A Home For the Holidays

Bringing a furry pet home is wonderful way to add loads of love to your household. We give our pets a little love, and get so much more in return (at least with dogs; with cats, you sometimes have to settle for knowing that your superior house guest isn't looking for better digs).

Every Saturday, Aileen Peek and members of her dedicated shelter staff hold Pet Adoption Fairs at PetSmart on North Academy Blvd. To give you an idea of how dedicated they are: Their shelter, the San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society, is in Alamosa. So, in addition to loading and unloading the pets, cages, and supplies, and spending six hours at the adoption fair, they drive almost three hours each way to find loving homes for the rescued animals. And they've been doing this for years, because they know that Colorado Springs is filled with responsible pet lovers.

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Pumpkin could be your Cutie Pie this Thanksgiving

We stopped by one of the recent fairs, and found a variety of adorable puppies (is there anything cuter than a puppy?) many beautiful, friendly adult dogs, and one mellow cat who seemed completely non-plussed by the occasional barking puppy.

The need is great; even though the SLV Animal Welfare Society is a no-kill shelter, their resources, including space, are limited. So, the quicker they find homes for the dogs and cats, the more animals they can take in. Taking in means "saving" - from hunger, neglect, abuse, or even death. It's a never ending challenge to serve all the animals who need them; recently, the shelter acquired two litters of 14 puppies each!

All the animals are up to date on their shots; puppies are parvo-free and cats have been screened for leukemia. The animals that are old enough are spayed or neutered.

Brother and sister Dustin and Dusty, above, are very attached to each other, so they must be adopted together. Since dogs are very social creatures, in many cases it's easier to have two. If you have one dog, and feel you can't give him enough attention, why not consider adopting a companion for him? You're already taking that walk anyway, and your dog won't be lonely while you're not at home.

What a sweet face! Fluffy, a Labrador Retriever mix with a marvelous disposition, also has a sister waiting for a new home.

If you or anyone you know is thinking of adding a new family member this holiday season, stop by the adoption fair; you could find true love.

Colorado Springs pet adoption fairs: Saturdays from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at PetSmart at 7680 N. Academy Blvd. across from Chapel Hills Mall. 719-531-7870

For more information call 719-587-WOOF (9663) or email woof@slvaws.org.

Visit the San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society's website, where you can learn more about the organization and see a list of adoptable pets.

Ken and Sandy Wickham are long-time Realtors in beautiful Colorado Springs, CO. Their Golden Retrievers, Murray and Suzy, keep each other company while Ken and Sandy are helping buyers and sellers.

www.wickhome.com