FLASHBACK FRIDAY!

On this day 5 years ago, I adopted a puppy left for dead - and got HATE e-mail for it.

Courtesy of the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley

Yes, it was 5 years ago when Caltrans workers in Colton found an 8-week-old puppy left to die near the Santa Ana River. 

The pup was brought to the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley (HSSBV), where abused dogs are brought to be nursed back to health - and where they will hopefully be adopted. 

As a MAJOR dog lover, I reported on-the-air about the discovery of the black lab mix, with a mangled tail and fractured hind leg. When I called the HSSBV to inquire about the dog - thinking a listener might want to adopt him - they instead suggested that I adopt the pup.

When I replied I was only looking for info, they asked if I could come down to their facility, since they all listen, and maybe bring some bumper stickers.

Then I saw the puppy.

And then I was hooked!

After numerous meetings with puppy and employees, my wife and I were allowed to adopt the pup given the name Caltrans - C.T. for short.  My wife didn't like the name Caltrans for a dog, and thought even less of C.T, so she named him Jax after he favorite character on General Hospital.

And five years ago today, I brought him home for good. Here we are on his first day home.

So how could adopting an animal left for dead result in HATE mail?!

From: spoiled247rotten@--------
To: thepopester@hotmail.com
Subject: The Theft of the dog named "CT"
Date: Tues, 11 Mar 2008 12:57:46 +0000

Hey POOPSTER,

Where do you get off talking your smack amount caltrans when it was them who rescued the Dog not you, what you did was steal it from a Caltrans worker who was promised CT. But what is worse is that, that caltrans worker had already told his children that they were bringing home the puppy and because of your dumb ass this mans kids are heart broken. 

Also How dare you change his name and put in print that comment about Caltrans. If it wasn't for Caltrans then CT would have died a horrible death. If you think that Caltrans is so bad at what they do come join them for a day. I bet you can't hang. I work at Caltrans and you can bet your sweet ass that you have lost quite a few listeners not just at Caltrans but we all know people and do you see the domino affect happening? Looks like I will just go to KCAL at least they are not Theives!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course, I had to respond. And it's a LONG response:

From: thepopester@hotmail.com
To: spoiled247rotten@--------
Subject: RE: The Theft of the dog named "CT"
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:57:46 +0000

Hi Stephanie!  Thanks so much for listening!  It's a real treat to hear from listeners!  

So let's see...last month, I reported on the news about Caltrans workers finding an abandoned puppy left to die in Colton.  I got a Press Release from the Humane Society detailing the INCREDIBLE discovery by the Caltrans worker.  I went on the radio that day - the ONLY station to report on the puppy being found.  And the next day, I went down to see the puppy.  Then my wife and I visited the injured pooch two days later.  Then we brought our dog in to meet the puppy.  Then we brought the puppy to our house for a sleepover.  On Saturday, we were approved for the adoption and picked up our newest family member.  He's the cutest!! 

Now, you say I stole the puppy because a Caltrans worker was promised the dog.  Who made that promise?  A stranded motorist on the 10 freeway?  A homeless man walking on Orange Show Road?  This is the first that I've heard about someone promising the dog to another person.  That would indeed make me feel bad, only because the puppy would be raised by someone else, and there is no greater dog owner in the world than Jeff "Poopster" Pope - so I asked a high-ranking employee with the Humane Society what you have told me, and here's the response:

 This email makes me so mad.  They were NEVER promised this dog, and no one from there even came to see him until right before you took him last weekend.   They have the nerve.  If someone from there wanted him for the RIGHT reasons, they should have spoken up as soon as this happened, NOT two weeks later.    You can bet I'm placing a call to that &$%&^*!!! at Cal Trans today! 

Obviously, that employee thinks you’re on crack. 

Since there are two sides to every story, I e-mailed ANOTHER high ranking member of the Humane Society...someone who's been close to the story since the puppy was first brought in.  Surely, she's going to vouch for your story!

 Dear Jeff,

 Jax was NEVER promised to anyone at caltrans, their only interest in Jax was purely for promotional reasons only, and the manager at caltrans was in such a hurry to get Jax in one of their employee’s backyard in a hurry. We do not work like that, shame on that person for sending that email to you. We reviewed several applications and you and your wife were approved. Caltrans workers who reported Jax did what they are required to do, report stray and injured animals, I rescued Jax. The worker who reported his location wanted to remain anonymous as most of them do.

 Don’t let this bother you, you and your wife and Blanca are such wonderful people and we know you are the best parents for Jax. We know this was not an impulsive decision for you, as it was with caltrans. 

By the way, I named Jax CT, not caltrans, I did it because of the guy who reported it to me did not want to go on record, but I knew if CT was adopted, and the new family would certainly rename him.

 Please give Jax a kiss from me. I do miss him and his beautiful eyes…….

 Yikes!  TWO high-ranking members with the Humane Society who think you need to pee in a cup!

Now, you are correct in the sense that I couldn't hang with Caltrans.  They bust their asses every day, working in the heat and the cold, putting in all that strenous physical work.  Which is why I got good grades in school and got my Bachelor's Degree, so I wouldn't have to do that kind of work. 

The only "diss" of Caltrans was my saying if MY new puppy still had the name Caltrans, he'd cost $6 million over budget, and take 4 years to be potty trained.  That's comedy GOLD - and it's just a joke.

 Oh, and you used the term "Domino Affect."  You meant Domino Effect, with an E.  Effect is the noun, Affect is a verb. Sorry, I also had to shoot down your calling me a dumbass.

Anyway, if any children were harmed in my being awarded the puppy, I feel bad for them.  But our first concern is about the puppy.  What Would C.T. Do?  Change his name to JAX, and live the good life knowing he'll be getting all the attention from his new parents, and not have to share the attention with children.  Did you know his little puppy teeth are sharp?  They hurt!   

In closing, I want to tell you I'm going to miss you having a listener as you switch to another station.  I'm sure after a couple of weeks of non-stop penis jokes, you'll be back - and we'll welcome you with open arms!! 

xoxox  The Poopster


P.S. The Caltrans worker who claims his kids were "heartbroken" because they were a promised a puppy could still actually get his kids a puppy, and save a life in the process.  Everyday, dogs are put to sleep at shelters throughout Southern California because no one wants them.  Instead of telling the kids that they weren't going to get THE puppy, he could've gone to any of the local shelters and gotten them ANOTHER puppy, or maybe an older dog that's already been housebroken.

San Bernardino City Animal Shelter (909) 384-1304

San Bernardino COUNTY Animal Shelter (Devore) (909-887-8055)

Jax TODAY
And now he's a strapping 5-year-old, 85-pound love moose who enjoys chasing planes, birds, his red ball, his older sister - but mostly, he likes to cuddle on cold days :)
 
And yes, my wife and I are eternally grateful to those Caltrans workers who, while working in the rain near the Santa Ana River, found a wounded puppy wrapped in a soaking-wet blanket.  MUCH THANKS!