Altadena, Animal Shelters, and a Dog Named Vinnie

There’s a ridiculous amount of real estate separating Altadena from our county-assigned animal shelter to the east.  And that’s only one reason why, when we pick up a lost or abandoned animal, some of us choose another route. We drive south, to Pasadena. And then we tell a lie.

I don’t know if telling the Pasadena Humane Society we found an animal south of our border (when in fact we didn't) is morally justifiable, but then I don’t think conditions at most of the County Shelters are morally justifiable, either.  I suppose this is what one would call a moral dilemma.

Once we get our township straightened out and loosen some of the county hooks, many of us would like to have a PHS annex up here. That way we’d pay more attention, take greater responsibility for the lost and abandoned pets in our care. And our tax dollars would go to the right place.

Until that time, there’s one other option to consider, both as a place to take a lost animal and to adopt: Breed Rescues.  A breed rescue focuses on one particular dog breed, and unless you absolutely have to have a puppy, they’re the go-to place for boxers, shepherds, bassets, weinheimers, you name it. I’m pretty sure all these organizations are privately funded and most if not all are no-kill.

I adopted my boxer Phoebe from Boxer Rescue of Greater Los Angeles. And now that she -- one of Altadena’s favorite and most popular citizens -- ,  I pitch in occasionally at the BRLA Sunland facility.

Because Altadena is a boxer-loving town – four live within a couple of blocks of me -- I want to call your attention to Vinnie. He currently makes his home at Boxer Rescue LA.

Vinnie packs all the admirable boxer traits into one compact and solid frame – he’s smart, brave, and has rarely met a man, woman or child he doesn’t love. But here’s the thing: Unlike many of his breed, Vinnie is a calm and patient soul; he keeps his enthusiasms in check. Vinnie doesn’t jump, pull, or try to French kiss everyone who says hi.

In other words, he’s a gentleman with perfect manners, and would be a suitable companion for any boxer lover of any age, from the very young to the very old.  

Vinnie is probably 7 years old, but with maturity comes, as Wordsworth says, the philosophic mind. He likes to sit by your side and think deep and pleasant thoughts. If you want to talk, he’s all ears. Your concerns are his concerns. If you tell him a joke, he’ll probably say that’s the best darned joke he has ever heard. And if, once in awhile, you stretch out a hand to pet him, he will bow his head.

So I just wanted to introduce Vinnie to anyone around town who is looking for a loyal friend with clean habits, a kind and honest character, and a sense of humor. 

As for the many virtues of the boxer dog, don't just take my word for it: visit Writer/blogger/photographer Petrea Burchard at pasadena daily photo.