Taos Bark: Onward I go — and so, too, our concern for Taos animals

I hope you have received information you can use or share with others from my last two columns giving advice on how to keep your outside dog sheltered from the extreme freezes that we get here in Taos.

I will keep writing about this throughout the cold months and share any new information received. You also can search on the internet for ways to further protect your animals by making shelters and places of refuge, especially if you are taking care of feral cats.

And, yes, I am back after not writing for a few weeks.

My editor reported people were asking where I was, and I was also receiving emails. It was for medical reasons, as I had a full-blown heart attack on Oct. 20 — an extremely painful and frightening experience. There were not any real warnings and the attack had the classic symptoms. From Holy Cross, I was transferred to Santa Fe’s Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center. The surgeon found a blood clot blocking a heart artery, which caused the attack. So I survived, although two others in our community did not survive their heart attacks during the same general time.

Recovery has been going well, although I can’t stress enough how “mortal” I feel. I am now receiving cardiac follow-up care with Dr. Ismail, who fortunately has her own cardiac practice here in Taos again.

So onward I go!

Education, information and crisis intervention by animal control for and about our animals this winter is currently my main project. Through this column and the media, I am starting a “blitz” to save more animals from freezing this year. The last two editions of “Taos Bark” began this vital message and I have given interviews on 88.7 KRZA-FM and LMNOC radio stations thus far.

Isabel Pena, LMNOC’s sales manager, said on Facebook, “Interviews will be on KKIT - 95.9 FM, KTRZ - 105.5 and KKTC 99.9/100.7 — on three of LMNOC’s FM stations. Starting at 8:45 a.m. and moving through our radio group. We want to make sure that we get the word out about animals left out in the cold weather and how to keep them safe. Looking forward to learning more.”

Thank you, Izzy, and thank you, Michael Clifford from KRZA, for realizing how important this message is to get out and having me as your guest. This week, I will contact KTAO radio for an interview as well. The immediate enthusiasm to get me on the radio was exciting and confirmed how many people here love these animals!

Maybe I need my own little radio show on animals. What do you think?

Here is another animal ordinance law that goes along with the sheltering law.

Taos County Animal Ordinance Section 2.2

Cleanliness. Feces and soiled bedding of companion animals must be removed at least weekly to prevent odors and possible dangerous or toxic exposure or contamination by fecal material, mold or internal or external parasites that can harm the animal or cause the spread of disease to other animals or humans. Premises shall be kept in such a way that no companion animal has the opportunity to become entangled in loose wire, splinters from wooden boards or come into contact with yard trash that could harm a companion animals.

There is nothing like the feeling you get when you see how your intervention made a difference in an animal’s life — going from perhaps a freezing isolated life to rolling around on a carpet with the new adopters engaging the pet in play and love. Just this week, I received pictures of a dog saved, and I can only say this is what it is all about — to see the joy on the animal’s face. Just nothing like it.

Facebook has always served me well in getting the word out regarding any animal information or alerts out to the public. Social media will be used for this campaign. If you have any suggestions, please contact me through email or a phone call.

Remember, we are their voice. Their only voice. Please get involved and report any time you see an animal suffering. You can make the difference and, as I have said before, the first thing you do is call dispatch at (575) 758-2216 for animal control. Keep calling. Each call is recorded. Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe has said people should call dispatch for animal control and they will respond. Do call. Document everything.

Contact Hernandez at taosbark@gmail.com or (575) 613-3448.