Kenai, the Bernese mountain dog mix, who saved a house full of people from carbon monoxide poisoning | Todd Smarr

Kenai, a Bernese mountain dog-mix from Erie, Colo., has been named the Humane Society‘s  Valor Dog of the Year for his amazing act of doggy heroism.

In March 2009, Kenai, a 14-year-old Bernese mountain dog mix, starting barking and whining at 4 a.m. awakening his owner who quickly realized that something wasn’t right.With the help of Kenai’s keen senses, seven adults, two children, and four other dogs were rushed out of the house to find that there was a carbon monoxide leak in a basement stove.

Kenai’s heroism came just in the nick of time as two of the people were already sick enough that they had to be flown to a hospital in Denver for treatment in a hyperbaric chamber.

The canine hero beat out nine other dogs to take home the title of Valor Dog of the Year along with his very own custom crystal figurine, an original sterling silver pet-tag, and a $200 gift card from The HSUS’ online store.

Click here for more on Kenai’s story, or here to find out more about the other Valor Dog nominees.

–Lindsay Gulisano

View full post on longmontledger.com» Pet Spotlight: Shelby : Longmont Ledger-Longmont, Colorado

Found a Peanut!  Now she’s waiting to find you. Peanut is a clever 3-year-old American Staffordshire-boxer mix who’s a little shy at first, then quickly comes out of her shell and enjoys being close to people. She loves keeping her eye — whether it’s her brown one or her blue one — on the ball  [...]

View full post on longmontledger.com» Pet Spotlight: Shelby : Longmont Ledger-Longmont, Colorado

Amazing Grace, how sweet she is! And playful, too. This outgoing, year-old, medium-hair domestic mix is curious about new things and will gladly be your personal assistant while you`re on the computer. This kitty could be your saving grace. Swing by and meet her.

View full post on longmontledger.com» Pet Spotlight: Shelby : Longmont Ledger-Longmont, Colorado

B enson came to the Fisher home in Longmont about three years ago as a kitten. He thinks he’s a dog as he likes to play fetch with his toy mice and greets people at the door.  Debbie Adams,   Courtesy photo

View full post on longmontledger.com» Pet Spotlight: Shelby : Longmont Ledger-Longmont, Colorado

By Laura Higgins, DVM
Aspen Meadow Veterinary Specialists
With the increasing availability of medical marijuana along the Front Range, we are likely to see an increase in marijuana intoxication in our companion animals. Symptoms that may be seen at home range from neurologic depression, stumbling/weakness, vomiting, dribbling urine, drooling, seizures, and even coma.
Marijuana toxicity is a [...]

View full post on longmontledger.com» Pet Spotlight: Shelby : Longmont Ledger-Longmont, Colorado

Pogo would love to bounce into your lap and your life. This sweet 6-year-old domestic shorthair mix is a sucker for attention — he loves to give it and receive it. Plus, this wonderful opportunity for years of love is available at a special price this month.

View full post on longmontledger.com» Pet Spotlight: Shelby : Longmont Ledger-Longmont, Colorado

Meet Olivia, a beautiful tortie with mesmerizing eyes. She  enjoys sittingin laps and getting petted. She is confident in new  surroundings. A quiet,comfortable lifestyle fits her perfectly. She is a pretty lady who needs tobe brushed to keep her coat  beautiful.

View full post on longmontledger.com» Pet Spotlight: Shelby : Longmont Ledger-Longmont, Colorado

A dog given to a shelter in England wasn’t responding to basic commands like “sit” and “come here,” so staffers thought the little collie was deaf.

Turns out, he just speaks a different language.

“We couldn’t understand why at first but when we’ve looked at his records and his history he has come from a Polish family.

“So obviously we’ve gathered from that he doesn’t understand the English language, so therefore he won’t understand our basic commands.”

Staff turned to the internet for phrases Cent could recognise – although they are unsure of the pronunciation.

“We’ve learnt a few basic ones which are sit – siad – and come – do mnie – and he seems to understand what we’re saying,” added Ms Heath.

“Obviously, maybe he’s having a chuckle because were pronouncing it a bit wrong… but we’ve got to work alongside that to teach him the English versions of them as well.”

Check out the video over at the BBC.

"Lassie."

OK, it’s not green and it’s not in Boulder, but I think we’d be hard-pressed to find a Boulderite who doesn’t want to see this video of a dog alerting humans that something — something big — was coming.

Yeah, I hereby declare “dogs” a reasonable tag on BigGreenBoulder.

Here it is, video from the Eureka Times-Standard during the earthquake that has caused Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of emergency:

Click here to view the embedded video.