February 7, 2013

Your family has decided it’s time to add a dog. Being very conscientious, you head to the local animal shelter. Your kids immediately drag you over to the puppy area—right past Bennie, a 6-year-old Pomeranian mix whose owner had to move into a nursing home and Sally, the greyhound, retired from racing at the ripe age of 4. Both perfectly wonderful dogs, but, as is so often the case, the draw of the puppy wins out and you walk out with a squirmy, four-pound bundle of cute. Although it’s hard to resist the charm of youth, there are reasons to think twice about passing up that brown-eyed cocker just because she has a few years of experience behind her.

No Surprises

They told you the pup was mostly schnauzer. Apparently they meant the giant type. With an older dog, you know “who he’s going to be when he grows up.” You’re not going to be surprised six months down the line when he outgrows his dog house. You also have very few clues about a puppy’s grown-up personality, whereas you can tell with a short interaction whether an older dog has the personality you’re looking for.

Are You Up to Raising a Pup?

There’s no denying it, puppies are a heckuva lot of fun, but they’re also a heckuva lot of work. They need constant supervision because if it’s bad for them, they will find it--and either eat it or roll in it. You’ll need to spend weeks housebreaking your pup--and cleaning up accidents. They expend boundless energy, and so will you just trying to keep up with them. An older dog is finished with the “go, go, go” stage. Been there, done that. Not that an older dog doesn’t need exercise, but you don’t need to take him on five-mile jog every morning--unless you both want to. And he’s probably already leash trained.

Babies and Puppies and Bites, Oh, No!

If you have a child under the age of three, a puppy is probably not a good choice. Young children don’t know how to properly handle, play with or discipline a puppy--but they will try. They can seriously injure a young pup without meaning to. And puppies naturally bite and scratch while roughhousing, and those tiny teeth hurt! A more mature dog is past the teething stage. These dogs often bond tightly with a young child and make excellent companions.

Learning the Rules

An older dog typically has some basic obedience and knows how to mind his manners. With a puppy, you start at square one, and it takes a lot of time and effort. And frustration. Puppies are easily distracted, whereas an older dog is calmer and will focus more easily on you and the task at hand. He has years of experience reading humans and can quickly figure out what you’re asking. With puppies, you’re teaching HOW to learn as well as what. 

That Feel-Good Feeling

One of the biggest benefits of adopting a more mature dog is the good feeling you’ll get. You’ll find so much satisfaction knowing that you’re giving this dog, who’s gone through so much, a new chance at happiness. Most older dogs crave love and are quick to respond and return that love. They’ll be part of the family in no time!

January 4, 2013

As the temperature drops and snowflakes begin to fall, our pets—like us—will be seeking refuge from winter’s chill.  While we can easily put on warm jackets and hats to stay toasty, please remember that our pets rely on us to make sure they are not left out in the cold.
There are many simple things you can do to make sure your cat or dog stays safe and cozy this winter season.  Here are a few great tips to keep in mind:

- If your dog spends time outdoors, make sure he has access to a doghouse with a raised floor where he can stay warm, dry and protected from the elements. Older dogs and pooches with short coats get chilled faster than younger dogs and long-haired canines, so it’s a good idea to limit their exposure and bring them in sooner from the cold. If the temperature dips below 20°F, it is recommended that pets not be left outside.  Be sure to bring pets indoors at night when the temperature is often at its coldest.

- Did you know that antifreeze and windshield de-icer are both sweet-tasting?  Sadly, they’re also highly toxic to pets, so check your driveway and garage floor regularly for drips.  Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet ingests these chemicals.

- Monitor outside water bowls frequently to ensure that water hasn’t frozen and that your pet has fresh drinking water available at all times.  To prevent your pet’s tongue from sticking to a frozen metal water bowl, consider choosing plastic or ceramic bowls instead for outside use.

- During the winter season, regularly check the underside of your pet’s feet for ice-melter, which can irritate or burn the pads of the feet and can be poisonous if ingested.

- Brush your pet’s coat regularly to keep skin moisturized in the cold winter air.

- Finally, keep in mind that outdoor cats may curl up under cars to in order to escape the cold and soak up the heat of a car engine.  Before starting your vehicle when heading off to work, tap on the hood and check inside the tires to make sure that a feline has not taken refuge overnight.

The weather outside may be frightful, but by following these tips for winter safety, the season can remain delightful for you and your animal companion.  For other great safety and behavior training tips, be sure to check our website at www.larimerhumane.org.

January 2, 2013

After losing his two beloved cats, Scott decided to head to Larimer Humane Society to see if he could find a feline that fit well with his lifestyle. He was looking for a loving cat that liked to be held. Within seconds of standing near her cage, Ali came up to the front bars and started “talking” to Scott, telling him that she was the one.

“During my visit, she crawled all over me purring like a motorboat,” Scott remembers.

And the rest is history. Scott took Ali home and she immediately let the other pets know that she was the boss. She loves being held and can get a little feisty if you aren’t showing her the attention she deserves.

Brought in to Larimer Humane Society as a stray, this Labrador Retriever/Great Dane mix was 80 pounds of aggression. Just getting him into a kennel required the assistance of several staff members. But Larimer Humane Society employees saw a glimmer of hope in the eyes of Anubis; and so his training began.

As aggression is often a result of fear, the staff had to teach him not to be scared. First he was given time to assimilate in the kennel away from other dogs. Then treats were introduced to help lure him to the front of his kennel. Staff soon began sitting in the kennel with him, touching his paws, petting him, even wrapping him in blankets. Finally Anubis graduated to spending time in staff offices, all with the goal of teaching him that people are good, and the right people will keep him safe. 

These days, Anubis is personality-plus with loving new owners. He’s a comedian, full of curiosity, and loves being around his people. 

You can support our lifesaving work by donating on Colorado Gives Day. Help us continue to work with fearful animals like Anubis to allow their true personality to shine through.

Herbert, a Blue-Fronted Amazon, was abandoned outside of a local pet store. He was confined to a tiny bird cage with only sunflower seeds to eat; providing little more nutritional value than that of candy for humans. Herbert was underweight and so distressed that he plucked out nearly all of the feathers on his chest and back. Overgrown nails rendered him unable to stand, and further examination revealed that Herbert was blind in one eye with the other nearing a similar fate. 

No doubt about it, poor Herbert was in rough shape. But to the amazement of the WildKind Department staff, this forlorn creature exhibited the most loving personality. Slowly, through a healthy diet and human compassion, Herbert began gaining weight.  He stopped pulling out his feathers and actually grew a few back. Eventually he regained vision in one eye, and has even recovered the ability to stand and walk. Herbert loves to snuggle and confidently joins in conversation with “hello!” every chance he gets. Herbert has gotten a second chance with an equally loving adoptive family. 

You can support our lifesaving work by donating on Colorado Gives Day. Help us continue to give animals like Herbert their second chance.