VanMeveren's online newsletter for July 2018
Foundations 9 7 0 We’re Going to the Dogs!
Last fall, I wrote about our loyal shelter dog, Bandit, and his devoted master, Kendall. Well, as if life with six kids, one granddaughter, a busy law practice, coaching, mentoring, and triathlon training wasn’t enough, we’ve added a beautiful German Shepherd puppy to the mix. After years of persistence, including nightly prayers, saving every penny for the “puppy fund,” and PowerPoint presentations about the attributes of German Shepherds and the benefits of owning two dogs, Kendall got her wish. Welcome, Kona! Her beautiful black face reminded us of our trips to the black lava fields of the big island of Hawaii, where I’ve become a frequent visitor for the Ironman World Championships. Kona is a 12-week-old German Shepherd with direct roots in Germany. She’s a super-sweet, happy-go- lucky pup who’s trying to keep up with her new best friend, Bandit. She’s an adorable, clumsy, fast- growing gal with teddy-bear fur and tons of energy. Bandit has been more than accommodating to Kona, even as she chews on his face and tries to keep up in our nightly game of fetch. The two dogs seem to be bonding quite well, and Bandit has really helped with our early training sessions regarding boundaries, house rules, and barking. More importantly, now that summer is in full swing, I want to emphasize the importance of keeping your dog out of the sweltering heat of your unattended vehicle. This seems like common sense, but every summer seems to bring a sad story about someone leaving their dog in the car.
I’m reminded of the impactful public service television ad that former Arizona Cardinals star, Ty Mathieu, put out a few years ago. Ty wanted to raise awareness regarding the dangers of keeping your dog in an unattended vehicle while you run errands, so he placed himself in the dog’s situation to see how well he could endure a closed vehicle on a 90-degree day. The big, tough NFL star only lasted 8 minutes before he had to open the car door and escape the stifling heat.
On a 90-degree day, even with the windows cracked, the internal temperature of your vehicle can rise to 120 degrees
in a matter of minutes. Our
3. Remember, every second counts. If it comes down to it and you must break into a locked car to rescue a pet in distress, it’s okay. Effective last August, the Colorado Legislature wisely enacted new laws protecting folks who have no option but to break into a vehicle to rescue an animal or at-risk human in distress. Colorado joined 10 other states implementing new laws exempting persons from criminal liability when rendering assistance to an at-risk person or animal inside a locked vehicle.
dogs can’t sweat, they’re covered in fur, and they have no way of cooling
themselves beyond panting. At 105 degrees, dogs begin to experience heat stroke and organ failure. The difference between Ty Mathieu’s experiment and the predicament of a real dog is that the dog doesn’t have the luxury of opening the car door to escape or the ability to turn on the air conditioning.
If you ever see a dog alone in an unattended vehicle, here are three important steps to take:
Be on the lookout for our furry friends this summer and remember, every second counts.
1. Call 911.
2. If at all possible, do not leave the scene until police arrive or the dog’s owner returns.
–Bryan VanMeveren
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When Politics Goes to the Dogs
Most towns and cities around the country play it safe: They elect humans to hold political office. But a few towns decided to do something a little different. They threw political formality to the wind and elected dogs to office. Here are a few popular pups from around the country. Duke. This Great Pyrenees became one of the most popular pups to hold elected office. He first ran for mayor in 2014 in Cormorant Township, Minnesota, and won by a landslide. He’s been in the mayoral race every year since then — and he’s won every time! Today, Duke is still in office, where he never misses a photo-op or a pat on the head. Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller. This golden retriever was first elected to office in 2012 in Idyllwild, California. His election was part of an initiative put together by an organization called Animal Rescue Friends, or ARF. As part of the election, area residents could nominate their cat or dog for mayor. During the inaugural event, 14 dogs and two cats ran for mayor, with Max leading the pack. Max was elected to a second term in 2013, but soon passed
away after a battle with cancer. Thankfully, his successor was quickly appointed: Maximus Mighty- Dog Mueller II. Brynneth Pawltro, Lucy Lou, Junior Cochran, and Goofy Borneman . These four dogs all hail from Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. Back in 1998, the people of Rabbit Hash decided to elect a dog mayor. That year, Goofy Borneman, a mixed breed, became the first in what would become a continuing tradition. He held the office until 2001, when he passed away at age 16. In 2004, Junior Cochran, a black Labrador, took on the role of mayor, but his term was plagued by scandal after he spent too much time hanging around the town’s general store — and Health and Safety was called. Then, he too died in office in 2008. Later that year, Lucy Lou, a border collie, was elected into office and became the town’s first female mayor. She saw her term through to the end, but she didn’t run for a second term. Instead, pitbull Brynneth Pawltro, or Brynn as his friends call him, ran and won. Today, you’ll find Brynn roaming Rabbit Hash, staying carefully out of Health and Safety’s way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will it cost to retain an attorney?
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Past and future medical bills
Nothing. Most personal injury attorneys charge nothing upfront and wait for payment until a settlement or verdict is reached, and this is how our law firm operates. In the event that no recovery is made for you, we do not charge for our services. Most people do not realize attorneys spend a significant amount of time and money on your behalf hiring investigators to survey the accident scene, interviewing witnesses, paying court filing fees, and analyzing your case — all before receiving payment.
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Aggravation of a pre- existing condition
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Lost wages and/or loss of earning capacity
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Property damage to your vehicle
In a personal injury claim, what am I entitled to be compensated for?
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Pain, suffering, and other “noneconomic damages”
Subject to some exceptions, a person who sustains an injury due to the negligence of another is entitled to be compensated for the following:
• If you are married, your spouse may be entitled to compensation for their loss of consortium.
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Compassionate Care for Your Dogs and Cats
Every dog and cat owner knows how important a trusted veterinarian is. These are the folks who take care of your furry best friends, who we all know are part of the family. This month, we wanted to highlight South Mesa Veterinary Hospital, a vet clinic dedicated to the best in animal care. They offer a wide range of vet services, including services for puppies and kittens to cover all their basic needs, from vaccines to potty training. South Mesa also offers medical care, dental care, and, should your pet need it, surgical care. Their services also go beyond veterinary care. You’ll find boarding for cats and dogs, along with day care, grooming, and even training. South Mesa is a great place to bring your animals, whether they need a simple checkup, treatment for injury or illness, or a place to stay for a few days while you’re out of town.
For more information on all of their services, as well as their hours of operation, be sure to visit their website at southmesa.com.
Ingredients
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1 1/2 cups (375 mL) whole wheat flour
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1/3 cup (75 mL) melted meat fat, (beef, lamb, or bacon)
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1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour 1 cup (250 mL) skim milk powder
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1 egg
1 cup (250 mL) cold water
Directions
In bowl, combine whole wheat and all- purpose flours and skim milk powder. Drizzle with melted fat. Add egg and water; mix well. Gather dough into ball. On lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/2-inch (1 cm) thickness. Cut into
dog-bone or desired shapes. Bake on ungreased baking sheets in oven at 350 F (180 C) for 40–50 minutes or until dark brown and crisp.
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Inside
in Fort Collins Summer is Alive
Outdoor Movie Night Every Tuesday in July, after 8 p.m. Downtown Fort Collins 19 Old Town Square Fort Collins, CO 80524 If you and the family need something to do on Tuesday evenings this summer, the Outdoor Movie Night has you covered. This free event is great for the whole family, and they even have free popcorn to snack on. For a complete schedule of movies, be sure to check downtownfortcollins.com/?/events/dda- movie-night.
and run against Trolley Car 21. You can even register to ride the trolley, though there are a very limited number of tickets available. For complete information, including registration and registration deadlines, visit fortcollinshumanrace.com. 2018 Fort Collins Fringe Festival The Fringe Festival is a four-day celebration of the performing arts, showcasing everything from stage plays and musical performances to dance routines, comedy shows, magic, and more. Location venues include the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery’s Otterbox Digital Dome, The Lyric, Wolverine Farm Letterpress & Publick House, and Bas Bleu Theatre. You can learn more about the Fringe Festival and buy tickets at fringefestivalfortcollins.com. July 26-29 Locations vary
The Human Race Saturday, July 28, 6 a.m. Civic Center Park 225 LaPorte Ave. Fort Collins, CO 80521
The Human Race is back! Run the half marathon, 10K, 5K, or 1-mile kids run — there’s something for everyone! Or join the 5K Man vs. Machine Challenge
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