I got back to Bodega Bay. The first time I've been on the Sonoma Coast since my back surgery. I didn't get to jump or run fast. I sniffed a lot. The cool sea air and ocean. The seafood smells coming from The Tides Wharf and Bay View restaurants. I like the Tides Wharf boardwalk. It's a five-star dog sniffstination. And a big, safe space to walk around.

You know I love the beach. But did you know I love having my head scratched by the one and only Tippi Hedren?

Tippi Hedren was at Tides Wharf signing photos and talking to humans on July 4 and 5. She comes back often 'cuz this is the film location where Alfred Hitchock made the 1963 classic The Birds. Tippi Hedren is the movie's star. She's also Melanie Griffith's mother and a "den mother" to many animals.

I sat down on the rug next to Ms. Hedren at her Tides table. You can feel what a nice person she is. She and her assistant asked dog-ma about my surgery when they saw I'm missing fur on my back. My buddy Jack corgi squeezed in next to the table. Usually shy, he didn't want to leave Ms. Hedren's side once she started scratching his ears. He and I know this was the kind of scratching and stroking you get only from a real animal lover.

Years ago, Tippi Hedren started Shambala Preserve and Roar Foundation in southern California. Not to make pets out of lions, tigers, leopards, lynxes, cougars, and other exotic cats, but to protect them. To rescue them from mistreatment and neglect. Elephants too. Shambala is a true sanctuary, a place that doesn't breed, buy, sell, trade, or use animals commercially.

Ms. Hedren talks to the public about the problems of exotic pet ownership, and she advocates for legislation to protect big cats. She and dog-ma talked about the costs of caring for animals — a million dollars a year to take care of the Shambala cats! — and the impawtance of spaying and neutering pets. These humans worry about how all animals will fare in a tougher economy.

Anything having to do with animals is highly politicized, and I'm wading into deep water taking a pawsition. But I, Tilin corgi, support dog-ma in supporting other humans who want to limit private exotic animal ownership. Dog-ma has BIG reasons for supporting Ms. Hedren and others who help with exotic animal rescue and accredited sanctuaries. She barked, "Few individuals, no matter how well meaning or rich, succeed in providing a safe haven for wild or exotic animals. Individuals apparently have a hard enough time trying to take care of domestic animals, including farm animals. . . ." She went on like this half the way back from Bodega.

I'm holding hope for Midwest pets caught in the recent floods. May they all stay well and be reunited with their people.

On a personal note, I'm feeling grateful today that I've been able — for the first time since my spinal trauma — to raise a front paw this morning to wake dog-ma and then roll over for a tummy scratch.

I'm feeling even more grateful after reading how Midwest humane societies, HSUS rescue teams, the American Kennel Club (AKC), AKC Companion Animal Recovery (CAR), Midwest region AKC clubs, shelter volunteers, and others are helping animal victims of the recent floods.

The AKC and CAR reported in a 6/18 news article that they've donated supplies and coordinated shipments to temporary shelters housing displaced pets. They're also working with officials and their own club members in the region to offer assistance and help coordinate volunteers. Needed supplies have included crates, portable kennels, bowls, leashes, collars, harnesses, food, and other items that help volunteers care for hundreds of companion animals in major temporary shelters. AKC President Dennis B. Sprung was quoted as saying that "Since last week we have been contacting AKC clubs in the affected areas as well as local disaster officials in order to provide assistance for the benefit of any dog or companion animal displaced by the floods. . . ."

AKC CAR has a permanent Canine Support and Relief Fund providing resources, support, and other assistance to non-profit animal shelters and similar non-profit organizations that provide care for domestic animals orphaned or displaced as a result of natural or civil disasters. Woof!

Imagine what it takes to rescue pets and to staff and run temporary shelters that can safely house and feed every little buddy. How many pets must be frightened, or have special needs, or even acute health conditions to be attended to.

Ozzy corgi wasn't quite 9 months old when he broke his leg. Playing ball on the stairs, his Wichita, Kansas, guardian/owners told the vet.

Adorable Pembroke Welsh corgi Ozzy came close to not being in Kansas anymore.

In the words of his rescuer, who got help from CorgiAid: "Ozzy [had been] brought in to a vet clinic with a badly broken front leg. His owners were unable to afford the surgery necessary to help him so opted to euthanize. Thanks to two caring vet techs who were able to convince the owners to sign over custody, Ozzy's life was spared. They contacted me and I agreed to help out. He has now had his surgery which was successful. We are on the long road to recovery of 3 to 6 weeks of cage rest. . . ."

Fast forward several weeks: X-rays showed that the surgical pins are doing their job and the leg is mending. Ozzy gets to have short, calm walks on leash several times a day. Poor Ozzy has probably been going bonkers being crated. His rescuer says, "He has gotten really good at unstuffing Kongs and treat toys. He has also started hydro-therapy and is quite a good swimmer and it wears him out. He feels great and would like to run and play but is still not allowed. He will go in for another set of x-rays in three more weeks and if he continues to progress as he has then he can resume normal activity at that time.

"I am looking forward to hearing that he is allowed to play like a puppy again. . . . Ozzy has a sweet temperament. He is just a goofy pup. . . . I suspect he is a dog that loves to fetch as he drops a ball and assumes to 'ready to fetch' position, but we are not allowed yet."

Thanks to his kind rescuer, Ozzy corgi will be available for adoption once his orthopedic vet releases him from care. He'll be available through ForPaws rescue.

Pawnotes: A rather long time ago, I too was a rescue corgi. And like Ozzy, I recently needed emergency surgery. . . . I wonder how many dogs and cats go through similar experiences.

Visit these websites:

* CorgiAid ~ www.CorgiAid.org ~ a small volunteer-run operation that depends on donations to help fund rescuers like Ozzy's who provide wonderful care to dogs in need.

* ForPaws Corgi and Corgi Mix Rescue ~ http://www.forpaws.org/ ~ a small, ethical rescue organization run by knowledgeable volunteers.