Friday, April 02nd, 2010 | Author: ~B~
Image credit: DailyBulletin.com
This story is local to me, and it’s very upsetting.
Guillermo Reyes is 78 years old and mentally ill. His hoarding is a side effect of dementia. Of course he refused treatment. Many mentally ill people refuse treatment because – wait for it – they are mentally ill and don’t recognize that they have a problem.
This is a well-loved man who bought his house with cash in 1976. It was his house, fully paid off. Through this crazy, twisted series of events, he’s been evicted from his home and made homeless because he hasn’t eliminated the results of years of hoarding. The entire neighborhood feels for him and is stepping up to help him, but the chances of him actually getting his home back are slim to none.
I understand that when hoarding becomes such an issue, to the point where it is a safety hazard to the owner and to the community, something must be done. But surely putting a mentally ill, nearly 80-year-old, 30-year-resident out on the street is not the right thing to do. Surely there must be another way. Anybody have any input on this? Possible alternative solutions?
* * * * *
In personal news, I rescued a dog recently, and he needs a home – any takers in SoCal (or even NorCal could probably be arranged)?
I was leaving the gas station and this poor, skeletal boy circles near my car, looking confused and frightened. It took some coaxing, and the help of another woman in the parking lot, to get him into the vehicle, but I felt I just couldn’t leave him in that condition.
Sage pulled over 30 ticks off him, hosed him down and gave him a flea bath, and he never flinched or made a peep. Just stood stock still. He’s a 1-year-old Yellow Lab/German Shepherd mix and he’s been sleeping in my trailer soundly and quietly throughout the night. He does great with other dogs, children, and other animals (he hasn’t even shown any interest in the chickens or cats on the lot). Not an aggressive bone in his body. He’s fattening up nicely (maybe around 57-60 lbs.), and we used a free voucher to have him neutered. I call him Jethro, because he looks like a dog named Jethro that should be lying at some old guy’s feet on a porch as he plays the banjo (the guy, not the dog). He’s very low-key and loving, very much a “velcro” dog (wants to either be where you are, or else out playing with other dogs during the day). He’s housebroken, knows “come here”, and is learning “sit” very quickly. Rides well in the car and walks well on-leash. We took him to an adoption event and he had several parties interested in him, but the three ladies who filled out applications were all told “no” by their husbands (who hadn’t seen or met him). Go figure, right?
So, he still needs a home now, as I can’t keep him here long term. However, I’d rather not take him to the Humane Society where they’ll stick him in a concrete cell for however long it takes to adopt him out. He’s an absolute love and if I lived in a house and not a trailer, I’d absolutely keep him. But with Fezzik and potential upcoming book promotion, etc., I know that wouldn’t be in his best interests. Anybody out there want the greatest dog in the world? This really is a fantastic boy!
If smaller dogs are your thing, Sage also has one other dog for placement at the moment. His name is Ross (she found him in a Ross parking lot), he’s 2-3 years old, and from what we can tell, he is a mix of at least two of the following: Rat Terrier, Boston Terrier, Chihuahua. Which two he is, we’re having a little harder time figuring out. But what is certain is that he’s adorable, with a big personality that belies his small (5-6 lbs.) stature. He’s very much a cuddler and a clown, warms up quickly, loves everybody, and gets along with other dogs. He’s also very quiet, not a barker at all, and has been crate trained and housebroken by his foster mom.
Both dogs available from Doggie Protective Services (DPS) in Palo Alto. More info on Jethro and Ross, including video, at the following links:
http://www.adoptapet.com/pet3628198.html
http://www.adoptapet.com/pet3604108.html
If you’re interested, please contact Tera at rescuenoca@aol.com for an application!
Category: UncategorizedYou can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.3 Responses
Thanks Bri, for not only helping homeless people, but homeless dogs as well!! For anyone interested in saving the life of a dog (or two) please visit the site frequently, and recommend it to your friends looking for great pets http://www.dpsrescue.com
thanks for saving lives, both 2 and 4 legged! (and sometimes 3)
here is the link to the tv show Hoarders where you can ask for their help
http://hoardersdocumentary.com/machform/view.php?id=3I did not know enough information so I could not fill it out.
Also, my friend who works with Suzanne, the lady with the no kill ranch for dogs, halfway to home, is going to look into helping as well with the pups!
xx,
TracyIt is our job to help any thing or one in need, regardless of our station in life. You are EXEMPLARY in making sure that those that you come across are helped, regardless of your situation in life. You are amazing. God Bless and Happy Easter! I’ll say a special prayer for those you are helping. For goodness sakes, if you are ever in Houston, you must keep my email and look me up.
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