Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 10, 2015

10

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 10, 2015 


WALKING MISS DAISY

LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND?

It is 7:30 AM when my neighbor’s cell phone comes to life, breaking 
the serene silence of dawn and awaking all who sleep. The voice-
recorded ring tone resounds loudly, “Chris, dog walker….Chris, 
dog walker!” Immediately, Daisy snaps to attention, plants herself 
at the foot of the bed, and places one paw on the top sheet with her 
fluffy white ears and tail fully engaged.

 Next she begins her usual routine of pacing back and 
forth from the bedroom to the leash that hangs on the hook by 
the front door, whining softly as she paces, as if to say, “Please hurry, get me ready, Chris will be here any minute”. 
Soon she is greeted on the front porch by her beloved walker who gives her a hug and a pleasant verbal greeting, and 
off we go. Daisy is absolutely elated to be leashed and heading out on yet another exploratory pilgrimage through the 
neighborhood.

 Within moments, we are well on our way up the steep hill that takes us to the canyon and ultimate apex of our 
vigorous hour-long hike. The sun has just made it’s way over the eastern horizon, and has begun it’s typical daily task 
of steaming the pavement and warming the windows of the houses as we pass by.

 Suddenly, Daisy stops in her tracks; her body stiffens and she stares ahead, fully focused on the adjacent hillside. Her 
ears are perked to a point, her tail is bent forward and the hair on her back begins to raise up. I follow her gaze, hoping 
to see what may have caught her eye and caused such a sudden change in her countenance, but I see nothing out of the 
ordinary among the massive, meandering tree branches and low-growing fauna covering the hill.

 Seconds later, Daisy relaxes enough for us to resume our steep upward climb as I wonder to myself what could 
have caused her momentary change in behavior. It crosses my mind that she might have nervous tendencies due 
to a traumatic experience that occurred when she was a puppy, before she was rescued and adopted. As I ponder 
the possibilities, we make our way further up and around the curve toward the fire road, where the pavement ends 
abruptly at the trail head. It is then that I look up to see a small pack of coyotes standing in the middle of the trail just 
a few yards ahead, looking directly at us! I am a bit surprised to see so many of them standing so close, but having 
seen coyotes in the canyon multiple times before, I know enough to slowly back away and leave them alone, to avoid 
confrontation.

 As we head back down the hill, it occurs to me that Daisy’s sudden change in demeanor on our way up the hill had 
nothing to do with neurosis, nor was it prompted by something she saw far away in the distant woods. Daisy’s brief 
behavioral interlude had clearly been a natural response to her inherently keen sense of smell. I had recently read that a 
dog’s ability to smell is approximately 1,000 times stronger than that of a human, mainly attributable to a vomeronasal 
organ that is housed in the dog’s olfactory chamber. This specialized anatomical feature, unique to the canine, was no 
doubt what allowed Daisy to sense the presence of the coyotes from so far away, long before they came into her field of 
vision.

 We finished our hike, and I delivered Daisy back to the safety of her home with lots of hugs and praise. Later that 
day, I was reflecting on our walk and I realized that my initial assumptions about what could have caused Daisy’s 
unexpected behavior had been a prime example of how the domestic dog is often misunderstood by the human being.

 Daisy’s response to the scent of the coyotes that morning reinforced my appreciation for the dog’s sense of smell, 
but more importantly it taught me that, if acknowledged from the proper perspective, a dog’s sensual abilities and 
responsive behavior can act as a very 
important tell-tale for the human’s safety 
in or near the wilderness.

 Finally, it was a reminder to avoid 
trying to anthropomorphize the dog. 
To expect a dog to think and behave 
the way a human thinks and behaves 
is to foolishly discount the remarkable 
unique qualities of the dog that can be of 
great value and benefit to us humans. In 
retrospect, my experience that morning 
taught me two very valuable lessons; to 
respect the dog and his inherent sensual 
abilities, and to allow myself a healthy 
helping of humility as a human being. 
Who knew a simple morning walk with a 
dog could offer lessons of such value and 
importance?

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

Who loves the outdoors? Meet Buddy! 

 Buddy is a sweet dog, being called a Chihuahua 
mix. He is about 2 years old, and weighs close to 18 
pounds. He is larger than most Chihuahuas, and 
is more likely just “dog.” Buddy has an easy-care 
coat of short tan fur with facial markings that are 
a shade darker. His build is slender with long legs; 
all the better for running and playing.

 Buddy was surrendered to 
the shelter as part of a group 
of seven dogs who found 
themselves homeless when 
their owner died. The dogs 
all appeared to have been 
well loved and cared for, and 
were a happy bunch who got 
along well with each other. 
All the other dogs in this 
family have been adopted, 
so only Buddy is left, waiting 
for his forever family to come 
along.

 Buddy has a happy, 
outgoing personality and 
loves people. He has a lot 
of energy and loves going 
for walks or runs with our 
volunteers. When they sit 
down to take a break, he will 
get into a lap, sharing kisses 
while he gets pets and belly 
rubs. Buddy is easy to harness and walks well on 
leash. 

 Buddy has a joyful spirit and is friendly with 
both people and other dogs. He and his kennel 
mate love to play with each other, competing for 
toys while they chase each other around our play 
yard.

 Buddy would make a wonderful pet for an active 
family that could give him lots of exercise and play 
time. Since he came from a home with several 
dogs, he would likely enjoy having another dog 
as a playmate. Buddy’s happy personality would 
brighten the lives of all those around him. Come 
in to meet this special boy and give him the chance 
he needs for a great life. 

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

 His adoption fee is $130 
and includes neuter 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 Buddy. If 
you are interested in meeting 
Buddy 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. 

 Celebrate the season with our ‘Fall is for Felines’ 
promotion. All cats one year and older are available 
until October 31st for a $39 adoption fee. 

 Readers are invited to join the San Gabriel ‘Race 
for the Rescues’ team to raise funds for shelter 
animals. The Race is Saturday, October 24th 
at the Rose Bowl. Go to the shelter’s website at 
sgvhumane.org for more information and how to 
sign up! 


PET OF THE WEEK: HALO: ANIMAL ID #A4880945

Check out this adorable face! Halo (A4880945) is 
a charismatic and comical 2-year-old white-and-
cream male Corgi and Toy Fox Terrier mix whose 
owners surrendered him to the Baldwin Park 
Animal Care Center on September 23rd because 
they lost their home. Weighing 10 lbs, Halo is one 
happy boy and one complete 
package! On Glamour Shot day, 
he leaped out of his kennel with 
his handler, completely trusting 
and ready to go see what was 
in store for him. He loves and 
is okay with other dogs and all 
people. One volunteer called 
him “the life of the party”; 
another said he was “Mr. 
Confidence.” He seems to be a 
well-adjusted little character, 
one who was loved by his 
former family and is now ready 
to make lemonade out of his situation by finding 
new friends and being his optimistic self. He has 
essentially a puppy energy, and he’s definitely an 
entertainer: at one point he leaped into a volunteer’s 
lap and looked at her as if to say, “Hi! Come on and 
play!” He shows signs of being house trained, he’s 
wonderful on leash, and he’s eager to walk and be 
with everyone. We think Halo will be the shining 
star in anyone’s life—from an individual to a family 
with children. He’s ready to meet his new family and 
get crackin’ at livin’ life and enjoying every minute 
of it. To watch a video of little angel Halo, visit the 
following link: https://youtu.be/kzzoxuVI4qY

 To meet Halo, please see him at the Baldwin 
Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. 
Elton, Baldwin Park, CA 91706 
(Phone: 626-962-3577). Halo 
is currently available now. For 
any inquiries about Halo, please 
reference his animal ID number: 
A4880945. 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 Halo 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/.


GIVING DEPARTED PETS A GREEN, GENTLE 
FAREWELL:SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VETS & PET 
OWNERS ARE OPTING FOR AN ECO-FRIENDLY, 
WATER-BASED ALTERNATIVE TO PET CREMATION

Up until very recently, pet owners had a single option 
for handling the remains of a beloved dog or cat -- 
cremation, a process that spews toxic fumes into 
the atmosphere, requires a considerable amount of 
energy, and provided by operations akin to refuse 
removal services. Today, Southern California pet 
owners and veterinarians have an entirely preferable 
way to say goodbye to companion animals.

 Peaceful Pets Aquamation is the nation’s first 
100% green and gentle alternative to cremation and 
the “pet project” of an award-winning television 
executive and 20-year Hearst Entertainment 
veteran, Jerry Shevick. It’s a “high-tech and high-
touch” business that Shevick intends to take 
nationally and shake up the billion dollar pet 
industry.

 Living on a remote ranch in the mountains above 
Malibu, surrounded by a gaggle of chickens, cats, 
canines and various random rescued creatures, 
Shevick was particularly pained by the loss of one 
of his pets and the animal’s subsequent “disposal” 
method by the veterinarian. After huddling with 
a group of the area’s plentiful high-profile pet-
lovers and environmentally active residents, 
spending months researching the somewhat arcane 
world of pet disposal and meeting with various 
Southland veterinary organizations, his company 
was born when he discovered a revolutionary 
water-based process housed in a machine invented 
by an unconventional Midwest millionaire. 
Peaceful Pets Aquamation uses alkaline 
hydrolysis, a water-based process that is more like 
natural decomposition than any other method. It is 
a safe and widely used method of tissue disposition 
at many medical and educational facilities including 
the MAYO Research Clinic, Duke University 
and UCLA. Using water flow, temperature and 
alkalinity, it accelerates the process of natural 
decomposition. Following Aquamation, only the 
animal’s bones remain in the form of a fine sand. 
At Peaceful Pets Aquamation, each step of the 
process is designed to reassure pet owners that their 
companion animal’s remains are being handled 
with dignity and that they have made a choice that 
is far better for the planet than cremation. From the 
customized refrigerated van used in transporting 
pets, the specially trained teams ready to comfort 
mourning pet owners and an office akin to a 
sanctuary featuring vivid colorful new age mosaics to 
the paw-print mementos and biodegradable urns — 
Shevick plans to revolutionize after-life care for pets. 
While Peaceful Pets Aquamation offers higher 
quality and environmentally-friendly services, 
its prices are comparable to traditional cremation 
services in the Southland. Peaceful Pets has 
affiliated with a network of veterinarians in Los 
Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Orange 
Counties to provide services to their clients’ pets. 
In addition, pet owners can contact Peaceful Pets 
directly to arrange for after-care for their animals. 
Peaceful Pets Aquamation is located in Newbury 
Park, CA. For more information, please call 805-
410-3880 or visit www.peacefulpetsaquamation.
com.


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