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October 2024 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint Triple the Love HOW 3 BLACK CATS WON OUR HEARTS
As Halloween draws near, we see reminders everywhere of an old superstition — that black cats bring bad luck. In recognition of October as Black Cat Awareness Month, I want to tell a different story, about how my own three beloved black cats have brought my family nothing but joy. My first black cat was named Zero. Although I resisted adopting him at first, Zero soon stole my heart. My husband and I were away in Denver, where he was having surgery, when my daughters brought Zero home from a friend’s house. My older daughter, a teenager at the time, named him for his complete absence of other colors. At first, I was irritated. “You have to take him back,” I told her. Both of my daughters started crying. “We can’t take him back! We love him!” they begged. “Fine, but he is living in your room,” I told my older daughter. “You are taking care of him.” As Zero settled in, my whole family tried to get me to love this cat. He seemed to sense that and went out of his way to be cute and cuddly. I was taking
a nap on the sofa one day and woke up to find Zero cuddled beside me. I don’t know who put him there, but it worked. Zero became an important part of our family for the next 18 years. He was the best cat ever. I loved him so much.
Ella
1 WWW.SURFACECREEKVETERINARYCENTER.COM – Barb Burnett Black cats have meant nothing but good luck for me. I hope this Halloween that you will be kind to any black cats that cross your path and perhaps even consider adopting one! We recently adopted our third black kitten. Dr. Susie rescued Ella, a feral kitty who also had a damaged eye. After Dr. Susie removed Ella’s injured eye and spayed and vaccinated her, she brought her to me one day in the break room, on the pretense that the kitten needed a little time out of her kennel. “Look at this little black kitty,” Dr. Susie said. “She needs a home. Look at how sweet she is.” I soon brought Ella home. Now, in keeping with a Halloween theme, I have two black cats and one orange kitty, Icarus. He is about 12 years old, and we love him, too. He isn’t crazy about these two black females bossing him around, but he is pretty mellow and forgiving. We can’t ever replace Zero. But black kitties in shelters are the most likely of all cats to be euthanized, and they have only a 1 in 10 chance of being adopted, the lowest among all colors of cats, according to a study of 8,000 shelter cats. We knew Cassi, a black cat with a damaged eye, wasn’t going to be the first choice of anybody else. That’s why we adopted her, and it’s one reason we brought Ella home, too. We knew we could take care of them both and do what was best for them.
Cassi
We lost Zero in March 2023. About a month after he passed, my husband took me for a drive without saying where we were going. When we arrived at the animal shelter, I protested. I was still grieving for my Zero! “Just go in and look at them!” he urged. It was a very emotional experience for me. About a week later, we went back. I was drawn to black kitties because I had loved Zero so much, and we saw one with an injured eye. She came right out to see us and rubbed against us. We took her home that day. I brought Cassi into our clinic for a wellness exam soon after the adoption. Dr. Susie recommended removing her damaged eye, which she did a few days later. Cassi has been healthy and happy ever since. She is very affectionate and loves people. She brings us so much joy — especially after losing Zero. She helped me with my grief.
Zero and Icarus
Unlock the Secrets of Animal Footprints GIVE THIS ABANDONED MAMA CAT A FOREVER HOME Become a Nature Detective Open Your Heart
Have you ever discovered a mysterious set of animal tracks? Reading those footprints can be your ticket to uncovering the hidden world of wildlife right under your nose. Whether you’re on a camping trip hoping to spot one of your favorite critters or simply curious about the pawprints you stumbled on at home, we’re here to show you how to become a nature detective. Prepare and Observe You’ll have the best luck spotting tracks or other signs of animal life in places where wildlife is known to frequent. Find watering holes or other areas where animals may feed or gather. Tracks need a suitable medium, like snow, mud, sand, or soft dirt, for them to show. Regardless of where you’re heading, bring a field guide, a map of the area, hiking supplies, and tools for tracking, like a ruler, magnifying glass, and a camera. Count the Toes Your main clues to the owner of these natural calling cards are the number of toe and claw marks on the print. Canines, like wolves, and felines, like cougars, all have four toes, but you can see a significant difference between their claws. Cats have retractable claws, so their pawprints won’t always have claws. In contrast, birds have distinctive tracks with three long, skinny, forward-facing toes. Identify Your Prey When you have identified what animal family left the print behind, you can begin to home in on its exact species. Use a small ruler to measure the size of the track to give you clues. A wolf, for example, has similar prints to a dog, but they are about 2 inches wider. Context is also a crucial factor when you’re tracking. Think about the animals that live in the area. Would there be any domesticated dogs in the woods where you are hiking? Document your tracks with photos and notes in a nature journal. If you’re still unsure, go online and look at various animal tracks. You may find what you’re looking for!
Meet our pretty little mama cat, who is looking for a forever home.
This mama kitty was found by a dumpster, pregnant and hungry. At the end of April, she gave birth to four cute little kittens. Two look just like her. A third is an adventurous little black female, and the fourth is
a tuxedo boy.
This mama kitty raised and litter-box trained all four of her kittens. After they were weaned, they were all adopted by new owners. Now, this mama cat is looking for a home of her own. She is a little shy when she first meets you, but very friendly after she gets to know you. She loves attention and, after you start petting her, she can’t get enough.
She is a young cat, only about 1–1 1/2 years old. She is current on her vaccinations and has tested negative for feline leukemia and FIV. She is short-haired and keeps herself very clean.
So, next time you stumble upon animal tracks, get out your ruler and camera! Those prints could lead you on a great adventure!
If you would like to meet
her or are interested in adopting this pretty little girl,
just give us a call!
– Dr. Susie
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IS FIDO A FIT? Avoid a Mismatch When Adopting a Dog
Adopting a dog is an adventure in choosing a companion and friend. Given that the consequences of your decision may last for your pet’s entire lifespan (typically 10–15 years), here are a few criteria to consider to help ensure you and your pet are a good fit.
Pekingese would be overmatched on a cattle ranch. Also, people who live in hot regions probably shouldn’t adopt huskies or malamutes, and a s hort-haired Chihuahua might suffer in Alaska. Grooming needs may come as a surprise, too. If you’re on a tight budget with no time to tend your pet’s coat yourself, the frequent groomings required by poodles, Afghan hounds, and Portuguese water dogs may be a bridge too far. Energy Level — If you have couch potato tendencies, a high-energy border collie or Australian shepherd may drive you crazy. Collies or spaniels may be a better choice for owners who lead sedentary lives. An Airedale, bull, or Jack Russell terrier is bred to dig and may rip up your furniture or yard unless you exercise and train them. Hounds such as beagles and bassets are bred to pursue game, a drive that often overwhelms obedience.
UnNtiloFtiucrether Due to a staffing shortage, SCVC will be closed on the first and third Saturday of the month. We will continue to be open on the second and Temperament and Instinct — Some people adopt German shepherds or rottweilers because they want a guard dog. These breeds have an instinct to protect, but they need training before they can provide the kind of protection the owner wants. Also, human supervision is needed to help the dog keep those instincts in check in situations where sociability is required. For help choosing a pet, the Canadian Kennel Club posts an online guide, accessible through a web search with the club’s name and “choosing a breed.” and take well to training, their size can make them a challenging choice for an apartment-dweller. Eager to please and charming, toy breeds, such as the Chihuahua, Maltese, Pomeranian, and pug, may make better house pets. Sporting dogs, including retrievers, pointers, setters, and spaniels, tend to respond readily to training and are among the most popular breeds.
Size and Coat Type — Large dogs may feel cooped up in a city apartment, while a tiny
While working breeds such as Bernese mountain dogs, Siberian huskies, and boxers tend to be loyal
Clients Spreading the Word
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• At the time of scheduling a
Heather Graham Tina Ammons Caroline Gilliland Karley O’Connor
dental or surgery appointment, a $250 deposit will be required. This deposit will be applied to the procedure bill. If you need to cancel the appointment, and you give us at least a 24-hour notice, the deposit will be refunded.
• Due to the increasing cost of
fourth Saturdays. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
credit card processing, there is now a 3% service charge added to all clinic services and products. If paying with cash, check, or PIN debit, there is no charge.
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1 inside this issue As Halloween Draws Near, Barb Celebrates Her 3 Black Cats
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Your Guide to Wildlife Tracking Fun
Sweet Mama Cat Is Looking for a Forever Home Choose a Canine Partner That Suits Your Style
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New SCVC Policies
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Loyal Pup Risks Life to Protect Loved Ones
NC aenwc eAl l aptpi ooni nPt mo leinc yt When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable.
FROM RESCUE TO RESCUER Poncho’s Inspiring Story
In a heartwarming story of canine courage, a rescue dog named Poncho has emerged as a hero after putting his life on the line to defend his family during a home invasion. The events unfolded on a fateful night in early June when an intruder broke into Poncho’s home in northern New Mexico. Poncho, an 8-year-old rescue pup, sprang into action the moment the intruder entered the home. Without hesitation, the brave dog leaped at the would-be criminal, determined to protect his family at all costs. In the ensuing struggle, Poncho suffered a deep neck wound that miraculously missed his vital organs. But the attack didn’t stop there — the intruder then proceeded to kick Poncho repeatedly. Undeterred by his injuries, Poncho managed to hold the intruder at bay until others could intervene and restrain the criminal.
Poncho’s family then embarked on a desperate two-hour journey to Albuquerque, searching for emergency veterinary care.
organization where they had adopted Poncho. The dedicated staff immediately sprang into action, performing extensive surgery to clean and repair Poncho’s traumatic neck wound. The brave pup stopped breathing at one point, but the veterinary team successfully revived him. Despite his severe injuries, Poncho has steadily regained his strength. His tail never stops wagging, and he responds enthusiastically whenever he hears the words “good boy.” Poncho’s dad promised him a lifetime of rib-eye steaks to reward his heroic actions. Poncho’s story is a powerful reminder of the unwavering loyalty and bravery rescue animals can possess. If you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, consider visiting your local animal shelter or rescue organization. You never know — you might just find your very own guardian angel, just like Poncho’s family did.
Remarkably, the family ended up at the doorstep of Española Humane, the same rescue
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