Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 2, 2013

A10

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

 Mountain Views News Saturday, November 2, 2013 


PET OF THE WEEK

WHO DO YOU LOVE?

SPARKY: ANIMAL ID #A3627054

Lessons Learned From Unlikely Animal 
Affection

 In a world where human beings often have a hard 
time getting along, mainly due to differences such as 
color, culture, language, political preferences, religion or race, it is encouraging to know that some 
beings are making paramount and unprecedented progress when it comes to bonding with creatures 
very different from themselves. In fact, many non-human animals are now breaking down major 
barriers by forming friendships with members of species historically considered to be their enemy or 
even their prey.

 I recently viewed a PBS Nature documentary entitled Animal Odd Couples, and I liked it so 
much I watched it several times over. It is an awe-inspiring, well-put-together program that tells a 
tale about animals of different species who came together for various reasons and chose to be friends 
rather than enemies, as our understanding of nature might have had it. The unlikely cross-species 
relationships that can develop between animals has always fascinated me, and the particular pairs 
highlighted in this program are mind-boggling. In the past, scientists have refrained from using the 
term “friendship” when referring to social bonds between non-humans, but as this documentary 
points out based on recent findings, the scientific terminology used to refer to animal relationships 
is quickly changing.

 One odd couple featured in the PBS program consists of a stunning cheetah named Kasi and an 
adorable Labrador retriever named Mtani, both of whom were rescued at a very young age and given 
refuge at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fla. Kasi was born a healthy cub in captivity at a nearby zoo. Her 
two siblings died at birth and her mother was unable to care for her, leaving her in need of human 
intervention. Mtani was rescued from a local shelter and brought to the park just in time to avoid 
being euthanized. The staff at Busch Gardens embarked on a pioneer project when they intentionally 
put Kasi and Mtani together as babes, and as it turned out the two bonded immediately. Today they 
are about 4 years old and have grown to be best friends forever.

 According to the trainer who works with Kasi and Mtani on a daily basis, it was a choice they both 
had to make; to accept each other as friends, regardless of their differences. The interesting thing is, 
although they come from an entirely different place in the line of species, those two aren’t really all 
that different. When they play and chase together in the enormous space they live in, it becomes clear 
that the size and shape of their bodies are indeed very much alike, and while dogs bark and cheetahs 
chirp, they both growl in a similar manner, and in this case they seem to have formed a language all 
their own, just between the two of them.

 My favorite story in the program is that of a remarkable union between two unlikely four-legged 
friends; a senior blind horse named Charlie and an elderly goat named Jack. The two met after having 
been rescued and brought to Wild Heart Ranch outside of Claremore, Oklahoma, by its founder, 
Annette King Tucker. Annette shares the story in an interview with the production crew, about how 
Jack the goat took it upon himself to befriend the blind horse, apparently realizing Charlie needed a 
friend to help guide him through the property to find the best grazing spots.

 Anyone with a heart who watches this part of the program is bound to shed a few tears. Watching 
the film footage of that old goat leading the blind horse through the woods to his favorite grassy 
spot, then waiting patiently for him to finish grazing at which time he guides him back to the safety 
of barnyard. What goat makes it his mission to assign himself official field guide to a horse? It is so 
heartwarming to know Jack had that kind of affection for his elderly equine friend. When Charlie 
passed away, Jack was a bit beside himself, but at the same time he seemed to understand it was meant 
to be for his good friend to move on. Not long after Charlie’s passing, Jack followed his footsteps, 
where one might imagine he is probably in a better place, serving another being in a loving way, just 
as he did with Charlie.

 Meanwhile, back at Keepers of the Wild, a rescue ranch in Valentine, Arizona, Anthony the lion 
and Riley the coyote are setting yet another unprecedented example of what can happen when one 
chooses to befriend a creature far removed from itself in terms of species classification. Jonathan 
Kraft, founder of Keepers of the Wild introduced Anthony and Riley when they were a month old and 
he has observed their atypically friendly bonding behavior ever since. Riley and Anthony are adults 
now, still getting along famously and, even after having worked with wild exotic animals all his life, 
Kraft admits he has learned epic lessons watching those two interact. He finds it amazing how much 
nature can teach us through unlikely relationships that can form between animals of separate species. 
It is clear to Kraft that forming friendships and showing affection to others, regardless of species, plays 
a big part in maintaining one’s physical, mental and emotional health. He sees this in full color by 
observing Anthony and Riley rousting about, playing and resting together on the ranch.

 Then there is the Great Dane who formed an unlikely friendship with a deer that was found in the 
woods near its home in B.C., Canada. The owners heard a distressed cry coming from the wooded 
area nearby and at first they thought it might be a human child, as a young doe sounds very much 
like a baby when calling out in distress. They ventured into the forest and discovered a very young 
baby doe in the brush, alone and afraid. In spite of their typical standard of leaving nature to fend for 
itself, they simply could not leave that little deer on its own, knowing it would most likely die without 
intervention.

 They brought the doe home where she met their Great Dane, who immediately allowed her to 
snuggle and even try to suckle her. The Great Dane was consistently accommodating, letting the 
growing doe do whatever it took to help keep her comforted and feeling safe. When the doe grew 
into an adult, she went back to the forest and was accepted by her pack of peers, but to this day she 
continues to return to the farm on a regular basis where her soul mate, the Great Dane lies waiting to 
greet her. We humans would have expected a bloody confrontation between a large dog and a deer, 
but here again we are given the opportunity to learn from nature in a way that we are not accustomed 
to. These two mismatched mammals were apparently more than willing to fore-go their physical 
differences in exchange for a meaningful relationship.

 As Temple Grandin so aptly states in one part of the documentary, “Some people just can’t accept 
the fact that non-human animals have emotions.” She doesn’t buy into that theory, and neither do I! 
Contemporary observational studies of animals crossing the boundaries to form unlikely friendships 
rather blows the conventional scientific theory that animals are incapable of having emotions and 
feelings similar to that of humans. It goes against the grain of how we have historically understood 
nature and animal behavior. To me, it is a refreshing concept and I relish in the idea that animals can 
open the minds of human beings and teach us lessons we are way over due to learn and apply to our 
own lives. My hope is that we will all allow ourselves to learn from the animals, and as always love 
and let live!

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

It takes time for a soul to become this sweet, 
meet Sparky (A3627054)! Sparky is an eleven 
year old black and brown spayed female 
Shetland Sheepdog mix. Her previous owners 
could not appreciate the gentle spirit and love 
Sparky still has to share with the world and 
she was left at the Baldwin Park Animal Care 
Center on October 24th. Weighing thirty-five 
pounds, Sparky walks well on leash and gets 
along well with other dogs. She is alert and full 
of life, and she is a sweet and gentle snuggler. 
Sparky will be a wonderful companion in a 
calm household with an attentive individual or 
family who can provide her with the “golden 
years” she deserves. 

 To watch a video of Sparky please click here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmfhkFLR8KI 

To meet Sparky in person, please see her at the 
Baldwin Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. Elton, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-430-2378 or 
626-962-3577). She is currently available now. For any inquiries about Sparky, please reference her 
animal ID number: A3627054. 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 Sparky or the adoption process, contact United Hope for Animals Volunteer 
Adoption Coordinator Samantha at Samantha@hope4animals.org. 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/.


LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND??

So is this dynamic duo!! Peter and Parker were 
abandoned along with another brother and a sister who 
have been adopted. They are estimated to be a year old; 
Peter weighs 8.5 pounds and Parker 7.4 pounds. Each 
has his own unique characteristics. Peter has short 
legs and big ears like a Dachshund and Parker is tall 
and lean, like a Whippet. Parker has pointed ears that 
flop over and he sports a Mohawk down the back of his 
neck - which he likes to have rubbed ... while his little 
eyes close. They both like people and attention and 
gobble up sausage treats with great gusto! They would 
love to be adopted together and if you are looking for 
canine friends, please consider these two.

 They are neutered, up to date with all routine shots 
and ready to move in. Please stop by the 
shelter and consider making Peter and 
Parker part of your family!

They currently reside at the San Gabriel 
Valley Humane Society located at 851 
E. Grand Avenue in San Gabriel where 
they are roomies. We are located off San 
Gabriel Blvd., north of Mission and south 
of Las Tunas. 

To arrange a ‘Meet and Greet’ with Peter 
and Parker, please stop by any time from 
10:00am to 4:30pm Tuesday thru Sunday. 
Their adoption fee is $120 each which 
includes neuter surgery, a microchip, first 
vaccinations and a free wellness check-
up at a participating veterinarian. Feel 
free to call us at (626) 286-1159 for more 
information on Peter and Parker. 

See our website at www.sgvhumane.org for information and photos of all our available pets. 


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