I have been enjoying the lovely fall weather this month. We have been visiting Donner Lake, riding bikes, and loafing around the yard. We also took a trip to Santa Cruz. I love the beach. I got to hang out with some cool surfer dudes, and my sister Olive almost got arrested for not being on a leash. That would have been so cool. I thought the law had finally caught up with her but unfortunately they let her go with just a warning.
I shook the sand out of my coat and visited the shelter the other day. Everyone seems to be getting adopted but my friends. Outside I saw Beauty (featured here last month), Jasmine (featured here in September) and Noodles (who first appeared here in June). Come on folks. These are cool dogs. You are starting to make me look bad. I know lots of other animals have found good homes lately. The puppies just fly off the shelves. You don’t want a puppy. Puppies are such a hassle. Don’t you want a more mature friend?
Red is a guy on the mature side. When he is not chewing on a toy or chasing a ball he sits in a bathrobe and slippers and reads the paper. All right, he’s not that mature but he is a great dog. He’s a six-year-old Queensland Heeler – also known as the Australian Cattle Dog – who was found as a stray. Red wasn’t outside in the yard when I met him. He was getting some special attention in the office from the staff, happily playing with a squeaky toy. He matches the color of one of my folks perfectly. He has red hair mixed with grey. I know he is supposed to be Australian but he looks Irish to me.
We went down to the Truckee River to take Red for a test drive. Red walks well on a leash and doesn’t pull too much. He knows a few commands and has intelligence in his genes. We met a youngster having a snack with his mom down by the river and Red knew just where to be to catch stray crackers. He did this skillfully and without seeming like a pest. Red will need a smart owner to keep him busy with lots of exercise and affection. Maybe even someone with a part-time job.
Red loves chasing balls and may start herding people if things get rowdy around the house. He takes his treats very nicely and got along well with the menagerie of dogs we met at the river. Red loves cats but not in a good way. I would not recommend him for a home with cats.
Red is a handsome guy. He would make a great companion for someone living the active Tahoe lifestyle. He would be great playing ball, Frisbee, or on hiking, running, or camping trips. The days are getting colder and shorter. Why not snuggle up with a new warm friend this winter? Have a great month.
Dog First Aid
November 21
Do something amazing for your pets: get trained in Dog First Aid. In this course, provided by the Northern NV Chapter of the American Red Cross, you’ll learn the basics of pet first aid and CPR, including determining emergencies, how to stabilize and stop bleeding, the art of creative muzzling, how to splint and wrap wounds, and transport options. $35 per person includes training and materials. One child over the age of 10 is welcome free of charge with a paid adult. From 1 to 4 p.m. 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, nevada.redcross.org, 775-298-0180.
VET Services
Donner Truckee Veterinary Hospital (DTVH) has created Veterinary Emergency Truckee (VET) after-hours emergency care serving all Truckee and North Tahoe veterinary clinics. This pet emergency service will be available by calling between 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday, and again from 6 p.m. Saturday through 9 a.m. Monday. VET will also be available during the holidays. Additionally, DTVH is proud to announce the addition of their new emergency doctor, Kristi Whitten, DVM. Dr. Whitten will be taking the emergency calls for VET along with the assistance of experienced and licensed nurses. She has extensive experience with trauma care, critical care, general emergency care, and soft-tissue surgery for dogs and cats. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1999, and has practiced at different clinics with a focus on emergency medicine: at Carson Tahoe Veterinary Hospital, and at Animal Emergency Center in Reno. 9701 State Highway 267, Truckee, dtvh.com, DTVH 530-587-4366, VET emergencies 530-587-0881.
HSTT Credit Card
The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (HSTT) in collaboration with Capital One has launched a new program that makes supporting their life-saving work a snap. Just use your Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe Capital One Platinum Card to make everyday purchases, and The Capital One Card Lab Connect program donates one percent of every purchase directly to HSTT. Plus Capital One will donate $25 after you make your first purchase. Choose from one of HSTT’s pre-designed credit cards featuring rescued animals, or create your own design with your favorite pet’s photo. hstt.org, 530-587-5948.
