Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 11, 2015

9

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 11, 2015 


LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND?

TATER LOVES PAPER!

HEALTH RISKS & 
CONCERNS ASSOCIATED 
WITH PUPPY PAPER PICA

 Dexter (right top) and Shenzi (right below) don’t have a 
lot in common, but they were found abandoned in the 
Humane Society parking lot a few months ago. Dexter, a 
young collie-Australian shepherd mix weighing around 
37 pounds, is the larger of the two and was left tied in 
the front of the shelter. Shenzi, a petite Chihuahua mix 
weighing 9 pounds, had been in a box nearby, and stayed 
close to Dexter. One thing they did share was a skin 
condition that affected their fur. After several months 
of treatment and weekly medicated baths, they are both 
cleared for adoption. Dexter is growing a lovely soft 
multi-colored coat, but Shenzi’s shorter coat is slower to 
grow out.

 Dexter and Shenzi have formed a strong friendship 
and when they see each other, their spirits perk up and 
they break into play. In spite of Shenzi’s much smaller 
size, she can hold her own and often initiates play with 
Dexter. Dexter loves to play and has also found some other 
dogs that he loves to romp with, too. Both Dexter and Shenzi 
get along with other dogs they have been introduced to at the 
shelter.

 Although Dexter and Shenzi were both a little shy at first, 
they have become friendly, trusting, and like meeting new 
people. They both have a happy disposition that has charmed 
the volunteers and staff they interact with. They can use some 
leash training, as they tend to bounce all over on their walks, 
but with a little time and practice, they will learn quickly.

 It would be wonderful if these two best friends could be 
adopted into the same home, as they clearly love each other. 
But they have shown their resilience, and will make great 
family pets, either together or separately. Why not come in to 
meet Dexter and Shenzi and see them in person? They are sure 
to put a smile on your face and you just might want to take them home with you.

 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 Dexter and Shenzi, please stop by any time from 10:00am to 4:30pm Tuesday thru Sunday 
or feel free to call us at (626) 286-1159 for more information on them. 

 Dexter’s adoption fee is $135 which includes his neuter surgery, a microchip, first vaccinations and a free 
wellness check-up at a participating veterinarian. Shenzi’s fee is $120. If adopted together, they are eligible 
for the shelter’s reduced-fee Buddy Adoption Program. Maybe you’ll see them at this month’s 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 how you can join animal lovers for this fun afternoon event. 


Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

My dear bloodhound, “Tatertotts” (RIP) just loved 
to eat paper. Soft products such as toilet paper, 
napkins and facial tissue were her favorites. I 
discovered Tater’s paper fetish inadvertently one 
day, when I noticed her nudging at the pocket of my 
jacket, where I had a tissue stashed, just in case. She 
was relentless in her pursuit for that wad of paper, 
and even though I realize she had a nose that could 
detect a scent of any kind from a mile or more away, 
I was still surprised she knew I had a small bit of 
tissue in my pocket, sight un-seen. She apparently 
smelled it through the thick denim fabric of my 
jacket. When I refused to give it to her, she finally 
pushed her enormous nose inside my pocket and 
snagged it out.

 She then proceeded to chew it with a look on 
her face as if I’d given her a piece of tender loin! I 
expected her to spit it out eventually, after mashing 
it into a saliva soaked ball, but instead she swallowed 
it and looked up at me with begging eyes, in hopes 
of talking me into another piece! When I said “no”, 
she started nudging at my jacket again, until I finally 
had to turn my pockets inside out to convince her 
there was no more paper there.

 It struck me as strange that Tater would be so 
intrigued with eating a seemingly tasteless wad of 
paper, so I decided to do a little research on why a 
dog would want to do such a thing. Meanwhile, I 
decided it would be best to keep paper out of Tater’s 
reach, but she was one sneaky girl. Suffice it to say 
she kept me on my toes with her great big nose.

 As it turns out, puppy paper pica (a dog’s desperate 
desire to eat paper) is quite common among canines, 
particularly large breeds and there are numerous 
theories as to why dogs love to eat paper, although 
I had already formulated a couple of theories of my 
own. First of all, Tater was a bloodhound with the 
longest, floppiest, sloppiest lips I have ever seen on a 
dog, and I think maybe chewing on something that 
“melted in her mount” probably gave a sensation 
much like what we feel when we chew on gum.

 For that reason, I could understand why she would 
want to chew on paper, but that doesn’t explain her 
desire to swallow it. Why would she want to ingest 
napkins and tissues, rather than chewing and 
spitting them out, the way many dogs 
do? I was quite sure Tater didn’t have 
any medical issues that would cause 
the obsession, but just to be sure I 
consulted with my veterinarian and 
ruled out any apparent health-related 
reasons.

 It wasn’t until one day while I was 
picking up Tater’s poop (pardon 
the graphics) in the back yard and 
saw the “end result” of her sneaky 
fetish that I realized the paper she’d 
swiped out of the trash can the day 
before had made it’s way through her 
digestive tract almost fully intact! It 
had changed shape, of course, but it appeared to 
be all there, un-torn and in one piece, like a long 
twisted rope. It was then that it dawned on me that 
the paper may have performed a practical purpose 
in the process, acting as a bonding agent in Tater’s 
digestive system, and if so, it suggested that perhaps 
Tater needed more fiber in her diet.

 I had always included some sort of fresh vegetable 
mixed in with her dry food, but after finding the 
paper in her poop that day, I decided to add more 
fibrous ingredients to her diet, such as apples, 
carrots, broccoli, sweet peas, spinach and lettuce. 
The new additions to Tater’s daily food rations 
certainly were good for her, but by no means did 
it change the way she felt about paper. That, I’m 
afraid, was a love affair that lasted Tater’s entire life.

 Some of the theories and opinions that I 
discovered during my “puppy pica research” on-
line, helped confirm my own theory about Tater‘s 
love for tissues, but there were other indications 
that had not come to mind. Boredom, for example 
showed up on several blogs and websites as a 
potential prompt for paper pica. Another possible 
cause is puppy promiscuity. Some young dogs 
simply like to get into things, much like a child 
who enjoys catching mom off guard by raiding 
her closet or jewelry box while she‘s not looking. 
Other theories have to do with diet or health, 
and still others indicate a simple need to chew, 
anything. 

 Whatever the reasons or causes, the general 
consensus is that paper pica among canines is 
unhealthy and should be prevented. Over a period 
of time, ingested paper can cause serious problems 
in a dog’s digestive system, such as blockage 
resulting in septic shock and internal infections. 
Regardless of the reasons why a dog wants to eat 
paper, it is important that the human do whatever 
it takes to keep it out of their reach. When I came to 
understand the health risks associated with canine 
paper pica, I was careful not to leave facial tissues, 
napkins or toilet paper in a place where Tater could 
get to them. It still remains a family joke, though, 
that Tater preferred a wad of paper over a treat any 
day!


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 BROWNEE: Animal ID #A4812626

 
Pups do not come sweeter than young Brownee! 
Brownee (A4812626) is a mellow and family-
ready 4-year-old red neutered male Puggle (Pug 
and Beagle) mix who came to the Baldwin Park 
Animal Care Center as an owner surrender on 
March 28th for no known reason. Overweight at 
45 lbs, Brownee is a laid-back boy who has never 
met a face he didn’t like! Brownee gets along with 
humans as well as with canines (of all sizes). He 
especially perked up during our photo shoot—
his tail wagging happily—when he greeted and 
socialized with a German Shepherd. Brownee 
has a low-to-medium energy level and walks very 
well on leash (not pulling one bit). He was clearly 
a beloved pet to someone who showed their love 
for him with too many treats and not enough 
exercise (hence, his chunky frame). Because 
he is so easygoing and affectionate, Brownee will 
really fit wonderfully into just about any home 
environment. But he will thrive most as part of a 
forever family eager to join him on daily walks and 
keep him otherwise active so that he can shed some 
weight and be his healthiest and happiest Brownee 
self! To watch a video of Brownee, please visit: 
https://youtu.be/JGcvnWgSMrA

 To meet Brownee 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 
Brownee, please reference his animal ID number: 
A4812626. 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 Brownee 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, 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