{"id":4765,"date":"2012-02-03T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-02-03T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/homeless-with-dogs-help-us-help-them\/"},"modified":"2012-02-03T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2012-02-03T12:00:00","slug":"homeless-with-dogs-help-us-help-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/homeless-with-dogs-help-us-help-them","title":{"rendered":"Homeless with Dogs: Help Us Help Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
Homeless with Dogs cofounder Patricia Zaid (second from left) and \u201cmost frequent volunteer\u201d Marisela Kruckenberg receive delighted thanks from a best friend. <\/em><\/p>\n

10:45am | <\/strong>You\u2019ve seen them on the street dividers, on sidewalks in front of businesses, in shopping centers\u2014 people who live on the street or in hidden enclaves for a number of reasons. Sometimes, there are dogs with them, or even a cat. You may be torn between thoughts of \u201cI have to give them something, or that animal will starve\u201d or \u201cHow dare they play with my emotions?\u201d or \u201cWhat are they doing with a pet anyway?\u201d <\/p>\n

For Patricia Zaid, cofounder of Homeless with Dogs (HWD), the answer\u2019s obvious: \u201cThe man or woman rescues the dog, and the dog rescues them,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

Zaid and Liz Reyes, HWD\u2019s other cofounder, have been helping homeless people give their pets what the unconditional love on both sides has trouble giving them: sustenance. Since the organization\u2019s founding at the end of 2010, Zaid, Reyes and their volunteers have been giving out weekly rations of meals for canines as well as felines from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Drop-In Center at the First Congregational Church, 241 Cedar Avenue in Long Beach. Zaid has observed that the people who come to collect food, no matter what their circumstance or story, have two things in common: love for their pets and the need for the mutual companionship. <\/p>\n

\u201cDogs protect folks in the riverbed,\u201d said Brian, who was waiting outside with his dog for health and safety reasons, pet owners are not allowed to bring their dogs on the patio where the food is being distributed. \u201cAlso, they alert people when someone\u2019s near.\u201d <\/p>\n

Zaid said that the complexion of the homeless has changed with the economy. There are the chronically homeless, but there are also those who have fallen on hard times, losing their jobs and their homes. Among them are people who could not part with their pets, especially if they had to leave them at a shelter where they\u2019d most likely be euthanized. Others have rescued pets who have been left in someone\u2019s backyard or inside the homes to die after they\u2019d move out, and others have been left out in the street. It\u2019s unarguably better to live in a car than to get hit by one. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not cruel at all [for homeless people to care for pets],\u201d said Brooks, who lives in his car with his wife and three dogs. \u201cI\u2019m accountable for these dogs. I get them vaccinated and licensed. There are people who live in homes without such accountability. And I\u2019m not taking them to be euthanized either!\u201d <\/p>\n

Zaid also said that people have told her that they dig in the trash for their own meals but use any money for feeding the pets. Homeless with Dogs was created ease that burden. <\/p>\n

In late 2010, Zaid and Reyes were assisting at the opening of the dog park in Lincoln Park. \u201cA woman came up to me and said, \u2018Would you like to hear a good story?\u2019 I love stories, so I said yes. She brought a gentleman over\u2014he had a pit bull with him. He\u2019d come because he\u2019d been hassled a few times by the police, so it was very important for him to get the dog a rabies shot and a license. There was an \u2018angel\u2019 who\u2019d given him money for this. While he was telling me his story, tears were coming to his eyes because he was so taken by this woman offering to pay. So I went back to our table and said to Liz, \u2018You know, I feel something here.\u2019 Before we left the park, Homeless with Dogs had been born.\u201d <\/p>\n

When the AKC dog show came to the Long Beach, Convention Center, Zaid and Reyes went to see if they could get food donations. They had no success until they spoke to Eukanuba officials, who promised them leftover food from the show. The next day, Reyes drove from the Convention Center with an entire vehicle filled with dog food. <\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as we had that dog food, we were in business,\u201d Zaid said. <\/p>\n

The next step was a venue, and they were pretty well fixed for that. Reyes was a volunteer at a clothing donation program at the Drop-In Center. She and Zaid met with Brad Lara-Gagne, the Center\u2019s program director. He liked the idea, and Homeless with Dogs was running on all four legs. <\/p>\n

In December 2010, Homeless with Dogs opened with 17 clients. Word got out through the meals program at the church and through the homeless grapevine. Zaid said that they now average 50 people waiting in line every Sunday for meals, and that number could be doubled or tripled because several of the people have more than one pet. <\/p>\n

Corporations have been generous with food and supplies; besides Eukanuba, Zaid and Reyes applied for and received a grant from Walmart; Nutro, Animal Care Services, the Multi-Service Center and several other entities teamed up for a community event back in October (click here<\/a> to read the account); and individual sponsors have been donating leashes, blankets and other necessities as well as food gift cards from Costco and Sam\u2019s Club. Volunteers come in a couple of hours before the project begins running to bag food and give it out. <\/p>\n

\"\"
Liz Reyes and volunteer Kim Moore bag up the goodies for giving out. <\/em><\/p>\n

Zaid, Reyes and the volunteers dispense counsel with the comestibles. \u201cWe particularly discuss spay\/neuter,\u201d Zaid said. \u201cWe have vouchers from the city, but our future goal is to somehow manage transportation for the procedure.\u201d <\/p>\n

Zaid said that some of their best moments are when their clients who have access to the Internet send them photos of their cats and dogs and write them about their rescue stories. You can feel the love for their pets, she said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey give a person a reason to get up in the morning\u2014someone to take care of,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd the dogs, at least, take care of them, protecting their possessions. But I think that, mainly, it gives them hope.\u201d <\/p>\n

[Shortly after the writing of this article, Zaid was taken ill and is now recovering. Chad Robbins, HWD\u2019s development director, is taking over the operation in her absence, along with Reyes. They will be distributing the pet food and other goodies Sunday from 2\u20133 p.m. at Homeless with Dogs will be handing out food this Sunday the 29th from 2-3pm at Cesar E Chavez Park, 401 Golden Ave., Long Beach. Patricia, get well soon\u2014your flock awaits!] <\/p>\n

Homeless with Dogs can be reached through their Facebook page by clicking here<\/a>. Monetary donations are always useful and needed, as are dog beds, blankets, leashes, toys and other items (and don\u2019t forget the cats). To donate, contact cmrobb@gmail.com, which links to PayPal. Gift cards from Sam\u2019s Club or Costco are preferable to pet food, as the Homeless with Dogs volunteers want to keep the diet consistent. <\/p>\n

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“Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions, they pass no judgments.” 
– George Eliot, Victorian-era author <\/p>\n

 <\/span>\"\"<\/p>\n

Virtually Pets <\/strong>
 <\/span>
In genre author Peter Balaskas\u2019s story \u201cCrossing the Styx\u201d in his recently published collection, In Our House: Tantalizing Tales of Terror<\/a>, a man gives away so much of his physical self to needy ghosts that there\u2019s nothing left of him. The story could be a parable relating to the recent tragedy of Hearts for Hounds operators Bonnie Sheehan and Pamela King-McCracken. We know only what we\u2019ve read and heard, but it seems as if the well-known dog rescuers\u2019 inability to say no to \u201cjust one more\u201d tossed-off creature led to the horrible conditions of the dogs allegedly found in the vehicle they were driving. It was also a slap in the face to the animal rescue community and particularly the members who consciously maintain a balance of what they can and cannot care for properly. This is particularly heartbreaking when you know that it always comes back to the same reason: people not neutering their pets and allowing them to breed \u201cjust one more\u201d litter. In the end, of course, it\u2019s always the animals who wind up paying the entire price. <\/p>\n

Here are pets sponsored by responsible rescuers whom we know. Wanna help them out? You know how! <\/p>\n

Animal Match Rescue Team (AMRT)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
This is Peanut<\/strong>, a one-year-old male Chihuahua, probably mixed with rat or fox terrier. He weighs about 8 pounds, is housetrained, and is friendly and quiet. He loves to play with other dogs, too! He\u2019s presently being fostered in a private home. Please e-mail carol@amrt.net if you are interested in meeting Peanut, or you can come to Petco at 6500 E PCH in Long Beach (next to Whole Foods in the Alamitos Bay Marina) this Saturday or Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. <\/p>\n

Helen Sanders, CatPAWS<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
Paddy<\/strong>, left, was rescued at only 18 days old along with her mother from an overcrowded public shelter where they were to be destroyed. She\u2019s shown with her BFF Fanny<\/strong>, found on the engine of a car after the vehicle\u2019s owner heard her crying\u2014fortunately before he started it up. These two would love a home together! <\/p>\n

\"\"
Katie<\/strong> is an unbelievably playful, affectionate and smart cat! She is one in a million. She loves to play and cuddle, and she gives great kisses. She will stroke your face with her paws, all the while keeping her nails in! Anyone who gets this little girl will be very lucky! She is about 5 months old.
Pet Projects <\/p>\n

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CORRECTION:<\/strong> In our last posting, we erroneously reported that Crossroads Animal Clinic is in Long Beach; it is actually in Norwalk. Furthermore, Dr. Maggie Gamble, one of the recipients of ACS\u2019s One Too Many award have to wait until LBTV3 posts the open house on-line since I had to miss the whole thing because of working. Just an FYI Crossroads is not in Long Beach and Maggie Gamble owns Parkview Animal Hospital. I don’t think anyone knows what a REAL hero that Dr. Kosmin has been to ACS. Now that we have our full time veterinarian we only see him to fill in now and then. That guy went above and beyond the call of duty, He is President of the SCVMA and running for some kind of higher up position with the SCVMA-Southern California Veterinarian Medical Association. <\/p>\n

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The Reason We\u2019re Watching Super Bowl! <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
Meet Fumble<\/strong>, Long Beach\u2019s player for the Cuteness Award<\/span>! For the eighth year in a row, Animal Planet<\/em> has searched shelters and rescues for adorable competitors, and this year, the aptly named pooch from spcaLA<\/a> at the P.D. Pitchford Animal Companion Village here in town, will kick off at Puppy Bowl VIII. Sorry, everyone\u2014he\u2019s been adopted and lives in a penthouse in Manhattan somewhere. (Incidentally, cat lovers will enjoy the Bissell\u00ae Kitty Half-Time Show. Hope the cats do, too.) Click here<\/a> for more information. <\/p>\n

****
Low-cost Vaccination and Microchip Clinic, Bixby Animal Clinic, 3938 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, (562) 426-4066, Sunday, Feb. 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. <\/strong>
 <\/span>
Show your love for your cat or dog this Valentine\u2019s Day with the matching gifts of health and security. Dr. Ata Abrishami (Dr. A. to his four-legged friends), veterinarian at Bixby Animal Clinic, is offering a low-cost vaccination\/microchip clinic to benefit Friends of Long Beach Animals. The following treatments will be offered: <\/p>\n
\n

Canine:<\/strong> DHPP, $12; bordetella, $10; rabies, $7
Feline:<\/strong> FELV, $14; FVRCP, $12; rabies, $7. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

All microchips are $25. Long Beach Animal Care Services will be present for your animal-licensing requirement. <\/p>\n

Dr. A. is also donating a raffle prize of a $500-value dental cleaning; winner need not be present. Tickets may be purchased at the following locations: <\/p>\n

Bixby Animal Clinic , 3938 Atlantic Ave (562) 426-4066
Belmont LaunderPet, 3429 E. Broadway (562) 433-3605
Bixby Knolls LaunderPet, 4102 Orange Ave. (562) 427-2551
Chuck & Toby, 191 Park Avenue (562) (562) 434-8085
Wags to Whiskers, 5505 E. Stearns (562) 430-5161
Go Dogs Go, 3440 N. Los Coyotes Diagonal (562) 421-9797 <\/p>\n

Haute Dog Bulldog Beauty Contest, Marine Stadium, 5225 E. Paoli Way, Long Beach, 90803, Long Beach, Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Once again, it\u2019s bulldogs as far as the eye can see, along with seniors and uglies and cuties who\u2019ll take part in Justin Rudd\u2019s Haute Dogs eighth annual production of this whimsical event. As usual, the snorflers will be posing, and there will also be Ugly Dog, Senior Dog and Cutest Dog contests, the National Mutts Show, and pageants for French bulldogs, pugs, Chihuahuas, large dogs and pit bulls. All this will be followed up by a Best in Show. In fact, the only animals who won\u2019t be on the catwalk are cats, unless there\u2019s one fool enough to wander in. The only papers you\u2019ll need to bring for your dog are the ones needed to pick up after them. Spectators are welcome as well; $5 a seat. All fees will benefit Haute Dogs charities. Click here<\/a> for information. <\/p>\n

CatPAWS Bowling Fundraiser, Westminster Lanes, 6471 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, Saturday, Feb. 11, 4\u20136 p.m. <\/strong>
 <\/span>
For $35 per person, you get two hours of bowling (shoes included), participation in an opportunity drawing, the possibility of winning a winner or \u201closer\u201d prize, and the certainty of contributing to the well-being of the kitties rescued by this great organization. Click here<\/a> for information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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