Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, February 25, 2017

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

8

Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 25, 2017 

LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND


KEEPIN’ IT LIGHT 
AT NIGHT

Kermit is a four-year old “Red” or “Irish 
Red” Staffordshire terrier mix with 
great looks and a fun loving personality 
that is just as silly as the other famous 
Kermit. He has a beautiful butterscotch-
colored coat with white patches on his 
chest and paws and a big smile that is 
literally from ear to ear.

 Kermit came to the shelter after 
officers from the San Gabriel Police 
Department found him tied to a fire 
hydrant. It is unknown how long he 
had been tied and abandoned in such 
manner but we are glad that he was 
first found by the officers who in turn 
brought him to the shelter.

 Despite being abandoned this way 
he still trusts and loves people. He 
does well on the leash, responds well to 
commands, and has been known at the 
shelter for being a “leaner” dog. This 
means that he really enjoys walking 
next to his human very closely, as if he’s 
leaning on him or her.

 If you are looking for a loving dog 
who’s looking for someone to lean on; 
please come on by and meet Kermit the 
dog! Kermit’s adoption fee is $145 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 Kermit. ID#24406. He 
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 
Kermit, please stop by any time from 
10:30am to 4:30pm Tuesday through 
Sunday.Website:www.sgvhumane.org. 


Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

During the months of daylight savings time, when the sun 
light is somewhat harder to come by, it can be a challenge to 
work in a walk with the dog before dark. This is particularly 
true for those folks who have a regimen of leaving the house 
at the crack of dawn to embark on that commute that will, 
hopefully get them to work on time. Then there are those who 
prefer an evening walk but for whatever reason, can’t get it 
done before dark.

 I’m happy to say that I don’t have to embark on a long 
journey to get to work, because the pets I get to spend time 
with are all here in town where I live. But I will say that when 
I do have to drive during the wee hours of the morning 
before sunrise, or in the evening after sundown, there have 
been many occasions when I’ve been caught off-guard by 
pedestrians attempting to use a cross-walk to get from one 
side of the street to another.

 There have even been times when I’ve failed to see 
pedestrians along the street until I’ve passed by and noticed 
a dark form in my peripheral vision. It always concerns me, 
in retrospect, that a person could be walking so close to my 
moving vehicle or standing there trying to cross the street, 
waiting for me to stop and I didn‘t even see them.

 I try to be vigilant and cautious while driving in the dark, 
and while driving in the light of day for that matter, but even 
still those early morning and evening walkers can be quite 
elusive. It is especially concerning to see people walking their 
dogs in the dark without reflective or lighted devices to help 
illuminate their presence to unwitting motorists such as 
myself.

 Actually, I think both motorists and pedestrians could try 
a little harder to ensure that walking along a darkened street 
is a safe activity for all involved. And considering the inherent 
risks associated with embarking on a dark outing with one’s 
beloved little wiggle-waggler, a wise walker will be prepared 
with the proper gear to steer clear of any potential obstruction 
- not the least of which is a moving vehicle.

 Fortunately for us evening and early morning dog walkers, 
there are a number of devices specifically designed to keep it 
light at night for a safer walk around the block. With visibility 
enhancers, reflective vests, arm cuffs, glowing collars, flashing 
lights and day-glo coats now available on the shopping shelves 
there is, no doubt, something for everyone!

 Remember, a vital key to a safe walk in the dark is ensuring 
that you and your pet are overtly obvious to passing motorists 
and what better way to make yourselves obvious than for 
both of you to wear lighted and/or reflective gear? Indeed it 
is a must for a safe walk in the dark. But common sense says 
lighting up isn’t the only way to stay safe on a night excursion. 
There are a few additional safety precautions that one should 
take if they wish to walk safely in the dark.

 Be a vigilant pedestrian on behalf of 
yourself and your dog. Don’t walk down 
the middle of the street, even if you 
think you are safe because you don’t see 
headlights. There are too many motorists 
who speed at night when they think they 
can get away with it. You may not see 
headlights at the moment, but it only takes 
a second for a speeder to blow through a 
stop sign at a cross street and spin around 
the corner heading in your direction.

 And, as we Sierra Madreans all know 
very well, we are not alone in this small 
mountain side village. We share our living 
space with a variety of other creatures who 
may or may not be passive observers of our presence on the 
streets. During the six years that I have been in the business 
of walking dogs, I have seen at least one of every kind of furry 
four-legger you can imagine while I am out and about with 
my four-legged buds, both in the light of day and in the dark.

 I’ve seen coyotes, bears, big cats, skunks, opossum and deer 
lurking about in our town on any given day, and while they 
may tend to stay away from us passers by, we don’t always 
know how our beloved canines may react to seeing them 
suddenly appear on our path.

 I like to be prepared for such a surprise encounter whenever 
possible. One way to help prevent a mishap with a wild animal 
is to maintain a strong hold on your dog’s leash at all times. 
This is not to say that I keep a tight rein on their collar at all 
times.

 It just means that I am conscious of keeping a firm grip on 
the leash. I hold the loop end of the leash in one hand and I 
keep a tight hold on the leash about half way down, to ensure 
that one hand or the other will catch the leash in good time 
before the dog is too far out my reach.

 Some pups are pretty passive when it comes to meeting up 
with other animals on the street, while others tend to me a bit 
more aggressive. This may be due to having been startled by 
the presence of an unknown animal, or simply because they 
are acting on their own instincts to protect you from the other 
creature. For whatever reason, it is very important to prevent 
that close encounter for the safety of your pet and yourself.

 There are also other devices to help ensure a safe walk with 
your dog, whether it be during the light of day or after dark. 
There are air-blowers that make a loud noise to scare a wild 
beast away and some folks use whistles for this purpose as 
well. And while I personally don’t use it, there is also pepper 
spray available to force a would-be wild attacker to back off.

 Safety preparedness is a smart way to start a walk with a 
dog, and the tips mentioned here are certainly attainable 
means of being prepared. Ultimately, however, it is my 
opinion that the most clear and present danger one might face 
during an after-dark walk in Sierra Madre is the potential to 
not be seen by a passing motorist.

 For this reason, I highly recommend a stop at the local pet 
shop, or a visit to one of the many pet supply web sites on line, 
to find the right light and reflective device(s) for yourself and 
your pet to wear on your walk. Better safe than sorry! It only 
takes one time for the kind of injury that can occur when a 
fast moving vehicle inadvertently comes into contact with a 
fragile body, be it a two- or four-legged one. Be safe, keep it 
light at night, love and let live!


Even skittish kitties 
deserve a loving home! 
Please take another 
look at SCOUT, age 7. 
Scout is a gentle and 
sweet little guy. He’s 
beautifully all shiny 
black. Scout will be 
shy at first until he gets 
to know you, but after 
that he will love to be 
next to you and be 
petted or get a tummy 
rub. Black kitties are 
often overlooked by 
adopters, and, being shy, Scout has been waiting for 
a real home for 7 YEARS!! Please make it Scout’s 
lucky day & help 
him find a home 
by St. Patrick’s 
Day! Call 626-676-
9505 for a Meet & 
GreeAdoption fee 
is $100, but may 
be discounted if 
you ask, which 
includes spay, 
microchip, exam 
& vaccines. A great savings! Our cats are negative 
FELV/FIV unless otherwise indicated. 

See more pictures, videos, adoption info & 
application on our website, www.lifelineforpets.org. 
Sorry, we are not accepting cats at this time.

GOOD NEWS: WILBUR has been adopted! 


HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

THE JOY OF YOGA


MIND-BODY CONNECTION

In many ways, 
our yoga practice 
is always about 
establishing and 
re-establishing 
the mind-body 
connection. The 
connection is so deep, so continuous and completely 
interdependent. All of our experiences--birth until 
present moment-- are held, absorbed and “seated” 
in the body, down to the cellular level. Think of the 
amount of experiences that take place between the 
hips, for example. Creation of life happens here, 
emotions are held here. Our backs often carry our 
burdens, hence the pain in the lower back. Our lungs 
and breath are affected when we’re anxious, scared or 
repressing our feelings. Sickness can evolve when our 
feelings haven’t been expressed fully or in a healthy 
way. You can imagine that the way we think affects our 
body, and our body affects the way we think. 

Thus, our yoga practice can bring stuff up and release 
emotions. It also can facilitate healing. Step one to 
healing and letting go is to become aware of what’s 
going on with the body. Step two is to notice the mind’s 
reaction to this stirring of emotions or resistance. 
In our practice, we want to cultivate what’s called, 
Adhikara, or a sensitivity to our awareness of the subtle 
body. It also means being “spiritually ready” for self-
study. We peer back to the observer point of view, just 
noticing what’s easy or hard. What’s the condition of 
the breath? Does the mind want to check out? What’s 
our reaction to what’s taking place? 

Practicing awareness, deepening our sensitivity to 
what’s going on internally, and paying attention to 
the body can help us when we’re not practicing yoga. 
We may notice the same resistance in other situations. 
Ultimately, the fruits of this work will be a pause in our 
reaction time and a present-moment oriented mind. 
And there is nothing unmanageable in the present 
moment. 

Let’s explore this mind-body connection through 
practice. Come see us at Yoga Madre!

Namaste, 

Keely Totten

Teaching @ YOGA MADRE

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY - BARK FOR LIFE!

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2017 - 10AM – 1PM

 WHAT: BARK FOR LIFE – A Canine Event to Fight 
Cancer

 WHERE: Arcadia Dog Park (Eisenhower Park) located 
on the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Second Avenue: 
601 N. Second Avefnue, Arcadia, CA 91006.

 WHO: All dog owners and (and lovers); the Hope Can 
Cure Cancer Club from Arcadia High School; the American 
Cancer Society Relay for Life; and the City of Arcadia’s 
Recreation and Community Services Department.

 WHEN: Saturday, March 4, 2017

Registration begins at 9:15am; Opening Ceremonies start at 
10:00am

 Registration: $15.00 per dog, $10.00 for the second dog!

 The City of Arcadia along with the Hope Can Cure 
Cancer Club from Arcadia High School is hosting a Bark 
for Life Event. Bark for Life is a noncompetitive walk event 
for dogs and their owners to raise funds for the American 
Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. Bark for Life is directly 
related to Arcadia’s Relay for Life and shares the theme, 
“Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.” So bring your best 
canine friends and join us for a fun-filled day starting with 
a walk, and continuing with demonstrations, contests, and 
games. Please remember dogs must be on a leash and please 
be ready to clean up after your four legged friends.

 By supporting Bark for Life, you help the American 
Cancer Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to 
our ultimate goal of creating a world with less cancer and 
more birthdays. To register your dog, please visit: www.
relayforlife.org/barkarcadiaca. The cost is $15 for your first 
dog and $10 for your second dog.

 For information contact: City of Arcadia, Recreation 
and Community Services, 626.574.5113 or Carter L. Spruill 
at barkarcadia@hotmail.com or call 323.309.3954.

About the City of Arcadia

Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, 
Arcadia is an 11.38 square mile community with a 
population of just over 56,000. Located approximately 
20 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, Arcadia 
is known for combining small-town charm with 
the conveniences and amenities of a mid-size city. 
Arcadia is a full-service charter city governed by a five-
member City Council, elected at large. Recognized for 
exceptional education and recreation opportunities and 
beautiful neighborhoods, Arcadia is also defined as the 
“Community of Homes” and has twice been designated 
the “Best City in California in which to Raise Kids” by 
Business Week Magazine.


THE MISSING PAGE

Real Life Tips from LIfe's Instruction Manual

AL GREEN ASKED....HOW CAN YOU 
MEND A BROKEN HEART?

Have you ever gone through a 
breakup? You know that guy. The 
man you date because he seems 
like he may be a good fit, only to find out he is so wrong 
for you. If you are like me, you have had that experience 
once or twice. It is an interesting place to be. There are 
lots of lessons to be learned. That soil is rich. To learn 
the lesson, one must be willing to learn. It requires 
self-awareness.

 Also, if you are like me, you might choose to leave 
those lessons and opt to learn them at another time. The 
truth is if there a lesson to be learned, that is your life 
assignment of the moment.

 No amount ignoring the circumstance and wishing 
for a different circumstance will do. We must do our 
work and keep our eyes on our own paper.

 I’m going to answer Al’s question.

 First, be gentle with yourself. Be kind, is the first 
rule of relationships, it is a good rule for how to relate 
to yourself as well. Remember, no one can care for you 
or treat you any better that you demand of yourself. As 
you reflect on the place you are, speak only words of 
loving kindness to yourself. Consider what you might 
say to your little sister dealing with heartbreak and say 
that to yourself. Be your own big sister. This is part of 
that rich soil. No one is going treat any better than you 
treat yourself.

 Make a declaration to the Universe, “I deserve loving 
kindness.” Then, give yourself time to heal.

 Next, be honest with yourself. This is not the time 
to demonize your former sweetheart. Nor it the time to 
beat yourself up. Self-reflection is good. Self-flagellation 
is not helpful, refer to rule number one.

 When you are finally ready to move on and are 
confused about how to make that happen, follow these 
three final steps:

Stop telling the story

There is power in your words. Your friends and family 
may ask for all of the juicy details of how your relationship 
failed. Resist the urge to tell and retell the story of how 
you were done wrong. Keep your eyes focused on your 
healing. Each repetition of the story delays your healing 
and prolongs the hurt.

Lose Your Fascination with the Story

Don’t dwell on the failure. Every party must come to an 
end. Put a limit on the length of this pity party. Your 
awareness is the key to all happiness. Notice where 
you are placing your attention. Don’t allow yourself to 
replay every conversation. Stop the mental arguments 
and imaginary battles. Don’t do it. Live in this moment. 
Gently bring yourself and your mind to this instant. 
Remember to breathe and remember your breath. This 
is not woo, woo nonsense.

 Our bodies are miraculous instruments. How 
is possible to not marvel at the beauty of and the 
nourishment of our breath? Each breath is a miracle. 
When we feel like we can’t go on, we don’t have to do 
anything. Our bodies take care of us. Our heart that 
seems broken keeps beating. Our lungs that seem 
constricted keep circulating oxygen. Marvel at and be 
grateful for life expressing as you in this instant.

Look for the Good

Every life experience offers the opportunity for growth. 
Our human experiences are our teachers. We are 
required to remain awake and aware to harvest from the 
soil the lessons meant for us to learn. Many counselors 
and teachers suggest that every relationship has to 
potential to teach us vital information about ourselves, 
to equip us for our next relationship.

 Ideally, if you can look for and find the good in 
the situation, that failed relationship will leave you 
stronger and more aware. When we look for the good, 
we eventually forgive ourselves for mistakes made 
and the love lost. Look for the good of this apparent 
circumstance, and it will be revealed. Remember that 
relationship is preparing you for the love of your life 
relationship. Follow these steps, and you will be more 
likely to be ready to receive real love when it comes 
calling.

 
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