Posted on 09/24/2005 11:02:05 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
A chance meeting at an Independence animal shelter has left a relocated Hurricane Katrina victim without his longtime pet.
John Wyrick, who moved to the area from Mississippi following the hurricane, had taken his German Shepherd to the shelter approximately two weeks ago after learning he would not be able to keep it at a temporary residence.
He released his pet of 14 years to a stranger while searching for a place to live. After finding a home, he has learned he can't have his dog back.
Wyrick met with an unidentified woman visiting the shelter, said Amy Wells, shelter manager.
"He wanted the animal shelter to take the dog. They started talking," Wells said. "He decided he wanted to give the dog to her. I told them you cannot do the transfer on our property."
After that point the story becomes unclear. What is known is Independence resident Lynn Nevills eventually ended up with the dog. Wyrick could not be reached Friday.
City of Independence spokesperson Irene Baltrusaitis said the shelter believes Nevills is not the woman who spoke with Wyrick because she differs in body type and description. Nevertheless, at some point Nevills took possession of the dog. After Wyrick found a permanent residence, he approached Nevills about recovering his pet of 14 years.
Nevills reportedly has refused to return the dog. Nevills was at her home Friday afternoon but would not respond to requests for comment. The sound of a dog could be heard outside of her north Independence home.
Residents throughout the area have offered Nevills money or puppies as an incentive to return the dog to Wyrick after seeing the story on television.
Nevills is not a shelter volunteer. She has volunteered with the Independence Police Department's K-9 unit, according to Baltrusaitis.
Nevills and her husband have done grass and landscape work, as well as raised money for the department's K-9 program.
"We don't have volunteers who take care of dogs," Baltrusaitis said." The volunteers take care of other things."
To reach Andre Riley, e-mail andre.riley@examiner.net or call (816) 350-6362.
Sigh.
IF the dog was certified, the man would have a very strong case for not only getting her back, under the law, but also, under federal law, would have been allowed to take his dog to his new apartment.
Cats roam. I have four cats, all drop-is or rescues. I've had a few drop out, also.
I have had many pets. The longer you have them the more you become attached to them. This has to be really hurting this man. And pets miss their owners as well as other pets. I couldn't imagine how upset I would be if I would have lost everything like this man and had to sign over my dog. I hope she changes her mind soon and does the right thing. It's clearly up to her what she wants to do. It's not to late for her to swallow her pride and give back the dog. She can still come out of this looking ok if she acts soon. Some people will still hold it against her forever. But if she doesn't do the right thing soon it is going to be real painful for herself and the rest of her family in that community.
BTTT
I just spotted this new thread. Anxious to read the update...
There are some cases where the dog shouldn't be returned but I don't believe that Mr Wyricks story is one of them. This woman needs to return his dog.
" She -volunteers- for the cop's K9 program. "
some of these people give charities and such programs a black eye when they are only involved for egotistical reasons. I have unfortunetly met many like this woman who are the stage mothers who vicariously live out their fantasy through their kids or pets or whatever with usually unattainable expectations.
You did the right thing with your dog. 3 weeks to 2 years is a big difference. Wyrick had his dog for 14 years. This woman is heartless.
Nothing positive in the update re: Ms.Nevill
Just more confirmation that she is a selfish, uncaring person who probably shouldn't be anywhere near any kids or animals.
Shuma = 14 years old!
Give him back, Ms. Nevill!
Oh I had some real tangles with this dog for quite a while. I called it "kennel behavior". They're really just bewildered and freightenend. I'll tell you something silly that I did, that I really think was the turning point. My dog liked to play, but it was obvious that she was taught "rough stuff" growling tugs-of-war, etc. she chased cars, she barked almost incesantly, she was one "wound-up" dog.
When I got home from work and into my sweats, I'd pull her onto the couch with me and start petting her. Then I'd slowly massage her. I'd gently rub her legs down to the pads on her feet (at first she didn't trust me to do this and would actually nip at me), all behind her ears, all the time looking into her face and telling her, "I love my Rosie. I love my little doggie." Really, it took a while for her get used to it, but once she finally learned to relax she was practically catatonic! I don't think she'd ever experienced that level of affection, but gradually it won her over. I can do anything I want to that dog now, and she accepts my every touch. Her level of obedience is perfect. It's one vocal command. No more barking. No more car chasing.
Now when she wants "lovins" she just lays her head on my lap like, "C'mon, get with it!"
It just takes time and patience. They've been through a lot of loss and how could you ever explain it to them?
Just sent an e-mail to Mr. Riley, the journalist, thanking him and asking him to stay with the story.
It wouldn't have made a difference to me. The broken leg thing made my jaw drop. The Peke with a broken leg wasn't their only "victim" according to their neighbor.
She is not "freakishly evil".
There are a lot of good, loving people, like you, on this thread and at FreeRepublic--thank goodness!
What a lucky pup!
O.K., just plain vanilla evil.
Must run.
Will check back later.
BUMP
That is a powerful story, rawhide; please tell your wife that her goodness and sacrifice brought tears to my eyes this morning.
She's my hero today.
Yes, it is sad how the animals are affected.
Thank God you did; dogs aren't interchangeable like CARS! Tacky ignornat people!
The rest of the story we do not know. Nor do we need to.
"Seller's remorse" is just another word for whining.
No it doesn't sound like it.
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