Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide
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Amazing isn't it, how things go in full circles and somehow everything seems to connect. Two days ago, I got a call from a big zoo about five fallow deer that had been confiscated by the Department of Fish and Wildlife from someone who had obtained and held them illegally. The zoo was being asked to take them, but really do not want them. Would I take them? How odd that a similar call 20 years ago set me on the course I now follow. That call came from the University of California. They had...
When he's not winning races, he's playing with his favorite toys -- squeaky ones. And playing, by his request, means ripping the squeakers out of them. Rango, named after Johnny Depp's chameleon character in the movie with the same name, is a four-time champion of the Wiener Run during Tehachapi's All-American 4th of July Hot Dog Festival. This year, with changes to the fourth celebrations, the wiener dog race didn't happen. But Rango's mom and dad found him a new venue. On July 5, he won first...
People say my articles often leave them in tears, so I decided to change it up a bit and tell you the story of my recent trip to San Francisco with our new pig, Double Stuff. Every year I make a trip to San Francisco to do a petting zoo in the city. It really is fun as most of these folks never get an opportunity to see farm animals and the ones that have always have fun stories to tell me. This year, I took Double Stuff, a tiny handful of a pig that is a Kunekune/Duroc cross. That basically...
Jumping, Driving, Trail, Pack Scramble, Big T, and Log Skidding are just some of the events that one can enter, or watch, at the upcoming Bear Valley Springs Mule and Horse Show on Aug. 3, 4 and 5. There are plenty of horse classes, youth classes and fun donkey and mule classes. It's sure to entertain. Ever see a donkey jump? They do it a bit differently, but they do it. And mules can be as elegant as horses, or can decide to have a "mule moment" and do whatever they please. Driving is new to...
I don't often talk about the dogs here, but they are an integral part of the ranch. If you have been here, you have probably met most of them. At the very least, you have spent time with Doug, Dolly and Lady. Each dog here comes from the pound or a situation of need and I highly recommend that if you are looking for a dog, you start at your local animal shelter. These dogs know they were rescued and they are grateful. I will never understand how anyone can take a 12-year-old dog to the shelter a...
The other day, I was remembering a show called, "When Animals Attack." If you don't remember the show, it was about animal encounters that ended badly, as in animals attacked for no apparent reason and folks got hurt. What reminded me of this show was our newest camel, Matty, because that is how she was. Well, not actually, but it was the first time in my memory that an animal has taken an immediate dislike to me, so that's how it felt. I've never had such a reaction from any animal. When...
It's officially Summer at Exotic Feline Breeding Compound's Feline Conservation Center in Rosamond, and time for a special evening at our Twilight Tour on Saturday, June 30. Limited to adults over 18 years old, guests can visit the center during evening hours to find out what our wild cats do at night. Learn which cat practically lives in the water and which can walk upside down in jungle trees? For tickets, information or to learn more on how you can help, visit www.wildcatzoo.org or contact...
3B Events & Equestrian Facility is located on 60 acres in the beautiful Cummings Valley in Tehachapi. Our facility offers standard horse boarding, overnight stalls, training, and a variety of competitive events. With various stall options such as 10 barn stalls with runs, pasture paddocks and pasture turn outs, other amenities include a large arena, 90' round pen, hot walker, wash rack and trailer parking. We have the ability to accommodate local and long distance horse owners. Please inquire ab...
Hello Miracle Mutt fans. Most great pairings, like peanut butter and jelly, and macaroni and cheese, have been around for years. In the five years since its inception, Marley's Mutts' "Miracle Mutts" therapy dog program has developed some great partnerships of its own. A few of them include: Barks and Books at several Kern County Library locations, including our own Tehachapi branch, where children/youth can read to the Miracle Mutts in a stress and judgement free environment; the Mission at...
We would like to introduce Sharon and her service dog Chief. Sharon is a member of Silver Paw Ranch and she is a veteran who served in the US Navy for 4 years. She was injured during training. She needs a harness for Chief so she can put her weight on him for support without hurting him. Many of you may recall we helped Mikayla get a harness for her dog Teddy last year. They cost about $750 and we would love to thank Sharon for her service by raising funds to go towards the new harness. We will...
I walk the ranch every morning and every night just to check and make sure all is well with the critters. It is a peaceful time and I enjoy the quiet to just visit with my friends, the animals. This morning baby rabbits were scampering everywhere and it reminded me that it is that time of the year: The time when little ones are everywhere and I start getting phone calls, and this year is shaping up to be busier than usual based on the abundance of forage as a result of the rains. At Windswept...
Saturday evening, April 28, Exotic Feline Breeding Compound's Feline Conservation Center will host the first Twilight Tour of the year, inviting guests to visit during evening hours and find out what wild cats actually do at night. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $20 per person (ADULTS ONLY, no exceptions). Advance tickets are available, in limited supply, by contacting EFBC directly (661) 256-3793 or through the wildcatzoo.org website for purchase. The benefit to those who take advantage...
In response to over 150 dogs being seized from a home in Tehachapi, Marley's Mutts will spend the next several days rescuing as many dogs from our local shelters as possible. This is a double tragedy because we now have 150 more dogs at the shelter in addition to the 150 who are already there and are being pushed out. Our Motor City Mutt Mover van can hold up to 27 dogs comfortably and will be transporting the dogs to no kill agencies in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties. The van will be...
Things are always changing here at Windswept. There are happy moments, then sad, then happy. This time of the year, we are always happy to welcome new babies. We have lambs on the ground and they will steal your heart. But happy is on overload this year. There are new faces here that were not a part of a plan, but instead came as big surprises. Last July, I went on a road trip with my Grands to Texas. I rented a car instead of driving my van to help me behave because Texas is a dangerous place...
So what's it like to volunteer at Windswept Ranch? If you volunteer, be prepared to experience something very special. There are many unique volunteering opportunities at the Ranch: You may choose to lead visitor tours at the Animal Education Center's open house on Saturdays from April through October. You would have the special opportunity to share information and stories about many of the animals calling Windswept their home, including yak, bison, zebu, zebra, camels, emus, donkeys, and...
Pamela Wildermuth is an artist in Bear Valley Springs who has the great luck to live in a beautiful area and to create beautiful art. Her specialty is "equine art" and she has painted or drawn commissioned pieces since the mid-1960s. She has won numerous awards for her art, including a Best Drawing at the 21st International Miniature Show (2012), a 1st Place Gold Medal for Drawing at the San Dimas Festival of Arts (2016), and an Award of Special Merit at the San Dimas Festival of Arts (2017)....
"We Serve" is the motto of all Lions Clubs. Not only does the Tehachapi Lions Club serve our community by doing service projects and giving back, but it also has a main mission of vision and hearing health. The Lions have been long supporters of Canine Companions for Independence and were very excited to have Melissa Billingsley as a guest speaker at their Jan. 18 meeting. Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by...
We seem to see service animals everywhere we go these days but how many of these animals actually went through the arduous process that being a true service dog requires? According to cci.org, the Canine Companions For Independence website, each of their service dogs spends the first two years of their life in training before being assigned to the person they will assist. This training costs them nearly $50,000 per dog. This is what Melissa Billingsley's service dog Hiltie had to go through...
Gina Christopher has fostered and found homes for nearly 700 cats during her 10 year career in animal rescue. "I'm the original crazy cat lady," she said. Have a Heart Humane Society works every day of the year fighting for the welfare of local animals, and spreading awareness about the overpopulation of pets in Kern County. Their mission: "We just want to save as many homeless pets as possible. Reduce the number of pets, specifically here in Tehachapi, that would end up in the high kill...
Officers from the Tehachapi Police Department used a new piece of equipment on Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 27) to reunite a lost dog turned into TPD. Makaya was identified and returned to her family within 15 minutes using the microchip scanner donated on August 24 by Have a Heart Humane Society to TPD. "Having the new scanner and being able to identify Makaya and returning her so quickly shows the importance of having strong partnerships in the community," said Kent Kroeger, Chief of Police....
What do reindeer and elk have in common? Antlers. Impressively big antlers in some cases. Now, why in an article about elk, would I mention reindeer? The answer to that question is that it is to introduce the idea of how dangerous these animals can be. Reindeer are, generally, much smaller than elk and many are semi-domesticated. They are a huge part of the way of life of certain circumpolar peoples. Although semi-domesticated, and they are even milked in some cases, this does not mean that...
Saturday evening, September 16, Exotic Feline Breeding Compound's Feline Conservation Center will host this third and final Twilight Tour of the year, inviting guests to visit during evening hours and find out what wild cats actually do at night. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. – Admission is $20 per person (18 years+ ADULTS ONLY – no exceptions). Advance Tickets are available, in limited supply, by contacting EFBC directly for purchase; the benefit being that those who take advantage of early tic...
Have you ever thought your dog might make a great therapy dog? If so, we'd love to meet you and your mutt, and potentially invite you to join the Miracle Mutts Tehachapi Crew! As dedicated advocates, pet parents, volunteers and educators, we provide a joyful and important service to our community. We make a positive impact on all whose lives we touch! Whether your interests lie in working with kids, the elderly, people with disabilities, people with addiction issues, or all of the above and...
Two beautiful domestic Pekin Ducks were abandoned at Cub Lake earlier this month. Your first thought might be what a beautiful duck home! Unfortunately, domesticated ducks cannot fly and have little ability to get away from predators. Also, domestic birds can carry diseases that the wild ducks may be vulnerable to, or vice-versa. These birds were rescued by Pacific Waterfowl Rescue (PWR) staff and transported to the rescue in Tehachapi Valley for rehabilitation and hopefully re-homing. If you...
Bear Valley Springs Horseman's Association held their Annual Mule and Horse show August 4, 5, and 6. This is the second largest show in California with contestants coming from Northern and Southern California and even Flagstaff, Az. One of the reasons the show is so popular is the lovely setting of BVS equestrian center and the beautiful campgrounds they camp in with their horses and mules. The show managers this year were Debbie Humphreys and Judy Walsh with Sue Wonacott the show secretary....
