This newsletter provides information on upcoming fundraisers and events, fosters looking for homes, and 13 Ways Pets Improve your Health.
FUNDRAISERS AND UPCOMING EVENTS
We had so much fun with the last auction in the Spring, we wanted to do another! This is AAL's second Facebook online auction. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization and rely on donations and fundraising to be able to pay vet medical bills for our fosters and get them ready for their forever homes. Place bids on unique items, have fun and share with friends and family. As always, we so very much appreciate the support from our Facebook friends and family! Looks for rules to be posted soon!
CLICK HERE to be taken to the event page and see items that will be in the auction and to participate in bidding on August 25th through September 1st!
PETSMART National Adoption Event Weekend
FRIDAY, SEPT. 14th
PetSmart Blakeney on Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC
4pm - 6pm
SATURDAY, SEPT. 15th
PetSmart Blakeney, Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC
11am - 2pm

SUNDAY, SEPT. 16th
PetSmart Rock Hill, SC
12pm - 3pm
HOLIDAY WREATHS FUNDRAISER
It's out annual fundraiser! Order for employees, family members, neighbors, or yourself!

DETAILS COMING SOON!

LOVE LIGHTS
Celebrate and remember loved ones!
 Purchase a Luminaria to Honor Your Special Loved One!

Saturday, December 1st, 2018
The Animal Adoption League is pleased to announce Love Lights at the Lakeview Acres pond located on
Celanese Road / 161 – Exit 82C off I-77 in Rock Hill, SC.

We invite you to witness this beautiful and inspirational event. The Animal Adoption League will light a luminaria in honor or in memory of a special person or pet for a donation of $5 per luminaria.
The Luminarias will be placed in alphabetical order by last name and will be lit from 5:00-8:00pm.
Upon request, an acknowledgement card will be sent for an additional $2.00 per luminaria.
GIVING TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 27TH 2018
AAL is looking for a special donor who is wanting to donate to AAL this year. Someone who will match funds donated to AAL on Giving Tuesday. If you or your company or organization is interested, please send an email to mynextpet@yahoo.com

13 Ways Pets Improve Your Life
In today's busy world, it's good to have someone to lean on!
1. Feel Good - When you come home to a purr or wagging tail at the end of a stressful day, the sudden wave of calm you feel isn't just your imagination. Research suggests that your fluffy friend truly is good for your physical and mental health.
2. Lower Cholesterol - If you have a dog, those daily walks are helping to keep your cholesterol in check; those who own pets tend to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
3. Relieve Stress - Simply being in the same room as your pet can have a calming effect.
4. Lower Blood Pressure - It's a win-win: petting your pooch or kitty brings down blood pressure while pleasing your pet. Researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo discovered that in people already taking medication for hypertension, their blood pressure response to stress was cut by half if they owned a cat or dog.
5. Boost Fitness - A dog is the best companion for a stroll-even better than a friend. dog walkers improved their fitness more than people who walked with other people. And a study in the Journal of Physical Activity & Health found that not only did dog owners walk more than non-dog owners, they were also 54% more likely to meet the recommended levels of physical activity.
6.  Reduce Heart Disease  - Lower cholesterol, stress, and blood pressure levels combined with increased fitness may add up to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
7.  Prevent Allergies in children  - If you had a pet as a kid, you may be in luck. In a study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy, children who were exposed to pets before they were six months old were less likely to develop allergic diseases, hay fever, and eczema as they got older.
8.  Relieve Depression  - Pets can provide social support for their owners, who tend to have better overall well-being than non-owners, according to a study published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Dogs especially promote therapeutic and psychological well-being, particularly lowering stress levels and boosting self-esteem, as well as feelings of autonomy and competence. 
9.  Ease chronic pain  - Having critters around the house can help distract from chronic pain. American Journal of Critical Care study found that patients hospitalized for heart failure had improved cardio functioning when visited by a dog. The simple task of caring for a pet can also be a positive distraction for people in pain.
10.  Improve relationships  - Young adults with a deep bond to their pets felt more connected in their relationships and to their communities than those who did not have animals in a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Science. They were more likely to take on leadership roles and tended to be more confident and empathetic.
11.  Monitor health changes  - Meditation has been proven to reduce chronic pain in several scientific studies.
12.  Boost self esteem  - Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that pet owners had higher self-esteem, as well as feelings of belonging and meaningful existence than non-owners.
13.  Save your life  - Pets save lifes. Not only by attributing to the 12 items listed above, they literally save your life. Check out this  story  of a dog that was rescued by a family, who returned the favor in a house fire.
In Loving Memory of Renee Crenshaw
The rescue world lost an Angel who is now at Rainbow Bridge helping other homeless pets cross over. Renee started with AAL many years ago, when one of our volunteers hunted her down, literally chasing her in the parking lot, and begged her to join the group. After many conversations, Renee became the backbone of the group, mentoring new fosters, treasurer and secretary, advocating for the homeless pets in need and pets in distress. You would see Renee at many of AAL fundraising events, selling hot dogs, golf outings, as well as adoption events at the Cat House and Chirp n Chatter. A pioneer for spay and neuter in York County, Renee took no prisoners, but wore her heart on her sleeve, always giving and loving. Her wit, charm, sense of humor and love will always be remembered in the rescue community. We love you and will miss you Renee, but the homeless pets need you at the Rainbow Bridge now. May you be their light now. Please read Renee's obituary here .
The family would be grateful if contributions were made in her memory to the Animal Adoption League at P.O. Box 2453, Rock Hill, SC 29732

Rescue Rainbow Bridge Poem
(Author Unknown)
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.
It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.
He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be.
But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.
With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him.
You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge.
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.
"Watch, and see" said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.
"What happened?"
"That was a rescuer." The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge.
"I think I like rescuers," said the first animal.
"So does GOD," was the reply.

Fosters available for adoption, looking for their forever homes. Please go to www.mynextpet.com to see their profiles and how to contact their foster parents for a meet and greet!