It’s the Fourth of July holiday, and people everywhere across the nation have off of work to enjoy time with friends and family, eat and drink, and enjoy parades and fireworks.  It’s a fun holiday, and the true mark of summer in the USA!

However, it is also a very scary time for many companion animals, especially dogs, in the country.  More pets are lost on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year.  Be safe!  Please make sure your pet is microchipped, and wearing their tags on their collar even if you are keeping them inside.  Please consider keeping your pet safely inside starting in the afternoon, with music and their favorite toys as distractions.  Do not bring your dog to a fireworks show, and please try to exercise them first thing in the morning to avoid a firework scare.

It is truly a fun, festive holiday, but is also a very sad time for dogs who don’t understand fireworks.  Make sure your pet is safe so they don’t spook and get lost on the busiest shelter intake day of the year.

However you celebrate, I hope you and your fur kids have a fun and safe Fourth of July!

It is kitten season, so of course that means I am fostering kittens for the Fort Collins Cat Rescue!  The five kittens who have spent the last five weeks in my spare bedroom are now available for adoption, so help me spread the word about these cuties so they can find their forever homes soon!

If you were thinking about adding a new family member to your clan, now is the time as the shelters across the country are filling up with cats and kittens due to the summer weather (and most have more dogs and puppies, too!).  It’s that time of year for most shelters across the nation, so help out however you can – adopt if you are looking, foster if you have the time and room, volunteer if you have the time, and/or donate if you have the means.  Every little bit helps during the summer months while shelters are bursting at the seems.

And while the kittens are all now available for adoption, the momma cat, named Ellaria, is not yet available.  She is FIV+ and requires a dental before she will be up for adoption – but start spreading the word!  She is the sweetest cat I have ever known.  More on her when she is available for adoption.

This weekend, the American tradition of putting on ridiculously large hats and drinking mint juleps while the “most exciting two minutes in sports” happens returns.

According to their website, the Kentucky Derby began in 1872, when Meriwether Lewis Clark, the grandson of William Clark – of the famed pair Lewis and Clark – traveled to Europe. While there, Clark attended the Epsom Derby in England, a well-known horse race run since 1780, and also fraternized with the French Jockey Club, a group that developed another popular horse race, the Grand Prix de Paris Longchamps. Clark was inspired by his travels and experiences, and, upon his return, was determined to create a spectacle horse racing event in the States. With the help of his uncle’s John & Henry Churchill, who gifted Clark the necessary land to develop a racetrack, and by formally organizing a group of local race fans to be named the Louisville Jockey Club, Clark and his new club raised funds to build a permanent racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. On May 17th, 1875, the racetrack opened its gates and the Louisville Jockey Club sponsored the very first Kentucky Derby.

So this race has a long history and is very much rooted in the tradition and identity of Louisville.

Unfortunately, like most animal-related things that are rooted in history, the Kentucky Derby is also rife with animal abuse.  According to the World Animal Foundation, over 1,000 race horses die an early death each year due to constant drug cocktails, forcing horses to push through injury and racing horses too soon or too long.  Drugs include hypothyroidism to speed up their metabolisms, Lasix which stops pulmonary bleeding in the horses’ lungs during intense exercise, and liquid nitrogen to increase blood flow in sore muscles.  NBC News did an in-depth story from a racetrack veterinarian about the abuses and shows a severe neglect for these poor creatures.

Famous examples of early deaths include Eight Belles, who died on the track at the 2008 Kentucky Derby.  Nehro, the second place finisher at the 2011 Kentucky Derby, was forced to run and train on extremely painful, deteriorating hooves—one of which was held together with superglue. Nehro died at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day in 2013.  And according to a report in USA Today, “A 5-year-old horse named Soul House collapsed and died shortly after finishing seventh of 10 horses at Belmont Park. One day before that, a 5-year-old horse named Icprideicpower died at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack in upstate New York after a training session.”

One would think after years of abuse and being forced to race while drugged to the point of not feeling any injury, a race horse who has survived through the horrid environment would be allowed a well-deserved peaceful retirement.  Sadly, thousands of “retired” race horses are shipped to Canada or Mexico each year after they are no longer useful to be slaughtered for horse meat.  Even Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand was slaughtered in 2002 when he could not longer be used for breeding – he was only nineteen.

All told, the Kentucky Derby is a disgusting display of animal abuse and horse neglect.  Like bullfighting, it is an historical practice that needs to be phased out in favor of a more friendly, compassionate tradition.  Join me in protesting this draconian event and spend the day doing something more positive – like volunteer at a local rescue that takes in discarded horses  (in Fort Collins, we have Shiloh Acres Horse Ranch).  Or if horses aren’t your thing, see if your community is doing something fun for May the Fourth (Fort Collins has the Kessel Run!).   Feel free to wear a silly hat and drink a mint julep while you do!  😉

It has been over a year and a half since I’ve written for my website.  A lot has happened:  My beloved Monty passed away (the reason for me to stop writing), I started a job as executive director of Canyon Concert Ballet, I traveled to five countries in Europe, adopted a terrier mix named Navi, grieved as my precious kitty Calliope passed away, and most recently I’ve adopted a cat named Mielikki.

The loss of Montague and then Calliope pushed me away from the website while I grieved the loss of these two beautiful, loving, wonderful companions.  They will forever be missed and remembered, and it is my hope to write a post for each of them in their memory and honor.

I hope to start writing again… my heart is still heavy and I think of my missing fur babies every single day. But I want to carry on with talking about animal welfare issues, and other issues I am passionate about.

Thank you for your patience while I took this sabbatical.  I look forward to writing again!

Hurricane Harvey and the incoming hurricane Irma are teaching us many things as a nation, including putting a spotlight on animal welfare organizations and their disaster plans (or lack there of).  The hours following up to hurricane Harvey had cries of protest happening all over animal welfare social media as word came out that several shelters were euthanizing all their animals ahead of the storm.  Other groups were rushing in to help evacuate or simply just take these group’s animals to avoid them being killed, abandoned, or put through the flooding with no idea if they could survive it.

What this told me (and many others) is that too many animal shelters and wildlife sanctuaries do not have a disaster response plan in place.  And that, in of itself, is absolutely tragic.  Animals brought into the care of a facility are completely dependent upon that facility, and responsible care includes having a plan for when things go wrong.

So, have a plan.  If you are involved with an animal welfare group, ask what the plan is for flooding, fire, earthquake, tornado, etc.  Even if a natural disaster is not common in your area, it’s still smart to have a plan for it.  And there shouldn’t just be a plan written up and sitting in a binder to collect dust.  That plan should be discussed at volunteer and employee trainings, and semi-annual practice runs should occur (keeping the animal’s safety and well-being in mind… maybe use stuffed animals to replicate the animals in your care so they are not being subjected to evacuations on a regular basis).

It should be ingrained in your team’s minds what to do when disaster strikes.  So in the horrible off-chance it does, you know what to do and how to help get yourselves and those in your care to safety.  The answer is NEVER to euthanize them and is NEVER to leave them behind.  A great plan that several shelters acted on in the Houston area was to reach out to partner shelters outside of the storm before it hit hit to have them take all their current animals so that they would be safe and that the shelter could then turn their focus on helping owned pets get to safety and reunite with their owners.

So ask your local shelter or wildlife sanctuary what their disaster plans are.  If they don’t have any, ask if you can help them prepare them.  Get the local first responders involved to include their expert advice.  There is no reason why an animal welfare group should not have a plan for when the worst happens.  These animals are depending on these groups to keep their best interests in mind, and that includes having a plan for all major disasters.

My heart goes out to all humans and animals affected by hurricane Harvey, and hurricane Irma.  Please don’t evacuate without your pets and don’t forget to bring food, water, a leash/crate, and their vet records with you.  If you can, call ahead to the place you are evacuating to to make sure they allow pets.  Most hotels will allow them during these natural disasters, but the Red Cross shelters typically do not (which is a total shame).  Be smart and be safe!

Like you, I have been haunted by the news and images that have been coming out of Texas this past week. I used to live in Austin, TX, and have many friends who are in that area, including Houston. Luckily, all my friends and coworkers are safe although some are still without power, have lost safe running water, and are still stuck while the flooded waters work their way out of the area.

It may seem out of our individual, or even collective, power to do something about this devastation. But we can do something. I ask each of you to join me in supporting a cause or multiple causes that are on the ground, helping those who are facing loss. The aftermath of this destruction will take months, if not years, to recover from. So let’s show Texas our love and support.  We can make a difference, we can help, so let’s do it.

Here are a few charities that I know are on the ground, doing great work right now in Texas. Definitely feel free to research and find your own causes if none of these speak to you. Just make sure they are truly a 501c3 nonprofit organization (you can check if that is true here) and ask them/look into what they are doing with donations/what they are doing to help. Unfortunately there are a few outliers who are horribly taking advantage of this situation, so always do due diligence before making your donation!

Austin Pets Alive
Best Friends Animal Society
Houston Flood Relief Fund (JJ Watt’s Foundation)

Summer is a great time for vacations, adventures, and long walks with your pups.  It’s warmer out, there is more daylight, and it just feels right to be outside.  Having your pup be part of these outdoor adventures is a great idea, but it’s always good to keep in mind some precautions while out and about.

Yard chemicals are unfortunately a real thing many of your neighbors probably use.  You have most likely noticed the little warning flags sticking out of the corners of their yards, and those flags are warning you to keep your children off the lawn.  That also applies for your dogs!  Their feet will pick up those chemicals, and that not only gets into their systems which can cause some major health issues, but they will also track those chemicals back into your home.  I try my best to avoid letting my pup walk on anyone’s yard since not everyone even displays those little warning flags and I would invite you to do the same to help keep them safe!

The hot sun means the pavement on roads and sidewalks are hot, too.  Place your hand on the ground you plan to walk on – if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your pup’s paws.  Consider booties for their feet or try to find grass to walk on instead!

Wildlife is out and about too, so make sure to keep your dogs on leash unless in a designated off-leash area to keep them under control and away from getting into a scuffle or a bite.

Keeping cool is also important.  Don’t forget that your pup cannot sweat, so they can overheat easily.  Have lots of water handy, and try to take advantage of shade when you can.  Always be aware of your pet’s well-being during your adventures, and don’t push them too much in this summer heat!

Have fun on your summer adventures!  As for us, Montague and I plan to attempt a 14er here in Colorado next week in celebration of his 11th birthday.  We’ll pack tons of water, take our time, and also have some snacks along the way to keep ourselves safe.  Wish us luck!

Happy summer and enjoy the adventures!

I have always been a huge fan of Renaissance Faires.  They have great energy, fun entertainment with comedy shows, music, jousting, etc, and beautiful crafts to look at and buy.  It’s been a tradition to attend Ren Faire every summer since I was a kid when my family would take us down to the WI/IL border for the Bristol Renaissance Faire.  It was always a highlight of the summer!  So here in Colorado, I naturally looked up if and where they have a Ren Faire here.  Luckily, there is one that happens in beginning of summer in Larkspur, a small town between Denver and Colorado Springs called the Colorado Renaissance Festival.

Unfortunately, this Festival uses animals for children’s rides and petting area, including having elephants and large cats.  I am beyond disappointed they feel the need to have these animals at this event.  The presence of hooks by the handlers and the elephant’s general appearance both speak to their neglect.  And all for what?  So a child can say they rode one?   There are so many other, humane (non-animal) rides a Ren Faire can provide that would have the same lasting impression on a child. Seeing the elephants, camels, and llamas being ridden by children, seeing the “exotic cats show”, and seeing the random assortment of animals in the “petting zoo” ruined the day for me.  There is nothing fun, entertaining, or positive about seeing animals forced to be ridden all day long in the heat nor the animals forced to stay in small pens all day in the heat with children “petting” them, nor the exotic cats being forced to perform.

It disgusts me that the organizers of this otherwise wonderful event approve and support this type of animal use and abuse.  In an age where even the circus has phased out using animals, one would think a progressive organization would want to also phase out animal abuse and instead focus on humane entertainment.

I plan to write to the organizers of the Colorado Renaissance Festival, and I encourage you to see if your local Faire/Festival uses animals and, if they do, join me in writing to them to encourage them to stop this abuse.