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Vol. 12, No. 21 – July 17 – July 30, 2019 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

The Ventura Music Festival’s annual free concert will be held once again at Mission Park with Incendio (high octane Latin guitar) on Thursday, July 18, show starts at 5:30 pm. The festival’s final performances will be held at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center with Joey Alexander Trio on July 19; Ranky Tanky on July 20 and Rastrelli Cello quartet on July 21.

The Ventura Fair opens August 2; this is just a reminder, if you want to take in more than 4 concerts (which are included in the price of admission), you should consider getting a WOW pass before the fair opens which gets you entry everyday saving you beaucoup bucks. See full lineup and ticket information at VenturaCountyFair.org.

Just a head’s up, Spencer Makenzie’s Annual End of Summer Block Party falls over the weekend of August 23 – 25. Don’t miss their free concert which will fall on Saturday with Johnny and the Love Handles, Dave Rae and Madex.

I am loving all the local punk bands supporting T.S.O.L. at the Ventura Theater on Friday, July 26; just a few of the bands include Stalag 13, Ill Repute, The Grim, and The Robot Uprising.

Tequila and Taco Music Festival returns to town over the weekend of July 20 and 21 at Plaza Park with Bruno and the Hooligans, a tribute to Bruno Mars, along with Instone, Sambada, Adelaide and Upstream. Find out more at TequilaAndTacoMusicFestival.com.

Music Under the Stars series continues on Saturday nights at Olivas Adobe with Sound Effect (sold out) on July 20 and Rodeo Drive on July 27. Know this, all final shows for the rest of the summer are sold out.

Quick Notes: Munch at the Museum this month features Sandi Ellen Anderson on Thursday, July 18 (11:30 am – 1:30 pm); Pyrate Punx has a show at Hong Kong Inn with False Confession, 3 Day Holocaust, Civil Conflict and Trash on Thursday, July 18; Alpine Camp Band plays Leashless Brewing’s Vtown Get Down Festival on Saturday, July 20; Bad Religion sold out for their show at Ventura Theater on Friday, July 19; Ventura’s Psychedelic Summer debuts at Oak and Main on Friday, July 19 (dress up!); Jen Staves returns to Ventura with her Bluzfish Trio on Sunday, July 21 at Plan B Wine Cellers; Actor Jeff Bridges performs his music at Discovery on Wednesday, July 24; The Garage welcomes Tanglers out of Vancouver on Friday, July 26; And the Caverns return to town with a show at Saloon on Friday, July 26.

Many thanks to JD Drury and his crew for pulling off another amazing Surf Rodeo. Of course, I miss them at Pierpont Beach where I could park at home and walk over, but loving the vibe at the Pier.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected]. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Vol. 12, No. 21 – July 17 – July 30, 2019 – Ojai News & Events

Join Rev. Karen S. Wylie at The Ojai Retreat on Sunday, July 21, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for her Mid-Month Devotional Retreat, this month celebrating “Happy Independence Day!”

“You are a genius creator,” Rev. Karen says, “and if you don’t like your life, you can change it by changing your own inner dialog. In doing so, you will free yourself from limiting beliefs and circumstances and begin to see that you have the power to create a new way of being in the world!

The Ojai Retreat is at 160 Besant Road, Ojai. The retreat is by donation; $20 is suggested. For more information, contact Rev. Karen at 310-968-8928, or register online at www.karenswylie.com. Rev. Karen is the author of Into Me See: A Book for Daily Inspiration, available on Amazon and her website.

The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts is pleased to present Thollem McDonas, an internationally renowned pianist, keyboardist, composer, improviser, singer-songwriter, activist, author and teacher. Thollem will play pieces from his recent solo piano album, Meeting at the Parting Place, as well as an electric piece titled 13 Billion Years To Tomorrow that integrates the concepts from new scientific discoveries. Thollem will be joined by Ojai artist Emily Hay, a flutist, vocalist and pianist who incorporates the complexity of contemporary classical technique with the spontaneity and experimentation of free improvisation.

The performance will take place in Logan House at the Center on Saturday, July 20th at 7 pm. Tickets are $25 and are available on the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts website, by reservation at 805-646-3381, as well as at the door. The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts is located at 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Road in upper Ojai.

Anyone who likes to dance is invited to attend a DJ Dance Party at the Ojai Valley Museum this month.

Dance to music by DJ Matriarchy on the museum’s outdoor patio. The set list is sure to include some favorite songs. The DJ will get everyone on their feet and onto the dance floor for a fun evening.

All ages are welcome and encouraged to enjoy a hot summer night under the stars at the Ojai Valley Museum.

The event is Saturday night, July 27 from 7:30-9:30pm. Admission is $5 at the door and free for museum members.

The Ojai Valley Museum is located at 130 W. Ojai Ave; 805 640-1390. For more information, please visit OjaiValleyMuseum.org.

Vol. 12, No. 21 – July 17 – July 30, 2019 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

Offered at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice 1996 Eastman Ave

First Tuesday of the month from 1- 2:30 p.m.  free classes on managing life with Type 2 and Pre-Diabetes. Learn about meal planning, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, medication management and new developments for living with diabetes. 

Second Monday of the month from 4 – 5 p.m. join a free joint replacement classes and learn what to expect pre and post-surgery. Learn about home safety, rehabilitation, medication and recovery.

Wednesdays evenings from 6:30 – 8 p.m. free adult bereavement support groups to individuals who have experienced a loss within the last 2 ½ years. The support groups help improve understanding of the grief process, decrease emotional pain, provides emotional and educational support.

The Compassionate Friends of West Ventura County is a support group for those who have experienced the loss of a child. Parents, grandparents, and siblings (over age 14) are all welcome. First and third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 at the Poinsettia Pavilion.  Lindsay at (805) 836-9100.

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club Monday nights 7:30 – 9:45 p.m. Poinsettia Pavilion. Ballroom, swing, Latin and line dancing. $10 members, $12 non-members. Free dance lessons 6:45 – 7:15p.m. Call Rick (805) 415-8842 for more information.

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 – 5:45 p.m. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Bring an interesting topic to discuss if you can.

Ventura’s ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club offers games for all levels of play.  Learn the game, play with your peers, and earn master points while you are having fun.  There is a game every day of the week.  Check out their website at www.vcbridge.org  

Country Western Line Dancing every Tuesday 7 – 9 p.m. Instruction every night. Located at the Moose lodge, 10269 Telephone Road. More information at countrylovers.com.

Cross Town Hikers on Wednesday nights for a moderate-paced hike that includes views of Ventura from the cross, a walk out to the end of the pier, and a stroll along the Promenade back to the Museum. Four miles with an 800-foot elevation gain. Meet at 7 p.m. sharp at the fountain across the street from the Mission.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/800215670039426/

he Ventura Investment Group meet on Mondays for an informal discussion of recent economic events.  From 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Telephone Road and Main Street.  Visitors and potential members are welcomed.  There are no dues or requirements to participate, and all levels of experience are welcomed.

First Wednesday, of each month, 6 – 10 p.m., Gold Coast Modular Railroad Club meets at the Murphy Auto Museum, Oxnard. Now exhibiting Saturdays and Sundays, 10 – 4 p.m.  Visitors and new members are welcome. Member initiation fee $10, monthly dues $20, $10 for Juniors. Murphy Auto Museum, 2230 Statham Blvd., Oxnard.  www.gcmrc.com. For more information, call (805) 229-7429.

Musicians’ Sober Support Meetup @ FIND (A Friend in Deed) every Monday night 7 – 9 p.m. Bring acoustic instrument(s) for jamming after sharing support for sobriety.

Bell Arts-Studio 39-432 Ventura Ave. For further information [email protected].

The Ventura County Philatelic Society meet on the first and third Mondays each

month at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Rd.

Admission and parking are free. Come for a great evening.

Bill Garner (805) 320-1601 or [email protected].

Mended Hearts of Ventura. Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. Group meets the first Tuesday each month at Lemon Wood Mobile Park, 850 Johnson Dr. They have excellent speakers, leading cardiologists, nutritionists, dietitians from our area. Contact Richard Hatcher at (805) 644-2733.

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDa) is a 12-step fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is recovery from codependence in the development and maintenance of healthy relationships. Every Friday at 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 5654 Ralston (enter through side door off parking lot). Further information Deva 805-814-5650 or Maryann

The Ventura Retired Men’s group meets on the first and third Tuesday each month at 11:30 a.m. at the Elks lodge on Knoll Dr. Drop by and we’ll treat you to lunch so you can sample our activities and banter and hear our program/speaker of the day. Call Bob Likins at (805) 587-1233. We’ve got programs and activities you might enjoy as you shoot the breeze or chew the fat.

The Ventura Rotary Club, Ventura Downtown Lions Club and the Salvation Army of Ventura have partnered to bring the community a free Eye Clinic. The goal and vision are to provide free eyeglasses for those in need. Patients are seen each Tuesday from 9 – 11a.m., walk-ins only first come first served. The Eye Clinic is located inside the Salvation Army Hope Center. 155 S Oak St.

July 18: The next monthly meeting of the East Ventura Community Council will feature a panel focusing on the pros and cons of the burgeoning cannabis industry. Scheduled to speak are Ventura Police Chief Ken Corney and Seana-Marie Sesma of Mary Jane Services Network. The agenda also includes a representative of the Ventura Police Department who will report on crime and safety in the area.

Books in good condition are always accepted on behalf of Ventura Friends of the Library. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Connect Church, 346 N. Kimball Road. The public is encouraged to attend and participate. For more information, contact Marie Lakin, Chairperson, [email protected]

July 21: The Ventura and Santa Barbara County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) will meet Sunday, in the Campus Student Center of Ventura College. The regular meeting starts at noon and at 11 a.m. There will be an informal workshop where a topic on clocks or watches will be demonstrated and discussed. There will be a mart where items will be for sale followed by lunch and an informational meeting and a program at 1 p.m. www.nawcc-ch190.com.

July 26: Like to play acoustic music? Songmakers.org welcomes instrumentalists, singers, and singer/songwriters at all levels to join in a free song circle at the Bell Arts Factory Community Room. Held on the 4th Friday of each month from 7- 10 p.m. at 432 N. Ventura Ave. Listeners welcome! Info: Mike Wittlin, (805) 750-8281.

August 3: Sespe Flyfishers of Ventura conduct an introductory class on Fly Fishing and Casting the Fly Rod. There is no charge, and all are welcome. Whether you are an experienced fly fisher or a complete novice we want to help you learn and enjoy this great sport. Chumash Park, Petit and Waco, 9-11 a.m., www.sespeflyfishers.org .Bob Smith at (805) 647-3522.

August 4: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours from 1 to 4 p.m.  Admission is free.  The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets (197 N. Ashwood) in Ventura.  For information please call (805) 642-3345 or visit the website at www.dudleyhouse.org.

August 7: BCNN is a women’s social club open to ladies who reside in Ventura, Oxnard and Pt Hueneme.

Our monthly Coffee-Speaker meetings are from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 36 Figueroa St. Parking is on Santa Clara Avenue. Guests are welcome a couple times before becoming a member; dues are $30/year.  Our speaker, Dr. Beverly Russel, author, publisher and creative thinker, will introduce the Labyrinth. http://www.bcnnwomensclub.org/.

August 14: The Ventura County Camera Club Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. The first part of the meeting will be an instructional workshop.  This will be followed by the showing of member images. A local professional photographer will verbally critique member’s prints and digital images. You will find the variety of images shown and critique fascinating and will enjoy the evening.  WWW.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com

August 16: “Ventura County Mended Hearts Chapter’s 40th Anniversary Celebration luncheon.

Friday, 11:30 – 2 p.m. at the Board Room on the 8th floor of the old Community Memorial Hospital.

Keynote speaker is Humorist/Author James Alcroft. The newly installed President of Mended

Hearts International, Ron Manriquez, will personally present a special certificate commemorating our

40th Anniversary. Reservations are necessary as space is limited. Call the Larimore’s (805-658-6353) no later than Monday, August 12th. “

Vol. 12, No. 21 – July 17 – July 30, 2019 – A View from House Seats

Shirley Lorraine
Beacon Theater’s inaugural offering solid

There’s a new theater group in town. The recently organized Beacon Theater Company made its debut at the NAMBA Performing Arts space in downtown Ventura last weekend.

With familiar theater notables Tom Eubanks, Steve Grumette, Howard Leader and Anna Kotula at the helm, the company opened with a top-notch performance of Blue/Orange by British playwright Joe Penhall.

Beacon’s stated goal is to “explore the human condition with plays that 1) evoke emotions, 2) encourage you to think, or 3) simply make you laugh. While it is not our intention to offend, neither do we intend to become captive to political correctness.”

As a debut piece, Blue/Orange, awarded the coveted Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2001, certainly fulfills the stated intent.

The scene is a psychiatrist’s office in a British institutional setting. A young African-Caribbean patient, Christopher (Emmanuel Odaibo) has served his required 28 days and is scheduled for release the next day. His doctor, Bruce Flaherty (Brian Robert Harris) believes that Christopher’s diagnosis of borderline personality disorder is just a piece of the puzzle and recommends he stay for additional treatment.

Dr. Robert Smith (Brian Kolb), Bruce’s supervisor, joins the meeting and quickly disagrees with retaining Christopher. As the two psychiatrists’ arguments escalate Christopher rapidly becomes a bystander. His delusions appear and recede with regularity.

The dialogue tackles schizophrenia, racism, superior authority, the mental health system in general, and differing perceptions of treatment. Robert becomes so intent on sharing his new ideas based on R.D. Laing’s ground-breaking theories of socially and environmentally induced causes for psychosis that he fails to listen to either the patient or his colleague.

All three exhibit varying degrees of frustration, anger, confusion and futility as they all try to make themselves heard to little avail. The result is an intense emotional journey into the minds of three men who all want a good outcome, but who are unable to come to agreement on what that outcome may look like or how to get there.

The true fascination is in watching the high-powered, precise and energetic performances of Harris, Odaibo and Kolb. They are all superb. Harris morphs from the caring, gentle, friendly counselor he exhibits at the start, to a man racked with doubts, excessive anger and frustration as he attempts to stand by his convictions.

Odaibo carries the role of Christopher with skill. One can almost feel the gears in his brain turn faster, reverse and come to a grinding halt before restarting. In the role, he speaks with a heavy and rapid Jamaican accent that takes a bit of getting used to. Thankfully, the printed program features a useful glossary of terms to help the audience along.

Kolb portrays an arrogant, controlled manic personality, doting on his role as “the authority” with his desire to be the one who is “right” driving him forward. All three actors are fascinating to watch as they slowly dissolve. One wonders who the patient really is.

The play only runs through July 28. Try and catch it and watch the Beacon Theater Company take off. It is bound to be a wild ride.

For tickets, visit www.thebeacontheatercompany.com, call (805) 233-6965, or stop in at the Namba venue at 47 S. Oak St, downtown Ventura.

Vol. 12, No. 21 – July 17 – July 30, 2019 – Opinion/Editorial

Sheldon is on vacation enjoying beautiful Ventura. These are snippets from previous articles for your reading pleasure.

∙A teenager died when he was struck by a train in Ventura. The incident happened on the tracks near Hurst Avenue and Ocean Avenue, according to a Union Pacific official. The 17-year-old male from West Hills was struck by a southbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. Authorities say that his death appears to be a suicide.

Immediately, some accused the City Council because Union Pacific had removed their fences that kept people from crossing over the tracks. These fences were owned by Union Pacific and were on their property. They removed them because of the opposition to the fences by some folks living in midtown who crossed over the tracks to get to the beach.

The City Council certainly gets some things wrong, but this wasn’t one of them. Can’t blame them for everything

∙The City Council has authorized the City Manager to execute a Funding and Services Agreement not to exceed $250,000 to the Museum of Ventura County. I agree with this decision. In addition to local visitors, the museum brings outsiders to Ventura.

It passed the council with one opposing vote, which came from Councilman Jim Friedman. When running for council Jim said he would only approve funding for “core” projects. I don’t agree with him but can respect that he is “sticking to his guns.” Is it still okay to use that phrase?

∙If you made $60 million (or more) playing basketball you could make comments like this one and still be a great role model for kids: “Once I saw that story, I just seen a kid turning into a man. This is my career and I’m taking this. I done had enough.”

∙ Now that we have city council districts (four have been elected by district for now – but all council members will eventually be based upon districts when currents terms are up) – I think that these four should have quarterly townhall meetings to hear what the concerns (and likes) are from their constituents.

They are: Sofia Rubalcava, Deputy Mayor – District 1; Lorrie Brown, Councilmember – District 6; Jim Friedman, Councilmember – District 5; Erik Nasarenko, Councilmember – District 4.

These are their emails if you want to contact them: 

[email protected];[email protected];[email protected]; [email protected].

If you don’t know what district you are in, go to https://map.cityofventura.net/java/ccvd/ for a district map and enter your address to find out what district you are in.

∙ H. Parker Hospitality has decided not to continue negotiations with the Ventura Port District for the purchase of two parcels in the Harbor at the end of Spinnaker Dr. Their plans were to build a high-end hotel/spa and hybrid hostel.

The stated reason is that the District was not able to provide ‘clean’ title for land. There are probably other reasons, but this was their stated one.

These are great parcels and will certainly be considered by other developers (oh no, the dreaded word) as soon as the title situation is resolved. About 30-years ago, the District filed for bankruptcy which, apparently has caused some concerns about the ownership of the parcels and clear title.

∙We are one of only nine cities in California to make Fortune Small Business magazine’s list of the 100 best places to live and launch a small business. We were No. 68.

∙It just got a little harder to open a store that sells firearms and ammunition in Ventura.

The City Council voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance that limits where in the city these businesses can be located.

Once the new rules become law, a firearms business won’t be allowed to open if it’s within 500’ of a “sensitive use,” a designation that includes schools, parks, religious institutions, day care facilities and residential zones. Such stores will need to be at least 200’ away from a similar business.

The new rules limits stores to three areas based upon the zone. Limited Industrial (M-1), General Industrial (M-2) and Manufacturing Planned Development (MPD).

Even though I don’t like guns much I’m not sure limiting where stores can be located serves any purpose at all.

•During the approximately eight years publishing the Breeze prior to Trump being elected president, I never have made political comments regarding Democrats or Republicans, conservatives or liberals because it was always just Washington doing business as usual. But, I have some real problems with the Trump presidency and feel that I must comment.

Other than an occasional political cartoon or my column, the Breeze never takes a political view in our news coverage. We are not as liberal a paper as some think.

There are some readers who say they love the Ventura Breeze, but they won’t read it anymore because of my very limited words or the occasional editorial cartoon not supporting Trump.

I think that’s a ridiculous reason to stop reading the Breeze, especially if you otherwise like it. There are approximately 30,000 to 40,000 words in each issue of the Breeze, so my comments (most of which are just quoting others) are about.003% of the words in the paper.

And if you do disagree with me, you have an opportunity to be heard in the Breeze. In fact, I’m only one voice, so if several readers write in disagreeing, that is even a stronger voice than mine. So, let’s hear your comments at [email protected].

• Per the cover article in this issue, the Board of Education has hired Dr. Roger Rice as the new Superintendent of Ventura Unified School District (VUSD). He sounds very qualified, but so has the several others in the position that have recently come and gone. I certainly hope he stays around long enough to help the VUSD get even better.

Lorna Amundson is the July featured artist at the Harbor Village Gallery and Gifts.

A biologist by training, Lorna started painting realistic plein air almost 30 years ago in Yosemite.

Lorna is one of eleven resident members of the Harbor Village Gallery.

Running concurrently with this exhibit is a new BAA (Buenaventura Art Association) juried member show with a reception Saturday,July 20 6-8 p.m. Refreshments will accompany the merit award ceremony at the reception.

Nature is in the forefront for two new exhibitions July 25-Aug. 25 inBuenaventura Gallery at Bell Arts Factory

Nature is in the forefront for two new exhibitions July 25-Aug. 25 in Buenaventura Art Assocation’s Ventura Avenue gallery space, Studio 30 at Bell Arts Factory.

“From the Desert to the City and Back Again” is the title of Darlene Roker’s solo photography display.

It is paired with “Root and Branch,” a juried show featuring artworks by BAA members that have trees as the primary subject of paintings or using parts of trees — bark, wood, twigs, leaves — in mixed media or assemblage pieces.

A reception for both will be 6-9 p.m. Aug. 2 as part of Ventura’s monthly First Friday gallery open house.

Buenaventura Gallery at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. For more about the 65-year-old nonprofit cooperative and its programs, visit www.buenaventuragallery.org or call 805-648-1235 during gallery hours.

Vol. 12, No. 21 – July 17 – July 30, 2019 – The Pet Page

∙SPAN Thrift Store is providing $10 spays and neuters for low income cat and dog friends.

The clinic will take place in the SPAN Thrift Store parking lot 110 N. Olive St. (behind Vons on Main) on Thursday, July 25th.

Please call to schedule an appointment (805) 584-3823.

∙Official dog of Israel. The breed has avoided extinction by surviving in the Negev desert for thousands of years. On Monday ,July 22, Wings of Rescue, a group that transfers dogs to be rescued, will transport

a group of Canaan dogs to LAX (a 15-hour flight).

Canine Adoption And Rescue League (CARL), a no kill dog rescue serving Ventura Co since 1996 will partner with a transporter to pick up the dogs from  LAX. They will then bring them to CARL’s kennel/sanctuary in Santa Paula.

CARL will then exercise, clean, water and feed them.  And clean their transport crates.

The dogs will then be re- crated taken to Camarillo airport, board a jet and be transported to

Washington State for adoption.

The rumor that the dogs were wearing yamaka’s turned out to be fake news.

∙Federal health officials are warning about a salmonella outbreak that has been linked to popular dog treats. According to the CDC, 45 people in 13 states have become ill after coming in contact with pig ear dog treats.

No deaths have been reported but a dozen people have been hospitalized.

Officials say a common supplier has not yet been identified.

Experts say make sure you wash your hands right after you handle pet food or treats and to store them away from human food.

Call your vet if your dog starts showing the symptoms of salmonella infection which include having diarrhea that may contain blood or mucus or vomiting.

∙Of all the cosmic events, solar eclipses prompt perhaps the biggest change in animal behavior. Animals that are active during the day head back to their nighttime homes while nocturnal animals think they’ve overslept. Around the world, unusual incidences of animal behavior are reported while everyone else is watching the eclipse.

Some spider species begin to break down their webs during an eclipse, as they typically do at the end of the day. Once the eclipse has passed, they begin to rebuild them again, possibly complaining about the lack of rest in between.

Fish and birds that are active during the day head for their nighttime resting places, while nocturnal bats are tricked by the sudden darkness.

Hippos in Zimbabwe were observed leaving their rivers during an eclipse, heading towards their nocturnal feeding grounds on dry land. Midway through their departure, the eclipse passed, daylight returned, and the hippos returned. The animals appeared agitated and stressed following the eclipse for the remainder of the day.

∙Heat is not the only danger to be aware of during warmer months (even in Ventura).

Rattlesnakes have bitten dogs in the past as they look for water or a cool spot. But rattlesnakes are not the only creature pets should avoid.

If dog owners are going into the woods with their pets, they should remain vigilant of ticks.

Ticks are able to go from animals to humans.

Foxtails can also pose problems for dogs, including infection if it makes its way into the fur and skin.

∙A Santa Clarita veterinarian is naming a few reasons why she believes a potential pet parent should consider adopting a senior pet from a shelter or rescue organization.

Pets are viewed as seniors after 7 years old, and depending on their size and breed, often have a lot of life left to live, not to mention the love a newly adopted senior pet has to give to someone willing to look past their age and offer them a second chance at a happy life.

Cats and smaller dogs like chihuahuas can potentially reach 16-17 years old and beyond, and 60- to 80-pound dogs like Labradors or golden retrievers can potentially reach 12-14 years old and beyond, according to Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto of Cinema Veterinary Centre.

“I do think that senior dogs are harder to adopt out because people typically want a young animal, so sometimes they could be overlooked,” Ronchetto said. “But in that amount of time that you get with them, there’s so much love and so much that you can get out of the relationship, and just giving them a home for their golden years where they can feel safe and loved is important.”

Ronchetto noted that senior pets are often already trained, eliminating the need for extensive obedience and potty training necessary with young pets, and are usually calmer in general as well.

“Senior pets do make really great companions, usually because they’re settled, they’re happy typically being just the house dog, lap dogs,” Ronchetto said. “They don’t need typically a lot of exercise or energy expended. They’re happy to just be there and be loved on.”

Senior pets end up in shelters for a variety of reasons, and may or may not have medical issues. The most common medical problem seen in senior pets is arthritis, which Ronchetto noted can be maintained with anything from supplements to pain relief medications.

“There’s lots of things that we can do for arthritis now,” she said. “There’s lots of things out there to make them comfortable and help with their mobility.”

While all ages of dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters due to overcrowding, Ronchetto noted that “a lot” of senior pets fall into this category as a result of being consistently overlooked.

Ronchetto believes that the dogs and cats who do get adopted from shelters have even more gratitude and love for their new families.

“I think that they know that they’ve been saved,” she said.

 

Vol. 12, No. 21 – July 17 – July 30, 2019 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi: I’m Tazz a 5 year old German Shorthaired Pointer / Siberian Husky X who has been described as having heart-stopping good looks and a great personality. I’m more of the star athlete than the class clown. I’m a real busy body.

I’m great in the car and love watching the road. I’m house trained, but may need a refresher as I was rescued from Animal Services. Active, that’s me! I’m great on leash and easy to walk. I’d make a great hiking, running or long walk buddy.

I need someone who has time to spend with me to keep me active and engaged. I won’t do well by myself with nothing to do.

Sound like the one for you? Stop by and meet me. Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Cosmo came to the shelter when his prior family had a new baby, who sadly
was allergic to kitties. Cosmo is a very sweet and gentle cat, and
previously lived both with other cats and dogs.
Cosmo is litter box trained, microchipped, neutered, de-wormed, vaccinated,
and confirmed FeLV/FIV negative. Please stop by the Kitty Cottage and meet
Cosmo today! Ventura County Animal Services – Camarillo location –  600 Aviation Drive
Cosmo A674121