Week of 1/10/11 Humane Happenings

By Eliana Aubin

Gunner at the campground before being rescued

At this time of the year, we see the worst in Human Nature…dogs and cats abandoned or left outdoors, even at night, in the freezing weather. Dogs especially- short hair dogs and very small dogs too - left out-of-doors in their yard in below freezing temperatures - no shelter available, their water bowl is frozen. Many of them are tied or chained – yes, chained - outside in the freezing cold. Our organization receives calls every day about dogs left outside in these extreme temperatures. What’s wrong with some people?

This time, this article wishes to share a heartwarming story of a stranger who went way out of his way to save a cat from certain death, a cat he didn’t even know. Yes, there IS hope for the Human Race.

In a campground in Santa Rosa, in Northern New Mexico, a man is taking a break from work and spending a few days of R&R in his RV. The ground is frozen and the campground is sparsely occupied at this time of the year. Something catches the man’s attention early one morning: a little ball of fur, all curled-up on the cement floor outside of the campground's restroom. It’s a small cat. He is very skinny under that dirty matted fur- and he is very scared. He hisses every time the man attempts to get closer.

The man is patient and he has a good heart. Within a couple of days, the little fur-guy has furtively investigated the RV and hesitantly accepted the man’s caresses and food. The man knows that his lifestyle and work habits do not allow a companion animal, even a cat. Some folks may have just left the animal to his fate – block one’s mind and ignore the animal altogether. The man chooses to go the compassionate way. He contacts sanctuaries and no-kill shelters in communities around the campground. No luck, no room for another cat anywhere. In a last attempt to save the little guy before moving on, the man e-mails Desert Haven, located half- way across the state. Here at Desert Haven, we weigh the situation and decide that we simply can’t turn our back on the man’s plea and on the helpless little fur-guy. If the man cares enough to deliver the cat to Desert Haven, we will make “room at the Inn”.

Gunner at Desert Haven, feelin' the love from Reba's ear scratches!

It takes several hours for the man to bring the cat all the way from Santa Rosa, and several more hours for him to return back to his RV in Santa Rosa campground, which he does right away so he can be back home to his RV before night. A remarkable story – a remarkable man. We call the little fur-guy “Gunner”. It’s the man’s last name.

Recently two DHAR resident dogs were taken to a veterinary hospital for emergency lifesaving surgeries. We are asking our animal loving friends who can do so to please help us cover the medical costs that are prohibitive for our small sanctuary. Make a donation via credit card easily by visiting our "Causes" page at  http://www.causes.com/causes/313794-desert-haven-animal-refuge. We can be contacted at 894-2778 or 740-4100 for more information.

Write us at POB 638 Williamsburg, NM 87942. Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. Meet us at www.Facebook/com/deserthaven. Desert Haven is open to the public every Tuesday.