Every year at this time, I realize I've been negligent in bringing
readers up to speed about the people you came to know and care
about from previous columns.
So many of you reach out to help the total strangers profiled on
these pages, the least I can do is offer a progress report. With
appreciation and thanks, here goes.
Last year, Doug Geary, 76, lived in a Ford Bronco on the streets
of Burlington County with his three dogs. This Thanksgiving, the
University of Pennsylvania alum and onetime suburban success story
woke up in a warm Medford apartment, then shared a feast with 51
members of his extended adoptive family.
My January column about Geary, an Air Force veteran and paramedic
who lost his home to foreclosure but refused to go into a shelter
because he would have to abandon his dogs, moved animal lovers to
tears. Readers - including Gov. Rendell - lined up to help a man
so committed to his pets.
As promised, Geary allowed the Medford couple who rescued him from
his front seat to organize his finances. After finding him an
apartment, they set up rent payment from his Social Security check
so he can't mismanage his money and wind up in the cold again.
Money remains tight and a bankruptcy filing looms on the horizon,
but Geary doesn't complain.
"He's doing well, considering," says Kelley Meyer of Medford. "He
knows what's expected of him. If he's strapped one month, he'll go
to the Goodwill pantry for food."
Sadly, Geary recently said goodbye to his beloved Frisky Buster,
an 18-year-old bichon. He tapped a "dog use only" fund for
cremation.
"Right now, I'm relaxing and sitting at my desk looking at [his
remains] in a little box," Geary relays. "Please tell everyone
that everything's just fine."
UPDATE:
February 1, 2010 - Doug Geary has passed away. NJ Aid for Animals
is helping his loving companions left behind.
HELP FOR LITTLE DOGS WHOSE OWNER WOULD NEVER LEAVE THEM
Dover and Kinsey miss their owner Doug terribly. They were never
apart but now they will have to move forward without Doug.
Both require major medical expenses.
Dover, the little Lhasa, is about l5 years old and needs a dental
terribly. He is also suffering from severe arthritis and will need
pain meds for life. A tumor under his tail is also going to
require a biopsy
Kinsey, tested positive for Erlichia and Lyme. She also had the
worst gum disease and mouth infection the vet had ever seen. Once
this happy friendly little old lady (l2 years old) gets her dental
and her Lyme cleared up,she will be good to go to her forever home
again.
Two medical exams, 2 dentals, 2 blood workups, pain meds,
antibiotics, and a biopsy for these dogs has cost us a fortune.
But, if my beloved companions were left behind I would want
someone to take them under their wing and give them love and care.
Won't you help us help Dougs Dogs. They are lovely animals.
OSCAR PROJECT AT ABSEGAMI HIGH SCHOOL
NJAFA was asked to collaborate on a project the High
School is doing for "one book, one school". The book
they are all reading is "The Absolutely True Diary of
a Part Time Indian", a novel by Sherman Alexie that
has won every literary award for young adult
literature. Based on a true story of a Native Amerian
Indian living on a reservation, the protagonist's dog
and childhood friend, Oscar. had to be shot because
the family could not afford vet care. In an effort to
raise awareness about humane education, the principal
of AHS invited NJAFA to put together a curriculum for
the Business students. The students are forming a
"mock non profit" that will raise money for needy
animals in the Atlantic Co. area for distemper shots.
Our President, Kathy McGuire, attends the classes
twice a week and facilitates the students through the
process of forming a charity including choosing team
leaders, picking a mission statement and name, coming
up with a logo and fundraisers....click
here to read more
LISTEN TO NJAFA (Kathy McGuire) on Radio -
http://www.whyy.org/cgi-bin/newwebRTlookup.cgi
-
Click on link to the left to listen to Kathy on
the radio - she is on at about l9:00 minutes into
interview with Sherman Alexie , Wed l0/28 Hour two
CLOTHING BIN DONATION PROGRAM
Please donate linens, towels, sheets, old clothes,
coats, shoes or any recyclable item to help us raise
much needed funds. We have clothing bins at Halo House
Boarding Kennel in Franklinville, NJ and the Winslow
Township Municipal Offices Parking Lot on Rt 73 in
Winslow Township, Cedarbrook Post Office Parking
Lot on Rt 73 and Mongan's Service Station, 438
Williamstown Road, Winslow, New Jersey.
New Jersey Aid
for Animals, P.O. Box 4, Cedarbrook, NJ 08004 856-498-3978 info@njafa.org
