Second Chance: How Well Do You Know Your Pets?

08 Jan Second Chance: How Well Do You Know Your Pets?

Lolita

The pet industry is booming. Home-cooked specialty meals, afternoons at the spa, bling collars, green built dog houses, people are creating lives of luxury for their pets. In fact the U.S. pet industry has reported overall sales at $55 billion dollars, up from 53.9 from 2012!!!

I am not complaining – I look forward to being pampered too. (I hope when I get adopted I get a leopard print bed that is heated and self-cleaning…) Those indulgences do help us to feel loved and appreciated – and they make our people feel good too. However, amidst the “things” we are given it is important for pet parents to focus on giving what best complements our nature. As with Holiday giving, do the glow-in-the-dark socks have the same impact as a handmade scarf in the colors and style that best suits the recipient?

Don’t lose sight of the fact that, like people, every pet is different. The more you understand we are all individuals, the happier and more connected our relationship with you will be. Learning about us allows you to coax the best out of us and extinguish behaviors you don’t like. If you have an active and curious kitty are you providing enough stimulation and attention or is your cat turning to eating your favorite biking shorts?

Engaging in pet observation to determine your pet’s preferences and dislikes is also a great stress reducer – allows you to just sit and be for awhile with your pet – and that is a true luxury for you both. You can all be a “dog or cat whisperer” by just taking a few minutes to observe and connect and the results are worth more than 10 spa days.

My name is Lolita. I am a regal Russian Blue kitty. Here at the shelter I am quite independent  – I would much rather be in a home of my own– but still good-natured. I have many layers of intrigue and fascination yet to be discovered and unfolded by someone like you. One little secret I will divulge is that I am keen on being softly scratched behind my left ear.

And my name is Titan.  I am only 4 months young and so full of life and yearning to learn and play and sniff and snort and wiggle and waggle and cuddle and lick and so many other things, I don’t even know what to do first. Adopt me and I will teach you how to be young and vivacious and always wear a smile all over again.

Titan

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet 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 at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Clubfor added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)

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 the shelter pets and services online:www.adoptmountainpets.org