12:30pm | Dear Readers:
It’s been almost two weeks since we’ve posted a new article. Generally, we’re both slammed: Judy with her projects — particularly the El Dorado Dog Park’s Holiday Bone-anza — and her family, and Kate with work and a couple of other projects. We usually get something out, but like everyone else at the Long Beach Post and in the Long Beach community, we were shocked, angered, and ultimately saddened by Shaun Lumachi’s sudden death. The Long Beach Post’s first few days after Shaun was taken from us were understandably dedicated to his life and contributions, and we didn’t have the heart to post anything anyway.
Today, we’re putting up a couple of photos from last weekend’s events and our usual adoption and events features, and we’ll have something more extensive soon. All of us who were touched by Shaun, specifically us Posters, are now working to continue his vision. But we couldn’t just pick up and begin again without mentioning our admiration for and gratitude to him.
On the morning that Shaun died and with neither of us knowing about it, we both were talking to friends about the latest thing that Shaun had done for us in tandem with our new editor, Brian Addison: they’d double-posted the Holiday Bone-anza event, once on our site and once on the front page. One of the first thoughts that came to us when we heard of Shaun’s death was the idea that you should tell those close to you how you feel about them so that you won’t have any regrets after they’re gone. However, Shaun by his nature had good things said about him all the time when he was alive, undoubtedly because he did the same thing for those he knew. Shaun was always supportive of our humane efforts, patient with our additions and corrections, and full of enthusiasm and compliments whenever he saw us, calling us rock stars and great writers. We were, of course, tickled to no end by this, and tended to believe our own press. We hope we’ve earned it, and will continue to do so, in his wonderful memory and for the well-being of our animals.
He was a friend of mine…
– Traditional folk song
On December 3, El Dorado Park was filled with dogs and their people who came to participate in the Holiday Bone-anza, a crafts and vendor fair held to support the El Dorado Dog Park now in the planning.
Kiwi of DogPACT and his friend and trainer XXX give a namaste for the generosity of the people who attended and the hard work of the El Dorado Dog Park committee.
In honor of the theme of “It’s A Green Christmas: Recycle, Reuse and Renew,” Long Beach Animal Care Services joined with Friends of Long Beach Animals for the December 3 Belmont Shore Christmas Parade to remind us of one more: Relove—adopt a pet who’s been, for all intents and purposes, thrown out. Almost overcame the ecounfriendly Silly String littering the street.
Young Tenzin Armenta in his elf suit got plenty of appreciation as he danced away in front of the Homeless with Dogs float at the Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane Parade in the Wrigley neighborhood on December 10.
And some lucky doggies brought up the rear!
The BARK contingent was there with their therapy animals. Visit this organization to find out how the dogs give school kids the gift of reading fluency while they listen to Good Dog Carl and If You Give a Dog a Donut.
On December 4, Belmont Pets & LaunderPet Eric Hatch (with the sun in his eyes—sorry) joined numerous well-wishers at the open house for the spanking new state-of-the-art Long Beach Animal Emergency, 4720 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, (562) 735-5200, near the Traffic Circle in Long Beach. More about this welcome new clinic in our next Pet Post.
The clinic staff brought their animal companions. One of the parrots was heard to say that if he really had a vet emergency, please let it be here. The dog agreed but hoped it wouldn’t be necessary.
Virtually Pets
Can you foster any of these cats? The couple has been evicted from their home and is willing to pay a weekly cost, according to the rescuer. All have been spayed/neutered and are current on shots. E-mail [email protected] for information.
Pet Projects
Through December 17, Operation Santa Paws throughout Long Beach.
The boxes are laid in the shops with great care
In hopes that good people all will be there
To bring toys and pet supplies day after day
In hopes that shelter pets enjoy their holiday!Clunky antibacchius in the last line aside (look it up—poetic metrical feet are fun!), Haute Dogs has again launched its annual Operation Santa Paws. Businesses throughout town are collecting goodies, treats, pet supplies and cleaning supplies through Dec. 16. On Dec. 17, pet lovers will play elves to pets at Animal Care Services (11:30 a.m.), SPCla (noon), Seal Beach Animal Care Center (1:30 p.m.) and Orange County Animal Care Services in Orange (3 p.m.). Yes, you’ll be able to spread the joy in person! For box locations, wish list and other important information, visit http://www.hautedogs.org/santapaws.html.
December 12–24, Pussy and Pooch’s Fifth Annual “12 Days of Twinkle,” 4818 E. 2nd Street
Belmont Shore’s pet boutique and watering hole is hosting a two week event featuring a variety of holiday themed promotions and festive in-store events to help consumers find great holiday gift ideas for pets and pet lovers. The event includes a variety of in-store promotions, limited-time sales, special Mutt Mingle and Meow Mingle holiday social events, charitable gift wrapping, pet adoptions, and cheer for all. Special social events for the Dec. 16 weekend include the Twinkle Howliday Mutt Mingle Holiday Social, with 15 percent off the entire store and goodies for all; and holiday cheer, shopping, gift wrapping, goodies to nibble, and adoption opportunities from Seal Beach Animal Care Center. Click here for a listing of all events and discounts.
Sunday, December 17, SPCAla Foster Class, P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center, 7700 E Spring St., 10:00am-noon.
If you can’t adopt for some odd reason, be a foster parent. SPCAla provides the pet, food and materials, and you provide the love. See ASPCla’s gift/donation catalogue here.