Star is a sweet 2-year-old Terrier/mix who is energetic and loves making new friends. She gets along with other dogs, is house-trained, and playful.
Provided to the LVN
Dear readers, watching the fires trucks rushing to fires in Los Angeles reminded me of the Dalmatian dogs that have been a symbol of firefighters since the 1870s. Originally, the New York Fire Department used Dalmatians to run by the horse-drawn truck to chase off other dogs. When fire trucks replaced the horses, the Dalmatians remained as the favorite firehouse dog.
Fast forward to today and we now have canine teams who are working in many areas of fire prevention and investigation. Dogs excel with their sense of smell, which is 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than a human’s. Even after extinguishing a fire there may still be undetected embers smoldering. Dogs can detect the embers in the rubble before they reignite.
Speculation about one cause of the present fire is that embers reignited after firefighters put out the original fire. Unfortunately, in the California fire the terrain was so challenging that it was impossible to get firefighters in the direct area.
Dogs can also sniff out accelerants in the remains of suspicious fires. Accelerant Detection Canines (ACD) are trained to detect any substance used to start fires. Their keen sense of smell can discern even trace amount of gasoline or other chemicals. Another plus is the dogs work quickly and can cover a fire scene in 30 minutes. In fact, State Farm Insurance has a training program for pups and frequently uses dogs in investigations. Using dogs has led to a higher conviction rate in deliberately started fires.
Another task for dogs is identification of human remains. Wildfires typically burn so hot that there is nothing but ash left behind. Trained dogs can distinctively identify the scent of human ashes from other ash smells. Even with heaps of ashes, they can still detect human remains. For families searching for loved ones who may have perished in a fire, confirmation can help bring closure.
The more tasks dogs perform the more meaningful the phrase “Dogs are man’s best friends.”
ATTENTION
Paint Your Pet Night is Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Old Post Office. Supplies, beverages, and appetizers are provided. The cost is $40. To reserve your spot: Text Genevieve at 801-694-0059. All money goes to CAPS.
LOOKING FOR A HOME
We have four adorable Dalmatian/mix puppies who are 19 weeks old. Born at CAPS, the puppies are currently looking for homes. Make this New Year a great one with a frisky pup.
OVER THE RAINBOW
Toots, CAPS’ 15-year-old resident kitty, left us on Jan. 7. Loved by everyone she was a sweetheart! Everyone in our shelter misses Toots’ gentle manners and soft meow.
IN NEED OF
• Walking buddies for our fabulous canine guests. Call 775-423-7500 for details.
• Funds toward the new heating system.
• Aluminum cans. Please drop them off at CAPS. We are temporarily unable to pick them up.
SHOUT OUT TO
• Our consistent volunteers, Aidan, Brad, Dan, Dave, Genevieve, Jeff, Jim, Judy, Miranda, Randal, Rebecca, and Shane. Pooch smooches to you!
• The volunteers helping us with our remodeling. A Four-Paw-Salute to you.
• The folks who have adopted our guests and given them a home. You are Pawsome!
COME SEE US
CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We suggest appointments for adoptions and food pantry.
DON’T FORGET
• January Holiday: Change a Pet’s Life Day is Jan. 24.
• Board Meetings. We meet once a month on the second Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in room 102 at the County Offices located on Taylor Street. Our next meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 11.
• CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.org) and Facebook page (Churchill Animal Protection Society). Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.
Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Email jkwmil@outlook.com.