Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, August 7, 2021

Mountain Views News Saturday, August 7, 2021 

WILD WINGS OF HOPE 

Few things bring as much joy to my heart 
as hearing a story about a successful animal 
rescue. I’ve always felt this way, but it has 

Happy Tailsbecome more and more important to me 
over time. With such unpredictability and 

by Chris Leclerc

ever-increasing absence of compassion 
in the world today, I find much comfort i n 
knowing there are still people out there who care 
and are willing to take the time to help a vulnerable injured animal find its way back to safety and good health. 

I am on a constant quest to surround myself with those kind of people. The kind of people who recognize that 
we humans are connected - in one way or another - to all living things, great and small. The ones who embrace 
their personal responsibility to be stewards of the animals we share this planet with. They are the people who 
realize it behooves us humans to be aware and care about every living thing that sustains us on this planet, 
because no man is an island unto himself. (Thank you, John Donne). 

These preponderant thoughts came rushing into my mind this past week, after a pet-sitting client & friend in 
the canyon shared a recent experience he had with a fledgling in distress near its nest in the shrubs surrounding 
his yard. For what must have seemed like forever, he kept hearing loud, persistent chirps just outside his 
window. It went on so long that he simply could not ignore it nor resist the urge to investigate exactly what was 
happening out there. When he did go out and take a closer look, it was instantly obvious that a young bird was 
in trouble, and the parents were frantic, so he decided to do whatever he could to help. I love people like that. 

First he conducted a Google search for bird rescues near-by. Smart! Did you know that there is a rescue for just 
about every species of wildlife in the San Gabriel Foothills? Mainly due to the over-development of all things 
human, countless caring and conscientious people have responded to the call to be kind, and have chosen to 
offer their professional pro-bono skills, knowledge, time and energy, to help rescue, rehabilitate and release 
wild animals back into the wild. 

I love how the acts of humane, selfless people can often off-set other humans’ ignorant squandering of nature. 
Therein lies some semblance of balance, as I understand it. For each insatiable over-consumer and for each 
developer who is busy turning California’s quaint villages into mere extensions of the cancerous concrete 
jungle, it seems there is a healthy hand-full of global-minded, kind and compassionate people doing what they 
can to combat the tragic fallout. 

So getting back to the rescue story, (I do regress), as a result of my friend’s on-line search he was able to connect 
with a true-blue, Ave-loving angel. Indeed, he found a human being with a pair of his own proverbial wings, 
Bob Everett, who dispenses unconditional love and critical care to distressed birds who‘ve been injured or 
abandoned and are in desperate need of help. I am told Everett treats each bird that comes to him as if it were 
the only one on earth. An apparently natural-born lover of nature, Everett has been taking it upon himself to 
be a rescuer/protector of Aves since as early as 1973. 

At some point in his journey of loving and caring for injured, abandoned or distressed wild birds, Bob Everett, 
along with his wife Judy and their team of supporters founded Wild Wings of California, a non-profit 501(c)3 
all-volunteer rescue organization located in San Dimas, CA. It was Everett who answered the call and was 
willing to help that delicate, distressed little fledgling found by my friend in the canyon, which by the way 
turned out to be a young Scrub Jay. Although most of the birds that Everett and his team at Wild Wings help 
are large birds - mostly birds of prey - they try to assist with any wild bird - big or small - that needs kind 
human intervention. 

To me, this exemplifies the point I attempt to make in this short, hopefully inspiring story. EVERY living thing 
matters. All forms of life. We are all connected, we all depend on one another to some degree. Whether it be an 
American Bald Eagle, a Screech Owl, a Red Tail Hawk, a Dove or a Scrub Jay. They are all an integral part in the 
system that sustains us. For this reason, I hope we humans will learn to be better respecters of life and become 
more willing to play a part in maintaining the well-being of all species that live on earth, for the greater good. 

As he was leaving the rescue facility in San Dimas last week, my friend asked Everett if there might be a chance 
the little fledgling, when ready to fly again, might be released in the Sierra Madre canyon where it came from. 
He was hesitant to leave the little creature. He already felt an emotional bond and a tug in his heart, that natural 
tendency for compassion that we humans should all feel when we have a connection to the wild animals we 
cohabitate with. If he could have his way, that baby bird would ultimately be reunited with its parent Aves who 
chirped so adamantly, so loudly and long enough to get the attention of a kind and compassionate human who 
was willing to help their youngster have a chance at life. 

The end of the story for this baby bird is still yet to be known, but chances are he or she will be just fine. 
However, as Bob Everett honestly admitted, due to the high volume of rescued birds they take in, they are 
rarely able to return them back to their specific points of origin. But don’t be dismayed. I believe that little bird 
knows exactly where home is. Nature takes its course and (in my opinion ) would do so much more efficiently 
in the absence of human obstruction. I encourage everyone to be stewards on behalf of the animals. Do your 
best to enhance the well-being of nature and the wonderful wildlife we share our space with. Love and let live. 

For more information about Wild Wings of California, visit www.wildwings.org and follow them on Facebook. 

CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 


DEALING WITH THE DEATH OF A PET 

[Nyerges is the author of “Til Death Do Us Part?” a book about death and the many ways 
to deal with the death of a pet or loved one. The book is available as a Kindle download, 
or from the Store at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com] 

When a loved one dies, the close survivors often express regret that they didn’t 
spend more time with the departed, or tell them that they loved them. Time 
flies, of course, and life always presents us with so many things to do. It’s easy 
to put off what’s important in life. 

I also deeply love and value my pets, and have always considered them very much a part of the 
family. As a child, I remember when our family dog Pariah was old and sick. I could no longer 
walk him, but I would go into the back yard to pet him and feed him. Then one day when I came 
home from school, my father told me that he “took care of ” Pariah. “What? Where is he?” I exclaimed. 
My father calmly told me that the local pet hospital “eu-thanized” Pariah. “What does 
that mean?” my teenage-self replied. “Does that mean he’ll be home soon?” 

“No,” my mother chimed in with a somber tone. “The doctor put him to sleep. He was dy-ing.” My 
mother tried to hide her tears. I was shocked, and ran to my room. 

I was stunned! How could they do that. 

Later, after my father was asleep, my mother – who grew up on a farm – explained that she used 
to see animals die all the time. “We just tried to make them comfortable,” she told me. “Animals 
know they are dying. They usually want to be around their people to feel safe, and not in a cold 
hospital where they don’t know anyone.” 

That was her way of telling me that she didn’t agree with my father’s decision. I was sad for a long 
time, and vowed that I would never again do that to any pet of mine – and I’ve kept that vow lifelong, 
despite the inconveniences that come with assisting a person or pet in death. I’ve watched 
pets – cats, dogs, one pig – get old, stiff, and slow, and then they find a spot to go and die. I’ve 
learned to accept this as part of The Way. 

I was saddened by what an Eagle Rock friend recently told me. His father, who lives alone, has had 
a cat for over 10 years. The cat became sick and old and was on its death-bed. The father – in his 
80s – now seemed indifferent to this animal that once was a close friend. He wanted the cat to be 
taken to a vet and “put to sleep.” Fortunately, the cat died in peace on its bed in its home. But I was 
saddened that a person could be such a fair-weather friend because the dear pet was now dying. 

All of life is precious, and we need not push the death process. It comes quick enough. Nor should 
we fear death. 

I’m reminded of the time – precisely 10 years ago – when I was taking care of my wife of 22 years 
on her deathbed, 24/7. She died with me by her side, at home. I think the reason that so many 
people fear death, and want dying people out of sight-out of mind, is because they cannot get 
into the shoes of the dying person. The dying person usually wants to be around the people who 
they were close to in life and not in a sterile hospital. (Yes, I know all situations are different, and 
sometimes the family simply cannot deal with the demands and pressures of the dying person). 

The fact that we have grown so far from this very basic tenet shows how far we have strayed from 
out most fundamental roots. 


TOO SWEET! 

TOO SWEET! Yes, this 
beauty is too cute, too 
pretty, too loving and too 
friendly to be a street cat! 
That's why she is named, 
"Too Sweet." 
Too Sweet appeared in the 
neighborhood of Pasadena 
after Easter weekend of 


April 4th. She may have been left behind/abandoned. There 

has not been anyone look-ing for her since she was found astray.

Too Sweet is a very sweet, affectionate lap cat and is quite vocal when she wants your atten


tion. She enjoys relaxing on her cat tower while you are sitting close by.

Too Sweet loves people. Too Sweet is fine being the only cat and appears to be okay with 

respectful dogs. She will need time and proper introduction to another cat companion. 

Too Sweet is up to date with her vaccination, spayed, and microchipped. 

Let this sweetie pie "sweeten" up your life! Age about 7. More pix on our website. See our 

Adoption Procedures page to apply. Submit your application now at www.lifelineforpets. 

org. 

Pet of the Week

 Chip is an adorable 10-year-old dogwho’s looking for a forever home to 
spend his golden years! This senior 
pup has a calm demeanor and will 
sit next to you sweetly (especiallyif you have some tasty treats). Chiploves attention and would do best 
as the only pet in the home. A quietand calm environment with a similar 
person to match would be a great fitfor Chip!

 The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All 
dog adoptions include spay or neuter,
microchip, and age-appropriate 
vaccines.

 New adopters will receive a 
complimentary health-and-wellness 
exam from VCA Animal Hospitals,
as well as a goody bag filled with 
information about how to care for 
your pet.

 
View photos of adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment atpasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoptionappointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potentialadopters by phone calls or email. 


WANT TO PLACE AN AD?
CALL PATRICIA AT 626-818-2698 Today!
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