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Pups with a purpose survive the odds
A: Main, news
November 20, 2024
Pups with a purpose survive the odds
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager

On November 2, seven wet, cold and very sick puppies were dumped out in a box like they were trash, and then they were picked up by the City of Eufaula and the battle began for Paws N Claws (PNC) to save them.

“When the pups first arrived, they were literally cold, wet and infested with fleas so my rescue partners, Lori Powell and her daughter Livy Shackelford spent over five hours bathing, drying, combing out fleas, and feeding these poor, pathetic pups that someone tossed out like trash,” PNC Volunteer La-Donna Rhodes said. “By that evening I showed up to worm them since Lori had sent pics of how badly they were infested with fleas, but I had no idea how bad of shape these pups were in until I got to the pound a little before 10 p.m. One was lifeless and several others couldn’t even stand up. It was heartbreaking and I started making calls to the City Case Manager and Voss Vet. Though we couldn’t get them in that night, Dr. Voss saw two of the worst ones on Sunday morning.

“The one pup that had been lifeless, Dr. Voss believed she had aspirated and he gave her shots and medicine to take for a few days and the other one seemed to be acting better so he believed they were just eaten up with three different types of worms. Given the amount of infestation he said they would have died without immediate intervention.

“However, because these puppies were super sick, our rescue had to take on their care and assume their financial responsibility (over $960) and it’s been an uphill battle ever since.”

Over the past two weeks, volunteers have had to work around the clock to give special care to these pound pups. From using syringes of Pedialyte and chicken broth to keep them hydrated, to finally the pups being able to eat wet food to them chowing down on puppy chow, it has been a process and a major feat for everyone involved. Another volunteer, James Rowland, also stepped up to help with the litter of pups that took several hours a day to feed, water, exercise and clean up after.

“Because these pups were so sick, it took a tribe to keep these pups going,” Rhodes said. “Unfortunately, three of the pups did not survive and this left us all heartbroken to say the least. I literally cried like a baby in Dr. Aday’s office. This is why we are constantly begging people to spay or neuter their pets because it’s actually against the law to not fix your dogs or cats unless you’re a breeder. Then they have strict guidelines too.” Oklahoma regulations state:

• No person shall own or keep any dog or cat over the age of six (6) months that has not been spayed or neutered unless such person holds a “B” license for an intact dog or cat, issued for such animal under Section 5-5-501 of this code.

• The owner or custodian of a domestic dog, cat or ferret shall cause the animal to be vaccinated against rabies by the time the animals is four months of age and at regular interval thereafter according to the label directions of an approved rabies vaccine for use in that species, or as prescribed by ordinances or rules adopted by a municipality within whose jurisdiction within the animal owner resides.

• A veterinarian who administers or supervises the rabies vaccination of a dog, cat, or ferret shall issue to the animal’s owner/custodian a vaccination certificate that meets the minimum standards set forth in OAC 310:5993-7. Animal identification including, but not limited to species, gender, age, and predominant breed and coloring must be indicated on the vaccination certificate.

“These babies should have been wormed around six weeks and then they could have started getting their core vaccinations around 1216 weeks. This needless neglect and abandonment should never have happened.

“Thankfully we have found homes for two of the puppies, but we still have two more that desperately need forever homes. These babies have been through enough, but I believe that they are a lot like us. They are resilient and must have a purpose to still be here and to have survived such odds. I’m not ashamed to say I prayed over these babies many times and I hope they live long and happy lives with their humans. We know we couldn’t have done this on our own and we are so grateful for our tribe of fur baby followers who stepped up to the plate to help us with this litter. Thank you from the bottom of our paw-printed hearts. This rescue was one for the books.”

Rhodes also had the opportunity to speak at a recent Checotah Lions Club meeting, and informed members how the Paws N Claws group got started saving pound pups (approx. 28 to date) and what they have done in the community, to include starting a pet food pantry for those in need. The pantry is located inside the Indian Journal and is generally open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

For more about this rescue group contact them through their Paws N Claws – Eufaula, OK Facebook account.

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, sports
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
Council votes to dismiss former Mayor Warren
A: Main, news
Council votes to dismiss former Mayor Warren
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
The Eufaula City Council removed former Mayor Todd Warren from the Council Monday night citing excessive absences. City minutes of past meetings presented to the Council showed that Warren missed the ...
Church celebrates 160th anniversary
A: Main, news
Church celebrates 160th anniversary
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
Decades before Oklahoma became a state in 1907; years before the first railroad track was laid in Indian Territory in 1870 and the year the Civil War ended, folks in a remote area of what is now McInt...
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
A: Main, news
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
9/11 – Never Forget
A: Main, news
9/11 – Never Forget
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
Margaret Floyd Homecoming Parade Marshal
A: Main, news
Margaret Floyd Homecoming Parade Marshal
September 10, 2025
Margaret Marie Vickery Floyd has been named the 2025 Eufaula High School Homecoming Parade Marshall. Born in 1927 in Ramona, she is the fourth greatgranddaughter of Chief McIntosh, and the mother of f...
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Editor Picks
A: Main, news
Ironhead Homecoming Friday
September 10, 2025
The Homecoming Weekend kicks off Friday, Sept.12, with a Pep Assembly at the Eufaula High School Auditorium at 9:30 a.m. followed by a parade at 1 p.m. The coronation of Homecoming Royalty takes place...
New library coordinator challenges Checotah
A: Main, news
New library coordinator challenges Checotah
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and so the new coordinator of Eufaula Memorial Library is taking that opportunity to challenge the Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library to a competition to see wh...
Braddock Dobbs joins School Board
A: Main, news
Braddock Dobbs joins School Board
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
Braddock Dobbs, 31, son of the late Margaret Dobbs, who was on the Eufaula School Board for 15 years, is following in his mother’s footsteps. Monday night, Aug. 8, at its monthly meeting, the Board ap...
Drillers honor Eufaula veteran
news
Drillers honor Eufaula veteran
September 10, 2025
Former Army Sp4 Timothy Pickering of Eufaula was honored recently at the Driller Stadium in Tulsa as a “Hometown Hero,” a program that honors people who have had a lasting impact on the community. Pic...
news
Flea Pop-Up Market
September 10, 2025
Friday – Sunday, Sept.12-14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 210 N. Main St. Booth rental available. Call Mr. Printer at 918-689-5998, Jani at 918-839-8494 or Ricky at 918-424-9961. Prices for all three days: ...
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Eufaula, OK 74432

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