A Dog, a Cat, and the NYPD

from Out of the Cage! (Fall/Holiday 2007)

One starving dog and one partially blind cat have two things in common. Both were abandoned. And both have the NYPD and the Picasso Veterinary Fund of the Mayor's Alliance to thank for their lives.

Eddie was skin and bones, but wagging his tail when two NYPD Officers of the 83rd Precinct in Brooklyn responded to a call of an abandoned and severely emaciated dog on a woman's front porch in a neighborhood known as Sector Eddie. When they arrived, the officers found a good-natured, three-year-old Pit Bull mix. And he was starving.

Apparently the young dog's family had tied him to a fence and left him there two weeks before when they were evicted from their apartment. A neighbor finally called the police after the starving dog chewed through his restraints and collapsed on her steps. (It remains a mystery as to why no one called for help before that.)

Despite his dire physical condition, the young dog — whom the officers immediately named "Eddie" after the neighborhood in which he lived, and nearly died — seemed to enjoy riding in the police car with his head out the window. Not wanting to turn the dog in to animal control because of his physical condition, they called the Mayor's Alliance. Always willing to help out the NYPD when needed, the Mayor's Alliance agreed to take responsibility for Eddie and make sure he received the medical care he required.

So the officers delivered Eddie to NYC Veterinary Specialists — one of the excellent emergency facilities that routinely treats animals whose care is paid for by the Picasso Veterinary Fund of the Mayor's Alliance. Eddie was 15 pounds underweight and could not hold food or water down when he first arrived. He also needed to be de-wormed. The hospital staff immediately began administering fluids and slowly, Eddie's condition improved to the point where he could eat solid food. Thanks to the expert care provided by the hospital's staff, the young dog soon was on the mend. Throughout his ordeal, Eddie never lost his sweet disposition or gorgeous smile.

Today Eddie doesn't miss a meal as he continues to bulk up at the Southold Animal Shelter of the North Fork Animal Welfare League, a Mayor's Alliance Participating Organization (APO), while awaiting a permanent loving home. If you or someone you know is that special someone for Eddie, please contact the shelter at adopt1@softhome.net or call (631) 765-1811.

When Sonia's owner/guardian was arrested and hauled off to jail, she had no idea what was going on. Partially blind, with a sweet disposition, she waited patiently for her person to return. But that wasn't going to happen, because in addition to being incarcerated, he also was evicted from the apartment.

But fortunately, Sonia was not completely alone. Detective Steve Litwin, one of the officers involved in the arrest, noticed Sonia in the apartment. He recognized that because of Sonia's age and visual impairment, her chances of being adopted from NYC's Animal Care & Control were slim. So to buy time and uncover an alternative to having Sonia picked up by AC&C, Detective Litwin arranged with the building's owner and the NYC Marshall to allow her to remain in the apartment. The detective agreed to stop in daily to feed her and change the litter box until he could find someone to give her a new home.

Then Detective Litwin contacted AC&C to find out what possible alternatives there were for this sweet lady cat. AC&C suggested that he contact the Mayor's Alliance. Having traditionally stepped in to assist the NYPD in the past, the Mayor's Alliance agreed to take Sonia in and place her with an APO for adoption. But because no space was available until after the Labor Day weekend, the detective agreed to continue caring for Sonia until a space opened up.

The situation looked promising for Sonia. But then several days later, an unfortunate miscommunication involving the City Marshall resulted in AC&C taking Sonia into the Brooklyn Care Center. Detective Litwin called the Mayor's Alliance, which then contacted AC&C. Sonia was released back into the detective's care, where she remained until a space opened up at Murray Hill Pet Hospital, a veterinary partner of the Mayor's Alliance.

Dr. Dan Lauridia examined Sonia and discovered that she was almost completely blind, and recommended that she be examined by a specialist for a firm diagnosis. Dr. Vanessa Kuonen, opthalmologist at NYC Veterinary Specialists, examined Sonia and removed her left eye, which had been overtaken by a fungal disease. Now Sonia can see only slightly with her remaining eye. Fully recuperated and ready for a new home, Sonia awaits adoption at The Wagging Tail, a Mayor's Alliance partner boarding facility. If you are interested in adopting a three-to-four-year-old special-needs cat, Sonia might be the one for you. She warms to new people gradually, and although she generally doesn't seek out affection, she enjoys being petted. Contact us at info@AnimalAllianceNYC.org if you are interested in adopting Sonia.

Eddie and Sonia are on the brink of a new life, thanks to the Picasso Veterinary Fund. The number of dogs and cats who get second chances through this fund is directly proportionate to the amount of donations we receive to keep the Picasso Veterinary Fund robust. If you'd like to help save a life this holiday season, give to the Picasso Veterinary Fund. You can make your tax-deductible donation online, or by mail. If you're making a donation by check, make it payable to Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, write "Picasso Veterinary Fund" in the note section, and mail it to: Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, 244 Fifth Avenue, Suite R290, New York, NY 10001.