Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, May 19, 2018

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JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 19, 2018 


SWEET TATER

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

As the youngest of seven children, I spent my 
childhood growing up in the rural deep south with 
loving parents who taught me to be a sensitive, 
caring person. I had a charmed life with a big yard, 
peach trees and a fresh vegetable garden. We raised 
chickens & rabbits and I had many pets including 
dogs, cats and horses.

 When I was 6 years old, we had a neighbor 
who raised hound dogs that he used for hunting. I 
remember feeling so sad for those hounds next door 
because the owner would nearly starve them between 
hunting trips, to peak their senses and make the 
most of their tracking abilities. At times those poor 
dogs got so thin you could count their rib bones.

 When our neighbor would leave to go into town, 
my sister, Vicki and I would sneak into his back yard 
and feed his dogs left-over scraps that our mother 
saved from the table. It broke our hearts to see them 
snap up those scraps within a few short seconds, 
then look up at us with sad eyes, begging for more. 
It wasn’t long before my parents called the humane 
society and reported our neighbor for animal 
neglect, and the dogs were taken away.

 The memory of seeing those hungry hounds in my 
neighbor’s back yard as a young child stayed with me 
all of my life. I promised myself I would somehow 
find a way to make up for the cruelty those dogs had 
been subjected to, and I decided that one day I would 
have a hound of my own to whom I would give freely, 
the love my neighbor’s hounds had been denied.

`It was summer of 2002 when I finally found 
myself in the position to pursue my dream of 
having a hound, and I decided it had to be one in 
need of a good home. Before I started my search, I 
read up on the breed, and consulted with people I 
knew who were familiar with their characteristics 
and peculiarities. Within a week after I started my 
search, I came across a bloodhound breed rescue in 
Laguna Beach and I called to see if they had any dogs 
available for adoption. The volunteer told me there 
were no hounds on hand at the time, but when she 
realized how determined I was, she told me about a 
young AKC registered female bloodhound that had 
been bred for show, but had proven to be less than 
promising in the ring.

 Apparently the owner/handler 
had become quite fond of the dog, 
but had been forced to make the 
difficult decision to give her up to a 
loving home when the right person 
came along. She went on to say 
that this particular bloodhound 
was special, and would require 
more love and attention than the 
‘average’ dog would need. To me 
it sounded like a perfect match; 
I wanted a hound in need of lots 
of love, and this one apparently 
needed more than most! That 
weekend I drove up to a gorgeous 
ranch in Saddleback Canyon, 
where I met “Tatertotts” for the first time.

 When I arrived, Tater was in an outdoor kennel, 
running back and forth under a huge canopy of 
meandering oak trees. The excitement I saw glow 
through her big brown eyes stole my heart and I knew 
I had to have her. When we arrived that evening, at 
her new home here in Sierra Madre, Tater was quite 
nervous from the drive and not so sure about being 
in a strange place with people she didn’t know. It 
took me an hour to convince her that it was safe to 
go inside the house, but once she was in, there was 
no getting her out! Little by little, Tatertotts became 
familiar with her new surroundings and eventually 
gained full trust. Within a few short weeks, we were 
best buddies!

 I often called Tatertotts “Sweet Tater”, because 
she really was very sweet and because she made 
those “poor pitiful me” kinds of looks on her face 
when she got hungry or wanted to go for a walk or 
drive. My Tater was indeed a special girl, with very 
specific, special needs. Most bloodhounds are pretty 
easy going and for the most part very social, from 
what I understand. But Tater was different. She was 
selective when it came to who she chose to allow in 
her personal space.

 Some folks thought Tater was a mean dog, and 
I suppose if she didn’t like you, that could be true. 
But the way I saw it, Tater was more sensitive to the 
feelings and thoughts of others than most dogs are, so 
she reacted more intensely to those who approached 
her. Regardless of her idiosyncrasies, that floppy-
eared, sloppy-jawed bloodhound dog made her way 
into my heart, and become a major part of my life.

 On September 23, 2014, Tatertotts crossed that 
proverbial rainbow bridge and I believe she knew 
her job on earth was done. Now, when I speak of 
Tater, I often refer to her as the canine love of my 
life and when I think of the time I had with her, I 
am comforted in knowing that she received the 
love that my childhood neighbor’s dogs were so 
sadly deprived of. And I will always be grateful for 
the unconditional love Tater so freely reciprocated 
in kind. Farewell, Sweet Tater. You will be missed 
immensely as long as I live.


BEST FRIEND

Sisters and best friends, Sally and Connie came in 
together and their perfect home will keep them 
together. These gorgeous fluffy girls are 11 years 
young and will be happy to be given soft beds in 
a sunny spot and to receive gentle pets, especially 
massages of ears and head. Both have calm peaceful 
temperaments that will reward attention with soft 
purrs. Sometimes Sally and Connie will stretch 
out in their individual beds, but they also often will 
want to share one bed and snuggle together. The 
girls curl up and it’s hard to tell who is who. They 
both have stunning tortoiseshell coats of black with 
orange highlights and look very similar. Sally can 
be identified by a dramatic blaze of orange on her 
face and she’s a tad bit larger than Connie. Both 
Sally and Connie enjoy the brushing of their silky 
long coats. Neither show much interest in toys or 
flying teasers. But that might change when they 
have their own homes to explore and with family 
they know. Sally and Connie will add beauty 
and harmony to any home. Sally and Connie’s 
adoption fee is $99 each, which includes spay 
surgery, a microchip, first vaccinations and a free 
wellness check-up at a participating veterinarian. 
Both sweet cats also qualify for the “Senior for 
Senior” discount adoption program. Feel free to 
call us at (626) 286-1159 for more information. 
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’, please stop by any time 
from 10:30am to 4:30pm Tuesday through Sunday.
Website:www.sgvhumane.org.

FOSTERS URGENTLY NEEDED FOR SHY 

CATS & KITTENS!


Lifeline for Pets 
is in urgent need 
of foster homes 
for cats. YOU 
can make the 
difference for one, 
like Themba, and 
others, who are 
too shy to take 
to adoptions but 
who can blossom 
in a loving foster 
home. Themba is a beautiful “torbie” girl 

(tortoiseshell/tabby), age about 3. She does love 
treats, and that would be how a patient foster could 
win her over. Call to meet her 626-676-9505. There 
is no fee to foster, just provide food, litter, safety, and 
love. We take care of any vet expense, if needed. We 
really need you!! Call 626-676-9505. See more of 
our shy kitties at http://www.lifelineforpets.org/shy-
cats-need-homes-too.html

 Good news: Dog Baxter has a pending adoption!

 
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