, and I also like other dogs.  Even if they sometimes act like grumpy old men, like Rebel and Jackson, my foster brothers.
I love to look at myself in mirrors and at my reflection in windows.  Is that really me?
I love, love, love the outdoors and even the cold white stuff, which I've eaten a lot of.  I like to play fetch with a ball or stick and I bring it back every time, but I haven't learned to release it.  Anyone for keep away?  My foster brothers have taught me to chase cottontails out of the yard, and I've given them a refresher course in having fun and being full to the brim with beautiful energy.
I've experienced my first fire drill and followed the boys straight outside.  What an awful sound, it made me howl..
I've learned to use a doggie door--piece of cake.
I like napping and sleeping in a kennel.
I DON'T like vacuum cleaners, and if I'm in the house and you park one in a doorway, I refuse to go around it.  Works like a gate.
My foster parents give me free choice with food always in my bowl so I nibble all day and don't eat big meals.  They think it keeps dogs and puppies from being overweight, but that's just their theory.  I'm not allowed to beg at the table but we do get a small treat when the people are through eating.  I'm learning words like “no,” “down,” and “stay.”  Stay is one I do very well but the others need repeating.  They say it's the puppy attention thing.  When I respond correctly, I sometimes get an iddy, biddy piece of venison jerky.
Yesterday I heard my first Christmas song and I sang all the word right along with the other dogs, then even the grumpy old men joined in and my foster Mom laughed 'till she had tears running down her face.  I licked them off.  It was Jingle Bells if you ever want to play it for me.  It starts "woof  woof  woof--------woof  woof  woof"  if you'd like to sing along----I'd like that.
Currently several cats and a couple of dogs are living with local foster families.
A Holiday Gift Idea:
Give your pet and yourself a gift this year.  The HomeAgain microchip identification system is available at the Valley City Veterinary Hospital.  The benefits are numerous and include a nation wide database, 24-hour veterinary advice, a pet ID card, and access to lost pet poster templates.  Even after the one year membership ends, your pet’s information will remain in the database, and the microchip will always be active. 
When a lost pet is found, SVFA or the Valley City Veterinary Hospital in Valley City, or any animal hospital, shelter, or humane society can use a special handheld microchip scanner to read the microchip’s unique ID number. The HomeAgain database is then consulted and the number on the chip is matched to the phone number and name of the animal’s owner. Nation wide there are over 5 million pets in the HomeAgain database. Call Valley City Veterinary Hospital for an appointment (845-3662).
Thanks to all who have contributed to the success of SVFA.  Your volunteer hours and your purchase of memberships, raffle tickets, and micro chips have provided medical care and assistance to many local animals.