Animals need homes after owner dies in crash

SILVER SPRINGS - Three dogs and a cat, orphaned last week when their owner was killed in a Mound House accident, are looking for new homes.

Joan James, 79, died Thursday when the setting sun blinded her as she pulled in front of a truck from Highlands Lane onto Highway 50 East, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.

"Joanie lived for her animals, and she'd be glad to know such effort was being for them," said Tom Blomquist of the Silver Springs Spay-Neuter Project.

James was active in animal welfare and "ultra-sensitive" to their needs, Blomquist said.

"She would take in dogs that she figured would not have a chance of getting a home."

Through his organization, Blomquist provided the former postal worker with food to feed her animals, and he and a friend had built a kennel in her Miriam Way back yard.

Often when Blomquist would deliver dog food, James would call a couple of days later and ask for more, he said. When he'd ask what happened with the food he just dropped off, "she'd say she gave it to people who needed it," he said. "She was just like that."

Following the three-car accident Friday, neighbors, who gathered at the intersection, spoke to one another about James' dogs being left alone in the house. Word got back to police, who contacted Animal Control.

Animal control officers collected the dogs and four cats Thursday night.

Ted Bolzle, Lyon County Animal Control supervisor, said three of the cats have already found homes, but he is still searching for someone to take dogs Carson, Cody and Trixie. A fourth dog, dropped off by James two days before her death because it was afraid of loud noises and she lived near a gun range, also needs placement, he said.

"These are just indigenous Nevada trailer dogs," Blomquist said. "Carson could be the dog in the movies running with the neighbor boy. He gets along well with other dogs; he rides well in the truck. What Cody likes to do is sit on the couch with Joanie and eat her ice cream, and Trixie ... well, Trixie always gave me this look like I was gonna cheat at cards."

Blomquist said all of the animals are spayed or neutered, and whoever adopts them will also receive 120 pounds of dog food from his organization.

"Joanie went through great efforts to take care of those animals. It would be heartbreaking if these dogs don't find a home."