2025 In Review – A Canine Perspective
In putting this recap together, I realized how fast time is passing and what little I remember doing, seeing, and smelling even a few months ago. Is this what “aging” feels like?
In picking out the best moments from each month, I want to remind readers that this selection of images is coming from a canine perspective, and one that was a long-term resident of our animal shelter. Food, smells, and supporting my brothers and sisters in the shelter are my passions. Let’s get started.
January
Until I was hired as the roving reporter and had the opportunity to really see our island community, I had never seen a turkey let alone an entire rafter of them. Judging solely by their appearance, I always assumed they were flightless. According to the NASA website, one needs the right “object,” “motion,” and “air” to be able to generate lift. I thought these representatives of the genus Meleagris were objectively too heavy to fly and could never generate enough forward motion to create lift. Just ask any driver who has encountered a flock walking down Central Avenue. So slow.
In January, I had a Wright Brothers moment when I saw a turkey run down Alameda Avenue, achieve rotation velocity, deploy a huge wingspan, and flap its way onto a pine tree branch 60 feet in the air, dispelling the myth that these guys couldn’t fly. Nature is amazing.
February
This is my Gotcha Month, and I returned to the FAAS shelter I resided in for over seven months for a reunion and cake-eating. It was great to see many of the folks that took such good care of me during my stay.
March
At the end of February, my human companion had a partial knee replacement and couldn’t take me out on walks. Luckily for me, Karen and Dan Platt offered to take the noontime shift. They made a good team. Karen kept a lookout for other dogs, cats, and squirrels while Dan acted like a great weight to keep me from running off. I was very grateful for that midday walk.
April
This month marked another first for me. While walking along Shore Line Drive, I experienced my first major earthquake—or so I thought. As it turned out, it was not an earthquake at all. When I turned onto Grand Avenue, I saw this big, tall crane with a pile driver attachment that ran eight hours a day, five days a week. All I could think about was the poor neighbors living across the street.
May
After reading about the groundbreaking of the FAAS veterinary hospital called Animal Medical Services and Training Campus in the Harbor Bay Business Park, I set up a tour with John Lipp (center) to see how things were shaping up. I got a chance to get a tour of the construction from Leslie Denham, the project manager (left), and meet the soon-to-be new CEO, Adrien Abuyen (right).
June
I don’t recall the exact day I explored the northern waterfront from Grand Street north along the Bay Trail to Pasta Pelican. However, I can tell you the exact location of the Mosley’s Café dog treat jar. It’s a great little walk that takes one by the floating home community.
July
The beginning of July is always stressful for me, due to all the noise caused by the fireworks. However, there is nothing like a fresh hot dog from Alameda’s iconic purveyor of this classic American staple. Minus the onions of course.
August
I think the most fun I ever had researching for a report was the roundabout story. It was crazy fun going round and round, and I didn’t even get carsick and throw up. It was an awesome day that I will not soon forget.
September
Alameda saw record temperatures and residents sought out cool locations to beat the heat. While some folks had iced coffee drinks at Julie’s Coffee & Tea or headed down to Crab Cove, my HC and I hit the tiki bar called Forbidden Island. Hanging out in our matching German Shepherd Hawaiian shirts was a true bonding experience.
October
The best month of the entire year has got to be October, because the holiday of all holidays is on the 31st. This year, I had my HC make me a Shephard’s Pie costume. Special thanks to John Thiel—owner of Pizzeria Pappo—for allowing me to use the restaurant for the photoshoot. By the way, you need to try one of his pizzas.
November
Thanksgiving is a time for expressing gratitude for what we have in our lives, but for those canines in the shelter, it is hard to be grateful when you don’t have a forever home. This is why I chose this month to pay it forward and prepare special treats for all the dogs who had to spend Thanksgiving in the shelter.
December
December can be a real 💩 show with folks driving crazy, Doordash and Amazon Prime drivers double-parking everywhere, and everyone frantically shopping for “stuff.” But I have found the true meaning of the holidays by taking on the role of Santa Paws. I made sure that every dog at FAAS received a Christmas stocking to hang in their kennel and that the real Santa Paws filled each one with lots of treats and toys.
While I am only 11 days into the new year, so far things are going great. It’s an election year, and I will be making my run for mayor. Watch for my official announcement soon.
I want to wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 2026.
Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.
