Animal Hotline is a nonprofit community service for lost/found pets in Placitas and Bernalillo
P. O. B. 812, Placitas, NM 87043
To report a lost or found animal, Call Dave Harper at 867-6135 or e-mail placitasrealty@earthlink.net

People with pets for adoption or sale should place a Signpost classified ad or consider a $5 donation to the Animal Hotline to run the information in this column. Lost and found listings and doptions for found animals are run in the column for free.

For lost/found pets in Placitas and Bernalillo, call Dave Harper at 867-6135

—Dave Harper

On January 10, my friends Tempi and Kevin lost their cat “Highway,” who has about as much personality as I have ever seen in a cat. “Highway” came into Tempi and Kevin’s lives about ten years ago after our friend Mike watched a tiny black-and-white fluffball get nearly (actually) run over on I-25. The little cat had only suffered a broken leg, even though being in traffic on I-25. “Highway” (as he was later to be known) was taken to the vet and had a cast about the size of his body. He was brought up to Kevin and Tempi’s house and they took him in. (If you know what big hearts they have for animals, you’ll understand.)

Even though Highway was a tiny cat and dragging around a cast almost the size of his body, he soon was ruling the roost. Being a black-and-white cat, his fondness for watching gravity at work, sometimes got him in a little hot water.

“Highway” (an indoor cat) snuck out of the house on January 10. Tempi and Kevin were pretty much frantic, calling the neighbors and friends, putting up flyers, walking and driving all over looking for him. You might have hard the echo of the word “Highway” all over the valley near Placitas Village and beyond.

After a few days, we were certainly dreading that he had gone the way of many, many cats, i.e. coyotes and owls. After a while it is hard not to fear and assume the worst. Then a week or so after he disappeared, “Highway” showed back up late one night at the back door, meowing to get back in.

Tempi and Kevin would like to sincerely thank all of the friends, neighbors, and acquaintances who helped in looking for and keeping an eye our for their fluffy black-and-white prodigal son.

Welcome home, “Highway!”

Lost and Found listings

LOST

Cat: Black, male, Manx (no tail), lost from southeast of Placitas Village (between 7 and 8 mile markers). Lost in mid-January. Black with little white spot on chest. Had been a stray in recent months. #1584.

FOUND

Dog: Red/blonde Shepherd, male, found January 1, east of the Placitas Village between mile marker 7 and 8. Spotted there for a couple days, then possibly seen at the Placitas Mini Mart. #1576.

Dog: Black Pit Bull or possibly Lab Cross was found dead on Highway 165 near the Merc on January 17. #1580.

Two dogs: Little white poodle w/Eldorado County Colorado tags found in Bernalillo on January 17 with female brindle, short-haired dog that recently had puppies. Possibly Pit Bull, very thin. #1581 and #1582.

Dog: Long-haired, mottled grey, tan brown and white dog spotted just off Highway 165 on Juniper Road in Placitas on January 19. #1585.

Dog: Blonds Dog, part Shepherd, medium large spotted stray or possibly abandoned in Ranchos de Placitas on January 20. #1583.

Dog: Female bringle Pit Bull/Lab cross abandoned in yard in Bernalillo near the railroad tracks on January 24. Recently had puppies. #1584.

Rabies shot requirement changed for pets

In a Sandoval County Commission meeting this past January, commissioners recently amended the animal-control ordinance to require rabies shots every three years instead of annually, to reflect improvements in rabies vaccines.

Dogs enjoy waterplay during Doggie Day Care session.

“Glider” gets a hydrotherapy bath by resort owner Crystal McClernon. His owner stands by on the left.

Life is good at Enchantment Pet

—Barb Belknap

“A dog’s mind is a terrible thing to waste,” said Crystal McClernon, owner and manager of Enchantment Pet Resort and Spa, when I visited the resort recently.

“We work to provide a safe, fun, and stimulating experience for pets in which they can be engaged during their visit,” she said.

Foremost, Crystal tries to provide peace of mind to the people who entrust their pets to the resort.

Crystal and her husband, Barney McClernon, opened Enchantment last April. As spokesperson for Albuquerque Public Schools from 1989 to 1995 and director of public affairs for PNM from 1996 to 2002, Crystal grew tired of job-related travel and wanted to run her own business. She took two years to research the pet-care industry before making the ambitious move.

The resort is housed in a ten-thousand-square-foot building with radiant floor heating and sits on two acres of land. Outside, there is a large, grassy, fenced-in yard that serves as a play- and agility-training center. In warm weather, dogs can enjoy outside wading pools and large umbrellas for shade along with attentive employees to oversee their activities. The McClernons plan to add a swimming pool and provide hydrotherapy patterned after a popular pet resort in Phoenix.

Enchantment Pet Resort and Spa offers much more than a kennel for guilt-ridden pet owners who might feel they are jailing their animal friends while off having a good time. One of the options is a visit to the spa which includes a soothing whirlpool bath.

Cats don’t really go for this sort of pampering or therapy, but dogs of all sizes, especially ones with arthritis, enjoy being lowered into the warm water with a sling and then getting a massage. An in-house massage therapist works on both dogs and cats. Overnight animal guests are fed only all-natural Flint River Ranch foods.

The resort also offers full-service grooming. Grooming-salon manager Krista Fogarty has the experience and the equipment to make all breeds of dogs and cats look clean and sharp.

Training classes for puppies and family dogs are led five days a week by top trainer and activities director Kim Terrill. Basic commands such as sit, stay, come when called, get down, get off, don’t jump, and put it down are taught, along with walking nicely on a leash and waiting at a door. Classes run for six or seven weeks and cost $59 to $69.

Terrill also coaches canine competitive sports such as flyball and agility games. This training is sanctioned by the American Kennel Club and the U.S. Dog Agility Association. Competitions are held locally at sheriff’s-posse arenas and parks.

Boarders are kenneled with varying levels of space and luxury, which are priced accordingly. Some clients use Enchantment’s Doggie Day Care, where dogs are dropped off for outside play and social and human interaction while their owner is at work. Dogs that don’t do well socially are also accommodated.

Crystal said, “We are here for people who are looking for things to do for their pets and with their pets.” She welcomes residents to stop by for a tour of the facility at 580 Quantum Road NE in Rio Rancho, off Northern Boulevard. The phone number is 891-4100.