What the board does

THE state Board of Medical Examiners licenses and handles complaints against the state’s physicians, physician assistants, respiratory care practitioners and perfusionists, clinicians who use heart-lung machines During cardiac surgery.

In medical malpractice complaints, the board can impose punishments ranging From fines to license revocation. of the Poms” auction and entered the raffle chiefly to support the Animal Foundation, from which she’s adopted two Chihuahuas.

“I know everyone has been going nuts for the Pomeranian dogs nationwide — I’ve heard people have come from other states — I just want to make the point that … there are tons of other dogs like chihuahuas that need a good home,” Hottensen said, clutching her new hockey stick. “This is a good event, it brings awareness, but please don’t forget about the other dogs.”

Melissa Chiarello, 28, bought

$500 in raffle tickets and won Flash, a white and tan Pomeranian puppy who looked more like a stuffed teddy bear than a dog. Flash will be a Christmas present for Chiarello’s boss’s 8-year-old daughter, she said.

Chiarello followed the story of the rescued Pomeranian puppies since it broke Nov. 30.

“When I first heard, I was physically sick to my stomach,” she said. “The dogs were very lucky that it wasn’t the middle of July, 180 degrees in that truck. They would have lasted hours, if that.”

Dog lovers interested in adopting the remaining Pomeranians can enter an online promotion for $200 per entry through 11:59 p.m. Jan. 1. Winners of the dogs, which are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, will be notified by Jan. 5.

Contact Kimber Laux at klaux@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @ lauxkimber on Twitter.