By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair “Crossing the finish line are Jo and her pit bull, Daisy,” shouted the announcer. Both were smiling. They did not win the 5K, but they finished, running the race side-by-side. A great way to bond with your furry friend is to get outside and walk or run. The exercise is physically and mentally healthy for both of you, the fresh air is exhilarating, and the shared time together is priceless. If you and your dog are already regularly and happily spending such quality time together, and your......

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By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer columnist Pets are Good for Your Health. Besides, dogs and cats are just darned cute to have around. My dogs are the reason I walk as much as I do on a regular schedule. They let me know when they want to walk and run and I usually heed their call. Simply being in the presence of a pet can provide health benefits for us. Petting a dog can decrease the stress hormone cortisol which, in turn, helps decrease blood pressure and can help us feel less......

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By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair My friend’s dog, Daisy Mae loves to roll in the dirt. Fortunately, she also likes baths. Of course, she enjoys them because she seems to delight in splashing her mom. Jo just puts on her swim suit, and bath time becomes fun playtime. Bathing our dogs is just one way we show our love, keeping them clean, healthy, and happy. Both the ASPCA and the American Kennel Club offer advice on the care of your furry friend’s coat (fur or hair), skin, nails, teeth, ears and......

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By: Casey Hampf, Outreach Manager Adopting a senior or special needs pet not only makes a difference in a shelter animal’s life, but it can also make a difference in yours. Choosing to open your home to a senior or special needs animal can be very rewarding and create a special bond between you and your new friend as this story from Jenna G., who adopted a senior, special needs pet from Ark-Valley Humane Society, highlights: “Back in 2019, I had the pleasure of meeting a sweet senior dog named Henry. He came to Ark-Valley Humane Society with some digestive issues and Ark-Valley took the time,......

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By: Nikki Ritter, Executive Director Spring presents an ideal time to reflect on the number of animals helped through our community retention and shelter services in 2024. Last year, our team of eleven staff members, seven board members, and 92 volunteers helped 1,723 animals through our sheltering, spay/neuter, microchipping, safety net, and adoption programs. In doing so, the average length of stay for animals was 21.3 days and our Asilomar Live Release Rate was 98.3%. Of the 635 animals sheltered, 85% of cats and 89% of dogs originated in Chaffee County. Others......

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By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer columnist  The Academy of American Poets initiated April to be Poetry Month in 1996. While we generally think of poetry to be written about human concerns and nature, we can find poems about our cherished nonhuman friends easily by researching them on the internet. I’ll share a few poems from unattributed authors written specifically about dogs and cats. “Sandpaper kisses on a cheek or a chinThat is the way for the day to begin.Sandpaper kisses, a cuddle and a purr.I have an alarm clock that’s covered in......

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By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair The winds are relatively calm today as I write this article, but they were strong several days 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 40. Add to those winds, our dry conditions, and we all know the fire risk moves to high. We in Colorado know all too well the devastation of those fires. These fires along with so many other natural disasters have alerted us to the......

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By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair Just as dog idioms have pawed into our lives, cat idioms have pussyfooted in. The story of each is so interesting, they all are definitely “the cat’s meow.” Since domestic cats have been part of humans’ lives for an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 years, it is no surprise that their traits and charms have crept into the language of our lives. As a little girl, every time I poked my nose where I shouldn’t, Mother shook her finger at me saying, “Curiosity Killed the Cat.” Because......

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By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer columnist Perhaps you have not yet lost a pet you love or maybe you have lost several through the years of pet ownership. I have lost ten over several decades since the 1970s. I have often had two or more at a time and have dealt with the loss the remaining one/ones experience and the grief I myself have felt for a very long time. I lost my Cooper in 2022 at age seven and I mourn him to this day. Cancer is an ugly way to......

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By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair Daytime temperatures have crept back up to the high 40’s, but forecasts show they will soon drop again. Winter has not yet ended. The strong winds continue to blow, chilling any animal caught in their path. A few weeks ago I wrote about how to protect our dogs from these harsh conditions. Cats get cold, too, and I am certain they would gladly meow their thanks for human help from winter’s brutal elements. According to the Humane Society of the United States, all felines are susceptible......

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