OkcPets Magazine March 2022

March/April 2022 • OKC Pets 33 to be a zookeeper? She invested her time, money, and heart to help improve the welfare of all animals. She worked tirelessly to improve animal habitats and save endangered species. She met and commu- nicated with many animals, including Koko the gorilla, who loved her. Koko could sign a thousand words, including White’s nickname, Lipstick. Koko signed that name each time White visited. White collaborated with animal behaviorist Jane Goodall in development of the chimpanzee habitat at the Los Angeles Zoo. Enhancing theWelfare White’s mission was to enhance the welfare of the species and to secure funding. She also supported numerous rescue groups, service dog organizations, and animal health research foundations, serv- ing on many boards of directors. She jokingly explained, “I stayed in show business to pay for my animal business.” Her passion for animals was fueled by her belief that animals do not lie or criticize. She believed she could read people by how they put their hands on an animal. White achieved more honors and awards for her “animal business” than for show business. White wrote and collaborated on several publications. She shared a vision with actor Tom Sullivan, her friend of many years, who had lost his sight as an infant. Together: A Story of Shared Vision was a book based on true-life events. Dinah, a guide dog suffering from burnout, needed a replacement. The welfare of the dog was at risk, and in true form, Dinah became the newest member of the White family. But it did not stop there; White ensured that a new guide dog was matched to replacement Dinah. White supported and served Guide Dogs for the Blind for most of her years. She was a young 89 years old when she scooped up Ponti, her Golden Retriever, to become a member of the White family. Ponti was a service dog in need of a new home. In addition, White had many other animals in her long life that she called family. Her desire was that everyone finds a passion and legacy, just as animals were hers. She was humble, full of grit and gumption, a friend to all, honest, and most important to her, passionate and loving. She wanted people to remember her for her comedy, but mostly for her involvement with the improvement of animals’ lives. She was confident in the fact that she identified who she was and what her legacy would be. She was genuine and left a legacy. I believe Betty White was often playing her true self in her roles as an actress. What drew me into her might not be the same for you. Listening to her heartfelt plea for all of us to find our passion and to leave a legacy moved me. As an animal behaviorist, I felt a bond with her because we shared an ability to communicate comfortably with animals. We shared an appreciation for the human-animal bond and the welfare of every animal. I understood her love of the animal world and the sense of responsibility to help animals that cannot defend themselves. Her long life enabled her to experience our world, and she believed humans were failing the animal kingdom. We need to be more humane. Her serious conversations seemed to always end in humor. She would remind us she is still working on Robert Redford, but her Golden Retriever was all she needed to stay warm at night. She left a deep footprint on our world. Betty White has been a hero to many of us throughout our life- time. Her grit, gumption, and wit helped us to forget the burdens we often face. I envision her bigger-than-life persona and smile, wading through a sea of wagging tails as she enters the pearly gates of heaven. My hope is that we can all accept her challenge to find our passion and to contribute to our world. Happy tails, Karen Call today! 40 5-999-5822 902 Pendergraft Road, Blanchard, OK 73010 info@rubysk9corral.com w ww.rubysk9corral.com • Owners live on site • Licensed and insured • 15 minutes from downtown OKC • On a two-lane country road • Luxurious indoor/outdoor runs • Scheduled exercise time • Climate controlled kennels • Fully trained and certified staff • Storm shelter on site • Certified groomer • Training services available • Pickup and dropoff in our “Corgi Cab” Boarding & Daycare In The Clean, Country Air! EDWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL (405) 843-3431 www.edwardsenvironmentalcorp.com Email: george@edwardsenvironmentalcorp.com BEFORE AFTER REGROW PET URINE SPOTS