(Left) Mihu; (Middle) Mia; (Right) Sunset. NBC featured a handful of Pasadena Humane pups in their Tail Waggers Trials ahead of the Paris summer games. Adoptable dogs Mihu, Mia and Sunset medaled in Track and Fetch, Doggie Paddle, and Gymnastricks. Check out the Tail Waggers Trials on our Instagram @pasadenahumane. (Photos courtesy of Pasadena Humane)

Did you know that more than 20% of the 592 athletes on Team USA are Californians, by far the most of any state? Pasadena Humane has our own claim to fame when it comes to the Olympics.

NBC featured a handful of our pups in their Tail Waggers Trials ahead of the Paris games. Competing in Track and Fetch, Doggie Paddle and Gymnastricks, our shelter pups showed their athletic prowess. Many dogs featured in this fun collaboration have already won the ultimate prize — a new home.

This was not Pasadena Humane’s first Olympic connection. Thanks to thorough research into the history of our organization by one of our volunteers, I was excited to recently learn about the likely relationship between Pasadena Humane and 3-time Olympian Charley Paddock.

Charles W. Paddock is listed on Pasadena Humane’s 1942 board of directors roster. Paddock was a track and field star in the 1920s when he was the first to be named “The Fastest Man Alive.”

After serving in the Marines during World War I, Paddock competed in the 1920, 1924 and 1928 Olympics. He took home four Olympic medals during his career, including two gold medals in 1920. He was later portrayed in the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire.

Charley Paddock grew up and lived most of his adult life in Pasadena. While a student at Pasadena High School, the “Crown City Flash” wrote a sports column for the Pasadena Star-News.

In 1930, he married the daughter of the paper’s publisher, editor and owner. Paddock rose through the ranks becoming the general manager of the Pasadena Star-News and two other local papers.

Serving as an aide and morale officer during World War II, Paddock died in a plane crash in Alaska in 1943. He was just 42 years old. Carrying on his legacy, Charley’s widow, Neva, served on the Pasadena Humane Board of Directors in the mid-1950s.

Before his death, Paddock, along with several other Pasadena Humane directors, was a leader behind Dogs for Defense. This nationwide program encouraged dog owners to donate their dogs to support the war effort!

Pasadena Humane served as a recruitment station for local dogs. Many dogs were sent home for being too friendly, but dogs who passed the training were deployed for civilian defense and military guard duties both at home and abroad.

Obviously, dogs proved their value due to their superior senses of smell, hearing and vision at night. Prior to World War II the U.S. military did not have a formal canine corp. Today, more than 1,800 dogs are employed by the Department of Defense.

Whether it comes to defense of our country, sports, or unconditional companionship, dogs are indeed champions. I want to introduce you to a few of our Tail Waggers winners still waiting to be adopted.

Sunset won the gold medal for Fastest Fetch Time in Track and Fetch. This adorable 2-year-old pit bull mix loves toys, walks and non-stop play. Despite her big Tail Waggers win, Sunset is still a down-to-earth pup with the best zoomies.

Biggest Splash silver medalist Mihu sure knows how to make an entrance. This 1-year-old Great Dane mix is equally skilled at cuddles and the doggie paddle.

Four-year-old Rottweiler Mia snagged the silver medal in Gymnastricks. Motivated by cheese treats, Mia launched to second place with her jumping skills over the uneven bar.

Check out the Tail Waggers Trials on our Instagram @pasadenahumane.

And, remember to visit us at CatCon this weekend. We’ll be bringing hundreds of kittens to the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Adoption Village at the Pasadena Convention Center. Tickets are available at catconworldwide.com

Dia DuVernet is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane. pasadenahumane.org

This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on August 1, 2024.