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Pets, Pets, Pets
Last Wednesday I accompanied my pal, Doris Klem, to a distant Town shelter to retrieve a Last Hope foster who had escaped from his "tentative" owners. (Actually it was a Let's Make a Deal trip.) At times you need a co-pilot when you transport a dog. Since this goofy guy likes to slobber the driver and rear view mirror, I promised to go with Doris, if she'd ride with me the next day when I took our exuberant foster German Shepherd to her trainer.) The Last Hope dog was a fortunate fugitive. Turns out his trial owners weren't searching. Thankfully, the shelter recognized their new inmate. He had spent 6 months with them before Last Hope adopted him, and happened to get loose again in the same Town. The staff called to say they thought Mr. Goofy was back. We went to bail him out. While there, I noticed Cupcake, a female Bullmastiff lying on a rug. The signs on her cage said that she came in 12/15 as a stray with a fractured pelvis. She was most likely hit by a car. Despite the ingrained "pound" misconception, most Town shelters are evolving from holding tanks to havens. Years ago an injured dog, especially a giant one, would not be kept long. In contrast, while in the Town's custody, Cupcake had x-rays and pain meds. The staff was doing all they could to make her comfortable.
Some governmentrun shelters think the public should have first choice of all purebreds, but others, like me, feel that the public has already failed these impounded purebreds at least once. We believe the next placement, when possible, should be with the intervention of those experts who cherish the breed and will do all they can to see that the dog never surfaces in a shelter again.
to verify Cupcake's breed. Digitals are a Godsend to rescue work. By the next day, Janell had made arrangements with the Town shelter to pick up Cupcake. On Friday, using one of her precious vacation days and no co-pilot, Janell drove m u c h o miles from Manhattan to eastern Suffolk to get Cupcake, and then to New Jersey to bring the appreciative, smooching Bullie to Andrea Kelly, her wonderful new foster Mom. Cupcake, estimated only to be about 2, has been delivered to the best of hands. She has the support of Janell, Andrea and all of ABA Rescue. Cupcake is now recuperating in a home; on supplements to strengthen her bones; and has an appointment the day after New Year's to see their favorite orthopedic specialist. Once she's better, she'll go to a forever home. I can't think of a happier way to usher in the new rescue year. … Switching breeds-Yours truly, the accidental tourist, is also a jinx. Told someone Wednesday that I rarely see Weimaraners in the shelter and the next day the Wegman floodgates opened. Two owner surrenders showed up. That's why this week's adoption list is a combo of Islip and Babylon Town Shelters. At Islip Town Shelter (224-5660) Denver Ave. Bay Shore: "Ashley" (#6357) - sweetheart 4 yr. Weimaraner owner had no time for her; "Natasha" (#6319- shown here), a 1 yr. small Shepherd mixgets along with kids, dogs, cats- looking for a happier New Year. Her young owner died in a motorcycle accident; male small Schnauzer/ Terrier (#6420) - so cute but frightened; "Sheba" (#6443) - 5 yr. German Shepherd - likes kids and other dogs. At Babylon Town Shelter (643-9270) Lamar St. W. Babylon: "Riley" in Cage 5 (shown here) - a handsome 3 yr. Weimaraner. His owner was moving into an apartment; a small male Pointer in Cage 43; "Bullet"- the red Siberian Husky in Cage 7; an older female purebred mini-Schnauzer in Cage 75 found in N. Babylon; "Fanny" the mature, yet playful Husky mix in Cage 93.
… Contacted Weimaraner Rescue about "Ashley" in Islip before I knew "Riley" was also at Babylon. Don't be upset with me, but my hope is that breed rescue has performed their magic for both by the time this is published.
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