Pooches make a sad place a little happier

Star Beacon

April 16, 2008 06:50 pm

— 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?”
They may have been abandoned by some family of idiots. They may have had hard, hungry days on the road. They may have been abused and hurt.
But at the APL, all of that is forgotten for many. No need for months or years of therapy for them.
Dogs, they just want to have fun. A little romping, a little sniffing. A little knocking me over when I’m trying to tie my shoes.
When myself and one of my APL buds meet, we often slap hands — and paws — rub noses and do some wrestling as I try to get the leash properly attached.
All of the dogs have names and most of the APL employees and volunteers can tell you who each dog is and his or her good and bad points. They aren’t faceless beings.
As we return from a run, the workers will comment like, “Did you have fun out there Tanner?”
If it is raining out, workers quickly grab a towel to dry the pooches. (I’m left to shake as much water off as possible before going to the next set of dogs.)
There are very nice pooches there who love to romp. When our eyes meet, there is no need for talk. We know it’s playtime. And when the two miles are over, they are all too happy to return to their cages for lunch and water.
It makes me wonder with so many amiable, accommodating dogs, what happened that to bring them to this place?
This past week one worker, Sue, suggested I take out two roomies she said need to run “BAD.”
But one was absolutely terrified. I got her outside but heading up Green Road, it was obvious it wasn’t going to work.
I ended up carrying the frightened dog back to the APL, while her roommate was bouncing at the end of the leash, wanting to run. That was a challenge.
I took a neighbor of the pair and the rambunctious one for a nice jaunt in the sunny, spring air instead. When I returned, I crawled beside the frightened one and tried to pet her and talk quietly. But it will take more than that to get her socialized.
When I leave for the day, I run past the cages, sticking my hand in this page to give a quick pet, getting a lick from another.
Not everyone can control a couple of pooches and keep them together as we head out on the open road. To tell you the truth, I do it as much to bring a little humor into the lives of people on Green Road who watch us as I do the dogs.
For those who want to volunteer but can’t run or walk dogs, crawl into a cage and spend the time I didn’t have socializing a pooch. See the reaction by visitors who look at the long line of dogs in cages and suddenly discover you.
There are also cats who need held and played with.
Yes, money is needed. Volunteers are needed for many duties. To me, the most important people, the ones whose action make my work there look infinitesimal, are the people who adopt animals, take them home, love them and make them a part of their family.
I can’t tell you how many dogs, older dogs, sweet dogs, gray-faced beagles, that sit there day after day. They must have been part of a family at one time. Now they are homeless, sleeping on a hard floor, sharing a room with a strange dog. But they adjust and become as happy as possible.
If you have a missing dog, a member of your family, check out the APL to see if he or she has been picked up.
People who abandon animals are either terribly evil or think the dogs have no feelings.
Animals do feel fear and love and joy. They do have cognizant processes. If you don’t believe me, go to www.youtube.com and in the search box, type “elephant paints self portrait.” It is truly amazing.
Then dry your tears and see what you can do at the APL, or how you can help the Humane Society.
Tell the dogs I sent you. They’ll treat you right.
Lebzelter is special sections editor. E-mail him at bobleb@starbeacon.com. His wife says his car smells like dog.

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