Leroy is a perky 2-year-old Shepherd Mix. He is a little shy around new people but warms up quickly and wants to make friends. Leroy can be anxious about car rides and new places, but he adjusts, as he gets more familiar with the routine. He would do best in an adult-only home or a home with older children.
Provided to the LVN
Dear reader, one of my friends was expressing distress about her pup who is a serious licker, and she was trying to understand the reason he was doing it. It can be complicated figuring out exactly what dogs are expressing; however, generally licking is a sign of affection.
Licking is a natural behavior and instinct. Mother dogs lick their pups to keep them calm and clean. Amazingly, licking releases endorphins (feel good hormones) that allow dogs to feel good and less stressful. This makes sense because a calm mom equals a calm pup.
Dogs lick us for many reasons, including communication, attention, taste, to gather information, and social greeting. The best way to get human attention is licking because it is difficult to ignore and gets results.
Sometimes dogs lick the face because they smell food. Our dog Baby loved going to the Christmas tree lighting because there were always children with cookie-smeared faces willing to let her lick them.
Remember, dogs have excellent sniffers and humans have two types of sweat glands: apocrine and eccrine. The eccrine glands are all over the body and the apocrine are in the scalp and underarms. Your hands, legs, underarms, and feet offer a banquet of smells and taste for your BFF and licking the sweat and salt is a taste adventure for your pal.
In the end, a kiss may just be a kiss, but no one can ignore the genuine sweetness of a well-intentioned lick.
ATTENTION
CAPS is featuring a February “Love Dog” special! Our reduced adoption fee for dogs is $75. All of our dogs are microchipped, have current vaccinations, and are spayed/neutered. As a bonus, CONNECTED K-9 is offering free or reduced training. Come find your BFF. We have some sweethearts waiting for you.
LOOKING FOR A HOME
We have two handsome 15-month-old males. BG and Diego are shy. They have lived their lives at CAPS but are anxiously waiting to find a forever home. Cat lovers, we have cats galore. Come out and meet them because they are cute.
IN NEED OF
• Would you like to foster animals? Call CAPS for details.
• CAPS is actively seeking board members. We need energetic, enthusiastic, community-minded folks to serve on the board. Please consider being part of our team, we only meet once a month. You can make a difference. Call 775-423-7500 for details.
• Bleach, laundry detergent pods, toilet paper, and paper towels.
• XXL Kong Extremes for our guests.
• Aluminum cans. We will pick up your cans; give us a call at 775-423-7500. You can also drop them off at CAPS.
SHOUT OUT TO
• Hiskett & Sons LLC for donating the gravel for our driveway. A Four-Paw-Salute to you!
• All the artists who supported our “Paint Your Pet” fund raiser. Paws applause to you!
• Fallon’s Old Post Office for donating space for our painters. Pooch Smooches to you!
• The wonderful person who adopted Jemma. All tails are wagging for you!
COME SEE US
CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
We suggest appointments for adoptions and food pantry.
DON’T FORGET
• February Holiday: Mardi Gras celebrate your BFF.
• View our wish list at Chewy.com.
• Would you like a newsletter? Call 775-423-7500 or email caps@cccom.net.
• 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.com) 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.