Second Chance: More Animal Talk

16 Mar Second Chance: More Animal Talk

Last week’s Pet Column was about cat chatter and what it means. 

The “language barrier” between pets and animals is challenging; pets like me are often misunderstood. And because people like to anthropomorphize pets in many ways, our communication often is translated in human perspective rather than pet perspective. This behavior can have an impact on how people relate to their pet and sometimes even leads to us being homeless.

Take my friend Ace for example. 

Ace

Ace is a handsome year-and-a-half old Catahoula, an Australian Shepherd mix who was bred to be a working dog. But chasing cows didn’t really appeal to him.  Because he couldn’t say, “Hey, I would rather be a lover,” his owners just thought he was not very smart and decided they didn’t want him anymore.

Well it turns out that Ace is very smart. He just happens to prefer the company of people to cows. So here at Second Chance no one os looking to place him at a ranch, but rather as a hiking or running partner or as a member of an active family. Ace does well with other dogs, but is a bit much for cats. I think if he could talk he would say, “yo cat – let’s have some fun,” but cats just think he is annoying.

And then there is me, Savannah. 

Savannah

Savannah is an adorable kitten who loves to play on the cat wheel and with other toys in the Second Chance Cat Castle rooms. I am about 4 ½ months old, brown tabby with some splashes of white.  Young kittens don’t do well on our own so I am happy to have been rescued and brought to Second Chance.  I especially enjoy napping and playing with the other two kittens I share a room with here.

Because of my rough start of fending for myself and not knowing kind people, I am shy and timid at first.  But I am quickly learning the language of love and that it is nothing to fear and I am now letting people come up to me and pet me.  If I could talk I would say, “I am young and resilient and if you adopt me and treat me kindly I will be a loyal and loving forever pet to you”.

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