Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 9, 2015

9

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 9, 2015 


WHY DOES FIDO 

WIPE HIS FEET?

LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND?

 Abra is a darling terrier-Chihuahua mix girl, 
around a year old and weighing about seven 
pounds. She is a petite girl with a wiry black coat 
and a very striking white goatee that gives her a 
unique look all her own.

Abra and her current kennel mate, Princess, 
have developed a very sweet mother-daughter 
relationship. When they get back together after 
being separated, they check to be sure each other 
are okay. Abra seems to want to please Princess 
and is often seen giving her kisses.

Abra is very alert and doesn’t miss much going 
on around her. One of her favorite things to do 
is to try to catch flying insects. Her reaction time 
is very quick, although we haven’t seen her catch 
anything yet. She is very focused and seems to 
be a quick learner who would benefit from some 
training to put her energy to good use.

Abra likes to go for walks, sniffing and exploring 
along the way, and is easy to handle on leash. 
Now that she has gotten over her initial shyness, 
she is quite friendly and loves to be with people. 
She enjoys pets and cuddles and is happy to sit 
in a lap and give kisses in return. She is also a 
social girl who does well with other dogs. She 
was a hit at the Tea for Tails/ Taste of Westfield 
event where she was featured in the doggie high 
fashion show and got to mingle with her fans.

Abra is looking for a safe and secure home where 
she can develop into the wonderful family pet 
she is sure to be. She would probably enjoy 
the company of another dog as a playmate, and 
would do well in an active home where she gets 
the exercise and attention she needs. Please come 
in to meet Abra and she is sure to put a smile on 
your face. You just might want to take her home.

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

Her adoption fee is $120 and includes spay 
surgery, vaccinations, microchip and a free 
wellness exam at a participating veterinarian. 
Feel free to call us at (626) 286-1159 for more 
information on Abra. If you are interested in 
meeting Abra or any of the other wonderful pets 
at the shelter, visit the San Gabriel Valley Humane 
Society at 851 E. Grand Ave., San Gabriel, Calif., 
91776, Tuesday through Sunday. For more 
information, call (626) 286-1159. See our website 
at www.sgvhumane.org for information and 
photos of all our wonderful pets. 


Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

Dogs do some pretty funny things sometimes, and 
I think it’s great that they keep me entertained 
while I walk them to keep them in shape. Much 
like we humans, dogs are individuals, each with 
their own personality, unique quirky behavioral 
patterns, and hilarious hang-ups & habits. Also, 
much like we humans, not everything a dog does 
has to have any real meaning or purpose. Maybe 
they just behave certain ways because they want 
to, or perhaps they do it to get a response from us 
because they simply enjoy making us laugh.

 For example, one of my canine clients, a 
wonderful white female shepherd named Charlee 
just loves to jump up on top of the stone walls 
all around town during our walks, and follow 
along looking down at me while I stay below on 
the sidewalk. I sometimes wonder if she does that 
because she likes the feeling of being taller than the 
human who happens to be walking her. Or maybe 
she likes having the vantage point where she can 
see more squirrels in the trees.

 Another one of my dog buds really likes to lean 
in on my leg with his behind while I am petting 
him. I can always tell he’s ready for a massage, 
when he stands in front of me, looking in the 
same direction as I am, and waits till I sit down, 
then literally backs up and pushes himself into my 
bent knees. He then looks over his shoulder as if 
to say, “OK, go ahead, I‘m ready for my petting 
session!”. It cracks me up so much, because I am 
thinking, “Why not just put your face towards me 
while I pet you?”, right? Anyway, I get a real kick 
out of observing the oddities and idiosyncrasies 
displayed by my furry four legged friends, and I 
consider it comic therapy. They all have a way of 
brightening up my day.

 One particular behavioral trait that just about 
all my canine clients tend to demonstrate during 
our walks is that of wiping their feet on the ground 
after relieving themselves. Now 
and again I even catch clumps 
of grass being kicked in my face 
while bending down to clean up 
the dog’s poop. (You can use your 
imagination to get a good grip on 
that visual). In my younger years I 
always assumed when a dog scooted 
it‘s paws after taking a dump, it 
was trying to cover up the stink, 
but I found out recently that is not 
necessarily so.

 Apparently the general consensus 
among most animal behavioral 
scientists who have studied this particular trait 
in dogs, is that they scrape the grass after doing 
their business because they have glands in the 
pads of their feet that secrete a fluid that other 
dogs will be able to smell. The purpose is to add a 
secondary signature to the spot they just finished 
marking. I am sure the researchers are right, but 
as a layperson who loves mutts so much and likes 
to think she knows the mind of a dog, I still can’t 
help thinking they’re just trying to cover up the 
mess they just left.

 There are so many curious canine quirks 
manifested by the average domestic dog during 
their daily lives, some of which are sure to put 
a person in stitches when or if they get to be the 
lucky by-stander. I think the funniest favorite of 
all animal antics I have had the opportunity to 
observe is when a dog acts out in it’s sleep with 
rapid eye movements, air galloping legs and 
muted bays and barks, all clearly because they are 
dreaming. No stand up comedy act out there could 
ever compare to the show an animated dreaming 
dog can put on!

 All in all, whether the comical things canines 
do that make us laugh are meaningful in the big 
scheme of things, I think we can all agree that they 
matter enough without the consensus of research 
scientists. It has been said many times that laughter 
is the best medicine, and I agree fully. Therefore, 
I want to thank all of the darling doggies I have 
the privilege of spending time with for keeping 
me happy with their adorable antics. Keep up the 
good work my dear canine companions, and let 
the show go on! Love, laugh and let live! 


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 FRANKIE ANIMAL ID #A4821969

Meet a handsome young guy with a personality 
to match, Frankie (A4821969)! Frankie is a 
regal 1-year-old tricolor male purebred Siberian 
Husky who was left at the Baldwin Park Animal 
Care Center on April 23rd because his former 
owner complained that he wanted too much 
attention. Weighing 44 lbs, Frankie’s only crime 
is that he is indiscriminate in his affection; he 
will happily and confidently approach strangers 
and dish out kisses. Frankie walks okay on 
leash, but can benefit from additional leash and 
other puppy training basics. He is certainly treat 
motivated, so that should make training him all 
the easier. Frankie also shows signs of being 
housebroken, so he is well on his way to being 
an amazing canine citizen. Frankie will make a 
perfect indoor companion for an active family 
living in a private home with a fenced yard—
especially a family who will enjoy bringing him 
along for various outdoor activities! If you’re 
looking for a great hiking or running partner, 
Frankie is your guy! Please visit him at the 
shelter and fall in love. To watch a video of 
Frankie, please check out the following link: 
https://youtu.be/u6-WaKMN9go

To meet Frankie 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. 
For any inquiries about Frankie, please reference 
his animal ID number: A4821969. 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 Frankie 
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