This week’s featured shelter pet is Buddy, a 12-year-old tri-colored male Beagle mix up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.
Buddy is a sweet senior dog that deserves the BEST forever home to show him the love that he has been denied. This sweet boy was adopted and returned twice in his life. He is gentle, outgoing, loves all people and animals and is pretty low key.He will bark for attention and love. He will follow you around and be under foot, that is, when he isn’t snuggled in a ball fast asleep.He will need a home that can manage his chronic ear issues and his tendency to wander off. He is a delightful old man that just wants LOVE!
If you would like to meet Buddy, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in a domestic setting.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.
Chela Novak with Buddy. Photo courtesy of LI Game Farm
The Long Island Game Farm has announced the passing of their beloved blue-and-yellow macaw, Buddy. He was approximately 50 years old. The sad news was sent out in a press release on June 1.
Buddy came to the Manorville wildlife park and zoo in 1999, and had become one of first animals to greet visitors as they entered the park.
Chela Novak, whose family has owned and operated since 1970, was particularly close with Buddy and gave him a peanut ever day. She recalls he would say “Shut up, Gomez” when a rescued sulphur-crested cockatoo nearby got too loud. Buddy also loved dancing and would raise his wings for “Big Bird.”
Education is a critical element of the Long Island Game Farm’s work, and Buddy, along with fellow parrots, provided a unique opportunity for visitors to learn more about this intriguing species. He will be missed by game farm staff and visitors alike.
Welcome to the sixth edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home!
Buddy
Meet Buddy
Mark Twain once said, “To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with.” Who better than your best Buddy? This affectionate, agreeable ten-year-old Terrier mix is the ideal one to share the day to day simple pleasures with, whether it be a stroll in the park or an impromptu gathering with friends. An active member of Little Shelter’s Silver Paw Connection, Buddy knows that you’re never too old to dream. At the top of his wish list is a forever home and a family to love. Life is always better with a Buddy by your side. 631-368-8770, ext. 21
Maple
Meet Maple
Dogs named Maple tend to be good-natured, loyal, affectionate, and loving … the perfect description for this three-year-old Terrier mix, currently up for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. The name also symbolizes balance, promise, and intelligence. Rescued from a hoarding situation, Maple is still a bit shy, though loves going for walks and receiving attention and pets. Ready for a happy new beginning, she’s putting on her best “adopt me” face, just waiting for you to say, “There she is, she’s the one!” Stop by Little Shelter today to meet Miss Maple and welcome her into your family. 631-368-8770, ext. 21
Journey
Meet Journey
This sweet and social senior arrived at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter after being picked up as a stray by an Animal Control Officer. Journey has found herself homeless, alone and looking for a second chance since no one has come in looking for her. She is hoping to meet her person soon and enjoy a good life. Journey loves belly rubs and likes to chew on a good bone. She walks very nicely on leash and likes to stroll and smell the roses. She will need to be the only pet in an adult only home. At 8-10 plus years young she should not be spending her days and nights in a kennel. Come meet her today! 631-451-6950.
Princeton
Meet Princeton
“Hi! My name is Princeton. I am a 2 and a half year old year old male American Bulldog Terrier Mix. I was rescued from a high kill shelter in Georgia, and although I am now safe at Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton, I am still nervous. I am a super sweet and a good boy; I’ve just been through a lot and need someone I can trust to take care of me and show me that life and people aren’t so scary.” 631-727-5731, ext. 1
Thor
Meet Thor
This sweetheart was recently abandoned in the Kent Animal Shelter parking lot with 2 other cats. Approximately 9 years old, Thor is a huge mush who craves affection, and has so much love to give! Come meet him today and see how fast he can charm you! 631-727-5731, ext. 1
Ultra
Meet Ultra
A two-year-old Boxer mix, this exceptional girl is Ultra. Looking for a family with high hopes, an even higher fence, and dog experience, she is ready to put her paw print on adoption papers and change her address to yours! While displaying a calm, dignified demeanor, she’s also quick-witted with a good sense of humor, guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Curious about life and eager to explore the world around her, she’s the perfect one to accompany you on all your adventures. Intelligent and loyal, she has all the qualifications of a best friend and lifelong companion. Why go big when you can go Ultra? Stop by Little Shelter in Huntington to meet her today! 631-368-8770, ext. 21
Check out the next Paw Prints in the issue of July 14.
Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq.
This week’s shelter pet is Buddy, a 7-year-old domestic shorthair, neutered male up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.
Buddy’s mom passed away and he lost the only home and family he has ever known. This handsome man is outgoing and adventurous. He loves meeting new people, being petted and wandering around figuring out the new world around him.
Buddy has been around children as young as 3 years old and did well with them. He has always been an only pet, but with time will likely adjust to new furry siblings. If you are interested in meeting Buddy, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in a domestic setting.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Shelter operating hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.smithtownanimalshelter.com.
MEET BUDDY! Poor, poor Buddy. He once had a family to call his own … until they decided they did not want him anymore. Buddy was surrendered to a high kill shelter in Texas, where he had little chance at survival. Unfortunately, he suffers from a previous injury on his front right leg that healed wrong due to his first owners not getting him the medical attention he needed. With the amount of energy and happiness this guy has, you would never expect him to have had such a rough start to life. That’s all behind him now and he is currently at Kent Animal Shelter looking for his real forever home.
All this handsome boy wants is to just love and be loved. A 3-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix, Buddy gets along well with other dogs and would prefer to be in a home without children. Buddy comes neutered, microchipped and is up to date on all his vaccines.
Kent Animal Shelter is located at 2259 River Road in Calverton. For more information on Buddy and other adoptable pets at Kent, please call 631-727-5731 or visit www.kentanimalshelter.com.
Big buddies and little buddies from the North Shore Youth Council danced and socialized during their annual reception at Majestic Gardens in Rocky Point. Photo by Alex Petroski
In a day and age when negative influences for kids are easy to find, positive influences are growing in importance.
The North Shore Youth Council celebrated the kids who take part in their Big Buddy/Little Buddy program and the positive influence it has on everyone involved during their annual reception at Majestic Gardens in Rocky Point Tuesday.
The cross-age mentoring program matches up high school students with elementary and middle school students to form a bond built on support and guidance. Big buddies volunteer at least one hour per week year round to spend time with their little buddy after undergoing training and taking a pledge to be a positive influence.
Every year, big buddies, little buddies, their families and the council’s board of directors and staff get together to celebrate the positive effect the program has.
“These big buddies are amazing,” said Samantha Netburn, who has a son and daughter in the program as little buddies. Her daughter is autistic and her son has a learning disability and anxiety, she said. “They make them happy. My daughter looks forward to every week going with her big buddy and my son, it makes him happy that he gets to see his friends and interact more with the kids when he’s with his buddy. Instead of sitting home by themselves, they’re with a nice person who is positive for them.”
‘You never know the huge impact that you’re going to have on these kids.’ — Joe Wilson
Janene Gentile has been the executive director of the North Shore Youth Council for almost the entirety of its 35-year existence. She credited the Youth Advisory Board with driving the program. The board is made up of six high school students who are responsible for coordinating events, setting up outings and arranging activities for big and little buddies to enjoy together.
“They’re probably more important than I am,” Gentile said about the youth advisory board. They were recognized, along with all of the big buddies, individually, with certificates during a ceremony at Tuesday’s reception.
Joe Wilson, 16, is the Youth Advisory Board president.
“You never know the huge impact that you’re going to have on these kids,” Wilson said. “One of the kids in my first year when I was in ninth grade was in seventh grade at the time, so there’s not really too big of a difference there, but he now comes back and he does our open gym nights with us and he volunteers there, so that’s amazing to see — that you could have impacted their lives so much that they wanted to give back themselves.”
Sixteen-year-old Dylan Mulea was a little buddy, and is now on the Youth Advisory Board. He said being in both positions has been a positive experience for him.
“I met so many new people,” Mulea said. “It broke me out of my shell too, so it was awesome.”
Little buddies gave the program rave reviews as well.
“It shows that there is caring in the community,” 12-year-old Alexander Spallone said. “We do crafts and art, we create things and then we usually play games and sometimes we go outside when the weather is nice. We do all fun stuff.”
Councilwoman Jane Bonner, on right, attended the North Shore Youth Council reception at Majestic Gardens in celebration of the positive influence the program has on North Shore kids. Photo by Alex Petroski
The North Shore Youth Council is funded by Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven along with private donations, and serves the Miller Place, Shoreham-Wading River, Rocky Point and Mount Sinai areas, with programs set up within each school district.
Laurel Sutton is the president of the council’s board of directors, and her daughter served as a big buddy when she was in high school.
“I think it just is a very, very positive thing more now than ever because so many kids are lost as to what they want to do and who they can talk to and have as a safe haven,” Sutton said.
Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner (C-Rocky Point) and Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) both attended the reception Tuesday and commended the efforts of everyone involved in the program.
For more information about the North Shore Youth Council or the Big Buddy/Little Buddy program, visit www.nsyc.com.
Bellone meets students and their mentors at Stony Brook University. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Mentors are making a new mark on Stony Brook University thanks to a county program.
Working alongside Mentor New York, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D) rolled out the county’s newest mentoring program at Stony Brook University’s Center for Molecular Medicine on Jan. 29. In the company of students and staff, Bellone said the county kicked off the mentoring program to help area newcomers navigate their way through county politics and education.
While the program is in its early stages, its public announcement came in light of National Mentoring Month in January. Bellone met with six students, mentors, and faculty on Friday to also discuss the importance of mentors for the young adults majoring in science related fields.
“The benefits of [mentoring] are absolutely amazing,” Bellone said during the meeting. “From a better academic performance, better economic prospects, better statistics … the list goes on and on.”
Mentors were key to the success of Michelle Olakkengil, a junior at Stony Brook who said she discovered her passions with a mentor’s help. Olakkengil shifted from conducting research in obstetrics and gynecology to pursuing her passion for public speaking by working hand-in-hand with a more experienced peer.
“Having these mentors can really boost a student’s personal development,” Olakkengil said. “I was able to find out more about myself.”
She is currently applying for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, which supports graduates and the development of students like Olakkengil, who are committed to public service leadership through mentoring.
While sophomore Amna Haider is more science-minded, she said her mentors helped her tackle different machinery and tools that helped her to better understand engineering. She said that applying past knowledge was key for her area of study and that lesson was only learned via mentorship.
For 32-year-old Daniel Irizarry, the university’s mentorship program hit home.
Irizarry left his family business in construction to attend Stony Brook University and will pursue his doctorate in genetics after he graduates this summer. But he said the reality of leaving a family-run business made it more stressful to adapt to life as a student.
“If it hadn’t been for the mentorship, I don’t think I’d be able to succeed,” said Irizarry about his mentor Jennie Williams. “It can be pretty difficult navigating these kinds of things, especially when you have a family.”
The mentorship program at the university is an example of what Bellone said he hopes to do in his office in the coming months. According to Maureen Lagarde, special events and donor management specialist at Mentor New York, Bellone’s office contacted her organization with hopes of finding ways to participate in January’s mentoring awareness month.
She added that Bellone’s initiative sets “an example for other government departments and businesses alike.” Currently, Mentor New York is helping around 57,000 youths with its more than 400 programs. Organizations or individuals can contact Mentor New York to either create a mentoring program or to find a program that best suits their needs.
“When you’re growing up, you don’t want to listen to adults,” Bellone said. “[But] to get where you want to be [you have] to talk to people who’ve been down that road before. That’s why this [mentorship program] is so wonderful.”
Welcome to the sixth edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home!
