Month: September 2011

It’s an especially happy Hump Day. The Skip Show broadcasts live at the Palm Restaurant Tampa between 3p-5p. C’mon out & say howdy. Then THE NEW BARKER will be co-hosting a dog friendly Pup Rally Yappy Hour between 5p-7p for Animal Coalition of Tampa’s Stride for Strays. We have goodies, prizes & raffles from Royal Pets Market & Resort, Planet Dog, Downtown Dogs & TradeWinds Island Resorts.

It really is hard to believe that 10 years have gone by. And yet, no matter where you were in the world that day, the visual and emotional imprints as a result of what happened on 9/11 are as clear and strong as yesterday.

Recently one morning, Joe, a transplant from New York now living in Florida, described in vivid detail his firsthand account of 9/11. He also reflected on a moment that occurred a week or so after the attacks. Joe and his partner Greg were in their apartment with the windows open. It was September, a Fall day after all, and there was a gentle breeze. Max, their Scottish Terrier, ran to the window as it began to snow. But, it wasn’t snow. “The breeze had changed direction. It was ash coming from Ground Zero, blowing past our windows,” said Joe, still visibly affected by that moment in time.

Anyone taking the time to read this blog is a dog lover. So you already know how dedicated dogs are to their human companions. Nothing illustrates this dedication more than those dogs (and their handlers for that matter) who were first responders to Ground Zero ten years ago. Search and Rescue Dogs, some trained to find survivors, others specifically trained to find the dead, dug in the toxic aftermath of 9/11. Some had their paws burned by the white-hot debris.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) was a first responder for those search and rescue dogs injured in the rescue efforts. They purchased and transported a portable x-ray machine and other medical equipment to lower Manhattan two days later. AKC supporters covered one hundred percent of the veterinary bills for those dogs injured while working the piles searching for survivors. This video from the AKC is a moving tribute of the heroic dogs of 9/11.

In the days that followed 9/11, remember how as a nation, people started caring about their neighbors more? Remember how we said hello to strangers? We thought more about acts of kindness and paying it forward. Ten years later, September 11 has become a day of service. A day to volunteer. It might be a good day to consider visiting your local animal shelter with a simple donation of dog or cat food, towels or an offering of your time for just a few hours.

The world continues to turn, and as we all go about our routines this weekend, most likely with our dogs, we’ll pause for a moment to remember. Whatever it is you’re doing this weekend, appreciate the moment: Life. Love. Dogs.

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