Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
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Have A Heart Humane Society is offering free microchips for your family dog(s) from now until July 3. Bring your dog in to Rescued Treasures, 1121 W. Valley Blvd., Tehachapi (next door to Radio Shack) to get a free microchip in case your pet gets frightened during 4th of July fireworks, whether it is a sanctioned pyrotechnics display or a neighbor who sets off firecrackers. One dog in five goes missing or gets frightened during fireworks and gets lost. Make sure your pet gets home to you! We are open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4...
The 4th of July is right around the corner. While it can be a relaxing day of barbecuing, watermelon and fireworks for us, it can be the opposite for your pets. The loud booms and vibrations that accompany annual firework displays can cause fear and anxiety in dogs and cats. Here are some things to think about to ease their stress when fireworks start: 1. Give them a safe spot: If your pet has a comfy and safe place to hide, like a crate or closet, it will help to lower their anxiety. 2. Create...
Life with Pepe during this ongoing pandemic has given both Pepe and I a lot of time with not much to do. I often spend my COVID sheltering-in-place mornings with Pepe the Dog Warmer, and a blanket on my lap, sipping coffee while reviewing the news on the Internet. I scan the highlights, occasionally clicking on something that may be new news. Hope springs eternal for something new during these COVID days. Recently my thoughts were of us older ones as I review the morning news. We are the pre-Bab...
Cat and Kitten season has begun and there is no shortage of beautiful cats and kittens to adopt! The COVID pandemic has had an effect on the cat population in several ways. First of all, the usual number of spay and neuter clinics were cut way back due to prolonged closures, rise in the prices of supplies and, in our case, retirement and change in services. All of this resulted in less spays and neuters - hence, more cat population. People lose their employment, often their homes, and...
Now that "this" is beginning to wind down in our local area I – accompanied, of course, by my constant companion, Pepe – have just barely begun to take a toe step into potentially hot water during the SIP (sheltering in place), isolation routines that have been pretty much well established for us during the year 2020; now leading into mid 2021. Simple things, like meal planning and purchasing food combined with preparation and enjoying the pleasures of eating the meal itself, have been an eve...
Who doesn't like springtime? The weather turns warmer, the evenings start getting longer and flowers start blooming. It all sounds amazing! Unfortunately, with spring comes some unwanted "guests," too. Weeds, weeds and more weeds! As if just normal weeds weren't bad enough, up here in Tehachapi we get foxtails. Lots and lots of foxtails! Weeds can cause dogs to itch and scratch but those darn foxtails can do some serious damage to your pup. Foxtails can get in your pet's ears, nose, eyes and...
Life With Pepe during this ongoing pandemic frequently brings unexpected episodes to my rather boring, self imposed, sheltering-in-place routines. Last fall Dogs For Better Lives (DFBL) – Pepe's alma mater – encouraged me to enter Pepe's shelter rescue and his coming into my life, in the Petco Holiday Wishes Grant program. Thousands of entries are submitted each year and the chances for a winning story are slim as there are only about 50 winning submissions. The entry could not be more than 500...
With the spring season comes nicer weather, blossoming flowers and, of course, kittens. It's kitten season, everyone! This might mean you will be welcoming a new fur baby into your home. Whether you're a first-time kitten owner or an experienced cat enthusiast, you might need a little help getting your new feline settled. Last spring, I found a little white kitten along the side of the road getting picked at by a crow. Being no more than two weeks old and obviously lacking a momma and family, I...
April in our mountain community brings drastic changes in the weather. The previous week has been "Winnie the Poo" blustery almost every day. Cold mornings with a lot of wrap-the-coat-tight winds later in the day. That makes for stay inside days for both Pepe and myself. We go out less than usual for essential needs, Pepe goes out to quickly take care of business, and wants back in. We've got new neighbors – usually I make every effort to get acquainted with a new neighbor; however social s...
Just a few months ago, my family and I made the exciting decision to welcome a new four-legged German Shepherd baby into our lives. It had been several years since a puppy has been in our house. She quickly snapped me back into new puppy mode, I mentally prepared for all the chaos sure to ensue and of course also all the love and puppy snuggles. To those reading, if you are thinking of embarking on the same journey or if you have already welcomed your new pup. I offer you a few tips and a list o...
Chances are you have a "pandemic routine." Pepe and I have grown into a routine. A routine such as is common for an "older couple" that have been together in isolation during this ongoing pandemic - even if it is only a dog/master couple routine. Recently I went to bed earlier then usual with a minor headache. One that an aspirin would not give me relief from. Early to bed is normal for Pepe and I; however not this early. It was still full daylight. Pepe always follows me to bed. His bed is on t...
Now that Spring 2021 is well on its way, there is "Spring in the Air." Other than the excitement of getting both COVID vaccinations, life is continuing pretty much very quiet and ho-hum for Pepe and me. Of course it will be a few weeks before the vaccination is fully effective. Then there's the possibility of my falling into the small percentage that is not protected by vaccination. The high percentage of COVID-19 positives that still show up every day, combined with the variant changes of the o...
Every year at this time as we prepare to open the ranch, I look back at how far we have come. Our first opening was a two day experiment and we were stunned by the turnout. We tried it one more time and again, the people came. That is when friends got together and formed "The Animal Education Center at Windswept Ranch, Inc.", a nonprofit educational foundation, and things got real. Volunteers got busy and built a picnic area. A playground was added and pens began to get facelifts. The ranch...
Black Hawk Stables is a full service barn. We offer training, boarding, layover care and hauling. Black Hawk Stables is a beautiful facility nestled in picturesque Tehachapi. Our barn offers box and in and out stalls, turnout, round pen, arena, tack room, heated indoor wash rack and trail access to over 1,000 acres of beautiful country riding. Owner Mia McKinstry, the owner, has over 25 years of riding experience and over 22 years of competitive show experience. Mia has been trained by top...
I usually fall asleep early – in the chair, of course. When I wake up, I go straight to bed after putting Pepe out for a stretch. I'm fairly certain that this virus we've been dealing with for over a year will not end soon. Vaccinations will help, of course, but vaccinating everyone will take considerable time. So, what to do with my time? I'm thinking that overnight hiking and car camping may give me an outlet. This activity will allow us an opportunity to get away without traveling very f...
Another month has passed. Now well into the second month of the second year of life during this pandemic. Combined with a lung surgery a year ago, there have been many anxious moments for me. My hearing assistant and constant companion, Pepe, has been a blessing for me with his always being around. Our daily lives, even with the first step of the vaccination scheduled for this week, has mostly been staying inside. The cold and wet weather has drastically limited our ability to get out for long w...
Have you ever stopped to think about your pet's dental health? If you have not, you probably should start. Dental health is such an important part of your pet's overall health. The lack of attention on a dog's teeth can lead to many serious issues and the most common being periodontal disease which can cause serious health issues for your furry friend if left untreated. The periodontal disease can turn into gingivitis which can cause bone loss, gum recession and root exposure. Some other side ef...
For the past year I've been good about following the medical experts' recommendations to SIP (shelter in place) with personal and social separation. However, I did take advantage of the isolation recommendations to get out with the slightest excuse for essential needs shopping and "walking the dog." After all, isolation from the virus does not mean staying inside. Living in a somewhat rural, small mountain community has given Pepe and I some freedom to get out of the house. With the COVID-19...
We hope you have ventured into our little resale shop, Rescued Treasures, recently. Our treasurer, Gina, and helpers used some closed days to completely rearrange the layout and make the space seem much roomier and much easier for donors to bring in their donations. You no longer have to traipse clear to the back of the shop to drop off your generous items; you just have to leave them in the area near the cash register. Then your hands are free to just mosey around and shop for yourself, or to...
4 was a difficult year for many. I know I do not need to elaborate, I am sure we have all had struggles. There is one great thing that came out of 2020 though, and that is how many pets were adopted! Pet owning households grew by almost four percent last year. That may not sound like much but that equates to more than 71 million pets having their forever homes by the end of last year. Dogs tend to be the big focus when considering adopting, but cats currently reside in over 30 million homes....
As Pepe and I adjusted early last summer to the challenge of improving our ability to go walkabout for more than just an around the block exercise, I began planning a PCT hike point-to-point on the two nearby PCT Trailheads: Willow Springs Road to Hwy 58 - a distance of about eight-trail miles. With elevation changes and uneven terrain that would require major adjustments to our everyday flatland walkabouts. We would make the hike being prepared for an overnight camp just in case. Then...
If I told you that the Coronavirus pandemic has been a blessing in my life would you believe that? Due to the pandemic Pepe and I can no longer travel ... our Mexican Riviera one-week cruise in March; a three-week Alaska small ship cruise last May; and a flight to Barcelona with a two-week European cruise last September were all canceled. The two-month Mazatlán condo for a this winter's getaway is canceled. We are now, pretty much stuck at home because of the pandemic. Where's the blessing in...
To make a New Year’s Resolution or to not make a New Year’s Resolution? In years past I usually come up with some interesting way to tackle the new year. There are always the standards: exercise more, eat healthier, read a book, and do not forget the travel. But, with 2021 being a bit up in the air on what sort of year it will be, it is definitely more difficult to plan ahead for sure. However, some of these basic “resolutions” can still benefit you and what if you were to include your pup or ki...
I am recently retired from a long working life. Well over 70 years of age, somewhat financially secure with a small retirement income. I debated with myself on how to spend my retirement years. I am in reasonably good health; however a hearing disability allows me to have an ADA Certified Service Dog. Pepe is a small, male Chihuahua mix, 8 years old, that accompanies me everywhere. I've lived in Tehachapi for nearly 30 years, enjoy the "four seasons" and like the lifestyle we locals get used to....
As we move into December most of us have already started preparing for the holidays. In retail, we think about this months in advance. Along with the holiday preparations, I always find myself reverting back to December 2016. Any day I could get the word that it was official, that I would be moving to Tehachapi and starting the crazy new endeavor of owning a business. People ask me all the time what made me take this crazy leap of faith? To which I answer, “I have no idea!” It was def...
