pets » Almost Home: Do It For Dogs Ready to welcome a new member to your tribe? Meet Muffin Lhasa Apso mix, 1 year old. He came to Almost Home extremely matted. After being groomed and freed from the mats, he’s been wag- ging his tail. He is patiently waiting to find a family to call his own. Meet Vaughn Lhasa Apso mix, 9 years young. A super-sweet, loving boy. Perfect for people with allergies. He would do great in a calm home with older kids. We have high hopes that this handsome boy will find his home soon! Meet Azalea Yorkie mix, 5 years old. She is calm and a huge cuddle bug. She wants to be in your lap or by your side. This girl will make a great best friend! Meet Lacy Australian Cattle Dog, 9 years old. She loves her belly rubs! Lacy would do best as the only pet in the household. We are hoping someone who adores this breed will come visit Lacy and show her what love is all about. She deserves the very best! Meet Chantell Beagle mix, 1 year old. Very friendly and sweet. Great family pet and likes other dogs. Loves to run in the yard and play fetch. She would be your best buddy for years to come! Meet King A white Staffy, 2 years old. Very social and happy! He was rescued after being hit by a car. He loves people and his furry friends. Becky Hurvitz | Special to the Jewish News I f I’m ever reincarnated, I want to come back as a dog in a Jewish household.” My late father said this on more than one occasion. A seemingly silly statement spoken by a very wise man. I grew up in a Jewish dog house. I don’t mean I was raised in a miniature dwelling in the back- yard with a mezuzah affixed to the doorway. I grew up in a home where there was always a dog, and that dog was always a part of our family, and our family sat on a foundation of Jewish values. Now looking back, I realize how intertwined all of this was. What better way to learn compassion, responsibility and a respect and love for all of God’s creatures than by having one live with you? The word for dog in Hebrew is kelev — and this alone says a lot about how the Jewish people view these animals. Kelev is an example of a compound word. Let’s break it down. “kel” is “whole, all of ” and “lev” is “heart” — all heart. There you go. * OK, so what’s my point? You’re probably very aware of all the Jewish things in your home around the High Holidays. The special tablecloths, the candlesticks, the sukkah decorations. But maybe, just maybe, you are missing some- thing. Something that is all heart. If you’re picking up what I am laying down and thinking 5777 might be the year you welcome a new four-legged member to the family, you’re in luck. Our friends at Almost Home Animal Rescue League were kind enough to share a few of their current residents. Almost Home is a nonprofit, no-kill organization dedicated to finding loving, forever homes for homeless animals. It was founded by Lauren Anchill and her moth- er, Gail Montgomery-Schwartz, in 2001. “Dogs are such a huge part of a family,” Lauren says. “Being that a traditional Jewish fam- ily is so close knit, having a dog and/or cat just brings more warmth to the home. The com- panionship of a family pet is Meet Daisy Beagle/Jack Russel mix, 4 years old. Fun and loveable. Does great with kids and other dogs and is waiting for her forever home! irreplaceable.” Anchill and her husband, Brett, have two little boys, Spencer, 4, and Harrison, 16 months. Spencer attends Hillel Day School, and the Anchill family belong to Temple Beth El. Here are a few of the pups the Anchill family and their team are taking care of until they find their forever homes. If you are interested in meeting any of these dogs or would like to learn more about Almost Home and the other pets currently in their care looking for forever homes, you can check their website almosthomeanimals.com for shelter hours or call (248) 200- 2695. Pet Resort r Daycare r Training Grooming r Web Cameras “Let us love your pet while you are away” 248-230-PAWS (7297) 2244 Franklin Road Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 www.4pawscc.com 2107300 32 October 20 • 2016