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Chauncy, the black and white Border Collie and (we think) pit bull mix was "rescued" on the Los Angeles River in July of 2003. He appeared at the top of a foot path and stared at me like I had been expected. He had no tags, no microchip, was not fixed: in short, he had the usual stats for a lost dog in our neck of the woods. Subsequent to our taking him home, no one ever put up a lost dog sign, and we asked Chauncy if he would like to live with us. He appeared to say yes.

The small dog (whose leash Chauncy seems to command) was rescued running in the streets of our northeast Los Angeles community. I decided her name was Maggie Mae (my wife protested but let me win, which makes me 1 for 1,316 in our relationship). Maggie Mae appeared to be a mix of Chihuahua and Corgie--a Chicorgie. The sweetest, least yip-yappy girl you ever met, she has been adopted by a terrific couple from Orange, California. Maggie Mae was a difficult one to let go, but with four large dogs already it was a no-brainer to adopt her out to a loving home.

When my wife adopts out dogs the interested parties undergo a background check (largely to establish their record of Vet care for any and all pets), a home check to see if there are escape routes in the yard, etc., and a form with multiple questions, partly to make sure the interested party truly is interested in adopting an animal. If you want a dog but don't want to fill out some paper work, how serious are you going to be about a commitment to a beloved pet?

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FYI: The monthly AV-DAW (Atwater Village Department of Animal Welfare) Dog Adoption event will be held this Sunday, May 7th in the parking lot of the Wells Fargo Bank on Glendale Blvd., next to the Alcapulco restaurant. There will be rescued dogs and cats (and maybe a Chubacapra, though I can't swear to it). It was a treat to see Leah at the last event in April (and Leah even went shopping at the Farmer's Market in the same lot--how was the cauliflower, Leah?). I cannot attend this upcoming adoption, but Christine Chavez, granddaughter to Cesar Chavez will be there. She is a strong advocate for animal welfare issues, and is currently running for office in the 45th Assembly District.

Have a great weekend and remember: anyone who would choose to harm an animal has already harmed you.

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