Creature Corner: April 12, 2012

I want to run and play and run and play, any day, all the time. Missy, our one-year-old Aussie mix and Reily, our 3-year-old female shepherd mix can be found with their toy in mouth and energy to spare to do just that.

But what if our four-legged best fur friends decide to escape their yards, fences and the boundaries we have spent so much time setting up for them?

Along with connecting the human hand with the paw for a forever home, ARF also assists to search and reunite when our best friends decide to go on a walkabout.

Bow, the Chiweenie, decided to do just that, and at the end of his journey, his little legs had taken him across town. Dolly, the basset hound, and Nick, the black Labradoodle were found, in the dark and close to home.

Several Idyllwild residents took part in the rescue of Pluto, the Weimaraner last weekend. He is alive today because of the many people that took the time to help him. He and his best friend, Winston, a Maltese, had escaped from their home and traveled miles, ending up on the state highway. Winston unfortunately lost his life, which devastated Pluto. He shook Winston and licked his wounds to bring him back to life, and protectively would not allow anyone to touch him. He was eventually caught and brought to the safety of ARF. It took three days of searching to find his human. It was a bittersweet reunion, as the family came to grips with the fact they had lost their Maltese, but Pluto licked their tears and stayed by their side.

And those miracles bring tears of relief every time. The hours spent are forgotten, as we watch the paw connect to the hand.

ARF has many cats and dogs available for adoption or fostering. Go to www.idyllwildarf.org and click on Petfinder. All pets are spayed, neutered, and current on shots. ARF is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call for appointment on any other day at (951) 659-1122. Email and donation opportunities are at www.idyllwildarf.org or email arf@greencafe.com.

Creature corner is sponsored this week by Brent Skean. To sponsor the column, call Shane Fender at the Town Crier, 659-2145.