"And they call it puppy love …"

WASILLA -- There's something undeniably innocent and pure about the frisky, impetuous, furry flurry of dog that makes up a puppy. After all, how often has the phrase "if they'd only stay this age" been used in reference to puppies?

Ninotchka Snow has found the secret. Snow, a Wasilla resident, helps head up Mat-Valley Puppies, a group that rescues puppies from Valley residents as well as from the Mat-Su Borough Animal Care and Regulation shelter.

"At any given time, I have between 15 and 40 pups," Snow said.

Snow and other members of MVP visit the borough shelter every four days to survey the puppies that have been brought in and rescue as many as possible. In addition to shelter visits, Snow said, they field calls from people whose pets may have had litters, and people who aren't able for one reason or another to keep a pet but don't want to send it to the shelter.

"If people have problems with animal placement, we can help," Snow said.

When Snow or another foster-care provider takes puppies and other foster animals into their homes, the animals are given shots and vet visits, played with and socialized, and monitored for health problems or seriously aggressive tendencies. Significant problems in either of those two areas, Snow said, may render the animal unplaceable and, for some pets it means euthanasia -- a harsh reality she's had to confront.

A litter of puppies came through recently, Snow said, and all but one suffered from serious gastrointestinal and respiratory problems that resulted in the loss of all but one puppy -- and meant her husband had to rebuild the puppy kennel area to get rid of any potential viruses.

Her kennel is now stocked with a flock of fluffy puppies, all scrambling for attention from Snow, from any visitors who stop by, from her patient cat, or from each other.

Finding homes for unwanted animals is something Snow comes by naturally. Growing up, she said, she always ended up with stray animals.

"I would bring home everybody's stray dogs and stuffing them in my backyard," Snow said. But when one takes into account that Snow's mother provided a home in Anchorage for about 13 dogs, a couple cows, chickens and an assortment of other animals, it's not surprising a fondness for animals rubbed off.

"It's something I definitely come by naturally," Snow said. After cultivating a love for animals from a young age, Snow said she has worked at several vet clinics and is now certified with the Mat-Su Borough to give shots and set microchips, making it easier for her to rescue puppies.

When Snow and her husband bought a home in the Valley, it quickly became apparent that additions on the home would have to wait until a home for her animal family were constructed. They built an 1,100-square-foot garage next to their Wasilla home, fitted with six indoor-outdoor runs. Two of the runs currently house puppies, and the others house a few of Snow's dog family.

"I've adopted four since I started this," Snow said with a laugh. Formerly a breeder of purebred Labrador retrievers and bull mastiffs, Snow said she has little time for breeding anymore, since she's got more puppies on her hands than she has time.

"They keep me very busy," Snow said.Thankfully her family is supportive.

"My husband's really had a ton of patience with me," Snow said. "It's changed all of our lives a lot." And two of her four children seem to have absorbed Snow's fondness for the animal kingdom.

"My youngest [who is 6], will not play with dolls," Snow said. Instead, Savanah favors spending time with the puppies in the garage.

"She's definitely her mother's child," Snow said.

Snow's 13-year-old daughter, she said, is also showing signs of following in her footsteps. That daughter is venturing into the dog breeding, raising dachshunds and recently became the owner of a litter of tiny wiener dogs.

In addition to their own interests in animals, Snow said her four children have been eager to pitch in and help with the work that comes when one cares for dozens of puppies at a time.

"They're awesome kids," Snow said. "I couldn't do it without them."

Although MVP hasn't yet obtained official nonprofit status, Snow said she's working on it. She's hoping the group may qualify for some grant funding -- money that Snow said would come in handy.

"Last month we had $4,500 in vet bills," Snow said.

Although the group does recoup much of those charges from pet placement fees, the fees don't always cover all related costs. In addition to helping with placement, Snow said the group helps with spay and neuter costs, in hopes of bringing the Valley's pet population under control.

Snow added that MVP is in need of good foster homes -- people who are willing to care for puppies for a few weeks at a time and help find suitable homes. The group also needs blankets, bowls, airline kennels, toys and any other dog-related paraphernalia.

People can call Snow at 357-7720 or Joan Westall, who also coordinates MVP, at 376-6897.