BY NANCY STOOPS 

Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

For years now my husband has called me, Elly May, from the Beverly Hillbillies show on television. Elly May was always rescuing “critters,” as she would call them. Over the years I can’t count how many critters I have helped. I have always loved animals and felt a very special connection with them.

It makes me sad to see a lost animal, especially without an identification tag. It infuriates me when a human hits an animal with a vehicle and leaves the animal to die.

There was a dog that lived by a local McDonald’s for years. The dog was very clever and was never able to be rescued, but everybody in my neighborhood fed her and took care of her. I thank all of the kind people that helped her.

My mom had a tree cut down in her yard, and in the tree were three baby birds. Of course my mom called me to take them. I fed them and helped them get strong, and two were able to fly away. But the last one needed to go to a bird rescue center because it didn’t want to leave me. The problem was it was a wild bird and eventually they helped the bird fly away.

My message is, please be a loving a responsible person and pet owner. If you own a pet have a chip installed in your animal with all of their information. Make sure your animal has a collar and an identification tag. Anytime you see a lost animal try to help find the animal’s home by putting up flyers, and if all else fails, take the animal to a No Kill shelter.

Make sure your pet always has fresh water, healthy food, shelter, necessary vaccinations, daily walks, baths, and lots of love and affection. If you don’t have the time for these things you shouldn’t have a pet. Remember, animals make our world wonderful, so please respect them and their lives.

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T. Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens. For more information about any of these services, feel free to page her at (626) 935-3818. You may also e-mail her at stoopsshecter@earthlink.net. Nancy’s new book, “Live Heal and Grow,” is available at www.RoseDogBookstore.com or at Amazon.com.