Bakersfield Voice 03/29 by Mercado Nuevo

www.bakersfieldvoice.com

March 29-April 4, 2009

F R E E

Air bands rock out at Frontier High Pg. 4 FACT open house Pg. 5 Former BHS wrestler wins NCAA title Pg. 8

Bless those beasts! Pet contestants revealed, pg. 10

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• Up to 5 quartsmulti-grade oil • New oil filter • Check underhood fluid levels Synthetic and synthetic blend oils extra. Additional shop supply fee may be charged, where permitted by law. Custom wheels and vehicles with TPMS may be extra. Consumer pays all taxes. Most vehicles. Cash value 1/100th of 1¢. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Not good with any other offer. Valid at participating location(s) listed below. Void if sold, copied or transferred and where prohibited by law. Expires 6/1/09.

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· Plus $8.25 certificate fee Additional shop supply fee may be charged, where permitted by law. Consumer pays all taxes. Most vehicles. Cash value 1/100th of 1¢. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Not good with any other offer. Valid at participating location(s) listed below. Void if sold, copied or transferred and where prohibited by law. Expires 6/1/09.

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MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2009

EXTRA!EXTRA!

Underwater Easter egg hunt COURTESY OF BAKERSFIELD DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION & PARKS

Staff

f you think hunting eggs is hard to do, wait until you have to retrieve them from the bottom of a pool! Come join the City of Bakersfield Recreation & Parks at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center, 1325 Q St., to participate in our Underwater EGGStravaganza on April 4 at 10 a.m. Egg hunters of all swimming abilities collect eggs and receive a goody for their efforts. Special eggs will receive prizes! Photo opportunities with “The Bunny” will be available during the event, so bring a camera. An adult must be in the water with children ages 5 and under. $5 to hunt; $15 to hunt and receive an event T-shirt. For more information, call 852-7430 or visit www.bakersfieldswim.us

EDITORIAL Olivia Garcia Publisher ogarcia@bakersfield.com 395-7487 Gene Garaygordobil Managing Editor ggaraygordobil@bakersfield.com 716-8642 Teresa Adamo Associate Editor tadamo@bakersfield.com Sandra Molen Writer/Copy Editor tadamo@bakersfield.com

ART

Sleight-of-hand artist performs

Timothy Heinrichs Designer theinrichs@bakersfield.com

ADVERTISING Jaime De Los Santos Sales Manager jdelossantos@bakersfield.com 716-8632

COURTESY OF GASLIGHT MELODRAMA

agic shows by Ron Saylor will take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. April 4 and April 11. Also, there will be an 11 a.m. performance on April 18. All shows are at the Gaslight Melodrama, 12748 Jomani Drive. Cost is $6. After attending one of Ron Saylor’s magic shows, you will walk away asking, “How did he do that?” Magical fun for the whole family! Details, 587-3377.

David Alanis Sales Executive Gustavo Carrillo Sales Executive Samantha Vilchis Sales Executive Mark Wells Sales Executive

OFFICE

An evening of wine tasting to benefit CASA BY DINA LIGARI Community contributor

J Ron Saylor

oin us for “A Taste of Wine Country,” Saturday, April 4 at 6 p.m., 2338 Curnow Road. $50 per person. Proceeds to benefit CASA of Kern County. For more information or to purchase tickets, call: 619-5154 or 831-2299.

Marisol Sorto Office Administrator msorto@bakersfield.com 716-8640

The Bakersfield Voice P.O. Box 2344 Bakersfield, CA 93301 The Bakersfield Voice is published by Mercado Nuevo, an independent subsidiary of The Bakersfield Californian To learn more or to contribute news and pictures, visit us online at: www.bakersfieldvoice.com

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Share your

Junior League conference

FACT open house

The Facility for Animal Care and Treatment will host an open house and baby bird shower April 4.

today! ■ We also include as many community contributions as possible in the print edition of The Bakersfield Voice, published Sundays. ■ Still need help getting your contributions onto our Web site? E-mail: Gene Garaygordobil at: ggaraygordobil@bakersfield.com or Teresa Adamo at: tadamo@bakersfield.com

Local wrester wins it all

Jealous of the “petless”

Pet Contest winner is ...

Columnist Michael Elliott talks about former BHS wrestler Jake Varner’s NCAA championship.

A young contributor describes the sights and sounds of the competition.

voice

Paw Print City columnist says playful pets sometimes upset owners’ sleeping habits.

Bakersfield chapter hosts winter meeting for the Junior Leagues of California.

See which of our wonderful pet stories and photos won over the judges and a $25 Petco card.

About the cover Littlleman was one of many entries in The Bakersfield Voice’s “Bless the Beast” pet contest. Check out Page 10 for the results, and see which stories and photos will touch your heart. More pet entries will run in next week’s Voice.

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Discount off regular price. Lifetime guarantee valid for as long as you own your car. See manager for limited guarantee terms. Consumer pays all taxes. Most vehicles. Cash value 1/100th of 1¢. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Not good with any other offer. Valid at participating location(s) listed below. Void if sold, copied or transferred and where prohibited by law. Expires 4/30/09.

Trust the Midas touch.®

Synthetic and synthetic blend oils extra. Additional shop supply fee may be charged, where permitted by law. Custom wheels and vehicles with TPMS may be extra. Consumer pays all taxes. Most vehicles. Cash value 1/100th of 1¢. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Not good with any other offer. Valid at participating location(s) listed below. Void if sold, copied or transferred and where prohibited by law. Expires 4/30/09.

SMOG CHECK

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Your photo could be on our next cover! Photos and stories for the April 19 issue must be posted by Wednesday, April 8 at 5 p.m.

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Consumer must purchase installation package for all tires. No carry-outs. Customer pays all taxes. Most vehicles. Cash value 1/100th 1¢. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Not good with any other offer. Valid at participating location(s) listed below. Void if sold, copied or transferred and where prohibited by law. Expires 4/30/09.

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■ Submitting your stories for The Bakersfield Voice is simple and FREE! Just go to: www.bakersfieldvoice.com and create a profile. ■ Choose what you’d like to contribute (an article, letter, picture or community event listing) and post it yourself for our online readership to see. You can even add video to the site!

4 5

Air bands invade Frontier

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MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2009

YOURVOICE

Air bands rock center stage at Frontier High BY CHRISTOPHER MOUNT Community contributor

ig hair, black leather, studded spikes, white gloves, masks, MC Hammer pants, capes, glow sticks, sunglasses, hoodies, bandannas, fake tattoos wedding dresses, suits, vests and ties. Where was I? In the dressing room at the Rosedale Wal-Mart? Grocery shopping at the 11-C Market in Oildale? At the Oakland Raiders Fan Fest in Alameda? None of the above. I was deep inside the Frontier High School Air Band 2009 “The Illusion Continues Tour.” When I arrived, a hyper crowd was already waiting anxiously at the doors of Frontier High School’s Performing Art Center. Yes, that’s right; Air Band 2009 was here, fourteen bands competing for over $800 in clean, crisp one dollar bills. Playing tonight is an honor enough in itself. These 14 bands were chosen from the original 35 bands that took part in the American Idol-like tryout. “The Illusion Continues Tour,” already a wildly popular Frontier tradition, benefits the Academic Decathlon, Mock Trial, Forensics and Art clubs. Together these clubs pull together a show like no other. Organized to the teeth — complete with professional lighting, speakers, bass, DVD’s, Tshirts, screaming fans and fourteen bands — they provide everything you could ask for in a rock show. I continue through a crowded hallway filled with costumed characters like I have been teleported through time and Hollywood alike. Mock rock stars everywhere in all their glam glory applying various hair gels, body sprays, deodorants and cologne.

COURTESY PHOTOS

The action at Frontier High School’s Air Bands contest.

Mingling with the stars I find myself talking with crowd favorite — Minions of the Nog. The biggest question on everyone’s mind is simply: “What is Nog?” And the reply: Nog is “bigger than us all, that which cannot be explained.” Indeed. With the show about to start, I’m situating myself in what I like to call the “pit,” between the stage and the judges. I make myself comfortable only inches from the nearest speaker. Frontier’s Mr. Cummings opens the show with his own stunning version of Jimi Hendrix’s

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National Anthem. By the fourth band my ears feel like they will bleed, but I had the best seat in the house. No fatheads blocking my view, no shoulder girls and no cowboy hats. That is until Minions of the Nog took stage and my photo pit was stormed with screaming fans all jumping and dancing to the beat. It was a feast to the eyes and ears — back flips, handstands, LCD lights, moon walking and pure techno. Phantom Fire threw a mesmerizing show complete with glowing masks,

vests and ties to match with their brilliant version of Muse. More fireworks came from The Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can’t Read Good & Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too, The Toilet Paper Bandits, You Lost the Game, THE KING LIVES, The Frontier Kings, Prestige Worldwide and Meconium. After the night’s last performance, all the bands crowded the stage for a final encore and well-deserved applause. When the judges score was tallied up the winners included: third place, Minions of the Nog; second place, The Shaved Orangutans; and a first place tie between BroManticism and Smokin Gopher Holes. Along with the grand cash prize, a member of each band was awarded a small cash prize for standout performer. I took my leave but not without a souvenir. My stay in the pit was not for the faint of heart as I was pelted with a broken drumstick, hailed with fake money and even rained upon with glitter. It may take some time for the epileptic light show and pounding amps to wear off my body, but the Frontier High School Air Band is one show that I will always treasure. My band didn’t make the cut, but being backstage and hanging out with those that did is a memory I will truly remember.

MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2009

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YOURVOICE

Not just for the birds!

Open house & baby bird shower to benefit FACT wildlife rescue COURTESY OF CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD

he Facility for Animal Care and Treatment (FACT) will host an open house and baby bird shower on Saturday, April 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. at its facility in the Environmental Studies area at California State University, Bakersfield. Visitors can: • Participate in the baby bird shower by bringing items from the baby bird registry posted on FACT’s Web site. • See continuing construction of the new rehabilitation area. • See a variety of local birds of prey, including red-tailed hawk, Swainson’s hawk, great horned owl, barn owl and golden eagle. • See songbirds, dragonflies, butterflies, squirrels, gophers, lizards and more. • Make a nature journal and complete a

scavenger hunt to enhance their experience. • Learn about FACT’s animal rescue and bird foster parent program. • Purchase T-shirts, including two new designs, zoo books, coloring books, cards and other educational materials to support FACT’s education programs. CSUB students and staff will give tours and demonstrations of birds of prey. Educational gifts and souvenirs will be available for purchase to support the non-profit wildlife rescue and education program. The event is open and free to the public. FACT’s mission is to serve as a wildlife rescue, conservation and education project for CSUB. FACT hosts an open house on the first Saturday of each month October through May. For more information about FACT, call (661) 654-3167 or go to the group’s Web site at: www.csub.edu/fact

P R A 7 P v f V N C

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Educator of the Month CASEY CHRISTIE / THE CALIFORNIAN

An injured golden eagle brought to FACT, The Facility for Animal Care and Treatment at CSUB

Nomina

I’d like to nominate m Mr. Rhodes who tea At the beginning of having learned that for kindergarten. He as to what a great k girls love Mr. Rho silly songs. He build marvelous with my

Educator of the month Debbie May

Nominated by Gina Rasmussen My daughter, Jenna, is in Mrs. May’s third-grade class at San Lauren Elementary. She begged me to visit her classroom. I went and I just want to say that my daughter has been blessed with an amazing teacher. Every moment is a teachable moment. She does not waste anyTotime, is firm, submither yourstudents nominee forrespect Educatorher. of theShe Month, go to: www.northwest then break, click on “Post Something!” andwhat contribute but fair. Duringvoice.com her recess I told Mrs. May I a paragraph about why youmorning appreciate and to recognize your that nominee. Be sure thought of the andwould she like humbly told me to include the educator’s name, school, department and picture. The contest is open to Godeducators has gifted her with a area. job she loves doing and has in the Southwest Entries can also be e-mailed to: been doing for 20 years. She gave the entry glory$50 to gift God. dmartin@northwestvoice.com. Each month the all winning certificate, compliments of GW School Supply and The Northwest Voice. Sponsored by

■ If you have a teacher you think is great, nominate them for Educator of the Month by going to: www.bakersfieldvoice.com and posting an article. Nominations should tell us in 50 words or less why your teacher is the best and should also include their name, school, department and a picture. All nominees will be featured in the print edition of The Bakersfield Voice and each month the winning entry will receive a $50 gift card for school supplies, compliments of GO School Supply and TBV.

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MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2009

YOURVOICE

Junior League hosts California conference COURTESY OF JUNIOR LEAGUE OF BAKERSFIELD

hen Brooke Shields addressed the world about her postpartum depression she became a spokeswoman for a serious disorder. Through her book, “Down Came The Rain,” Shields revealed her personal journey on an issue that millions of women experience, yet they do not receive the proper treatment to resolve. This issue was discussed at a recent conference hosted by the Junior League of Bakersfield (JLB). A delegation of 32 women, representing the 16 Junior Leagues in California from San Diego to Napa, attended the winter conference for the State Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) of the Junior Leagues of California. SPAC is a non-partisan project drive advocacy group for California legislation. Attending three conferences a year, delegates select legislation that supports the project areas of the Leagues. The projects are: violence

prevention, health, education, and family support. Delegates then contact legislators through visits, letters and phone calls, to research selected State Senate and Assembly bills. The conference, hosted by JLB delegates Cammy Beard and Maggie Cushine, featured a luncheon speaker, Diana Lynn Barnes, from The Center for Postpartum Health in Los Angeles. Barnes identified factors contributing to this disorder including that many first-time mothers are geographically distant from their extended families, an important support for women in aspects of infant care and child rearing. The SPAC sponsored legislation is AB 159, the “Healthy Mothers Act.” Arriving by plane, train and car, the delegates enjoyed the breaks from the intense atmosphere of legislation with Bakersfield favorites — lunch by Luigi’s and dinner at Woolgrowers. In April ,the Junior League SPAC delegates will meet in Sacramento to train, work, and meet with their area legislators, including State Senator Roy Ashburn.

YOURCELEBRATIONS Happy Birthday, Julian You are now 6 years old, the age you’ve been waiting for all year. Now you can do so many more things. Mommy, Daddy, Grandmas, and Grandpas, Aunties, and Uncles love you very much. Have a great birthday, son.

Happy Birthday, Collin Legg Happy 13th Birthday, Collin “Boogie” Legg

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MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2009

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MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2009

SPORTSSHORTS

Always a Driller, Varner now champ

ot To Be Denied — Not many people get a second chance, let alone a third chance, for ultimate redemption in their lives. Many times you must soldier on and live with the results, hoping that character has been built and lessons have been learned along the way. You strive to put the disappointment behind and look toward tomorrow. Vanquish the diatribe. YOU DID IT JAKE VARNER! — You stowed away two consecutive secondplace NCAA Wrestling Championship placements for Iowa State and doggedly claimed this year’s title at 197 pounds with a 2-1 victory over Nebraska’s Craig Brester. BHS graduate Varner had the mental acuity to persevere through thoughts of those two secondplace finishes. And now he is second to none! “I Promise I'm Staying. For Reals!" — That old carpetbagger is at it again.

No, I’m not talking about another new address. I’m referring to his penchant for turning teams around and winning basketball games. Don’t look now but the irascible Larry Brown has the NBA Charlotte Bobcats, long doormats of the league, solidly in the mix for an Eastern Conference playoff spot. “Old-School” Larry may not make friends, but he knows how to meld a unit of men into selflessness, which converts to victories. Brown’s legendary stops at numerous college and NBA posts have saddled him with a reputation as a man on the move. Perhaps he has found his permanent home there in Carolina, as he starred Sports columnist

MICHAEL ELLIOTT

for the UNC Tarheels years ago in Chapel Hill. And Larry, home IS where the heart is! THE SHOE JUST DIDN'T FIT — No Cinderella this year at the NCAA basketball ball! Many predicted an unpredictable, topsy-turvy basketball tournament this year due to parity and upsets alike during the regular season. Not so as most of the stalwarts have moved on to the Sweet Sixteen. Closest team to be anointed the glass slipper is the Arizona Wildcats, thought to be pushovers. Sans head coach, Luke Olsen, for the first time in decades, the ‘Cats kept alive a 25-year invitation streak and remarkably are lighting Sweet Sixteen candles! NBA MVP — Dwyane Wade leads the league in scoring. Away crowds chant Kobe “MVP.” But the real deal is manTOM GANNAM / AP child LeBron James, baby! Hovering close to a triple-double most every Iowa State's Jake Varner celebrates his night and setting his team atop of the victory at the NCAA Division I wrestling championships. league standings is a feat!

This week’s Star Athlete: Valerie House Nominated by: Francis Esposo Valerie House, 11, is a fifth-grader at Sing Lum Elementary. Valerie aspires to be a doctor. To achieve her goals, she gets great grades and is part of a sport that builds confidence, selfesteem, integrity, and self-control. She started her training at Han’s Taekwondo Academy of Bakersfield and is now a key member of Han’s Tournament Team. She has won several titles already, including USA-Taekwondo Western Regional Champion and National Champion. Currently, she trains year-round to be ready for the 2009 Junior Olympic Nationals to be held in Austin, Texas.

EGG HUNT Saturday, April 11th 10:00 to 11:30 am FREE Lunch, Games, Crafts & Prizes

■ Do you have a son, daughter, grandkid or buddy who is your pick for MVP? Nominate them for Star Athlete of the Week by going to: www.bakersfieldvoice.com and posting an article. Nominations should tell us in 50 words or less what makes this kid a star athlete and should include a photo. All nominees will be featured weekly in the print edition of The Bakersfield Voice,and each month, one nominee’s name will be drawn to receive a $50 gift card for sporting equipment, compliments of Sports Authority and TBV.

EASTER SERVICE Sunday, April 12th 10:30 am

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MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2009

PAWPRINTCITY

Pet owner is jealous of a good night’s sleep

don’t know how you people sleep at night. Yes, I’m talking to you — the petless. For good measure, I’ll even include those of you who have those ever-elusive pets who magically know how to avoid the sanctuary of the bed. How can you go to work and face your pet-owning (or maybe more accurately, owned) co-workers looking so chipper and refreshed as we stand before you bleary-eyed and sporting a host of cramped and sore muscles? As I look at your wellrested face and your pet-hair-free clothing all I can think is, “Man, how did I get here?” How did our house become one of “those Pet columnist houses?”

VICKY THRASHER

The house that has an extra pillow on the bed, conveniently located above my bed pillow, anchored by the headboard. Not for me and my comfort, but because after weeks of trying, it was evident that I was losing the nightly battle with Weebs for my pillow, and I foolishly thought that giving her a pillow of her own would gain me a little more comfort. Nice thought. Now she has her pillow and only a third of mine, rather than three-quarters. Meanwhile, Muse can’t drift off to her bed before making a pit stop in ours, climbing upon my shoulder so she can see if I’m really asleep yet. Even by cat standards, she’s pretty light, but it doesn’t seem that way when she decides to head off to her regular sleeping spot, rocket launching off of me, landing on my spouse’s hip before taking the final leap off of the bed. Being the planner she is, this leap will nearly always take place just as we’re dozing off, bringing us back to full, resentful wakefulness. It wouldn’t matter if Muse bounded off sooner, anyway, because the evening isn’t complete until the Darby

and Bo Kitty skirmish takes place. Every night it’s the same thing, once again proving that adage that pets love routines. Darby hops on the bed just before lights-out, taking up a space between us at the foot of the bed. This should be the end of it. Darby is the only dog, he’s pushy as sin and has a good 10 to 15 pounds on Bo Kitty. But no such luck. Again, carefully waiting until all ambient shifting around has occurred, Bo Kitty will begin his howling, usually in the vicinity of the hallway. The longer he goes without a response, the closer he’ll creep to the bedroom, continuing his plaintive wails until Darby can no longer refuse the bait and flies off of the bed, full of meaningless growls and thunder as he races towards Bo. As Bo rounds the corner, scrambling into bed in the spot Darby just vacated, it’s like watching a nightly rerun of Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. Bo settles in and begins to melt

across the bottom of the bed like a pat of butter left on a July sidewalk in Bakersfield, spreading until my husband and I are each left with six inches of space near the edge for our legs. Bo purrs, oblivious to Darby’s snorts of discontent as he settles into his dog bed or to the grunts of his owners as we struggle to make the most of what we’re left with, bed-wise. Finally, we drift off to sleep — twisted, squashed, and an hour later than we first went to bed. When we wake up the next morning, my body will move like one of those stop-motion animation films, with nothing functioning as smoothly as it should. Then I’ll see you, the petless, when I get to work and I’ll wonder how you do it. Because in the sleep-deprived light of day, it sure looks nice. Have a pet-related question or comment? E-mail Vicky at: vicky@pawprintcity.com or visit: www.pawprintcitytimes.com.

Pets of the Week

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Designer Dog Boutique For The Large & Small Dog

We c a r r y t h e b e s t f ro m M e r r i c k , F ro m m , E v o & I n n o v a F o o d s .

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YOURPETS

And the winner is ...

ow! Our Bakersfield Voice community sure loves their pets! We asked you to send us photos and a short tale of your “Best Beast” and YOU did! The Voice’s staff loved reading your stories — some made us cry. Others had us laughing out loud. We met your pups, a bunny, a bird and even a 24-year-old cat. The “Bless the Beasts” pet contest has officially ended. And while we loved reading about each and every one of your pets, we have a winner! Littleman, a beautiful black and white

pup who thinks he’s human stole our heart. The apple of his owner’s eye,Voice contributor, FillyGirl56, Littleman loves Starbucks and guess what, this amazing little doggie can count to three! Littleman and his human friend will receive a $25 gift card from Petco. You can read Littleman’s and all the runners-up’s stories in this and next week’s issue of The Voice but keep a box a tissue close by, you will be touched by the stories our contributors shared. Thank you to all those animal lovers out there for sharing their “Best Beasts” with us and our readers.

MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2009

Bella’s lonely days behind her Nominated by Traci Creel Fifteen months ago Bella was a lonely abandoned puppy roaming the streets of Bakersfield. Fate intervened and she was picked up by animal control. No one came to claim her and after three days she was put up for adoption. Unfortunately, the animal control facility was full and she faced an uncertain future. Her life was saved when fate stepped in again and she was sent to the SPCA shelter. She spent 10 lonely days waiting for a forever family. That is were I entered the picture. We met at the shelter and it was love at first lick. Although she had been abandoned,

shuffled from shelter to shelter, this little black puppy was so eager to love. Each and every day she inspires me with her happy nature and her love for everyone she meets. She is definitely the “Best Beast in Bakersfield.”

Bentley always offers some friendly TLC Nominated by Alexandra Hensler I wake up and there on my bed licking my face is, Bentley, my dog. He is always there to sit next to me and lick me when I am sick. I love Bentley and will never stop. I will give you examples of why Bentley is the “Best Beast of Bakersfield.” Once I woke up and went downstairs and couldn’t find Bentley, he was outside barking. “Is something wrong?” I thought. He keeps barking so I looked, there stuck on the roof was a leaf. I felt better and safe knowing how protective he can be. You may not understand how I find him so loveable but with my

Littleman is owner’s best friend and Bakersfield’s Best Beast Nominated by User Name: FillyGirl56 My dog, Littleman, should be nominated as Bakersfield’s Best Beast because he is the best! He is loyal to a fault, smart, and beautiful on top of that! How many dogs do you know that can count to three — he’s still working on the rest — and can tell you what he wants by push-

ing on it with his nose? He also thinks he’s human and instead of taking a space on the floor like normal dogs, he always jumps into the nearest chair and sits on it like he’s a human! He’s my best friend and the first dog I have ever owned. He goes where I go and loves Starbucks!

Sheila is hardworking, happy in doing job Nominated by User Name: Eddy My dog should be the Best Beast because she is hard working, but loves her job. And because she is the smartest dog I know. She is also the happiest dog I know. She is not not just my pet, she is my best friend.

next story you just may. Once I got hurt because I hit my head. I cried a little and put some ice on it while lying down on the couch. Bentley came up and laid down next to me. He licked my face and just sat there next to my head. I knew right then and there he was the best dog ever! Looking at his little face touched my heart. I hope you now know that Bentley is a wonderful dog.

MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2009

Dog brings smiles despite owner’s illness

Katy fixes owner’s broken heart Nominated by Shan Stubbs It was three days after Christmas 2001, that we first noticed our 2 1/2 year old basenji-mix, Noelle, was acting peculiarly. She was dizzy. At the vet’s we discovered her blood counts were dangerously low. During the next five weeks we treated her as instructed by the vet, but on Feb. 8, she took a turn for the worse. This was when we were told about The Animal All Care Center in Fountain Valley. So the next morning, with the IV still in Noelle’s little leg, we rushed her down to the center. They did everything they could for her including a blood transfusion, but her little liver was too far gone and we lost her early the next day. My heart broke into pieces, this was so unfair. Noelle was just a little over 2 years old. The doctors diagnosis: a bad dosage of Bordatella vaccine — it literally destroyed her liver. I had lost dogs before, but only to old age. I remember that morning telling my husband I never wanted another dog because I never wanted to hurt like this again. Months passed and not a day went by that I didn’t cry for Noelle. My husband and I had always had dogs since our marriage 30 years ago. Our house was very empty. Then one day in May, I looked at my husband and I told him I would like to go to the shelters and just look at the puppies. Noelle was a rescue, too. On our third visit to the Kern County shelter, we were standing in a hall, looking at the puppies when we heard this little excited puppy bark from the other end. We were directed to the “turn-in” pen and this was the first time we saw Katy, 10 weeks old, about 10 pounds stretching up and barking

Cat still ‘glad’ to see owner after 24 years Nominated by Louise Cooper I know, I know my cat doesn’t look so exciting, but considering she is 24 years old, she looks fabulous. Over the years she’s been frisky, adventuresome, mature, sedate, and now retiring. Even though she is arthritic, she gets up to greet us as we come home from work. Oh, all right, she really wants some fresh food and some hugs, but I think she’s also glad to see and hear us. We’re also glad to be home with her, to know that she is there in bed snoozing so peacefully. That Nana Belle Cooper, she’s some cat!

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with all her heart at the biggest dog in the kennel. To make it short — one look and I knew she was what my heart was looking for. Katy was born two weeks after Noelle died. And although they do not look alike, other than in size, nor are they the same temperament, I like to think that by some miracle of God, part of Noelle came back to me that day. And even if not, Katy has most assuredly proved to be a definite gift from God. I still miss Noelle to this day, but Katy is so full of love and has so willingly gone along with every thing I have asked her to do. Last May, she became a Certified Therapy Dog and we visit the children and the elderly together. She even started dog agility with me at age 5 and loves it. Katy just turned 7 last week, and even though we now have two more dogs, Katy will always be the most “blessed beast” in my life. Her love put my broken heart back together seven years ago. She is my daily sunshine.

Peter is best bunny friend Nominated by User The Best Pet Yet! Peter is my rabbit. He is my best friend. Peter is very calm and so soft to pet. He is the sweetest little bunny ever! He is always happy. He is so little and cuddly. He will hop all over our backyard with me and is very adventuresome. He does not dig or get out of our fence. He doesn’t disturb my neighbors and never makes a mess. He is the easiest pet to care for and he loves attention. I can hold him and cuddle him for hours. In the hot summer we bring him into the house. We have even potty-trained him. I love him soooooo much. My rabbit, Peter, is the best pet ever.

Nominated by Tiffany Fischer I had always wanted a pet and in the summer of 2008, I finally got my wish. My husband Scott (fiance at the time) and I were newly engaged and we thought what better of a way to celebrate our life together than to get a pet. So we went to the SPCA and found Tinkerbell. She was an angel from the day we brought her home. She was my faithful little shadow. You see, I have cystic fibrosis and am currently waiting for a lung transplant and that same summer I was put on oxygen that I had to wear all the time and was told I was in the end stages of my disease. Well, throughout my illness, Tinkerbell has been by my side. She cuddles with me when I am in pain, takes naps with me for hours and she is the “best beast in Bakersfield” because she has been by my side each day bringing a smile to my face through the hard times.

Small dog is huge in owner’s heart Nominated by Christel M. Ruddy Pippin came to us from the local SPCA with the unlikely name of Ozzy. It was less than a month after we’d gotten married; I’d lost my longtime canine companion eight months earlier and was finally ready to get another dog. I was hoping to find a puppy, and I knew I wanted a big dog. I pictured a relaxed pooch of 60, 70 or even 80 pounds lounging in our living room, ambling along as we walked. We’d even bought a large dog bed in anticipation of finding our perfect pup. Well, we found him, though he wasn’t what we thought! Pippin was over 6 months old. He weighs 20 pounds, wringing wet. He doesn’t lounge or amble; he dashes. But he won our hearts by pressing himself up against the bars of his kennel, wagging his whole backside in a kind of hopeful anticipation. When they brought him in the little outdoor “greeting” area and we sat to meet him, he promptly climbed into my husband’s lap and started licking his face. He dashed off to explore a little, then flew back. From the very beginning he flung himself into our lives whole-heartedly, and we’ve never looked back!

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MARCH 29-APRIL 4, 2009

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We Slice And Dice Our Veggies Daily. TOPPING CHOICES Pepperoni, Mushrooms, Onion, Green Peppers, Ham, Ground Beef, Italian Sausage, Bacon, Anchovies, Hot Pepper Rings, Black Olives, Jalapenos, Pineapple, Tomatoes, Extra Cheese

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