Thursday, September 12, 2013 THE NEW MEXICAN
SCOOP
Doggy Dip, which drew over 150 dogs, was hosted by the Santa Fe animal shelter and the city’s Recreation Division.
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Pooches take to the pool
In brief
aggression in dogs. Daily seminars are $100; the cost for the two-day seminar is $150. To register and for more information, visit the shelter’s website at www.sfhumaneso ciety.org.
Thanks to ongoing support for free spaying and neutering in the community, the Santa Fe Animal Shelter will host another free clinic for dozens of dogs at its south-side clinic Thursday. The first-come, first-serve event at the shelter’s Spay/ Neuter & Wellness Clinic, 2570 Camino Entrada, offers free altering to the first 50 dogs. A generous donor, who helps with free spaying/ neutering throughout the region, is underwriting the event. Check-in is at 7 a.m. Please arrive early to secure a surgery slot. Dogs must be between 8 weeks and 5 years of age and weigh more than 2 pounds. Animals shouldn’t have food after 10 p.m. the night before surgery. For more information, call the clinic at 474-6422.
Spay/neuter options available
Free spaying, neutering
Open house about older pets
These two dogs enjoy playing fetch in the pool. More than 150 dogs of all breeds and ages participated in the first-ever Doggy Dip at Bicentennial Pool on Saturday.
Over 150 furry friends beat the heat in Saturday’s first-ever Doggy Dip By Ben Swan
For The New Mexican
Mary Martin, executive director of the Santa Fe animal shelter, helps a dog out of the water at Bicentennial Pool. COURTESY PHOTOS
rescue dogs, Skippy and Winnie. There was some opposition to opening up the pool to dogs — which had been closed to the public the week before and will be emptied and refilled before the spring opening. But Bushee said those concerns were addressed. “Everybody had a great time, and we were able to support a fabulous cause — our local animal shelter,” Bushee said. “We had beautiful weather, so we were able to extend the outdoor pool season and dedicated our closing day to the dogs. Many local folks asked us to make this the first ‘annual Doggy Dip.’ Our city support staff said it was one of the best days of the year at Bicentennial Pool.”
Mary Martin, the shelter’s executive director, who monitored dog interaction in the pool, said it can’t get any better than mixing dogs with water. She helped scared dogs overcome their aquaphobia by introducing them to the water gradually. “I love events like these,” Martin said. “The dogs enjoy the water, get great exercise and socialization with people and other canines. It’s one of the best things for keeping dogs healthy and happy.” Roybal said the Doggy Dip was one of the best special events ever hosted. “There were so many people who were very happy, not to mention our four-legged friends,” she said. “We look forward to sponsoring this event at every season’s end.”
A nationally recognized dog trainer will lead a seminar on dog motivation. The seminar, by Sarah Kalnajs, Beyond Dog Behavior — Understanding Canine Motivation, is being co-hosted by the Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Santa Fe Tails Dog Academy, Daycare and Resort. The Sept. 28-29 seminar at the Santa Fe Country Club features lunch both days and a no-host Networking Party at the club after the Sept. 28 session. Topics for the weekend seminar include dog reactivity, resource guarding, the five faux paws of canine misunderstanding and the interrelation of chronic stress, arousal and
The importance of spaying and neutering companion animals is the focus of this year’s 14th annual New Mexico’s Week for the Animals, a statewide designation proclaimed by the governor and sponsored by Pecos People for Animal Welfare Society. With the help of grants, free and low-cost spaying and neutering programs will be offered during September in celebration of the designation, which this year runs from Sept. 15-21. Here are a few of the special clinics and offers coming up for spaying and neutering companion animals: u Vouchers for free spaying/neutering are available through September at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter’s Spay/Neuter & Wellness clinic, 2570 Camino Entrada. Call the clinic at 474-6422 for details and appointments. u The shelter’s spay/neuter mobile clinic will be at the American Legion building on Main Street in Pecos on Sept. 27-28. Please call 474-6422 for scheduling an appointment and more information. The Los Alamos Friends of the Shelter is funding one of the clinic days. u PAWS also is funding local veterinarians throughout the state who participate in the low-cost/no-cost spaying and neutering program. Call PAWS at 466-1525 for registration and details or email janecarson@ pawsnm.org.
Marijuana and dogs don’t mix In the wake of legislation that relaxes laws restricting marijuana, at least one group is urging people to be careful with pot around companion animals. A recent study published by the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care reported a four-fold increase in the number of dogs treated for marijuana intoxication between 2005-10 in Colorado. The national Pet Poison Helpline reported a 200 percent increase in the number of cases for pets who have ingested marijuana. The increase in animals being treated for accidental marijuana poisonings raises questions about the safety of the drug. In the Colorado study, two small dogs died after ingesting baked goods made with highly concentrated medical grade marijuana butter, but over the past five years, no marijuanarelated deaths in pets have been reported to the hotline. Animals can be exposed to marijuana through inhalation of smoke, ingestion of the plant or foods laced with the drug. Most commonly, dogs eat the dried plant in the owner’s possession or foods that contain the drug. The New Mexican
LittLe Wags is happy to WeLcome its neW brother big Wags! now accepting applications.
noW open!
Tracks
and is used to other cats sharing his space. Trent, a little fur ball of fun, is a 3-year-old shih-tzu. He’ll need regular grooming and tends to be a little mouthy, so a family with older children would be best. He likes other dogs but would prefer a family of his own. These and other animals are available for Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society: Young Shiloh is energetic, friendly adoption at the shelter, 108 Hamm Parkway. The shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and ready to help you out in any way. This Monday through Saturday and from noon dream hound is great with people, has to 4:45 p.m. Sunday. Call 753-8662 or visit a beautiful brown-and-white coat and is the website at www.espanolashelter.org. aware of everything. He wants to be your Felines & Friends: Delta and her siblings companion for life. Beautiful Gato, 6, is a were rescued from the Santa Fe area. Like loveable cat in just about every way. She many rescued kittens, Delta is a little shy at loves attention, enjoys being groomed and first but quickly warms up. Thanks to her is patiently waiting for a new friend. These and other animals are available for time with a foster family, she’s blossoming. Gargamel and his friend Simon were raised adoption from the shelter at 100 Caja del Rio Road. The shelter’s adoption hours are in a loving home, but their family had to give them up because of allergies. Gargamel 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Visit www.sfhumane loves to sit in your lap and cuddle, but he society.org or call 983-4309, ext. 610. Española Valley Humane Society: Felix, isn’t clingy. This handsome boy is very a 4-month-old kitten, is a laid-back charmer. quiet and doesn’t meow much. He loves to cuddle and relax in your arms Cats of all ages are available for adoption
Pet Connection
Free presentations on wellness care, canine massage and senior dog rehabilitation will highlight this year’s fall open house at Kindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary. The family event is set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 28, at the sanctuary south of Santa Fe, 3749-A N.M. 14. The sanctuary provides end-of-life care and hospice for older, unwanted dogs, poultry and horses. The open house is a time for people to learn about care for older animals, tour the grounds and learn what’s new at the sanctuary. Ulla Pedersen, the founder and director of the sanctuary, will speak on wellness care at 11 a.m. Breck Breckenridge offers a presentation on canine massage at 12:30 p.m., and veterinarian Sue McKelvey will speak on senior dog rehabilitation at 2 p.m. Healthy refreshments and tours of the sanctuary will be available. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the website at kindredspiritsnm.com or call 471-5366.
Seminar for dog motivation
D
ogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds and ages got their first taste of a swimming pool Saturday in Santa Fe’s first-ever Doggy Dip. More than 150 dogs were at this joyful frolic at Bicentennial Pool that has been years in the making, said Liz Roybal of the city’s Recreation Division. Councilor Patti Bushee, an avid dog lover with two shelter dogs of her own, was instrumental in making the dip happen. “I am an animal lover, and anytime I can professionally or personally contribute to being an advocate for animals, I am there,” Roybal said. “There is nothing more enjoyable than watching a happy animal with their grateful owners. We have to make it happen for them.” The event was hosted by the Santa Fe animal shelter and the city’s Recreation Division and brought together the county’s Animal Control Services and several petrelated businesses, including Pooch Pantry, Z-Pet Hotel and Bounce Back Integrative Veterinary Rehabilitation, for samples, products and information. All participants received ‘doggy bags’ of biscuits, dog toys and information about pet care. All proceeds benefited the shelter and its work with homeless animals. Many of the dogs had never been around large bodies of water, while others were more comfortable with natural streams or lakes. Smaller and less-adventurous dogs enjoyed the wading pool. One woman whose Malamute is battling cancer jumped in the pool with him, letting him enjoy the cooling waters. Bushee attended the event with her two
A-9
Shiloh
Felix
Delta
Gato
Trent
Gargamel
from Felines & Friends and can be visited at Petco throughout the week during regular store hours. Adoption advisers are available 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Petco on Cerrillos Road. Become a Felines & Friends volunteer. Visit the website at www.petfinder.com/shelters/ NM38.html or call 316-CAT1. The New Mexican
call 505-474-2921 or
email wagsofsantafe@gmail.com 1229 calle de comercio off rufina between harrison & siler