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Women of Distinction

Babs Fry

A WAY HOME FOR DOGS

By Judith A. Habert

Photos Courtesy of Babs Fry

er, after graduation, she found her their most fearful and sometimes
passion in finance. problematic dogs, whether it be
“I did a lot of management medically or behaviorally. Along
training and managed branches for that journey, she lost one and
a secondary lender before meeting admittedly did what she currently
Babs Fry is probably one of the my husband who coincidentally tells clients never to do when a dog
most incredible women I have ever happened to be Navy, despite my goes missing, but at the time, she
met. She has a passion for life, and strong commitment that I would didn’t know better. “I spent a day
it is not only unique but a Godsend never marry anybody in the and a half panicking, making really
to so many San Diegans. Babs is military.” But the heart wants what dumb decisions and making serious
lovingly referred to as “The Pet De- the heart wants, and so they were mistakes. I had at the time, without
tective”, and as you will find out, she engaged, and shortly thereafter, in knowing it, a lot of ignorance that
has rightfully earned this title. 1999, he was stationed here, and manifested itself in arrogance
Born in New Jersey. “My they have called San Diego home because I was the go-to for this type
family left Jersey when I was three ever since. of animal. So, I knew there was no
although I have been told that the So, what has led Babs to the way that dog was coming to me or
Yankee tendencies have not left me, career she currently loves? “I have anybody else who offered to help
and I would tend to agree with that always gotten along better with an- find her. A day and a half later, I
statement.” Babs’ father served in imals than people. From the time I was desperate and panicked, so I
the Navy, but luckily, in a posi- was a little girl, I used to bring home engaged in a phone call with a lady
tion where they were not made to all sorts of things in my pockets, who, at that time, was considered
move around as frequently as most I would skip kindergarten to go an expert in finding lost animals. I
military families. He was stationed catch tadpoles and hide them in my followed her instructions to the T,
in Jacksonville, Florida, before he closet. As I got older, I was always and a dog that was scared of being
deployed overseas to Naples, Italy. catching strays and bringing them touched and had been at my house
So, Babs spent most of her formative home with me.” for only 12 hours when it disap-
years in Italy, and this is where Luckily, Babs’s hubby is an peared, was spotted about a mile
she truly calls home. “I moved animal lover as well. Over the years, and a half away and ten days later
there when I was 12, graduated they acquired quite a large number was safe in a trap in my driveway.
high school there, and it was very of dogs through their early rela- It was then I realized that the way commitment, tenacity, compromise,
definitely my formative years. My tionship. “When these beloved pets most people handle lost animals and sacrifice. You don’t just show up
dad was one that really believed that started to pass away from old age, makes it very likely that they will for a couple of hours, and when the
we were there to immerse ourselves we started looking for new family remain lost.” pet isn’t recovered, you say Oh well,
into the culture, not to be Ameri- members. As a result, we ended This one event led Babs down that didn’t work out. I hope that
cans in Italy.” up connecting with the rescue a path that would make her the dog is okay. You have to stick with it
Babs attended an American community.” ultimate “Pet Detective,” and she is until it comes to fruition. One way
high school, but all her close friends Through several years of ex- now known as the expert in getting or the other. I learned inadvertently
were Italian. When she graduated tensive involvement with one of the our beloved pets back if they go that I had not just a passion but a
high school, she went to Florida larger Southern California rescues missing. Babs admits that this is talent, and over the course of the last
State, where she graduated with two - fostering, management support of not an area that you just dabble several years, I have worked at per-
degrees, one in Criminology and the their medical, and mentoring their in. “Getting to be an expert in this fecting my craft and learning from
other in Communications. Howev- fosters - Babs became the go-to for area requires a certain amount of others with more experience than

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