Man’s Best Friend
As far back as I can remember I have had a dog or two—or more—to keep me company. I love dogs every bit as much as people. They provide us with unconditional love and loyal companionship and are a constant source of entertainment. Dogs are the best. Some may feel that their four-legged counterparts of the feline persuasion are preferrable as pets, but I do not. I live in a house with a few of each and my cats are finnicky, unreliable and clearly free thinkers with little regard for their fellow housemates. That said I really like them too. My cat Lucifer is a Bengal, and he is by far the sweetest most loving cat I have ever had. He is the most dog-like cat.
If you don’t have either a cat or a dog, but would like to enjoy one, I would encourage adopting either to enrich your life. There are many organizations and resources out there to help you find your pet and guide you along the way. The SPCA, Animal Friends Rescue Project and all the various shelters and rescue groups here are great.
A recent segment of the CNN series “Heros” featured Pacific Grove’s Carie Broecker who is the co-founder and executive director of Peace of Mind Dog Rescue. They do amazing work for senior dogs and senior humans who may need help taking care of their dogs and, if they are no longer able, they offer dog walking services, among other things. The volunteers should be treasured as they are so important to these types of groups. Great job Carie and team. We have several other organizations locally that also do amazing things for dogs and cats. Perhaps you have seen the SNIP bus vehicles on occasion. SNIP is a great resource for low cost spay and neuter services. Melanie Scherer, founder and owner of SNIP bus and Luke’s Legacy Foundation, along with her husband, has dedicated a lot of time and money to help reduce the number of animals euthanized in Monterey County by offering $25 spay and neuter mobile clinics. They charge a fraction of what it costs, to encourage everyone to do the right thing and spay or neuter your pet. Luke’s Legacy provides financial assistance to those unable to pay for life saving treatments for their pets due to income or financial constraints. Melanie is a rock star.
Max’s Helping Paws foundation (see story on page 84) is another great nonprofit organization which was started by Dyana Klein and her husband, veterinarian Dr. Jonathan Fradkin. They offer financial assistance directly to the pet hospital or clinic where services are being rendered. This service is so needed for so many, especially as the cost of everything continues to climb. I’ve recently had first-hand experience with one group known as SCAR—South County Animal Rescue. SCAR’s mission is to reduce the homeless population of domestic animals in underserved South Monterey County. My wife, Kelli Uldall, became a volunteer kitten foster for them and she has placed over 50 kitties since she started last year. I have seen Kelli take in a group of kittens just two or three weeks old and, between Kelli and my daughter Allyn, they have bottle fed these babies, getting them healthy and up to weight to go off to SNIP or another vet and get spayed or neutered, then placed in a loving home. The volunteers for this group are so passionate and devote so much of their time in their various roles. Truly amazing. These organizations all are great, due as much to the people who run them as to the volunteers who do awesome work for the love of it, and to the people who donate to them, as your contributions are passed forward—and this is what makes it all work. There are so many local heroes when it comes to the world of animal rescue and is not limited to cats and dogs, but benefits horses and birds and many other species too. Thank you for all you do!