My Walk With Tommy

The famous Tommy, of My Life With Tommy, had an opportunity to check out Hahamongna Watershed Park the other day. He gave it countless stamps of approval (the solid ones responsibly removed by Tommy's human, Susan).

When the rain came after the Station Fire in late 2009, water rushed off the mountains bringing with it the mountain's unprotected surface. Tons of ash, sand, rocks and burned tree trunks filled the watershed. As much as Tommy enjoyed inspecting the rubble, it's got to be cleaned out from behind the dam. There is some dispute, however, as to the best method for doing so. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has looked at only one alternative: digging out 50 acres of natural vegetation (read: wildlife habitat), turning Hahamongna Watershed Park into Hahamongna Wasteland Park.

If you'd like to help prevent that, or just learn more, click on SaveHahamongna.org. For starters, from the home page you can sign up for updates and sign the Save Hahamongna petition (and check out the videos to see why a watershed is not a great place for a soccer field).

Susan, Tommy and I strolled through some of the beautiful, semi-wild acres we may soon be missing. You can do the same any time, or join the Hahamongna Walkabout sponsored by the Arroyo Seco Foundation February 19th. Tours will leave each half hour from 9:00 am to 10:30 am, so click here, learn more about the Hahamongna Walkabout and reserve your place.

Mark your calendar! Not like Tommy would do it.

Pawsadena Star News

There's a lot going on in dog news today.

photo by Skye Moorhead

Remember Skye Moorhead, my photographer friend? She found Jersey, this young, female pit bull mix, abandoned in one of the studios in her complex. Jersey is, according to Skye, "sweeter than both my dogs put together...she happily let me clean her ears and give her a bath...cooperative and a snuggy bug... Mellow, social and smart, she is a joy to have around."

Skye says "in another life" she'd keep Jersey in a heartbeat, but she's already got two dogs and one of them's not tolerating the pup.

You always have a chance to adopt a dog from the Pasadena Humane Society, or Boxer Rescue, or a shelter in your area (and you should!). Today, you can adopt a dog from Skye. Email Skyez@earthlink.net.

Update: 6/25: Jersey's been spayed now, which makes her even more attractive!

Update 6/26: Jersey found a home! Skye says: "...perfect match on both sides. I saw them off this morning with a light heart."

I wanted Jersey, but I'm reminded that our Boz is getting old. He has four (yes) strategically-placed beds which can be moved according to his needs. He eats regular, healthy meals. He has full health coverage (our checkbook), play dates, daily walks, love, kisses and constant assurance that he's a good boy.

Boz achieved royalty late in life. Before he came to us he lived for more than a year in a cage in a shelter, and before that he got by somehow on the streets. Before that, we don't know. Boz is an alpha dog in only one place: our (his) home.

All we do for Boz is nothing compared to what he does for us. Pets can decrease your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, for one thing. And after seven years, Boz still manages to bring delight into our lives every day. Dogs are extremely entertaining. We don't even have TV anymore.

Which is the long way of saying, if you're thinking of adopting a dog, contact Skye and go visit Jersey. She just might be the right pet for you.

In other dog news, here's a new blog to love: it's called My Life With Tommy. Susan Campisi's straightforward, delicious writing about her adventures with her rescued pit bull, Tommy, is just plain addictive. I haven't missed a post.