By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer columnist It’s August. It’s still hot and my girls are shedding. They were groomed a couple weeks ago, but you’d never know their long hair was trimmed and they were bathed and brushed. I can still brush them and get gobs of fur. I read online that there are two shedding seasons. To me, that doesn’t seem accurate because it feels like my two girls shed year-round. They perhaps did not get the notice. Do you recognize any of these tropes? (A trope is a figure of......

Read More

By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair July 31st was National Mutt’s Day. Founded in 2005 by animal expert and animal advocate, Colleen Paige, it is also known as National Mixed-Breed Dog Day. To celebrate, my friend Jo scheduled a play date for her mutt, Daisy and friend’s mutt, Bo. Another friend bought her mutt, Banjo, a new toy. Alice took her mutt for a romp in a nearby stream, and Peggy posted photos of her adorable Tchotchke wearing his new scarf. Other friends donated dog food to their local animal shelter. And......

Read More

By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer Columnist I recently received a publication called This Week in the mail and found this fascinating article about dogs being left-pawed. About one in ten people are left-handed, but according to a new study, the percentage is much higher in dogs. Researchers report that up to 80% of dogs have a preferred paw to use when stepping off something or pushing a toy. Or in my case, trying to get me to pet them yet again. Researchers at an Italian university put dogs through a series of......

Read More

By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair We have all heard the expression, “the third time is the charm.” Also charming and very helpful is the 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months rule of adopting a rescue dog. Experts in animal behavior have tracked and analyzed how rescued dogs behave with the results being the widely accepted 3-3-3 Rule. Although every dog is unique and will adjust differently, the 3-3-3 Rule provides a general guideline of the adjustment process dogs may go through in their first 3 days, 3 weeks and 3 months......

Read More

By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair Several years ago while still living in the Chicago suburbs, I was shocked to find a tick on my miniature schnauzer, Destiny. It was just beginning to feed and not fully engorged. I confess that I panicked and using my fingernails quickly plucked it from the back of her neck, cleaned the area and rushed her to the vet taking the tick with me in a plastic sandwich bag. The kind staff and vet examined Destiny and calmed me laughing a little, as they had never......

Read More

By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair I was fortunate to have a wonderful childhood, but it became even richer when at age 6, a border collie pup I named Tammy came into my life. She and I grew up together playing, laughing and cuddling. She made me feel happy, secure and loved. She taught me responsibility and compassion. She was my best buddy. Such is the beauty of a dog in a child’s life. Research shows the benefits are numerous. According to the American Kennel Club staff, in a June 2026 article,......

Read More

By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair The Screenplay, Featuring: the Jones’ family of dogs – Whip, the miniature Schnauzer; Duke, the German shepherd mix; and Pug, the pug. The Scene: The Jones backyard, late afternoon, mid May 2026. Duke: (panting). “Wow. What a great run with Dad and Mom. You two do not know what you missed.” Whip: (watching the world from the top step of the patio). “I have enjoyed sitting here taking in our mountain beauty. Do you two know that Colorado has 53 official fourteeners, the most of any......

Read More

By: the Ark-Valley Humane Society Team Feline peak breeding season stretches from early spring through summer. In other words, it is starting now. While walking outside you might chance upon young kittens and instantly want to rescue them. Stop! That might not be in their best interests. The first step is to assess the mother cat. Is she socialized to humans? If she is friendly, approachable, and can be easily handled, she may be someone’s lost pet. In that case, contacting Ark-Valley Humane Society is a good next step. Their staff can......

Read More

By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair The winds have somewhat calmed today as I write this article, but they have been strong several days (weeks) in a row causing the weather service to issue red flag warnings. Forecasts show more days ahead with winds at 20-30 mph and gusts over 40mph. Add to those winds, our extremely dry, unusually warm conditions, and the fire danger moves to high. We in Colorado know all too well the devastation of those fires and the value of being prepared to evacuate, often with extremely short......

Read More

By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer columnist Rudy was my first dog as an adult. He was so good-looking that people would stop and ask what his breed was. I’d tell them he was a mix of a farm collie and a dark golden retriever. He lived to almost 14 and was the light of my life all those years. A student had given him to me, insisting I needed a dog, and I’ve thanked her ever since. Rudy was strong, handsome, and adventurous—sometimes a little too adventurous. We shared many trips backpacking......

Read More