'Tis said that every house has a story'...and every human life has a
story.
Many books and movies have been written and filmed
about animals...from horses to dogs to even lions.
Several
weeks ago, we heard about Foster
whose rescue was 'front-page-news' with his photo everywhere...and
everyone in East Hamilton looking for him. Jon Wells researched this
story which , on August 26 was published in The Hamilton Spectator.
In case you missed it, here are excerpts from his writing:
Best
Friends: Hamilton's Rescue Dog Culture
“The
air in the valley was warm and still. Thunder boomed, darkness fell
and it rained. It was the fourth day Foster was loose. He bit at
the leash he was still dragging around, trying to cut it away. At
one point, middle of the night, the black and white Australian
cattle-dog-mix trotted down the centre line of a road. He might have
been killed at any moment, but a truck followed close behind at low
speed, his roof light on, warning cars to stay clear of the compact
38-pound canine.
“Foster
picked the right city to go missing in.
The guy at the wheel, Ken Price, is part of Hamilton's crazy-dog
community.
The
sign on his truck says Dream
Team Search and Rescue Tracking.
“He
figures the volunteer group has helped find and catch 300 run-away
dogs in the last couple of years in Hamilton and as far away as North
Bay. But more than a dozen volunteers searching for Foster after he
ran away Sunday, July 30, discovered that locating the dog was one
thing ~ catching him another.
“He
is a 'rescue' originally from the dog-hostile streets of Taiwan.
Rescue dogs ~ strays or dogs in poor living conditions
that otherwise would be euthanized ~ are resilient and sometimes
fearful
which makes them the toughest to reel in.
“Eleven
days passed. Still no luck despite near 24/7 surveillance,
night-vision cameras and traps set with bait. Foster bounced around
King's Forest Golf Course in the Red Hill Valley. When he started
letting volunteers into his space without fleeing, Price knew this
was the moment to 'play the ace card'. He called Brian who had been
looking for a dog a few months ago. He is 30, lives alone in
Kitchener, works at a software startup and wanted a companion, one he
could take on runs.
A friend convinced him: “Adopt, don't shop ~ get a rescue dog.”
“Foster
hailed from a rescue operation in Taiwan called Mary's Doggies,
founded by a woman named Mary Christine Choi. The description on her
website said Foster
was a happy, playful goofy boy.
He
arrived in Hamilton via the Etobicoke Humane Society. Jacklin adopted
through Hammer City Paws Rescue and was introduduced to Foster at
the dog-friendly Munchie's Coffee House and Bakery on Upper Gage
Avenue. Jacklin held out his hand in the cafe...and Foster placed his
paw on top. He called him nicknames: Oreo,
Dingo, Fostie, Fozzie Bear. Loving
him on-sight, Brian took him back to his home...however, apartment
living did not agree with him....so felt he had to return him to
Hammer City Paws Rescue. He talked to Foster...cuddled him...shed
tears.
“Gila
Pyke, a foster owner on the east Mountain agreed to take him. That
same night when opening her car door, he bolted for the Red Hill
Valley. She felt awful for not properly tethering his leash. His
escape sounded the 'dog whistle' to the rescue community, including
the Dream
Team. One
of the volunteers searching was Stephanie Baran, who when growing up
was socially awkward says that a lot of people like her, gravitate to
dogs...often they're easier to get along with than humans and 'Dogs
are not judgemental and will love you unconditionally. It takes
patience and intuition to live in harmony with a dog that cannot
communicate in your language.
“The
critical final step in finally catching Foster was when Brian Jackson
returned to Hamilton on Thursday night, August 10. Price told him
to bring clothes, pillow cases...anything with his scent on it. The
items were laid out at the golf course to lure Foster. Jacklin
called out, “Fostie! Fozzy Bear!”
Eventually,
Foster walked to the 16th
green and sat on the grass.
Jacklin sat nearby. Foster ran and nearly bowled him over.
Jacklin drove home in his empty car...sad to leave the sweet boy, but
believed he was safe; smudges from the dog's nose still dotting the
window from 11 days earlier.
“Gila
Pyke has Foster until a suitable home can be found to adopt him. He
is the most anxious dog she has fostered, she says. When she got him
home, he never left her side.
He even sat on her feet in the shower.
“A
reporter visits and Foster is wary of the stranger...his tail curled
between his legs, but he is also calm and gentle...and eats pieces of
bacon tenderly off his hand. Eventually, Foster even offers his paw.
As for Foster, 'Who knows what's next for him? He is only 2 years
old!
Distant rain is in the air. He is living entirely in the moment.”
Dogs are some of the most loyal creatures in the world;
there's
a reason why they are known as 'Man's Best Friend.'
Dog
Wears Her Owner's Pajamas:
Molly has a habit of putting her folded pajamas under her pillow
before making the bed. While she was still a pup, her dog, Abby,
used to get really lonely and in her absence, so she'd often jump
onto her bed...drag Molly's clothes out...and sleep on them in the
hallway.
However, recently a career opportunity forced Molly to move to
another town, so she left Abby with her parents. She visits
frequently, but still misses her 4-legged friend dearly. Last week,
her parents called to tell her how they came home from shopping, to
be greeted by Abby wearing her pajamas!
Dog
Saves Pet Tortoise:
Last month, there was a fire at Sam's apartment. Thankfully, Sam,
his family and their pet dog managed to get out in time. However,
once safely outside, it occurred to Sam that they'd left their pet
tortoise behind. Then Sam looked at his dog...and saw him holding
the tortoise gently in his mouth. When it comes down to friendship,
animals can teach us a thing or two.
Dog
Buys Groceries at the Store for his Owner:
Grant runs a small grocery shop; one of his regulars is a Royal
poodle called Albert. He belongs to an old lady who finds it hard
to walk. Every day, Albert trots into the store...gets in line...and
waits patiently for his turn at the counter, holding a small package
in his mouth. The package contains some money, a shopping list and a
string bag. All Grant needs to do is take the money...fill the bag
with goods...and give it back to the dog.
Dog
Empathizes with Owner Who Lost Leg:
Peter lost his leg in an accident a year ago. Right now, the best
psychological support that anyone gives him is from his pet Labrador,
Princess. Whenever they go for a walk, she deliberately bends one of
her hind paws (periodically shifting from one to the other), hopping
along on three paws instead of four. Clearly, she is doing this to
show her empathy.
Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...August 27. 2017
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