High Mesa Happenings & Heartstrings

After Duty: Seeking a Safe Home to Rest

"The idea of supporting the troops should apply to all veterans, not just the human ones," declares a supporter of the Military Working Dog Foundation. There is a point. If you are looking for a devoted family furry friend inquire about those pups. They have  many skills and talents:
1. ) They are TRAINED (MWD's have more than $75,000 in education;)
2.) They have more commands than you will ever need to know;
3.) They are protective!
4.) They behave great around kids and other pets!
5.) They "are" your home security
6.) And most of all, they are loyal and loving!
Even though they are no longer on military patrols and sniffing for drugs (Hint, Hint…great for your local police department), they can be anything but retired. In addition of being family pets, their training will easily get them to become a Certified Therapy Dog, visiting hospitals, including the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital near you (just an idea,) or homes for the elderly. From the moment a MWD is declared "excess," the dog  has about four months to be adopted or else... We can help: inquire about adopting a pup or donate to help the foundation assist the Department of Defense to find a well deserved, good loving home.

Visit www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com just to see what about these pups and the MWD Foundation, and/or contact info@militaryworkingdogadoptions.com  for questions, and assistance in considering adoption.

Thank you, Cindy W. for forwarding to us!

Posted by NWH

Why not Get Along Like That?

This is an amazing video of one of the homeless in Santa Barbara and his pets. They work State Street every week for donations. The animals are pretty well fed and are mellow. They are a family. The man who owns them rigged a harness up for his cat so she wouldn't have to walk so much (like the dog and himnself.)  At some juncture the rat came along, and so no one wanted to eat anyone else, the rat started riding with the cat and often, on the cat. The dog will stand all day and let you talk to him and admire him for a few chin scratches. The mayor of Santa Barbara filmed this clip and sent it out as a Christmas card.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85yrIgA4Nk&feature=related

Makes you think. Thank you, Barbara. Posted by NWH

Incredible Elephant Artist

Click http://www.komando.com/videos/4-9.asp to find out about a most atypical artist.  Atypical I say because I've never taken the time to ponder or research about animals and their expression of fine art. I really enjoyed the video. I remain puzzled though. I know a bit about training dogs. How does one train an elephant so s/he draws, stroke after stroke. I know they have an extraordinary memory. That helps. I do guess they draw for peanuts.

Posted by NWH; Thank you Jim for sharing!

Walking Too Far To The Edge

This bridge is on the Old Donner Pass Highway. It has a spectacular view of Donner Lake and Donner Pass on Route 80 on the way to Lake Tahoe.

A bear was walking across Rainbow Bridge (Old Hwy 40 at Donner Summit,
Truckee) on Saturday when two cars also crossing the bridge scared
the bear into jumping over the edge of the bridge.

Somehow the bear caught the
ledge and was able to pull itself to safety. Authorities decided that nothing
could be done to help Saturday night so they returned Sunday morning to find the bear sound asleep on the ledge.

After securing a net under the bridge the bear was tranquilized, fell
into the net, lowered, then woke up and walked out of the net.

There is a moral to this story:  This old bear made a wrong move and found he was hanging by his nails.  Somehow he was able to pull himself up onto the ledge where he saw he was in a very bad, impossible situation and what did he do?  Yep, he took a nap and sure enough the situation took care of itself while he was asleep.  The moral is that when confronted with a bad situation sometimes the best solution is to take a nap.

El Paso Readers ~ need a cute puppy (or 2) for Christmas?

These two puppies were abandoned by their owner without food or water. We couldn’t stand by and watch them suffer. We are currently taking care of them, but we would like to find a more permanent home for these guys.
Anyone interested in giving them a home can
call 542-2900 #104 and ask for Juanita. 

Aren't these guys just the cutest! Santa is looking for these puppies; deliver them to some kid for him!

Thanks, everyone!!!! If you take one or both, let us brag on you a bit... comment here, or email us.