Page 28 - Boca Club News - September '22

Page 28, Boca Club News

Nature & Pets

The Environmental Enthusiast: Double Blessings

By Tina K. VaLant. Remember Dr. be all alone. Maybe now was the time to add a furry
Doolittle, the man who was able family member. She talked to friends involved with
to converse with all the animals? rescue. She would adopt.
Boca Raton’s Tina VaLant, who Simultaneously, Caity planned on having a dog
was named Palm Beach County at college. Both had been looking online for weeks.
“Animal Friend of the Year,” doesn’t A Second Chance Rescue had a newly arrived litter
claim that ability, but she does of five lab mixes, abandoned in Alabama. There was
relate remarkably well to flora and a video of Zanda playing with a toy, as the other
fauna. An avid rescuer (known for puppies played together in the pen. “Mostly white,
her beloved Australian shepherds), she serves as a foster with a lot of spots, Zanda had a unique black patch
home to surrendered pets, volunteers with numerous over her eye. I was smitten and showed Caity,” states
organizations and assists wildlife. She raises/releases ten Laura. A meet and greet was arranged. Zanda was
species of native butterflies, for over 20 years. Recently she on the timid side. That was the reason an approved
garnered worldwide attention with an unexpected animal adopter had passed on her weeks before. “Their
adventure: reCRABilitation of HERbert, a limbless blue loss was our gain,” Laura thought to herself. Their
land crab. For over four decades, Tina’s award-winning application was approved, and home visit completed. Lola and Laney are both rescues and helped “save” their owner, more
company, Extraordinary Photography, captures portraits, After her spay, Zanda came home and was than once. Photo by Tina K. VaLant
pets, weddings, and events. She will answer questions at renamed Laney. She was just ten pounds and twelve
TinaValant.com or (561) 945-6363. weeks old. They considered also adopting her sister, but They have gone to visit Caity a few times. Laney is really
Growing up in New York, Laura N. had Candy, a German realized having a new puppy was already going to be a huge good on car rides, and has her own car seat and seatbelt.
shepherd mix. She has fond memories of many good times. transition. She always wears a harness with leash, and a snug collar
Like many people, when Candy passed away (old age), “Boy, had things changed. Growing up with Candy, with ID, for travel.
Laura vowed to avoid that painful loss. She went to college, dogs got basic care, grocery store pet food, and a dry place Laura considered adding another dog. Laney really liked
worked long hours and helped care for her grandfather. She to sleep. No crate, training or treats. A dog was loved, but other dogs. How much more trouble could a second dog be?
fell in love, married and had a daughter, Caitlyn. not really like the family members we have today,” added Pregnant and heartworm positive, a deer-headed chihuahua
Caity begged to have a dog, but the timing was never Laura. arrived at A Second Chance Rescue. She delivered five
right. Laura became a single parent, and helped to care for “There was so much to absorb: training, seat belts, puppies, who looked nothing like her.
her mom. In 2009, they relocated to south Florida for the smart toys and proper foods. It was definitely a learning After nursing her pups, she underwent HW treatment.
beautiful weather and sunshine. curve, talking to dog lovers and a lot of online searches.” She was adopted, along with two of her pups. At just three
Someday, Laura and Caity would have a dog. It made Having a pup forced them to walk every day. Caity worked pounds, Lola joined Laura and Laney, after her spay. The
them happy imagining the walks, cuddles and unconditional all summer, so Laura became Laney’s person. dogs’ relationship was not instantly great. They went
love. Laura stayed very active, working and volunteering In the blink of an eye, it was time for Caity to leave. through a transitional period, and now they are best friends,
at Caity’s elementary and middle schools. She served as The original plan was for Laney to go with Caity. The three even with a 50-pound weight difference.
PTA president and volunteer coordinator. Caity maintained ladies hit the road with a Uhaul, to Tallahassee. Caity settled People think they are doing a pet a favor by adopting
excellent grades and planned to go away to college. into her apartment. Since they had bonded during training, it, when in fact the pet is blessing us with much more than
They had a very rough year. Atop Caity’s impending playtime and walks, Caity agreed Laney should stay with we can imagine. “It’s corny, but these girls really rescued
college departure, Laura’s mom became ill and passed her mom. me,”’ shared Laura. “These two furry blessings keep me
away suddenly. Weeks later her fiance’ did not survive a “I don’t know what I would have done, had I come home going, laughing and moving through life–whatever it may
routine heart procedure. Reality hit her: Soon, she would to an empty house,” added Laura. bring.”

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