Sunny and Cher – and So Many Others – Capture the Hearts of Animal Services

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It had been a busy week, and San Diego County Animal Control Lt. Kalani Hudson was just hours from her weekend on Nov. 19 when a puppy whose ears had been sliced off arrived at the Central Shelter.

A woman had found the Labrador-Sheppard mix by a Dumpster in Mission Valley. Only about 4 weeks old, the pup’s wounds were raw and painful, his stomach bloated from parasites, Hudson said.

But when offered food, he wolfed it with such gusto he hardly flinched as shelter staff inspected his gaping sores.

“No matter how many years you’ve done this job…this was just one of those that gets to you,” said Hudson. She headed into her weekend troubled by the dog’s suffering and the knowledge that someone had hurt him intentionally.

The story of “Sunny,” who was later joined by earless sister “Cher,” has captivated the public and the media. Both dogs have recovered well, and hundreds of people have applied to adopt them.

But Hudson and other DAS employees have a more complicated way of looking at it. While they are celebrating the dogs’ bright outlook – for which they deserve credit – their daily mission to treat and find homes for thousands of equally dear animals, with their own unique stories, remains a challenge.

Still, Hudson said she was deeply moved by the dogs whose ears were probably cut off with a pair of scissors or a serrated knife, possibly in Tijuana. She said when she first met Cher at the Central Shelter on Dec. 7, she assumed Sunny had returned for a visit from his foster home.

“I turned around and said, ‘Sunny’s here,’” Hudson recalled.

She said she was “dumbfounded” when she learned it was a second dog, with the same awful injuries.

A Good Samaritan found Cher on the streets of Tijuana and took her to a veterinarian. After Cher’s wounds were treated, a veterinary assistant brought the puppy from Mexico to the County shelter.

Sunny and Cher appear to be from the same litter, and someone may have cut off their ears to try to pass them off for sale as pit bulls, Hudson said.

 By coincidence, on the same day, on different sides of the border, the siblings underwent surgery to help their wounds heal correctly, Hudson said.

The “Spirit Fund” paid for Sunny’s procedure, DAS Medical Operations Manager David Johnson said.

Built solely on private donations, including many from County employees, the Spirit Fund helps about four to six animals a month who can benefit from specialized veterinary care, Johnson said.

Johnson and Hudson both watched on Dec. 14 as Sunny and Cher reunited at the Central Shelter. About a dozen local media outlets were there too.

Sunny, the bigger puppy , growled at first and tackled his sister. But the good-natured Cher trotted after her brother, unfazed. Soon, both were tugging at colorful doggie toys, seemingly playing to the cameras.

Johnson said it’s no surprise so many people have applied to take the dogs home.

“The animals with a unique or sad story, they’re almost guaranteed a home,” he said. “But I have right now hundreds of dogs and cats with just as unique stories.”

Hudson agreed.

“Some of the most heart-wrenching, or some of the sweetest or saddest stories never make it to the news,” she said.

SDCCU Opens New Branch

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San Diego County Credit Union is proud to announce the opening of our 28th branch office. Our new branch is located at 625 College Boulevard in Oceanside, in the Towne Center North Shopping Center. The branch is open Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Join us on Saturday, January 22nd for the official Grand Opening celebration. There will be food, drinks, entertainment and an opportunity to win great prizes. For more information and a list of SDCCU’s branch offices visit sdccu.com or call toll-free, 1-877-732-2848.

"Antsy" Dog a Perfect Fit for Polinsky Center

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”Hi, my name is Otis.  Welcome to Polinsky Children’s Center.  I work here, too, with my human buddy, Ms. Angela, a therapist with the JFS Crisis Team.”

Here is my story:

When it was time for me to leave my parents, I went to these neat humans at Paws’itive Teams who raise dogs for people in wheelchairs.

I went to doggie school for over two years and learned all kinds of ways to help a person.  I can open cabinet doors, pick up keys, put laundry in the basket and get the phone.  I can even get my own leash when it is time to take a walk!  I love being outside and watch birds and play ball.

After doggie school, it finally became time to find a human for me who I can help.  I was really excited when I met "Rob" (not his real name). I liked him right away and he liked me as well.  But then something very silly happened.  I became too wiggly and antsy because there were birds and squirrels. Boy, do I love chasing these critters.  For a moment, I forgot that I had to do a job with "Rob" and jumped after a bird.  Now, when a person is in a wheelchair they can’t plant their feet on the ground and stop a leashed dog from running after a critter.  Unfortunately, I pulled "Rob" and his wheelchair a bit before I realized that I had lost my head.

Nobody was really mad at me because all I did was act like a dog. At the same time it was clear that I couldn’t work with somebody in a wheelchair.  I needed a new career and a job where I can help people in other ways.

I have a doggie pal named Annie.  She was trained like me and being with a person in a wheelchair wasn’t the right job for her, either.  She was placed at a school with her human buddy, Stacey.

My trainer from Paws’itive Teams, Chris, and her friends were thinking where I could go and came up with the idea that I should work with kids like Annie does.  I was all for that because kids are fun to be with.  They like many things I love, like playing ball and running.  Sometimes it’s hard just to sit around and be quiet for them, too.  Don’t get me wrong, I love to lie around and take naps.  I also like to get petted and I am an excellent listener.                             

Chris and her friends contacted Polinsky Children’s Center to see if I could work here.  As it turned out, one of the therapists, Ms. Angela, was looking for a new dog and wanted one she could bring to work.  We met and hit it off right away. I am her therapy dog.  That means I come to work with her and help her when she talks and plays with some of the kids here.  I also make visits to the kids and staff.                                       

That is how I got here.  Now everybody is happy. "Rob" got a new dog, Chauncey, and I get to work with the children at PCC.  It just took finding the right place for me.

When you see me, make sure to ask Ms. Angela whether it is o.k. to pet me.  Sometimes we are working on something where I can’t be interrupted.  Asking a dog owner first is always a good idea!  Oh, and that funny thing over my nose is called a Gentle Leader.  It helps me stay focused when I get distracted.  It doesn’t hurt but it does get itchy and I like to rub my nose on people to get it off. 

See you on campus,

Your doggie pal,

OTIS

County Operations Center Parking Structure Opens Dec. 20

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The County Operations Center Parking Structure will open for County use on Monday, Dec. 20.

Parking and Traffic Changes:

 

  •         Parking structure entries:
    • Via the Hazard Way Gate through the parking lot
    • Directly from Farnham Street
  •         Visitors will be directed to enter the parking structure via the Farnham Street entrance
  •         The Hazard Way Gate is now open
  •         Visitor and Carpool Parking is available on the Level 1
  •         Open/unassigned staff parking will be available on Levels 2, 3, and 4
  •         There is no charge for parking. Parking is available only for County visitors and staff; parking for off-site users is not allowed.

Valet and Parking Shuttle services will end on Friday December 17, 2010. The existing Farnham Gate campus entry will be closed starting Monday, December 20, 2010. Access to the Medical Examiner & Forensic Center and campus support buildings remains via Overland Avenue. 

For immediate questions or concerns please contact me or Ted Giesing, Project Management Advisors, Inc. at (858) 704 -1980 or tedg@pmainc.com.