Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 8, 2012

10

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

 Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 8, 2012 


THE CULTURALLY CORRECT 
CORDIAL CANINE

 I have always been amazed at the many ways that a dog can change a 
human being’s life for the better. There are various and sundry reasons 
why the family dog has earned the age-old title of “man’s best friend”, 
and rightfully so. Among the many character virtues that the canine 
shares with his two-legged human companions, most amazing to me is 
that fact that the dog is capable and more than willing to bridge the gap between humans of differing ages, cultures, 
lifestyles and languages. The idea that a dog is actually capable of bringing people together, who would otherwise 
most likely not even bother to share the time of day with one another, really hit close to home for me one day while 
I was out walking the local hills with a couple of my canine companions.

 I am a person who appreciates diversity in my life. I have an eclectic collection of friends, including people 
of various colors, shapes, sizes, ages and walks of life, but I must admit that I am only human, therefore I do still 
notice the differences between myself and others. No matter how hard I try to ignore or even erase thoughts and 
preconceptions that may come to mind when I cross paths with people who look or act different from myself, there 
are times when I make certain presumptions based on appearance or behavior and I try very hard to suppress it, but 
the thoughts still come none-the-less. I realize that my mind works this way because, in spite of having parents who 
taught me to be color blind when it comes to being kind to others, I was raised in a deep southern-steeped culture 
that inherently encourages identification of others according to the color of their skin, racial origin, behavioral 
patterns, or even financial status, and I think that is very unfortunate. If I could change that about my past, I most 
definitely would. But, it is what it is and all one can do is live one‘s own life the way they know they should. I said all 
that to say this…Thank God for dogs!

 During a nice long walk with “Bo” and “Loucie“, two of my favorite four-legged furry friends, we were trekking 
up Grand View towards the Arcadia highlands, when we happened to cross paths with an older couple walking two 
darling little silky terriers . Because Bo and Loucie are always very cordial in dealing with other dogs that we meet 
along the way, I was not concerned about a potential canine confrontation, so we stayed steady on our trail rather 
than crossing to the other side of the street. 

 As we drew closer to the couple who were walking towards us on the same side of the road, I looked up at them, gave 
them a great big, “hey there, so happy to meet ya” kind of smile, and said “good morning!”. Initially, they both looked 
away in what almost appeared to be embarrassment. My thought is that they were not completely comfortable with 
my greeting, simply because they are not completely comfortable with their skills in speaking the English language. 
Apparently, however the two dogs I was walking spoke the same language as the two that they were walking, so all 
four of the 4-leggers greeted each other with nothing but confidence and appreciation and within a moment’s time, 
we humans followed suit and stood and watched the dogs interact and socialize with intent vigor.

 By the time we parted ways, having observed such kind and reciprocal social behavior between our pets, I felt I 
had made a couple of new friends that I hope to bump into again in the near future, and I would like to think that 
they felt the same way. See what I mean? How cool is it that our pets can play such a major part in bridging a gap 
between ourselves and others we may otherwise not relate 
to? That is what prompted me to share this short and simple 
(yet, hopefully effective) story about the value of a dog’s 
social virtues. Perhaps we humans should be more willing 
to learn and benefit from the canine’s example of behaving 
in a ‘culturally correct’ manner.

 Meanwhile, our beloved pets are always there for us, 
whether it be within our own four walls, or when we are 
out and about in town. Let’s be thankful that God made 
creatures such as the canine to help us humans work 
through the quirky imbalances of our social skills, and take 
a lesson from their willingness to get along regardless of 
color, size or shape. Who knew the dog could be such a 
valuable teacher? Probably them! Ha!

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc


PET OF THE WEEK: NATHAN #A4478962


Meet a debonair fellow that will charm his way into your heart, Nathan 
(A4478962). Nathan is a well-balanced seven year old brown male Shetland 
Sheepdog mix who was found in El Monte on August 22nd and brought to the 
Baldwin Park Animal Care Center. Weighing twenty-three pounds, Nathan 
walks well on the leash and stands patiently for grooming. He is great with 
other dogs and shelter volunteers can picture him being good with children. 
Nathan is calm, medium-sized and has a medium energy. He will be the perfect 
indoor pet for absolutely anyone in any living situation. To watch a video of 
Nathan please visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=znlGZt68XTU 

To meet Nathan in person, please see him at the Baldwin Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. Elton, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 
(Phone: 626-430-2378 or 626-962-3577). He is currently available now. For any inquiries about Nathan, please reference 
his animal ID number: A4478962. The shelter is open seven days a week, 12 pm-7 pm Monday-Thursday and 10am-5pm 
Friday-Sunday. This is a high-intake shelter with a great need for adoptions. For more information about Nathan or the 
adoption process, contact United Hope for Animals Volunteer Adoption Coordinator Samantha at samanthasayon@
gmail.com or 661-309-2674. To learn more about United Hope for Animals’ partnership with the Baldwin Park Shelter through its 
Shelter Support Program, as well as the many dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes available for adoption in local shelters, visit http://www.
unitedhope4animals.org/about-us/shelter-support-program/.

SPORTS

LA SALLE TOPPLES GLENDALE 45-16 Photos by John Blackstock

 
School’s back in session and the Football season has begun. The La Salle Lancer’s 
started their season out with a super sized victory over the Glendale High School Nitro’s 
- 45 to 16. 
According to the LA Times reporter Charles Rich, much of the victory is to be attributed 
to the team’s “all-purpose standout Israel Lacy, who enjoyed arguably the biggest 
game of his career”, scoring two kickoff returns and rushing for a touch down last 
Friday.

 “I have to give the guys in front of me all the credit because they opened up quite a 
few huge holes,” said Lacy, who helped the Lancers improve to 2-0. “I saw those holes 
and busted right through.

 “I liked the way we were able to come out strong and we were fighting from the beginning. 
We went out there and made things work.”


Top left: #3, Amir Evans, Senior running back; Bottom left, #6 Marcus Tappan, 
Senior fullback; Above, #11 Israel Lacy, Junior running back returns kickoff for a 
touchdown

Coming Up:

 
9/14/2012 7:00PM 4:30PM Away Maranatha High School 
9/21/2012 7:00PM 3:30PM Away Westchester High School 
10/5/2012 7:00PM NA Home Verbum Dei High School Kohorst Field 
10/12/2012 7:00PM 3:00PM Away Mary Star of the Sea High School 

10/19/2012 7:00PM 2:30PM Away Bishop Montgomery High School 

10/26/2012 7:00PM NA Home Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary High School 

11/2/2012 7:00PM NA Home Bosco Tech High School Kohorst Field