Fountain Valley News - Your Hometown Community Newspaper

It's always a good beginning to a day when one of our dogs is adopted – in this case, Paris! Happy dance! She's been with us for a very long time. I'm so sad, for many reasons, that the Fountain newspaper may not be able to continue, among them, of course, because the paper has been incredibly kind to us, so helpful in getting the word out about our dogs. After 58 columns, I'd like to formally thank them here, and thank all readers and adopters alike. That said, we still have homes to find, for Juice, Jax, Fergus, Coco, Pepper Ann (who is 80 pounds vs. former info – 55 pounds), Zeus, Hades and Percy.

One thing I've noticed is that so many people, these days, in a bio, or just conversation, don't say they have just pets – but emphasize rescue pets. Is it wrong to be proud of doing a good deed? It depends on who you ask and/or your definition of true charity (but of course, it's not just charity, because they give back so much!) Personally, I see nothing wrong in emphasizing rescue – especially if you are passing yourself off as, say, relatively happy, and rescue /nurture is part of what makes you feel good about yourself and your life. The dog or cat doesn't care, surely, but others might see you as an example, and good examples can be a very fine thing, especially as regards children.

In a lot of cases, very little is known about rescue animals' backgrounds. One is taking a risk to do good: sometimes it works out, sometimes not, but I'm not Yoda: I feel like there IS "try." I have a pup who is constantly trying to kill me – well, I exaggerate – often when I pet her back end, she'll whip around and make like she's going to bite my hand off. I find that this ends the minute I make a hurt sound; she doesn't bite down hard. Obviously, she has no agenda. She was found on the streets, had been there for who knows how long (she was emaciated) – and perhaps had been hit by a car or beaten by a person. The vet can't find anything wrong, and she acts perfectly healthy. So....I work with her, I go gently, I never push, and I would never – ever – give her up, not for anything. So rescue, yes, involves some risk, and demands alot of patience. But I think it might make us into better people.

AARF holds adoption fairs at Petsmart on Powers on SUNDAYS (formerly Saturdays) 11-2: 2965 N New Center Pt., Colorado Springs, CO 80922. PLEASE CHECK the website/Facebook for any updates (such as inclement weather. Sometimes the fair is right here in Fountain at Tumbleweed Kennels). More info: Julie at 719-375-1200 or Cathy at 719-761-5320. Email: [email protected] or [email protected]