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JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS
Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 28, 2015
I never cease to be amazed by the endless variety
of personalities I come across in my daily walk of
life. Think about it…With every person you meet
on the street, comes a totally unique personality!
No two are exactly the same. In college I took
every psychology class they had to offer, and what
I learned is that I truly enjoy studying human
behavior. Maybe that’s why I tend to pay such
close attention to people in public; the manner in
which they express themselves, and the way they
interact truly intrigues me. Perhaps one of my own
personality traits is a strong drive to figure out
what makes other people tick.
At the time when I was taking all those
psychology classes, my intention was to pursue a
career in social work. But as fate would have it, my
life took a different path. Regardless of the career
I ultimately pursued (which happens to have been
construction management), I can honestly say my
psychology coursework by no means went to waste.
Not only do I enjoy learning from the behavior
of my fellow humans, but I get a real kick out of
analyzing the actions of my furry, four-legged
friends as well. I find it so stimulating to sit and
ponder the potential reasons why individuals do
what they do.
Many psychology professionals who started
out studying humans, later turned their focus
toward the psychology of other species. Several
have shared the results of their research in various
articles and books and I must say those are among
my most treasured readings. These days, more than
ever, I endeavor to learn as much as I can about my
canine companions. The more I understand why
they do what they do, the better chances I have
of connecting with them. We have all heard the
saying, “Ignorance is bliss“, but when it comes to
interpersonal relationships, I think we can agree
that that cliché does not apply. The less ignorance
we have about another being, the more likely we
are to empathize and get along with them.
Among my many four-footed friends, there
is one pup who has had a particularly positive
impact on me. Please don’t get me wrong. I love
them all, but the one who is the subject of this
Happy Tail has captured my heart in a very special
way. There is just something about Zola that can
always make my day. She has such a big heart and
a uniquely kind, calming spirit that she share with
me abundantly. If I am having a tough day, feeling
tense or edgy when I arrive to take her for a walk,
I find myself completely at ease by the time I leave.
Who doesn’t want to tap in on that temperate trait?
Zola is a 110-pound, 6 1/2-year-old Great
Pyrenees with a beautiful, bountifully thick snow-
white coat and big dark brown eyes highlighted
with lush lashes and natural permanent black
eye-liner. Indeed, she is a sight to see, but the
thing I love most about Zola is that, in spite of her
enormous stature she exudes total serenity to all
whom she comes in contact with. I‘m just saying,
that gorgeous girl is the ultimate gentle giant! She
is so large, most people who meet her say she looks
like a bear! Given the potential damage she could
do with those daunting teeth of hers, and with the
way I have seen her move so swiftly when she plays,
it says a lot of good about her personality to watch
her interact so peacefully with other dogs and
people when we are out and about.
I don’t typically compare my
canine companions one to another,
but I don’t mind comparing Zola
to one of my own precious pets. As
you can imagine, my dogs are like
my children and I give them all
the due respect they deserve, so I
wouldn’t want what I am about to
say to be taken in the wrong way.
My bloodhound, Tater (God
rest her soul) was a major part of
my life and I miss her dearly. I still
have a tough time talking about her
without getting a lump in my throat and tears in my
eyes. I think Tater had a wonderful personality. She
had a great sense of humor and showed me loads
of love and affection. However, Tater could be very
unpredictable when it came to interacting with
others. I did everything I could to teach her better
manners. I wanted her to be a more agreeable,
predictable character so she could socialize openly
in public, but it simply wasn‘t meant to be. Just
when I thought it was OK to allow her the leash
length to get closer to a stranger, she would often
surprise us all with a sudden snap or growl. To this
day, I don’t know why she behaved that way. Some
say it has to do with in-breeding, but I don’t know
for sure.
So, in comparing Zola to Tater, there were several
similarities, physically speaking. As far as size and
weight are concerned, they were nearly exact. Tater
even had big brown eyes like Zola dies. However,
similarities ended with regard to social behavior.
Zola is very predictable when we meet and greet
others on the street. Whereas, Tater could not be
trusted with stranger, human or canine without
being closely monitored and held tightly tethered.
Interestingly enough, however, Tater was always
gentle with kittens. Who knows why, but one thing
is for sure; It’s all about personality. Just like we
humans, canines are individuals, each possessing
their own behavioral tendencies, and the bottom
line is, Zola seems to possess the inherent desire to
calm the spirit of others, and that is a true blessing!
I never have to worry about whether Zola will
go after someone who happens to be passing by.
She approaches slowly and humbly, offering a soft
floppy ear or her forehead for a quick pet or pat. I
am sure that if Zola sensed danger, she would react
appropriately by avoiding contact, and I think that
is a desirable trait in a dog. We humans are not
able to sense invisible danger the way a canine can.
But it is equally important for a dog to socialize
comfortably in the absence of danger and Zola is
the epitome of that personality type. It seems her
desire is simply to love and be loved. She doesn’t let
her insecurities (as if she had any) get in the way of
having a good time. She makes it fun for everyone
to be around her, and I am so pleased to know her.
I can’t help attributing some of Zola’s sweet spirit
to the unconditional love she receives from her
human, Lisa Gamber. But her personality most
definitely plays a big part in her having such a kind
heart.
We all need to learn how to focus more on the
good traits we observe in others, both human
and canine, and in my opinion there is no better
teacher than a gentle, giant, kind and loving dog
like Zola, who teaches lessons through her own
example. She has taught me so much about the art
of relaxing, socializing, enjoying the moment and
stopping to smell the roses. Thank you, Miss Zola,
you beautiful gentle giant, for just being yourself. I
hope I can learn to be more like you some day.
LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND??
To share your life with? Muffin
is a beautiful miniature pinscher
mix, estimated to be about 4
years old, weighing around 15
pounds. Muffin has a sleek, short
black coat with brown highlights.
Her grooming requirements are
quite simple – just an occasional
bath and brushing will keep her
looking and feeling her best.
Muffin was surrendered to
the shelter by an owner who was
no longer able to care for her.
When she first arrived, Muffin
seemed lost and confused, and
was shy and insecure in her
first interactions with staff and
volunteers. But she adjusted
remarkably well within a week or
two, and now greets visitors with a happy bark when
they walk by her kennel.
Muffin has a medium energy level and is easy
to handle on leash. She enjoys going for walks
and socializing with other dogs, as well as people.
Muffin has become a friendly girl who enjoys pets
and attention. Once she gets to know you, she just
might jump into your lap to give you a kiss or two.
Muffin gets along well with her kennel mate,
and would probably be happy sharing a home with
another dog. She has the energy
to be a great walking or running
companion, but she can also
enjoy some quiet relaxation
time with her family. This sweet
girl deserves to have a home to
call her own where she can feel
safe and secure. She has a lot
of unconditional love to share
in return. Muffin is patiently
waiting to find her forever family
– maybe it is with you? Please
come in to meet her soon!
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 Muffin, please
stop by any time from 10:00am to 4:30pm Tuesday
thru Sunday.
Her adoption fee is $120 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 Muffin.
See our website at www.sgvhumane.org for
information and photos of all our available pets.
Happy Tails
by Chris Leclerc
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 Heathcliff: Animal ID #A4800408
Meet Heathcliff, a sweet and
handsome boy that would
make an awesome companion!
Heathcliff (A4800408) is a
cheerful and charming 3-year-
old brown neutered male
Tibetan Spaniel and Papillon
mix who was found in Walnut
on February 14th and brought to
the Baldwin Park Animal Care
Center. Weighing 14 sprightly
lbs, Heathcliff is a happy and
companionable boy with quite a handsome five
o’clock shadow! He is friendly and well-mannered
with other dogs; and he is friendly, cooperative, and
skilled on leash with people. He has a fun, playful
energy; but he is not overly enthusiastic or energetic.
And he certainly knows how to relax and exchange
cuddles. In fact, he has the adorable habit of posing
with his paws on your lap to “ask” for pets and rubs!
With his endearing underbite and kissy disposition,
Heathcliff will make a real “homerun” indoor pet
and loving companion for just about any household
around. To watch a video of Heathcliff, please visit
the following link: http://youtu.
be/SyrxV8MNZf0
To meet Heathcliff 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
Heathcliff, please reference his
animal ID number: A4800408.
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 Heathcliff 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/.
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com
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