Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 5, 2016

9

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 5, 2016 


LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND?

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

Loving Dog Seeks Caring Family

Are you looking for a friend that will love you 
forever? The search is over. Teeter is a 6 . year 
old Jack Russell Terrier mix, weighing around 8 
pounds. Teeter was found as a stray in San Gabriel 
with no identification. He arrived at the shelter 
needing some dental work and limping from an 
old leg injury. After having his teeth cleaned and 
receiving medication for the pain in his leg, he is 
now ready for adoption and feeling much better.

 Teeter is a friendly boy, wagging his tail non-
stop when he meets new friends. He seems to love 
being with people, and enjoys cuddling in a lap 
while receiving pets. He has a calm temperament 
and a sweet nature.

 Teeter enjoys going for walks, and likes being 
the leader of the pack. He has a medium energy 
level and loves moving ahead, taking everything 
in. Teeter is looking for a home where he is cared 
for as a member of the family. He would like to 
spend his days in his own yard where he can run 
and play, and his nights inside with the rest of the 
family in his own nice, warm bed. Come meet 
this charming boy to see if you and Teeter are 
right for each other.

 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 Titan. 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 Drive. To arrange a ‘Meet and 
Greet’ with Titan, please stop by any time from 
10:30am to 4:30pm Tuesday through Sunday. 

 If you are interested in meeting Teeter, or any 
of the other wonderful pets at the shelter, visit 
the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society at 851 
E. Grand Ave., San Gabriel, CA 91776, Tuesday 
through Sunday from 10:30am to 4:30pm. See our 
website at www.sgvhumane.org for information 
and photos of all our wonderful pets. 

 The City of Duarte is hosting an afternoon event 
to celebrate the opening of the new Metro Station. 
As part of their celebration, they have asked San 
Gabriel Valley Humane Society to participate. 
Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 5th from 
12:00 to 4:00pm. The streets will be closed in that 
area and it is an event for the entire family with 
food trucks, fun booths and shelter animals!


THE HEAVENLY, 
HARMONIOUS HUMMER

During a recent walk with one of my canine clients, 
I heard what I thought was a bumble bee buzzing 
nearby, behind me. It was quite loud and sounded 
really close, startling me enough to turn and look at 
what was making that noise. When I turned around, 
I found myself eye-to-eye with a tiny hummingbird 
floating right where a ray of sun was shining through 
between the shade of the tree canopies. It’s brilliant 
iridescent wings were winding 
and working vigorously to keep 
it hanging there in the air at eye-
level for what seemed to me like 
an eternity. Then it suddenly dove 
down slightly and flew up-and-away 
as quickly as it had come.

 I see hummingbirds in our area 
all the time, but for some reason 
that close encounter with such an 
amazing little creature levitating 
in the air just a couple of feet from 
my face left me feeling blessed by nature, as if it was 
a meeting meant to be, just for me. I couldn’t help 
thinking, “Imagine being able to fly and flit about in 
the air and up over the treetops, like that tiny little 
bird?”. God’s creations never cease to amaze me 
and hummingbirds have got to be among the most 
remarkable creatures on earth.

 The hummingbird’s brain is larger in comparison 
to it’s body size than any other bird species. They are 
extremely smart and have a terrific memory, allowing 
them to keep tabs on the whereabouts of their favorite 
feeders and flowers. They even remember when each 
type of their preferred flowers will have refilled and 
be ready for them to revisit. Amazing, yes, and good 
for them, but hummers are not strictly self-serving 
birds.

 They play a very important and harmonious 
role in nature‘s big picture, making them excellent 
team players alongside all the other creatures with 
whom they cohabitate, including we humans. 
Hummingbirds are prolific pollinators, willing to 
work fervently for hours moving pollen from one 
location to another, as long as they have access to 
a sufficient amount of nectar to replenish their little 
systems. 

 The three most common hummingbirds found in 
California are Anna’s (Calypte anna), Black-chinned 
(Archilochus alexandri), and Allen’s (Selasphorus 
sasin), with the largest population being 
that of Anna’s. As if playing a major 
role in nature wasn’t enough to make 
the heavenly, harmonious hummer 
a valuable asset to earth, it also adds 
bountiful beauty and uniquely subtle 
music to the backdrop of our daily lives.

 The adult male Anna’s hummingbird 
boasts the most gorgeous plume of 
feathers, with a combination of colors 
that is sure to make other “aviarians” 
in our area envious. Their brilliant 
iridescent glow of metallic green, rose-
red and silvery-grey come to life in the 
sunlight, bringing a sense of awe to the 
on-looker. During mating season, the male Anna’s 
begins his rowdy routine of fluffing his feathers and 
flitting his wings in a dance designed to catch the 
attention of his female counterparts. I have seen this 
puffed-up plumage dance performed numerous times, 
and I always find myself completely captivated by the 
ordeal.

 Hummingbirds are not much for socializing, the 
way most birds are. They do not 
migrate together in flocks, nor do 
they maintain familial relationships. 
In fact, the only times you are 
apt to see hummers together is 
during mating season and on those 
occasions when they are forced to 
share a common feeder for a quick 
snack before buzzing off to yet 
another isolated destination.

 Hummers are very independent 
little beings, and they each seem to be 
very focused on what they plan to do next. Something 
about that particular characteristic of this amazing 
species really appeals to me. Maybe it’s because I’m a 
bit of a loner myself. They tend to act on their own, but 
because they are each busy performing their natural 
God-given duties as pollinators, the overall mission is 
accomplished. Likewise, I make a great team player as 
long as I am given enough time to myself to complete 
the tasks at hand.

 In this way, the hummer and I may have a little 
something in common, but I still wish I could fly and 
flit about in the sky the way they do. I really don’t 
foresee that happening to me, so I’ll continue to 
watch them from ground level and appreciate their 
instinctual intelligence and beauty, the subtle song 
they sing and the comfort they bring, reminding me 
each day that nature is taking it’s course in a healthy, 
balanced way. 

 I encourage all of my fellow human beings to 
pause and ponder the wonders of nature. Take a few 
moments each day to observe and appreciate the 
beauty that surrounds us. The human’s world is so full 
of seemingly meaningless activity, and it’s easy to get 
caught up in it all. I find that when I take the time to 
look around at God’s amazing creations and consider 
the wonderful way it all comes together, I’m able to 
accept the constant chaos with much more ease. Love 
and let live.


PET OF THE WEEK: FIGARO: ANIMAL ID #A4921412

Good things come in small packages. Such is the case 
with Figaro (A4921412)! Figaro is a family-ready 
6-year old cream-colored male Chihuahua mix who 
came into the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center 
on February 20th as a stray from West Covina. 
Weighing 7 lbs, Figaro struts 
okay on leash, shows signs of 
being potty trained, and has 
other attributes that made his 
handler call him a “wonderful 
dog.” He’s gentle, he’s curious 
and alert, he responds to 
attention, he loves to climb in 
your lap, and he has an air of 
confidence. We think he’ll do 
marvelously in a household of 
any size (including one with 
kids who know to be respectful 
of his small frame). He has the 
great manners and personality 
that will make him a perfect little plug-and-play 
new family member. To watch a video of Figaro, 
please visist the following link: https://youtu.be/
Wzqma3HG99M

 To meet Figaro in person, please see him at the 
Baldwin Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. Elton, 
Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-962-3577). He 
is currently available now. For any inquiries about 
Figaro, please reference his animal ID number: 
A4921412. 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 
Figaro 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