Animal 411

Golden Retriever Rescues Smaller Dog from Coyote

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A golden retriever rescued a smaller dog on South Bald Hill Road as the latter was being carried off by a hungry coyote, New Canaan police said. Shortly after 9 p.m. on May 6 (a Tuesday), a coyote skulked into the yard where the golden retriever and its step-sibling—a smaller, Lhasa Apso-type dog—were idling within the boundaries of their invisible fence, according to the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control Unit. A coyote went for the smaller dog and had the animal in its jaws when the golden retriever counter-attacked, rescuing its sibling from certain death, Animal Control Officer Maryann Kleinschmitt said. “If the [golden retriever] hadn’t been there then the small dog would not be alive,” Kleinschmitt said. “There were puncture wounds on the small dog.”

The dogs’ owner was at home at the time and came upon the scene outside after he’d heard his smaller dog screeching, and then saw the golden chasing off the coyote, Kleinschmitt said.

Animal 411

Once Abandoned, New Canaan Puppy Señor Finds Loving Local Home

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The puppy that captured New Canaanites’ hearts after he was found abandoned and malnourished downtown two months ago has found a warm, loving local home. The 6-month-old Chihuahua—named ‘Señor’ by the staff at New Canaan Veterinary Hospital—has been adopted by a trusted family that’s local to the area and, importantly, he comes into the Vitti Street facility for daycare to be with his many loving caregivers there, according to Tina Socci, practice manager at New Canaan Veterinary Hospital. “That is the best part, because the family knows we love him so much,” Socci said as Technician Michelle Galanek held the puppy nearby. “What happened was, obviously he’s special and we had someone come forward who is very close with us in the practice,” Socci said of Señor’s adoption. “We know the family, we know the pets, we know the care that they would provide.

Animal 411

Two People, Black Lab Trapped in Waveny Dog Park; Humans Fined

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New Canaan police ticketed two people who couldn’t get back out of the dog park at Waveny after someone had let them in. Since last summer, Spencer’s Run users have been required to punch in a key code in order to enter the popular dog run—a measure that requires registration and was designed to cut down on irresponsible pet owners. At about 3:58 p.m. on May 10 (a Saturday), police found a man and woman in Spencer’s Run who’d been let into the dog park with their black Labrador retriever by a key code-possessing user. A key code is required to get out of the park, too, so these two couldn’t escape, according to Animal Control Officer Maryann Kleinschmitt. ***

Animal Control at 1:34 p.m. on the same day responded to a report of an injured baby goose on a Fawn Lane property.

New Canine-ites

Phoebe the German Shepherd: ‘There’s a String from My Heart to Her Heart’

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We met Phoebe Feiner and her mom, Karen, while talking last Friday to the owners of newly opened Sorelle Gallery on Main Street. They came in together—and we soon found out that Karen, who works in the area, brings Phoebe with her to work and is by the dog’s side at pretty much all times (except when the sitter comes to take Phoebe home for dinner, served at 5 p.m. sharp.)

The New Canaan resident was kind enough to talk to us about Phoebe, who is a 13.5-year-old German shepherd, for this our “New Canine-ites” series where we profile local dogs. Karen is able to articulate what many New Canaan dog owners feel about their pets, so we’re transcribing our exchange here in full. New Canaanite: So Phoebe is 13 years old, you said. Karen Feiner: She’s my fifth German shepherd—and I’ve had more than one at a time, so I don’t want you guys to think I’m 50,000 years old here.

Animal 411

New Canaan Police: Dog Left in Car for 40 Minutes as Temps Eclipsed 80

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New Canaan police on Monday responded to a tip that a dog had been left inside a car in front of New Canaan Library as temperatures outside soared into the 80s. According to Animal Control Officer Maryann Kleinschmitt, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was left in a car for 40 minutes during the late morning. The windows were only opened a crack, she said. The dog did not exhibit signs of heat exhaustion—such as becoming non-responsive to rapping in the window—though temps inside the car passed 90 degrees, Kleinschmitt said. “I threw a thermometer into the car to show the owner when she came back that even though it was 81 outside, it was 92 inside,” Kleinscmitt said.