Hurricane Dogs
It appears that here in San Antonio, Texas; we will miss any bad weather Hurricane Gustov will throw at the Gulf Coast of the southern United States. However, we have a deluge of another sort. Many of the residents of areas likely to be affected by the storm have made their way here by car, bus, and airplane to ride out the danger. The city is well prepared to handle the influx, with staging areas, shelter, and volunteers already in place.
Weather refugees began arriving a couple days ago, and the city could see its temporary visitor total reach as high as 25,000. Unlike when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans three years ago, city, state, and national agencies seem to have their eyes on the ball this time. This time, pets have been taken into consideration.
From 8:00 p.m. last night until 4:00 a.m. this morning, I worked as a volunteer at the city’s pet refugee camp at a small local airfield, and I confess I was impressed with the setup and efficiency with which the animals were being taken care of. We had a little over 100 dogs, about 20 cats, a hamster, a chicken, and a lizard at the center. Along with staff from the city’s Animal Care Services, three other volunteers and I made sure the dogs were walked, fed, watered, and petted. From tiny puppies to Shetland-pony-sized mastiffs, each animal received care and attention…well, almost every one.
I walked mostly the big dogs since many of the ladies didn’t feel comfortable handling large animals. I walked pit bulls, rotties, mastiffs, hounds and others without incident. As the night wore on, I noticed in one of the kennels there was a little Chihuahua, that hadn’t been walked. (There was a tag on each animal’s kennel noting the time it was last walked.) What I didn’t notice was the red trim on the info packet hanging on the kennel, which indicates the animal inside may eat your spleen at any time.
Now, I’m used to dogs; eight of them live with me, and I spend a lot of time working with dogs at a local no-kill animal shelter. I’ve handled aggressive dogs, shy dogs, floppy dogs, and everything in between, and I’ve even handled contentious little Chihuahuas without incident. What I didn’t count on was a contentious little Chihuahua who was absolutely batshit crazy. I had no problem looping the lead around her head and coaxing her out of the kennel. Once freed from her cell, the little bastard became possessed and got all wolf-like on my ass. Actually, she got all wolf-like on my thumb, sinking her fangs into the digit that separates me from apes. Blood squirted, I cussed; the dog called me some really filthy names and ran back into the kennel. Of course, I don’t blame the dog; I think it was the chicken’s fault.
Today, my thumb is swollen, my pride is in tatters, but I am going back to help out.
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Written by Fledermaus (3490 comments posted) 1st September 2008 | Good to hear people took their animals with them AND someone across the border is taking care of them. I remember that there are sometimes strange (and often sad) stories about animals in areas affected by disasters and wars, which is logical, since humans have the first priority, but nonetheless sad.
It's funny (sorry, but it is, and I think that's mainly why you posted this anyway :P) that you deal with these huge dogs and then get attacked by a chihuahua. But then steve Irwin wrestled with crocodiles and was terribly scared of cockatoos... |
Written by Emmuttmax (203 comments posted) 1st September 2008 | Thanks Fledermaus. In Louisiana, as well as I believe in Texas, there are now laws in the wake of Katrina that require the government to have pet evacuation plans in case of a disaster. Many people in New Orleans remained there during Katrina because they would not leave their pets.
Speaking of Katrina, we (the Animal Defense League) recently adopted out the last remaining dog we took in from that disaster. She was rescued by the National Guard when they found her trying to stay afloat in the flood waters.
Paco, the Chihuahua that lives with me, is actually a sweetheart...unless one of the other dogs tries to break in on the petting when Paco is in my lap. that really pisses him off. |
Written by Nick (163 comments posted) 1st September 2008 | As Maus said, Glad to hear the animals are being taken care of and charity work of any nature is always to be applauded.
I have to admit I did laugh at your story, I could quite easily image this as a Laurel & Hardy sketch or maybe something from The Simpson's. I can just see Homer frantically waving his arm around trying to get the little hell spawn off his thumb!!
Nick | Blame the chicken!
Written by Brett (987 comments posted) 1st September 2008 | As a dog lover, and an admirer of your prose, I can only suggest that it will be more satisfying to blame, then eat the chicken, than raise a hand to the dog (probably because there's more meat on a chicken than a Chihuahau).
Enjoyed this, good to hear.
Cheers |
Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3569 comments posted) 1st September 2008 | I enjoyed the read. I always think a bit of humour really helps when telling something like this. I must admit I find the thought of all those poor dogs at that refugee camp heart rending. I help out at a PDSA over here and I'd take them all home if I could. I always prefer the old beat-up ones to the cute little puppies. Glad to hear you're doing your bit and I bet you'll win the little b*****d in the end.
Anyway great piece, informative and gently amusing and it's about dogs- what's not to love?
jane |
Written by Phil (6963 comments posted) 1st September 2008 | Well written, interesting piece. Never considered there'd be pet refugee centres. Stands to reason, I guess.
Perhaps he had 'small dog syndrome.'
A good read made all the more enjoyable because of the humour.
Phil |
Written by mia_ms_kim (1057 comments posted) 1st September 2008 | Enjoyed this, Mike. Your dedication to animals is quite amazing. The lizard among the list of pets caught my attention and made me laugh. We once looked after a baby Chihuahua for a month, and she was the size of a little rat. She was like a human baby, everyone loved her. The Chihuahua that bit you, must have been very stressed.
Phil's comment on 'small dog syndrome' made me crack up! 
BTW, what do you have against chickens?
Mia |
Written by Emmuttmax (203 comments posted) 2nd September 2008 | Thank you all for your kind remarks. If I couldn't find a wee bit of humor in even the most devastating tragedy, I don't know how I would be able to cope with the world.
I went back last night for another shift, and the found out the Chihuahua (his name is Leo) had bitten a few other people. I have nothing against chickens, however it was discovered that the one at the shelter was coaxing Leo to attack.
Last night, I spent quite a bit of time with Millie, a pit bull who had recently given birth. She is such a sweetie.
A few of the animals were picked up by their owners yesterday, but about 140 remain. I will be on call through Friday. |
Written by Lizzy (828 comments posted) 6th September 2008 | A nicely written piece.
I wonder how many of their owners died and how many just couldn't be bothered to search for their pets?
Lizzy |
Written by Gwynedd (83 comments posted) 9th September 2008 | | You're very brave and it's very nice of you to volunteer. I will be thinking of you tonight. The story was hysterically funny at the end, your boo boo the only exception. Gywn |
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