Version 4.0
Original Created 2/28/2008
.org created 5/27/2008
Original Created 2/28/2008
.org created 5/27/2008
A True Story
Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter Mission
is summed up in this true story
The late October evening in our small Mississippi River town was filled with autumn sounds and smells. Golden leaves soundlessly drifting to the ground. Nearby neighbors sitting on the porch steps visiting with other neighbors; chatting about last autumn, hoping the winter will be mild.
Sitting in the chair with a warm blanket around me, my solitude was disturbed by our female cocker spaniel barking at the door. Thinking that the cause of the high-pitched barking were the sounds of neighbors passing or car doors closing, I hastily told the dog to be quiet. She kept barking and whining. She would not yield.
Leaving the warm chair, I looked out the door window. There he was, a small cocker spaniel had come upon our porch. Behind him, trailed a shredded leash. The dog's coat was shiny and freshly cut. The collar had no identification.
Carefully, I opened the door. The small cocker spaniel dashed down the porch steps, into the yard. Fearing that he may go into the road, I called softly. Down on my knees, the frightened dog slowly came to me. Our dog, however, was not too happy about this intrusion to her territory. .
The big brown eyes looked into my soul. The sad face seeking kindness. Whimpering. I knew that this must be someone's pet. The family must be looking for it.
I knew the right thing to do.
Our small town doesn't have an animal shelter, a pet store, or a local humane society. Besides, at this late hour, everything would be closed. I could not keep the dog overnight. Our cocker spaniel is far too protective.
Our small town police force knew everyone in town. Surely they would know the owner and return it. The family would be so happy that it had been returned.
While sitting on the porch steps, I called the police station. I held the cocker spaniel in my arms, keeping it warm. We waited.
The policeman assured me that a local veterinarian, whom I knew, would take care of the dog. I knew the policeman by first name, He knew mine. We separated. The dog was put into a crate in the officer's squad. Off they went. The small cocker spaniel was rescued.
I fretted and worried for almost a week in a half. I looked in the weekly newspaper for lost dog adds - none were to be found. I listened to the local radio station - no lost dog announcements were heard. Surely, the small dog would be cared for. Maybe the family had come to my vet. No one had called me.
The more I thought about the little cocker spaniel the more I thought maybe I could convince my dog that a buddy would be a good thing.
I called the police station and spoke with the officer. He assured me that the dog was safely delivered that same evening. All was well. Somehow, I felt no relief.
The next day, during lunch hour, I walked down the street to my vet. I had convinced myself, that if no one had come to claim the dog, I would adopt it. His name would be Buddy.
The vet's assistant came to meet me at the desk. We exchanged pleasantries and discussed the latest Green Bay Packer game. I told her about finding a small cocker spaniel and my plan too adopt it. A confused look appeared on her face. She assured me she knew nothing about the dog.
I was dumbfounded. I recovered and asked to speak to the vet. Reluctantly, the assistant called the vet. I retold the story again.
The vet said, "Oh! It was euthanized a day ago."
I don't recall much else that day. The day that Buddy left me.
A few days later, I had gained enough composure to tell friends about Buddy. They said that everyone followed procedure. The city paid the vet for keeping found pets for the required days. As far as the city and the police force, were concerned all the laws were followed.
Time for action.
Later in the week, I shared Buddy's story with the board of Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter. I told them that everyone had done what was required of them under the laws of Wisconsin and the local village guidelines.
A set of strategies will be formulated which will aid local law enforcement and veterinarians so that another incidence doesn't needlessly occur again.
*This is a true story. Names have been changed to protect the identity and prevent ramifications. From this story, something good will happen.
is summed up in this true story
The late October evening in our small Mississippi River town was filled with autumn sounds and smells. Golden leaves soundlessly drifting to the ground. Nearby neighbors sitting on the porch steps visiting with other neighbors; chatting about last autumn, hoping the winter will be mild.
Sitting in the chair with a warm blanket around me, my solitude was disturbed by our female cocker spaniel barking at the door. Thinking that the cause of the high-pitched barking were the sounds of neighbors passing or car doors closing, I hastily told the dog to be quiet. She kept barking and whining. She would not yield.
Leaving the warm chair, I looked out the door window. There he was, a small cocker spaniel had come upon our porch. Behind him, trailed a shredded leash. The dog's coat was shiny and freshly cut. The collar had no identification.
Carefully, I opened the door. The small cocker spaniel dashed down the porch steps, into the yard. Fearing that he may go into the road, I called softly. Down on my knees, the frightened dog slowly came to me. Our dog, however, was not too happy about this intrusion to her territory. .
The big brown eyes looked into my soul. The sad face seeking kindness. Whimpering. I knew that this must be someone's pet. The family must be looking for it.
I knew the right thing to do.
Our small town doesn't have an animal shelter, a pet store, or a local humane society. Besides, at this late hour, everything would be closed. I could not keep the dog overnight. Our cocker spaniel is far too protective.
Our small town police force knew everyone in town. Surely they would know the owner and return it. The family would be so happy that it had been returned.
While sitting on the porch steps, I called the police station. I held the cocker spaniel in my arms, keeping it warm. We waited.
The policeman assured me that a local veterinarian, whom I knew, would take care of the dog. I knew the policeman by first name, He knew mine. We separated. The dog was put into a crate in the officer's squad. Off they went. The small cocker spaniel was rescued.
I fretted and worried for almost a week in a half. I looked in the weekly newspaper for lost dog adds - none were to be found. I listened to the local radio station - no lost dog announcements were heard. Surely, the small dog would be cared for. Maybe the family had come to my vet. No one had called me.
The more I thought about the little cocker spaniel the more I thought maybe I could convince my dog that a buddy would be a good thing.
I called the police station and spoke with the officer. He assured me that the dog was safely delivered that same evening. All was well. Somehow, I felt no relief.
The next day, during lunch hour, I walked down the street to my vet. I had convinced myself, that if no one had come to claim the dog, I would adopt it. His name would be Buddy.
The vet's assistant came to meet me at the desk. We exchanged pleasantries and discussed the latest Green Bay Packer game. I told her about finding a small cocker spaniel and my plan too adopt it. A confused look appeared on her face. She assured me she knew nothing about the dog.
I was dumbfounded. I recovered and asked to speak to the vet. Reluctantly, the assistant called the vet. I retold the story again.
The vet said, "Oh! It was euthanized a day ago."
I don't recall much else that day. The day that Buddy left me.
A few days later, I had gained enough composure to tell friends about Buddy. They said that everyone followed procedure. The city paid the vet for keeping found pets for the required days. As far as the city and the police force, were concerned all the laws were followed.
Time for action.
Later in the week, I shared Buddy's story with the board of Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter. I told them that everyone had done what was required of them under the laws of Wisconsin and the local village guidelines.
A set of strategies will be formulated which will aid local law enforcement and veterinarians so that another incidence doesn't needlessly occur again.
*This is a true story. Names have been changed to protect the identity and prevent ramifications. From this story, something good will happen.
Local Animal Shelters
CASA (Crawford Area Shelters for Animals), Inc.
PO Box 338
Ferryville, WI 54628
Crawford County
Phone: (608) 648-2461
Email: dkf@mwt.net
Website
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Coulee Region Humane Society
911 Critter Court
Onalaska, WI 54650
Phone: 608-781-4014
Fax: 608-781-1646
Website
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Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter
(Actively raising funds for an animal shelter serving Grant, Crawford, and Clayton counties.)
Rivers & Bluffs Animal Shelter
PO Box 421
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
Website
CASA (Crawford Area Shelters for Animals), Inc.
PO Box 338
Ferryville, WI 54628
Crawford County
Phone: (608) 648-2461
Email: dkf@mwt.net
Website
---------------------------------------------------
Coulee Region Humane Society
911 Critter Court
Onalaska, WI 54650
Phone: 608-781-4014
Fax: 608-781-1646
Website
---------------------------------------------------
Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter
(Actively raising funds for an animal shelter serving Grant, Crawford, and Clayton counties.)
Rivers & Bluffs Animal Shelter
PO Box 421
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
Website
Animal Rescue
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