Page 8 - Sentinel July 2018

PET TALK Continued from page 6 WALT’S WORDS
Walt Korinke...
rattlesnake), and the Massasauga rattlesnake. The prairie rat-
tler is found in just about every habitat less than 9000 feet, the
western rattler is found mostly at the CO/UT line, and the Mas- No other date on
sasauga in the sandy southwest. the calendar more
potently symbolizes
all that our nation
Bull snakes mimic
rattlers by shak- stands for than the
ing their tails in the Fourth of July.
grass but will not Mac Thornberry
injure you or your
dog. Please do not CASTLE ROCK – Another BIG CHANGE is coming to Cas-
injure these creatures tle Rock’s downtown
just because they are skyline and the grow-
there. ing interest in living in
the downtown core of
Rattlers are native town. Just two blocks
to CO and should be
respected, but not de-
spised. They serve a south of the RiverGate rental
valuable service in multi-family project which is
keeping the rodent near topping out the first phase
population under of construction, a major condo-
control. There are minium project is now on the
several precautions drawing board. The area across
that should be taken the street from Granelli’s and
to keep ourselves The Union, the block currently
and our dogs safe: occupied by Castle Rock Li-
1) Stay on the trail quors, Rocky Mountain Oil, and
and keep your dog Meineke Car Care, along with the rear parcel currently used by
on a short leash. the Town Hall for parking is designated to become a $72 mil-
2) Avoid rocky terrain, dense brush, and areas filled with tall lion, 93-125 unit condominium project, Festival Park Com-
grass. Watch where you put your hands and feet as rattlers like mons. The project will include 22,000 square feet of first floor
to hide. retail and 17,500 square feet of office space. The added parking
3) Wear hiking boots, thick socks, and long pants to protect is a real bonus for this tight location with 125 condo parking
yourself. spaces, 59 commercial spaces, and an impressive 300 public
4) If you meet a snake, don’t harass it. Calmly back away and parking spaces. The developer, Castle Brae Development, is
leave. Rattlesnakes attack when they feel threatened. working with the the Downtown Development Authority to
5) If you or your dog is bitten, limit activity as best as possible. address the ear shattering train whistle blasts that announce a
Walk or carry (be carried) to your car and seek immediate medi- passing train at the back of the parcel with a $900,000 con-
cal help. Antivenin may be recommended. tribution towards instating a “railroad quiet zone,” which will
6) Keep your veterinarian’s phone number and address with benefit the neighborhood as a whole. The two- acre site plan
you. Identify a source for 24-hour care in case your veterinar- has an ‘H’ shape 410,000 sq. ft. building design with an open
ian is not available. garden and open courtyard. One-bedroom units are 900 square
7) Vaccinate your dog for rattlesnake venom. feet, one + one units are 1,100 square feet, two- bedroom units
range in size from 1,200 to 1,600 square feet and there will be a
3,600 square foot club house with a pool in the courtyard.
The rattlesnake vaccine is available at Larkspur Pet Hospital.
Initially, the vaccine needs to be administered, then given again
four weeks later. If the dog is under 25 pounds or over 100 You will no longer
pounds, a third dose should be administered. An annual vac- have to go to Univer-
cine should then be done about 30 days prior to onset of snake sity Avenue in Green-
season, early April in this environment. Larkspur Pet Hospital wood Village to shop
also carries antivenin should your dog need it. at the Sierra Trad-
ing Post which is in
the process of fitting
Please call your local Larkspur Pet Hospital at 303-681-3980
with any questions. out the former, never occupied, Sports Authority space in the

Continued on page 10
Page 8 - July 2018 Perry Park Sentinel