Freya Hill, who works in Elkridge and lives nearby in Ellicott City, would like to share some important information with you about saving animals. She recently told me about an organization in Mount Airy called Tails of Hope Sanctuary.

"It's a network of (pet foster families) who get animals out of high-kill shelters into temporary homes. That frees up space at the shelters. They are always looking for foster homes as well as adoptive ones," Hill said.

Hill currently has a sweet dog from the sanctuary, a 3-year-old shepard named Otis. "He was given up supposedly because he had flea allergies. He had almost no fur when I got him because it had been scratched off. He is smart and well-behaved and becoming a social butterfly," Hill said.

She would like to encourage anyone thinking about owning a pet to check out Tails of Hope Sanctuary.

"Fostering with them is wonderful as they are extremely helpful and knowledgeable about animal behavior and will bend over backwards to help a placement be successful," Hill said. "It's a wonderful feeling to know that you've helped an animal whose time was up at a shelter."

Congratulations to Hill for being this week's friendliest neighbor! She has a passion for helping animals along with a generous spirit! Hill is a kind and easygoing advocate for these helpless dogs and cats.

According to the group's Web site, www.tail-of-hope.org, Tails of Hope Sanctuary is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization which rescues shelter animals who are in trouble. These animals may have simply run out of time at a shelter or have correctable health or behavioral needs which they address before they become available for adoption.

The group provides a safe place for them while they await a permanent home, and they free up much-needed space at shelters.

I'd like to wish my neighbors, Rosemary and Mark Lorenz and their adorable, inquisitive 4-year-old daughter, Nicole, a fond farewell. They were the very first neighbors we met when moving into our home on Grafton's View Court, in the Gables Neighborhood, about 14 years ago.

The Lorenzes have been an active family of Elkridge, volunteering their time at St. Augustine Church, with a youth program, hosting Easter egg hunts in their yard for the community, and always offering a helping hand whenever and wherever needed.

Throughout the years they have opened up their home to several foreign exchange students, which have since become extended family. I applaud their generosity!

If you know the Lorenz family, you'll understand why I have to say a little bit about Spencer and Barley, the family dogs. Spencer weighs about 5 pounds, and has the energy level of six active toddlers. I have never actually seen him standing still for more than a few moments at a time. He is still a puppy, but about as big as he will get -- he's a mini Greyhound. He's like a flash that you see out of the corner of your eye.

Barley, on the other hand is on the elderly side, with vision problems, and has slowed down just a tad. He still explores around the house and yard just like always, with Spencer's assistance. Spencer has taken Barley under his wing and goes ahead and blazes a trail, although that trail is here and gone if you blink! Barley somehow manages to keep up, and seems perfectly content with the attention.

I join the community in wishing them well in their new Florida home! Of course friends in Elkridge hope they will return to Maryland for frequent visits.

Cathy Latham, Howard County Master Gardener extends an invitation for those interested in gardening, to attend a demonstration about composting. This event will take place Monday, July 7 at 7 p.m. at Rockburn Park, in Elkridge.

Elkridge Heritage Society will meet Tuesday, July 8 in the meeting room of the Elkridge Branch Library at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.

St. Augustine Church is having a Summer Canned Food Drive, to benefit neighbors in the Elkridge community who are hungry. Please contribute non-perishable food items July 13 and August 10, the second Sundays of the summer months.

Donation boxes will be placed in the back of the church, at 5976 Old Washington Road. All contributions will be taken to the Elkridge Food Pantry on Furnace Avenue.

Are the kids bored? Come to the Elkridge Branch Library with the whole family to see the animated film, "Ratatouille." The evening is sponsored by the Friends of the Howard County Library, and they are even providing refreshments! The event will take place Wednesday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, call 410-313-5077.

Birthday shout outs go to Sandy Byerly and Valerie Lawrence!

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