Pets

Rocky, a 3-year-old Shih Tzu-Yorkie mix, was one a handful of pets that received their blessings on Sunday — and a bag of doggie treats. Several dog and cat owners arrived at the Center for Spiritual Living in La Crescenta with their pets or photographs of their animals to be blessed by the Rev. Beverly Craig, the Rev. Steven Van Meter or practitioner Laney Clevenger-White. Nora Barsuk, 61, of Glendale, brought a picture of Rocky, adopted from the Glendale Humane Society.

The Southern California Veterinary Medical Assn. hosted its annual rabies vaccination at Fire Station 28 on Oct. 11. ?We hold this event once a year,? said Maria Maldonado, license investigator for the city of Glendale. With the fire station graciously offering the use of their driveway for the rabies clinic, the two licensed veterinarians began their work. Whether dealing with feisty cats or snappy dogs, the vets tried their very best to get the job done quickly and painlessly ?

Glory be!! At last I have common ground with Bob Tanabe! I commend him for his concern for the well-being of pets affected by Hurricane Katrina, and for bringing to our attention our local agencies helping to care for some of these animals. It is estimated that nearly 500,000 cats and dogs were directly impacted by the hurricane, and untold hundreds (probably thousands) have been left to die a slow, miserable death in the heat of the Gulf Coast. The heroes are the many volunteers from animal rescue agencies such as Best Friends, ASPCA, Alley Cat Allies, HSUS and Noah's Wish, and I urge you to visit their websites for information about how you can help and for reports of rescues and reunions of pets with owners.

Derby, a charming, 3-year-old terrier mix, is looking for a new home. He is gentle, affectionate and would be a great companion for someone who lives in an apartment or condo that allows pets. The regular dog adoption fee is $120, which includes medical care prior to adoption, spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a follow-up visit with a participating vet. For more information on Derby, call (626) 792-7151 and ask for No. A263903 or come to the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, 361 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena.

Emma, last week's Pet of the Week, is still available for adoption. Darwin is a juvenile tan-and-white long-haired rabbit. He loves to be held and petted, and already uses his litter box. Darwin's adoption fee is $30, which includes his neuter surgery, a microchip and the first set of vaccinations, as well as a free follow-up health check at a participating vet. New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA...

I am concerned how Glendale is managing the city's coyote population. I admit that coyotes are useful in controlling rodents, but they are doing more than this. They are hunting for pets, are harassing pedestrians and their pets, or are roaming in neighborhoods in packs and terrifying residents. If this trend continues, someone - most likely a child - will end up either being killed or seriously injured. Last time when a coyote killed a child in Glendale, the city trapped and killed 58 coyotes near where the child had died.

A 42-year-old Glendale woman was banned from owning any pets while on probation after pleading no contest to allegedly stabbing her Shiba Inu dog multiple times while high on cough syrup, officials said. Merry Jane Clift was sentenced on Thursday to 28 days in jail after being given credit for time already served for the alleged attack on Dec. 28, according to Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Patrick Hegarty also ordered Clift to serve three years of formal probation.

A 42-year-old Glendale woman faces animal cruelty charges after she stabbed her Shiba Inu dog multiple times around its eyes while she was high on cough syrup, authorities said. Merry Jane Clift pleaded not guilty Wednesday to one felony count of animal cruelty after the alleged attack on her dog, “Huckleberry,” on Dec. 28, according to a Los Angeles County Superior Court criminal complaint. The dog, which is in stable condition and “doing quite well,” is under quarantine at the Pasadena Humane Society, where the eye wounds were treated, spokeswoman Ricky Whitman said.

I remember my first time in one of L.A.'s municipal animal shelters. It was an overcast day and I had arrived on a Saturday morning, the initial visit of many for a story I was working on about the overwhelming tragic number of dogs and cats our city kills each year (euthanization figures hover at around 50,000 for Los Angeles County), mostly due to no other reason than overcrowding and lack of space. “This is the saddest place on earth,” said a man who was busy putting on his jacket and walking out the swinging doors of the shelter as I made my way in. He was right.

Have you heard about the state bill that would request pet groomers to get certification in order to practice? Now I'm all for ensuring that people are trained in their respected vocations. However, what about those who have had their own pet salons for years? Why do they need to pay money and go through 900 hours of useless training for a job that they've done successfully for years? We don't need the state to affirm if Fido is getting a proper shampoo and cut. Isn't that what the Better Business Bureau's job is?

How ironic that a story on Glendale's ban on the sale of cats and dogs should be in the News-Press on the Fourth of July (“ Ban covers cats, dogs ”). While we are celebrating our nation's independence, buying our groceries in mandated recyclable bags, complying with laws outlawing smoking on public streets, and walking by stores that can no longer sell pets to our children, we should remember that this once was a country where people were not so easily led. A land where men broke the shackles of the strongest government in the world by risking their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to preserve their God-given freedom.

Glendale's ban on the retail sale of cats and dogs is set to become effective in September, but before then, officials plan to do extensive outreach with affected stores, according to a City Hall presentation made Tuesday night. The City Council passed the ban in August, on the heels of other cities such as West Hollywood and Hermosa Beach, to curb the demand for puppy mills in Glendale. Of the 18 pet stores in Glendale, three have a recent history of selling cats and dogs.

The Glendale city clerk's office is sponsoring a pet wellness clinic from 6:30 p.m to 8 p.m. Thursday in the parking lot behind City Hall, 613 E. Broadway. Licensing for dogs and cats will be provided by the clerk's office, with veterinary care provided by Vet Care Vaccination Services Inc. Dogs must be leashed, while cats need to be in a carrier. Dog vaccinations cost $6 for rabies, $19 for DHP and parvo and $18 for bordetella. Cat shots run $6 for rabies, $20 for FVCRP and $25 for feline leukemia.

An assortment of animals, including dogs, a black-and-white rabbit and two Cockatoos, came out with their human companions on a warm Saturday afternoon for a blessing at Holy Family Grade School. Fr. Jim Bevacqua, pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church, said he decided to hold the event around the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. The feast day was Oct. 4, but because it was a school and business day, Bevacqua said the weekend was a better fit. “Animals are important.