Editor, The Record:
On Sunday, Aug. 26, a very emaciated, mange-covered senior dog with fleas and painfully long nails that impaired his ability to walk, followed my grandson onto our property. We provided him with food, water and attention — which he craved — while we contacted an animal agency that would take him.
SAINTS indicated on its website that they were full, so we contacted animal control and spoke with Donna. After giving her the dog's particulars, she stated she would arrange for him to be picked up that day. My grandson and I took shifts caring for this poor animal, refilling his water dish, and comforting him while we waited. Soon afterward, Chris arrived and again we repeated what we knew about him before the dog was loaded into the van and taken to animal control.
We have our own animals which we kept separate from the senior dog for health and safety reasons, but I can’t ever imagine our pets being in this poor condition. He was once someone’s cute little puppy who now needed someone to care for him even more because of his advanced age.
I just want to thank Donna and Chris for their prompt attention to this matter, and the caring, capable, respectful, compassionate manner Chris displayed toward this most unfortunate animal. Indeed, he had started his shift that day early in order to come to retrieve this dog.
I realize how difficult this job must be at times, and how fortunate we are to have these people in our community who are willing to make tough decisions that some people are unable to make for their own animals.
Janet Walczak
Mission