LBPOST.com: Wheely Willy Memorial Service, Adoptions & More

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Wheely Willy Memorial Service, Adoptions & More

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Wheely Willy, the little dog who took his handicap and literally ran with it, will be honored at a service at the Memorial Garden at Long Beach Animal Care Services. Willy passed away Dec. 22 at the venerable age of 22. He and his mom, Deborah Turner, were each other�s guardian and inspiration for nearly 20 years and passed it forward through a collection of fictionalized biographies, public appearances, humane education and therapy.

Deborah Turner asks that in lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations be made to Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA). Willy began his real life as an injured rescued pet, and Turner wants his work to be carried through by an organization that works to improve the lives of animals in need.

The address and time of the service are as follows:

Tuesday, Jan 19, noon to 2 p.m.
The Memorial Garden at Long Beach Animal Care Services
P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village
7700 East Spring Street
Long Beach, CA 90815

For a glimpse into Willy�s life, watch the video at this page.

ACS Town Hall Meetings: Community-based outcomes for shelter-animal issues

There are over 11,000 lost, abandoned or unwanted animals impounded in our shelter every year, and a disturbing number go unclaimed. New approaches are needed to address this situation, and your input is important. Council members Suja Lowenthal and Patrick O�Donnell will be hosting two important town hall meetings this week to discuss changes to the municipal code and strategies to implement the following results:

� reduce animal impounds
� reduce euthanasia of healthy animals
� increase animal redemptions and adoptions
� increase enforcement of the municipal code

Representatives from the City�s Animal Care Services (ACS) bureau will be on hand to present information and answer questions about proposals for expanding the City�s licensing requirements, low-cost spay and neuter, and volunteer and adoption opportunities. If you have any ideas or expect some to pop up after discussion, please attend one of the following meetings:

� 4th District: Monday, Jan. 11, 6�8 p.m. at Stearns Park Community Center
� 2nd District: Wednesday, Jan. 13, 6�8 p.m. at Bixby Park Community Center

No RSVP is necessary.

If you cannot attend in person or wish to add input before or after the meetings, complete the online Animal Welfare Survey online by clicking here. For more information, call (562) 570-7387.

Virtually Pets

Simon
OK, here�s a challenge for anyone ready and willing to take one on. Simon was rescued from an abusive situation�teenagers throwing him about like a ragdoll. He was also attacked by another cat and didn�t fight back. To compound matters further, he is FIV-positive. His kind temporary �landlord� and the Good Samaritan who found him took him to the veterinarian where he had the bite wound cleaned and a drain inserted. He also had to have a tumor on the back of his neck removed (negative biopsy, thank Heaven). What Simon needs is a person who�ll put him in a sailor suit and give him a violin case to carry. He needs to be indoor only and the only cat in the house, not only because of his tendency to be a lover and not a fighter but also because the FIV virus is transmitted through bites, and other cats could be infected even through aggressive play. He�ll also need ongoing veterinary care. If you want to foster or adopt, or donate toward his care, contact designbywendy@yahoo.com and mention Simon�s name.

Neyla
Neyla is eager to join a big-dog household and looks as if she�s about to be presented to the queen of England (note the polite smile). She�s a spayed female brown-and-black German shepherd, about 3 years old. You can have an audience with her at ACS, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, (562) 570-7387. Ask for ID#A350759.

Comments

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Rob
The point of Animal Rights people is to elevate animals to the status of people and to reduce people to the status of animals. There are millions of children in this country that go hungry. Their are hundreds of thousands of children living in foster homes. But rarely do we see people raise funds or awareness for human problems. Only in America we care more for animals than people.

Different Opinion
You are wrong about the objective of Animal Rights people. We advocate humane treatment of all including humans. You must be living in a cave if you don't see people raise funds for people causes - 88% of all charitable giving is for people. Only 12% is for the environment, wild animals, and pets combined. Less than 1% of all Federal and Municipal budgets are allocated to animal welfare. United Way, Red Cross, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, YMCA, YWCA, Salvation Army, Goodwill, Children's Home Society, Share our Strength and the list is endless. Pretty clear statement of the priorities of the American public. Other than make irrational statements and complain, are you doing anything positive to help all the "millions of children that go hungry?" People who complain the most typically do the least to help.

Birdman of long beach
Thank you Judy & Kate for the beautiful article on willy who stole millions of hearts including mine. As for Robs remark thank god he's not my neighbor and its unfortunate he is so uneducated. Obviously he has no idea of the countless thosands of people involved in helping hungry children and adults in america. I wish it were true that people cared more for animals than people because animals treat you much better than people. I will say a prayer that Rob never owns a animal and could you imagine how he would look down at it as if it had no value on this planet at all. I guess Rob wants us to stop caring about animals and put our attentions to selfish cold hearted uncaring people like him. I bet he's a joy to live with and I bet he has something nice to say when he gets up in the morning { Ha Ha } I also hope Neyla ends up in a wonderful home and she does look like royalty. Oh by the way Rob could you imagine how much love there would be in the world if people could be reduced to the status of animals " Wow " what a thought. I hope someone has a big enough heart to give Simon a great home after all the terrible abuse the poor little guy suffered.

Judy C.
Hi Rob: Thank you for your comment and compassion for children! I would like to address your comment; here it goes: Animal rights, as well as animal welfare, is motivated by compassion for a peaceful life for all sentient beings. And yes, children are very much included in that! There are far more organizations to help children than there is for animals. I am happy about all of them. As long as people help any living creature to have a better life it is a good thing. Some people are more inclined to help children, while others are more inclined to help animals and many are inclined to help both!

Rob
I think the vast majority of people treat their animals with love. But the Animal rights people will have you believe its an epidemic of violence. Animals are not human, and therefore we can not value them as such. When people refer to their animals as children, you reduce the value of a human child. Sorry but you do. When you have every local news station doing pet adoption almost everyday, and just Christine Devine doing Wednesday child once a week. Do we really care about children? P.S. I have help arrange can food collections at my work, volunteer in youth sports and recreation. I volunteer at my local Boys and Girls club, done beach clean ups as well as other humanitarian efforts, I do my part for my fellow man/woman.

Birdman of long beach
ROB , you wouldnt ever live in a cave because you would have contact with oh my god " yucky " animals. I believe alot of people including you Rob dislike animals because on your best day in life Quality for Quality you wouldnt stand a chance with a animal and you're full of all this jelousy of all the love and kindness that they have inside them. And a animal would never go out of there way to say something disrespectful about you so who is it with all these issues.

DE
Actually, "Rob," there are Federal and State and Local agencies, well-funded, that care for the children. There are holiday gift donations for the children. There are volunteers for the children. Why be so insular with your thinking? Household animals need our help also. Is your heart as narrow as your mind?

CHARLIE
Don't be too hard on Rob, he just hasn't learned or experienced yet the unconditional love that comes from a dog; Besides that, "All Dogs go to Heaven" Walt Disney said so!

Rob
I'm glad the insults are flying, is that how you treat your pets. I never said I didn't like animals, I'm just saying stop comparing them to humans. I have a dog,(that i got from a shelter, as well as having pets my whole life) and I love her like no tomorrow. But at the same time I realize she is not more valuable than my children. If there was a fire, I would get my children out before my dog. I just think that us Humans were given something special that animals don't have. And every-time we lift animals to the degree of people you somehow degrades the human experience. I never said there aren't agencies for children, but when the state and federal governments are cutting back at record pace, maybe we as humans need to pull together and help those people who need it most. But hey I realize that some people care far more for the animals than they're neighbors who might of just lost their job and are about to lose there house. Dehumanization should not be the goal.

Anonymous
Rob is a debbie downer!

Susan
I will take an animal over a human anyday of the week.. animals are pure love!

Kate K
Hi, and thanks for the discussion, everyone. We live in a world of living things. My cats are my cats. I love them dearly. Same goes for my friends. Rob, you can bet that a good number of people who look out to the welfare of animals also do so for people, and most of the "animal people" I know certainly do. People don't merit a primary position on the planet because we have intellect and opposable thumbs--in fact, we've done as much harm as good with those brains and thumbs. No species merits special treatment--let me amend that--all of them do. Rob, the main real quibble I have with your first post is the statement "But rarely do we see people raise funds or awareness for human problems." Lord, man, where have you been? Check out the volunteer section of any newspaper and you'll see how much good is being attempted. Furthermore, if you were to take a good look at Wheely Willy, you'd see that he and his human companion, Deb, passed caring forward to humans and animals alike. I also don't feel that we care more for animals than people in America, on the whole (have you been to England, by the way?). What troubles me is the idea that caring for animals precludes caring for humans. It does not. How can anyone have a problem with showing compassion and getting up and doing something about it? Thanks again, Birdman, for your comments!

Birdman of long beach
Rob, we couldnt compare animals to humans because they treat people so much better than humans and you are the perfect example. Rob you have it backwards like everything else in your life. Its the animals that were given something Special and it wasnt people. Rob we don't lift animals to the degree of people and couldnt because they are much more caring and faithful and so much more appreciative than people. Its people that degrade the animal experience because of unnecessary abuse and lack of appreciation. Rob I didnt realize you were losing your job and your house and I guess maybe thats why you are so bitter and maybe we should take up a collection for you. I guess when you become homeless you want to make sure we feed you before the animals. Do you believe in Karma ? Well I feel so much better knowing there is Humanitarian people like you Rob. I don't know any other way to say this but I don't believe a word about all these kind things you claim you do. It just dosent seem to fit your personality at all Rob. If there was a fire in your house your dog would give up its life and burn to death trying to save your life. I wonder just how far you would go to save your dogs life ? Good question huh. Another thing Rob if there was a fire you wouldnt have to worry about getting the children out before your dog because your dog would be there by your side helping you get the children out of the fire to safety.

CHARLIE
Well it appears Susan prefers her 4 legged friends over her 2 legged friends - In some cases, I would have to agree with her.:>)

Birdman of long beach
Susan you are a woman of my own heart and understand completely. I can see your animals were blessed to get into your arms. Charlie is getting there and at least 50 percent agree's with you so he's a good guy to. I think we should all go for a pizza because we sure do have alot of stories of love to share concerning animals. And Judy & Kate are definitely invited for pizza also and what a honor that would be. See Rob I am putting people first " and maybe thats a first " and I didnt even invite one animal. But I didnt say anything about not getting a extra pizza to take home to them " Smile "

Rob
Like I said, I'm glad the insults are flying. Birdman, I'm don't get the personal attacks, I'm just trying to have a conversion on the value of human life and that we shouldn't compare us to animals. I'm not trying to insult people like some other people on here. If you just look at history it's full of evil people who compare us humans to livestock and thereby justify mass killings for the greater good. Another example if you look at the 1600-1800 we had this thing call chattel slavery where we degrade people to that of animals, stuck them in ships and imported them around the world. Treated them as livestock and some times disposed if them as such. But it sounds like some you would prefer a genocide or slavery than to realize that we are a advanced species.

CHARLIE
Hey Rob - What does dog spelled backwards tell you? Oh oh :>)

JUDY GRIFFITH
Ok, everyone, I of all people is and allways will be a animal lover. I can't begin to tell you of all of the different pets,I have saved in the last 16 yrs. or all the pets I have fostered. People call me all the time, come to my house, but on the other hand, if there was a human being that needs me. I will bae there for them to. But I do have to say. Pets , i tryly love the most. Especialy, my rats. Don't laugh, I have had pet rats for 16 yrs. they have stolen my heart away.BUt I am allways there for animals and people. My neighbors can back me up on this. Good night to all. It has been a long day. Of pets and my Grand Son Judy the rat whisperer !!!

Birdman of long beach
JUDY , the love & devotion you have shown for animals and humans all these years proves you are really a Saint. Of course some people will have something disrespectful to say about you helping rats. But I love and help pigeons as much as you do rats and they are gods creatures and deserve to have someone care about and help them. The people with the most ugly things to say are the same people that would walk by a injured animal laying there and do nothing to help yet always have miserable things to say about everything else. You are the kind of wonderful caring human being god will be smiling at on judgement day. I have met different people with the prettier more exotic looking rats as pets out on the street. The rats would be running up there sleeves and being so loving to the owner with no desire to even run off and seemed like wonderful pets. Any animal will make a great pet because of the love they have inside of them if given a decent chance. Thanks again Judy for being such a caring woman.

Kate K
Okay--here's the final word: It's a pet column. And I take extra cheese with pizza.

Judy Griffith
Birdman, I still have to meet you. My father was in the army To. Because of my mom and dad devorcing, I did not get to know my Dad much. When mom passed. I said now it is time to meet my Dad. I found out my Dad was a real animal lover. That is were I got it. And would you believe, He saved a skunk. And that skunk, never sprayed him.It was his pet. That is a miracle.I am Paw Shoppe #1 and Paw Shoppe #2 friend. Paw Shoppe #2 called me today. to look at there G. Pig. I got peed on, pooped on, and bit. He was in pain. Did i get mad. No way. He kissed me. and bit me. And he is doing great now. I watched the G. Force Movie last night. It stunk. True story. Last Friday night. I heard all this screaming, thinking it was a big cat fight. Went outside. ON my garage there was a 30 pound Racoon, and a second racoon hanging my his hands, about to fall on the ground. He was screaming, cause, he was afaird. HE made it to the garage top. Told my husband. HE came out. And we sprayed them with water. We have a doggie door, with a 9 lbs. dog. Did not want them attacking my dog. And no way, did I want to hurt these guys. We have had racoons living on our block for 10 yrs. and they go into the drain at the end of the b block. Again, do not leave dog and cat food out. Which I do not. I love these guys. But did not want them coming in my doggie door. Man they did not want to move away very fast.ANd to top that off. I went out to throw garbage in the garbage can. Heard a noise by my shovels. Back in the house I went for a flash light. Flashed it. Guess waht. It was a wild rat. Which I have one as a pet. yes he is tame and the love of my life. So I said good night. And went back in the houe. Maybe the Racoons was after him. I don't know. So everyone love the people you can help. And love all the animals in the world you can help. And thank you Judy and Kate for caring. Judy The Real Rat Whisperer !!

Marion
As someone living with a life and mobility changing disability, I admire those that continue to move ahead - with a great attitude! RIP, Wheely Willy - you were an inspiration to many.

Judy Griffith
This morning am. I read the whole entire comments. Lots of people have pets, But not everyone really tune into there pets. They love them, but don't treat them like there children. On the other side, some people treat there pets like there own children. Me my pets are like my kids. They are so spoiled. Everyone gets play time out of the cage every day, without exception. You see once you skip a day to. It is too easy to let it slid. So yes, Rob, I am very tune into my pets. On the other side. I have quit a few times. Stopped and bought a meal for a homeless man. And one day, I was going home, with 7 huge peaces of pizza. Homeless man asked for money. I allways tell them, I will not give them money. But I will buy them a meal. My husband and I looked at each other. And I gave him our 7 peices of pizza. He was so happy.Rob, I know there are alot of people out there like me. Along time ago Animal Control was trying to catch a dog. the kids were worried about. I stopped parked my car in the middle of the street, locked my car, and gave chase, I sat down in the middle of the street. and talked baby talk to him. He came to me first. Ok, this is fun to realate to people. I love helping people and animals. When I die, everyone will meet me at the Rainbow Bridge. The Rat Whisperer !

Pet Post

Judy and Kate unleash thoughts on pet care, animal rights and welfare, adoption and animal-related events in the area.

Judy lives in Long Beach with her husband, Dan and their three canine family members. Judy has been an active volunteer with various animal welfare work and issues since 1998, primarily focusing on pet overpopulation and humane education. She is a proud mother and grandmother, and loves spending time with her family. Kate is a 15-year Long Beach resident, and has a passion for anything involving animals or words. She is an active member of Friends of Long Beach Animals and believes that owner responsibility is the key to solving animal issues. She lives with two fat foundling felines.