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.)
Julie Loparo — a longtime Westport dog and wildlife advocate — writes:
There has been a great deal of concern about the ospreys this summer — and with good reason.
According to the staff of Wildlife in Crisis, our osprey friends have had a very difficult year. They have presented to Wildlife in Crisis in emaciated condition, because there is not enough for them to eat.
There needs to be better monitoring of fishing activity all around Westport. I’m not sure which local officials are responsible for monitoring (checking for fishing licenses, catching of under-sized fish) and the dangerous debris left behind, but it’s an issue the town needs to look at soon — and intensely, for the sake of our ospreys and other wildlife in the area.
The agencies that encourage this activity much be responsible for cleaning up the inevitable deadly mess left behind.
This adult osprey was found this summer near Greens Farms Academy, struggling on the ground entangled in fishing line and impaled with 12 fish hooks. He had been seen flying around for weeks with the line hanging off him.
Injured osprey
He was being tracked by Westport animal control officer and Wildlife in Crisis intake director Peter Reid (wearing both hats).
Thankfully Officer Reid finally captured him. He was brought to Wildlife in Crisis, where staff carefully removed all the fishing paraphernalia.
Fishing hooks, removed from osprey.
They allowed him to rest and heal first in their clinic, and then their flight cage to prepare for release.
Ospreys are tricky patients. Their long fragile wings must heal perfectly to enable flight. They are easily stressed in captivity, and rarely eat on their own so hand feeding is necessary.
Osprey, after Wildlife in Crisis treatment …
After a course of antibiotics to address infected wounds, he was ready for release. The Wildlife in Crisis handlers brought him back to the site of origin last week, and he flew beautifully back to his nest.
… and flying home.
Sadly, he must continue to contend with polluted sound water in Westport where he was found, as well as other fishing hazards.
A recent episode is “must listen” for Westporters.
Wexler — a Westport resident herself — interviewed Fire Department Deputy Chief Matthew Cohen.
He discussed his own, and 3 other Westport first responders’, work in North Carolina, helping with Hurricane Helen relief efforts.
Cohen described the team’s role in restoring communication networks and helping local communities recover. Click here to listen.
Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Cohen, in a helicopter over North Carolina.
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“The Apprentice” began its limited theatrical release on Thursday, at Trumbull’s AMC Marquis Theater complex.
Written by Westport native Gabriel Sherman, the film explores a young Donald Trump’s rise to power, beginning in the 1970s with attorney/fixer Roy Cohn.
Westport attorney and “06880” was at the movie’s debut. He reports: “It was every bit as good as we had hoped, and even better than I had expected.
“The movie manages to be an entirely believable, enlightening and interesting glimpse of Donald Trump over several years early in his business career, without much of this early-Trump story involving politics, and just getting us up to the beginnings of ‘The Art of the Deal’ — the ghostwritten pre-‘Apprentice’ book that put Trump on the mass media map. Well worth seeing!
“We hope the word spreads quickly so that the movie can get the broader theatrical release it (and the public) deserves. It is playing all this weekend at the AMC Marquis 16 in Trumbull.
“The town of Westport should be proud to have one of its own associated with the making and production of this important, memorable and very timely biopic.”
Gabe Sherman
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Not long ago, Westport Animal Shelter Advocates organized a rescue of 5 kittens and a mother cat from a storm drain on the Post Road, near Southport.
The town-wide effort included the Fire and Public Works Departments, Westport Animal Control, local businesses and Animals in Distress, a Wilton-based cat rescue organization.
Three of the kittens and the mother cat were adopted, but 2 kittens remained.
WASA’s Julie Loparo posted on social media. The little faces caught the attention of Freda and Carleigh Welsh, longtime directors of the Levitt Pavilion. They had followed the storm drain story on “06880.”
The Welshes’ senior cat had died at the end of August. Both felt this was not the right time to adopt kittens.
They also believed the line would be long for those wanting to adopt. Maybe it was — but the Animals in Distress folks were looking for the right family.
But when Freda and Carleigh read about the 2 kittens, they decided they were needed.
The Welsh family has a long history as great cat owners. WASA was thrilled that the final 2 animals were going to an exceptional home.
Freda and Carleigh report: “The kittens are amazing — already super-social and outgoing. That is a huge credit to their foster family.”
PS: In keeping with the Welsh family tradition of geographical names for their cats, the kittens have been renamed Wolf and Daphne (Galapagos Islands).
Yesterday’s Roundup gave an incorrect date for the Westport Library’s “Common Ground Conversation.” It is Tuesday, October 15, at 7 p.m.
Ken Feinberg — who as special master of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund was responsible for the disbursement of over $7 billion dollars — is the special guest..
At “Civil Discourse to Resolve Complex Disputes,” Feinberg will share his experience and expertise in bringing people together to analyze, understand, and resolve complex disputes. Steve Parrish will moderate the discussion.
The Common Ground initiative will also be livestreamed. Click here for the link.
Sure, you can have your pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks.
But for a real Halloween treat, head to a local coffee shop.
Amy Schneider spotted this spook-tacular display at GG & Joe’s:
(Photo/Amy Schneider)
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An interactive pop-up — including a black light exhibit, prints, merch and more — has appeared at the former Oddz space, next to Il Pastaficio at 139 Post Road East.
It’s the work of Joe Kazer (aka Gnar Giant). There’s an opening reception October 17 (4 to 9 p.m.). The exhibit runs October 18 through November 10; Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
(Photo/Sal Liccione)
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Mickey Herbst noticed this little bit of nature, at Birchwood Country Club yesterday:
(Photo/Mickey Herbst)
“I think it is a wonderful metaphor for perseverance,” he says.
Agreed! It’s also an inspiring image for today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature.
And finally … happy 67th birthday today to Vince Gill!
(Happy Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day weekend. Have a great holiday! But “06880” never rests. Please click here to support your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
On Saturday, this little guy created quite a stir in Westport.
He was first spotted near the Sherwood Island Connector (where it is suspected he was abandoned) in the early morning hours.
He led Westport Animal Control Officer Peter Reid all around town. Compo North, Long Lots, downtown — Forest was everywhere.
Peter was assisted by Westport Police, and several residents. While they came close, they could not catch him.
Over the next few days he was spotted in Fairfield, Easton and Trumbull. Meanwhile, Peter maintained communications with concerned residents.
Peter requested the assistance of Connecticut Dog Gone Recovery.Flyers were disseminated throughout statewide, through social media.
Finally, last night in Shelton, his odyssey ended.
He had established a 2-mile route that enabled skilled individuals to set a trap. Melissa Carpenter and Jill Bishop captured him, and named him Forest (for obvious reasons).
He spent the night at the Melissa’s home. This morning she contacted Officer Reid, who had advocated for his return to Westport for shelter and recovery.
This morning Melissa, Peter and Julie Loparo of Westport Animal Shelter Advocates met at Schulhof Animal Hospital. They immediately offered to provide any needed vet care (which will be funded by WASA).
Forest with Westport Animal Control Officer Peter Reid, and Melissa Carpenter of Dog Gone Recovery.
Forest is friendly — though a little shy, tentative and very tired. He is being examined today: vaccines, blood work, and ultimately, neutering surgery. He has already been found to have heartworm.
Amazingly his paw pads are quite healthy, despite his adventure.
With no owner coming forward, Forest will need a new forever family — one that will love him, and keep him secure and safe.
If interested, email wasa1@optonline.net. Click here to make a donation for Forest’s care. Click here to donate to CT Dog Gone Recovery.
Julie Loparo is an animal rights advocate. She often shares uplifting stories of work by Westport Animal Shelter Advocates and Wildlife in Crisis.
Not today, unfortunately. She sends along this Wildlife in Crisis report:
A few weeks ago, on a lawn adjacent to the Saugatuck River, a very ill and lethargic adult female bald eagle was found by Westport Animal Control officer Peter Reid.
He immediately transported it to Wildlife in Crisis. Despite a great effort to save the magnificent bird, it died.
Wanting to know the source of the illness, Wildlife in Crisis sought a necropsy. It revealed that the eagle died from rodenticide. Its liver contained compounds used in mouse and rat poison.
It is upsetting to think that if nature had been left alone to deal with mice or rats, this eagle would still soar.
Peter Reid, with bald eagle.
Dara Reid, Wildlife in Crisis director, called this “a perfect specimen, unnecessarily poisoned through ignorance and apathy.
“But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The deluge of pesticides being sprayed throughout Westport should concern every resident, especially those with children.
“All summer at Wildlife in Crisis, we received calls about songbirds dead en masse under recently sprayed trees. This is the proverbial canary in the coal mine scenario. Poisons are never the answer; they only create more problems. Don’t believe anyone who tells you otherwise.”
(“06880” keeps a close eye on our town’s environmental issues. That’s part of our local journalism mission. Your donation helps greatly. Please click here. Thank you!)
The old, blind, long-haired chihuahua was found in a beat-up dog carrier on a Winslow Park bench.
Westport Animal Control, Schulhof Animal Hospital, and Westport Animal Shelter Advocates came to the rescue. They sheltered, treated and loved the abandoned animal.
Kayla Damiano with Misty Mae. She set up a GoFundMe page that raised $1200 for the dog’s eye and dental work.
Then they searched for a loving home.
The other day, WASA president Julie Loparo reported success.
Volunteers drove to Enfield, near the Massachusetts border. They met the couple who will adopt Misty Mae.
They’re skilled and knowledgeable in the care of special needs dogs (they already have 3). Their home is warm and inviting.
Later this month, WASA funds surgery for Misty Mae. After recovering at Schulhof, she heads to her new home.
Julie says: “Unfortunately, Misty Mae was not the first dog abandoned in Westport. She won’t be the last. But we thank Westport for helping us in our efforts to help dogs like her.”
Julie Loparo — president of Westport Animal Shelter Advocates — loves dogs.
She loves dog stories too. Here’s one she shares with “06880” readers:
Winslow Park may not be the place where everybody knows your name.
But they do know your dog’s name.
Regulars at the downtown park are quick to share stories about their own dogs, and answer questions about yours.
When a dog gets distracted by a squirrel or another canine buddy, the group watches closely until it’s reunited with its owner.
Just another day at Winslow Park.
Several weeks ago however, the crowd discovered a little one that’s a poster dog for the ever-growing number of abandoned dogs (and cats) in Connecticut.
A senior, blind long-haired chihuahua was found in a beat-up dog carrier on a park bench. How she got there, and how long she’d been there, were mysteries.
But clearly, she’d been left there.
Westport Animal Control quickly responded. She was transported to Schulhof Animal Hospital for evaluation and care.
Once stabilized and treated for a possible flea situation, she was brought back to Animal Control.
It became clear she was not keen on the food being served (though it’s very high quality dog food). A Westport Animal Shelter Advocates volunteer prepared healthy meals of organic meats and vegetables. The little one liked that.
Misty Mae
On Wednesday, WASA officially adopted “Misty Mae” into their foster family.
With the help of Schulhof’s staff, WASA will bring her up-to-date on vet care, with vaccinations, and detailed blood and dental work. They’ll consult with eye specialists, to see if she’s a candidate for cataract surgeries.
They’ll also search for a new, loving home for Misty Mae.
She’s sweet, quiet, and 10 to 12 years old. She has not been reactive to other dogs, though additional testing will be done. She loves to be brushed and cuddled. She’s a lap dog in every sense of the word.
For additional information about Misty Mae, call 203-557-0361, or email wasa1@optonline.net.
To donate for her vet care, click here (and note that you are contributing for Misty Mae).
Winslow Park is definitely the place where everyone knows your dog’s name.
And Westport is where Animal Control, WASA and Schulhof all come together to help a dog named Misty Mae.
In the aftermath of the death of Tina Wessel — the homeless woman known to many Westporters, who died last month — “06880” readers have wondered about the fate of her beloved cat.
Tina’s cat — now named Elsie — is a delight. She is approximately 4 years old, healthy…just wonderful.
Elsie
She is temporarily being boarded at Schulhof Animal Hospital, receiving excellent care and attention from staff and WASA volunteers. Now, WASA is searching for a local forever home for Elsie. She will need to be kept indoors for her safety.
Potential adopters should email wasa1@optonline.net, or call 203-557-0361.
Tina’s funeral will be held today (2 p.m., Friday, December 9), at Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Westport.
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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.
