May's TLC Volunteer of the Month!

Melissa and Shelby, who Melissa nursed
back to health after being VERY ill

It is with great pleasure I congratulate Melissa Gilmore - TLC's Volunteer of the Month for May, 2014!

I originally met Melissa at the Simi Valley Spay & Neuter Clinic and we got into a conversation... She expressed the desire to get involved in our rescue and shortly thereafter, Melissa joined us a regular volunteer.  

Gravitating towards working in the back, Melissa has rapidly learned our procedures and protocols.  She had to quickly learn how to administer meds, to know when a dog or puppy should be seen by our vet and just basic tough cleaning procedures to prevent cross contamination and sick puppies.

But beyond that and why she is nominated this month?  Melissa consistently goes above and beyond to make sure dogs and puppies are not dying on her watch.

Bottle feeding Liv

Recently we got in a litter of orphaned Kelpie puppies three to four days old.  Bottle-feeding newborns round the clock is an exhausting task to undertake, but three at one time?   I've done it - it is like climbing Mount Everest and back... sleep never ever seems so sweet as when you have been deprived of it for days on end - trust me!

None of these puppies should have survived, but all three did.  Liv, Bosco and Camryn owe their very lives to the care Melissa gave to them.  It won't be long now before this litter will be spayed/neutered and go up for adoption.

And had it not been for yet another dedicated TLC volunteer like Melissa, the world would have missed their gentle spirits and loving natures.

Congratulations, Melissa - you have been a valuable asset to TLC and we deeply appreciate all your hard work and passion!