Mountain Views News          Saturday, June 6, 2015

9 Mountain Views-News Saturday, June 6, 2015JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS 9 Mountain Views-News Saturday, June 6, 2015JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS 
LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND?

JUSTICE FOR GRACIE 

It could have happened to any one of us. We love 
our pets so much. We treat them like part of the 
family, and we do everything in our power to 
keep them healthy and happy. We even go to the 
extent of calling on the services of professional 
walkers to give our dogs the additional exercise 
and attention they may need, when or if we are 
unable to accommodate them due to our work 
or holiday schedules. Let’s face it folks, as animal 
lovers there is little we won’t do to better the lives 
of our pets.

They bring us so much joy, and it pleases us 
to reciprocate. Indeed, it is hard to imagine 
life without them, and we’d rather not have to 
ponder the thought of the inevitable day when we 
do have to let them go. It is difficult enough to say 
good-bye to a pet that passes away from a disease 
or old age, but the idea of losing a beloved dogdue to the neglect or abuse of a trusted care-giver 
is nearly impossible to wrap our minds around.

There was nothing particularly unusual 
happening in the life of a gorgeous, 1 1/2-yearold 
Husky named Gracie on the morning of May18, 2015. Her human, Terri left for work, having 
made prior arrangements with a team of two 
dog-walkers to pick Gracie up a short time later, 
for what was expected to be a pleasant hike in the 
local hills. 

It seemed like just another normal day, until 
that afternoon when Terri received a call from 
one of the dog walkers, saying that there had been 
some sort of an accident during their outing, and 
Gracie was in really bad shape and was at the vet 
being prepped for surgery. Terri was shocked and 
completely dumbfounded. What could possiblyhave happened to Gracie? She was perfectly fine 
when she’d left the house that morning; She’d 
been her usual happy, healthy and vibrant self. 
Now she was in critical condition? It just didn’t 
make any sense.

As the events of that day continued to unfold, 
things began to make even less sense, and it 
only got worse. It all ended very tragically, with 
sweet Gracie crossing what we dog-lovers often 
call the rainbow bridge, and as you can imagine, 
words cannot describe the emotions Terri was 
left to process that evening. She was totally grief-
stricken and completely confused, all at the same 
time. How could a healthy young dog go out for a 
walk in the morning and suddenly end up dyingbefore nightfall? There were, and still are many 
questions to be answered, but one thing is for 
sure; something went very mysteriously wrongfor Gracie. 

Gracie’s tragic death has not only taken a 
toll on her loving owner, Terri. Everyone who 
knew Gracie, both human and canine alike, are 
overwhelmed with grief. Each morning since, 
they have awakened to the sadness of knowing 
that Gracie will no longer be a part of their lives. 
She was such a bright light 
that was suddenly snuffed out, 
leaving them feeling as though 
there is a dark cloud hovering 
over their community.

Frustrated by the dog 
walkers’ lack of response to 
her query as to what really 
took place during that fateful 
outing, Terri contacted the 
Humane Society to file a report 
of the incident. She then called 
the attending vet to request 
that a necropsy be done on 
Gracie’s body, to hopefullybring some light to the mystery 
surrounding the cause of her 

Happy Tails 

by Chris Leclerc 

untimely death. Because this is an open, ongoing 
case currently under investigation, further 
details cannot be disclosed at this time. 

What, if anything, can be learned from this 
tragically surreal, yet true story? The first thing 
that comes to my mind is; be sure you know all 
there is to know about the dog walker or sitter 
you choose to hire. A person may seem sincerely 
concerned about the welfare of your dog, but let’s 
face it folks, some books simply cannot be judged 
by their covers. This is not to say Terri did not 
do the right thing. She was introduced to the dog 
walkers through the referral of a friend, which is 
the most highly recommended means of finding 
a pet professional. She had no reason to doubt or 
question their integrity. The bottom line is, you 
can never really know, so ~

Ask for a list of current clients along with their 
phone numbers to call as a reference. Request a 
copy of a current California driver’s license or 
ID. Be sure to get the address of each individual 
who pick up your dog and the location of their 
business, if it pertains. Also, get a copy of their 
business license and insurance policy. Don’t be 
too shy to request this information and more 
from a potential pet care professional, just as you 
would expect it from those whom you entrust 
with your children. If they are truly legit and 
worthy of your patronage, they should have 
nothing to hide.

I, personally, have full faith that Gracie’s death 
will not be in vain. I believe that Terri’s questions 
will be answered and that justice will prevail. 
God cares about His every creature, great and 
small. He watches over us all, and He knows what 
really happened on the trail that day. For this 
reason I am confident that the truth will come 
to the surface. Perhaps Gracie had to give up her 
own life in order to save the lives of many others. 

Terri has launched a fund-raising campaign 
to help pay for Gracie’s necropsy ($14,00 had not 
been factored in to her well-managed yet humble 
monthly budget), and to help raise the awareness 
of other dog owners. Her goal is to gain Justice 
for Gracie while helping to prevent this from 
happening to anyone else’s dog in the future.

If you would like take part in this very worthy 
cause, please visit the “Justice for Gracie” 
fund-raising page at HYPERLINK “http://
www.gofundme.com/w2g524” http://www.
gofundme.com/w2g524 and click to donate any 
amount you can. I promise that you will come 
away knowing you’ve helped make a difference 
for the better on behalf of the animals. 

PET OF THE WEEK BUSTER: ANIMAL ID #A4833364


 Meet Buster, a charismatic and personable black 
male Spaniel and Longhaired Chihuahua mix 
that loves life! Buster (A4833364) is a charming11-year-old Spaniel Mix who was brought into the 
Baldwin Park Animal Care Center as an owner 
surrender on May 22nd. A tiny bit over weight 
at 21lbs, Buster is a sweet and friendly older dog 
with a lot of love for treats which is a good sign for 
future training (who says you can’t teach an old 
dog new tricks?). Buster despite having a “senior 
status” also has a perfectly puppy-like face and is 
an adventurer who is always up for a bit of old-
fashioned fun! He is outgoing and confident and 
friendly with other dogs actually he absolutelyloves them! He originally came into the shelter 
with his buddy Lexi who is no longer there with 
him so he is looking for a new home and pack 
to join! He also absolutely loves people and is 
an excellent walker. Buster even shows signs of 
being housebroken he is ready and eager to enjoylife in a comfortable and happy home! Please be 
his lovely assistant and come adopt him! Buster 
is the perfect mixture of calm and fun we know 
he will make a super indoor pet for an individual 
or family living in a private home, he will do 
wonderfully with elders or children old enough 
to respect his itty bitty size. To watch a video 
of Buster please visit the following link: http://
youtu.be/SRVHWGGhOUU and https://youtu. 
be/EfHEpaNgTuc

To meet Buster in person, please see him at theBaldwin Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. Elton, 
Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-430-2378 


or 626-962-3577). He is available now. For anyinquiries about Buster, please reference his animalID number: A4833364. The shelter is open sevendays a week, 12 pm-7 pm Monday-Thursday and10am-5pm Friday-Sunday. This is a high-intakeshelter with a great need for adoptions. For more 
information about Buster or the adoption process,
contact United Hope for Animals VolunteerAdoption 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 wellas the many dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizesavailable for adoption in local shelters, visithttp://www.unitedhope4animals.org/about-us/
shelter-support-program/. 

To share the summer fun with……Draco is yourguy! He is a 1-year-old Whippet mix, weighingabout 10 pounds. He has a short coat of reddish 
golden fur that is short and easy to care for. He is a 
very handsome boy with velvety ears that flop overin a charming way, and beautiful brown eyes.

Draco can be a little shy at first, but he is quick towarm up and show his happy, friendly disposition.
He likes being with people, and he is quitecomfortable sitting on a lap and getting one-onone 
affection. He has a way of looking up into youreyes that is sure to melt your heart.

Draco is still a young dog, and has a fairly highenergy level. He is easy to harness and enjoys goingfor walks, although he could use some training onthe leash. Draco loves to find a scent to follow, and 
is interested in exploring his surroundings whenhe gets a chance. He is a smart boy, and learned his“sit” command from one of our volunteers in justa few minutes. Draco is responsive, and motivatedby treats, so training should be a fun activity toshare with his new family!

Draco appears to enjoy the company of otherdogs, gets along famously with his kennel mate andcan be very playful when he finds a dog willing tojoin in.

Draco would make a wonderful pet in an activehome where he is part of the family. He would 
benefit from some training, and would love to havea daily walk or two, and a yard where he can playand relax. And in his quiet time, he would love tohave a lap where he can cuddle. If Draco sounds 
like the right addition to your family, please comein to meet him. He is waiting for you!

He currently resides at the San Gabriel ValleyHumane Society located at 851 E. Grand Avenuein San Gabriel. We are located off San Gabriel 
Blvd., north of Mission and south of Las Tunas. To 

arrange a ‘Meet and Greet’ with Draco, please stopby any time from 10:00am to 4:30pm Tuesday thruSunday.

His adoption fee is $120 and includes neutersurgery, vaccinations, microchip and a free wellnessexam at a participating veterinarian. Feel free to 
call us at (626) 286-1159 for more information onDraco. If you are interested in meeting Dracoor 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, Tuesdaythrough Sunday. For more information, call (626)
286-1159. See our website at www.sgvhumane.orgfor information and photos of all our wonderful 
pets. 
DogWalking & Sitting ServicesSierraMadre, Californiawww.canyoncanine.comchris@canyoncanine.comChris LeclercCanyonCanine626-355-8333 626-533-9536CCConCaCanyonCanineCanineeeieCCChris LeclercChris Leclercae,
chris@canyoncani.canyoncawwwnCaSierraMadrae, CaliforCaalking&SonDogWalking & Sitting ServicesonCa626-355-8333 62onCayeclercinnia6-533-95362eclerccanine.comanine.comani,CaliforinanineSittingServiceseaninee
YOUR AD 
COULD BE HERE!
Call Patricia626-818-2698 TODAY!
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