Lots of goings and no comings at the animal shelter this week. One of those Shih Tzu sisters, Tiny, went to a new home. The other two, Brownie and Oreo, are resting comfortably after being spayed this week. Anyone looking for a small dog would love to have one of these little sweethearts. Each one is groomed and looking her best. At six plus years of age they have not even reached the midpoint of their lives. Full disclosure: my own beloved Shih Tzu, adopted from the shelter when it was under the aegis of the SPCA nine years ago, is pushing 16 and still in good health.

Logo, the beautiful long-haired tuxedo cat, will be well spoiled by her new person. And the baby mama, Rosie, will continue to mother her kitten, Mojo, after being spayed last week, since both were adopted by the same owner.

Still settled in the cat room are the brown-eyed tuxedo, Jessica, shy Skipper, and Caitlin, who is growing out her short cut after being groomed and de-matted. Austin, the guinea pig, is munching carrots in his cage in the lobby, hoping some little boy or girl will be providing him with snacks in a forever home soon.

Preparations for the garden party a week from Monday have moved into high gear. We are hoping the long stretch of beautiful weather continues—the one thing we cannot control. Everything else has been provided by our generous donors and volunteers, not to mention the hard work of our board members and the shelter’s staff. It should be a stand-out event on the lawn of a waterside residence on Monday evening, June 29 at 5 p.m.

Are you coming to the Island on vacation and cannot pack the crate your dog calls home? We have extras of all sizes at the animal shelter that we would be happy to lend you in return for a small donation. Just drop by or call Lisa or Gordon at the shelter to reserve the correct size so Bowser can spend his Island vacation in comfort.

Shelter hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday. The telephone number is 508-627-8662.

Contributions are always gratefully accepted; the shelter is funded solely by donations. Please make checks out to The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard; the mailing address is P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539 or visit animalshelterofmv.org.