Freedom and Independence take on various meaning throughout the U.S. the week of July 4. For this week’s Pet Column, I would like to draw your attention to the “Five Freedoms” for all domesticated animals. As animals become more integrated into the culture and lives...
I am sure you have heard of the growing concern that, in the growing germ-phobic anxiety to banish bacteria from our indoor world, people have become too clean for their own good. All the scrubbing, disinfecting, vacuuming and filtering are eliminating the fortifying mix of...
Yesterday our dog died. Yes, she was old. And no, it isn't surprising. But the hole her passing has left in Susan's heart and in mine doesn't take into consideration that she was probably past her expiration date. Regular readers of TIO may remember how often...
I have never had a home or a family. [caption id="attachment_66557" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Pandalla[/caption] I have never gone on a nice walk feeling the sun on my face and a cool breeze brushing through my hair. But all that is changing – the sun and breeze are wonderful – now that I...
My name is Sunny and I am a sweet 11-year-young cat here at the Second Chance Shelter. For this week’s Pet Column I will be discussing how to help children cope with the loss of a pet. This is an important topic for any family and...
It is puppy season and that means cuteness overload: wagging tails, puppy breathe, wiggling, smiling, kissing bundles of fur. Puppies just make people’s hearts smile. Puppies are hard to resist. Puppies are in great demand at the shelter. But an untrained, under-socialized adult dog lacking basic manners is not. Keeping in...
This first week of May I invite you to join in a 102 year old tradition (started by the American Humane Association in 1915) - "Be Kind to Animals Week." In this annual celebration, humans (well, at least the sort of humans I value…) commemorate...
The first festival of Telluride's summer season is not Mountainfilm. At least not for the past three years. It is the Telluride Literary Arts Festival, May 19 - 21, now entering its fourth year, a weekend designed for readers, writers, poets, and lovers of books....
My name is Marley. I am a seven-year-old Cocker Spaniel who recently arrived here at the Second Chance Shelter. I was rescued from a puppy mill where I have lived my entire life in fear. So even though being rescued was the best thing that ever happened...
Is your cat fat? Is your furry feline sporting something extra on the midriff? Are you in denial and pretending it is just extra fur to keep her warm? You are not alone. [caption id="attachment_65688" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Powder[/caption] There is a 55 percent chance your cat is too chubby. According...
