My dogs and cats, all rescues from shelters, often bring a smile to my face. I can’t help but grin when coming home to find my two dogs at the door, enthusiastically wagging their tails, even if I’m late. They’re just always, always happy to see me; how good of a feeling is that?

I smile when seeing a dog doing what it is ingrained to do, providing a fun experience for dog and human. For me this is my Brittany/heeler chasing tennis balls in the backyard, with his short fluffy cropped tail circling a 100 miles a minute because he’s so happy.

Outside of my household there’s border collies herding reluctant groups of sheep at the Meeker Sheepdog trial, or a Jack Russell running and weaving through an agility course.

Cats are a different but equally rewarding creature. Is there any better return than stroking the back of a kitty, and being rewarded by a chorus of purring? It doesn’t take much to energize cats and bring smiles to your face, as they bat a crinkled piece of paper around the room or pounce on a moving shadow.

Anyone who has welcomed a pet into his or her life understands what I am saying. We are at great risk for losing the only area no-kill shelter, Roice-Hurst Humane Society, that provides a place for pets in our community without homes.

As reported this past weekend, Roice-Hurst is deep in debt and may have to close their doors. Besides adoptions, Roice Hurst has also provided low cost vaccination and spay/neuter clinics.

Two things you can do at this time.

First, mail a generous donation IMMEDIATELY to Roice-Hurst at 3320 D 1/2 Rd., Clifton, 81520. Secondly, join a newly forming Friends of Roice-Hurst group. We wish to develop a network of supporters to help Roice-Hurst carry out their activities and improve their resources. For now, let the shelter know you wish to participate.

MARY NEEDHAM
Fruita

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.