Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 29, 2014

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDSMountain Views-News Saturday, March 29, 2014 8 JUST FOR BEST FRIENDSMountain Views-News Saturday, March 29, 2014 8 
Happy Tails 
SPRINGTIME 
PREPARATIONS FOR 
YOUR PET

by Chris Leclerc 

 I was working on a really interesting and informative 

article for this week’s column, but unfortunately my 
source became unavoidably detained with several unexpected activities this past week, leaving our 
phone interview deferred until next week. (Not necessarily unexpected, for a person who works for a 
non-profit animal rescue organization where anything can happen at any time!)

 And, so it is that I decided to share with you, this very practical and helpful check list that I found 
in BARK magazine, to help prepare your pets, house and yard for the Spring season. Many thanks and 
full given to the awesome editorial crew at BARK Magazine, Issue No. 77, Spring 2014, article entitled 
DOGPATCH - Life With Dogs, for these helpful hints. I hope you find this information as valuable 
to you as it was to me. Until next week, my dear readers, don’t forget to love and let live! 

Spring is a good time to take stock, sort out and get ready for the months ahead! 
So, here is your springtime checklist: 

Personal Care 
. Grooming is a year-round activity, but to avoid the “dreads”, now’s the time to step it up. Many 
dogs are losing their winter coats, so be extra diligent about combing/brushing. A pro shares her tips 
at: thebark.com/groom.
. Give your dog the sniff test. If breath or ears are a little, well, stinky, start with a good toothbrushing 
or a gently ear-cleaning at home, or have them checked out by your vet. And, if your dog 
is one of those plagued by their anal glands, ask your vet, groomer or other pet care professional to 
check those out as well. 
. Pollens and dust can affect your dog, especially in springtime. Consult with your vet to help 
manage allergies. 

Yard Work 
. Temps allowing, sow parsley, thyme and rosemary outdoors or plant a windowsill garden; herbs 
can brighten up our dog’s diet.
. Be careful when choosing new plants for the yard; some are toxic, as are some bulbs, including 
tulips, lilies and daffodils. Check the ASPCA’s online list for safety. 
. Remember that dogs find fresh green grass almost irresistible, both to roll in and eat, so ixnay on 
the chemical fertilizers (even organic fertilizers can cause GI upset and inflammation). Slug and snail 
bait are also hazardous to your dog’s health. 

House Work 
. When you do spring housecleaning, use nontoxic products; vinegar and baking soda are your 
(and your dog’s) friends! See thebark.com/green for details. 
. Planning some remodeling now that the weather’s better? Look for “green” materials. More info 
here: thebark.com/living-green 

Out and About 
. Shape up - gradually. Now that you and your pal can take longer walks, you may be tempted to 
overdo. Go easy to avoid injury.
. Polish up training. Refreshing mannerly leash walking and reinforcing spot-on recalls will make 
springtime outings more enjoyable.
. Are your dog’s ID tags up to date? If not, make sure they are, and replace tags that are scratched 
or hard to read. It’s also a good time to get your dog micro chipped and be sure that contact info is 
current too. microchipregistry.foundanimals.org.
. Avoid fungi. Spring showers often bring out mushrooms and other fungi; steer your dog clear, as 
nibbling on these can be fatal (and depending on where you live, don’t forget to check your yard).
. Watch out for wildlife. Animals are on the move, looking for food, mates or good places to have 
their young. mspca.org/programs/wildlife-resources.

 Find lots of tips, tricks and advice from the pros at thebark.com. Use the search function to find 
more about any of these topics. 


LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND,,, 

Opie is too! He is a very sweet eight pound white and 
tan colored Chihuahua boy who was found roaming the 
streets all by himself wearing a sweater. He was lost and 
hungry - wondering what happened to the family who 
once cared for him. Other than the cataract in his right 
eye, he is healthy, older and mannerly….a real gentleman 
with a lot of pep, a tail that rarely stops wagging, and a 
cute little smile you will fall in love with.

 Opie is a very friendly dog and is happiest when he 
is among people and other dogs. He loves going for 
walks with a happy little bounce to his gait and seems to 
appreciate the fresh air and everything he sees around 
him. He is a very social little boy and he eagerly, but 
very politely, greets all of those he meets along the way. 
Because of his good manners, calm temperament and 
happy disposition, he is not a barker, nor a complainer, 
and avoids confrontations with other dogs. Whenever 
introduced or approached by a dog that is over excited, 
dominant or pushy, he will keep his distance or just walk 
away.

 This little tail wagging gentleman has a cuteness 
about him that comes from his wise inner spirit. He is 
a real gem, a ‘diamond in the rough’ and, if given the 
opportunity, he will bring joy and unconditional love into your life. 

 See Opie on TV this week on Fox Good Day LA, March 25th, where he will be their featured pet.

He currently resides at the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society located at 851 E. Grand Avenue in 
San Gabriel with his roommate. We are located off San Gabriel Blvd., north of Mission and south 
of Las Tunas. 
To arrange a ‘Meet and Greet’ with Opie (aka….8554), please stop by any time from 10:00am to 
4:30pm Tuesday thru Sunday. 

 His adoption fee is $120 which includes a microchip, first vaccinations and a free wellness checkup 
at a participating veterinarian. Opie is eligible for our reduced fee ‘Senior For Seniors’ adoption 
program. Feel free to call us at (626) 286-1159 for more information on Opie. 

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


PET OF THE WEEK 

ANGELICA: ANIMAL ID #A4687719 

An endless supply of puppy affection can 
be yours if you adopt Angelica (A4687719)!
Angelica is a huggable one-year-old white 
female Maltese/Terrier mix puppy who 
was found in Baldwin Park with McCloud 
[A4687718] and Conner [A4687720] and 
brought to the Baldwin Park Animal Care 
Center on March 20th. Weighing 12 pounds, 
Angelica is a sweet, tailwagging girl who 
loves to be held by her humans and prefers to 
be carried over walking on a leash. She is an 
agreeable pup who is also quite cooperative 
on the grooming table. She is personable, 
getting along with both people and other 
dogs. This sweetheart seeks love and a warm 
place to sleep, and in return she will provide 
countless kisses. Angelica is ready to learn 
some training basics and move into her 
forever home where she can truly blossom into the loyal companion we just know she is! To 
view a video of Angelica please visit this link: http://youtu.be/TYdCsPX1cNE 

To meet Angelica 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 Angelica, please reference her animal ID number: A4687719. 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 Angelica or 
the adoption process, please 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/.