Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 15, 2014

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDSMountain Views-News Saturday, March 15, 2014 10 JUST FOR BEST FRIENDSMountain Views-News Saturday, March 15, 2014 10 
Happy Tails 
WHY DOES FIDO 
WIPE HIS FEET? 


by Chris Leclerc 

 Dogs do some pretty funny things sometimes, and I 

love that they keep me entertained while I walk them, to 

help keep them in shape. Much like we humans, dogs are 
individuals. They each have their own personality, unique quirky behavioral patterns and some pretty 
hilarious hang-ups. Also, much like we humans, not everything a dog does has to have some sort 
of significant meaning or purpose. Maybe they behave certain ways just because they feel like it, or 
perhaps because they simply enjoy making us laugh.

 For example, Charlee, one of my cute canine clients, just loves to jump up on top of the stone walls 
around town during our walks. She walks nimbly along looking down at me from above, while I get 
my giggles watching her from below on the sidewalk. I sometimes wonder if she does that because she 
likes the feeling of being taller than me. Or, maybe she enjoys having the vantage point where she can 
get a closer look at the squirrels taunting her from the branches of the trees.

 Then there is Yote, another one of my dog buds who really likes to lean in on my leg with his behind 
while I am petting him. I can always tell when he’s ready for a massage, because he starts by standing 
in front of me, looking in the same direction as I am, and waits until I sit down, then backs up and 
pushes himself into my bent knees while looking over his shoulder as if to say, “OK, go ahead, I‘m 
ready for another love session!”. It cracks me up so much, because I am thinking, “Why not just put 
your face towards me while I pet you?”, right? Now, after having spent hours of time with Yote, it has 
become apparent that this is just his way of showing affection and trust. Anyway, I get a real kick out 
of observing the oddities and idiosyncrasies displayed by my canine companions, and I consider it 
comic therapy that helps get me through the day. 

One particular behavioral trait that just about all canines tend to demonstrate is that of wiping their 
feet on the ground after relieving themselves. Now and again I even catch clumps of grass being kicked 
up into my face while bending down to pick up the droppings. (It doesn’t take much imagination to 
get a good grip on that visual). I used to assume that when a dog scooted his paws after doing his 
business he was trying to cover things up, but I found out recently that is not necessarily so.

 Apparently the general consensus among most modern-day animal biologists and behavioral 
scientists who have studied this trait in dogs, is that they scrape the grass after doing their business 
because they have scent glands in the pads of their feet and they want to add a secondary signature to 
the spot they just marked. I am sure the researchers are right, but as a layperson who loves the mutts 
so much, and likes to think she knows the mind of a dog, I still can’t help assuming they’re just trying 
to cover up the mess and give me a good gut laugh at the same time!

 There are so many curious canine quirks manifested by the average domestic dog during their daily 
lives, some of which are sure to put a lucky on-looking by-stander in stitches. I think the funniest 
favorite of all animal antics I have had the opportunity to observe is when a dog acts out in its sleep 
with rapid eye movements, air-galloping legs and muted bays and barks, all clearly because they 
are dreaming. No stand up comedy act out there could possibly compare to the show an animated 
dreaming dog can put on!

 All in all, whether the comical things canines do to make us laugh are meaningful in the big scheme 
of things, I think we can all agree that they matter to us, with or without the consensus of research 
scientists. It has been said many times that laughter is the best medicine, and I fully agree. Therefore, I 
want to thank all of the darling dogs I have the privilege of spending time with, for making me happy 
with their adorable antics. Keep up the good work my dear four-legged friends, and let the show go 
on! Love, laugh and let live! 


LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND,,, 
YOUR AD COULD BE HERE!
Call Patricia at 626-818-2698 Today!
PET OF THE WEEK 
SHERMAN: 
ANIMAL ID #A4683034 
And much, much more? Diva is too! 
Diva is a very sweet, white and cream colored 10 ½ lb 
Chihuahua girl with a cute little face, big round, brown 
button eyes and a bubbly personality! She is very friendly, 
loves people and is very loyal to the person who cares for 
her. 
Diva loves to sit on your lap and snuggle, but also enjoys 
going out for walks. She is a very good little walker and 
sometimes will do a cute twirling dance when she is happy 
and excited. She also loves to roll around in the grass 
with a great big smile on her face whenever she has the 
opportunity. But being the loyal friend she is, Diva will 
always stay close to you, keeping you in sight every step of 
the way with a loving sparkle in her eyes and a sweet smile 
that will warm your heart. 
Diva gets along with every dog she is kenneled with. And 
based on all our experiences with her during our pack walks 
and visits at the park, she also gets along really well with other small dogs she meets and hangs out 
with …. but you will always be the center of her attention. 
Diva would bring a lot of joy into anyone’s life. She is six years old with a bubbly spirit, happy energy 
and great love for people; she would fit in most family settings. She would also be a very good 
friend to a single or senior person or couple and is eligible for our reduced-rate “Seniors For Seniors” 
Adoption Program. She would just like a home, a warm bed to sleep in, and a family to call her own. 
She currently resides at the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society located at 851 E. Grand Avenue in 
San Gabriel. We are located off San Gabriel Blvd., north of Mission and south of Las Tunas. 
To arrange a ‘Meet and Greet’ with Diva (aka….. 8616), please stop by any time from 10:00am 
to 4:30pm Tuesday thru Sunday. Her adoption fee is $120 which includes her spay 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 Diva. 
See our website at www.sgvhumane.org for information and photos of all our available pets. 
Meet Sherman, a dashing pup whose charm and 
good looks are sure to steal anyone’s attention! 
Sherman (A4683034) is a six-month-old white 
male Maltipoo (Maltese/Poodle mix) puppy who 
came to the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center 
as a stray on March 7th. Weighing almost 10 
½ pounds, Sherman is like an adorable stuffed 
animal who has come to life just to shower you 
with sweet puppy kisses! A little overwhelmed 
by shelter life at the moment, he warms up 
quickly when shown love and attention and 
becomes the alert, curious, and playful puppy 
we just know he will be once he is in his forever home. He also gets along with other dogs, 
walks well on the leash, and shows signs of being housebroken. What a guy! Sherman will make 
a marvelous indoor pet and cuddle-mate for absolutely anyone in any living situation. To see a 
video of Sherman, Please visit this link: http://youtu.be/mSnA33DhGzQ 
To meet Sherman 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 Sherman, please reference his animal ID number: A4683034. 
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 Sherman 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/.