Almost exactly 7 months ago 2 big dogs running loose in our rural mountain neighborhood attacked me and Mr. Stix. It happened the day before Thanksgiving 2021. The ongoing physical, emotional, and legal fallout from the trauma of the attempted murder of my youngest dog consumes a lot of time and energy and tanked my income. I still suffer from PTSD from the attack. I still experience physical pain from my injuries. Specific therapy for the PTSD resulted in a "cardiac event" in late March. I need to decide if I will resume that work or not -- now that doctors have assessed the data from a heart monitor I wore for a while and now that I've been on a medication for 2 months to help with the anxiety and depression. Maybe I'm not ready to write about what happened, but since I wrote statements for animal control, prosecutors, and the judge, I can at least share some of that. Fair warning. It's pretty brutal.

Celebration time !! Dog thief arrested !! After more than a month since the kidnapping of 3 search and rescue dogs from Carlsbad, New Mexico, I'm thrilled to report the dog thief got arrested on June 13, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. All 3 dogs, and the litter of 8 puppies born to one of them after the crime, were all found safe and have been reunited with their owner. Two short video clips of the family being reunited and a link to a TV news report below.

A study published in Scientific Reports in April 22 measured hair cortisol concentrations in shelter dogs before & after adoption, essentially to see if this new testing method works to evaluate long-term shelter dog stress. The data comes with a bunch of caveats, but it's still interesting and informative adopters and those working or volunteering in the animal rescue and animal shelter environment. When does shelter dog stress go up and down? What does it mean for you?

!! Please BE On the LOOK OUT for these kidnapped dogs!! Three weeks ago, on May 12, 2022, a nightmare scenario unfolded for Dr. Kim Lark, who is a friend of a friend. Despite her vigilant efforts to keep them safe, all 3 of her dogs -- all highly trained in search and rescue, one of them VERY pregnant -- got kidnapped in Carlsbad, New Mexico, by her ex. Law enforcement considers the suspect armed and dangerous. Look for the full backstory, media coverage of the crime (including by an investigative producer with NBC News / Dateline), and latest updates at SaveKimsDogs.com. Dr. Lark is offering a $50,000 reward for the safe return of the 3 dogs and the litter of puppies. Please be on the lookout for these dogs and the suspect. They could be anywhere by now. #savekimsdogs