Julie Loparo writes:
One evening last night, Westport Animal Shelter Advocates volunteer Sara Stockman learned that after many hours, a mastiff was still frantically pacing the large fenced-in yard of a Burnham Hill resident.
We headed to the house to see if there was anything we could do to help rescue the dog, who had been on the lam at least 5 days. Her image appeared on several Ring cameras in the area.
At the house, we saw the kind homeowner trying to coax the mastiff to come near. She immediately responded to Sara, as dogs always do.
The dog came near, but not close enough to slip on a loop lead. We realized that professionals were needed.
We contacted the volunteers at CT Doggone Recovery. They have helped trap several difficult Westport dogs.
Jill Bishop and Melissa Carpenter had just returned home after an exhausting day searching for 2 dogs around Norwalk. Their shoes were off, and they were making dinner.
But they did not hesitate. They loaded the CT Doggone Recovery truck with supplies, including a big trap.
They arrived, then set up the trap (loaded with chicken and hot dogs) and a camera.
Preparing the trap …
Sara — the human our new friend trusted most — was in charge of the liquid smoke and guiding the dog to the trap. Within a few minutes, she was in. Very tired, thin and tick-covered, she was ready for transport to Westport Animal Control.
… and heading off to heal.
Officers Peter Reid and Joseph Saponare met us at the shelter. We tucked her in for the night.
The next morning WASA volunteers arrived early to check on her, and the other guests. She had her first WASA-funded vet visit that week.
My nominations for 06880’s Heroes of the Week are: WASA volunteer Sara Stockman, CT Doggone Recovery volunteers Jill Bishop and Melissa Carpenter, and the lovely Westport family – Cindy, Andy and Justin Kaplan — for being so kind and patient, hosting a frightened friend in their back yard and allowing a group of volunteers to crash in at dinner time to secure her safety.
(To donate to CT Doggone Recovery to support their rescue efforts, please click here. To donate to WASA for vet care needed for our new friend, please click here.)
(Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email 06880blog@gmail.com. “06880” is proud to honor them — and tell many other tales of town too. Please click here to help us do that, by supporting this hyper-local blog.)
Nice outcome but it also would have been nice to tip the hat to Peter Reid and Joe Saponare. These guys always show up
Agree that Westport is very fortunate, more fortunate than many other CT towns, in regard to our responsive and caring Westport Animal Control Officers. I chose, however, to nominate VOLUNTEERS that donated their time so generously without compensation.
That story makes my heart smile. I love pups and want them to be safe and loved. I hope she get back to who may be looking for her or I hope she finds someone who will love her they way should be.
Julie, you will always be my unsung hero. You have done so much under the radar to save dogs, and WASA is a model for every other town. Everyone involved in dog rescue knows how incredibly difficult it is to keep going in the face of human cruelty and thoughtlessness. You always remind me that kindness and compassion can still win the daily battle. Thank you!