Pet Tales

Co-worker Pat Pemberton sent me these photos his daughter Sunny took last week. Pat was a bit concerned that a cat and dog were getting along and even seemed to be enjoying each other’s company.

"Foster families of the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services' Shelter are amazing. For example, last year more than 500 cats were in foster care. These felines never returned to the shelter because hundreds found homes at volunteer-hosted adopt-a-pets.

‘I thought you might enjoy this photo of our ragdoll cat named Jackson. I was putting baskets together as holiday gifts with candy and fruit goodies when he decided to see if he could fit in one of the baskets. I’m sure he considered himself the ‘best gift basket of all.’

‘Some believe a dog is a dog, but it’s not. A dog’s an individual, and its individuality can get lost in assumptions about breeds. Not all Labradors like to play fetch, not all German shepherds are smart, and not all little dogs enjoy being held.

‘On one side, Izzy looks like a cat on top of the world. She’s a happy 4-month-old tabby in swirls of gray and black with fashionable white socks and a blaze. Izzy likes to play with toys, enjoys the company of other cats, and has charming people-skills whether purring contently as a lap cat or happily seeking affection.

When people tell stories about their animal companions, the stories are usually about a dog or cat. But there are other animals that become part of the family. This story is from Erin Palchak of Arroyo Grande and her late friend Rainbow, a chicken.

‘It’s counterintuitive that the season of giving is often the hardest time of year for the animals at the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services Shelter.

Hot Licks Benefit Cold Noses holiday event will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Veterans Memorial Building at 1000 Main St., in Cambria. Event includes performances by Three-Legged Dawg and Cuesta Ridge, a chili dinner with all the fixins" and HARTdogs (hot dogs) for the kids. On-site beer and wine sales will also be available.

‘With the arrival of winter, all unaltered cats should be breathing a sigh of relief, but no. This holiday season seems to swing wildly from winter to summer resulting in unexpected litters of kittens. These youngsters make it harder for those born earlier in the year to find a home.

And now a few words from a recently adopted four-footed friend.