I realize now that I’m no good to any cause if I’m dead.
One of my greatest friends during that two-year period in Puerto Rico was Leo, King of the Beach, who protected me, helped me run the beach, kept order, and lightened my spirit with his sweet, playful heart. I was so pleased when we were able to get him off the beach and into a loving home in upstate New York, in January of 2007. The family who took him owned a nice piece of farm property, allowing Leo to run, play, and explore at will, almost as he’d done on the beach but with the security of a forever family. Their other dog, a yellow Lab named Abby, fell for him right away; they became a loving pack of two.
I always wondered if my old Leo ever thought of me, and of the beach. I liked to think he did, and that he missed me and the camaraderie we shared. But if he didn’t, if he’d put it all behind him, then I’d be happy too. I’d envy him his freedom, his clarity of mind, his victory.
While writing this book, I received word of Leo’s passing, on June 27, 2011. Over four years of carefree life on a farm, surrounded by those who loved him. What more could one ask for?
GET INVOLVED IN ANIMAL RESCUE
No one expects you to move to a foreign country, buy a machete, and start defending strays on the beach. But you can get involved in pet rescue locally, nationally, or internationally by supporting legitimate rescue organizations with your money or time. You can find a local shelter and volunteer once or twice a month, help run fund-raising drives, organize events, or even write letters to your local, state, or federal legislators, particularly with regard to animal abuse legislation. Tell your federal representatives to apply some political pressure on places like Puerto Rico, Mexico, and China where dogs and cats are treated poorly.
Of course, one of the best ways to make a lasting impact is to adopt a homeless pet.
If my book has inspired you to try to help dogs in foreign countries, you can direct your charity toward internationally focused organizations, to help save lives and educate the local people to the plight of unwanted strays. I’ve listed a few below that I have been personally involved with.
If you decide to volunteer at a local shelter, be prepared to get dirty, and to fall in love with many adorable, needy pets. It is not easy work, but it is rewarding, especially when you play a direct role in saving a dog or cat’s life and finding it a home. Nothing compares to the feeling you get when you see a dog or cat doomed to a certain death go home to a loving family.
Below is a list of national and international associations, Web sites, and organizations dedicated to helping rescue and care for pets, both domestic and international. I have also included a short reading list.
ORGANIZATIONS
All Sato Rescue (ASR)
Dedicated to improving the health and reducing the numbers of abandoned dogs in Puerto Rico, ASR rescues, rehabilitates, and finds new homes for “satos.” Additionally, it strives to address the root causes of overpopulation, abuse, and neglect through initiatives aimed at raising public awareness, facilitating low-cost spay and neuter, and expanding the involvement of government in implementing humane solutions. http://allsatorescue.org
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
The first of all established humane animal organizations, the well-funded ASPCA provides help and support over a broad spectrum of topics, including rescue, adoption, training, health, and pet counseling. http://www.aspca.org
Cats and Dogs International (CANDI)
An organization that saves the lives of stray cats and dogs in the Caribbean and Mexico through spay, neuter, adoption, and educational programs, CANDI brings tourism businesses together with local animal welfare groups to implement programs that humanely address the issue of cat and dog overpopulation in destination communities. http://www.candiinternational.org
Humane Society International (HSI)
An offshoot of the Humane Society of the United States, HSI focuses its efforts on the suffering of animals in foreign countries. It works with local animal organizations all over the world to provide hands-on care to animals in need and to foster a culture of compassion. http://www.hsi.org
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
The largest domestic animal protection organization, HSUS takes an active role in lobbying for animal rights legislation. It participates in national and worldwide rescue efforts, provides sanctuary for needy pets, assists in rehabilitation programs, sets up and runs mobile veterinary clinics, and provides educational programs for animal lovers everywhere. http://www.humanesociety.org
Isla Animals
Isla Animals is dedicated to decreasing the unwanted pet population on Isla Mujeres, Mexico, through ongoing spay/neuter programs, education, vaccinations, and adoption. It offers animal foster care and promotes adoptions in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Additionally, it educates pet owners about humane animal treatment, care, and responsibility. http://islaanmals.org
Last Chance for Animals (LCA)
Run by actor, author, and animal expert Chris DeRose, LCA has been fighting animal abuse since 1984. It is committed to disseminating truthful information about animal abuse in order to improve the manner in which animals are treated in society. http://www.lcanimal.org/
Save a Gato
A San Juan, Puerto Rico–based group, Save a Gato gives homeless cats on the streets of Old San Juan a chance at a better life. The organization runs a trap-and-neuter program designed to save lives and lower birthrates. It also facilitates adoptions of cats, both in Puerto Rico and to the mainland. http://saveagato.org
Save a Sato Foundation
A Puerto Rico–based volunteer organization dedicated to easing the suffering of Puerto Rico’s homeless and abused animals, Save a Sato rescues satos from streets and beaches and provides them with medical care, food, shelter, and lots of love. Once rehabilitated, the satos are sent to a participating shelter partner for adoption. http://www.saveasato.org
SPCA International
With its focus on international animal welfare issues, the SPCA provides valuable shelter grants, medical assistance, and education and also sponsors targeted rescue efforts worldwide. http://www.spcai.org
Tierra de Animales sanctuary
A refuge for CancÚn’s forgotten and abandoned street dogs, or “perros callejeros.” http://www.tierradeanimales.org/
World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
A decades-old organization dedicated to ending animal cruelty worldwide, the WSPA works directly with suffering animals and with local organizations dedicated to helping end animal suffering. Its goal is to get all nations to commit to more animal-friendly practices. http://www.wspa-international.org
RECOMMENDED READING
There are, of course, too many good books to list, but here are just a few that I’ve found helpful or moving, both in the field of animal rescue and in the basic training of dogs.
Rescue Titles
Street Dogs by Traer Scott (Merrell Publishers, 2007). A lovely collection of ninety black-and-white photographs taken by Traer in 2006 in Puerto Rico, showing satos on the streets and beaches. Looking through the book never fails to bring back bittersweet memories for me.
Rescue Matters: How to Find, Foster and Re-home Companion Animals: A Guide for Volunteers and Organizations by Sheila Webster Boneham (Alpine Publishing, 2009). The definitive guide to animal rescue, this book covers all aspects, including starting a rescue group, basic rescue techniques, pet evaluations, and much more. If you want to start your own group or join an established one, read this book.
Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster by Allen and Linda Anderson (New World Library, 2006). Filled with moving stories of pet rescues in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, this book also provides guidance on proper pet rescue techniques used during times of crisis.
The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption by Jim Gorant (Gotham Publishing, 2010). A gripping story of Michael Vick’s dogfighting o
peration, and the ensuing efforts to save, rehabilitate, and find homes for the pit bulls he’d doomed to a life of violence and death.
Training and Behavior Books
How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend by the Monks of New Skete (Little, Brown, 2002). This revised version of a classic is both a practical guide to dog training and a philosophical discussion of dog ownership. I like the monks’ attitude toward balancing discipline with praise, and their idea that training helps instill a desire to please and perform.
How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond by Cesar Millan and Melissa Jo Peltier (Three Rivers Press, 2010). Aimed at the needs of puppies and young dogs, How to Raise the Perfect Dog answers all the most common questions and guides you toward a rewarding rapport with your best canine pal.
The Dog’s Mind: Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior by Bruce Vogle (Howell Book House, 1992). This is an excellent primer on how dogs perceive the world. Read it if you want to explore how the canine mind works.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To Pamela, my loving and dedicated wife of eighteen years, I love you. You have stood by me through tough times when anyone else would have bailed. You’ve always supported and encouraged me to pursue my heart’s dreams. I know I was tough to live with while living in Puerto Rico and then again while writing this book. It was an emotional and painful journey at times having to relive the memories in order to write the book the way it needed to be written. Through it all, you’ve remained my constant and helped me to stay the course. Thank you, hon.
To my two beautiful daughters Freyja and Ella, since your arrival in this world, you’ve managed to provide a piece of my life that I didn’t know I was missing. You’ve breathed a breath of fresh air and new life into me. You’ve helped me see the little joys in day-to-day living again. Your love and compassion toward animals is inspirational and drives me to be a better person. I love you, my sweeties.
To my oldest daughter Bethany and my only son Curtis. Through all the ups and downs life has thrown our way, my love for you has remained constant. Your compassion and soft-hearted approach to life has always touched me. I love you, kiddos.
To Mum, thank you for always believing in me and helping me to believe in myself. Your encouraging words over the years have allowed me to dream bigger and push myself harder than I thought possible. I love you.
To Barry and Ian, thank you for always being there for me. You’ve been the best older brothers a rebel like me could have ever asked for. The McGarva brothers forever.
To my closest friend, Yann, thank you, bro!
Nan, Grandpa, Dad, and Blair . . . I love and miss you.
Without the aforementioned, I could never have written this book or done what I did for the dogs at the beach. You took my desperate calls, helped talk me off the ledge of desperation, and kept me from walking away from it all. I’m eternally grateful to each of you for your love and support and for always having my back.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author Photo by Beth Perkins
STEPHEN McGARVA is the founder of the Achates Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to end the abuse of strays and build animal-friendly communities in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Stephen first came to prominence as the Dog-Rescuer for his work saving hundreds of dogs in Puerto Rico. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with his wife and daughters, and is currently pursuing a teaching degree from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University.
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CREDITS
Cover design by Laurie Griffin
COPYRIGHT
Photograph following the preface courtesy of Beth Perkins; all other photographs courtesy of the author.
THE RESCUE AT DEAD DOG BEACH. Copyright © 2014 by Stephen McGarva. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
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EPub Edition August 2014 ISBN 9780062351715
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