Be Sure to Thank a Veteran Today

Just a little deviation from "vet stuff" for a bit to tell you about an extra-curricular activity I really enjoy through the little Methodist church where I'm a member. (And it relates to the Veterans Day holiday today.) Every year I write up some short Christmas letters and send them off to the soldiers through a program called "Troop Fan Mail." Here's their website: www.troopfanmail.net

They have some guidelines about the sizes of the "cards;" they actually prefer 81/2" by 11" sheets folded over. It is best not to dwell on how sad it must be for the soldiers not to be at home during the holidays, that they must be missing their families and friends. Instead I try to write a bit about myself, my job, my church, and my critters and how very, very much I appreciate those soldiers and their incredible dedication and sacrifices. I definitely keep my "politics" out of it! I may not support the war itself, but you better believe I support those young men and women who give so much of themselves and are put in harm's way every day. I try to get a couple hundred cards done and also send some money for postage, too. Most years I get a few responses and even develop pen-pal type relationships with one or two of these soldiers. My staff and clients often get into it with me, stocking and sending along care packages every few months or so when we can. It is such a little thing that makes us feel good. Now, wouldn't it be nice if this program wasn't needed in the future? We can only hope!

I did want to tell you an amazing story I heard today on VIN, the Veterinary Information Network where I often go for researching cases, looking up doses of new medications, consulting with specialists...and often just chatting with other veterinarians. The subject of the story was "Cruelty Case", so I was prepared for something pretty awful. Here's how it went:
The dog was brought in by the neighbor of the owner, a young woman who had a live-in boyfriend. The woman had to work all day so the boyfriend came home between work and classes at a university to let the dog out that afternoon. The woman received a phone call from the boyfriend saying "you need to decide--it's either me or the dog." She got home later that evening to find the dog's head swollen and the dog acting scared and painful. She called the neighbor for help, saying she was afraid BF had done something to the dog. The neighbor tried to get her to take the dog to the vet, but she said she'd wait to see how the dog was in the morning. The following morning she went to work, so the neighbor brought the dog in to see me. This dog's head was very, very swollen. She had extensive bruising, including scleral (whites of the eyes) bruising, bruising in the ears, and even some retinal hemorrhage in one eye. The neighbor was livid and told me he was going to "kick some a**." I told him to calm down, that I was going to give him some advice. I told him to leave the clinic and take the dog directly to Animal Control and file a complaint. I told him kicking a**, while it might feel good, would simply get HIM in trouble. It would be far better to deal with the matter legally. I also told him he needed to be prepared to come to court to testify. He said he would. I told him I would testify as well.

Long story short--court was today. I flew in for the case (I live in another state). I testified about the dog's injuries, emphasizing how painful the dog was. The neighbor testified to his involvement and to everything the owner had said the night it happened. Not surprisingly, the owner had taken the BF back, forgiven him, and now claimed she was sure it was an accident. The BF claimed he had thrown a toy at the dog because he was frustrated that she had urinated in the house, but had not intended to hit the dog and that the injuries were "accidental."

Judge: Don't, sir, stand there and tell me it was accidental. You were angry and you intentionally threw the toy at the dog.

BF: Yes, ma'am, but I didn't mean to hurt her. She's my best friend.

Judge: You mean it's OK to hit your best friend when you are frustrated?

BF: No, Your Honor, you don't understand. I was just frustrated--it had been a long day. I'm in school and working and it was just frustrating that she peed in the house. I didn't mean to hurt her. She's like a daughter to me.

Judge: Now that's a scary thought. That you think of her as your daughter and still thought it was OK to throw something at her simply because you were frustrated. If you think a dog peeing on the floor is frustrating, wait until you have a two year old child. You don't know the meaning of the word frustrating. And your reaction to frustration is scary. And the thought of you some day having a child that you think it's OK to do the same thing to is scary. You say you're taking classes?

BF: Yes, I'm a student at Regent University.

Judge: You're enrolled in classes this semester?

BF: Yes, Your Honor.

Judge: Well, you're about to miss some classes.

She then turned to the owner.
Judge: Ma'am, he gave you a choice when this happened of him or the dog. I can see that you are back with him. That was a mistake. Since you are having trouble deciding between him and the dog, I'm going to help you with that decision.

Back to the BF:
Judge: Sir, you will pay a $250 fine. I'm sentencing you to 6 months in jail, but am suspending five months. You will serve 30 days in jail. And you will not own or be in the same household with any companion animals for the next four years.

Back to the owner:
Judge: Ma'am, he's going to be in jail for 30 days. You have that time to decide between him and the dog because you can't have both. If he comes back to live with you, the dog becomes a ward of the court. If you keep the dog, he has to find somewhere else to live and cannot visit with you while the dog is there. Is that understood?

I want to send this judge the biggest bouquet of flowers ever, and a nice thank you card, and I don't even know what state, city, even country she is in! If I find out, I'll be sure to share it with you. What a GREAT human, and a true advocate for our animal friends.

Peace,
DrReneigh