Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, May 6, 2017

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

8

Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 6, 2017 


HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

MAJORITY RULES 
TWICE FOR DOMESTIC 
ANIMALS

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

THE JOY OF YOGA


FUNCTION V. FORM

April, 2017 turned out to be a fantastic month for 
domestic dogs and various other pets in the state of 
California. With the support of Assemblymembers 
Patrick O’Donnell (Dist.70) and Adrin Nazarian 
(Dist.46), two state assembly bills designed to ensure 
the more humane treatment of domestic animals 
were passed by the majority vote of their respective 
assembly committees.

 This comes as the result of much effort on the part 
of many avid animal lovers, including the awesome 
activists at Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL), 
who recognized the need for positive change and 
took necessary action to make it so. But all the 
effort in the world can’t make a difference in the law 
without the support of our elected servants. And for 
that we animal lovers should be ever-so-grateful!

 Assembly Bill 1199 was the first of two to be 
passed by a majority vote last month (6 ayes to 1 
no). This bill requires the Commission on Peace 
Officer Standards and Training (POST) to develop 
and implement training for peace officers regarding 
encounters with dogs. It also requires specified law 
enforcement officers, including municipal police 
officers and county sheriff’s deputies to receive this 
training.

 With an estimated 8.7 million pet dogs residing 
in California homes, police officers are likely to 
encounter dogs on one out of every three house 
calls. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 
an estimated 10,000+ pet dogs are shot and killed 
by police officers in the United States each year. 
This statistic is absolutely incomprehensible 
and unacceptable. AB-1119’s supporters knew 
something had to be done to stop the senseless 
killing of so many innocent animals.

 Historically, POST’s dog-encounter-related 
training was limited to a two-hour DVD, “Dog 
Encounters: Keeping Officers Safe”. The DVD was 
made available for officers to view at will, but viewing 
was not mandatory. The new law would require 
more extensive, mandatory police officer training 
to help educate officers on how to understand the 
behavior and body language of dogs.

 The objective goal of AB-1199 is to curb the 
epidemic of preventable dog shootings and equip 
officers with the tools and techniques necessary for 
safe encounters with domestic dogs. The ability to 
discern between dangerous and 
salvageable situations will help 
diffuse such encounters, to allow 
officers to simultaneously protect 
citizens, family pets and themselves.

 The new police training course 
would include such focal points 
as understanding the behavior of 
dogs, tactical considerations and 
best practices during encounters 
involving dogs, as well as safe 
handling of and appropriate use of 
force against dogs.

 Law enforcement officers 
throughout the state would be 
required to complete the training course by no later 
than January 1, 2019. Assuming necessary funds can 
be appropriated to implement this bill and assuming 
it comes out on top through the political debate 
process, it is well on it’s way to becoming part of the 
law in our state.

 Assembly Bill 485 is another pet-lover’s favorite 
that passed the committee by a majority vote last 
month (10 ayes to 1 no). This bill would limit the 
sale of animals in private pet retail stores to only 
those rescued from animal shelters or non-profit 
rescue organizations. It is yet another step in the 
right direction of doing away with what is left of 
those disgusting and cruel puppy mills.

 Los Angeles and several other cities in 
California already have similar laws in place, but 
the implementation of AB-485, also known as 
the Pet Rescue and Adoption Act, would require 
pet shops across the entire state to comply with 
“rescue-pet-only” retail sales. What a victory this 
would be for the animals…indeed it is a win-win 
for all involved!

 Because there are no foreseen costs associated 
with the implementation of AB-485, it’s chances of 
becoming part of California law are quite good. With 
the continued support of it’s authoring assembly 
members and the numerous animal-loving citizens 
who’ve helped initiate this bill, we have high hopes 
of seeing it being implemented as California state 
law.

 There are many hurdles to be cleared when it 
comes to making changes to existing law, but I 
can’t think of a more worthy cause than that of the 
humane treatment of animals. When passionate 
people come together and do the footwork to 
initiate bills designed to help ensure that animals are 
treated with the care and respect they deserve, there 
is much to be celebrated and it lends us hope for a 
better future.

 Kudos to Assemblymembers, Patrick O’Donnell 
and Adrin Nazarian for setting an excellent example 
of how the people of the great state of California 
truly do love and respect our animals! We couldn’t 
ask for better representation than that, could we? 
Keep up the good work, our dear elected servants 
and continue your unrelenting support, our caring 
California citizens…love and let live!

I am always 
surprised when 
a student says 
they can’t do yoga 
because they are 
not flexible. We 
come to yoga to GET flexible! Each one of us has our 
own unique body. We also have our own individual 
experiences, needs, and perception on what yoga is 
and isn’t. 

 Our asana practice, or physical postures are just 
the tip of the iceberg in shaping our breath, energy 
and mind-body connection. Each pose has an effect 
on all these layers; physical, mental/emotional and 
energetic. Each has a special purpose, or function. 
A standing pose, such as trikonasana (triangle), may 
be used with dynamic arm variations to increase our 
breath capacity, create vertebral length, or free our 
lateral muscles. If we use triangle pose this way, it 
becomes less about the text book “form” (or cover of 
yoga journal), and more about the effect we going for 
and lead into the sequence following. In fact, forcing 
the proper form could take us out of the function of 
pose. The breath quickly goes if we’re in too deep. Or 
when we look around, concerned about what it looks 
like, we lose our internal focus. 

 It’s a great point-of-view to practice from. We need 
to honor our form in each pose, just to the extent of 
safety and basic alignment. Beyond that, the function 
is most important. Your body has its own unique 
expression in each asana. That’s a beautiful thing. It’s 
going to look perfect on you, and for most of us, not 
what we see on a textbook or cover of a magazine. 

Namaste, 

Keely Totten - E-RYT 500, Teacher at Yoga Madre


THE MISSING PAGE

Real Life Tips from LIfe's Instruction Manual

YOUR LIFE AND YOUR SHOPPING LIST

A few weeks ago, I reminded you that you should put at least as much effort into your 
life as you do when you go to the grocery store. The similarity between your life and 
that trip to the market is the activity of writing down what you want. Many nutritionists 
recommend that consumers go to the store with a written list, knowing what they want. 
Otherwise, there is a risk of being tempted to make an unconscious choice, that would 
sabotage their goals.

 The experts say don't go to the market hungry, well you should approach your life with a hunger and thirst 
for living your best life! 

Did you know that writing your goals down increases your likelihood of success ten fold?

So are you asking yourself powerful questions? How about, what could I do today to make today the perfect 
day? Great days start with intentional, great minutes and hours.

You might try this question, what is the challenge that is calling me today?

Ask yourself a question that inspires you to dream. Ask yourself questions that will advance your vision and 
turn it into the life you are living.

 Now write down your answer, and you will be on your way to living a life you imagine. My goal is that you 
are living a truthful and inspired life. When we push ourselves, we experience a greater sense of fulfillment, 
and we inspire others to do the same. 

We can make the world a better place, first by being our best self and living our best life.-- 

 Lori A. Harris is a lawyer and empowerment coach that helps women that women live their best lives. You can find out 
more about her at www.LoriAHarris.com and download her free app the Gratitude Train in Google Play and the App Store.


HAVE YOU SEEN THIS DOG?

SM Resident Toni Moran needs your help! 

She adopted this sweet scared dog a few 
days ago and the next day the little dog 
ran out of her house & got away. 

The dog has no chip or collar. She is a 
feral rescue. 

Toni has contacted the PD's close to her 
as well as The Humane Society.

Many people looked for hours so but 
if you live or are near Orange Grove, 
between Lima & Hermosa, that's where 
her dog was last seen.

Please help Toni. Her heart is broken. 
Call her at 626-355-7352 if you have any 
information.

Thank you!


Meet Gypsy & Bongo, ages 1 & 2. Unbelievably, this sweet 
and beautiful pair was abandoned by an “owner” who 
boarded them while she supposedly moved, but never 
came back for them. Her loss, but your huge gain! They 
are delightful! Gypsy, the female, is a shorthair, all shiny 
black, rather petite, born 9/2015. Bongo, the male, is also 
shorthair, black and white, a rather big boy, born 5/2016. 
Gypsy, while more independent, likes to be near you and 
in the same room as you. She is not really a fan of being 
held too long, but 
she will greet you 
nose to nose, and 
will even jump on 
something high, like 
a cat tree, to reach 
you. Her favorite 
game is to hide 
from unsuspecting 
Bongo and then 
pounce on him for 
a friendly wrestling 
match!

 Bongo, on the other hand, is a lapcat. He is playful, 
and loves belly & ear rubs. He is easily held, snuggled, 
and cuddled, and likes to sit on your shoulder and purr. 
He gets along well with other cats and with people, and 
always greets human arrivals.

 Adoption fee is $100 for one or two, which includes 
neuter, microchip, exam & vaccines. Our cats are negative 
FELV/FIV unless otherwise indicated. 

 See more pictures, adoption info & application on our 
website, www.lifelineforpets.org. Can’t adopt? Visit our 
website for our easy Sponsor A Kitty campaign.


LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND


Tianna is a sweet and lovely two-
year old American Staffordshire 
mix girl with a gorgeous grey and 
white coat, soulful brown eyes, 
cute button-nose, and a pair of 
bouncy puppy ears…one white 
and one gray!

 Weighing only about 48lbs, 
this petite girl has had rough 
start in life. At this young age, 
Tianna seems to have had 
already a litter of puppies before 
she was heartlessly dumped at 
the shelter tied to a pole. But 
Tianna is resilient! And despite 
being abandoned in such a way, 
she still loves people. In fact, 
she gets bonded to people fairly 
quickly and really enjoys playing 
and spending cuddling time with her human 
friends. She does well on a leash and loves her 
regular walks and jogs around the park.

 If you are the true forever 
and loving home that Tianna 
deserves, please come by and 
meet her. Be ready to fall 
head over heels for this cutie 
pie! Her adoption fee is $145, 
which includes spay surgery, 
a microchip, first vaccinations 
and a free wellness check-up 
at a participating veterinarian. 
Feel free to call us at (626) 286-
1159 for more information on 
Tianna. ID#28700. She currently 
resides at the San Gabriel Valley 
Humane Society located at 851 
E. Grand Avenue in San Gabriel 
which is located off San Gabriel 
Blvd, north of Mission and south 
of Las Tunas Drive. To arrange a 
‘Meet and Greet’ with Tianna, please stop by any 
time from 10:30am to 4:30pm Tuesday through 
Sunday.Website:www.sgvhumane.org. 

 
Walter Cailleteau, DVM Free Exam!
927 N. Michillinda Ave. For New Clients 
Pasadena, CA 91107 Bring this coupon to save! 
(626) 351-8863
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