• Animal Kingdom

    Dr. Jeff the Rocky Mountain Vet

    As is often the case, go directly to the source when you want the whole truth. Regardless of rampant rumors on YouTube and elsewhere, Dr Jeff Young is alive and well and in fact, he, his wife, Dr Petra, their wonderful staff of caring vets, technicians and assistants, have opened a new office in Conifer, Colorado after 30 years of animal service. The two operations PPI (Planned Pethood International) and IMHS (Intermountain Humane Society, a no-kill shelter) are now operating under the same non-profit organization. Dr Jeff has a long list of goals including moving the humane society to the…

  • Animal Kingdom - Birds/Birding - Chipmunks - commentary - General Interest

    Keeping cats indoors

    I’m distraught, due to the number of felines roaming our neighborhood and killing our chipmunks, and yes, our birds. As many of you know, my husband and I enjoy watching these tiny cousins of the squirrel. We love seeing them scurry across our deck in search of their favorite treats of peanuts and sunflower seeds and ducking in and out of the “chippie cup”. And of course, my biggest delight is having them eat from my hands and feeling their teeny, padded feet against my skin. We look forward to it every day. But for the last few weeks, we…

  • Animal Kingdom - Birds/Birding

    A day in the life of Beakie

    Yesterday afternoon began as any other - a day in the garden, feeding the birds, watching the chipmunks dunk in and out of the chippie cup, stuffing their mouths with seeds and huge peanuts. After planting my newly acquired swamp milkweed in the front garden, I made my way to the she-shed to store the shovel and gloves, then proceeded to the deck. And that's when my afternoon was turned upside down. I saw a blue jay on its back. Oh no! How can I help? What should I do...