Altadena is the Original Dog Town
What our animals tell us about our neighbors ... and ourselves.
The average Altadena family has 2.5 dogs. I know this because I took a survey on Lake and Loma Alta, counting tongues per car. Blame toy terriers for the point-5.
Though Altadena is many things to many people, ask a dog and he'll tell you, Altadena is first and foremost a dog town. To put on my demographer's hat for a moment: A bunch of us have one dog, but a bigger bunch have more than two. Oh, sure, there's the isolated house that has no dog at all. And though we don't ask the intrusive question--you know, the one about "when are you going to start that (dog) family?"--we do talk quietly about it amongst ourselves.
Most of the pups are mutts and rescues, including mine. I adopted Phoebe from Boxer Rescue in North Hollywood, and, yes, from certain angles, you can see boxer was a contributing factor. I found Albert--the Lab-ish--limping down Wapello Street three years ago on a hot July day.
There's a purebred down the street, a Basset hound. Barkley's all right; he doesn't put on airs. I mean, he is a bit of a spoiled rich kid and runs away from time to time, then gets busted for clubbing and raising hell in Pasadena. But he'll shape up. His folks call him "Stinky," so that takes him down a notch.
Like our dogs, we people in Altadena are diverse and bring many different cultures out to play. On my street alone, there are teachers, artists, writers, lawyers, students, neighbors who work in construction, others who work for movie studios. In addition to English, we speak Romanian, German, Spanish ... how do you say "stop me already" in Farsi?
My neighbors are my neighbors in probably the original sense of the word. I'm not in and out of their houses, and they're not in and out of mine. But when trouble knocks, so can I–on the door of my neighbor to the left or right, across the way or down the street. Like the time my roof was leaking, or when I broke my leg.
Or last year, during one of our Altadena monsoons. I took in a lost dog and tried to reach the owner. And then I found a second dog, and a third--it was one of those days. I knocked on a door, and Jenny and Paul harbored dog number two; Rosemary and Cliff, dog number three.
Back in 2000, when I put on the brakes and made Altadena my home, I came for the hiking. Now I stay for the hiking, views, people and dogs, not necessarily in that order. Half of us, and that includes me, traveled the four corners of the Earth to get here; the other half were just born lucky. Especially the dogs.
How many dogs do you have? Be honest.
Tell us in the comments.
Barbara Ellis
5:02 pm on Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Doggone it, my dog and I want to move to Altadena! What's it like for cats?
Jean Spitzer
8:22 am on Thursday, October 14, 2010
Born lucky, indeed.
Dan Abendschein
11:22 am on Thursday, October 14, 2010
@ Barbara- I think you have to watch out for the coyotes if your cat likes the outdoors.
Kathy
1:07 pm on Thursday, October 14, 2010
Altadena is not the only dog town in California...since moving to Mammoth, I've seen more dogs in more public places than ever before!!! Routinely, I have to step over a big lump of dog to go into a store, or stop to pet the most adorable puppy on my way in to have a Latte!!! Daisy loves it here...lately she's been quite the center of attention what with her bald patch on her side and that great scar showing the stitches...
Karin...you are a delightful writer and I thoroughly enjoy your humorous and often poignant view of life...and congratulations on your new gig!!!
Karin Bugge
2:57 pm on Thursday, October 14, 2010
Where would I be without my models? Albert thinks he's Kate Moss.
Virg
4:39 pm on Thursday, October 14, 2010
Well you couldn't have picked a better writer than KB for the Patch. I'll be by often to see what she has to say. And for the record, The Phoebster and Big Al are two of Altadena's most revered residents. KB's not bad herself!
V
Ron Rosen
5:17 pm on Thursday, October 14, 2010
Karin, I just love your writing and, most of all, your humor. I am very unhappy, however, that I now have more places to keep checking daily on the internet - more excuses to feed my addiction. I am powerless over my computer, and Patch, particularly with you participating, does not help.
Laurie Allee
5:33 pm on Thursday, October 14, 2010
Beautiful, Karin. I will read everything you write. And you know how I feel about Phoebe and Albert...
Ron Rosen
5:35 pm on Thursday, October 14, 2010
I think there's a Phoebe and Albert Museum somewhere around here, isn't there?
Petrea Burchard
9:46 pm on Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wonderful, KB. And in the world of dogs, Albert IS Kate Moss.
Julie
3:51 pm on Friday, October 15, 2010
Equal time for us cat-lovers, Hiker, please!!
Good column with the usual wonderful humour and language use. Power to you!
Dan Abendschein
3:55 pm on Friday, October 15, 2010
As a cat owner I agree, but I know Karin is going to pick the most interesting animals to write about, regardless of species.
Susan Campisi
4:45 pm on Saturday, October 16, 2010
One dog for me, but he's got the energy of ten. If I find a house in Altadena though, I'll get another one or two to so I can, you know, keep up with the Joneses.
I'm just tickled pink to be reading your column and to have the very first one be about dogs!
ShellSherree
6:51 pm on Saturday, October 16, 2010
You know I love you when I join yet another online thingummijig just to be able to comment on your posts, Karin! You brought both tears of joy and poignancy to my eyes, as you have the gift of doing. While I've always been a kitty cat household, I adore dogs, too {and all animals}. But if I do add to the family with a puppy dog, you'll be one of the first to know, I promise. I'm so glad to see your fine writing here. Must be wise people at Patch.
Karin Bugge
9:59 am on Sunday, October 17, 2010
Every cat will have her day. I think in the next week or two, I'll write something from the Pasadena Humane Society, especially to feature a cat.
I used to think I was just a dog person who happened to run into and get very fond of a lot of dog-like cats. Finally I realized, I just really liked cats.
william sorlien
6:36 am on Monday, October 18, 2010
I'm not an Altadena resident, alas, not even in California, (I do have a long lost sister there; I tease her and call her Valley Girl) Will that fact make me eligible for inclusion in the club?
Formerly a German Shepard Dog owner, ( or did they own me?) after Chewie passed on, we acquired a Cavalier King Charles. I was jealous of her astounding cuteness, and thought I would miss the rollicking fun of the athletic Sheps. But to my surprise and joy, my little gal loves to hunt! A better nose I've never witnessed...
Then, all things being equal, my son moved back home. Sure, its a bit cramped, and we bump elbows from time to time, but he brought with him two feisty rat terriers. Them little babes love to nestle in my hoodie (as I'm wearing it) and are all sorts of fun.
So, for demographic purpose, count us as three, with a possible four, as I become closer to nomination as member of the pack.
Lori A. Webster
1:39 pm on Sunday, October 24, 2010
Wonderful article, Karin!
Sonia A. Mascaro
4:42 am on Friday, November 18, 2011
Great article, Karin, as always!