SECOND CHANCE: NEW YEAR PROMISES + SAM + VLADIMIR

02 Jan SECOND CHANCE: NEW YEAR PROMISES + SAM + VLADIMIR

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 our hills for a few turns in the pow pow. In 2013, resolve to make that stop.

Resolving Resolutions

Happy New Year TIO readers. I am excited about 2013 and all the possibilities the New Years holds and hope you feel the same.

Here at Second Chance Humane Society, we accomplished a lot in 2012 but still have much work to do. But with our strong community support, I am feeling very optimistic about what we can do together.

One of the more significant projects on the books at Angel Ridge Ranch in 2013 is to build much-needed dog facilities and get some of our dogs out of the barn. I will be detailing that plan and project in coming weeks, but want to start off the new year with the traditional approach of declaring a few resolutions.

I asked current shelter resident Sam to take the lead on this story and below is what he came up with.

Sam

SAM:

Hi, my name is Sam, Sam I am. Starting off the year as a homeless pet at the Second Chance Humane Society Shelter was not what I had planned for my life going forward. So, my #1 New Year resolution is to be adopted by a forever family within one week. After I am adopted I can focus on my true purpose – helping others stick to their resolutions…

Resolutions sound good when we make them, but the truth is they are typically forgotten shortly after they are conceived. Why? Because they tend to be dull and about “not” doing something rather than positive change. But if you look at the true definition of the word, “a resolving to do something or a course of action determined or decided on,” you will notice resolutions are meant to be affirmative. Resolving that “I will not eat kitty litter snacks for breakfast” only makes me crave those little nuggets all day long. (Not that I do that. I’m just saying…).

Today I hope you will stand with me in resolving to make your resolutions positive and empowering!

Below are some fresh ideas for inspiration:

5 Easy Resolutions for an Amazing 2013:  

• Live and love like each day is the first of the rest of your life. (Just observe your pets if you are unsure how to approach this).

• Be thankful. (Again, allow your adopted pets to be your guides.)

• Learn new stuff daily. (Be as curious as a cat and adventuresome as a dog.)

• Have a fit of exuberance every day. (For guidance, visit the shelter and watch the young ones play.)

• Repeat resolutions 1-4.

Below I have included my sage and slightly biased advice on planning your 2013 year to-do list, which is not quite as invigorating as making resolutions, but important nonetheless:

•  Schedule your pet’s annual visit to the vet (and get them spay/neutered if you have been putting it off).

• Look into purchasing pet health insurance or plan on setting aside money each month for emergency vet bills.

• Micro-chip your dog or cat (watch for Second Chance Micro-chip and Spay/Neuter Clinics in 2013).

• Research different pet diets and get your pet on the most financially feasible one for health and longevity.

• Volunteer some of your time or donate to a local animal shelter or rescue.

•  Make plans for your pets future should the worst happen to you through a pet trust or other protective planning.

•  Adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue and give one (or more) a second chance at life.

And to my potential adoptive family… I, Sam, resolve to be your teacher and guide in the true art of living (See above under “5 Resolutions…”).

Happy 2013 all!!!

And as an afterthought, especially if I have made your very curious about me as a potential family member,  I am a 5-6 year old dachshund, short in stature, but big on personality. I was surrendered to Second Chance because my owner was no longer able to care for me as was evident by the poor state of my teeth and skin upon arrival. My friends at Second Chance have taken me to the vet to make me look and feel soooo much better, so now my teeth are nice and clean and my skin is looking much better. So now I am all primed for my new home and know that 2013 is going to be a great year.

And now my buddy Vladimir is now going to share a few words…

Vladimir

VLADIMIR:



Hello! I’m Vladimir the Great, a handsome two year old male putty tat, who has come in from the cold to the haven of Second Chance Humane Society. Boy am I grateful for this place, which is cozy and comforting until I arrive at my new permanent home. I have a beautiful coat and though my non-photogenic ways and tipped ear make me appear unfriendly in my face shot, I am really very social and loving.

And I share Sam’s New Year resolution and hope to be adopted within the week…

Note: The Second Chance Humane Society Animal Resource Center and Thrift Shop are both located in Ridgway but service San Miguel, Ouray & Montrose Counties.  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.