Week of 9/15/13 Humane happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Charlotte; Desert Haven Adoption Coordinator

This week, we wish to share a story: A person was driving on HWY 187 on her way to TorC when she noticed a dog walking along the busy road at a steady pace, then crossing it and walking back at the same pace, back and forth. As she drove by the female dog, she wondered why this dog was there, pacing the road as she did. Hours later, on her way back, she saw the same dog, still walking back and forth on that same road stretch.

This time, she knew she had to stop. Perhaps the poor animal was lost. Most likely, she had been abandoned on that road, somewhere in that general area. She realized the dog would not stay alive for much longer, walking on the busy road as she was. She picked her up. She could not take her home, since she already had a house full of companion animals, so she asked for help at Desert Haven, located a few miles away. The paws on this girl-dog were flattened and raw, obviously from her extended period of pacing the road back and forth in an attempt to wait for her owner to come back for her.

Charlotte, DHAR Animal Care & Adoption Coordinator, had to break the news to Christine, the good Samaritan: “No room at the Inn at this time”. However, she immediately offered the help of our animal welfare organization in other ways, through both DHAR Petfinder and Facebook pages and also the weekly HUMANE HAPPENINGS column in our local newspapers. Charlotte also oversees the Adopt-a-Pet Referral program, which helps individuals who need to give up a pet connect with folks who want to share their home with one.

This story has a good ending: the very next day, thanks to everyone involved, the otherwise doomed female dog found a forever home – the perfect match for her and a gentleman who had been looking for one just like her for a while. Christine, who saved a life by getting involved – needed to find a new home for several kittens and cats and Charlotte connected her with folks who were looking for cats and kittens. Contact us at Desert Haven at 575-894-1694 or e-mail us at weR4pets@gmail.com