As the euphoria of last month's major puppylifts wanes, we find our feet being guided solidly back to earth by our normal daily routine.  Which, as always, includes a mix of mundane, shocking, sad, and sometimes even happy and/or comical events.

We know times are tough on Grand Bahama.  We probably know it as well as anyone, as we see the sad animals losing their homes on a daily basis, and we see it in our bottom line which is affected by the number of incoming animals, and the resultant costs of care.  

We sure wish people would stop acquiring pets they have no realistic ability or intention to take proper care of.  We wish more people would voluntarily spay and neuter their pets before they have a litter or two.  We wish more people would seek medical attention for their pet before it becomes critical.

We know that our supporters feel the same way.  Please help us.  

Education is vitally important, but it is the most difficult thing to achieve.  Humane education for schoolkids is just part of it.  Please consider working with our education committee to make a difference for animals.   

So many dogs (and a few kitties) had rescue commitments we were able to do another puppylift one week after the last one! 74 dogs/pups and 3 kittens left the island for better lives last Friday, March 22nd.

Big thanks once again to everyone who helped out this week and today both here and in Florida. Thea Albert, Brian and Debbie Botham, Joe Darville, Susan Taylor, new volunteer Maria Cantone, Nancie Pollard, Vicki Leach, and Ricardo Russell.

Florida - Heike Dose, Ken Dose, Jacqueline Scott, Scott Bursa of Potcake Collars, Mandy and Mike Mansolino, Ralph Borrelli, Nelson Longtin, Don & Cathy Golden, Diana Isaia, Laura Comer, Ute Van Holt, Sandy Moore, Carole, Heinz, Rohm, Mary Hutchinson, and Marsha Goodman, and more.

And of course heartfelt thanks once again to our rescue partners Outpaws Rescue, GSD Rescue FL, LuvAPet, HSTC, Royal Potcake Rescue, My Second Home, Rocky Mt Lab Rescue, Evergreen Animal Protective League, Alex & Mark Ford, Colorado Animal Welfare League, Dalmation Rescue Puget Sound, and Animal Rescue of the Rockies.

96 precious souls got second chances Friday, March 15th.  Big thanks to our rescue partners!  

Seven Colorado rescues took a total of 83 dogs and puppies.  Outpaws, Evergreen Animal Protective League, Animal Rescue of the Rockies, Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue, Life Is Better, My Second Home, and Golden Retriever Freedom Rescue!  

8 puppies went to our friends in Florida at Luvapet and German Shepherd Rescue of Central Florida, and new rescue partner Kent Animal Shelter in Long Island, NY took five puppies!

Too many people donated to this effort to name each one; please know your donations went to a worthy, lifesaving cause, and we are so very grateful for all of you.  

Big thanks for the shelter help early Friday morning especially with transporting 54 crates to the aiport, to Thea Albert and friends, Brian and Debbie Botham, Joe Darville, Nancie Pollard, Ricardo Russell, Ivy Elden, Michelle and Dennis, Elisabeth Nordgrav, and Beth Hatfield, who also helped all week with the monumental task of allocating and labeling crates.

Heike Dose and 25 amazing volunteers in Florida, some of whom also housed 27 dogs overnight and made countless trips to the airport.

HSGB staff again rose to the occasion, working late and coming in early.  

Many of our adult dogs were rescued this time, including some of our long timers and staff favorites.  Saying goodbye is always bittersweet and puppylift days are very emotional around the HSGB.  

Some of the definitions of "foster" include to bring up, raise, or rear, or to care for or cherish.

In the animal rescue world, foster families are literally the cornerstone of any successful re-homing programme.  A shelter environment is simply not conducive to the nurturing and socialization of young puppies or kittens, nor to healing and socialization of neglected or sick adult animals.

We won't tell you it's easy.  It does involve some work, and commitment.  Many people say they can't do it, because it would be too hard to give them up.  Successful fosters agree that it is hard; but even harder is to contemplate the animals' fate otherwise.

Finding a foster family for an orphaned puppy, kitten or litter can truly be the difference between life and death.  

For an adult animal, a foster home may provide the quiet space they need to heal from an illness, or a lifetime of neglect.  The more fosters we have, the more space is freed up at the shelter to take in other lost souls.

The Humane Society of Grand Bahama's 28th Annual Dog Show was a great success in every way.  Despite the very chilly day, over 400 people and almost 100 dogs came out on Saturday, March 2.  

Mother Nature smiled on us and the rain held off. 

The kids enjoyed carnival games, face painting, pony rides and playing with shelter pups and kitties. 

Parents enjoyed a nice social outing and everyone enjoyed seeing a wide variety of exceptionally beautiful and well behaved dogs from tinies to giants.  

Most of all, it was truly the dogs' day to shine. 

In our book, every single dog that entered is a winner.  Their humans' love and pride really showed and it was simply a delightful day. 

Click HERE to view the complete list of winners.

Many thanks to our sponsors; Purina, Bahama Islands Info, and Barefoot Marketing. 

Our advertisers; Red Beard's Pub, Garden of the Groves, GB Nature Tours, Ol' Freetown Farm, PharmaChem, Star General, Island Projects, Guardian Fencing, Spectrum Paints, The Art of Giving, The Albury Gang, Hideaways Bahamas, Angela Hackman, and Allan McEwan.