Just was thinking a few thing a few hours ago that are kinda important to speak out loud. I remember doing a donkey rescue after a thunder storm in high water, I look back know and realize how STUPID that was because up until a few hours ago I COULD NOT SWIM. I also remember getting struck by a pick-up truck on Von Ormy road, the Marshals department did nothing to look for the hit and run driver (that was probably drunk and a resident of Von Ormy) I got hit in the back, alone on a unlit side road and was knocked unconscious for a few minutes (till Tallis Suarez came along) the poodle that was STILL in the catch pole was run over dead in the street, 2 inches from the gravel shoulder. I still have the mirror on my wall of shame. We use to put the chains of dogs we liberated on a shed wall in the back, all sorts of chains in different sizes from Dollar General cheapos to almost logging chains around 20 pound dogs. One night the damn wall tore off the 16 penny nails we used to put it on the shed, now we keep the bolt cutters that have worn out, or have been dulled because the pile of chains was worth recycling instead of keeping them as trophys... You can ask Susie Reno Michalczak about us flat out chasing dogs through wooded areas, on trails that were littered with used needles and broken liquor bottles. Ask her about the time Tallis was chasing a dog and just POW!! disappeared outta sight falling into a hole he didnt know was there. We all laughed so hard, but I was happy he was unhurt. I remember sliding down steep embankments chasing after puppies displaced after the rains in Espada Park, hoping that I would be able to climb back up after the hunt was over. I remember running in and out of cars trying to catch a poor scared Beagle on IH-35 while Tallis held flare to stop the oncoming cars, when I looked back at him it looked like a scene out of The Rock with him frantically waving his arms at cars and trucks to no avail. When I grabbed Floppy a car past right by my back leg and I swear I could feel the air pressure trying to pull me under. I remember going into a crack house to save two dogs that I had no hope of detoxing, but luckily Jacqueline Stark took MANY months and countless hours soothing them back into being a normal healthy animal for a family. I knew that we had a short time to get them out as the owners of the house were right around the corner. I do remember that Lauren Kempel and her husband drove between them and us allowing us to escape without being followed. As exciting as all these stories are (and the hundred untold) the MOST important thing I can tell all of you is to be SAFE!!! A few weeks ago we lost a fellow rescuer in a traffic accident as MOST drivers could give a shit about avoiding an animal in the road much less a person because they are eating, texting, talking on the phone or just not paying attention. Dont be a fool, do NOT try and capture animals unless you know what you are doing as getting bit is painful and may cause the animal its life. DO go out with a buddy, DO have protective gear (even if its homemade) DO tell people where you are going. DO NOT become a victim/causality/statistic. I know MANY of you have actually BEEN around when we try and do some crazy ass shit, do as I say and not as I do, I get yelled at by my wife, kids, and Tallis enough to know when I do stupid, risky shit. I took a little time to think this out and tell you as I age, I take less risks (pause for laughter) Together Tallis and I have been in many counties, seized many animals, but we have always had law enforcement by our side. We are saving our pennies for Bullet proof vests and better capture equipment. We are trying to petition out state Representative to pass new laws protecting the rescue groups, insuring the punishment of people that hurt or kill personal during rescue efforts for man or beast. Until that time, WATCH each others backs, we need every solider in this war and we can scarcely afford to lose any one of you. For the woman that lost her life trying to rescue that poor animal out of traffic, I mourn your passing, the world is a little bit darker for the loss of your light. May your family find comfort in this time of need, and may JUSTICE be done to the person that killed her.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 00:06:35 +0000
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