page a2 • october 10, 2013 • inland empire community...
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Page A2 • October 10, 2013 • Inland Empire Community Newspapers • Inland Empire Weekly
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ness they have brought to theirlives.For some, like Laura Watkins,the service was about closure andthanksgiving.Watkins attended the service withSophie, her 1 1/2 year-old Shar-Pei, who was appropriately acces-sorized in a hot pink tutu. She alsobrought along with her a small,wooden box—the urn of her firstShar-Pei—Lucy.“I’ve been looking forward to theservice,” said Watkins, who drovefrom Fontana for the annual event.“I know it’s going to help me cre-ate closure with Lucy. Putting her
down two years ago was thehardest thing I’ve had to do.”Watkins said she had planned
to wait some time before gettinganother pup, but fell seriously illand friends and family recom-mended she get another pet to helpher cope, that’s when Sophie camealong.“She gave me the purpose toworry about something else,”Watkins said. “I’m thankful forSophie, she kept me alive.” As Watkins prepared to approachHall, she joked that her pup, whowas approaching the “terribletwos,” was in need of blessings. One-by-one, Hall greeted thedogs individually, addressing themby their name and offering them
their own blessing.He said while some require a lit-tle more of the offering than oth-ers, they all “deserve respect.”“People look upon these animalsas everyday members of the fam-ily,” Hall said. “They share happi-ness and sorrows and this offers anopportunity to say, “thank you.”Guests were also encouraged towrite a short message about petsthey have lost on a RemembranceBoard. Hall read the notes duringthe service. The organization has held bless-ing services since 2007 as a way tobring pets and their owners to-gether, said Jill Henderson,HSSBV spokeswoman. “It’s a service to the community.
We hope it brings owners and theirpets closer.”To learn more about the HumaneSociety of San Bernardino Valley,call 909-386-1400 ext. 218
Yazmin Alvarez is a reporterwith Inland Empire CommunityNewspapers and can be reachedat [email protected].
Animal Blessings, cont. from front
culture film series.Four-year-old Ian Dorado wasamong the crowd and possibly thebiggest Star Wars fan at the event.Dressed as the best bountyhunter in the galaxy—BobaFett—Ian spewed out Star Warsmovie quotes and plots like it wasnobody’s business.“He’s tough and knows how tosurvive,” he said, looking aroundanalyzing others in costume.His mother, Wendy, said his in-terest in the film series developed
instantaneously after watching thefilms.“I think it’s great to have eventslike this for kids of all ages,” shesaid. “The best part is that it incor-porates reading and science andthat really holds (Ian’s) interest. The event, held throughout thestore, offered hands-on activitiesincluding making Yoda ears andinteractive story times. Student volunteers from Red-land’s schools assisted with activi-ties and the crowd of hundredsthat filtered through the bookstoreduring the two-hour fundraisingevent. Proceeds from Star Wars-
related items at the bookstore willbenefit A.K. Smiley Public Li-brary’s Adult Literacy Programand Lugonia Elementary School.“It’s great to know events likethis are giving back to the com-munity,” Dorado said.To learn more about events atBarnes & Noble Redlands visitthe bookstore at 27460 W Lugo-nia Avenue or call 909-793-4322.
Yazmin Alvarez is a reporterwith Inland Empire CommunityNewspapers and can be reachedat [email protected].
The Force, cont. from front
IECN PHOTO/YAZMIN ALVAREZ
Star Wars fans mingled with storm troopers and bounty hunters from the 501st Legion, asking forautographs Saturday during Star Wars Reads Day in Redlands.
IECN PHOTO/YAZMIN ALVAREZ
Eight-month-old Samantha Chang was among the crowd’syoungest fan Oct. 5 during Star Wars Reads Day at Barnes &Noble Redlands.
IECN PHOTO/YAZMIN ALVAREZ
Pastor Woody Hall gave individual blessings to each pup Fri-day, even those with a little less patience.
IECN PHOTO/YAZMIN ALVAREZ
Sophie, a Shar-Pei puppy sits patiently with her owner Laura Watkins of Fontona as PastorWoody Hall leads a Blessing of the Animals service at the Humane Society of San Bernardino Val-ley.