Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 27, 2014

8

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 27, 2014


A TRIBUTE TO TATERTOTTS

LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND?

 For the short while that I�ve been writing this column, I never 
before considered using it as an obituary. It never crossed my 
mind that I�d write a story announcing the death of my dear 
dog, Tatertotts. However, as fate would have it, this small printed 
space is a place where I can pour my heart out while at the same 
time, hopefully offer a word of encouragement to other dog 
owners who may, one day have a similar expearience to my own.

 Tatertotts was a beautiful, pedigree bloodhound who found me 
when she was just a 1 . years old, after having been to the show 
ring twice. Her original owner, a bloodhound breeder/handler 
in Saddleback Ranch had plans for Tater and her siblings to be 
champs at show! In fact, a couple of Tater�s siblings did turn out to 
be notorious as best in breed and beyond, wherever they went to 
compete.

 Tater, on the other hand, apparently had other plans for her life. 
She chose to be a domestic dog, which by definition literally means, 
a dog �belonging to the home�. I must say, considering her plan, she 
picked the right human with whom to carry it out! She somehow 
knew I would cater to her every need and desire and let her �rule the 
roost� for as long as she lived.

 It was a bit of a challenge at first, when Tater was a youngster. 
She�d jump up to greet me as I came in the door, and knock me flat 
on my back! She insisted on having whatever treasure she wanted, 
with no chance of bantering or bargaining. She knew this soft-
hearted human she�d picked to be her forever friend would give in and let her have her way, because I wanted her 
to be happy.

 It didn�t take long before this human realized that way of cohabitating was not going to work out well for 
either of us, without proper discipline and balance of will. So, I took her to BEST training, at Pasadena Humane 
Society for a 6 month course where we were both subjected to some basic behavioral training along with several 
other dogs. Tater did not like being on a slippery floor with a bunch of strangers, at first. However, she eventually 
figured out that this was what we were going to do, like it or not! Soon she succumbed to a few simple tricks that 
made all of our lives a lot easier in the home.

 Tater loved hiking local trails and cooling off in the foothill streams and pools during our weekend getaways 
together. Later, as she got older and less agile, she enjoyed putting the top down and taking a drive to the beach or 
up to Big Santa Anita Canyon to Chantry Flat where we visited the animals at Adam�s Pack Station. She seemed 
to connect well with the donkeys, goats and chickens there, and made friends with the cats. She always got along 
famously with kitties.

 As life went on with Tater by my side, she continued to show me unconditional love and affection as most loved 
dogs do. Tater had a very close relationship with my husband as well, and he was always there for her when I started 
my dog walking and sitting business. She recognized that there were times when I needed to be away to help with 
other people�s pets and poppa would be there to take care of her and she never once made me fret or feel guilty 
about it.

 Last Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, at the ripe ole age of 12 . years, my sweet Tatertotts crossed what we dog lovers like 
to call that �Rainbow Bridge� into doggie heaven. Her body of 110 lbs. had had enough, and gave clear signs that it 
was time. She did not suffer, nor did she have to experience the disgrace of physical frailty that many of we humans 
will, when it is our turn to get old and pass on.

 Tater brought me so much joy during her brief yet happy life here on earth. She taught me so much about loving 
life. I have so many beautiful memories of the fun times we had together - her strapped into the passenger seat with 
top down and ears flopping in the wind! We conquered the world, she and I, when it felt like an overwhelming place 
to live in.

 No other dog will ever take the place of my precious bloodhound, Tater. No memories of other loved ones can 
compare to the times we had. She will always be in my heart, and in my mind at times when reminders of her being 
herself come to me. That girl was a character, and one of the very best friends I will ever have in my life.

 Thank you, Tater, for all that you gave . Thank you for loving unconditionally. Carry on, my sweet girl. Go well 
and go peacefully. We will keep your majesty, be on your way. 

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

So is Rocky Rococo! He is a happy, friendly boy who 
likes both people and other dogs. He likes getting 
pets, but he is not needy for attention and has an 
independent nature. Rocky has a calm temperament 
and medium to calm energy. 

 Rocky loves going for walks and 
does very well on leash. He likes to 
take breaks and lie on the grass and 
take in his surroundings before 
moving on to new adventures. He 
enjoys sniffing and exploring and 
has a healthy curiosity about the 
world around him.

 Rocky gets along well with his 
kennel mate, as well as the other 
dogs he has met at the shelter. His 
non-demanding nature makes him 
easy to get along with.

 Rocky�s breed is mixed, but he 
appears to have some Jack Russell 
terrier and Chihuahua genes. He is about 4 years old, 
and weighs 10 pounds. He has a beautiful black coat 
with white markings. His short fur will make him 
easy to groom.

 Rocky Rococo would make a wonderful pet that 
would do well with a family, a couple or a single 
person who wants a happy companion to share their 
home and life. He would enjoy the company of 
another dog, and would be especially happy to have a 
patch of grass to call his own under a nice shade tree. 
Please come in to meet this sweet boy to see if he is a 
good fit for your family.

 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 Rocky Rococo, please stop by 
any time from 10:00am to 4:30pm 
Tuesday thru Sunday. 

 His adoption fee is $120 which 
includes his 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 Rocky Rococo. 

 

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


PET OF THE WEEK WINSTON: Animal ID #A4753769

Meet Winston, a smart cookie that 
loves to please! 

Winston is a charming 7-month-old 
brindle male Rhodesian Ridgeback and 
Belgian Malinois mix puppy who was left 
at the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center 
with Chichi [A4753764] on September 8th 
with no reason given. Weighing 58 pounds, 
Winston is the epitome of a puppy�playful 
and curious. He is really eager to explore 
the world, meet new people, and learn new 
things! Winston is intelligent and treat 
motivated too. He knows how to �sit� and 
�lie down� on command (as long as there 
is a reward in store)! Winston also walks 
pretty well on leash, but like any puppy he 
would benefit from more basic training 
so he can turn into a good canine citizen! Winston 
will make a super indoor pet for an individual or 
family living in a private home with a nice big, gated 
backyard! 

To watch a video of Winston please visit the 
following link: HYPERLINK �http://youtu.
be/4RSJrKNE4UE�http://youtu.be/4RSJrKNE4UE

 To meet Winston 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 available now. For any inquiries about 
Winston, please reference his animal ID number: 
A4753769. 

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 Winston 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/.