30
Jun 2022
by: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Board Member and Volunteer Summer in the mountains is a time for adventure, and it is even more exciting when shared with our furry companions. It is healthy to be active with our loyal dogs, but we need to remember it is summer in the mountains. At altitude, the atmosphere is thinner, the sun more intense, the air dryer and hot is hotter. Dogs have physiological reactions to high altitude similar to what their humans experience. Those effects if ignored can result in serious health issues. Fortunately for our......
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14
Apr 2022
by: Heather Mills & Nikki Ritter, AVHS ACT and Transport Coordinator When AVHS staff first met Aspen and Autumn, a pair of two year old Australian Cattle Dog sisters, we knew immediately that they were two very special girls. Surrendered to the shelter by a caring individual, it was explained that the pair were recently saved from being shot by a farmer who raised them. Staff was told that Autumn is deaf and that she and Aspen were a bonded pair. The girls had to be carried into the building because they had never worn collars......
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28
Sep 2021
by: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer On August 11, I said goodbye to my miniature schnauzer, Pip. My home is empty, and my heart aches. Just like so many other pet lovers, I find myself asking, “Why does losing a pet hurt so much”, and with guilt adding, “almost more than the loss of a human?” My friends and I have discussed this and postulated our theories. I decided to see what authorities have to say on the subject. What I read from psychologists, veterinarians, and animal support organizations made me realize that......
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21
Sep 2021
by: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer Just like humans, dogs cough, sneeze and snore, and just like humans, a little is normal. However, when any one becomes persistent, it could indicate a serious problem. Coughing Coughing is part of everyday life for dogs who can sniff 4-6 times per second, as they may be trying to get rid of dust or other “stuff” they have inhaled. If their coughing worsens or becomes more frequent, it could be a sign of more serious causes, such as allergies, infections, viruses, kennel cough, sore throat, partial......
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14
Sep 2021
by: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer Pip, my 14 year old miniature schnauzer just whined. She also is looking at me with those pleading puppy-dog eyes. She is saying, “Pet me, please.” If someone were to come to the door, she would bark a greeting, but if the guest were to move to pet her, she would growl a warning, “Do not touch me. I have arthritis, and you might hurt me.” This is “Pip Speak.” Every dog has his own unique way of talking. We humans just need to know how to......
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07
Sep 2021
by: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer My first miniature schnauzer, Riley, was unusual in that she seldom barked. My next mini-schnauzer, Destiny, barked but she also purred like a cat. She had a different way of communicating than Riley, although they were the same breed. I eventually learned their “talk,” just as all loving dog owners learn the communication of their furry friends. Dogs have quite a “vocabulary.” They bark, growl, snarl, whine, whimper, yelp, howl, sing and purr. Your dog may not make all these sounds, but he definitely has his vocalizations......
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19
Aug 2021
by: Nikki Ritter, AVHS Transfer Coordinator Across the country, summer is the peak season for animal shelters as the number of animals coming in grows. For dogs, one of the main reasons for the increase is simply because they are outside more. This leads to more dogs getting loose or wiggling away from their owners while on outings. Additionally, we see an increase in dogs escaping from pet sitters who are unfamiliar with them. For the rescue group, Friends of Roswell Animals (FORA) in Roswell, NM, this is no different. FORA is......
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12
Aug 2021
By: Judy Lore, AVHS Volunteer Perhaps you’re taking a walk through your neighborhood or you are cleaning out under your porch and find a litter of newborn or very young kittens. What should you do now? Following are some suggestions from Alley Cat Allies, a nonprofit that deals with this on a daily basis and particularly in the summer months when so many kittens arrive. First, your local shelter Ark-Valley Humane Society has a link on their website that gives you advice about how to handle this situation. Go to www.ark-valley.org and......
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05
Aug 2021
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer While having a leisurely glass of wine with my friends, Ming, one of their two Siamese cats, jumped up on the coffee table, sat down and began to stare at me. He stared and stared and stared. I looked back, hypnotized by the deep intensity of his gaze. Then Ming began to slowly blink. I blinked back, thinking he was playing a game. Little did I know that Ming was saying, “I trust you, friend.” Ming was communicating with me via body language. Cats can be quite......
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29
Jul 2021
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Volunteer While visiting my friend in her beautiful garden, one of her 3 cats, Paint, jumped onto her lap and nuzzled his head under her elbow. This was his signal for her to rock and comfort him. My friend is very good with cats because she watches and listens to them and learns the nuances of their communications. Cats truly have unique ways of “talking” to their people. Most fascinating is that adult cats only meow to humans. With the exception of young kittens, who meow when they......
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