Community blessed with ‘big-hearted’ home

Published 12:49 am Friday, October 3, 2008

Recently I visited the home of Kim Howard and Three Rivers Rescue to look into the possibility of adopting a dog. Both days that I was there I was pleasantly surprised to walk into a house full of dogs and cats but no barking or chaos. It was unbelievably quiet and comfortable. The animals are not kept in cages or kennels, but are allowed in the house and/or in the back yard and allowed to be a part of the “family.” The yard is fenced, and the ground is covered in wood chips and is remarkably uncluttered and clean. The house is tiny, but clean and relaxing to be in.

I sat on the couch, which was occupied by two dogs and a cat, and watched Russell Corpusal, the tinier-than-usual Jack Russell terrier, wrestle with Texas Tyron, the beautiful, but shy, pit bull. They were on a blanket on the floor playing quietly, emitting occasional play growls. Some of the other dogs were on the floor watching or on a couch sleeping alongside some of the cats. Others were outside playing peacefully or sleeping in the February sun.

I was amazed at the interaction between all of these animals, and the lack of disagreements between the many personalities. I took one of the dogs for a walk and never heard any of the other dogs barking when we were leaving or returning to the house, nor was there any barking when I pulled up in the driveway. The only time I heard a bark was when I knocked on the door, and that was just to let Kim know that someone was there. It stopped after one or two barks.

All of the pets are spayed or neutered, healthy and well taken care of and loved. They come to Three Rivers in all sorts of conditions and are loved and cared for equally. They are allowed to become part of Kim and her daughter’s family, and learn how to act in such an environment. There was one dog that was quite skinny, but had gained several pounds in the week or so that it had been there. There was a sick cat being treated for an illness that looked comfortable and loved.

When I first arrived, there was a man dropping off his beloved cat because he was moving into an apartment, and you could tell that he was quite upset about having to give up his pet but also relieved to be leaving it in a home where it would be well taken care of, not just stuck in a cage or euthanized.

Kim seems very capable of assessing the personality of the pet and matching them with a compatible family. She spends a lot of time getting to know each animal and getting a feel for what type of home they need.

My pets are my family, but if for some unfortunate reason I ever had to find a new home for them, Kim is who I would turn to. I would also not hesitate to adopt a pet from her.

Instead of the city charging Kim for her “halfway house for pets,” they should be paying her for the service she is doing for the people and animals of the community. We, and all animals, should be blessed with more people like Kim and her daughter. The world needs more homes with such big hearts!

Barbara D. Swaney

North Bend