08/05/2026
yes- a repeat- happy ending that almost did not happen but some low level desk clerks and kennel workers gaf and reached out and slowed time-
it matters, each one matters-
this story showed in my memories- a good story with a happy ending- that almost did not happen-
several years ago the county pound was not a pleasant place- a woman named lisa wahoff changed all that, but in the end she got fired. Anyway, I had my phone number at the front desk and was occasionally called when a dog could be saved if only someone stepped up- the "kids" at the front desk knew to call me, but had never met me. Actually they had, several times, as i dressed as an old woman with a scarf and glasses, all hunched and would travel the cages and adopt with a friend. No one knew it was me, as i had been banned for many years. (you expected that much didn't you?)
I got the call- it seems there was a hobo- a man of the road, he wore a chain over his shoulder and across his chest to which he clipped his worldly goods. a soup pan, a bag of food, clothes, etc, all neatly stowed on this chain. His faithful companion was a mutt dog who loved this man dearly. The man had a seizure on a street of Columbus and the squad was called, as was animal control. The man went to hospital, the dog to the pound. A few days later the man was better, it seems age and dehydration contributed to the seizure, and he just needed to be more careful. He promised to do so, for his dog.
He was frantic about the dog, and showed up at animal control at about 3pm on death day for his dog. He had till 5o'clock. He asked for his dog, and they told him what the fees were. Fees? Costs? This man had no money. He offered his souppan in trade, partly joking and partly serious. The desk clerks were sad, but what could they do? Rules are Rules and the dog dies at 5pm. The man became frantic. One of the desk clerks called me. Phyllis to the rescue!!!!! He needed a touch under 60 dollars, not much in fees but a huge amount to this man with no hope and no love except his dog. I called a volunteer - and another- and another- no one was home- i finally found a woman in upper arlington who had just gotten home.She needed to run to the bank for cash, because the pound didn't take checks or cc. The race was on. I told the kids to slow time. I begged for a reprieve. Nothing worked and i knew it wouldn't. Our volunteer got there at 5 till 5. They were supposed to not do any transactions within 15 minutes of closing time, (remember this dog was going to die but paperwork was more important), but they hustled and got the release done, and out came his dog. The kids in the back room had given the dog a bath, had someone bring him current on all shots, hung a rabies tag on a new collar - remember administration is always different that the people who do the heavy lifting. The hobo greeted his dog and the dog greeted his hobo. Then they were hustled out of the buildilng. Our volunteer was offered what the hobo had, and instead she managed to leave him with dogfood money. she wanted to do more, but he would accept food for his dog only. She then gave him a ride almost to buckeye lake on the highway, so he could have easier travels. Near a truck stop she let him and his dog out to their life on the road. One dog, One man, One day, it mattered. It matters.
