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Community Corner

A Potpourri of Pet Information

Exploring the Bay Area Pet Expo.

I went to the Bay Area Pet Expo, held at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on Feb. 4. The event organizers encouraged attendees to bring their pets, so my Australian shepherd mix, Sasha, accompanied me.

We watched a CPR and pet first aid demo by veterinarian Dr. J. Seward of VCA Animal Hospitals. Using a stuffed animal, Seward and her assistant demonstrated how to give mouth-to-snout resuscitation and how to stop bleeding (use a towel or whatever’s handy and apply pressure for three minutes until clotting happens). It was an informative overview, but it made me realize that a first aid class would be a good way to really learn what to do in an emergency.

As it turns out, the Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross has a first aid class for pets on Monday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 10 p.m. The class costs $70 and takes place at the San Jose office. For more information, visit the chapter’s website.

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After the first aid demo, we visited Mai, from Nike Animal Rescue Foundation (NARF), who was my dog’s foster mom. We adopted Sasha from NARF three years ago and Mai was happy to see Sasha again. My hat goes off to foster parents—without them, there wouldn’t be a safe haven for dogs and cats to stay at and escape from the threat of euthanization at an animal shelter.

On our way out of the expo, we stopped to watch the DockDogs perform their aerial feats. These dogs are amazing! Each dog jumps off of a dock and over the water in an attempt to either jump the higher (Extreme Vertical) or jump the furthest (Big Air). It was a joy to see how much fun these dogs we having.

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Spay and Neuter Specials
February is Spay and Neuter Month, and the Humane Society Silicon Valley is offering discounts this month on these services for dogs and cats. Surgeries are by appointment only and your pet will be back with you that very same night. For more information, visit the Humane Society Silicon Valley website.

Pet of the Week
Valentine’s Day is approaching, and this week’s pet in need of a forever home is Love, a six-year-old short-haired Tabby. He may be a little on the shy side, but once he makes friends with you, he’ll be asking for tummy rubs and providing endless love and affection. He gets along with other dogs and cats (especially kittens). For more information about Love and other cats available for adoption, visit the Nike Animal Rescue Foundation website.

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