L’Chaim’s adventures leaving the shelter!
Happy Journey to the Vet, written by James Butler, volunteer
10/22/08: The people at the Associated Humane shelter in Newark, NJ were very nice. I watched one employee cleaning cat cages while I waited for L’Chaim. During the course of the day I probably heard every mispronunciation of L’Chaim’s name possible. Lakame, La chaim, lachum, etc.
I waited at the shelter while they tracked down L’Chaim. As soon as they brought him into the lobby he ran over to me to say hello. The dog is beautiful, energetic, and very friendly. His eye looks better than it did in the pictures. He does have a…unique nose and snout but it’s part of his charm. The more he got excited the more he sneezed so I tried my best to keep him calm and sitting down. He checked out everybody that came in. He even jumped up to look over the counter.
Our next stop was next door to get his Rabies shot before we headed to the Animal Hospital. L’Chaim darted outdoors as soon as he smelled the outside when the door opened.
The clinic was crowded so the tech from the shelter arranged for us to wait in an exam room while we waited our turn (preferred treatment thanks to L’Chaim’s bad cold!) L’Chaim quickly checked out the whole room, even jumping up on his hind legs to check out the exam table. When the vet came in, L’Chaim slobbered all over him before he received his shot without making a sound.
When it was time to go we had a little excitement at the same time. Someone was bringing in a big Rottweiler while we were getting ready to leave. They prepared the clinic lobby like Hannibal Lecter was coming up the stairs. All the pets in the lobby were either put in carriers or moved to another room. I watched people clear the lobby to avoid the impending doom this dog would assuredly bring. I wondered if I had missed a memo and the dog was somehow radioactive judging by the response. They were all of course very concerned with us because we had a pit bull. The pit bull would no doubtedly call the Rottweiler’s mother a name to pick a fight or something. I was sorry we disappointed everyone when the two dogs just looked at each other and walked away. It was a quick glimpse into what kind of prejudice these dogs must face all the time.
L’Chaim was happy to be outside and I felt guilty knowing I would have to put him inside a carrier in the car. I picked him up and put him in the carrier. He was reluctant to go and I couldn’t blame him. I got him settled and started the drive to the Animal Hospital. I rolled down the windows (ok, I pushed the button-no one “rolls down” windows anymore) so he could see outside and feel some fresh air. He watched all the cars and people go by the whole ride. He was still sneezing a bit. I think I caught him dancing a little bit to Rusted Root.
I left him in the car as I checked in at Rutherford Animal Hospital. They were very nice and prepared an exam room for me to wait in. They gave me a leash to bring L’Chaim in. I ran back to the car to finally get the dog some relief. Ok, I’m a bit of a rookie when it comes to transporting dogs. I love dogs, owned dogs, cared for dogs but I just haven’t had to bring them around in a car much. I opened my car door and then opened the carrier’s door to slip the leash around the dog’s neck. At that point of course L’Chaim happily jumped into my arms and out of the car. He of course wanted to check out everything around the car. So I was trying to hold his collar while I tried to figure out how I was going to slip this leash on one-handed. Luckily, one of the techs noticed my ineptitude and came running outside to rescue me. She slipped the leash on while L’Chaim slobbered all over her.
We waited in the exam room for a bit. L’Chaim checked out the whole room, licked a wall or two, jumped up to check out the exam table, slobbered and sneezed on me, and watched the doors anytime he heard someone on the other side.
When the vet came in he loved her. The vet needed a little help from a tech to hold L’Chaim as she examined him. I don't think he liked having his temperature taken. The vet gave him an examination and suggested antibiotics for his ear and eye infections and antihistamines for his respiratory issues. It looks like it will take him about 10-14 days to get healthy. I made the mistake of leaving the paperwork on the chair next to me as I said goodbye so he chewed and slobbered on it a bit.
It was tough leaving him there but I knew he was in good hands. Mission accomplished!
What You Can Do:Foster Can you provide a temporary home for L’Chaim while we find him the family who will adopt him?
Visit L’Chaim A kind person has offered to temporarily house L’Chaim until a better foster home is found, but this volunteer works long hours, so we need help from people who can visit L’Chaim during the day! Can you visit, play and walk L’Chaim at his temporary foster home in Newark, NJ, right near the Path train?
Adopt Are you looking to add a canine family member to your life, who will lavish you and your friends and family with love and attention?
Tell Your Friends Spread the news of this wonderful and special dog looking for a foster or permanent home. Click to download and print this
flyer to print and share at your office, or click the "Send this page to a Friend" on the right side of this screen to share this story to friends and family.
Donate All
donations. are tax-deductible and 100% of your donation goes directly to help animals, as Shelter Showcase is an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit organization and therefore, none of your donation goes to salaries.
If you can adopt, foster or volunteer, please email
beth@sheltershowcase.com or call 973 812 PAWS for more information
11/1/08 Update L’chaim is being lavished with attention at
Rutherford Animal Hospital as he continues to recover from his upper respiratory infection under the supervision of Dr. Jones. With the help of an additional medication that contains an antihistamine and steroid, our boy should be ready to go to a temporary or permanent home by the end of this week. His eye infection is cleared and the skin on the edges of his ears were confirmed healthy. L’Chaim still needs a foster or permanent home.
Click
here to view a quick video of L'Chaim 2 days before he was "sprung" from the shelter
