Boo Boo Lives On
This is a rough story. The crime here is not only what happened, but if our societal apathy does nothing about it. I have wept many tears over the loss of so many animals, but none has gripped me as deeply as this. Seldom have I cried so hard I couldn't breathe. PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS, GROUPS, ENEMIES, EVERYONE - AND ASK THEM TO DO THE SAME. This chain effect will honor Boo Boo. Let's turn this little puppy's tragedy into an avalanche of love and positive results.
BOO BOO - Died Saturday April 8, 10: 30 AM.
May you rest in peace my sweet pity-pit.
Last Wednesday an email was circulated from a rescue advocate about Boo Boo: "Boo Boo is a sweet 5 month old in ISO where the public can not see him - he is in great danger. He was admitted on March 29 with extensive trauma from a car accident. He was brought in for emergency veterinarian treatment and is on antibiotics, and other medications. He is available for adoption since April 2 and will require further treatment by his new family."
I contacted my friends in the animal rescue community. A friend of mine was to pick up Boo Boo at the shelter today (Saturday), and drive him to San Diego where he would get emergency treatment. When I called the shelter this morning, I spoke with a man who could barely assemble a sentence, let alone conceptualize the concept of compassion. I asked to speak with the woman in the background who seemed to be answering the questions. She was apathetic and unfeeling. She wouldn't release the dog to me unless I had the 501c, was there with it, and wouldn't take a credit card or my check unless I was there. "It's just policy" she said.
Fortunately, the rescue group had a friend Daniel Guss who met my friend Rad there to pick up Boo Boo. There was no parking - the lot was full, being used by a business neighbor, and the shelter wasn't doing nor does nothing to prevent this - so potential adopters have no where to park.
When my friend went in to get Boo Boo, he called me crying - he said the dog's brains were falling out and he was bleeding. Thank God Dan was there - he had the strength in the moment to see that since March 29 this dog should have been put down. This dog had been IN PAIN AND SUFFERING INHUMANELY SINCE MARCH 29!
It gets worse. The staff wasn't going to give the dog any pain medication for the drive to San Diego, "there were budget problems". Dan knew the facilities general manager and called him. We had to pay a $76 fee to adopt Boo Boo, and then had him put to sleep. But the shelter was kind enough to extend us a "credit" to adopt another dog! (Please forgive me - but what the fuck is wrong with these God damn assholes!) We had to PAY to do what they should have done over a week ago. Who knows how God damn long this dog would have suffered had we not come in this day. I'm glad for the sake of this poor animal that we were there in his time of need!
Dan was allowed to be in the room with Boo Boo to honor him in his passing - to apologize to him for our lack of humanity - to assure him that he was going onto a better place, and would romp in fields forever and ever. He held him, kissed him, and cried over him while he was euthanized. As Dan felt him relax, he knew that Boo Boo was no longer in pain. He did not shudder like the many animals that are euthanized ahead of their time mercilessly by these horrible kill shelters - Boo Boo relaxed and went where he should have gone almost 10 days ago. May God bless him.
The crime here is that Boo Boo is not the only case like this. The blessing, the miracle, is that we were there to end this angels suffering. I am ashamed of our society, of our lack of humanity. The greatest country on earth? Democracy? People of faith? Who are we kidding? If I wrote what I truly felt here, I would be served a warrant for verbal assault - but it is situations like this that make me pray to God with all my might that He exists and that there is a hell for those who can let situations like this occur simply because of "the rules" or "budgetary concerns". Apathy and ignorance have killed our collective soul - and we are too stupid and blind to see the pain and suffering - its theses wonderful gifts from God, these puppies, that are suffering the pain of our sin of omission. God damn this to hell.
The crime here will be if you do nothing. In the movie Network, the now-famous phrase was coined "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore". Well - if you feel anything, if you can imagine holding a puppy in your arms and watching him die - then shout to the top of your lungs and demand this be noticed. If we don't force change, there will be many more Boo Boo's in our future. And God save our souls for when we are judged on how we lived, it will NOT be looked upon favorably.
I would like to acknowledge with all the love in my heart Boo Boo - you are angel now my sweet pity-pit - I look forward to rubbing your little tummy in the not to distant future. Until then, Boo Boo - go chase those birdies and squirrels! My friend Rad for his passion and friendship - who has helped me with more than one rescue. To Dan, who has become a kindred spirit at this most crucial time in our quest to protect animals. And Beth, one of many Saints who work arduously to save as many beloved dogs as we can.
REST IN PEACE BOO BOO
As it turns out, the "operating room" (term used loosely) at East Valley is pathetic and filthy. Your garage is cleaner! According to Ed, head of the shelter - they are a work in progress, and change takes time.
I called to get Boo Boo's body. I spoke to the front desk: "I don't know nothing about that - I wasn't working yesterday." Then Ruby in the back kennel picked up my. She put me on hold to see if the animal had been "put on hold... if it wasn't in the freezer, it might have been picked up by sanitation." Then Officer Dancy picked up the line and tried to play hardball with me. I asked here what she "as an officer of"trying to get my story straight. Her junior DA attitude - void of any level of compassion given the circumstances was vile. She wasn't qualified to be a guard at K-Mart. She demanded my name and number. I assured her she would find out, but more importantly I had hers - and hung up.
Ed returned my emails and phone call - and was 100% politically correct - I will give him that. But BE CLEAR - work in progress or not, a shake up is in order. Either terminate staff and retrain those people, or resign. This will get ugly if we do not see immediate results. I am in no mood for politics, red tape or delays. Change occurs as fast as we agree to implement change.
I never found out if Boo Boo was "sanitized" or if Ed put the body in the freezer for me to pick up.
In hindsight - someone owned Boo Boo. They either were a loving family who lost their pet and are a mess, or they were abusers. We don't know if the dog was mauled or hit by a car. The shelter won't admit to what happened - surely they are expert enough to judge this. Sad that they are so concerned about protecting their petty asses that they have sold their souls over something like this. I would like to see the look on the persons face who owned the mauling dog, or hit Boo Boo with his car when he sees the ire of this group, the international press we will get. Karma is fast, swift and merciless - and with your help we can affect change - NOW! Let's make Boo Boo the poster dog of love forever and ever.
With my deepest appreciation and love,
Mark