Second Chance: A Moment Of Thanks-Giving

23 Nov Second Chance: A Moment Of Thanks-Giving

A lonely kitten is hiding in a ditch, left to fend for himself. The sun is sinking. He is cold, frightened, hungry, and generally miserable. A woman jogs by and the kitten decides to squeak out a plea for help. She hears him. Her arms are warm and comforting; he burrows his head into them.

Jelly Bean

He is taken to Second Chance Humane Society. He is cuddled and provided soft bedding and more food and water than he has ever seen. The little guy relaxes into a deep sleep, dreaming happily of his new family who will come and take him home forever….

Happy Thanksgiving Week Pet Column Readers. As the story above illustrates, there are many reasons for Second Chance pets to be thankful.

I am the chosen spokes-kitty offering up some true gratitude from current, past, and future homeless pets throughout San Miguel, Ouray, and Montrose Counties and beyond.

My name is Jelly Bean. I am playful four-month-old kitten who is grateful for the second chance I have been given. My misfortune of being homeless is countered by the fortune of being homeless in a community that is so supportive of pets in my situation.  There are so many amazing people, businesses, and organizations throughout the area to be thankful for.

You each know who you are, but let me summarize:

– Big-hearted volunteers who come in to comfort and play with me and my shelter pals, as well as those who open up their homes to foster pets with special needs;

-Countless businesses and service-providers which support our care through donations and auction items;

-Volunteers who sweat away at the Thrift Shop and at events like our mobile adoptions and fun-raisers;

-All the individual donors and area governments and foundations that provide financial support for shelter and program operations;

-General public who shop and donate at the Second Chance Thrift Shops, attend our events, and support us in endless ways;

– Collaborative networks that have been developed amongst animal control and welfare agencies regionally and throughout Colorado;

-Dedicated and hardworking Second Chance board-members;

And last, but far from least, we feel very fortunate for our incredible shelter and thrift shop staff. Their selfless work provides such compassionate care for all of us here at the shelter.

As many of you know, our Second Chance home is more than a shelter and we find comfort, love, rehabilitation, security, and overwhelming kindness from our friends here – and I am not just saying this to get an extra pinch of catnip.

Our dog of the week is Shasta, a loveable Beagle/Aussie Mix. At 2 ½-years-old, she weighs in at 40 pounds. She is very sweet and has the energy to keep up with any avid hiker or biker. She is good with other dogs, and loves to play. She is quick learner and will make a great family dog.

Shasta

Come visit us whenever you get a chance – we’ll be waiting…p.s. I will be the adorably soft and friendly little guy who will come running to greet you with a squeak and a purr.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

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.

Ted Hoff &  Magnificent Mae

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup or get your pup (or adult dog) trained 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) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)

Dr. Michelle and Wallowby