Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 31, 2015

10

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 31, 2015


LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND??


CHARMING CHATA

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

At 52 years old, or 52 years young, depending on your 
perspective, I have come to appreciate true friendship 
more than ever before in my life. I feel blessed to have as 
many loyal friends as I do at age 52, and for that I am very 
grateful. One thing that came to mind for me recently 
as I reflected on this fact, is that most of my closest and 
dearest friends are quite a lot different from me in many 
ways. Some are much older, and some are considerably 
younger. Many do not look anything like me; they are not 
the same color, shape or size and they come from a variety 
of backgrounds. Indeed, several of my dearest friends 
don’t walk like me nor do they speak my language, yet they 
know me intimately and love me unconditionally.

 You might be wondering where and how I could have 
found such genuine friendships in people with whom I 
have so little in common. The answer is simple: First of all, 
I am naturally drawn to diversity in other humans, and 
secondly, I spend a lot of my time interacting with animals! 
Fortunately the humans and animals I surround myself 
with are kind and open-minded enough to accept me just 
as I am, and I accept them in the same way, so friendship is 
for the most part, inevitable.

 Among my closest canine companions is one that 
inspired me enough to write about her. I think her example 
could help do away with one of today‘s most damaging 
urban myths about her breed of dogs. The friend I am 
referring to is an 11 year old girl named “Chata“. Chata 
has a beautiful, shiny golden coat and matching smiling 
eyes. She is symmetrically near-perfect from one side of 
her body to the other. She’s as fit as a fiddle and healthy as 
a horse, with not an ounce of spare fat and plenty of tight 
muscle to fill out her petite stature in all the proper places. 
Her bone structure is striking with alluring curvature 
including a dramatically “to-die-for” slim waist (don‘t I 
wish!).

 Her senses are extremely keen, and her heart is bigger 
and warmer than that of many humans I have known. 
Chata lives quite the life of leisure, with her family of 4 
humans including 2 small children, and a 6-year-old 
Chocolate Lab named “Charlie Brown”. She is amazingly 
aware of how lucky she is to have been adopted into a 
fabulous family that loves and cares for her. When Chata 
looks directly into your eyes, I tell you she melts your 
heart. She is truly a charm. What kind of dog is Chata? 
She is what is most commonly known as a Pit Bull, but her 
official breed title is American Pit Bull Terrier. So, are you 
surprised that such a sweet, loving dog could be a Pit Bull? 
Well, you shouldn’t be, and here is why.

 Known for their intelligence and 
loyalty, American Pit Bull Terriers 
make excellent, loving and very 
protective companions despite the bad 
reputation they have gained due to 
the unfair press they receive. They are 
commonly confused with the American 
Staffordshire Terrier, and apparently 
in the eyes of the United Kennel Club 
(UKC), they are considered to be the 
same breed, although there are those who 
disagree. Some AKC (American Kennel 
Club)-registered American Staffordshire 
Terriers are dual-registered as American 
Pit Bull Terriers with the UKC.

 The AKC, on the other hand does not allow a UKC-
registered American Pit Bull Terrier to be registered as 
an American Staffordshire Terrier. To be dual-registered, 
the dog must first be an AKC-registered American 
Staffordshire Terrier and then it can be registered with 
the UKC as an APBT -- but not vice versa. Having said 
all of that, I am an individual who would rather steer 
clear of canine breed titles and labeling altogether. To me, 
it is much more important that each dog be recognized 
as an individual, each with his own unique personality 
characteristics and qualities, the same way we strive to 
view our fellow human beings.

 My beautiful American Pit Bull Terrier friend, Chata 
defies all negative rumors about the personality traits and 
behaviors that are “typical” for her breed. She puts you at 
ease the moment you are in her presence, both with her 
body language and her eye contact. She respects others 
more than most humans do, in my opinion and she is 
a great “nanny” to her baby brother, Charlie and plays 
gently with the two youngsters she lives with. She displays 
humility by lowering her head slightly when you first greet 
her, then she begins her child-like writhing back and forth 
with her tail swiftly whipping from one side of her groin to 
the other. She lets out a tiny whimper now and then when 
she is excited, as if to say “I am so glad to see you”.

 Contrary to what some people think about her breed, 
Chata is by far one of the most sensitive and loyal canine 
companions that I have ever known. As humans beings, we 
have learned to be very careful not to jump to conclusions 
about one another, regardless of color, race or creed. In fact 
there are certain laws that prohibit us from such profiling. 
Well, I say it’s high time that we learned to apply the same 
moral principals to the way we view and treat man’s best 
friend!

 Many rumors have been spread indicating that Pit Bulls 
are vicious dogs that are likely to attack, but in reality they 
are quite the opposite, and again let‘s remember that each 
dog is an individual. It is well put in the old adage “You 
Can’t judge a book by it’s cover”. Yes, some Pit Bulls are 
not friendly, but that is typically because they have been 
either neglected or abused by the human. The Pit Bull 
was originally bred to fight, (who’s warped idea was that?) 
but thankfully, breeding dogs to fight has since been 
outlawed in this country. I say treat every dog equally 
with kindness and respect, regardless of it‘s appearance. 
Don’t be ignorant by breed bashing based on rumors. If 
we assume things about a dog because of it‘s looks, are 
we not breaking our own moral law as human beings to 
refrain from judging one another based on appearances? 
Keep an open mind, think for yourself and above all, love 
and let live.

Meet Sherbert and Sylvester! Sherbert and 
Sylvester have been at the shelter for a long time. 
You might think that is a sad story, but these two 
boys are a joy to know! 

 Sylvester, a miniature pinscher mix, is a smart 
boy with a happy energy that is contagious and 
will put a smile on your face when you spend time 
with him. He loves going for walks, but he also 
might just jump into your lap and give you kisses 
if he has the chance. He enjoys the company of 
people, and also gets along well with other dogs. 
He has had many kennel mates during his time at 
the shelter, and he seems to have the magic touch 
that helps his buddies get adopted.

 Sylvester’s signature move is the “stretch and 
crawl” that he will be happy to show you. When 
he goes for a walk and gets to a grassy area, he 
stretches out on his belly and does a belly crawl for 
several feet. He has learned that many people find 
this amusing, and he will do it on command.

 Sherbert is a Chihuahua mix with some very big 
ears that gives him a unique look all his own. He 
came to the shelter as a four-month old puppy, but 
he is now about a year and a half. Although many 
of the staff and volunteers have fallen in love with 
him, he hasn’t met his forever family yet. Sherbert 
can be shy when meeting new people, but once he 
gets to know you he is all cuddles and kisses. He is 
very smart and a quick learner.

 Like Sylvester, he has had many kennel mates 
and loves to romp and play with them. Also like 
Sylvester, his kennel mates keep getting adopted. 
He is very friendly with other dogs, and would love 
to have a home of his own with another dog or two 
to keep him company.

 With all they have in common, Sylvester and 
Sherbert have also become good friends. They 
enjoy spending time together, and their movements 
are often in sync with each other. They have 
learned to find joy in each day and look forward 
to sharing it with those they love. Both these boys 
wait hopefully for their forever homes where they 
can flourish and share their happy spirits with 
their families. Maybe they will bring each other 
some adoption luck and get adopted as buddies 
together. It would be wonderful if someone has 
room in their home and their heart this Valentine 
season for these two charming boys! What a happy 
ending that would be!

 They currently reside 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 these fun-
loving boys, please stop by any time from 10:00am 
to 4:30pm Tuesday thru Sunday. 

 Their adoption fee is $120 a piece which includes 
their neuter surgery, microchips, first vaccinations 
and a free wellness check-up at a participating 
veterinarian. If adopted together as part of the 
‘Buddy Adoption Program’, the cost is $201. 
Feel free to call us at (626) 286-1159 for more 
information on Sherbert and Sylvester. 

 

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


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
PET OF THE WEEK

FRANKLIN: ANIMAL ID #A4794154

Meet a sweet little soul, the adorable Franklin (A4794154). 
Franklin is a manly little 2-year-old fawn male Chihuahua 
who lived as a stray in Duarte for 1 year before being 
captured and brought to the Baldwin Park Animal Care 
Center on January 23rd. Weighing 8 lbs, Franklin, like many 
dogs who have been forced to survive on the street, can 
be initially leery of unfamiliar people, but his basic nature 
is to be curious and gentle. We feel confident that he will be 
an extremely rewarding little pet for the patient individual 
or family willing to give him the affection and time he needs to trust them. You can readily tell that 
Franklin wants to be close to people and is eager to become the loving lap dog he’s finally going to 
get the chance to be. Franklin will be a loyal and loving best friend and will thrive in a caring home. 
We can’t promise that he’ll get any handsomer, though, because he’s already Brad Pitt quality! To 
watch a video of Franklin, please visit the following link: http://youtu.be/MC4KPA_132U

To meet Franklin 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 
Franklin, please reference his animal ID number: A4794154. 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 Franklin 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/.

ADVISORY: BOMB DETECTING K9 “BART” MAKES THE 
ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AFTER A CAREER OF KEEPING LA 
TRANSIT AND HIS COUNTRY SAFE #LASD #K9

When Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
Transit Policing Division K9 Handler Scott Maus and 
his family went to the veterinarian’s office on Saturday, 
December 20th, 2014, he said it felt “surreal”. He had 
taken his explosives detection K9 partner “Bart” to this 
vet many times before, but this time the Maus family 
would be saying farewell to a member of their clan. Bart 
had been ill for several days, but his doctors were unable 
to figure out the problem. As his condition rapidly 
worsened, Maus continued to look for answers. The 
vets finally discovered that Bart had terminal intestinal 
cancer and gave him only days or even hours to live. 
This trip to the vet would indeed be different for Maus 
and his family as the decision had been made to relieve 
Bart of his constant pain. “I’ve known coworkers and 
other department members that have been ill and even 
tragically passed on, but I didn’t live with any of them. 
Bart was the first partner that I ever had that came 
home with me every night.”

 Bart, an 8 year old, 80 pound, Transportation 
Security Administration trained explosives detection 
German Shepherd, had been paired with Maus since 
August of 2009. Maus, a 25 year veteran of the LA 
Sheriff’s Department, had been selected to be part of 
a pilot program within the Sheriff’s Transit Policing 
Division to deploy the highly trained K9’s to provide 
another layer of safety and early detection/prevention 
for the patrons who use the LA Metro system. Maus 
and Bart had trained together for 3 months in Texas to 
see if they were not only compatible, but also to see if 
Bart could handle the transition from military life to 
municipal law enforcement. Bart was a veteran of the 
war in Afghanistan and was an Air Force explosives 
detection K9 during his 19- month deployment.

 Deputy Maus said, “I didn’t know how to tell my 
family that we needed to do the right thing for Bart. 
He was in obvious pain and could hardly eat or do 
anything.” Bart had become part of the Maus family and 
was just as at home playing in his backyard as he was 
searching for explosives or illicit material on the Metro 
bus and rail system. “He really got along great with his 
K9 partners and with the public. He loved the attention, 
but was all business when it came to work. I believe he 
was one of the better detection K9’s on our crew”, Maus 
says proudly. “He’ll always be my first K9 partner and 
I’ll never forget him!”

 Deputy Maus has since been keeping busy breaking 
in his new K9 partner Tthorpe. Tthorpe was named 
for one of the heroes who died in the 9-11 attacks of 
2001. “I think we’ll make a good team eventually. We’ll 
have to train and get to know one another, but he’s a 
good detection dog with good instincts.” A memorial 
shadowbox was created for Bart after he was euthanized. 
Maus said he looks at it every day before he goes to work. 
“It reminds me to stay vigilant and never forget that you 
don’t know what’s around the next corner”.

Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your 
local sheriff’s station or police department. 

 Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime 
Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the 
letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or 
using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

 Please remember, if you SEE SOMETHING that 
you believe is suspicious or doesn’t look right to you, 
SAY SOMETHING by calling: (888) 950-SAFE (7233), 
or your local police department. You can also use 
the Transit Watch LA App, to report crime or advise 
of something/someone suspicious. The App can be 
downloaded at the Apple App Store, or on Google 
Play for Android Devices. http://transitwatchla.org/ 
(remember though, calling is always best!!)