Pet column: Open your heart, home to loving shelter pet

Hello, everyone and Happy New Year! In my last column I wrote about certain foods to be aware of, one being grapes or raisins. Sure enough, a reader, Eleanor, wrote me and was so worried - she had been sharing her raisin toast with her dog every morning during the holiday season. She promptly stopped and watched her sweet older dog carefully for any signs. She was very lucky, Daisy will live to see another holiday season!

Even in my own home, my new puppy, Yeager, saw his chance when an antique ornament fell to the carpet. I was glad I saw him since antique ornaments are made of a type of glass extremely dangerous to any animal if they were to ingest it.

During this time of year we see a mixture of emotions: happiness, sadness and loneliness for many. Loneliness is hard. We may have lost a loved one in the past or just recently. For some of us the sweet kiss of a four-legged companion is a blessing. It fills our hearts with love and joy. We can tell them all about what is going on and how we miss our loved ones. Our dog's whole body and tail will wiggle with delight that we are talking to him. They will follow us with their big eyes idolizing us, constant in their love as the sun in its journey to the heavens...

Some of us get puppies at this time of year and I will be giving tips about those sweet wriggling bundles as time goes on but I would like to ask something else of you readers.

Let's open our hearts and homes if possible to those unlucky dogs in our local shelters. Did you know some grow up there? Yes, some have been there for two years or more.

They are fed and watered and walked, but whom do they bond with? And what about those older animals that some misfortune of life has caused to end up there?

I am going to bring you one such sweetheart. Her name is Juliet and she is an 11-year-old bully breed. Her muzzle may be gray but don't let that fool you. She has plenty of spunk. She is a favorite of the Nevada Humane Society's volunteers. She is a social, loving girl, however the environment is causing her not to thrive and common health issues associated with age aren't helping. Her eyesight is almost gone.

But none of these issues slow her down, She loves to go on walks and spend quiet time with someone. What she needs now is a person with a big heart to live out her final days. Because of her eyesight she would be better placed in a home with no small children or other dogs.

The Nevada Humane Society will pay for any medical care, medication or any other supplies she may need. Won't you open your heart to Juliet?

For more information please call 775-856-2000 extension 321.

• Terri Dickerson is a professional dog trainer and owner of Sit Means Sit Dog Training. Contact her with your pet questions at smscarsoncity@gmail.com.