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Mountain Views-News Saturday July 26, 2025 


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

 

[Nyerges is the author of “How to Survive Anywhere,” “Extreme Simplicity,” “Til Death Do Us 
Part?” and other books. He can be reached at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com or Box 41834, 
Eagle Rock, CA 90041]

INTERNATIONAL DOG DAY

Follow Up on 

SUNNY RAY! 

Two weeks ago we 
featured beautiful 
but very shut 
down Sunny Ray. 
We thought you’d 
like to know how 
he’s doing: Isn't he 
gorgeous? 

SUNNY RAY! Sunny Ray, age 1 yr., is a gorgeous 
light apricot and cream longhair boy. We don’t know what this beautiful young 
boy endured before rescue, but now he is safe, neutered, and vetted. He was pretty 
shut down at first, but thanks to his fosters, he's starting to 
open up. He now likes to be petted, and play with his toy 
mouse. There was a kitten here for awhile and it was adorable 
to see both of them reach out to each other, which 
makes us think Sunny would love to be with another cat 
about his age or a little younger. 

Could you be the one to help bring the sunshine back 
to Sunny Ray? Please apply to meet him either with the 
qr code or at https://www.lifelineforpets.org/sunny-ray.
html. 


“The Character of a Nation is determined by how its animals are treated” 
Ghandi

 

Every August 26 is International Dog Day. This is that special time for all of us to remember how 
close we are to our canine pals. 

On International Dog Day, I reflect upon my 17 year relationship with Cassius Clay, a purple rib-
bon pit bull who I obtained from a pet rescue service.

I have many fond memories of Cassie, but I remember the end the most right now. I thought that 
I was taking care of Cassie and helping and saving Cassie – I had to carry him in and out, and was 
al-ways concerned about his welfare. In the end, I realize that Cassie was helping and saving me. 
He in-stilled in me a sense of responsibility and caring that maybe I never had before.

I thought about his role in my life. I thought about how I tried to see his dog pictures of the world, 
how he processes the many smells that he takes so long each day to smell. When I attempted to go 
into his mind, like Beatrice Lydecker described in her What the Animals Tell Me book, I “saw” a 
color-ful, very dynamic image of flowing geometric shapes that all moved like the wind in varying 
patterns, in a three-dimensional complexity. To me, it was the complexity of odors that meant so 
much to Cassie, and very little to me.

Shortly after he died, I asked him to show me his picture, and I “saw” in front of me his big face 
licking mine. He was telling me that he was happy, in peace, no pain and that I was OK.

On the day Cassie died – an Easter Sunday – he seemed OK in the morning, though he had had 
trouble walking for weeks. When I came home in the early evening, it was dark and Cassie was 
warm. But I could not rouse him from his house, and when I pulled him out, I knew it was over, 
even though I tried to bring him back. There was no music, no singing of birds, just the quiet of 
the night and the final sounds of his dying body. 

As I thought about Cassie, I realized that Cassie’s gift was his unconditional love. And now that 
he was gone, I tried to sort out the meaning of that love. I have heard it said that Eternal Life 
is synony-mous with Eternal Love. That Eternal Love is also impersonal. It is universal loving 
without concern for prejudice or opinion or preferences. It is doing what is right, and not being 
concerned about my group, or my party, or my race, or my gender, or my family. It is finding those 
ways of thinking, and of living, that exemplify the Golden Rule, and Jesus’ command to “Love ye 
one another as your self.” Which means we must love our spiritual self, and see that every single 
one of us is the same. 

 

Cassie taught me to be a better person. He taught me to see that only through impersonal love can 
we ever find real meaning and harmony. Of course, I feel a personal love for Cassie, and for other 
close people in my life. But now again, Cassie has made me realize that death is inevitable, and 
person-al love is full of pain and heartache and disappointment. Impersonal loving is not focused 
exclusively towards one person or animal but is a way of thinking about all life, including all animals. 
This was Cassie’s gift to me. 

I hope each of you with a close dog companion spends special time with your pal on Interna-tional 
Dog Day!


Pet of the Week


Meet Apollo, a striking 4-year-old black 
German Shepherd at Pasadena Humane with a 
gentle soul and a heart of gold. Calm, mellow, 
and deeply affectionate, Apollo quickly charms 
everyone he meets with soft eyes and his sweet 
personality. According to his foster family, he’s 
great on leash, knows his basic commands, 
and loves showing off his skills for a treat – 
especially if that treat is chicken! While he can 
be a bit selective with other dogs, Apollo settles 
well with distance and patience. His favorite 
things include belly rubs, playful zoomies, 
fetch, and cuddling near your feet.

 Apollo would thrive in a calm, loving home 
with people who understand his need for slow 
introductions and a bit of space from other dogs. He bonds quickly with humans, 
offering endless loyalty and affection in return. If you’re looking for a well-mannered, 
smart, and incredibly sweet companion, Apollo might just be for you. Come meet 
this amazing pup at Pasadena Humane – he's ready to find his forever home!

 Pasadena Humane is participating in NBCUniversal’s Clear the Shelters campaign; 
on Saturday, August 16 from 10am to 2pm, adoption fees will be waived for all 
available dogs, cats, and critters.

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

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 10:00 – 5:00. View photos of adoptable 
pets at pasadenahumane.org.

 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. 

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


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