A Dog’s Eye View – Corky Shares his County Animal Shelter Experience…and the story continues

The Tales of Corky and Fly – Article 8

Corky,  the rambunctious little Jack Russell Terrier who  loved  to chase a tennis ball all day long, lost his favorite tennis ball and was positive that the sneaky Australian Shepherd, Fly,  down the street must have stolen it.  Well, Corky went to get his tennis ball and got lost and ended up at Pinellas County Animal Services. The whole experience was kinda scary but also ended well.  The people at Pinellas County Animal Services got him to a safe place with catering and housekeeping while he waited for his owner to come find him.  It turned out to be a really good experience.

Each month the BLOG continues the story of Corky and Fly.

To read the 1st 6 articles of Corky and Fly’s experience with Animal Services see May 21, June 30, July 3, July 11, July 19, August 1 and September 5  blog.

Me and Fly went to our first block party!  I’m Corky the Jack Russell Terrier and Fly is that know it all Australian Shepherd who always has a plan for everything.

                The whole dog park gang was at Jack the Afgan Hounds house where his owner was hosting a cookout.  There were lots of toys to play with and things to smell.  I love tennis balls more than most anything and there were some there with different colors!

                Griz, the old adopted Schnauzzer that Fly and I met at Pinellas County Animal Services was there showing us how to play ball “Old School.”  He flung a tennis ball high in the air and it bounced off of a “House for Sale” sign in the next yard and then landed on the porch.  The owners of the house had moved away and the grass was getting a little tall but that didn’t stop me from racing up the porch steps first and grabbing the ball.  The rest of the gang trailed me up to the top of the porch steps.  I turned to flaunt my tennis ball catching prowess to the gang but what I heard froze my paws to the door mat.

                From inside the house I heard crying.  It was the kind of forlorn sound a weak and heartbroken animal with no hope would cry.  Although it was hot outside, my body began to shiver.  The side window of the porch was open just an inch or two so I stood up on my tippy paws and said “Who’s there?”

                I heard sniffling and then I saw a beautiful red Pomeranian peer through the curtains.  The glowing red Pom said “I’m Lucy.  My owners left this house and never came back.  I’ve been waiting for them to come back but when I saw the sign go up in the yard, I knew I was…..abandoned.  I’m hungry and alone.”

                I saw a single tear tumble from her eye and catch on a whisker.  I felt Fly standing next to me and I knew he would take charge.  He is so heroic. All the girls love him.

                “You are not alone and you will not be hungry anymore,” said Fly.  His one brown eye and one blue eye radiated how upset he was.  I’ve only seen him mad like this one other time.  I knew he had a plan.

                Fly turned to the group and barked out orders “Jack, you are an Afgan Hound and so you are the fastest of the group.  Go grab a hamburger as fast as you can from one of the owners plates and bring it to Griz.  Griz, when he gets back I want you to go “old school” and throw it through the open window.  Corky, go get your owner and bring him here. Go GO GO!”

                We all scattered and left Fly up on the porch.  He looked like a king standing there.

                The gang worked like a well oiled machine.  Jack and Griz actually got several hamburgers from the plates of several unsuspecting partygoers and got them through the window where a grateful Pomeranian named Lucy ate for the first time in many days.

                It took some effort but I finally got my owner to the porch.  He didn’t know what was going on until Fly told Rupert the German Short Haired Pointer to point at the trapped Pomeranian.

                My owner said “Well I’ll be” as he bent down and looked in the window.  He pulled out his phone and knew just what to do.  He dialed (727)582-2600 which is the number for Pinellas County Animal Services.  He spoke to someone on the phone for awhile and did not seem very happy when he hung up his phone.  He called me over to him and talked to me (I love it when he does that).

                He said “Listen Corky, that little Pomeranian can’t be rescued just yet.  The shelter explained that they had to try and reach the bank to come open the door.  This little Pomeranian will be okay overnight.”

The Animal Control Officers have to follow the law and enter the house legally to rescue them.  Since our Constitution protects us all against illegal search and seizure, the ACO’s must get permission from the bank or property owners before they can go inside the house.  They will leave a card on the door and also try to call them and get permission to go inside.  If they cannot get an answer to the calls or cards, then the ACO’s will ask a judge or police officer for help getting inside the house to rescue them. 

                The sun was setting and the party was ending on a somber note.  Fly, sounding like a king said “I’m a dog.  I’m not bound by the Constitution.  Everyone listen up!  Meet me at the dog park tonight and get muddy so the humans can’t see us very well.”

                “What are we going to do?” I asked.

                “We are going to free Lucy tonight.  Corky, do not bring any tennis balls with you,” said Fly standing even taller.

                I could swear that Susie the cute little Beagle swooned.  The plan for operation “Freedom” was set….. Wait….. No tennis balls?  Grrrrr.

For more information, visit Pinellas County Animal Services’ web page at www.pinellascounty.org/animalservices/volunteer.htm  or call (727) 582-2600.

Pinellas County Animal Services is located at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Normal hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the adoption center closing at 5:30 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and services include adoptions. Rabies vaccinations are administered on Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. The facility is closed all Pinellas County holidays.

For information on how to adopt, donate or volunteer, join Pinellas County Animal Services on Facebook. To learn more about the shelter, visit www.pinellascounty.org/animalservices, or call (727) 582-2600. The lost or found pets hotline is (727) 582-2604.

For more information about Pinellas County services and programs, visit www.pinellascounty.org, now with LiveChat, or create a shortcut to www.pinellascounty.org/mobile on any smartphone. Pinellas County government is on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.