Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 4, 2015

7

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 4, 2015 


LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND??

HER BROTHER’S KEEPER


I believe God created the dog with a capacity to feel, 
among many things, empathy and compassion. Perhaps 
not to the same extent that we humans experience these 
emotions, but in a somewhat similar way. I didn’t used 
to believe this. When I was younger I thought it would 
be sacrilegious to assign that much meaning to an 
animal’s way of thinking, but having spent countless 
hours with numerous dogs of all types over the years, 
I am now totally convinced it is so. And I believe that 
God planned it that way - to create a loveable creature 
that would properly manage the task of encouraging 
and loving those around them. God knows we humans 
have managed to botch that one up more often than 
not! Good that we have the dog to come to our rescue.

 All one has to do is simply observe the behavior of 
a canine for a short while, to begin to understand that 
there is more going on inside than initially meets the 
eye. Here is a perfect example of what I’m trying to say; 
Among the many fantastic furry four-leggers I have on 
my friends list, are two pups named Bo and Dixie. They 
live together along with two cats, Gus & Darby and 
their two humans, Jim & Janis. The two dogs are not 
blood-related nor are they the exact same breed - Bo is a 
cute curly-haired, standard size Labradoodle and Dixie 
is a sweet, petite purebred yellow lab - yet they clearly 
regard one another as complete equals and show full 
mutual respect.

 Although they come from different backgrounds 
and there is a healthy gap between their two ages - Bo 
is 11 years old and Dixie is a mere youngster at the age 
of 3 - they hit it off right away. They became instant 
friends and have been getting along famously since the 
first day they met. I should probably explain that prior 
to Dixie’s arrival on Bo’s turf, he had had another sister-
dog named Loucie, several years his senior, who passed 
away a few years ago. Now, Dixie just so happens to 
resemble Loucie, and remarkably so. And, during that 
“between time” after Loucie’s death and before Dixie’s 
arrival, I must say poor Bo was beside himself. He 
would cry anytime he was left alone.

 So, now Bo has a new little sister named Dixie and 
she is one of the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful dogs 
I believe I’ve ever met. You might be wondering how 
I know all that about a dog who can’t talk to me and 
tell me what she thinks or feels. Well, I’ll tell you how I 
know all that…I know it from the way she behaves! She 
doesn’t have to talk the talk, because she walks the walk.

 When Dixie came into Bo’s life, he suddenly gained a 
new attitude. He has always been a gentle giant, always 
wanting to meet and interact with others, regardless of 
their species. But after Loucie died, he seemed depressed 
and lonely. That is, until Jim and Janis introduced Dixie 
to the family. That’s when the lights came back on in 
Bo’s gorgeous golden eyes. It was like giving a child a 
new toy! He walked with renewed vigor, with his thick 
curly tail wagging wildly back and 
forth, nodding his darling head up and 
down like a pony who just won at show. 
Yes, that Bo was one happy boy again 
when Dixie came along.

 It has been a couple of years since 
Bo and Dixie first met and moved 
in together, and they are absolutely 
inseparable now. They share a bond 
stronger than words can describe. 
Dixie assumed her role as little sister so 
graciously, and Bo invited her in with 
open paws. Their body language and 
behavior toward each other tells it all. It 
is a love story extraordinaire! You see, 
Bo is moving up in his years and his 
body sometimes lags behind his young mind and 
energetic attitude. It is obvious that, if given the 
opportunity to have a new body, that big ole boy would 
jump at the chance to live forever.

 Bo just loves to go for walks in hopes of meeting 
new people. I mean, that is his favorite part about 
getting out. Most dogs that I know are content to be 
led on leash, just to sniff all the great scents along the 
way. But for Bo, it’s all about socializing! Every time 
he sees a person nearby while we are out and about, 
he immediately starts getting ready to greet them. 
That person might be half a block away, and his tail is 
already swishing to and fro with anticipation of having 
an interlude with a perfect stranger.

 Oh, the lessons I learn from my canine companions. 
They are excellent teachers of kindness and good 
character. Dixie could easily run ahead of her older 
brother and leave him behind to fend for himself. 
But, no, she would never do that. She makes a point 
of walking within the range that she knows Bo can 
keep up with. Some days Bo’s joints just don’t want to 
work as smoothly as his youthful mind does, so he has 
to move a little slower than he‘d prefer. As we move 
along at Bo‘s comfortable pace, Dixie leads the way but 
she is constantly looking over her shoulder to make 
sure Bo is close behind, because (I believe) she is truly 
concerned about her big brother.

 I am absolutely sure that Dixie knows Bo is dealing 
with an aging body, and she wants to comfort him. She 
has an uncanny way of going slow so Bo can keep up, 
without letting him know! To me that exhibits respect 
for his dignity, and, yes…empathy and compassion. 
There is no doubt in my mind that this is what is going 
on inside the mind of that darling little lab. She could 
easily show Bo up by running ahead as if to win the 
race, but instead she does whatever it takes to make him 
feel like he is top dog.

 I love Dixie and Bo so much, just as I love all the 
precious pups I get to spend time with. I really don’t 
know what I would do without them in my life. Of 
course, I have a human family and plenty of human 
friends, but there is nothing like having a close 
relationship with a kind canine. I hope you, too, are 
blessed with that kind of friendship. If so, don’t forget 
to observe and learn from your four-legged friends. 
Don’t forget to appreciate every moment you have with 
them. They are truly gifts from God. And, as always, 
don’t forget to love and let live!

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

Haymish is a petite 2 year 
old black and tan Chihuahua 
mix boy who weighs 7.3 lbs. 
Haymish was found as a stray 
in San Gabriel, and no one has 
come in to claim him.

 Haymish is a friendly boy 
and likes people. He is very 
excited to go on a walk with our 
volunteers, and looks forward 
to the adventures awaiting him 
outside his kennel. Haymish is 
easy to harness and he is good on the leash. He has 
quite a bit of energy for a little guy, walking at a 
very fast pace. He likes to sniff and explore, but he 
prefers to keep moving.

 Haymish gets along well with his kennel mate, 
and likes being with the other dogs he has met at 
the shelter. He also appears to be fascinated with 
toys! He is very playful and enjoys a good game of 
tug-of-war, as well as chase and fetch.

 Haymish would make a charming family dog 
and a great playful companion for an active home. 
He has a happy disposition and is waiting to meet 
you with a smiling face and a wagging tail. Why 
not come in to meet this cute little guy to see if he 
is the right dog for you? He 
is ready to go home with his 
forever 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 Haymish, 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 Haymish. 

 Mark your calendar for our 4th annual ‘Tea for 
Tails/Taste of Westfield’ event featuring Warren 
Eckstein and Garth Kemp along with a doggie 
fashion show and treats from your favorite 
restaurants. See our website at www.sgvhumane.
org for information and photos of all our available 
pets and more details on ‘Tea for Tails’. 


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 #A4812231


Those looking for an endless amount of puppy love, look 
no further and meet Heathcliff (A4812231)! Heathcliff 
is an intoxicatingly cute 1-year-old black-and-tan male 
Miniature Pinscher puppy who was found in Monrovia 
on March 26th with Charlotte [A4812232] and brought 
to the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center. Weighing 8 
1/2 lbs, Heathcliff is a classic puppy. Sadly, he is very 
scared in the new and uncertain shelter environment. 
But at his size, we don’t blame him! Heathcliff is very 
bonded with his buddy, Charlotte. He simply lights 
up when around her, and he gains confidence in her 
company. He also enjoys the company of people—
especially when held like a baby and carried around 
in their arms. Heathcliff is ready to learn the training 
basics that all young pups need to grow into the best 
dogs they can be. Since he seems so new to the ways of 
the world, we think he will be great for a family looking 
to share in this growing experience, or even first time-
dog owners. And since he is so bonded with Charlotte, 
we would love to see the two of them ride off into sunset 
together toward the same forever home. In any case, 
we know that whoever adopts Heathcliff will be lucky 
to call themselves his pet parents! To watch a video 
of Heathcliff, please visit the following link: https://
www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.
be%2FTpCw0vAvpxU&h=dAQEAbHoN&enc=AZNLnwTTWWsFGhV-VzxJBtovtOd5LfKLqHjxhIlPxC6TJbefWuTI-HbeATEL7ykSMRLr3BDl1i9GOOYuipXjKYqGVlHQ70GuH8_XZqJNcId124Oa_
rCY6ozBKGE6Z6Jbe1UZFIdBwHSe_
k32UedvoLni&s=1”https://youtu.be/TpCw0vAvpxU

 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 currently available now and is ready to go home with 
you! For any inquiries about Heathcliff, please reference 
his animal ID number: A4812231. 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