Nancy’s Diary~Stories Part 2

December 28,2011

I return to my blogging after a long hiatus. My time spent at HCAS is just as precious as it has been since day one.  I have experienced a lot, ..with a lot more learning to go.  I know the simple things, like what a ‘control stick’ is now, and, I have been inside the euthanasia room..but only when it was empty and with some moral support.  I still feel the need to subject myself to all I can in order to push my emotions to the max. The need to ‘feel’ is as powerful as it ever was. I can’t really explain it.  It is a ‘yearning’..a ‘passion’.. something that makes me feel alive and worthwhile.  The pain I feel at times is just as important and necessary as the joy I experience when spending time there.

So…off I go. My writings will come in no particular order. The stories havent been kept in written form anywhere..they only exist in my heart and mind. I will write them as they return to me in the form of memories. They will be as real and honest as I remember them.

I hope you come back and visit often. Journey with me while I process my thoughts of a passion I have felt like no other.

10-36  ( A code that used to be used for “Emergency” in the 70′s )

A rusty old Chev S-10, without AC became an ambulance.   As an old, outdated, never-worked-as a certified EMT (again from the 70′s) I wasnt prepared for the emotions of a somewhat simple transport.

A beautiful black chi with fawn-like legs was my patient, and my destination was  Fishhawk Animal Clinic.  My ‘patient’ had a broken front leg. She was in the front seat, in a crate, but she couldn’t, or wouldn’t, lay down.  Balancing was hard.  Every turn I made, every stop..threw her off balance and she whimpered.  The trip was a slow one, but it didn’t make it any less painful for either of us.

Mission was to get an x-ray..from a community vet who kindly gives us a break (no pun intended) in price.  HCAS doesn’t have an x-ray machine..maybe one day that will change….

The Chi came in as an ‘Owner Surrender’.   Apparently the family children put the somewhat new family member on a trampoline and promptly bounced her off.  It costs money to fix a broken leg…apparently money the family didn’t wish to spend.  For them it was much easier to bring her to HCAS and surrender her.  Everyone who surrenders a pet signs a piece of paper giving them knowledge that there is no guarantee the pup may not be euthanized. That possibility apparently didn’t matter to them.

This is a common scenario to the staff who works  the intake area,.. one of  irresponsible pet owner.  But, HCAS can turn NO animal away…broken or healthy. Law dictates that.  They have no choices.  Their job requires that they be polite and professional.

As for the family, my guess is they never looked back.  They actually told the staff that they would just “go to the  Humane Society and get another puppy. It was cheaper than fixing the broken one.” 

What a great lesson that family member taught their children that day. 

( As a final note, the Chi was fixed..and went to a wonderful transition home for recovery. A call was made to the Humane Society with instructions not to adopt any pets to this family again  ) It is my guess they will get another pup somewhere.  Thanks to lack of spaying and neutering in our county guarantees that there are pups everywhere with owners “needing to get rid” of them.

I truly wonder how some people sleep at nite.

Another 10-36

I was asked to do a short run, an ‘ambulance service’ type again..only this time it was in a county vehicle..an honest to gawd, valid, “dog catcher’ truck. ..or should I say ‘van’.    My patient was a dog that had been dragged behind a car. THAT is the only thing I know about the story. I didnt find out the how, why or where. 

Three paws of this pup were bandaged, the 4th leg showed bone, and his tummy had raw spots on it. Yet, he walked to the vehicle himself and didnt even utter a whimper when lifted inside and placed on a cushy blanket. 

I drove slowly to BVS ( known as Blue Pearl in Brandon) and the pup howled and cried the whole trip.  I don’t think it was because of pain, I think it was more from just being alone in a moving vehicle. I couldn’t see to the back of the van, so my heart was breaking the whole trip. But, we made it and the staff of Blue Pearl met us at the door.  They lovingly scooped him up and took him inside and immediately began to access him. I knew he was in good hands..and his tail was wagging.

For my return trip back to HCAS I was given custody of a young brown boxer mix pup, about 4 months old.  He had been hit by a car, and dropped off by someone  at Blue Pearl, so after x-rays he had to come back with me to  HCAS as a stray.  The staff of BP had become quite attached to this little pup..with good reason. He was a sweetie!  Damage done to rear leg…broken femur I believe.  They all said their goodbyes, took  him to the van for me,  and off we went back to the shelter.

One of the staff members of BP had brought in some sheets that she  was donating to the shelter so they were loaded up also. I did have to lay a couple over the cushy blanket since the previous pup relieved himself on the trip over.

This is an example of one of the way HCAS is changing. I am happy to say that the little broken pup I brought back was the subject of  surgery to repair the femur  and is now in a transition home healing so he can become well enough to find a furever home. I was the lucky one that got to call the staff at BP the next day to tell them the good news..that the  pup would not be euthanized..he was safe, thanks to the wonderful vet staff, and everyone who had a hand in getting him through the surgery and out the door into a transition home.  Things like that didnt happen a few years ago at HCAS.  But, with the volunteer program, and some ‘funding’ (please see the Jaggers Dream Fund page or the Canine Comfort Inc page to see how you can donate) and real passion on everyone’s part…things are changing..More lives are being saved..more things are being done in our own faculity..it is beyond words to try to describe how wonderful it is to see this. If only the public knew …word isn’t speading fast enough. Yes, we still have a long way to go…we still euthanize..but we are on our way to something bigger and better.. 

I don’t know what happened to the pup that was dragged by the car. With so many things going on I find it hard to keep up with every case..but it is in my hopes and prayers that whomever did that to that loving creature,  will pay for what he did…in whatever way God see’s fit.

Family Matters…

The Basset Hound was an “Owner Surrender”.  He was graying around the face..with the typical big droopy eyes and ears.  He whimpered the whole time I was speaking to him.  I read his ‘Owner Surrender’ sheets that were in the kennel card holder.  The owner apparently owned the pup for 7 years. 

Reason for Surrender: ” I love my wife more “  ( I don’t really want to comment on this for fear of going off on a tangent ..so I am gonna let it slide )

However, when I went into the office and asked about the  notes,.. apparently  the wife was ‘allergic’.

Me thinks this is a marriage that has more issues than meets the eye.

As long as we are talking about “Owner Surrenders”

Yellow Lab.  Adopted from HCAS 4 years ago.  Owner Surrender reason:  “Doesn’t like cats”.  WTH?