{"id":3555,"date":"2014-01-27T01:12:31","date_gmt":"2014-01-27T01:12:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/in-progress-mayor-and-councilmembers-adopt-proposal-to-adopt\/"},"modified":"2014-01-27T01:12:31","modified_gmt":"2014-01-27T01:12:31","slug":"in-progress-mayor-and-councilmembers-adopt-proposal-to-adopt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/in-progress-mayor-and-councilmembers-adopt-proposal-to-adopt","title":{"rendered":"Mayor and Councilmembers Adopt Proposal to Adopt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Charlie<\/p>\n

I was heavily disappointed in our president when he performed the elitist action of purchasing first one and then a second purebred Portuguese water dog after saying he\u2019d get a shelter dog. The vice president did, but only after he caught hell from the animal-advocacy community for buying a German shepherd from a breeder. He apparently slunk off to the shelter and adopted a mutt as a friend for the purebred.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no political metaphor in my back pocket (although someone surely will think of one)\u2014just irritation over a missed opportunity to put shelter adoption on the public radar.<\/p>\n

But three of our city officials have. Our mayor, Bob Foster, and his wife, Nancy just adopted a cat from a local rescue, and Third District councilman Gary DeLong fell for a pup brought in to a city council meeting and took him home to be part of the family. Both men are termed out, so they\u2019re not trying to lure the animal-welfare community for votes.<\/p>\n

Nancy and Bob Foster have put the spotlight on shelter pets since they adopted their cat Noah in 2006 from Long Beach Animal Care Services<\/a>.  Noah had been one of the 199 pets that Animal Control had removed from Noah\u2019s Ark, a Long Beach failed rescue; he selected the Fosters during their visit to ACS by pawing Nancy as they were admiring another cat. Sadly, Noah died last year, two days after Christmas, after struggling with illness.<\/p>\n

Joanne Kwast, a rescuer with the Long Beach Spay and Neuter Foundation, spotted a cat online in what she said was a nightmare situation. Struck by his golden tiger eyes, shiny Ron Weasley fur and enormous Greta Garbo feet, she had an idea.<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked Nancy, do the Fosters want to foster?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Kwast said that Nancy happily enabled her to rescue and transport the cat from Riverside to Long Beach. The Fosters apparently more than lived up to their name: Charlie\u2019s found a forever home. He has not replaced Noah in any way but is pawing out his own spot in the family\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

{loadposition latestlife}<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone has been so kind, and the community embracing Noah has also made him extra-special,\u201d Nancy said. \u201cBob and I were talking and tearing up the morning that I was contacted by Joanne. He had mentioned going to the rescue center\u2014it felt so vacant without our Noah in our home. So the timing was perfect! We love being able to rescue another furry friend!\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles, as she likes to call him, is adjusting quickly. He\u2019s become a snuggler and feels secure with his new family. And he has those \u201ccat moments\u201d: He comes when he\u2019s called, he follows Nancy up and down the stairs, and he has figured out how to open Hizzoner\u2019s sliding closet door and waltz in to rearrange the contents.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is only 8 months, so everything is to check out or bat around,\u201d Nancy says. \u201cForeign items frequently find their place on the bed, along with his toy mouse!<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do miss Noah dearly\u2014there are still those moments that hurt. But Charlie has made his loss a little easier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Charlie<\/i><\/p>\n

Charlie has some big shoes to fill, but as you can see from those clodhoppers, he could fit into his own big shoes.<\/i><\/p>\n

Every couple of weeks, a representative from ACS or spcaLA comes to the city council meeting with a shelter cat or dog. Gary DeLong was sitting at the council table on Jan. 14 when spcaLA worker Julie Prewitt-Douglas walked up with a wiggly white female dog named Pebbles. DeLong was instantly smitten with the animal.<\/p>\n

\u201cI texted a picture from the council chambers to my wife and daughters, and they replied \u2018We want the dog!\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mayor Foster was addressing the dog with \u201cPebbles, we\u2019re going to find you a home, sweetheart\u201d when DeLong walked over to the dog and staked his claim. \u201cAnd apparently, you\u2019re not going to have much of a problem,\u201d the mayor added.<\/p>\n

The DeLongs renamed their new buddy Dixie, and everyone\u2019s very happy. Dixie\u2019s gentle with children and cats and apparently understands the meaning of housebroken.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re glad we were able to provide Dixie a home, and foresee many happy times ahead,\u201d DeLong e-mailed me, adding that Dixie was presently in his office, sleeping under his desk.<\/p>\n

\"Dixie<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Dixie DeLong and family<\/em><\/p>\n

I recently found out that Fourth District councilmember Patrick O\u2019Donnell had also adopted a dog from the shelter last year. So there\u2019s no campaigning here\u2014only the message \u201cPlease adopt from a rescue or a shelter.\u201d Here are a few sterling candidates:<\/p>\n

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”<\/i>
<\/i> ~ Gandhi<\/i>
<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Virtually Pets<\/h3>\n

Long Beach Animal Care Services<\/a>, 7700 E. Spring St. in El Dorado Park (be sure you enter from the shelter side!)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Napolean\"<\/p>\n

This is Napoleon<\/strong>, and he doesn\u2019t want to remain solo. Nor does he want his hopes and dreams blown apart. Enough wordplay\u2014Napoleon\u2019s a black miniature poodle mix, about 8 years old. Ask for ID#A321908.<\/p>\n

\"Chanel\" 
Vice president Biden could have gone to our shelter or a German shepherd rescue to get his dog, but that makes all the more for the rest of us. Sadly, there are purebreds in rescues who have been discarded for one reason or another. Chanel<\/strong> is about 10 years old and would love to live out her golden years in a loving home. Ask for ID#A514064.<\/p>\n

Long Beach Spay and Neuter Foundation (LBSN)<\/a>, lbsn2006@yahoo.com<\/a>. A $100 fee applies per adoption, which includes sterilization, vaccinations, worming, and testing for feline leukemia and feline AIDS.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Roy\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moxie<\/strong> was rescued along with his littermates and mother by LBSN from a difficult situation. He\u2019s happy now, in the fold of a fine foster. He\u2019s only about 9 weeks old and will be neutered upon adoption.<\/p>\n

\"Maggie<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maggie<\/strong> was born with a deformed leg and an intact heart and spirit. She\u2019s a special-needs cat but is sweet and striking, with her one blue eye and one yellow eye. Maggie has been spayed.<\/p>\n

Pet Projects<\/h3>\n

Sara Cozolino Raises Pet Profile!<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the last Pet Post<\/a>, I profiled Sara Cozolino, the young photog credited for the glam shots of the cats and dogs looking for the big break. Steve Latham, award-winning filmmaker and producer of the PBS documentary Shelter Stories, <\/i>read the article and actually came to Animal Care Services, bearing gifts and supplies and asking to help!  Sara\u2019s photos are now being shared on his Shelter Me<\/i> website (have a look<\/a>!). And catch Shelter Me<\/i>\u2014the episodes are about shelter pets improving the lives of those who adopt them (one of them features Jane Lynch). ACS outreach coordinator, Kelly Miott, said that Latham\u2019s objective is \u201cgetting people into their local shelters to give our incredible animals a second chance.\u201d The show is sponsored by Ellen DeGeneres\u2019s company, Halo. Read Latham\u2019s brief autobiography here<\/a> and then hit Netflix for the videos. Thank you, Steve!<\/p>\n

\"Fix<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fix Long Beach Free Spay\/Neuter Clinic, sponsored by Hope for Paws\u2019 Eldad Hagar, Saturday, Feb. 1, MacArthur Park, 1321 E. Anaheim St. in Long Beach, 7AM\u2013approximately 4PM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spayed or neutered: 600-plus cats and dog! Accomplished:  Fewer unwanted animals born, shelter overpopulation further exponentially reversed, and residents of all ages educated! (Check out the Facebook page for photos and donation information.) Fix Long Beach, a community grassroots organization dedicated to help end shelter overpopulation, invites you to visit our free mobile spay\/neuter mobile clinic on Saturday, Feb. 1. The event, sponsored by Hope for Paws\u2019 founder Eldad Hagar, takes place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. approximately at MacArthur Park, 1321 Anaheim St. in Long Beach. Free spay\/neuter procedures have already been booked in advance, but visitors are encouraged to come in person to make appointments for future clinics. If you arrive at 7 for the waiting list, make sure that your cat or dog hasn\u2019t had food or water after midnight. Microchipping, deworming and flea-control products as well as nail trimming are offered at discounted prices, and appointments are not necessary to get required shots for dogs and cats. If you live in Long Beach and are of low-income status and want to get your pet fixed, or know someone who is and does, please join us and make an appointment to help provide every pet with a healthier, happy life and to help reduce shelter overpopulation!<\/p>\n

\"Robert<\/p>\n

Despite continuing success with its goals, Jan. 25’s Fix Long Beach clinic had a sad aspect to it. Our young vet tech, Robert Ramage, was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Northridge. The suspects are still at large, and the planet has lost a wonderful, tireless young advocate for animals. Robert used to come all the way from his valley home to help out in the Fix Long Beach clinics. We loved him. \u00dcbervolunteer Patty Williams created memorial T-shirts that volunteers wore at the clinic (see photo above); Robert\u2019s mother and sister honored the clinic with a visit. Donations from the clinic went to Robert\u2019s family for his memorial. In the wake of this tragedy, Assemblyman Mike Gatto has introduced a bill that will enforce tough penalties, including loss of driver\u2019s license, to anyone fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run, whether there\u2019s a fatality involved or the victim lives. Read the story here<\/a>.
<\/a><\/p>\n

Haute Dogs Fifth Annual Student Valentine\u2019s Day Contest for Shelter Pets, to Sunday, Feb. 9<\/strong><\/p>\n

Enter Haute Dogs\u2019 Valentine\u2019s Day Contest for Shelter Pets and win a pizza party! Long Beach Animal Care Services, Haute Dogs, Justin Rudd, and Westerly School are sponsoring the fifth-annual handmade Valentine’s card contest for Long Beach-area K\u201312 students to create lovable Valentine cards for the 120-plus dogs and 50-plus cats housed at the Long Beach Animal Care Services shelter. Hundreds of cards were submitted last year! Cards from adults are encouraged, too, but will not be eligible for the contest. The public is invited to view the cards on Sunday, Feb. 9 at Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring Street. Kids, be sure your cards are in by Feb. 9 at ACS before noon (hand delivery on Sunday!). Click here<\/a> and scroll down for complete info.<\/p>\n

Beautiful Bulldog Contest and Haute Dog Pageant, Sunday, Feb. 16, Marine Stadium, 5525 Paoli Way, 10AM\u2013approximately 3PM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Only a face a mother could love? There will be bulldogs everywhere you look\u2014it\u2019s hysterical\u2014along with their mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters (human) at the 10th<\/sup> annual iteration of this snorfly, slobbery event sponsored by Haute Dogs! There will also be contests for French bulldogs, mutts, senior dogs\u2014everyone who wags its tail, barks and scarfs up the last of your sandwich when you\u2019re not looking is welcome! There will be a talent contest as well! Please click this link<\/a> for the entry form and all the details. Spectators are welcome\u2014you can rent a seat in advance. All proceeds benefit Haute Dogs charities.<\/p>\n

Disaster Sheltering for Companion Animals Class, Monday, Feb. 24 and Tuesday, Feb. 25, P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring St., 7AM\u20134PM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Are you prepared for the next disaster, and are you including the pets? Join spcaLA for a two-day interactive workshop by Diane Robinson of Disaster Animal Shelter Education and Response. The community will look toward animal care and control officers, vets, humane officers and other responders for safe, secure shelter. Be ready. $175 for both days.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I was heavily disappointed in our president when he performed the elitist action of purchasing first one and then a second purebred Portuguese water dog after saying he\u2019d get a shelter dog. The vice president did, but only after he caught hell from the animal-advocacy community for buying a German shepherd from a breeder. He apparently slunk off to the shelter and adopted a mutt as a friend for the purebred.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":68803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_":"","_author_alias":"","cap-aim":"","cap-description":"","cap-display_name":"","cap-first_name":"","cap-jabber":"","cap-last_name":"","cap-linked_account":"","cap-newspack_employer":"","cap-newspack_job_title":"","cap-newspack_phone_number":"","cap-newspack_role":"","cap-user_email":"","cap-user_login":"","cap-website":"","cap-yahooim":"","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_email_html":"","newspack_email_type":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_hide_page_title":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_show_share_buttons":"","newspack_sponsor_byline_prefix":"","newspack_sponsor_disclaimer_override":"","newspack_sponsor_flag_override":"","newspack_sponsor_only_direct":"","newspack_sponsor_url":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[78,35,204],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-3555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pets","tag-adoption","tag-pet-post","tag-pets","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3555"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3555\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3555"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=3555"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=3555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}