Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 27, 2014

9

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 27, 2014 


LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND??

SAVING 

STURTEVANT�S CAMP

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

To welcome in the new year? Buster is about 2 years 
old and weighs around 11 pounds. He is being called 
a Jack Russell terrier mix. His coat is short and easy 
to care for, and is a beautiful soft white with black 
patches. His face is mostly black with some white 
highlights. He is a very handsome boy.

 Buster can be shy when you first meet him, but he 
warms up quickly. He doesn�t mind being picked up 
and held, but watch out! He likes to give kisses and 
he is pretty quick at it. He is a real people lover! 

 Buster likes going for walks and does well on the 
leash. He has the cutest prancing pace, which seems 
to confirm his Jack Russell ancestry. He has been 
friendly with other dogs he has met at the shelter, 
and gets along well with his kennel mates. He can 
be quite playful, but he also enjoys getting pets and 
attention.

 Buster has been taken to off-site adoption events, 
and behaves very well in public. He would make 
a wonderful family pet with just the right mix of 
affection and playfulness. Please come meet Buster 
and you just might fall in love with him! He is 
waiting to find his forever home. Maybe he can be 
your new best friend?

 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 Buster, 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 Buster. 

 

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


Most locals who have lived here, in Sierra Madre for 
any significant period of time are probably familiar 
with, or have at least heard of a very cool, cabin-
camping getaway spot located in the forest right 
behind us, called Sturtevant�s Camp. However, 
even those who are somewhat familiar with this 
remarkable back-woods gem, may not know much 
about it�s history; how and when it came about, and 
what, if anything goes on there today.

 Sturtevant�s Camp was established in 1893 
and was one of five resort camps in the Big Santa 
Anita Canyon (Chantry Flat area) during the great 
hiking era of the early 1900�s. Today, more than a 
century later, it is the last remaining camp and the 
only place where you can rent cabins for you and 
your family or for a big group of 40+. The camp site 
is accessible via a short day hike from the Adams 
Pack Station parking lot.

 The camp has been functioning under the 
ownership of the United Methodist Church 
(UMC) since 1945, but has never been successfully 
self-supporting without the funds provided by the 
church to keep it alive. In 2010, all camps were 
required to become self-supporting and at that 
time the camp managers of 20 years, Chris Kasten 
and his wife Joan were laid off. It was then that a 
dedicated group of individuals known as the �boot 
squad� began tirelessly maintaining the camp, but 
due to a lack of marketing and recent lack of water 
the business has been dismal.

 Fortunately, Friends of the San Gabriels, a 
non-profit organization whose goal is to support 
and enhance the San Gabriel Mountain range 
as a recreational, environmental and historic 
resource through volunteer efforts in fund raising, 
promotion, educational programming and 
maintenance, recently entered into an agreement 
with the United Methodist Church to purchase 
Sturtevant�s Camp. But, whether the purchase will 
be a success depends upon whether they are able to 
raise the support necessary to carry it out.

 Friends of the San Gabriels has a core team of 
enthusiastic, experienced canyonites (Sue Burgess, 
Deb Burgess and Brad Bryce) who are dedicated 
to the project, and have planned a 
three-pronged approach to fund this 
important endeavor.

 Brad Bryce, cabin owner and long-
time canyon volunteer, will live at 
the camp and manage it for the first 
1-2 years. In a non-paid capacity to 
provide for stability in operations 
and keep the camp open to weekday 
guests.

 A heavy marketing campaign will 
include emailing and phone-calling 
to their contact list of interested 
individuals as well as to groups such 
as Scouts, So Cal hiking groups, 
environmental groups and equestrian groups.

 Scheduled weekend events for a flat fee, 
including all expenses. So far they are planning 
a hand-quilt making weekend, Scout merit badge 
weekends, board (and/or) chess game weekend, 
live music weekend, Thanksgiving at Camp, art 
camp weekend, etc., and they are open to any 
suggestions for other weekend events as well.

 Friends of the San Gabriels is appealing to the 
local community for help to make this project a 
success. There are a few different ways you can 
assist in preserving this rare wonder of history and 
nature. Monetary contributions are welcome and 
much appreciated, and Friends of the San Gabriels 
is offering a few fun incentives to potential donors.

 For donations of $5,000 or more, a guest cabin 
will be named after you or an honoree of your 
choice! Plus, you would have the privilege of 
reserving the Retreat Cottage for yourself and up 
to 5 friends twice a year for two years.

 For donations of $1,000, you can adopt a cabin 
(you get a plaque in the cabin) and you can reserve 
the Retreat Cottage for yourself and up to five 
friends during 2015.

 For donations of $500, you can be one of many 
to adopt the Ranger Cabin or another building 
and reserve the Retreat Cottage.

 For donations of $100, you can enter to win a 
full weekend in the Retreat Cottage for yourself 
and up to five friends. Parking included.

 For donations of $25 or more, we will treat you 
to lunch at the pack station on a music Sunday.

Finally, all donors above $100 will be listed on a 
donation wall and receive a free t-shirt. (unless you 
prefer to remain anonymous).

 Donating to this very worthy cause is 
as easy as one-two-three. Just log on to 
friendsofthesangabriels.org to click and pay using 
a credit card or PayPal account, or mail your check 
to Friends of the San Gabriels, 46685 Orchard 
Drive, Miramonte, CA 93641. What better way to 
start the new year, than to invest a bit of yourself 
in an historic forest treasure and you and so many 
others will continue to enjoy?

PET OF THE WEEK Jesso: Animal ID #A3591759

Meet the cutest pup in town, Jesso (A3591759)! 
Jesso is a loving 10-year-old white-and-tan altered 
male Shih Tzu whose owners left him at the 
Baldwin Park Animal Care Center on December 
10th because they felt Jesso was �too old.� Jesso 
may be a senior, but that�s no real drawback: 
Seniors make outstanding pets! Weighing 16 lbs, 
Jesso has many of the desirable assets typical 
of senior dogs: He already knows how to walk 
perfectly on leash, is well-socialized with people 
and other dogs, and has a calm, relaxed energy. 
Jesso loves to be out and about to meet new 
people and dogs, and is also happy to spend the 
day lounging at home. He does seem to have dry 
eyes that should be evaluated by a vet to see if he 
needs eye drops. Jesso will be a fantastic indoor 
pet and best friend for anyone looking for a calm, 
wise pet, and he will repay you for giving him the 
good life in his golden years with his wonderful 
loyalty and humorous antics. To watch a video of 
Jesso, please visit the following link: http://youtu.
be/SBm3p9b9e2Q

 To meet Jesso 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 Jesso, please reference his animal 
ID number: A3591759. 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 Jesso 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/. 


THREE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR PETS

(SPM Wire) Your pet is part of the family. So when it comes to disaster preparedness, keeping pets safe 
should enter into the equation.

Here are three simple ways pet owners can prepare for emergencies and prevent accidents:

� The American Red Cross recommends taking a Pet First Aid Class to learn such basics as how to 
administer medicine, treat wounds, care for injuries and prepare for disasters. Whether you�re at home 
or on the road, these skills can save lives.

� Depending on the type of emergency situation you�re faced with, your home may become an unsafe 
place to stay. Evacuation plans should include pets. Know in advance if you have friends or family with 
whom you and your pet can stay. If that�s not possible, keep a list of boarding facilities or hotels that 
accept animal companions.

� Ensure toxic chemicals in your home, such as cleaning supplies, are inaccessible to pets. Additionally, 
be sure any medications are sealed and out of reach of curious paws. If you suspect your pet has 
consumed a poisonous substance, contact the ASPCA poison hotline at (888) 426-4435. The hotline 
operates 24 hours a day.

With a little knowledge and preparation, you can be a more responsible pet owner.

DogWalking & Sitting ServicesSierraMadre, Californiawww.canyoncanine.comchris@canyoncanine.comChris LeclercCanyonCanine626-355-8333 626-533-9536CCConCaCanyonCanineCanineeeieCCChris LeclercChris Leclercae,
chris@canyoncanine.com.canyoncanine.comwwwnCaSierraMadrare, CaliforCaalking&SonDogWWalking & Sitting ServicesonCa626-355-8333 62onCayeclercinnia6-533-95362eclerccanine.comanine.comani,CaliforirnanineSittingServiceseaninee