Let the ice-cold water flow and let's raise our glasses in a toast.

Pass the Puppy Chow and grill those hot dogs. It's time to celebrate.

Bear has been adopted from the no-kill Casper Humane Society and will join his new family shortly. He was "in the system" just five days.

The kindly shelter manager says she constantly battles the completely wrong public perception that the Humane Society kills unadopted animals.

Not only do they not ever kill any animal, she takes complete offense that some may think some animals there are not suited for adoption.

"In my personal opinion, every animal is adoptable," she says.

As of Friday morning, there were 55 dogs at the shelter just waiting for their new homes.

They include Dirk, who holds the unenviable title of having resided at the Casper Humane Society the longest - eight years, actually.

He's a brown and white beagle mix with a Snoopy-sad kind of look on his face.

His description notes that he is "stand-offish at first with people," and the shelter manager thinks that is tough for potential new parents to look past.

The description continues, "past experiences have taught him to be cautious of people."

The shelter manager says apparently there was some horse chasing in his past and she believes he may have been abused because of his chosen activity.

If adopting an animal is not in your future, perhaps you might want to pick up an extra bottle of bleach or liquid hand soap the next time you're at the store.

The shelter's wish list currently includes bleach, liquid hand soap, laundry soap, cockatiel food, parakeet food and parrot food.

Here is a true story of two professional people with two mature children and their experience with the Casper Humane Society:

"Last summer, we adopted a puppy from the Humane Society. Our dear mutt of 16 years had died. 'Rick' consumed every spare moment but we loved him. He ate my entire doll collection - American Girl dolls and others, he chewed and destroyed our one real piece of furniture - a leather couch - and never really 'got house training.'

"But we would have kept him - but he was an escape artist and bit a neighbor. She was fine but the other neighbors were cranky. We were treated with the same kindness that you were at the Humane Society by the same woman. We had him for nine months.

"Rick was adopted within 24 hours. We are in contact with his new owner. They are happy.

"I am writing this to let you know that Bear will also find a wonderful new home.

"We adopted a dog many years ago that was not right for his first family, but he made our lives very happy for 13 years."

Turns out, Bear was officially adopted before last Sunday's column about him was printed.

I considered that a 15-inch classified advertisement.

I consider this a 15-inch correction for those uninformed readers who choose to think that the Humane Society eventually kills its residents.

All operating revenue for the Casper Humane Society comes from donations, bequests, memorials, adoption fees and fund drives.

For more information visit the shelter at 849 East "E" Street or call 265-5439.