Another day of deployment

May 16, 2011

After yesterday’s 12 plus hour work day and a night out enjoy some local Memphis Blues Music, the 6:15 am wake-up call came way to early this morning.

At least we are in a hotel, and not sleeping in tents, as I had originally expected. I really didn’t know what to expect when I had gotten the original email, asking for trained volunteers to help the ASPCA with the shelter operations they had set up down in Memphis.

My early morning rise included meeting other rescue volunteers along with ASPCA staff, American Humane Association employees and volunteers and then to make the 5 minute ride to the temporary animal shelter.

A local business was generous enough to donate the use of their large warehouse where the building was set up in sections; quarantine, general population, behavior challenged, cats, kittens, maternity ward, veterinary area, staff lounge and of course the command center.

There is use of a back parking lot, which allows the animals to get outside for walks and sunshine, which comes in handy while cleaning the cages.

I was assigned to the general population room with over 60 dogs, though I understand there was over 125, or maybe more, when the shelter was first set up.

Some animals are there only because their pet parents have been staying in Red Cross shelters or temporary housing which doesn’t allow pets. Daily, owners have been coming to reclaim their pets. It is nice to see the reunions happening; it boosts the spirits of the shelter workers.

The quarantine area was another story. I don’t know many of the details, but I understand there was a horder case uncovered during the floods and most of that area is dedicated to medical cases from the hoarder case. Only specified workers are allowed to enter/exit that area.

This afternoon when there were a few minutes of down time, I took advantage of it and cuddled with a litter of kittens. I was even able to get a dose or two of puppy breath, which put a smile on my face.

At the mid day briefing, myself and the CT crew was asked to relocate to a shelter in Missouri, where there has been another temporary shelter set up. I understand this one includes farm animals, and chickens, along with companion animals. Again, I don’t know many of the details, but will know more as we deploy in the morning.

Every night we end with a debriefing, and dinner. Then the night is our own and the animals get to rest.

There have been some awesome folks here, and I am honored to work with such an amazing group of welfare advocates from all over the United States. Safety for the animals and workers, behavior evaluations and enrichment, cleanliness, balance between work and down time, food, food and more yummy food, socializing and an overall comradery has been outstanding and I am honored to work with such an incredible crew.   

OK, time for some rest, tomorrow we travel two hours just to dive right into another temporary shelter.

CherylAnn

Day one- Deployment

We gathered early on this warm Saturday Connecticut morning; the group is an experienced team of animal care professionals, two vet technicians, one ACO, and me. Of them I knew one, the ACO.

We met up at the local car rental agency in Fairfield CT to begin our journey to help animals in Memphis.

From there we drove to LaGuardia Airport to catch a flight down South. Our first stop was Charlotte, then on to Memphis.

Our deployment was on the recommendation of the CTSART which we are all active members of, and from them we were given marching orders to join the ASPCA team once we put our boots (ok, for me, I’m still wearing sandals) on the ground in Memphis.

So once there, we met up with more animal care professionals at the airport and made our way via rental car to the hotel, it’s late and the shelter is in evening mode, but we checked out the location, picked up a few more rescue folks, the made our way to grab a bite to eat and now back to the room for some sleep before the journey of tomorrow begins. It’s time for bed.

We will help the animals of Memphis, starting bright and early Sunday morning. G’nite!

CherylAnn

Why I save animals!

A pooch named Pickles

Sometimes it is hard to remember all the success stories, we as animal rescue professionals have. It’s no wonder, with all of the field service work we do, countless investigations, adoptions, surrenders, adopters, relinquishers, angry complainants, helpful volunteers, litters of bottle fed kittens, and puddles of puppy pee; that can’t we keep track of all the smiling children walking out of the shelter with their new forever best friend.

But today, years later and miles from the original success story, I was reminded of one very happy tale.

Now, thinking back, I kind of recall the story of Pickles. But not how he began as an abandoned puppy in the shelter, but instead, that he got adopted to a family who didn’t live far from my home. You know the scenario, the typical mom, dad and grade school age daughter looking for a puppy to join their family.

Somehow when they wandered into the shelter I recognized them from the neighborhood where I lived, so I gave them a personal tour, introduced them to a four legged furry fella who lacked a name, and only had an impound number assigned to his cage door. The details get fuzzy from there but when it was all said and done, these fellow neighbors had themselves a new little puppy.

I stayed in touch long enough to chuckle at the name the daughter finally assigned to him, Pickles. Yes, an uncommon name of a chow mix, but who am I to judge what a family names their companion animal?

For a while I would see Pickles being walked in the neighborhood, and even tried to make it a point to drive a little extra out of my way just so I could get a glimpse of Pickles in his new domain of yard and trees, playing with his other new friend, the existing family pooch.

After time went by, and life got even busier, my drive-by’s became less frequent and the need to see Pickles grew less and less, as the other more current issues took over. Pickles just became a successful statistic that I no longer needed to retain a memory of. Honestly, those are the types of memories I like, the ones that don’t disturb me, but remind me that I made a difference and can move on.

But, it was in an instant, while puttering in my yard, on one of spring’s warm weather greetings that Pickles appeared. He was an overgrown bush of a furry old friend, lumbering down my street, with his now quite grown up human teenage sister pretending to hold tight to his leash. Years had aged him, but that face, I had not forgot.

Instant memories of a giggling girl and her beaming parents departing from the shelter with an uncontrollable bouncing puppy brought a smile to my face.

Pickles greeted me, not because he remembered who I was, but because he found a friend on his walk to convince that he needed a scratch behind the ears. And yes, he got plenty of belly rubs and cookies too.

It seems the years really had flown by, Pickles, now a senior dog at about ten wasn’t just a pet. He became a confidant, a secret keeper and so much more. He unknowingly helped his human sister through grade school awkwardness, the death of a parent, prom, a driver’s license, high school graduation and the first year of college.

Now, his teen sister, home on spring break and out for a Sunday stroll with Pickles, granted me a gift I did not know I even asked for; a forgotten memory.

After our brief encounter and the two departed to finish their walk, I stopped my peach tree pruning, turned on my lap top and wrote this blog. I wanted to record exactly how I felt, before it faded into another distant memory.

I felt simple joy. Joy at saving a dog’s life, making a family’s life more complete and updating another successful animal rescue memory in my life.

There is nothing more to this story, other than reminding myself that the work I do, is truly good.

CherylAnn

(To all who work on behalf of animals, please remember that you too, do good work).

Archived Article from 2006/Leisure Life Newspaper

The article below was originally posted in 2006 in a local newspaper called Leisure Life. I dug it out of my archives to re-post for Easter.

Bunnies Don’t Wear Bonnets

Have you ever seen a rabbit wearing a cute flowered dress, donning a fancy hat or laying eggs? Well, I haven’t, yet Easter seems to have some strange connection to these cuddly and adorable creatures.

Easter has customs with very ancient and nearly universal origins, yet I was confused as to why rabbits are of any significance with this Holiday. My search into the history of why rabbits are thought to make great Easter gifts led me to computer web sites, the local library and a clergyman. One thought was that the hare signifies fertility, which leads to spring, another had something to do with the lunar aspect of the moon and yet another claims that artists used hares or rabbits in their Easter art work, stories and fables. Yet none of these sources gave me the answer to my question, why are rabbits given as Easter gifts?

It seems today, there is not much cultural awareness in regards to the origins of these once popular myths, so marketing has taken over where tradition once stood.

The domesticated house rabbit are usually purchased from a breeder or pet store, given as a harmless, soft, fun loving gift for a child to hold, carry and cuddle, much like a stuffed toy. What the new pet parent doesn’t know it that Thumper and Bugs are actually frightened bundles of nervous energy that can scratch and bite when restrained.

The average rabbit can live up to or over ten years. There are many varieties to choose from with sizes ranging from about three to fifteen pounds. They are very social creatures

and thrive on attention. They like to romp, play, dig, chew and don’t live on carrots alone. These prolific animals need a well balanced diet of pellets, fresh vegetables as well as certain vitamins and minerals.

It seems as if these impulse purchased pets are showered with attention for a few weeks then virtually forgotten about in an outdoor pen to live a life of solitary confinement with an occasional rub of the ears. There are also people who think that rabbits can survive like their ancestors, the wild hare, and cast these timid fur balls into the woods or parks, expecting them to fend for themselves, once their novelty has worn off. In the urban wild, life expectancy or these released pets can be very short. They cannot forage for food like their ancient relatives, and dogs, cats, cars and other hazards can cause a quick demise.

This is not to say that some bunny parents don’t love and adore their sensitive, intelligent, social companions, but they know the responsibility and commitment that it takes to care for their furry little friends.

So with Easter fast approaching and the children pleading for a cute floppy, lopped, long eared bunny, ask yourself this question, why are rabbits given as Easter gifts?

CherylAnn

'The Bond' that should be there

Last night I attended a book signing, and not just any book signing. After all, it's not every day that the President and CEO of one of (if not the) largest international animal welfare organizations in all the world is in short driving distance to my home. So knowing that Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society of The United States http://www.humanesociety.org/ would be in New Canaan CT on his “The Bond” http://www.humanesociety.org/about/events/the_bond/ book signing tour, I just had to go.

I wanted a seat close up and in perfect listening/viewing distance to one of my generations most prolific advocates for animals-all animals, and expecting a large crowd to be gathering for the book signing, I set out early for the New Canaan Library.

Once there and checked in, immediately to my left I was greeted by a table stacked 10 books high and about 10 books long. Anticipation of successful sales, I surmised.

The line had not yet formed, and before it did, I handed over cash-for the book I was eager to delve into.

After quickly assessing the layout of the room, I found a perch perfect seat stage left, a few rows back and immediately settled in to peruse my newly acquired copy of 'The Bond', while waiting for the throngs of animal advocates and Wayne, to arrive.

Now Wayne is a native of our Nutmeg State and I just assumed he would be sharing his time here with family and friends, while getting his book 'The Bond' into the hands of other animal advocates. It turns out, I was right.

In order to keep an eye on the goings on behind me I had to sit sidesaddle in my seat. Quickly the room filled up, and then, with no fan fair or pomp and circumstance, just quietly and graciously, the author himself arrived. Upon his entry, I watched, as well as became an at-will participant in the collective humane energy the room self-created within itself.

Making his way towards center stage while flanked by his devoted family, I thought how fortunate he was to have such caring and loving parents. No wonder he is who he is. I turned back around and awaited his introduction.

Now there is no need for me to repeat an hour long introduction and question and answer session for the book 'The Bond', but I am more than happy to share my experienced 'bond' with the entire evening event.

I, not being graced with the diplomacy that Wayne seems to have been born with would rather launch into a tirade of uncovering the complacency within our own animal cause.

'The Bond', as much as the average advocate believes is there, I believe is not! I repeat, I believe the bond is NOT there.

Yes, we love our companion dogs and cats, and think we love the feathered friends we keep locked in cages or the rabbits sequestered to outdoor hutches and call that a bond. But these 'said advocates' have left out and conveniently forgotten (figures from his speech) 10 billion factory farm animals that sadly grace the food tables every year, the 10 to 20 million animals used for toxicity testing for personal hygiene and cleaning products, and further more, and not to belabor my point, the throngs of animals we disconnect ourselves from because of our own apathy.

Do we REALLY get to pick and choose which animals we bond with and say to Hell with the others? Is that what we have allowed ourselves to be call a bond? Isn't this so-called bond something that is actually concealed in animal species apathy?

OK, let me back up. Forget my little rant, as those words above might be too much for the typical/average advocate to process and internalize as being inappropriate behavior, and I am certain to have already offended many readers, so let's just move on to my point.

If there truly is a bond, as I see the 400 pages of Wayne's book is pleading for the reader to have, then why, why do we separate dogs from chickens and cats from cows? How can we? What gives us the right to pick and choose which animal suffers for our conveniences and which animal sleeps on our bed at night?

How can a cause of animal advocates who are millions strong not see that the bond, albeit that self purposely exists, has yet to be honored towards all living and sentient beings?

I can not be indifferent to the suffering of animals, human and non-human, as I do have a voice and an opinion and a wish that we, amongst ourselves would honor the bond that for centuries has been in the making and display to the world our united front to further the cause for animals and an all encompassing bond to them.

I respect Mr Pacelle for who he is and has become, for his tireless work and incredible passion for ALL creatures and only wish that his unveiling of how systematically the bond has been broken and how much it needs to be repaired, can be.

Thank you Wayne for your diplomacy, your integrity, for writing this book and for being an advocate for The Bond.

CherylAnn

Wow, it sure has been a long time, OK, OK.... a few years since we posted a blog. Guess it is time to write something and get it uploaded. Stay tuned. Something, not sure what it will be, but something will be posted soon.

Instant Action VS Emotional Reaction

What constitutes an emergency in the daily lives of animal caretakers?
How can you tell if the situation needs your immediate attention? Is there blood oozing from one of the animals in your care? Is there a dog roaming to and fro and criss-crossing over the highway? Is your supervisor expecting one more insurmountable task to be accomplished by days end? Did you overhear a potential adopter (while talking to the front desk personnel) complain about the adoption rules and you jumped in to explain how ‘it’ works? Is one of your co-workers feeding the cats differently from how you feed them (and you have to go in there for the umpteenth time to show them how to do it, yet again)?
How can you distinguish between all of the above? So what is a distraction disguised to stop you from doing your required work? Or better yet, what is and what isn’t an emergency? What motivates your actions, reality of the immediate need for an outcome to be achieved or just some desire to get involved or to avoid something you really don’t want to do?
Distractions are easy when working with animals, but cuddling a puppy (who is the cutest puppy in the whole world and gets attention from just about every kennel worker) doesn’t help when the budget is due or the fundraiser next month still needs some final touches. Yes, its nice to believe that time spent with the puppy is a priority, but is it? The more you do that, the less time you have to get the other tasks done. Then how many fewer animals will you be helping when the fundraiser is a bust or the town doesn’t approve the budget because you didn’t have enough information to back up your requests?
What really does need your immediate attention and what doesn’t need you (possibly) at all? Can you train yourself to recognize the difference while you are in the middle of the ‘perceived emergency’? So how can we utilize ourselves to the best of our ability and still feel like we did something good for the animals by the end of the day?
Prioritizing and managing your daily activity takes a certain skill set. It requires organization, insight, expectations and an ultimate outcome. Can you learn to do one task at a time and do it well without leaving it half done to chase after another task that really doesn’t need your immediate attention (or can be done by someone else)? What about distributing the tasks you don’t need to be immediately (if at all) involved in? Can you, just let things go and leave it for someone else just as capable?
Instant action is good, it shows motivation, it gets things done and it feels good to be involved. But just make certain the real reason for your involvement is not to distract yourself from the actions you really should be involved with.

-CherylAnn Fernandes