The holidays have come and gone here in my hometown of Huntington Beach. Christmas trees wait at the curb to be picked up and carried to that great forest in the sky where only their memory will live in everyone’s minds and the Palm trees that line the beach are swaying softly with cooler winter breezes.
The holidays were a mixed bag for me. My family created special moments that I will cherish forever, particularly a granddaughter and her wonderful boyfriend who cooked the most phenomenal Thanksgiving meal ever and served it with great care and love to family and friends. Although grandma-(me) suffered, she complained in silence about the miserable case of shingles she was lucky enough to acquire—bah humbug.
Given all that, as soon as I was able, I returned to the dogs to share walks, hugs, and encouragement with those sweet furry babies who are still waiting for homes. Many of them never made it out of the shelter for Christmas as much as I hoped they would, yet those patient little faces were still there to greet me when I returned.
The great news is that we placed a record number of pets in wonderful homes these past few weeks, but there are two little gentlemen that cause me to worry.
Being a senior citizen myself reminds me every day that it is important to enjoy every single second we have, and seeing them waste precious moments in their lonely pens makes me very sad.
I am lucky because I have a loving family, and I am grateful. Little Bucky and Freddie do not.
Bucky is a refined little love bug with a stout constitution and a very huggable little body. When we sit at the curb on the Edison Access Road he leans into me for a hug and rests his little grizzled muzzle on my leg.
I noticed that with the colder weather he was shaking a bit so we found a nice little cozy sweater for him to wear. But what he really would like is a warm home and a person to call his own. He promises not to take up too much room, except in your heart.
Our other little older gentleman is Freddie. He’s such a nice little guy that I know it is only his age holding him back. I honestly think people greatly overlook the benefits of an older pet. They have so much more love to give without the over-exuberance of youth.
Please check these little guys out at the Newland Shelter in Huntington Beach. Take them for a walk and get to know them—You are in for a treat!
