“This is my son, Gumbo.” Ashley Jones, executive director of Partners of Parks, thus introduced her new family member at the March 10 Long Beach City Council. Gumbo attended the meeting as ambassador for Jones’ presentation of Long Beach’s Favorite Pet, a competition and celebration of the city’s pets and the people who love them. Partners of Parks, a nonprofit serving the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, will host the event as a fundraiser for Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS).
“Partners of Parks is a nonprofit unique in the sense that we serve a city department,” Jones said. “We’ve had a lot of events and fundraisers that focus on Parks and Recreation, but not as much on Animal Care Services.”
Jones opened the slide show presentation with the story of Gumbo, who was alternating his activity between wagging his tail at the council members, lying down at Jones’ feet, and trying to make forays into the audience.
Gumbo was LBACS’ longest-stay resident. He lived in a kennel for nearly two years, with breaks for outings, walks and playing with the volunteers. A pretty fellow with expressive caramel-brown eyes, Gumbo was a favorite of LBACS volunteers. But despite their every effort, Gumbo remained stuck in the kennel until his situation caught Jones’ eye. It was love at first sight for both of them…