Look, Stop and Help

by Christienne Metropole

Don't be someone who keeps on driving.

Sunday certainly started upbeat for me – I was heading East on the 60 Freeway to receive an award and give an interview about Stray Cat Alliance at Supreme Master TV! Suddenly, I saw a small dog lying in the fast lane. His neck appeared broken and he was motionless. I thought to myself...."For sure he must be dead."

As I drove past his apparently lifeless body, I noticed a CHP car in my rear view mirror beginning to stop traffic. Naturally, I assumed they would retrieve the dog. But a gnawing sense of unrest came over me as I thought, "What if he's still alive, and instead of getting him to a vet, they just move him to the side of the road…"

It took me awhile to make my way back to where I'd seen the pooch. Would he be there? My heart pounded as I saw his little body, now on the shoulder. At about 15 feet away, I could see that he was breathing! "No," I thought. "It can't be – it must just be the wind moving his hair." I put my hand on his chest. It was moving. I shuddered in horror. The California Highway Patrol had just left an injured dog to die painfully and in terror next to the 60 Freeway. Off came my suit jacket. I gently scooped Chester (as we named him) up in it. The poor thing let out a yelp of fear and pain, but there was no time to lose. I raced to ASEC (Animal Surgical Emergency Center), little Chester in the front seat beside me.

With such head trauma, Chester's prognosis was grave, but I could not give up. Would I have started Stray Cat Alliance if I had a hopeless attitude towards needy animals?

The vet believed him to be between one and two years old, JUST a pup, and of course an intact (NOT NEUTERED) male.

Chester had a chance. And he had a chance when the CHP left him beside the freeway.

24 hours later, Chester's condition had stabilized, and his organs were functioning normally. But, tragically, despite the exemplary medical care he was receiving, his head injuries compromised his respiratory system so badly that his situation took a real downturn. Sadly, the most humane step was to put him to sleep.

But not only did he die surrounded by a loving group of people instead of alongside a busy freeway, Chester 's story stands as an important, if sad, reminder that we all have a responsibility to help the helpless. Similar stories have resulted in the rehabilitation of injured animals.

And there's another vital lesson here: Although CHP officers are supposed to coordinate the rescue of animals injured on California highways with local Animal Services personnel, we now know that they don't always do the right thing.

Please – ALWAYS stop and investigate when you see an animal by the side of the road! EVEN IF YOU THINK THEY ARE DEAD AS I DID WITH CHESTER.  Keep a towel or throw in your car; if the need arises, it can become the first touch of comfort to an animal you might save.

LOOK, STOP AND HELP… because the alternative is unthinkable.

To learn more ways that you can help, please email info@straycatalliance.org or call 310-281-6973 today.

The Stray Cat Alliance: Building a No Kill Nation One Stray at a Time.

The Stray Cat Alliance is committed to the care and protection of the forgotten strays living in the shadows of our world. Our programs are a large piece of the puzzle in creating a “No Kill Nation,” where a home is found for every healthy or treatable companion animal, feral cats are fixed and properly cared for, and sterilization is readily available.

There's still so much more we can do.