Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 7, 2015

10

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 7, 2015


LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND??

To share a valentine 
with? Stella is a 
beautiful chocolate 
Labrador retriever 
mix who came to the 
shelter as a stray. It is 
hard to believe no one 
was looking for this 
gorgeous girl, but she 
has gone unclaimed 
for a few months. She 
needs and deserves a 
comfortable, loving 
home to spend 
the rest of her life, 
and is available for 
adoption.

 Stella is a big girl, weighing in at close to 100 
pounds. She has a smooth brown coat that just 
needs an occasional bath and brushing to help her 
look like a lovely lady. 

 Other than a few gray hairs around her muzzle, 
you would never guess that this girl is 8 years old. 
Stella has a lot of energy and loves to run and play. 
She is strong, and could use some leash training to 
make her a good walking or running companion, 
but she is eager to please and is a quick learner.

 Like most Labs, Stella loves the water! During 
warm weather, she had a chance to use the wading 
pool that is available to our shelter dogs, and 
she went right into it with great enthusiasm. If 
she doesn’t have access to the pool, she has been 
known to splash her paws into her water bowl. 

 When Stella first arrived at the shelter, she was 
timid and cautious approaching new people, but 
she has become very social. When someone she 
knows walks by her kennel, she will give a friendly 
bark, inviting a visit 
or asking for a treat. 
If someone stops to 
see her, she will do a 
happy dance with a 
smile on her face and 
a wagging tail.

 Stella needs 
a loving home with 
a big yard where she 
can run and work off 
her energy, as well as 
regular exercise. She 
needs a family who 
can handle a large, 
strong dog, and who 
is willing to give her the training she needs to 
become the wonderful, devoted companion she 
would love to be. 

 Please come in to meet Stella who will happily 
sit for a treat!

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

 Her adoption fee is $135 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 Stella. She is eligible for our 
reduced-fee ‘Senior For Senior’ adoption program. 

 

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

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc


BE YE KIND TO THE CANINE

Over the course of the four years that I’ve been writing 
this column, I’ve used quite a bit of it’s printed space to 
share my feelings about how animals should be treated 
more kindly by the human. Although what I have written 
has been based on facts as I know them, and while my 
motive has been pure in terms of hoping to encourage 
change for the better, I realize that my writing has at 
times turned to ranting and raving on a subject that is, 
for the most part, hard to hear and difficult to deal with.

 This week I decided to focus my article on all of the 
good things humans have done to help protect animals 
and enhance their quality of life. So many positive 
changes have been made through new legislation, 
volunteerism, philanthropy and donations - all on the 
part of the human, and all on behalf of the animals. There 
is much more work to be done to ensure that all animals, 
both wild and domestic are given a fair shake in life, but 
we’ve come a long way, baby! So let’s celebrate our success!

 Here are a few examples of the positive changes that 
have come about for the animals over the past several 
years. This is a short list, but it gives you an idea of 
the direction our country has taken in terms of our 
relationship with animals.

 In 1966, The Animal Welfare Act was signed into law, 
making it the first in the United States that regulates the 
treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, 
and by dealers. Other laws, policies and guidelines 
before or after may include additional species coverage 
or specifications for animal care, but today all refer back 
to the Animal Welfare Act as the minimum acceptable 
standard.

 In May of 2006, Ohlone Dog Park in Berkeley, CA 
became the first known of it’s kind in the world. Since 
then, dog parks have been popping up by the hundreds in 
numerous cities within the US, and throughout the globe. 
This proves that all those millions of dog owners truly 
care about their pets, and want the very best for them. 
Off-leash play in a social setting with other canines is one 
of the kindest things you can offer your dog. If you haven’t 
visited our own dog park here in Sierra Madre, you 
should. It is located behind the Rec. Center pool, next to 
the tennis courts in Recreation Park. There are also a few 
other dog parks nearby with fenced areas designated for 
both small and large dogs to play off leash. Use common 
sense and go by the rules to ensure a positive experience.

 In February, 2012 LA County agreed to allow dogs to 
accompany their humans for dinner on restaurant patios. 
Now your four-legged friend can really be a part of the 
family, by joining you for an evening outing rather than 
waiting at home anxiously until you arrive. With LA 
county being the forerunner and followed example, this 
law carried over to several other counties in California as 
well. It was amended later to prevent restaurant owners 
from being cited by the Health Dept., opening even more 
doors to four-footers.

 In October of 2012, The LA City Council voted 12-2 
in favor of a law that would require pet stores to sell only 
rescued animals. In addition to reducing euthanizations, 
the law seeks to put an end to puppy and kitten mills that 
keep animals in poor conditions and 
then ship them to pet stores for profit.

 Pet ownership in the United States, 
Great Britain and Australia is on the rise! 
According to a recent census, the number 
of dog owners in these three countries 
has grown by several millions from the 
1990’s to the 2000’s and the number of 
dogs per household has increased as well. 
We humans are obviously becoming 
much more willing to forego another toy 
or trinket, in order to love and care for 
someone besides ourselves! Pets are great 
teachers.

 In the early 1990‘s, pet supply stores 
started showing up all over the place 
in the US, coast to coast. Nearly every sizable city now 
boasts at least one PetCo or PetSmart store along with a 
variety of neat boutique mom-and-pops where you are 
sure to find anything and everything you may want to 
pamper your pet. Is this not a true sign of our growing 
affection for Fido? After all, our money typically follows 
our heart.

Countless animal rescue organizations have formed over 
the past few decades. Best Friends is a prime example of 
kind humans helping animals in need. Their efforts have 
reduced the number of euthanized pets to a proportionate 
fraction of what it used to be and numerous other 
organizations have followed their lead by placing rescued 
animals and advocating spay and neuter to all pet owners.

 Which brings me to another positive praise point 
for the human’s love toward animals. Many licensed 
veterinarians in the United States now offer affordable 
spay and neuter services to those who are financially 
strapped. Several non-profits network with veterinarians 
who share their desire to stop accidental breeding, and 
are willing to provide such services at their own cost. Do 
the research to find the right vet for your pet, and discuss 
your financial status frankly with him/her. You may be 
surprised at how helpful your vet will be when you tell 
them your desire is to prevent pet pregnancy.

 Last but certainly not least, there is a growing trend in 
our present society, to adopt and not shop. This relatively 
new concept that was started by animal rights advocates, 
was mostly made popular by celebrities who agreed with 
the philosophy. Now it seems just about every animal 
lover is on the band wagon. It thrills me to hear people 
say, “My dog is a rescue from a local animal shelter, and I 
wouldn‘t have it any other way.” So now, adopting is not 
only a win-win for the animal, it is also a cool trend that 
has caught on like wildfire. I think this trend is here to 
stay, and will continue to grow.

 Like I said, this list is limited to only a few of the 
many great things that are happening in our society, on 
behalf of the animals. More than ever before, we humans 
are realizing how precious our pets really are. They are 
genuinely grateful for the care we give them. They love us 
unconditionally, and for some people, it may be the only 
one they have that kind of relationship with. I benefit 
every day, from the time I spend with my little Molly. 
And, I am blessed with the added benefit of spending 
time with my clients’ pets as well. There is nothing like 
being greeted at the door by a dog who is elated to see you. 
No other boss I have had in the past could make me that 
happy to do my job.

 Kudos to all the humans who recognize the value of 
the animals and show them the respect they deserve. 
Thank you selflessly paving the way to a better life for 
them. May we all try to focus more on the good things 
being done to make changes for the better, and let’s keep 
up the good work! Love and let live.

 

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be 
judged by the way its animals are treated.”

~ Mahatma Gandhi


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 Peanut: Animal ID #A4793654

Meet Peanut, a ton of fun 
in a petite package! Peanut 
(A4793654) is a dancing 
6-year-old white-and-brown 
male Short Haired Chihuahua 
mix who was found in Azusa 
and brought to the Baldwin 
Park Animal Care Center on 
January 21st. Weighing 9 lbs, 
Peanut is a tiny performer: 
he likes to dance around (a 
mini Fred Astaire) and, as 
his handler said, show off (and why not? He’s a 
hottie with smooth moves!). He’s great on a leash 
but could use a little more training to be a perfect 
canine citizen; any training should be a cinch for 
him and his person, however, since he’s very treat 
motivated. He’s also friendly with other dogs and 
with humans. He currently has a growth on his left 
rear leg that he’s sensitive about—he doesn’t want 
it touched—so a trip to an outside vet is in order 
to have this looked at. Given his present sensitivity 
about his leg, we feel this captivating little guy 
would be best as an indoor pet and companion 
for a single adult or a family of adults, although 
this adult-only suggestion certainly could change 
once his leg is evaluated. To 
watch a video of Peanut, please 
visit the following link: http://
youtu.be/3YhlVOu7Sl8

 To meet Peanut 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 Peanut, 
please reference his animal 
ID number: A4793654. 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 Peanut 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/.