‘They Were Thriving Under Their Care’

“The dogs were bewildered and watched us walk out the gates,” Lisa wrote on Facebook. “The looks on their faces made me cry when things quieted down and I had time to think about it. I have to admit that I felt guilty leaving them there.”

The couple returned to the prison the next morning with food for the dogs – which, along with the feelings of guilt, wasn’t necessary.

“The inmates had handled breakfast beautifully,” Lisa wrote. “They were getting the dogs out for exercise and cleaning their runs… I have never, ever seen anyone clean up dog poop with such glee.”

Nor had she ever seen the dogs so comfortable around strangers. “[They] were thriving under their care,” Lisa wrote, “and had wagging tales and smiles on their faces.”

Thankfully, DDRA survived the Sand Fire. All the dogs returned to their home July 30.

“Can pretty much guarantee that when they are all safely in their kennels snoring,” Lisa wrote, “I’m going to melt into a huge puddle of tears from sheer thankfulness and relief.”

For more information about the rescue, visit the Deaf Dog Rescue of America website.

L.A. Detention Center May Get an Animal Shelter

Coincidentally, while the inmates at the Lancaster prison were caring for the displaced deaf dogs, L.A. County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich proposed that, to help with overcrowding in animal shelters, a new one should be built at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic.

In his proposal, Antonovich cited successful prison programs similar to Lancaster’s Paws for Life.

“Such a program could be a cost-effective and progressive way to integrate the needed care of animals with positive benefits to our inmates,” he wrote.

The feasibility of such a shelter is being analyzed by county animal welfare officials and the sheriff’s department. A report on their findings is expected later this month.

Photo credit: YouTube

ooOOoo

While one reads such accounts of how dogs are loved there’s a part of me that remains optimistic about the future.