Straydog UPDATE posted SATURDAY 3/22/03 at ~8:24 p.m. CT

Pat Arnold's Daily Dog Log

SATURDAY MARCH 22 2003

No adoptions today, but a tentative adoption is set for next Saturday

      Guy called on his way home from our regular Saturday Adoption Day in Dallas to report that there were no adoptions today, but there is a home-visit planned for next Saturday, for German Shepherd mix, Pepsi. One of our new dog-sitting volunteers, Lora, who cared for Pepsi today, fell in love with the big puppy-dog and would like to adopt him. So next Saturday Pepsi will go on the home-visit with Guy (after Guy drops all the dogs off with his wife, Kim, and the other volunteers, who are always there to greet Guy and Kim and the dogs at about 10:30 every Saturday morning) to see if Pepsi and Lora's other dog get along. If all goes well, Pepsi will have a wonderful new family!

      We would like to thank our many regular volunteers for helping us during Saturday Adoption Days as we try to find the dogs and puppies their forever families. And thank you, Rick and Lora, our new volunteers, for helping us today!

We received a second call from Guy

      Shortly after the first call from Guy, he called again, saying that it was pouring down rain so he might be a little late getting back to the shelter. He also said that he had just stopped at the new home of Alice and Sally (who were adopted together yesterday), to give the parents (guardians) the pills that both dogs will be needing to take in a few days (which we had forgotten to give them yesterday). The mom opened the door for Guy, and as he handed her the packet, the dad, Charles, waved to Guy from the living room couch. "What a Kodak Moment this would have been," Guy said. Alice was cuddled up on one side of Charles, and Sally was snuggled up on his other side. What a cozy picture!

Pam Mitchell calls with sad news about Papa Dog (of the Tenison Golf Course family of strays)

      We were so heartbroken with the news on our voice mail this morning that the father dog (known as Papa Dog) had been hit and killed by a car yesterday evening. Jesse-Bear's sibling, known as Lucy, is still on the loose, and Pam will continue to try to rescue her.

      Pam Mitchell, who has been trying for months to rescue this family of dogs, and whom we have helped on several rescue missions, said that she was going through her evening ritual which included a search-check of the remaining two dogs' favorite hiding places trying to find Papa and Lucy to make sure they were okay. She spotted Lucy by Samuel Blvd. and then she looked up to see Papa Dog begin to cross the busy street, which he often did as he scavenged for food on the other side, but this time Papa Dog didn't make it across. He was tragically hit by oncoming traffic.

Papa Dog dies in Pam's arms

      The driver of the car didn't stop to offer his aid, but Pam was there and ran to try and help Papa Dog as he lay dying. Pam said his injuries were so severe that he died just moments later as she held him in her arms.

      I'm sure this was the saddest moment in Pam's life. She had wanted so much to help this frightened dog, and she had tried so hard to win his trust. She wanted so much to be able to pet him and show him that there were people who wanted to love him and care for him and give him a wonderful home. But sometimes, as hard as we try, it just doesn't happen.

      Pam and friends will have Papa Dog cremated and his ashes will be brought to our Happy Home for Strays and will be placed in our little grave yard along side the graves of Danny Boy, Davey, Sparky, Bo Honey, Kitty and Arf plus Shannon's cat, StrayCat.

      We're hoping that another rescue mission will be planned soon for the capture/rescue of the remaining member of this family of strays, Jesse-Bear's sibling.

Mama Dog Laura and son, Jesse-Bear, are here and are fine

      As many of you know, two members of Papa Dog's family were rescued and have been with us for a few weeks and are doing very well. Mama Dog Laura is receiving a mild treatment for advanced heartworm disease (because the full treatment might kill her), and she appears to be getting better every day. She is very friendly now and has learned to walk on leash for her play time in our big play yard. She is precious.

      Her son, Jesse-Bear, is a very sweet dog too. He is just much more cautious around people than his mom is, and even tho he could go to the play yard with his mom, he is much too leery of the leash to be walked and chooses to stay in the kennel and bark his displeasure that his mom leaves him for that short while every day. Jesse will come around, tho. It will just take a little more time.

Rainbow Bridge

      Quite a while ago upon the passing of one of the fellas we were caring for here at our Happy Home for Strays someone sent us (and we published in a newsletter and on this website) a short piece called Rainbow Bridge. The author is unknown. I couldn't find the version we published earlier so I asked via email to some friends if anyone had a copy of the piece, and one friend (and supporter) emailed back the following: