24
Feb 2024
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice-chair Their world is silent, but they see and feel. Their spirit is boundless. Their only needs are your patience and love, Love that will be returned to you, a hundred fold. They are the special dogs who hear with their hearts. According to both the American Kennel Club and the Veterinary Centers of America, “deaf dogs have special needs, but they do not require much more commitment than any dog.” They cope well with their world of silence, can be easily trained, even competing in sports, and......
Read More
22
Feb 2024
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice-chair “Her white coat drew my eye to her photo on an online adoption list. Then I learned her story. She had been saved from a breeder who was planning to shoot her because of her colorless coat, odd looking eyes and deafness, the result of her being a double merle. I did not hesitate to adopt this adorable Australian shepherd puppy. I named her Keller.” “I worked hard to train Keller in obedience using only hand signals, and eventually the dog who was nearly killed for her......
Read More
16
Feb 2024
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice-chair The 2024 Super Bowl that went into overtime was an exciting game. However, the 2024 Puppy Bowl was equally exciting and definitely the cutest competition in sports. Warner Bros. Discovery and Best Friends Animal Society partnered to “stage” the event in order to ”spotlight” pet adoption. This year, the 20th Puppy Bowl broke records with 132 adoptable pets from 73 shelters across 36 states competing to win the Lombarky Trophy. Team Ruff squeaked past Team Fluff with a final score of 72 to 69, with Team Ruff’s......
Read More
14
Feb 2024
By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer columnist My two very large dogs are my favorite Valentines. As I was searching for ideas for special treats to make them, I happened upon a wonderful new internet site for pets: Miss Molly Says.com. I’ll share a peanut butter snack recipe for dogs with you at the end (and a recipe for a cat treat). We all know peanut butter is a favorite of dogs, but is it safe for them? And is it safe for cats? It is not advised for cats. For dogs be......
Read More
05
Feb 2024
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice-Chair “We have developed a bond with and a love for our Aussie, Ellie, deeper than any dog that has ever been part of our life because of the intimacy of the communication style forced upon us.” This is how Sarah and her husband Bob describe their lives with Ellie who is deaf and visually impaired. They adopted her as a pup in 2018, knowing she had special needs and would need specialized care. “Life with Ellie had its challenges, and we had to learn to adapt. We......
Read More
28
Jan 2024
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice-Chair This past year, the programs and services provided by Ark-Valley Humane Society helped change the lives of 1,546 cats and dogs. Siren loudly meows to you that hers was one of those lives changed for the better when she was found and brought to Ark-Valley Humane Society. Siren was found under the stage at the Lariat in Buena Vista. Kind rescuers disassembled the stage to safely extricate her and brought her to our AVHS shelter. Sadly, she had a spinal injury that left her unable to walk.......
Read More
21
Jan 2024
By: Nikki Ritter, AVHS Executive Director Snow has begun to blanket our valley as scents of hot cocoa, wood fire stoves, and hearty meals fill the air. With the cold winds of winter nipping at our heels, I would like to share our gratitude to those members of our community who brave this cold weather, making the dedicated journey to come to AVHS to volunteer and foster. In 2023 we saw our volunteers and foster families step up to help the shelter in big ways. As we worked through our staff transition......
Read More
15
Jan 2024
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice-chair & volunteer Cat owners, admit it, you talk to your cats, even creating dialogue prompted by questions you believe they are asking you. (We dog owners do that, too.) Talking with our pets is a way we bond, show love, and pay attention to what is going on with our furry friends. It is healthy for both animal and human. Every morning I am greeted by photos of a dear friend’s cat, Penelope. I reply with what I believe Penelope is thinking, what she is saying if......
Read More
09
Jan 2024
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice-chair & volunteer The day after Christmas my 7 year old lab boxer mix, Gracie, was particularly reactive to the sound of the wind and hurried inside from her potty breaks and romps in the backyard. She did not want to go for a walk. (Neither did I). Then I started seeing posts of similar responses from friends’ dogs, even those who love the outdoors, no matter the conditions. The winds were steady and strong with gusts that threw debris about. Wind chills were in the single digits.......
Read More
01
Jan 2024
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice-chair & volunteer In November, six adorable puppies were transferred to AVHS from Underdog Animal Rescue and Rehab in Moab, Utah. Sadly, they had been abandoned, left on the side of the road in a cardboard box labeled “Free Puppies.” Fortunately, they were found, rescued, and eventually moved to our shelter. Once here in BV, they needed to be named. Reminding one of our staff of the kittens abandoned in a similar way in the Disney film Oliver and Company, she suggested they be named for the film’s lead characters.......
Read More