Search
Polls
Latest Forum Posts
| Re:Football unclebuck 07-10-08 15:24 |
| Re:Football unclebuck 02-10-08 12:59 |
| Re:Football adr5ram4 26-09-08 00:41 |
Login Form
| Search continues for rescued dog’s owner |
|
|
| Written by Jonathan Partridge | Patterson Irrigator | |
| Saturday, 05 July 2008 | |
|
The scene on Sperry Avenue appeared dire at first glance.  Positive pooch: Westside Animal Hospital veterinarian Suzanne Solvin shows a German shorthair pointer, named Patterson by rescuers, that was taken to her last month after being hit by a local firefighter’s pickup at Sperry Avenue and Ninth Street. The dog’s leg had to be amputated. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator The case, however, was unique. The victim was a dog — a German shorthair pointer that had darted in front of Patterson firefighter Mike McLaughlin Jr.’s pickup. That dog, dubbed Patterson, now has just three legs and is living at Newman’s Westside Animal Hospital, where office workers are still looking for his owner. But his energy and happy demeanor have served as an inspiration to the animal hospital’s staff. “You can tell he really doesn’t care that he doesn’t have a leg,” Westside Animal Hospital office manager Ashley Silva said. “No matter how much pain he’s in, he’s always wagging his tail.” McLaughlin said he was driving shortly after battling a house and barn fire on Loquat Avenue when the dog ran in front of his truck. He immediately pulled over and tried to help. “It was trying to come to me,” McLaughlin said. “It had this look on its face, like it was trying to say, ‘Help me.’” A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection engine happened to drive by, and Cal Fire firefighters noticed McLauglin assisting a victim and pulled over. Firefighters gave the dog water and took turns holding on to its legs. “We reacted just as we would with anybody else,” said Cal Fire firefighter Steve Blythe. Gradually, more people arrived at the scene, including Patterson District Ambulance, a volunteer fire captain and Patterson police deputies. “I think it was funny for the public,” Blythe said. Most West Side veterinarian offices were closed at the time, and emergency clinics were a long drive away, but Suzanne Solvin of Westside Animal Hospital turned out to be in her office after hours. So the dog was placed on a backboard and wrapped up, and a couple of Cal Fire firefighters, including Blythe, climbed in the back of McLaughlin’s pickup with the dog and headed to Newman. Solvin placed the dog on antibiotics before eventually operating to amputate his right rear leg. From the get-go, the staff at the animal hospital thought the dog was special. Solvin recalls how the dog was on pain medication and hooked up to an intravenous system, but still wagged its tail. Now, Solvin’s staff has fully fallen for Patterson, who was named after the town where he was found. Silva said the three-legged dog remains cheerful even when the staff members are feeling crabby. “He’s just a total people dog,” she said. “He’s just always happy.” Patterson apparently was well-looked after, too. He refused to eat dry dog food at first and only would consume the wet stuff, Silva said. He also had his dewclaws clipped. However, he does not have a special microchip that would have easily identified his owner. Both the hospital office staff and Cal Fire have worked to find the dog’s owner, checking with local newspapers and calling veterinarian offices and the county animal shelter. Cal Fire has also posted fliers. If the owner cannot be found, the staff at the veterinarian’s office aims to find a good home for him. Silva said German shorthairs are hunters, and Patterson would thrive in a wide-open space. “He’s a beautiful dog,” Solvin said. “I’m sure he has owners out there; they just don’t know where to find him.” For more information: 862-9400 To reach Jonathan Partridge at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email This
Hits: 245 Comments
(0)
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed