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By Monica Yant Kinney

Inquirer Columnist

Every year at this time, I realize I've been negligent in bringing readers up to speed about the people you came to know and care about from previous columns.

So many of you reach out to help the total strangers profiled on these pages, the least I can do is offer a progress report. With appreciation and thanks, here goes.

Last year, Doug Geary, 76, lived in a Ford Bronco on the streets of Burlington County with his three dogs. This Thanksgiving, the University of Pennsylvania alum and onetime suburban success story woke up in a warm Medford apartment, then shared a feast with 51 members of his extended adoptive family.

My January column about Geary, an Air Force veteran and paramedic who lost his home to foreclosure but refused to go into a shelter because he would have to abandon his dogs, moved animal lovers to tears. Readers - including Gov. Rendell - lined up to help a man so committed to his pets.

As promised, Geary allowed the Medford couple who rescued him from his front seat to organize his finances. After finding him an apartment, they set up rent payment from his Social Security check so he can't mismanage his money and wind up in the cold again.

Money remains tight and a bankruptcy filing looms on the horizon, but Geary doesn't complain.

"He's doing well, considering," says Kelley Meyer of Medford. "He knows what's expected of him. If he's strapped one month, he'll go to the Goodwill pantry for food."

Sadly, Geary recently said goodbye to his beloved Frisky Buster, an 18-year-old bichon. He tapped a "dog use only" fund for cremation.

"Right now, I'm relaxing and sitting at my desk looking at [his remains] in a little box," Geary relays. "Please tell everyone that everything's just fine."

UPDATE: February 1, 2010 - Doug Geary has passed away. NJ Aid for Animals is helping his loving companions left behind.

HELP FOR LITTLE DOGS WHOSE OWNER WOULD NEVER LEAVE THEM


Dover and Kinsey miss their owner Doug terribly. They were never apart but now they will have to move forward without Doug.

Both require major medical expenses.

Dover, the little Lhasa, is about l5 years old and needs a dental terribly. He is also suffering from severe arthritis and will need pain meds for life. A tumor under his tail is also going to require a biopsy

Kinsey, tested positive for Erlichia and Lyme. She also had the worst gum disease and mouth infection the vet had ever seen. Once this happy friendly little old lady (l2 years old) gets her dental and her Lyme cleared up,she will be good to go to her forever home again.

Two medical exams, 2 dentals, 2 blood workups, pain meds, antibiotics, and a biopsy for these dogs has cost us a fortune.

But, if my beloved companions were left behind I would want someone to take them under their wing and give them love and care.

Won't you help us help Dougs Dogs. They are lovely animals.

 
OSCAR PROJECT AT ABSEGAMI HIGH SCHOOL
NJAFA was asked to collaborate on a project the High School is doing for "one book, one school". The book they are all reading is "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian", a novel by Sherman Alexie that has won every literary award for young adult literature. Based on a true story of a Native Amerian Indian living on a reservation, the protagonist's dog and childhood friend, Oscar. had to be shot because the family could not afford vet care. In an effort to raise awareness about humane education, the principal of AHS invited NJAFA to put together a curriculum for the Business students. The students are forming a "mock non profit" that will raise money for needy animals in the Atlantic Co. area for distemper shots. Our President, Kathy McGuire, attends the classes twice a week and facilitates the students through the process of forming a charity including choosing team leaders, picking a mission statement and name, coming up with a logo and fundraisers....click here to read more
LISTEN TO NJAFA (Kathy McGuire) on Radio -
http://www.whyy.org/cgi-bin/newwebRTlookup.cgi
- Click on link to the left  to listen to Kathy on the radio - she is on at about l9:00 minutes into interview with Sherman Alexie , Wed l0/28 Hour two

CLOTHING BIN DONATION PROGRAM
Please donate linens, towels, sheets, old clothes, coats, shoes or any recyclable item to help us raise much needed funds. We have clothing bins at Halo House Boarding Kennel in Franklinville, NJ and the Winslow Township Municipal Offices Parking Lot on Rt 73 in Winslow Township, Cedarbrook Post Office Parking Lot on Rt 73 and Mongan's Service Station,  438 Williamstown Road, Winslow, New Jersey.

 New Jersey Aid for Animals, P.O. Box 4, Cedarbrook, NJ 08004 856-498-3978 info@njafa.org