Hurray, hurray, the month of May! Looking out at the strip of blooming tulips and daffodils in front of the Animal Shelter, we are enjoying a bit of warmth. Our kittens are now on their feet and will soon be roaming around learning how to use a litter box and eat solid food. Mama cat is ever vigilant, however. All of the above indicate that spring has indeed sprung.

Good news about Greta, the great dog who won so many hearts at the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard. She has been adopted! Last seen, she was sitting regally in the back of her new owners’ car looking right at home. The staff and the volunteers at the shelter are overjoyed both for Greta and for her new family.

The headline of this column is a plea that Greta, the great dog, would utter if she could speak. She is becoming a longtime resident of the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard. She does have a human admirer who comes to take her for long walks. When he walks in the door her ardor is hard to miss what with the wiggling and tail-wagging she displays. Unfortunately, this person cannot adopt her at the moment, but he will be happy to write her a reference.

Greta is a great dog. That is the consensus of the staff and volunteers at the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard. She is a medium-sized bundle of love with a grizzled but soft coat, a tail that starts thumping when you speak to her, and big brown eyes. Her intelligence shows in her expression and in her eagerness to please She is crazy about people, including the small ones, is indifferent to cats, and would prefer to be the only dog in the household.

Walk with the animals, talk with the animals, or perhaps grunt and squeak and squawk with the animals at the second annual Walk for the Animals to benefit the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard on Saturday, Oct. 12, beginning at 10 a.m.

Meet at the Oak Bluffs School parking lot and bring your leashed animal friends to help raise funds for the shelter. Water will be provided for animals and walkers.

Pick up a registration form at the Animal Shelter in Edgartown and then go out and get some pledges.

The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard says goodbye with gratitude to all the summer visitors who visited our residents, walked the dogs, cuddled the cats, walked in the pet parade, came to the events and gave a donation. The shelter stays open all year round for the benefit of any and all animals who need care. Donations for that purpose are always welcome.

Never count your chickens before they are hatched or your cats before they walk out the door of the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard with a new owner. Our shy black tom cat, Michael, emerged from hiding into the arms of someone who promised him a home.

The Animal Shelter has some good news and some bad news. First the good news: Michael, the reclusive big black tom, has found a home. It was love at first sight with his new owner. On meeting her he dropped his defenses and allowed her to pat him and pick him up. He will be moving to Vermont shortly. The bad news is that the owner of a sociable lab/terrier mix fell ill and had to surrender him to the shelter. Her name is Greta. She could be the stand-in for Sandy in Annie. She is a friendly, agreeable five-year-old, hale and hardy. Need to increase your exercise?

The staff and board of directors at the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard would like to recognize the retirement of one our most passionate and tireless volunteers, Janet Norton. Since the beginning of the animal shelter, Janet has helped do the many tasks and thankless jobs that are a necessary to care for the dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs that come through our doors. Without the time and care Janet and the many other volunteers do at the shelter, we could not operate as we do.

The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard’s fourth annual fundraiser added more than $10,000 to shelter coffers on Sunday, with an additional $15,000 received from shelter supporters unable to attend the event.