ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Dog owners could find a new place to take their pets if County Commissioners allow dogs to roam Wildcat Cove.

The measure would let dog owners allow their pets to roam without leashes in the area so long as the owner is in control of the dog.

Wildcat Cove is located at 3399 North A1A in North Hutchinson Island just west of Pepper Park. The area has a riverside view.

Commissioners are expected to set a date for a public hearing at Tuesday’s meeting. The meeting is at 6 p.m. at 2300 Virginia Ave. in Fort Pierce, and the public hearing is expected to be in early October. If passed then, the space could be used as of Nov. 1.
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VERO BEACH — New Orleans resident Lionel Sims broke a hole in his roof to be rescued from Hurricane Katrina’s devastating flood waters in August 2005, but he had to leave behind a best friend, his dog Peanut.

Rescuers said they couldn’t take the dog.

Sims didn’t know if Peanut was dead or alive for about two months, until an American Red Cross volunteer tracked it to the Humane Society of Indian River County and Vero Beach.

And the two were reunited.
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FORT PIERCE — It’s common to do it to pets and boats.

But cars?

If your 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda is nothing short of divine, you may want to submit it to the Blessing of the Cars as part of their 10:30 Sunday morning worship service. You could bring your Smart Car, too.

Saints Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church at 1002 Bahama Avenue is inviting residents to the event.

The car blessing will commemorate the Feast of the Prophet Elijah.

“Tradition relates that Elijah was carried up to Heaven in a fiery chariot (2 Kings 1:12),’’ the pastor, Fr. Michael J. Sopoliga, wrote.

Byzantine Catholics are among the 23 “Churches” within the Catholic Church, officials said.

The Byzantine Catholic Church in Fort Pierce celebrates the 4th Century Eucharistic Liturgy of the early Christians. The church’s Slavic kitchen also is known for great pierogies and stuffed cabbage.

So anoint your engine with 10-W-40 if it needs it and visit www.byzcath.org/fortpierce, or call (772) 595-1021, for more information.

By Matt Prichard, TCPalm.com

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A device commonly used by air-conditioning technicians is now being used by animal control officers to help them free dogs trapped in hot cars.

Recently, Indian River County Animal Control purchased a couple of infrared thermometers to determine how hot a car is and whether a locksmith should be called to help take an animal out, said Director Jason Ogilvie. The devices cost about $70 and provide an instant temperature reading, as opposed to their previous thermometers, which could take up to five minutes to give a reading, said Animal Control Supervisor Jeff West.

“We had a mercury-type garden thermometer that we would slide into the cars to get the reading,” West said.

That option was less desirable because sometimes the dogs would attack the thermometer, West said. But officers can point the infrared device at a car from a few feet away to get results. West said he learned about the infrared device from a friend in the air-conditioning business.

“People would see the dog in the car while I was waiting on the thermometer and ask me ‘why aren’t you doing anything?’ We need to have evidence if we’re going to enter someone’s car.”

In one case under review for prosecution for abandonment, the animal died from heatstroke, officials said.

“We’re trying to educate the public,” said Ilke Daniel, spokeswoman for the Humane Society. “Sometimes people are unaware of the impact the heat can have.”

Animal Control received almost 70 calls last year for animals left inside cars, all between March and October.

By Lamaur Stancil, TCPalm.com

VERO BEACH — Caitlin Henderson’s poodle, French bulldog and border collie were playing in her back yard as usual when she came home from work Wednesday.

But their shelled, spiky-legged, wanna-be-pooch pal Reily was nowhere in sight.

Reily, a 30-pound, foot-and-a-half long rare African tortoise who’s been in the Henderson family for six years, was missing.

And since Reily’s not the most deft-of-foot creature — though not nearly as slow as the stereotype indicates — Henderson, 25, fears someone stole her prized pet.

“Reily steals the dogs’ food and hangs out with them like any other dog would,” Henderson said. “He means a lot to us. He’s one of our dogs, basically.”

Henderson last saw her 15-year-old African spur thigh tortoise during a 2 p.m. lunch break from work at a local animal hospital. When she got back from work at 6 p.m., the tortoise was gone, even though everything else about the yard appeared normal and untouched. (more…)

This holiday season, The Palm Beach Post is highlighting shelters with animals in need of adoption. Follow this link to see animals from The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast: Furry friends.

PORT ST. LUCIE — Get pictures of your pet with Santa just before the holidays.

Santa will be available for photos from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 20 at the Port St. Lucie Civic Center, just off U.S. 1 and Walton Road. Photos cost $7 each. Pets must be in carriers or on leashes.

~Photo courtesy of Gary Coronado, Post photographer