12/17/2009 3:45:00 PM
A Christmas dog's gift to Camp Verde
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VVN/Steve Ayers
A wanderer by nature, Joe Sorrendino plans to stay in Camp Verde long enough to wean his puppies |
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VVN/Steve Ayers
Amy (top) had 14 puppies, but two died. Kathy McCurdy, founder of the Animal House thrift store on Montezuma Castle Highway, has wanted to join forces with other animal rescues in the area. That, however, hadn't happened until she came to the rescue of the 12 puppies. |
| | QUOTE | "Sometimes it takes a dog to make people act human."
--Kathy McCurdy
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"Not all those who wander are lost" -- J.R.R. Tolkin
CAMP VERDE - Last month, while on his way from New Mexico to Quartzite, Joe Sorrendino was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
He was traveling at the time with his late-term pregnant pooch, Amy.
So while Sorrendino tended to his warrant, Amy went to the Humane Society in Cottonwood. Sometime during Sorrendino's weeklong absence, Amy gave birth to 14 puppies.
Sorrendino is a dog lover, a Gulf War vet and a wanderer. He makes a living rock hounding, making and selling jewelry, and doing just about any job that pays a wage and lacks a long-term commitment.
"I don't mind if people call me a bum, but I just find it difficult to keep a steady residence. Like most homeless people I do this by choice. I don't drink. I don't do drugs. And I don't like to be stuck somewhere for too long," he says.
Sorrendino's peripatetic lifestyle does not lend itself to raising puppies. But, he says, it happened.
Shortly after committing himself to raise and wean a dozen puppies (two died shortly after birth) before he set off for his next destination, some people showed up to help out.
First there was the DPS officer who arrested him. According to Sorrendino, the officer stopped at the Humane Society on a regular basis to look in on Amy and the pups.
Then there was the stranger who offered to help bail the dogs out of the Humane Society.
Then there were the folks at the McDonald's in Camp Verde who fed scraps to Amy while Joe sought homes for the puppies.
Then there was all the e-mail traffic among animal lovers who, having discovered that Joe and Amy were camped out on public land, got others involved.
Then there was Kathy McCurdy, founder of Animal House, an animal rescue thrift store on Montezuma Castle Highway, who after spotting Joe and Amy and all the pups standing out in the rain, brought them inside.
And lastly there was Nadia Caillou, founder of her own animal rescue, Golden Bone Rescue and Rehab, who has lined up foster parents for the puppies, should some of them not be adopted as promised, and has also donated the money to spay Amy.
To most it may seem much ado for one dog and someone who doesn't plan on sticking around.
But for some of those involved it has become an opportunity to work together -- something they have not done so much of in the past.
"Not only has he helped get the thrift store in order," says McCurdy, "he and Amy are responsible for bringing several of the people working to save animals together for the first time.
"We, I mean all of us who are crazy enough to spend our lives rescuing animals, have always spoke to one another, but this is the first time we have all really worked together. A lot of people should get a pat on the back."
For his part, Sorrendino says he is absolutely overwhelmed by the treatment he has received since he arrived.
"When you live like I do, you have to be a judge of character. Everybody I met here has been so cool. Rules have been overlooked, a lot of people have been trusting and generous, and it was just for a dog. Apparently I was supposed to be here," he says.
Sorrendino says he is sticking around town until Dec. 23, when the puppies will be fully weaned, before hitting the road again.
"As generous as everyone has been, and as nice a place as Camp Verde is, I have to admit I'm already getting the urge to head on down the road."
McCurdy says the whole experience has been a positive for the community.
"Joe is a good person, he just chooses to live a different lifestyle than the rest of us. And he also loves animals, which is fortunate because sometimes it takes a dog to make people act human."
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Posted: Friday, December 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Ron
We do indeed live in a community that cares, for the most part.
But I wonder why 'it takes a dog to make people act human'. Do we extend this same level of kindness to the humans that cross our paths? Do we look for opportunities to show the love of Christ to the people around us, even homeless people who even may be homeless by their own choice like Mr. Sorrendino? Why does it take puppies to get us to act?
Hebrews 13:2 says "Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
I applaud all the folks who pitched in to help in this situation, but let's not forget about the PEOPLE in this community, in this world, who could also use a smile, an encouraging word, a helping hand, a meal, a donation of a few of our extra dollars.
2000 years ago God humbled Himself and came into this world to bring us the good news of his love and mercy, asking us to believe and to love each other.
Let's pay it forward.
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