By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice-chair 

The morning was perfect, cool with a slight breeze and Colorado blue skies. The Arkansas, sparkling in the sunshine was bubbling with rafters.

This was the setting for the Ark-Valley Humane Society’s Tails on the Trail 5K walk/run on May 18. The participants were eager to race and included people of all ages and levels of fitness, most with their furry friends.

Some humans were running to win, some wanted their dogs to win, some wanted to achieve a personal best, including a few seniors aided by their loving children. Many were simply out for a morning of healthy fun with family and friends.

The dogs were equally happy. They were all breeds, sizes, ages, and abilities, including one Frenchie, Tank, attached to a wheel chair for his paralyzed back legs. Most pooches cooled off in the inviting water of the Arkansas after crossing the finish line.

After the race, all gathered on the patio of the Salida SteamPlant for food, games, and celebration, everyone coming together, bonded by their love of companion animals and support of the life saving work done by AVHS.

It was a day of joy, a healthy event of good heartedness.

Another equally family/pet friendly event will occur July 31 when the Ark-Valley Humane Society hosts Movie Night at the Comanche Drive-In. This is the fourth year AVHS has partnered with the owners of the Comanche Drive-In to show an animal-themed, kid-friendly movie, soon to be announced. 

Come and bring your family, friends, and dogs (secured in your car or on leash) and enjoy a night of entertainment under the stars surrounded by the silhouettes of our stunning Colorado mountains. 

It is AVHS summer fun at its best and also heart warming as profits of this annual fundraiser benefit the precious companion animals at the AVHS shelter and all shelter services.