Tue, May 13 2008
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Published April 16, 2008 06:49 pm - Robert Lebzelter column for April 20, 2008 Pooches make a sad place a little happier Robert Lebzelter column for April 20, 2008 Star Beacon I got an e-mail the other day, prompted by reports the Ashtabula County Humane Society is in such bad financial shape, it may disband. That would mean each community’s law enforcement agency, whether the sheriff’s department or local police department, would handle reports of animal abuse. I’m more familiar with the Animal Protective League, which actually houses dogs and cats and tries to find them new homes. The Humane Society does investigations of possible abuse, although for how long, who knows. Anyway, the recent stories about the Humane Society’s possible demise has many people concerned, myself included. The e-mail I received included a comment I’ve heard and read time and time again. This person wrote, “Being an animal lover, I just don’t think I could (volunteer) without crying for days over the sadness there. That’s the only thing that keeps me from volunteering there (APL).” I can sympathize. For years I had the same thought. I’d been out there only three times, looking for an ideal pet. I left on the third day with my best buddy, Casey the Wonder Dog. I didn’t return for more than nine years. Now I’m there roughly three days a week, taking dogs who are cooped up in cages for runs along Green Road in Kingsville Township. There are others who take the dogs out for exercise and there are fenced-in areas dogs can use to run and stretch a bit. So my part at the APL isn’t so significant. In some ways, the APL isn’t that sad. The APL is thick with camaraderie. There is an atmosphere of fun, too. Really, thanks to the dogs. I don’t mean to demean the seriousness of the situation. I know how grave it is. But those pooches are basically fun-loving folks. They don’t know finances. They don’t know death. Most just want to kick up their paws and party. I can walk through the Star Beacon on some days and hear, “Bob, you messed up yesterday” or “So and so called in sick.” But walk through the APL and those barking dogs are saying, “Take me for a run.” “How’s things going, care to rub my belly?” 
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