As summer begins, every small act of kindness toward animals helps create a more compassionate world for all.
A Social Climber
Put Bernie in a room full of people, and he goes right for the top: up your arm, your neck, and then onto your head he climbs, where he will sit for hours. Perhaps, this chameleon likes the view. More likely, he feels safer on a high perch. His greenish gray-colored palette reflects confidence and security; his colors intensify when he is excited, as at mealtime. More than 40 students and staff at East Palo Alto Academy met Bernie and other reptiles introduced by local reptile specialist and rescuer John Hale. They met Ginger, a bright orange Bearded Dragon; Inky, an Eastern Indigo Snake; Fruit Loops, an Arizona Mountain King Snake; and Vince, a Red-Footed Tortoise named for Packers’ Coach Lombardi (Bernie himself is named after Vermont’s excitable senator). Reptiles have distinct personalities and needs for their care. John gives a great presentation, and the students are always enthusiastic to meet his menagerie. Thanks go to John for generously donating his time to partner with Project HumaneKind’s Animals Everywhere and Pet Painter programs. Congratulations to students Andrea Cruz and Elizabeth Rangel Sanchez, for organizing this event for their school.
Happy Sixteenth
Shannon the Golden Retriever has celebrated her sixteenth birthday. She enjoyed a party in Seminary Oaks Park in Menlo Park with her buddy Travis, her companion Rhea Sampson, and a group of fans. You might have met Shannon at a Yappy Hour at the Sheraton Palo Alto. Shannon has had a long career as a humane education assistant, visiting many classrooms to show children how to meet and care for a dog. Shannon is now retired, and we wish her many happy and healthy months ahead and a celebration again next year. Special thanks to Rhea for helping with our education programs.
Meet the Parrots
Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue will show off their rescued parrots at a meet and greet (and adopt) next month in Palo Alto. Mickaboo received Project HumaneKind’s Education Partner of the Year award at “Hearts and Hocus Pocus” this past February at the Sheraton Palo Alto.
Mickaboo volunteer Jonathan Kessler and Molly the African Grey Parrot accepted the award on behalf of the organization and its outstanding educational work. See you at the June 20 Mickaboo event!
Creative Creatures Camps
Coming in June
You still have time to sign up your youngsters for our animal art camps with Los Gatos Recreation. Camps will be taught by our trio of experienced art instructors (shown here, left to right: Zohreh Safdari, Vandana Pawar, and Manisha Chawda). See below for registration.
Thank you for being part of this extraordinary community. Every act of kindness truly is a little bit of magic—and together, we are creating something beautiful.