Missy - the War Dog

Believing it would make a man of his son, Norm’s father signed for him to join the army when he was 17 years old.  Shortly after his 18th birthday, Norm was sent to Vietnam to fight in what would be the final 10 months of the war.  Trained as a dog handler, he spent nine months of that time working with Missy, a silver and black, 55-pound German Shepherd.

Missy and Norm were one of 30 dog teams serving with the 1st Calvary Infantry Division in South Vietnam.  Their missions lasted five days, with three days of rest before going out again.  They went wherever they were needed when it was their turn and repeated this routine throughout the war.  

When Norm and Missy arrived on a mission, Norm met with the Lieutenant or Captain in charge, received a situation report, and proceeded to walk point with Missy leading the way.  Missy’s job was to alert Norm to potential danger, including booby traps, trip wires, and ambushes.  With her heightened canine senses, Missy served as the eyes and ears for everyone.  When she stopped, ears and tail raised, everyone stopped.  Missy could not communicate the exact danger - only the direction from which it came.  

The lives of every soldier on the mission depended on Missy, who had already seen four years of combat.  Yet she developed a special bond with Norm despite having served with several handlers.  The young soldier who had never been away from home before developed an even stronger bond with her.

Norm’s 80-pound rucksack, which he carried on his back, was essentially a survival kit for their time in the jungle.  It included ammunition, first aid supplies, a rain poncho, food rations, and enough water for both to remain hydrated in the stifling heat and humidity - 35 quarts for Norm and 10 quarts for Missy.

The ethos of a dog handler is that the dog comes first.  Like handlers before him, Norm fed and watered Missy before tending his own needs.  At night she slept next to him.  Twenty four hours a day she stood at the ready to save his life, defending it with her own if necessary.  “Missy was a true combat Scout Dog who ultimately gave her life for her handlers, fellow infantrymen (grunts) and her nation,” he says.

Norm did not return the same boy who left home to join the army but, thanks to Missy, he was not alone on his perilous journey to manhood.  Her memory both haunts and comforts him.  Her spirit lives forever in his heart.

Come back next week and read about Layla, Norm's dog in the post-war years.

by Elizabeth Sundstrom

Juba and Nova - Kitty Health Care Crisis

Seven months after their 20-year-old cat Squeek died, Amy and Marc decided to adopt two black kittens.  “Black cats have the lowest adoption rate and the highest euthanasia rate so there was no question we were getting black kittens!” says Amy.  Just two months old at the time of their adoption in August 2012, Juba, a male, and Nova, a female, are from different litters and have radically different personalities.  Nova is willowy and agile and can turn anything into a toy. Juba is contemplative in nature, a quiet observer of his surroundings.


Nova spent the first eight weeks of her life receiving good care in a shelter, where her pregnant mother had delivered kittens after being surrendered.  Juba was rescued by a construction worker at a worksite.  The man believed one of his colleagues was beating Juba, who had suffered a broken tail.  The ragamuffin kitten with amber eyes and fur that resembles dreadlocks bears the emotional scars of that time.


Amy and Marc were in for a number of surprises following the adoption.  Over the next four months, both cats suffered from coccidia and giardia, two common intestinal diseases. It is likely that Juba has herpes; both kittens had conjunctivitis.  At one point Nova started making periodic choking sounds and jutting her head forward as though trying to vomit.  The diagnosis was an upper respiratory infection but her condition worsened despite treatment.  A polyp in the ear was suspected but the only way to know for certain was exploratory surgery, which was avoided after X-rays revealed she had pneumonia.  The couple has pet insurance but all of their claims have been denied.


Determined to see the young felines through this crisis, Amy read everything she could regarding cat care.  Juba and Nova are fed high quality food and given daily supplements.  Finally, in December, both kittens received a clean bill of health.  For Amy, a performance artist and storyteller, the experience left her wiser.  A recent performance was centered on the theme of home.  While developing her part, she contemplated the meaning of caring for sick animals, developing trust, and creating a safe, nurturing environment.


The cats may always have emotional issues.  Juba has food anxiety and is obsessive about getting enough, no doubt due to hunger he experienced as a stray.  He is aloof while Nova has separation anxiety.  Despite the challenges, the family has bonded.  One of Amy’s favorite sights is when Juba and Nova sit facing each other and groom one another’s faces, first on one side, then the other.  “They look like a black heart,” she says.  A perfect symbol for all the love it took to create this family.

by Elizabeth Sundstrom

Cameo - the Path to Friendship

In 2009, Lynda and her husband, Niles, took a giant leap of faith, selling their house in Northern California and moving to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.  Niles had a dream of building his own home and Lynda wanted more time to spend exploring nature with her standard Poodle, Cameo.  Moving from a densely populated urban area to a small town of 9,000 accommodated their wishes.  

Soon after they relocated, Lynda and Cameo began walking at the local fairgrounds, mainly because it allowed dogs to be off-leash.  One day Cameo met a Tibetan terrier, Yogi, and the two became fast friends.  Lynda asked Yogi’s guardian, Jim, if he would like to meet the next day to walk the dogs together.  He said yes and soon the foursome was gathering every day at 9:00 in the morning for a one-hour walk.

They began inviting other regulars at the park to join them and the group steadily grew.    At times they have had as many as 12 people and 17 dogs.  Usually the numbers are lower and the group is “constantly morphing” but one of the things Lynda loves about life in the coastal town is “everyone seems to have a dog.”  

The dogs play a crucial role in the group. They tend to pair off with other canines similar in age.  Puppies play together and learn social skills while the older dogs avoid the fray.  Just as Lynda and Jim did, other walkers often make friends through their dog’s relationships.  Sometimes newcomers arrive saying they heard about the walkers from somebody in town.  On occasion even out-of-town visitors with dogs ask to join them.  All are welcome.

To maintain good relations with nearby homeowners, the group is self-monitoring, which includes cleaning up after their own and other dogs.  Their efforts have been so successful that when events are held at the fairgrounds, signs are posted in advance for the dog walkers, alerting them that their routine will be interrupted temporarily.  When that happens, they meet on the beach or a trailhead in the forest.

Lynda’s new life took root the day Cameo met Yogi.  Their daily two-mile walks have provided them with numerous friends, countless hours in nature, and a seamless transition to small town life.  Neither could have anticipated how much adventure awaited them following one chance encounter with a pair of like-minded souls. 

by Elizabeth Sundstrom

Huckle, the Aging Tabby

Animals bring such joy and laughter to a home when they’re young and frisky.  But aging pets arouse feelings of tenderness and vulnerability as we come to grips with the reality that our time together won’t last forever.  And that we, too, are growing older.

Vicki and her grey tabby Huckle have shared 18 good years.  He is the same age as Vicki’s youngest child.  In his younger days, Huckle was the family provider, hunting and gathering rodents and birds to share with his loved ones.  With her two eldest children living independently and the loss of the family dog last year, Vicki and her husband noticed Huckle was lonely so they adopted two kittens from their local shelter.  The young cats have camaraderie with Huckle but he remains king of his domain.

Vicki watches Huckle experiencing the same age-related and generational problems that humans do.  The young felines are fun, spry, and curious while Huckle has health problems and requires watchful care.  “That’s what happens as we all age,” Vicki observes.  With so much history together, Vicki gravitates to Huckle at this stage of his life because “he’s got the roots and that’s the difference.” 

            

Huckle likes to sneak up onto Vicki’s chest in the morning, enjoy a little petting and get brushed.  It used to be a daily ritual but he doesn’t seem to tolerate touch as easily these days.  The routine has now expanded to include the two younger cats as well and sometimes togetherness is all Huckle requires.  That, and the heating pad Vicki provides for him to sleep on.

            

When Huckle seemed to be losing ground last month, Vicki wondered if it was his time.  But when the older children returned from college, he roused and regained a little of his old self.  Because Huckle is deft at communicating with Vicki through looks and behavior, she feels confident she’ll know when their time together is ending.

            

For now she appreciates Huckle’s warm little body snuggled against her own and his comforting purrs breaking the early morning silence.  Huckle reminds Vicky every day about the value of history, friendship, and loyalty that comes with sharing life with animals.  He won’t always be a part of her life, but he’ll always be a part of her.

By Elizabeth Sundstrom

Memories of 2012

There are thousands of sad stories in the animal welfare world and sometimes we hear far too many of them during the holidays. So, we’d like to bring our Pet Allies Network readers a few rays of hope and cheer in reflection of some happy endings for animals that some of our members helped achieve in 2012.

A big round of applause goes to all those in SoCal who worked so hard to rescue 39 cats from a rescuer’s cattery last fall. Like so many conscientious pet people, their person, Inge, thought she’d covered the bases by providing for animal care with paid cat caretakers when she learned she didn’t have long to live. But as sadly happens all too often, these people did not honor this wonderful woman’s life as a rescuer and follow instructions. Instead, they by and large abandoned the animals, who were left to fend for themselves for nearly two weeks before others among Inge’s friends discovered the horror. Numerous rescue groups and individuals then worked diligently to get the cats healthy and to safety in honor of a life well lived. We salute all of you who took part, worked round the clock to help and networked like crazy to save these kitties! It was a happy ending, but also a confirmation of the power of networking and what it means to the animals.

In L.A., many rescuers went the extra mile (or 100) to save starving and abandoned dogs and cats discovered in a U-Haul trailer on a hot autumn day. While some of these unfortunates were too distressed to save by the time they were discovered, a diligent community again came together to get help, donations, fosters and forever homes to turn an ugly situation into another victory for the animals.

In Northern California, Anna Sandoval is the sole caretaker of four feral colonies. For years she has fed and provided water to these community cats without complaint and with the diligence that only a true animal lover can give. She also tends to the spay/neuter and medical treatments necessary—all on her own dime. Her dedication is repeated across California and the nation by thousands of other unsung heroes for community cats—including Faith, one of our founders.

And California’s reach is sometimes across the world—which is the case for Nancy Janes, founder of Romania Animal Rescue. Janes helped spay/neuter 4,147 Romanian dogs in 2012 alone with funds she raised single-handedly—an effort that has helped reduce pet overpopulation in a country where daily lives—human or pet—are often a struggle.

If you took part in one of these efforts or any of the other thousands of acts of kindness that rescuers and animal lovers provide every single day, know that you are appreciated, even if you are as anonymous as some of those lonely creatures you’ve helped. We salute your efforts and hope that together we can make an even bigger difference in 2013!

Pictured: Mystery, one of last cats removed from Inge’s home—scared, confused, but willing to love again in good home. Contact Pet Allies Network for more information.

by Sandi Cain

Bodie - the Unofficial Therapy Dog

Bodie is a three-year-old Golden Retriever.  Born in August 2009, he and his parents were surrendered the following June to a rescue organization, Homeward Bound for Goldens, in Elverta, California.  The human family had fallen on hard times and could no longer afford to keep the dogs.  He was adopted by Gwen shortly thereafter.  She named him Bodie (his original name was Aslan) after the California gold mining town because she considers him her “golden nugget.”  

Gwen quickly realized that Bodie had a special gift with people.  When he was just a year old, Gwen, who works at a university, asked her office manager if she could bring the dog to work with her one day a week.  Gwen believed Bodie would be a calming presence and her instincts were correct.

Gwen’s manager was quickly won over.  Bodie also developed a following among faculty, staff, and students, many of whom visit Gwen’s office every Thursday when they know Bodie will be in residence. His services are always in high demand when finals, mid-terms, and research papers are looming.  Bodie has became the unofficial therapy dog for stressed-out students.  

Never content with a little head scratching when visitors pop in to pet him, Bodie manages to slowly sink to the floor and roll onto his back, offering his belly for a rub.  His fans oblige, usually dropping down on the floor next to him to provide a proper massage.

Bodie has widened his circle of friends to the broader campus.  On pretty days, when Gwen and one of her colleagues lunch on the lawn outside their office, Bodie can be found mingling among the other noontime diners, looking for food, affection, and a little play.

With retirement not far off, Gwen is eager to have Bodie certified as a therapy dog.  He has already passed the initial testing.  When asked what makes Bodie special, Gwen responds without hesitation that he has all the wonderful traits she appreciates in humans, including a positive outlook and a sense of humor.  He’s always smiling, which makes Gwen smile too. 

Bodie was fortunate to be selected that June day amid all the other deserving dogs awaiting good homes.  Talking to Gwen, it’s clear she thinks the fortune was hers.  Both of them wander back to the office grinning all the way.

by Elizabeth Sundstrom

Emmakin - the Russian Blue Cat

Nobody knows about love at first sight better than Susan.  A dog devotee since childhood, Susan was less than curious one day when her colleague, Louise, popped her head into Susan’s office and announced she had a kitten for Susan to meet.  Louise had a habit of rescuing strays and bringing them to the office in hopes of finding good homes.  It often worked.

Two hours later Susan happened by Louise’s office and saw several other staffers crowded around a small creature.  When the six-month-old kitten spotted Susan, she immediately broke from the crowd and came to her.  Susan was instantly smitten by the grey Russian Blue cat with amber-colored eyes, one of which was crossed. 

At the end of the day Susan offered to host the unnamed kitten overnight since Louise already had several cats at home.  She knew nothing about cats and Louise had to educate her about kitty litter and other basics.  The overnighter turned into a week. Each day Susan brought the cat into work, knowing that Louise had put up posters and was actively searching for the original guardian.

After several days Susan named the cat Emmakin -  Emma - after a favorite aunt who had recently died.  Emmakin sat in Susan’s office window. When Susan needed to make copies, she draped Emmakin around her neck and the two completed Susan’s tasks together.  

To Susan’s delight, Emmakin shared many of the characteristics of a dog.  She was loyal, devoted, and sweet. She even retrieved the ping pong ball Susan threw for her.  At week’s end Susan told Louise she wanted to keep Emmakin.  Since there had been no response to the posters, Louise was happy to oblige.  Louise had known from their first meeting that there was a connection between Susan and Emmakin.

Since Susan lived in a bustling urban area, Emmakin became an indoor cat. Early on Emmakin happened outdoors, climbed a tree and had to be coaxed down by Susan, holding a small bell that she later attached to Emmakin’s collar.  When the curious feline allowed herself to be talked out of the tree, Susan knew she had gained her trust. 

As the years passed, Emmakin would sometimes join Susan in the backyard while she gardened but the cat never strayed.  Emmakin felt a bond of love and friendship from the first time she spotted Susan standing in the doorway.  The feeling was mutual.

In memory of Emmakin:  1992-2012  

by Elizabeth Sundstrom