Life and Death in animal welfare

[crows_roost]

It seems May got away from me all together. I have been working as a temporary licensing office for a local county shelter. Yup, I'm what the Animal Control Officers here (mostly) jokingly refer to as a "county streetwalkers". Since a few of them got their start doing this job, the needling is mostly in fun.

There was a moving and very realistic article in a local paper about what these Animal Control Officers are dealing with on a daily basis, "Life or death: Animal control officers make tough decisions on the job." It ends with this line, "Locke replied, "She won't be in pain any longer," and left to pick up Sadie before her owner's kids got home from school".

The other licensing officers and I are one public face of the shelter and I do what I can to offer information and a smile to the folks we meet. I remind folks that the ACO's are not the dog-catchers and the shelter is not just the pound.

Last week I went knocking on a door, first house on the block, the late summer rain just starting gently down. A weepy man, face folded with his pain answered.

"I can't talk to you right now" he blurted, trying for politeness through his stress "My dog just died". He was assuming, as so many people do when I come to their houses, that I am selling something.

"Just died?" I asked. "Yes, just now. Please go away".

I dropped my eyes to the porch steps for a moment, inhaled and said, "Actually, I'M with county animal services. Maybe I can help".

He stared and me and mumbled, "You are kidding right?".

"Nope, not kidding" I responded finding a soft smile, remembering the sudden passing of my River dog and how shook up I was at the time.

He invited me inside (I don't go inside peoples homes when on the job). I stood and talked with him and his wife for a short time, helped them contact the shelter and request an office to to come by and assist them with transport, and talked some about what happens next. He thanked me and told me I was a god-spend.

The new director of the shelter is doing what she can to make a change for the better, as the prior director did during his time. It is hard. There is so much to do and so little money to do it with.

Thank you to all you pet owners for the care you give.

Comments

[wldrose.livejournal.com]

Thats wonderful the times fate lets us help others. It is sad but I am so proud of you my love.

ash

[roaming.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid to read that article.

You continue to amaze me.

[kareina.livejournal.com]

I am glad that your timing on that day was so perfect, and proud of you that you are willing/able to do so much to help.

I don't know if you've seen my travel plans posts, but I'm looking to come to Portland on my way north from West Crown--it there any particular day/time of day that is better to see you?

[corva.livejournal.com]

I'm off work on Sundays and Mondays these days. Any chance of having you come through that part of the week?

[kareina.livejournal.com]

I'll see what I can do, and keep you posted.

Our plan A is in flux, contemplating other options. If I took a train to Eugene, would you fetch us from there (we'd pay petrol)? May not happen that way, but information is useful when making decisions...

[corva.livejournal.com]

Mostly it would be depend on what day - why not train up to Portland as well though?

[kareina.livejournal.com]

That is another option on the list, the reason I considered the only as far as Eugene option was because there are folk I wish to see there, too...

[themaskmaker.livejournal.com]

Awwwww, Crowmama, how special.

[dogologist.livejournal.com]

That has reminded me of exactly why I believe in Angels, and that some of them are walking right here among us.

[misterx.livejournal.com]

Ever wonder if the universe gave you a nudge so you'd be at that house at that very time? It is uncanny sometimes how life will sometimes hand you the exact person you need, out of the blue. I'm glad you were there.