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The fireworks of the 4th of July, and surrounding days are notorious for terrorizing pets and causing unexpected and sometimes disasterous behaviors.  Owners often underestimate the impact of unexpected explosions on their furry friends.  I had the opportunity yesterday to help with a lost dog (or two), both with happy endings.  Not all such situations end happily.

It was a sleepy July 4th morning, with me playing on facebook.  Up pops a post from my friend Rita, who is in Europe for the summer.  She had gotten a report from a neighbor that her dog was missing; last seen the previous evening several blocks away at the neighborhood grocery store.  Now, many of you know, I am an animal rescue nut.  Helping animals is my passion.  There was no question but I would help.  Fortunatley Rita had a photo of Greta on her laptop, with her and posted this photo to facebook.

Greta

 I threw together some “Lost” posters using a program through Best Friends Animal Society and headed over to Rita’s neighborhood in North Portland.  There happens to be a very reputible and popular vet close to her, so I posted the flyer on their door as they were closed,  figuring they’d find it when they opened.  I drove around the neighborhood, realizing I really didn’t know it that well, and didn’t have enough posters to plaster everywhere.  I headed to Rita’s house in search of some ideas and for lack of a better plan.  And there, across the street, was my best resource:  a somewhat elderly lady clutching a small white dog, watching the comings  and goings of the neighborhood.  As I explained myself, she lit up (this could have gone either way right).  She was worried sick about Greta, was angry that she was missing at all and filled me in on all the neighborhood scuttlebutt.  Rita has a tenant, who was to be looking after Greta in Rita’s absence.  Clearly the tenant has not been particularly responsible about this. 

The neighbor agreed to post my posters as she REALLY had a bettter idea of the neighborhood.   I planned to refresh her supply the next day.  I then, would go to work on the internet, as that is more my forte.  As I left, the neighbor suggested I check with Dove Lewis, portland’s 24 hour state of the art, emergency vet.  Yeah, yeah, I’d check with them, along with a variety of sites and postings.  But when I got home, I somehow went to Dove Lewis Lost and Found Pets first and posted Greta’s lost profile.  Only then did it occur to me to check the “Found” listings.  There she was!!  Oh, she looked a bit different and they had aged her at four (she must have good teeth) when her real age is closer to ten.  Greta has those spots on her nose and shoulders which are quite distinctive, so I was pretty sure it was her. She had been picked up by some good samaritans in Rita’s neighborhood, and brought in to Dove Lewis at 11:00pm.  Holiday schedules and low funding had prevented the Multnomah County Animal Control from picking her up sooner, so she was actually still at Dove Lewis, a 365 day a year, 24 hour business.  I called the neighbor and let her know I’d be bringing Greta home, texted Rita the good news and set off for Dove Lewis.

But wait, as I pulled out of my driveway, there stood a lovely, but somewhat aging golden retriever, whom I did not recognize (animal nuts like myself know who their neighbor dogs are).  Leash in hand I hopped out and leashed the dog (no collar, but a slip knot worked).  I was about to put said golden in my garage until I had time for him, but down the sidewalk came a dad and his boys, “We just let him out and then he was gone!”.  We led the dog back to their house, and as we approached they took the leash off  thinking the dog would head to his yard. But remember, panicked dogs don’t act like they usually do, so this guy headed again toward my house.  I was able to get him again, and this time led him to his basement, where a nicely asked the owners to please keep him for the night.

Now, to Dove Lewis to retrieve Greta.  Dove Lewis was BUSY.  They are usually busy, but animals do wierd things when panicked; they eat unusual things, they injure themselves, they are more likely to fight, and they run away.  So Dove Lewis was REALLY BUSY.  An amount of $’s and time later, and Greta was sprung; sedative prescription in hand for the coming night’s fireworks.  I drove her home, and with the neighbor’s help talked with the tenant explaining what Greta would need: to be kept insode, a dose of the sedative later and to be closely watched when she was outside.

A little late, I headed to friends to BBQ and take in the fireworks over Portland, feeling good about those I had helped, but a bit worried a few less lucky dogs and cats.

Please play it safe, keep your pets inside; such an easy thing to do can prevent so much.  Also, make note, the hero here is the unknown person whp took the time late on a Saturday night, to pick up Greta and take her to Dove Lewis.  Without that, Greta could easily still be out there, scared more than ever by last night’s revelry.