In November of 2014, following a series of events that would
lead me to being homeless, I had called the homeless shelter in Phoenix
Arizona. Among other questions for the
shelter, I had asked if I could bring my dog.
The answer to this question was clear and really quite reasonable, “Unless
your dog is a certified service animal, absolutely no pets are allowed.” Well hell I had thought, there aren’t enough
beds for humans in the shelter and it really came as no surprise that pets were
not allowed, as is the case for the vast majority if not all of the major
shelters across America.
Bolstered by this bad news and resigned to my circumstances
I verbally expressed what I had already committed to in my heart long ago and
especially so now that my kids were grown and on their own, “I’ll live with my
dog on the streets.” What had happened next is a moment I often reflect on, and
am thankful for, when the CSR replied, “Call the Veterans Crisis Hotline and
inquire about an organization called “Veterans and Their Pets.”. Further reflection on this fortuitous
encounter with a concerned and thoughtful CSR is in itself cause for gratitude for
all of us know what it is like communicating with a CSR that is either bored,
unconcerned, or just plain annoyed by the inconvenience of having to deal with
yet another task. This is especially
true, it would seem, with state and federal employees, the DMV being the most
notorious in my opinion and experience.
It often seems that customer service/care representatives are hired, in
the majority of instances, to fulfill only the minimum of job requirements;
consume oxygen and create carbon dioxide.
Concern and dedication on the part of the CSR that day, that moment with
me, I am forever grateful for.
As the phone rang in my ear in my attempt to connect with
the Veterans Administration Crisis Hot Line, I had growing doubts in the
likelihood of finding a solution to my immediate problem- keeping me and Daisy
together. A counselor picked up the line
and I got right to the heart of the problem.
It had been explained to me that “Veterans and Their Pets” has helped
others in situations similar to mine and I was encouraged by this fellow to
reach out to them. It was indeed
satisfying to know that I was getting a referral from the Veterans Administration
Crisis Hotline directly. They provided me with a direct number to
VeteransAndTheirPets.org and immediately I became a little more hopeful for a
solution.
My call to “Veterans and Their Pets™” was answered by a
gentleman by the name of Michael. Many
things had been discussed over the phone during this conversation, much of
which was negatively affected by my current state of mind. I was under the influence of a powerful
emotion involving a considerable amount of fear, and mixed with that, the uncertainty
and doubt I had been consumed by certainly affected what I was hearing and more
importantly how I processed that information.
When Michael had requested that I sign foster/adoption paper work to
send back, I pulled the receiver away from my head, stared at the earpiece in
disbelief for a moment before returning it and said, “Man, you just don’t get
it, I ain’t giving my dog away.” I had
very nearly hung up the phone in surrender to my current circumstance with the
resolve that the only way for Daisy and I would be to go it alone.
With a firm but calm and reassuring tone, Michael pierced my
haze of despair with his reply, “Harold, in your absence this allows us to care
for Daisy; see to her veterinary needs such as spay, vaccinations, licensing,
housing, and transportation, all of which are necessary while you are away. Also, there are, and have been in the past,
those that never come back for their pet and this covers us in the event we
encounter such a situation.” That very
afternoon, I signed and emailed the forms necessary for Daisy’s care.
My encounters with Michael in the following week were brief
but his dedication and passion were evident in actions that supported his
words. A visit to PetSmart™ to meet with
Michael and pick up a pass that would allow me to visit the kennel where Daisy
was temporarily housed until her veterinary visit revealed that he was busy
that Saturday organizing and screening individuals interested in adopting the
dogs that he brought in.
After a week of living in the homeless shelter and being
separated from Daisy, it was Michael West along with other concerned folks in
the Veterans Administration that encouraged me to leave the Phoenix Shelter and
go to Thousand Oaks to be with my father while he struggled with his recent
diagnosis of cancer. Daisy had been
recovering from spay surgery for only a few days when I picked her up in her
kennel before hitching a ride to Cali.
Following my father’s short battle with cancer, ending on
February 21, 2015, I had called Michael West on the phone to discuss the
following vision and mission with him.
On the phone with Michael I struggled to formulate my rapidly conceived plan;
I had my bicycle, dog crate, duffel bag, and Daisy; that I would purchase a trailer
and ride across America for “Veterans and Their Pets”. It was Michael West that supported my idea. In April I had started this tour without
phone service or a tent.
Just days into the tour, Tour De PACLANTIC, it was Michael
West that reached out to me to say, “Harold, slow down and enjoy the journey…”,
for I had been cranking out serious and hard mileage to distance myself from
the unfriendly metropolis of the Los Angles sprawl.
When I had arrived in Phoenix I was invited by Michael West
to attend a fundraiser put on by himself and others. Again I was witness to his dedication and
devotion to Veterans and Their Pets.
Later he would invite me to his home for a last night in Phoenix before
continuing on my cross country travels.
It was at his house that he provided me with service for my phone,
citing that I would need it for my own safety.
He also gave me a tent and helped design vestibule for Daisy’s dog crate
in case should we encounter inclement weather as well as shade from the desert
sun. This is where I had captured the
photos for this Thanksgiving day thank you post.
Today, on this thanksgiving day of November 22, 2018 (everyday really), I am most
thankful for Michael West of Veterans and their Pets™. He is just one person that works behind the
scenes of what you and I see as “Veterans and Their Pets™”. In addition to the many duties Michael has
assigned himself by way of volunteering, he is currently Director of Quality
Control at SUMCO Corporation and has been involved in the semiconductor industry
since 1984. Valley Dogs Rescue,
valleydogs.org , the parent organization of “Veterans and Their Pets™, was started
when Michael found eight puppies and mom, all of which were cold, wet, and
living under a shed.
For the story of how “Veterans and Their Pets” came to be,
check out this story: https://valleydogs.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/fox-news-covers-gary-and-libbys-story/
. It is an excellent example that
highlights the need for “Veterans and Their Pets”. In a nutshell, “There are veterans in this
country that do not seek the help they need because of their pets, Daisy and I
are but one example”
Thank you Michael West, I am forever grateful for your
dedication, kindness, and concern for others, including Daisy and myself. It is my sincere admiration of what you have
done for me and others that makes my simple tour pale in comparison with regard
to contributions to those in need. Thank
you!!! Woof!
If you enjoyed this story, please subscribe to my blog and PLEASE share it with others. I encourage you all to donate to www.VeteransAndTheirPets.org
With Love,
Harold Palmquist
TourDePACLANTIC.blogspot.com a cross country bicycle tour by Harold & Daisy for www.veteransandtheirpets.org
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| Michael West with Daisy May 2015 |
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| Michael West with Daisy 2015 |
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| Visit with Daisy at her temporary kennel through VeteransAndTheirPets.org |
