Cruelty-Free: Roadside Rescues

A Christmas (Eve Day) Story

I have a story for you about something that happened last year on this day.  Christmas Eve is always a big event with our Italian family, so there’s lots of preparation and cooking — and of course, last minute shopping and giftwrapping — going on.  Last year, however, the holiday frenzy took a back seat to taking care of Pushkin, who during Christmas week was going into the pet hospital for daily IV fluid treatments.  I was on my way to pick up our beloved beagle, navigating a busy road that was even busier with holiday traffic, when I spotted something mixed in with the cacti at the side of the road: all I saw were big ears…and eyes too big for a rabbit.  I pulled over immediately, and there she was — the ugliest, cutest Boston Terrier you’ve ever seen.  I called to her and opened the car door.  I instantly regretted that I never put those couple of dog treats in my glove box, as I swore I would after my last roadside rescue.  Luckily, this little treasure — let’s call her Christmas –jumped right in without having to be enticed.

Tip #1:  Keep a couple of dog biscuits in a little ziplock baggie in your glove box.  Don’t have any in the pantry?  Ask a neighbor with a dog, or stop by a local pet store — they usually have free treats at the register for their canine customers, and I’m sure they would gladly give you a couple if you explained.

With Christmas safely in my car, we proceeded to the pet hospital.  She didn’t have any tags, but she was a lover.  She just looked at me with those big, trusting eyes — I knew she belonged to someone.  The first thing we did when I brought her inside was check for a microchip.  Alas, there was no microschip to help us reunite her with her guardian.

Tip #2:  If a dog doesn’t have tags, take her to any nearby vet or pet hospital so they can scan for a microchip.
              (corollary: If you own a dog, please make sure she wears her tags, and please have her microchipped!)

I was adamant that this little sweetie was not going to animal control, who put down 70% of all animals who come through the door.  The Humane Society was an hour across town, so that wasn’t an option coming up on Christmas Eve and so close to dinner time.  I did, however, call the Humane Society and make an initial report, just in case her guardian was looking for her and thought to call them.

Tip #3: Report a found dog to the local Humane Society.

Christmas and I picked up Pushkin, and the three of us decided to revisit the scene and cruise the neighborhood.  We were looking out  for anyone walking around who looked like (s)he might be searching for a missing dog.  No such luck.  But we did come across a father and daughter who led us to some “dog people” in the neighborhood.  They were an older couple who, as a nice twist to the story, previously had three Boston Terriers as family members. Unfortunately, they didn’t recognize Christmas as one of the neighborhood park’s regulars, but now I had allies in my mission to reconnect her with her guardian.

Tip #4:  Dog people know other dog people (and dogs)  in their neighborhood. 
Tip #5:  Dog people are instant allies if you need some assistance.

Since my middle child Otis is not always Mr. Congeniality with other canines, I didn’t think bringing Christmas home for the holidays was such a great idea — only a last resort.  My new “neighbors” helped us out.  It took some coaxing to get her out of my car, but  this little precious package was left in loving arms, once the couple and I exchanged phone numbers and I was assured that they would not take her to the shelter.  The happy ending: by using the internet (Facebook!), the couple was able to reunite our little Christmas with her guardian only three days later. 

Tip #6:  The internet is your friend.  It’s easier now than ever to reach out to the community.  See Missing Pets Search for more advice and ways to connect when you’ve found a dog, or yours goes missing.

Christmas stories with happy endings are wonderful, but roadside rescues happen everyday.  Why not create happy endings throughout the year?

Cruelty Free: Holiday Gifts

During our first shared holiday season, my partner Seth found an envelope on the tree that included a certificate from The Elephant Sanctuary; I’d adopted an elephant in his name. There were other gifts for him that year, but this one made as big an impression on him, I think, as that little black dress I wore on New Year’s Eve.

For many years, I’ve included animal welfare organizations in my holiday shopping.  It can be fun trying to pick organizations or animal adoptees that I think a person will especially appreciate.  For some bird-watching friends, a donation to The Audubon Society might be a good choice.   My advice to you this season: stretch your imagination a bit and get creative.    If you’re buying presents for children, adopting an animal in their name also provides a great way to begin a conversation with them about caring for our planet and all living things — the perfect opportunity to awaken in them at an early age a sense of social responsibility. 

Can’t let go of the idea of having big boxes wrapped up in festive paper and topped with ribbons and bows?  Some organizations will provide other materials like stuffed animal toys or cookie cutters that will make for a nice presentation under the tree. Or else you can think of a little “token” — be it a stuffed toy from the local toy store, a jewelry charm in the shape of an animal, or an inexpensive keychain with an animal shape or picture – that you can purchase on your own.

Favorites from Christmases Past & Present:

• The Elephant Sanctuary
  “Adoptions” start at just $35 for three months.  You’ll get a personalized certificate, a photo of your elephant, a bumper sticker, a subscription to the Sanctuary’s newsletter and an invitation to visit. 
• Oceana
  Adoptions start at $35, and that will get you a cookie cutter shaped like your adopted animal; for $50, you’ll get a a stuffed animal toy.  Great idea for kids!  Considering my 3 year-old nephew and I already have matching “Save the Seals” T-shirts, I’m thinking a little toy seal under the tree might be just the right gift from Aunt Sha this year.  Or maybe Santa is going to adopt a polar bear for him.  Santa might like this idea —  the bears are his neighbors at the North Pole
• Donations to Organizations
  Supporting the animals doesn’t have to be an expensive gift.  If you want to add just a little $10 stocking stuffer to your holiday offerings, there are countless organizations to whom you can make a donation.  Most will provide you with a card or certificate to present, or you can always create your own on the home computer.  Here are just a few organizations on my grown-up Christmas list:
  • Bideawee is the New York organization responsible for connecting me with my first treasure, Pushkin the beagle.  They have a “Second Start” program for abandoned dogs and cats.  They took care of a very sick little beagle until he was well enough for someone to adopt.  This year, in Pushkin’s honor, our family contributed to this cause — to help out some other little one who needs a second chance for a new life and a loving home.
  • The Humane Society of the United States is one of the largest animal welfare organizations, with its branches reaching into legislature as well as rescue and public awareness.  From farm animals to companion animals, the HSUS is doing amazing work on behalf of all creatures great and small.  
  • ASPCA focuses on fighting animal cruelty.  Since I’m currently a law student intending to specialize in animal law, not surprising that I highly encourage everyone to support the efforts of this group. 

You get the idea.  The list could go on and on…

One more BIG holiday suggestion:
Please do NOT give living and breathing Christmas presents — even if the person you have in mind has been talking about adopting!  The family dog I grew up with and who was in our family for eighteen years was a holiday gift from friends, but Oreo got lucky with us. Too often, animals given as presents wind up being handed over to someone else or returned to a shelter because they aren’t a “good fit”  for the family. 
But wait…

• “Pet Promise” Certificate
  This allows the recipient to adopt the pet of their choice, and the giver promises to cover all adoption fees for the new pet.  The certificate specifies “adopt a homeless pet” so there’s no confusion — adopt rather than shop!  Shelters, not breeders!  With all the animals at shelters facing euthansia, there are countless who need rescuing; and the no-kill organizations need our support, too.  The perfect way to give the gift of an adopted pet in a responsible way!

Happy Holidays,
Sharon

P.S. For me, it all started with a whale named Cannonball, who I adopted  when I was just a kid  through a program by Bubbalicious bubblegum.  This blog entry is dedicated to him