We have a very special guest in the St Louis area, well three actually.  Terri Crisp, Jennifer McKim and Louie!  Terri was instrumental in the development of SNUGGLE.  She even wrote our mission statement with our President and Founder Sharon.  Terri works for the SPCA International and has traveled to Iraq several times to bring back soldiers’ dogs that they have befriended. Some times this is the only connection that the soldier’s family will have to their lost loved one.  Sharon was able to accompany her last year and was extremely moved by the support that was given to the operation.  In addition to her many roles in several rescue foundations over the past 20 years, Terri has written a couple of books about her experiences during natural disasters where both she and Sharon have found themselves on many occaisons.  Out of Harm’s Way is Terri’s story of a life long commitment to helping animals.  Emergency Animal Rescue Stories is another compelling book outlining her experience through floods, hurricanes, fires and earthquakes.  She has a new release due out any day recounting her amazing journeys over seas to help our soldiers’ dogs so be on the look out for it, if it’s anything like her past two reads it will not be a book you can put down easily.

Upon Terri’s recent visit overseas she has brought back a 6 year old yellow lab named Louie.  He was born in South Africa and was trained as a bomb sniffing dog for the U.S.   He started having seizures two years ago and has been out of commission ever since sitting in a pen in Iraq.   Terri brought him back to the States where he will live out his life as a retired spoiled veteran! I met him today and he has that wonderful relaxed lab attitude.   His soft warm eyes are constantly following Terri to see when his next rub down will be.  He has already received the royal treatment from The Yuppy Puppy with a for real deep conditioning treatment and a bath.  He was also treated with … wait for it ….  a facial!  That’s right, a facial, and I believe he deserves it don’t you?  Before he had his day of pampering he was seen by the wonderful Dr. Marcy at The Pet Doctor where she diagnosed him with low thyroid.  This might be the cause of his seizures.

Jennifer also works for SPCA International as well and is the Development Manager keeping everyone updated on the happenings of the ins and outs of the SPCA International.  She too has traveled over seas and helped Terri with her mission to bring back dogs that would otherwise be put down, abandoned or abused since soldier’s are not allowed to transport any animals home from their assignment over seas.

Thank you ladies for indulging us this afternoon with your company!  I personally fell head over heels in love with Louie.  If I could have put him in my pocket and carried him home with me I would have!  Safe travels to you all and we thank you for all you do for the animals!