Animal Hall of Fame (cont'd)
2000—CLANCY
The Life Saving Boxer
Clancy the fawn-colored Boxer knew he could lose his own life when he raced to the rescue of his beloved mistress, Carrol Bella, in 1991. He remembered the severe injuries he received years earlier in another mountain lion attack.
As federally licensed wildlife rehabilitators, Charles "Cheeter" and Carrol Bella care for injured and orphaned animals in their Northeast El Paso compound. For almost 30 years they've understood the risk involved in dealing with black bears, alligators, wolves and big cats, to name a few. During routine care one brisk fall day, Carrol was feeding and watering a large, mature mountain lion named Chief when she left to answer the phone. The cage door failed to completely latch and Chief was suddenly free. Waiting in a predatory crouch for unsuspecting Carrol's return, Chief leapt for Carrol's throat.
Instinctively she turned her right shoulder to the raging lion. The impact's weight and velocity knocked Carrol to the ground while Chief's powerful jaws drove his fangs through several layers of sweatshirts and T-shirts into her shoulder's flesh. Gnawing on her, she lay helplessly pinned and screaming while a nearby pet Rottweiler retreated, yelping and hiding in terror.
That's when Clancy sprang to Carrol's rescue, shoving the lion off her chest and biting him back. As Chief released his death grip, Carrol had a fleeting moment to scramble away and find help from Cheeter, working in his shop nearby.
Together the Bellas returned to the scene, where Clancy maintained a hold on Chief, yet his eyes were glazing from sheer exhaustion. Managing to get Chief back to his cage, the Bellas focused on Carrol's hemorrhaging shoulder. After administering stitches, followed by weeks of antibiotics and countless bandage changes, physicians marveled at Carrol's recovery. Without Clancy's heroic intervention, she would have died.
Clancy succumbed to bone cancer in his cervical spine in 1997, leaving the Bellas heartbroken but blessed for sharing part of their lives with him. True animal heroes are a rare find. Clancy's story illustrates the crucial role companion animals play in our daily lives. The El Paso Animal Hall of Fame proudly recognizes Clancy for his heroic acts committed out of unconditional love and desperate need to protect his family at all costs. He remains alive in the loving hearts of all who knew him.
2001—PEARL THE HORSE
(Recognized Posthumously)
Grade. Part quarter horse, part draft horse. To the hundreds of riders and volunteers who Pearl served at Therapeutic Horsemanship of El Paso, that means Grade A.
Pearl spent 15 years working New Mexico trails, carrying hunters and campers through the wilderness and assisting in search and rescue missions. He even saved a drowning mule or two. His consistent strength and steadiness marked his long history of reliable gentleness and remarkable unspookability.
With his strong back, sure footing and supreme nature, Pearl retired from the Gila and began his next career with Therapeutic Horsemanship. For more than 10 years, he provided Hippotherapy, recreational riding and horsemanship services to the area's disabled children and adults at a therapy facility and camps for special needs children. He also participated in parades, equestrian shows and Special Olympics.
The dedication and commitment to his job that Pearl demonstrated each day, year round, allowed the emotionally and physically disabled to receive the unique benefits that can only be found through therapeutic riding. Pearl patiently addressed the challenges of his unusual work to provide high quality therapy services.
Maintaining the requested stride and gait necessary for the rider on the trail, Pearl played games with moving and stationary objects while carrying the rider through an obstacle course. He performed the often difficult maneuvers required at shows and special events with little or confusing direction from the rider or leader.
He was often on the move, traveling well to many equestrian centers and trails while cooperating with other horses to perform and provide therapy services. Regardless of the physical or behavioral difficulties or discomfort the rider may be experiencing that may not allow him/her to respond appropriately, Pearl always recognized and greeted the rider with affection. He instilled in them a sense of confidence, well being and self-esteem by always cooperating and performing for riders, staff and volunteers. He carried first place winners in the Southwest Quarter Horse Association Open Shows and served in annual camps for El Paso Candlelighters, Jewish Community Center and El Paso Diabetes Association.
Pearl possessed a patient and reliant attitude even under the sometimes stressful conditions that befall the therapy horse: delayed feeding time; heat and cold; trailer-travel to unfamiliar arenas and trails; handling by new and different volunteers and riders, tack, riding equipment and therapy tools; standing patiently for long periods so that a disabled rider may mount, possibly from a wheelchair or with a crowd of volunteers, instructors and therapists.
It was all taken in stride as part of his job. With these ever-changing conditions, Pearl once reflected on his long successful career:
"As a therapy horse, I had the privilege of carrying the most special load there is. Just moving these old legs at a walk or a trot around the arena or down the trail gave these special boys and girls a chance to gain their own independence and get the therapy they needed while having a great time. It was hard work for all of us to help these riders get the most out of their ride, but it was good work and I am proud to have called myself a therapy horse."
2002—JUSTICE
U.S. Customs Service Narcotic Detector Dog
(Posthumously Recognized)
To protect and to serve on America's Frontline. It's a motto not only for law enforcement, but for the canines trained to detect illegal drugs. A 75-pound Golden Retriever, Justice spent seven years working with U.S. Customs Service Canine Enforcement inspectors at El Paso ports of entry and cargo lots. A vital part of Customs' anti-smuggling program, Justice helped inspectors stop thousands of pounds of narcotics from entering the United States, while the "evidence" helped federal prosecutors convict countless felons.
Through Justice, the general public gained a greater understanding of the role the U.S. Customs Service plays in border enforcement, and the special contributions of its canines-the dogs with jobs. Out of about 60 drug sniffing dogs employed by the U.S. Customs Service at the El Paso port of entry, Justice received the "Top Dog" honor from 1996 until his retirement in May 1998, when he was named the agency's National Dog of the Month.
Rescued as a puppy from the pound's death row to star in Chuck Wagon dog food TV commercials, Justice was recruited for his intelligence and even temper to join the Customs Canine Enforcement ranks. He spent 12 weeks in Front Royal, Virginia, training to alert handlers of narcotics presence. Trained in positive response, Justice participated in more than 130 drug seizures, resulting in the confiscation of more than 6,180 pounds of marijuana, 380 pounds of cocaine and 2.5 pounds of heroin. Contraband of this magnitude easily exceeds a street value of more than $10 million-drugs that did not make it to the schools, playgrounds and neighborhoods of El Paso.
In addition to profiles in numerous national and international newspaper and television stories about Customs Canines, he appeared in a 1991 nationally broadcast story on drug sniffing dogs that aired on ABC's World News Tonight with Peter Jennings and was regularly featured in local media stories focusing on border drug intervention. Justice often demonstrated his abilities before thousands of school children in "Just Say No to Drugs" campaigns, as well as to adults at civic group meetings, regional trade fairs and conventions. He also drew attention to the remarkable efforts of the Customs Canine Enforcement Branch by participating in Red Ribbon Week and El Paso Thanksgiving parades and other community events.
Following his retirement with honors, Justice enjoyed the life of leisure with the family of his handler, Supervisory Canine Enforcement Officer Roberto "Bobby" Hernandez. After four years spent reflecting on his career stopping bad guys at the border, Justice died a few months ago knowing that he left the world a far better place than the one that planned to destroy the once homeless puppy. He leaves a lasting legacy of the incalculable worth of thousands of animals available for adoption every year at El Paso area humane and rescue organizations. Justice proved that with proper love and the right training, the rewards are boundless-and people can make a friend for life.
2003—EDIE "SUM HOPE"
Companion Canine Extraordinaire
Only animal lovers understand the profound effect that companion pets have on the lives of their family members.
Rescued by the Greyhound Adoption League as a retired racer with a less than stellar performance record, "Sum Hope" (her track name) was reborn in 1997 to her new mom, Diane Stowe, as Edie (her call name). In her first year of domestic life, the female, fawn colored canine didn't know how much impact her track name would have on her human family.
Diane had heard that retired racing greyhounds make excellent pets in spite of the sad lives many of them endure on the racing circuit. Like other former racers, she was exceedingly thin with a bare bottom from excessive crating. In addition to a furred friend, Diane was seeking a partner for outdoor pursuits, especially walking. Together they exercised faithfully, building strength and emerging fit and healthy while making friends everywhere they went. Edie more than lived up to her breed's reputation as a well behaved, beloved pet.
However, those breezy days soon ended, with Edie's patient manner and track name put to the real test. Shortly after the holidays, Diane's husband, Jim, was diagnosed with cancer. They were quickly overwhelmed with countless physician visits, radiation treatments and operations. Heartbroken with worry and grief, the rising medical bills, household expenses and never-ending phone calls exhausted them.
In hopes of finding a way to sort through the confusion and mess, Diane placed Edie's comforter next to her desk. Not only did she develop a system to deal with the mounting piles of paperwork, she had a true companion to lift her spirits and offer hope even on the darkest days. However, her husband's condition continued to worsen, with the cancer surgery leaving him badly disfigured and blind in one eye. When he returned home, Edie brought calm, acceptance and unconditional love to everyone. She immediately recognized him, head bandages and all. Through her devotion and acceptance, she made it clear she was there to help him recover and heal, remaining vigilant by his side, yet anxiously awaiting Diane's return from work. Edie is the first to greet their day and the last to settle down for the night.
When Edie runs for fun in the yard or park, Diane says it makes her heart leap with delight. As she claps and encourages her, she speeds into a blur, flashing into something quite magical and divine—celebrating the joy of being alive. For a dog that wasn't fast enough for the racetrack, she gave her family "Sum Hope" for the most important race of all-the human one.
Edie continues to astound her family with her understanding, intelligence and beauty, reminding them to live each day to the fullest, one moment at a time. Edie taught her family to realize that all good things take time, including the healing of the heart, body and soul. Despite the many challenges her family has faced, Edie's loving presence has shown them how to be grateful for all their blessings and to remember the real key to happiness-to always have "Sum Hope."
