Posted on 09/30/2005 10:47:20 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
John Wyrick has a new puppy, but the fight for the dog he brought from Mississippi while fleeing Hurricane Katrina isn't over. Wyrick accepted a German shepherd puppy Wednesday from Mike and Julie Draper of Independence as a replacement for Shuma, a service dog he evacuated, along with his family, from Moss Point, Miss., to the area three days before the Gulf Coast was ravaged.
Wyrick signed legal possession of Shuma to Lynn Nevills after he was unable to keep the dog at a family member's house temporarily. Since moving with his wife and daughter to an apartment at Hawthorne Place, he has tried to get the dog back, Nevills has steadfastly rejected his requests, along with offers of cash or another animal from others, and she insists she has a legal right to keep the animal.
Wyrick said he's willing to explore any remedy, even legal action, to get back what he considers to be a family member. His new dog, Bo Dukes of Hazzard County - Duke for short has helped fill the void, but he's willing to give the puppy up to have Shuma back. Shuma was a Father's Day gift from his son.
"It's been miserable without my dog," Wyrick, who is disabled, said. "I don't mean to be ungrateful. I'd love to have her and keep him too. She's like one of my children. I have a lost child out there and I want (Nevills) to give her back."
"Every time I ask and she says no, it rips my heart out. It's driving me crazy."
Nevills, on the advice of her attorney, wouldn't comment except to say she is not the evil person she has been portrayed to be and said the truth will become apparent as things develop.
Wyrick has not made a decision to proceed with legal action; he says his chances of victory are slim because he signed Shuma's registration papers, similar to a car title, to Nevills.
According to Wyrick, the exchange with Nevills occurred near the Independence Animal Shelter three weeks ago. He released the dog because he was told he could not keep it at a temporary residence. Nevills, he claimed, was looking for a German shepherd and after learning of his plight, offered to take Shuma as long as Wyrick signed the registration papers to her. He says giving possession to Nevills was a mistake but said it was the only thing he could do.
"If I had a choice, I would have never signed her away," Wyrick said while watching Duke pace the apartment. "I signed her over. I can't blame them for not wanting to give the dog back. If it was me, I'd give the dog back."
In the meantime, two of Nevills' neighbors said the dog is well and Nevills has been unfairly judged.
"What's come out is not the truth," said George Cookston, who has lived in Nevills' neighborhood for more than 40 years. "They're new neighbors but good neighbors."
Cookston said when he first saw the dog it appeared to be malnourished with diarrhea and glassy eyes. Also, the German shepherd's ribs and hip bones were visible. Wyrick said as the hurricane approached, Shuma refused to eat, possibly because she sensed the impending danger.
They said Nevills and her family have given the dog a good home, even building a new fence in the back yard so the dog can play. Since Friday, no-trespassing signs have also been added to the property.
Cookston and his neighbor said Nevills has obtained a medical checkup, shots and a license for the animal. Independence Animal Control officers visited the home last week to ensure the dog was in good condition, according to a dispatcher.
As the situation develops, Wyrick said he'll focus on training Duke to be a service dog. He did not have to pay a pet deposit at the apartment because Duke is considered a service animal, an animal specifically trained to assist an individual with a handicap. Duke would help Wyrick move around and perform everyday tasks such as retrieving items.
He has an agreement with the Drapers to return Duke if he gets Shuma back.
"I miss my dog," Wyrick said. "I worry about her."
To reach Andre Riley, e-mail andre.riley@examiner.net or call (816) 350-6362.
Yep!! ;)
I live in south central Virginia. Bedford, Virginia to be exact
I know there are copperheads here because friends of mine have killed them
How long was the snake, and did he have a thick body or a thin one? Bf is somewhat of a herp expert, and you definitely don't have a copperhead. Greenish black, with a white belly? Did you have a chance to see any pattern? He thinks it could be a black King Snake. You're too north for it being a water moccasin.
Lol, he's totally interested in your predicament : )
Don't worry about going down in your basement. Unless actively provoked, snakes will never attack anything as big as a human- especially if you're moving around. They'll wait until you're asleep.
That's a stretch. Have you even READ all the articles about this?
I fail to see how he was taken advantage of.
Well lets see. He fled Katrina and lost everything. He had his dog and family. His temp housing with relatives wouldn't let the dog stay so he was looking for someplace for the pup until he got a place of his own. Nevill was at the local shelter and said she'd take pup but he had to sign him over NOW. 2 weeks later he had an apartment. She said her kids are "attached" to the dog and won't return it.
I understand he regrets it, but that doesn't mean she "took advantage".
She further victimized a hurricane victim and got a purebred GS in the process. Yeah. Sainthood is in her future.
You can (and have) drawn conclusions about her unwillingness to give the dog back
Explain this to me. I've read most of the article about this. Have you?
I've heard that term somewhere before. ;)
No one should have to give moral and ethical classes on FR. It SHOULD be a slamdunk. I'm surprised everytime it's not.
"He wanted to give the dog away."
Yes...he made a rational, voluntary decision at the time and he regrets it. He could have said "no" to this woman.
I've read the articles. The elements of the transaction that you seem to claim as fact are not established as such.
The only fact is that he made and acknowledges that he made a binding agreement that he now regrets.
The rest of the story is subject to different levels of interpretation - neither you nor I know exactly what is true, partially true, or exaggeration. We make our own judgements to fill in the gaps. You and I just disagree.
I believe this man was competent enough to make any agreement he wanted. If he wasn't I'd agree with you on all counts.
Name them.
Darla's Show Notes
Thursday, September 29
John Wyrick has a new German Shepard!!! Thanks to Julie Draper of Independence. She and John met last night and he fell in love with little Duke right away. John, his wife Darla, and Julie all came in this morning.
http://images.radcity.net/3132/1153569.jpg
http://images.radcity.net/3132/1153568.jpg
the url for Darla's show
http://www.kmbz.com/showdj.asp?DJID=27524
"Name them."
Read your own post
I have no idea what facts you dispute.
"John Wyrick has a new German Shepard!!! "
Don't you just love happy endings?!?
Hopefully he'll keep this one and save us all a lot of arguing.
"I have no idea what facts you dispute"
Ok, then read my post.
I'm happy for the guy, he's got a new pup. This saga is over.
Your campassion for this guy is underwhelming. We evidently have different moral and ethical barometers.
"Don't you just love happy endings?!?"
Sure do.
"Hopefully he'll keep this one and save us all a lot of arguing."
Hopefully Nevills will find compassion and return Shuma to Mr. Wyrick. Now THAT would be a happy ending. imho :)
"The story: Man gives away dog, whines when he can't claim it back - tries to destroy the new owner using the media and other animal lovers because he has regrets."
OH That is a load of total BS!!! The dog should be returned it right away. This man was looking out for his dog the best way he knew how at the time and not leave it to be shot like so dogs were or to starve. How can any one think this woman didn't take advantage of the extreme situation? The guy had no where to live himself. So he finally is in a situation where he can have his dog back and she refuses, she is a loosah thief big time! She actually got the dog for free pretending to be helpful.
What a creep!
"Hopefully he'll keep this one and save us all a lot of arguing."
If its even TRUE that he got a new dog! The woman who kept his 14 month dog it a horrid creature to have not returned the dog (and she still ought to return the dog if she had any shred of decency). FOLKS THE MAN LOST EVERYTHING!!! It was extreme circumstances and there are those that take advantage of these situations, like the woman!!
On the yahoo message board a poster that goes by the name "myownmarch" posted this:
"Does anybody really know John Wyrick???
I do. He wasnt forced out of mississippi by the storm. He was evicted from his home for not paying his rent.
John has spent his entire life sponging off other people. He is NOT disabled, he fakes it... I have watched him crawl under his truck, carry rocks in his back yard and countless other activities. His cane only comes out when someone is watching...
Lets be a little more choosy about the people we offer help to shall we?? "
*
I would like to know more about this.
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