Hello, Dolly! Dolly is a filly born earlier this year. To see her now, one would never guess that three months ago she was frighteningly thin, sick with a respiratory infection, in serious need of hoof trimming, and chock full of foot-long tapeworms. Dolly is one of 12 horses rescued, along with five dogs, four cats and four rabbits, on September 5 of this year. Montana State law deems the first offense of "aggravated animal cruelty" a felony, with a maximum fine of $1000 and a maximum sentence of two years. If found guilty, perpetrators forfeit ownership of their animals and can be made to pay for the care of the animals while the case is pending. Unfortunately, cruelty and poverty are frequent bedfellows and this makes recovering costs less likely.

The Bitter Root Humane Association (BRHA) has shelled out a whopping $40,000, so far, to provide care for the 25 animals in this case, according to Vicki Dawson, BRHA's Operations Manager. Cases of this magnitude put a financial strain on an operation already stretched thin financially. The shelter is non-profit; nearly 80% of their $200,000 annual budget comes from private donors. The county contributes $30,000 and the city of Hamilton budgets $10,000 for the shelter. (Although animals from all over the valley are housed here, the towns of Darby and Stevensville do not contribute to the shelter's funding.) Dawson explains that the shelter is yet another vital element of our valley's infrastructure taxed by rapid growth. And, since the Bitterroot has no animal control officers, the Sheriff's Department is forced to take on all animal cases in Ravalli County. The number of cases increases as the population increases.

More people mean more domestic animals, which means more residents at the shelter. It houses up to 42 dogs and 70 cats comfortably and has limited but tidy facilities for other creatures out back. BRHA, a cacophony of meows and barks at moments, then brief silence, is the only seven-day-a-week shelter in the state of Montana. The 20-year-old facility is busting at the seams with animals of all sorts daily. Dawson laughs as she explains that during her tenure they have housed rabbits, a pot bellied pig, a rooster, an alligator, 47 rats, and there are currently two llamas waiting to be adopted.

The animals the shelter sees most, hands down, are cats. Dawson gives an example in June of this year when the shelter had 147 cats under its care on top of the 80 in the building. Spring is the time for kittens, explaining the massive influx in June. These numbers should not make a person with an unwanted litter head for the Albertson's parking lot with a cardboard box and a cute kid. Dawson explains that there are two main problems with giving kittens away to strangers, the most obvious being that the recipients are strangers. The kittens could be going home to an abusive situation. Secondly, if the litter is brought to the shelter, the kittens receive shots, possibly medical care, and most importantly, they do not leave without being spayed and neutered.

The national campaign to spay and neuter, Dawson says, has worked well in the canine world, but unwanted litters of kittens remain a constant. For this reason, the shelter loves donations of cat food (they power through roughly 140 lbs. per week). And cat food isn't all that's needed. The shelter's biggest wish right now is that someone might have an RV to donate. An RV would allow it to make a mobile adoption center that could be driven to events so that people could see a variety of adoptees at once. The tax perk is that this donation is 100% tax deductible if the shelter uses the donated RV. (Kalispell's shelter now has a mobile shelter and it has helped that shelter to find more homes for pets, as well as making it a visible and ever-present member of the community.) BRHA also needs surgical gloves, printer ink for an Epson C88, light bulbs, and high efficiency (HE) liquid detergent. (Nightmares are made of the laundry piles this facility generates.)

BRHA has many needs; one of the biggest is also the most touching for volunteers. This brings us back to Dolly. Hello, Dolly! This filly is finally getting the care and love she so desperately needs, thanks to the shelter and thanks to her foster caregivers, who were asked on a moment's notice to help out. BRHA needs more folks who are willing to be volunteer foster care providers for animals like Dolly. Dolly's caregiver, who remains anonymous, chokes up when she explains how desperately in need Dolly was when she arrived, both physically and emotionally. Giving Dolly love and the proper care has changed this horse's life. When asked whether or not she would continue to be a part of this program, Dolly's foster-mama says, "Yes," without hesitation. Her love for animals is evident in her voice as she explains how well Dolly is responding to her new healthy environment.

Being a foster care provider is as easy as contacting the shelter. But, because the shelter takes its responsibility to animals seriously, the shelter does interview and screen applicants. People are needed who have ample space in their homes (or corrals) and in their hearts for an animal that may be a temporary guest. For those who fall in love with their guests, adoption may also be an option once legal matters have been resolved. Also, if caregivers are able to absorb the cost of caring for an animal for an indeterminate period of time, this benefits the shelter. Dolly's caregivers, for instance, are generously footing the bill for hay, supplements and hoof trimming; BRHA has paid the medical costs related to Dolly's care. The shelter is able to help caregivers with the cost of care, if necessary.

For those who don't have time or space to be foster care providers, there are other ways to help BRHA. For the small fee of $10, individuals can become members and receive a monthly newsletter that highlights successful adoptions, offers pet care tips and alerts members to upcoming events. BRHA has several yearly fund-raisers including the ongoing Save-A-Day project. Each day costs the shelter $548 to open its doors. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to adopt a day of the shelter's costs (don't forget, this is a write-off of the warm and fuzzy variety). People who adopt days are recognized at the shelter and around the community on the day of their choosing. Another fund raiser is the annual Frosty Paws Holiday Pet Bazaar, held for two days in November. The bazaar features pet pictures with Santa, raffles, demonstrations, a bake sale, and gift selections from a myriad of pet product vendors.

For many of us, animals are members of the family and the thought of abusing our pets is abhorrent. We like to put abuse out of our minds because it pains us or revolts us. But ignoring abuse does not make it disappear. If you suspect animal abuse or if you wish to participate in the bettering of animals' lives, contact BRHA at 363-5311.

Windsor Antiques sends you holiday greetings!

Greetings from Windsor Antiques and Windsor Boutique! We would like to thank all of our fantastic customers for a great year. We are continuing our upgrades and changes at the historic I.O.O.F. building at 217 Main Street in Stevensville. We have some wonderful surprises coming in the next few months.

Diane has recently returned from yet another fashion show, this one in Los Angeles. Come check out her new Lucky Line and all of her other great items. You really need to see what she has done in the boutique, it's wonderful!

Pat has a very special line of Scandinavian goodies, a must see before Christmas. My favorites are the Viking figures and her wide selection of clogs. Check out the Skandi Hus inside Windsor.

Julie and I have been on more shopping trips and have been working hard to bring a unique selection of quality antique furniture to the valley. We have a large supply of dressers, tables, buffets, armoires, secretaries and many small collectables as well. Come in and look around. We'll treat you with a warm smile and atmosphere, just like going to Grandma's house. Thanks again, and have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Births

Births at Marcus Daly Hospital, Hamilton

12-7-06
Boy, 7 lbs., 7 oz., 20 inches, to Drew and Lisa Goodwin, Darby Girl, 7 lbs., 19 inches, to Jimmy and Julie Weller, Hamilton

12-8-06
Boy, 9 lbs., 6 oz., 21 inches, to Jeremiah Harless and Saffron Meyers, Hamilton

Obituaries

Franklyn Walter Dibb
1931-2006

Franklyn Walter Dibb, 75, of Stevensville, died on December 7, 2006 at Community Hospital in Missoula.

He was born on March 23, 1931 in San Diego, CA to Charles Edward and Georgia Gertrude (Sallee) Dibb. Frank entered the US Navy in 1950, and served aboard the USS Northampton as a radio mechanic. He was discharged in 1954.

Frank was a sergeant with the San Diego Police Department, Christian school principal, juvenile hall probation officer, balloon man in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and minister in Stevensville.

In 1966, shortly after recommitting her life to God, Lou Fink began dating Frank. Her father disapproved of her dating someone who did not know God in a personal relationship. Lou agreed to break up with Frank and told him he needed a relationship with God. She asked her father to pray for Frank. Frank was apprehensive and wanted to go to a small church. He attended Brother Stevenson's church in El Cajon, near San Diego where both he and Lou lived. Sitting in the back of the church during the middle of a service he felt a hand grab his arm and pull him to the aisle. No human was holding his arm, but her knew he had a choice; leave or go to the altar. He walked to the altar. The Pastor asked what he wanted and he admitted that he didn't know.

The church prayed for him and he felt a huge weight lift from his heart as he asked Christ into his heart. He made plans for a water baptism and he confessed to the Pastor that he didn't know all the things he had done. The pastor simply told him to "trust God." When he was baptized, he came up from the water "speaking in tongues."

Afterwards kneeling by the altar Lou heard a "thud" as Frank fell on his back while standing at the altar. As he was getting up he fell back two more times. He gave up the idea of standing and crawled forward and leaned over the altar stating, "God, you are bigger than I am."

Frank surrendered this proud, in-control football player, military man, police sergeant, heart to God and has since lived a life dedicated to loving God, loving people and sharing the gospel.

He and Luella Mae Fink were married 36-1/2 years ago. The couple started the United Pentecostal Church at the Stevensville Senior Center two years ago and it is still going strong.

Frank loved to fish, barbecue, travel, and garden. He was outgoing and loved people. He was a loving husband, father, friend and pastor.

His parents, brothers Al, Larry, Bob and Ed and his children, Colleen and Gordon, preceded him in death.

Frank is survived by his wife Luella of Stevensville; stepchildren Karen Renee, Sacramento, California, Rob Watson, Dardanelle, Arkansas, and Pam and David Brown, Stevensville. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Whitesitt Funeral Home in Stevensville on Saturday, December 9, 2006 with burial at the Riverside Cemetery with military honors.

Page One •	Valley News •	Op/Ed •	Sports •	Calendar •	Classifieds •	Links •	About Us •	Back Issues •	Email Us •	Home
©2006 Bitterroot Star This site was Done By Dooney