7 minute read
Pet Place
ROLEX BRINGS VALENTINE LOVE TO BILL AND SILVER!
Bill and Silver Martin celebrated Valentine’s Day 2021 this month, their love enhanced by their mutual love for animals. When they first met 48 years ago, their conversation quickly led to a discovery of how they both loved horses. On their first date the following day, Silver sold Bill a horse and ended up giving riding lessons to her new beau. Needless to say, sparks flew during the ride. At the time of their wedding the following year, they owned two black lab dogs and five horses. Horses and dogs continued to be a part of their life together.
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Bill and Silver rode horses with the Long Beach mounted police in ten Rose Parades and many other events. Their horses always included at least one rescue horse, as they were keenly aware of how the majestic horses are sometimes abused and discarded. Silver fondly recalls her special rescue horse, Galiano, who slowly came out of his shell to show love and gratitude after being horribly mistreated.
In 2007, the Martins moved from Rolling Hills and became full time Coachella Valley residents. Silver became active in Animal Samaritans where she met and befriended Lindi Biggi. In 2008, Silver became a founding member and Board Member for Loving All Animals, a new charity Lindi founded to help homeless animals.
In 2010, the story of Duroville went viral in the local news. This dilapidated migrant worker trailer park in Thermal went into federal receivership due to the unsanitary living conditions for the people there. Soon the media, looking for a new angle, reported on the hundreds of stray dogs in and near the community. New housing plans were underway for the human residents. However, pet restrictions at the new complex would only increase the number of stray animals.
Loving All Animals decided to help the dogs in and near Duroville. Seven wonderful local veterinarians eagerly signed up for the 3-day shifts in the Duroville church, now converted into a temporary vet clinic. The dogs poured in, their humans grateful for the free services that included snacks and toys for the children. Some residents helped round up the strays that needed vaccinations, spaying, and other vet services. Coachella Valley animal welfare groups coordinated the rescue of the unclaimed stray pups.
Just as the Duroville event ended, a resident suddenly placed a matted white dog in Silver’s arms. He explained that the homeless animal lived underneath one of the trailers. The pup was soaking wet, covered in mud from the rain, and had no less than 68 ticks imbedded in his fur. The dog’s condition tugged at Silver’s heartstrings. Thom Daves, director of the old Save A Pet shelter, took the dog to his clinic for grooming and vetting. Three days later, the Martins picked up Rolex, now neutered, vaccinated, and looking gorgeous. It was an amazing transformation with Rolex resembling a handsome Bichon.
The couple had three other dogs at the time, but Rolex fit perfectly into their pack. Silver explains, “Bill is always there to walk our dogs, take them to the dog park, or do whatever they might need. One more dog just meant more love in our lives. They teach us so much about unconditional love. Rolex is the best dog we’ve ever had. He’s always by our side, loyal and loving. Rolex is amazing with the other dogs that arrive for my pet sitting business. He knows which ones need comforting, and which ones are ready for play. He patiently welcomes each new dog, helping them adjust to the
BY JANET McAFEE
surroundings.”
Now a senior, 13-year-old Rolex is a poster dog for rescue. Rolex is an important member of Bill and Silver’s family, an integral part of all the events in their lives. Their love for dogs keeps this couple’s love even more special as they approach their fifth decade together. Bill and Silver’s motto is “Love Me, Love My Animals”. May each of you be blessed to be with or to find a fellow animal lover to share your life with!
Below is a partial list of shelters and rescues in the Inland Empire with animals for adoption. They are currently closed for walk-ins, and you must call for an appointment. You can view most of their animals online before calling. If you seek a specific breed, you can also check on www. petfinder.com and put in the breed and your zip code. Thank you for rescuing!
COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS
– The county shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. You can view the animals at all four Riverside county shelters at www.rcdas.org, and get the ID number of the animal you want to adopt. Email them the animal’s ID number at shelterinfo@rivco.org, or schedule a virtual adoption appointment at www.rcdas.org, 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3644. (Public)
PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. They schedule appointments Wednesday through Monday. View their animals online at www. psanimalsshelter.org, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718. (Public)
ANIMAL SAMARITANS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. View their animals at www. animalsamaritans.org. Email acorrow@ animalsamaritans.org to foster. Located at 72307 Ramon Rd, Thousand Palms, (760) 601-3918. (Private)
MEET CHRISSY
MEET COCO LINO
This lovely 3-yr-old mixed German Shepherd girl waits patiently for a home at the Humane Society of the Coachella Valley in N. Palm Springs. Sweet & loyal Chrissy had a long wait at the San Bernardino County shelter at Devore when abandoned, only to have her adopted human pass away from cancer. Chrissy will do best with a dog experienced family. Call (760) 329-0203 for an appointment to meet Chrissy and give her another second chance, www.orphanpet.com.
Co Co Lino seeks someone with a big heart! He is a 9-yr-old special needs boy with diabetes. He adores all humans, and takes his daily insulin like a champ! This guy is 18 lbs of kitty love. Co Co Lino waits at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, go online at www.psanimalshelter.org to complete an adoption application and their staff will call you.
CALIFORNIA PAWS RESCUE - The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. View their animals at www. californiapawsrescue.com, (760) 656-8833. (Private)
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE COACHELLA
VALLEY – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt a dog or cat. This shelter has lots of big dogs in addition to small dogs and cats. View some of their animals at www.orphanpet.com. Located at 17825 N. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, (760) 329-0203. (Private)
KITTYLAND – The shelter is closed so call for an appointment to adopt a cat. Located at 67600 18th Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, www.kittylandrescue.org, (760) 251-2700. (Private)
FOREVER MEOW – Foster based rescue for cats located in Rancho Mirage. Contact them at www.ForeverMeow.org, (760) 3356767. (Private)
PRETTY GOOD CAT – Foster based rescue for cats located in La Quinta. Contact them at www.prettygoodcat.com, (760) 660-3414 (Private)
BFF4pets – Foster based rescue for dogs and cats located in La Quinta. Email them at rescues@bff4pets.com, (310) 431-7818 (Private)
LOVING ALL ANIMALS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 83496 Avenue 51, Coachella, www.lovingallanimals.org, (760) 834-7000. (Private)
MORONGO BASIN HUMANE SOCIETY – Located at 4646 Sun View Rd, Joshua Tree, www.mbhumanesociety.com, call between 11am-4pm for updates (760) 366-3786 (Private)
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ANIMAL
SHELTER – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Hours for adoption 10am – 4pm Tuesday thru Sat. Google “City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter” for website to view animals and get the ID number of the animal you want to meet. Located at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, (909) 384-1304 or (909) 3847272. (Public)
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ANIMAL
SHELTER AT DEVORE – Shelter closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Call (909) 386-9280 daily. View animals at www.sbcounty.gov/acc and get the ID number of animal you want to meet. Located at 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino (Public).
DREAM TEAM ANGELS RESCUE - Foster based rescue located in Grand Terrace/San Bernardino area. Contact them through website www.DreamTeamangelsrescue. com, (360) 688-8884. (Private)
