I've been saving this image for some post, didn't know what until today. When we were in PEI last fall visiting a local fishing wharf, we found this building behind the dock. Lots of wild cats hang around because it's the countryside and obviously, the fish. That sign in the window said something like - "please donate to the food fund and if you adopt one of the cats or kittens, please leave us a note so we don't look for it anymore." It was charming and heartbreaking at the same time. But someone is doing the right thing for these cats. At least that's how it strikes me. I also got a kick out of the reflection in the window..my girls, who are definitely the cat's meow in my opinion.
Our Mo, the firefighter, responded to a call late the other night on the local parkway. A 6 car pile-up with fairly minor injuries. Several people went to the hospital though. She walked up to a car to see if anyone was still inside and a pit bull roared up from the backseat. Scared her, but nothing like the terror the dog was experiencing. Mayhem, flashing lights, sirens, equipment noise wrenching cars apart. And the owner was injured, off in an ambulance. No leash in the car. They had to remove the dog so that the car could be towed. (But there was nowhere for him to go so someone tied him to a guard rail until someone else could take him somewhere. see edit below.) She said she felt so badly for the poor dog- in such distress, but there was nothing she could do. (No random actions on a scene like this. Everyone has an order.) That story kept me up at night. I thought of all the times that Jake rode with me. I rarely went anywhere without him. But I kept a leash, a blanket, a water bowl and bottled water for him in the car at all times. Not sure it would have made a difference in this terrible scene, but if you do travel with your pet, please consider and prepare for an emergency situation. I think I would have insisted that the dog ride with me in the ambulance, but what if...? (edit- I asked a bunch more questions just now-- the ambulance wouldn't take the dog with the owner and his passenger (girlfriend who was injured). It was the owner who stayed behind with the dog, tied him to the guard rail until the scene settled down...and it was a firefighter who took the dog and owner to the hospital to find the injured girlfriend in the end. More edits to this ramble...reads like I care more about the dog than the injured people. Not so- I do hope they all recover quickly and are doing well. I was just taken with that side-story. And thanks, Linda and Teresa for going to visit George. He will be thrilled to hear from someone other than me!)
My friend George just started a new blog here about dogs as therapy-givers. If you can, go over there and ask him some dog questions so that he gets into the groove of blogging. He's a great writer, a lifelong dog person and has plenty to say. It's hard to get started at first but then, well, you know. Travel safely this holiday weekend. Take your time, enjoy the ride. xoC