'Miracle puppies' survive adoption day rollover crash (36!)

The Santa Fe New Mexican ^ | December 15, 2008 | Ben Swan

[CedarDave]

Hanging upside down from her seat belt, Nina Chiotasso knew she had to act quickly. Her dog, Lill, had flown through the windshield after the van Chiotasso was driving hit a patch of ice on U.S. 285/84 [outside Santa Fe] Saturday morning. The van rolled, landing upside down on the guardrail ... of the busy road. In the back, were 36 puppies, fate unknown.

Chiotasso unlatched herself ... and crawled through the busted windshield, desperately hoping to stop Lill from wandering into traffic.

That's when the first of many miracles happened. The first person to come upon the accident was a veterinarian. She wanted to help Lill, but Chiotasso directed her to the back of the van. Chiotasso still doesn't know the veterinarian's name.

"I told her I could get Lill, but that there were 36 puppies in the back," Chiotasso said. "You could just see that look on her face — her eyes just opened wide, and she said, 'OK.' "

Chiotasso raced after her dog, calling her to sit and stay. The pit bull complied, sitting and waiting for her in the highway median. And then came the second miracle: None of the puppies were injured, and Lill had come through the accident unscathed.

Chiotasso, who handles community relations for the Española Valley Humane Society, had been up since 4 a.m. getting the puppies ready to take to the Watermelon Mountain Ranch Home for an adoption event in Albuquerque. The day before, Chiotasso had driven adult dogs and cats to the major event, which features more than 400 homeless animals from seven animal-rescue groups.

With all the animals accounted for, Chiotasso placed desperate calls to volunteers and board members. ... I had to get those puppies to Albuquerque. I knew it was their best chance to find homes."

[Fawn]

You should pay attention....I responded to the posts THEY made first...as I always do.

[Fawn]

In Palm Beach county alone...they euthanize at least 50 cats a day....due to irresponsible people.

[brytlea]

The problem is that, words like adopt and guardian seem to give pets the same status as people. This is what the AR crazies want. When, in the public eyes, dogs are the same as people, the ARs have won, and eventually there will be no pets. If you think that is far fetched, please do a little research on quotes by PETA’s Ingrid Newkirk. That is exactly their agenda.

[My hearts in London - Everett]

I’m sorry that you obviously must have had a bad experience with a dog(s) at some point. However, your description is wide of the mark when it comes to my Shiba Inu! She only drools outside when she smells the scent another dog left, she rarely barks, she doesn’t jump on people (in fact, you have to MAKE her put her paws on your lap!), and her breath is fine for a dog - she eats organic dogfood!

[Fawn]

I like dogs...no bad experiences....had a few growing up...big and small dogs. The organic food must help the breath and i know there are doggie mints out there too and it’s nice that your dog doesn’t jump on people....but cats still are the best! >^..^<

[Titan Magroyne]

Well...

I can imagine reproachful looks and a wag of the tail from ONE of them.

[NordP]

Disagreeing You know bad owners (can happen with cat owners, too), who don't brush their dog's teeth. My dogs don't drool...they have a doggy door to go outside...they are small, so little poops...no barking except to let us know there's danger...no jumping on people, we TRAINED them...and they smell like fabric softener because I wash their bed linens all the time.

Dog's Love You - Cat's Put Up with You

[DesertDreamer]

The van driver was very lucky. Yesterday, two persons died on the highway between Santa Fe and ABQ due to wrecks and rollovers on the icy road.

They should have been riding Bill's little train.

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Thanks for posting a positive NM animal story. That reminds me. There is one good thing Bill did while in office. He finally let the Legislature outlaw cock fighting. 8^)

[Fawn]

My cats cover their poop.
Can your dog do this?

[LongElegantLegs]

Mine's only a pit mix,but he's still pretty terrifying...

[shhrubbery!]

They’re being taken home and given love. The process of acquiring them falls within the definitions of an adoption. The word does not just apply to humans or even to family situations; you can adopt a belief, a principle, a name, a lifestyle, and all of these are perfectly valid usages in English.

Very well said.

[LongElegantLegs]

Wasn’t talking to you...Just giving you a courtesy ping for talking about you.

[Fawn]

So, is it some kind of law that you can’t respond to someone who insults you to another?

[shhrubbery!]

Yikes, you really hate dogs!

We're cat persons and dog persons in my house: Four rescued cats and one little rescued doggie. They love each other.

True, some dogs drool and worse, but so do babies (I know, I had four of those) and you still love 'em.

And it's GOOD exercise for us humans to have to take the dog out.
Even on freezing nights I thank God when I take the dog out, and look up and see the stars twinkling in the heavens. If not for the dog, I'd be sitting on the sofa watching tv and forgetting about God. (It's not for nothing 'dog' is 'god' spelled backward.)

[papasmurf]

Aw, wasa matta, your dogs always bit you as a child? Or, did your parents put you up for adoption, and buy a dog?

[papasmurf]

Thank you, Lord!

[LucyJo]

Beautiful! Love the name too. Ha.

[papasmurf]

Thanks for the Ping!

[My hearts in London - Everett]

I can't believe how ugly people get here on FR when it comes to pets! Pro or con, whatever side of the fence you're on, the conversation gets very immature for some strange reason! People have their likes and dislikes which can seem bizarre or unreasonable to others, but that's what makes the world go round! Cats need someone to take care of them, same with dogs. Do we need to get defensive or offensive about who picks what to love??

[LucyJo]

LOL...totally sacked out! That is precious.