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Esme must again await a
new home
July 17, 2008
Here at the animal shelter, it is so painful to witness the return
of a companion animal by a family that no longer can care for it.
Some top reasons that animals are surrendered to shelters include a
family moving, a new baby coming into the home and a family member
suffering from allergies. These reasons often are difficult to
accept, but judgment has to be reserved. Ultimately, staff and
selfless volunteers at animal shelters are there to care for animals
and, most importantly, help them find a new and loving home.
It's doubly painful when you see a companion pet that was adopted
come back to the shelter, even as long as a year later. Such is the
story of Esme, a dog who arrived at the LA/SPCA's temporary shelter
warehouse on Thayer Street in March 2007.
Esme stole the hearts of volunteers, especially Helen, who fostered
Esme when she first came to the shelter. Helen helped Esme recover
from heartworm disease and often serenaded her as she curled up in
her lap. Helen described Esme last year as having "an elegant husky
face, a stocky 'dawg' body and a blonde cowlick by her right
shoulder. . . . Indoors she loves to share a sofa, cuddling with her
human anywhere she can." To the delight of all, Esme finally was
adopted by a loving family.
More than a year later, Esme has returned to the shelter because of
a new baby in the household that is suffering from allergies. For
the staff and volunteers, and especially Helen, there's nothing more
painful than having to see Esme at the shelter, probably confused
and wondering why she is here yet again.
Were Helen not fostering another animal, along with her permanent
four-legged family, she would certainly have Esme with her again.
But Esme does best in a home without a cat, and in our hearts we
know there is a family out there who hasn't had the joy of finding
their way to her. Until that time,
we know she'll be waiting.
-
Gloria Dauphin
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