What does a 17 pound cat eat? Whatever it wants of course. This week in addition to meeting some really cool dogs I went undercover and checked out how the cats live.
I met Finnegan, an orange cat who eats whatever he wants. According to Finnegan, muscle is heavier than fat. Apparently he’s been working a lot with free weights in the exercise room at the shelter. Most of the other cats seem to prefer yoga.
Inside the cat room I found out how the other half lives. The wonderful cat volunteers spend lots of time with the cats. They get socialization and listen to relaxing music. I checked the CD player in the cat room and I was shocked at what I found. What do cats listen to? I expected to hear ‘Eye of the Tiger’ or some Cat Stevens. Instead it appears that cats love Barry Manilow. He writes the songs that make the whole world sing. My dogs don’t do Manilow.
This month I met Toby. Toby is an 11 year old purebred Beagle. He even has papers to prove it. I don’t have any papers. What does a dog need papers for? I thought that was the great thing about being a dog. We don’t do paperwork. We don’t have mortgages or car payments. I should have asked Toby where he keeps his papers. Maybe he has pockets. That would be pretty cool.
Toby’s family had to move and now he is looking for a new place to rest his head. Maybe Toby didn’t realize that I was a famous journalist because he stole my seat in the car as soon as he jumped in. This gray faced 11 year old dog with the short little legs jumped over the front seat and into the passenger seat before I could figure out what happened. He’s a distinguished looking gentleman and I didn’t have the heart to growl or argue with him about it.
We took Toby over to my house to meet my family and then we went for a nice walk. Toby was happy to run all over the house guided by his expert sniffer. He gets along pretty well for a gray muzzled older fellow. He enjoyed going in and out the dog door and wandering around the yard. When we took him out to the forest Toby was in his element. He uses his nose so much it’s amazing that he doesn’t run into things. When he is in full sniff mode his ears come pretty close to dragging on the ground. He gets focused on what he’s smelling and seems to care about little else when he is on the trail. He was happy to dig holes in the meadow stick his nose in them and snort like a pig. It seemed like fun so my sister Olive joined him.
Toby stayed with our group but I wouldn’t say that he listened when he was called. We couldn’t decide whether he was ignoring us or just deaf. I think he just gets focused when he is working. He did listen better at the house and knows a few commands. He may know more but you’ll just have to figure it out. He’s not telling. He’s smelling.
Toby is definitely a senior but he has tons of energy. He would love some light daily exercise and some open space to sniff. I’m sure he also loves to relax and lay around too. This guy deserves a nice place to call home.
One pooch who has found a new home is Simon. Simon is a puggle I met a few weeks ago at the shelter. Now whenever I walk to the meadow I pass Simon’s house and he barks at me. Congratulations Simon!
If you are interested in Finnegan the cat or my pal Toby call 530-587-5948. For more information got to hstt.org. Have a great month.
June in Bloom
June 19
Come celebrate Wildlife Shelter Inc.’s 20th Anniversary at Chambers Landing. The Wildlife Shelter provides a place for people to bring orphaned, injured, or sick wildlife for treatment before release back to the wild. Family BBQ is from 3 to 4 p.m. with a visit from Gabe and Barbie Kirschner and their Wild Things between 4 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of event. The evening continues at Chamber’s Landing Restaurant from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., with a dinner buffet at 7 p.m. The night promises fun music, flower arranging, friends, wine and great dining, and an auction. Tickets are $39 pre-sale, $50 on June 19 and at the door. Tickets will be available at Porters and The Bookshelf – in Tahoe City and Truckee. 6300 Chambers Lodge Road. Boat pier access available. wildlifeshelter.org, 530-525-WILD.
Ruth Frishman Memorial Golf Tournament
June 28
Come play the Resort at Squaw Creek for a good cause: the proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. Four-player scramble. Prizes for the best team, hole-in-one, closest to pin, and longest drive for men and women. Single entry costs $150 including golf, lunch, dinner, live entertainment, and silent auction. $40 for non-golfers includes dinner, live entertainment, and silent auction. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Tee time 10 a.m. hstt.org, 530-587-5948.
Creative Pets
Have you seen the couture clothing available to pets these days? Stitch is a Chihuahua/Toy Poodle pup in Jeannie Collins Duffield’s Kindergarten Puppy Training class held at the Truckee Veterans’ Hall. She obviously doesn’t need to learn how to dress. She is stunning in a pink quilted satin shrug with a marabou collar.
Creative Bumper Sticker
Wag more.
Bark less.
