SECOND CHANCE: MIRACLE ON DIRTY DOG ST.

19 Dec SECOND CHANCE: MIRACLE ON DIRTY DOG ST.

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue.

Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles two of the many animals from the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving homes.

The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of  Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer and partners with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal. And there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood should you be heading out of town for the holidays — or arriving in the Telluride region, but your rental is not dog friendly.

In the Christmas movie “Miracle on 34th Street, A little girl discovers dreams do come true if you really believe. Second Chance Humane Society feels the same way because witness miracles daily through adoptions and reunifications between people and their pets.

But we also believe that some miracles need help.

The micro-chip is a miracle’s best friend because it helps pets separated from their families find their way home – even if the time away gets extended. Below is a heartwarming story that poignantly illustrates my point …

This true story stars a dog named Shorty who was displaced during the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav four years ago. Just last month he was found in North Carolina many many miles from his original home in Louisiana. It is unclear how Shorty eventually ended up in Kannapolis, a city about 25 miles northeast of Charlotte and about 735 miles northeast of New Orleans. It’s also not known how long the dog had been on its own.

According to Dr. Blake Peurifoy, a veterinarian at the animal hospital where Shorty was treated after his rescue, a passer-by going to work spotted Shorty wandering along the middle of the street. He felt sorry for the dog and brought him to the nearest animal hospital.

The approximately 15-pound dog looked in sad shape, with infected eyes and soiled fur matted and crusted from head to toe. But the hospital staff cleaned him up and turned him back into a white dog. Then they found that the 15-year-old white poodle had a microchip and the staff was able to trace it to his family in New Orleans, four years after their separation.

When the staff at the animal hospital contacted the original owners they were ecstatic about the dog. “They were crying and really happy, really interested to get their dog back whether he lives another three months or three years,” Peurifoy said.

Shorty needed surgery for severe dental disease and also has a heart murmur, but the animal hospital – to complete the miracle – treated Shorty for free so that he could return home healthy and ready to spend his remaining days happily at home, in Louisiana.

Lesson of the day – micro-chip your pet!

Micro-chipping is harmless, cannot be tracked as a GPS device, and saves lives. All adoptable pets here at Angel Ridge Ranch have a micro-chip so that they will never lose their families again.   Additionally because we believe so strongly in micro-chipping as the primary means of reuniting pets with their families, you can also call us about getting a micro-chip for your other pets at home.

And now a few words from our pets of the week.

SASHA:

Sasha

My name is Sasha and, as I have been with Second Chance before. This is more like my third chance than my second chance – but I sure hope it is the last time I’ll need help. Each time I have found myself here has been no fault of mine – so please don’t get the wrong picture. If you are looking to spend your days with an awesome feline, I’m your girl. My adoption fee has been waived until December 22nd as part of Second Chance’s holiday promotion so come on by and check me out!

Murphy

MURPHY:

My name is Murphy and unfortunately my life has been a bit like: anything that could go wrong has gone wrong. I have been bounced around between homes and rescue organizations and am finding the world to be rather a unsettling and unpredictable place. However, since arriving back here at Second Chance, I believe my luck is about to change. My shy nature suggests I am not fully convinced of that hope, but as my foster home quickly experienced, in a calm environment I really blossom into a happy, friendly little guy. I am only four years of age so we have lots of time to get to know one another…Together we can invent a new Murphy’s Law: “Good family, fun and food make for a good life!”

Note: Call the SCHS Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter, Volunteer, Feral Cat, or other Programs.  View our shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.