friday night at around 2am i was walking through fulton park from the train station to my house in stuyvesant heights, brooklyn when i noticed something moving by a water fountain. as i approached i realized that it was a puppy tied to the water fountain with bungee cord. i didn’t approach, thinking that maybe her owner had just left her there temporarily, and i didn’t know her temperment. when i got home, i called 311 and tried to get animal control to retrieve her. they said that no one could get her unless she was injured until the next day. i said “should i call back in 6 hours when she’s frozen to death?” the operator said there was nothing she could do.

i kept an eye on her from my apartment for the next hour and didn’t see anyone coming to get her so i decided to bring her some food and water. all i had was cat food so i brought out a can and some water in a plastic container.

upon approach she was anxious and excited. she scarfed down the cat food and water quickly and seemed to beg for more. i felt the sub-freezing temperature and listened to her whining, watching her struggle against the dirty bungee cord and made a decision.

i dragged her by the collar she was wearing to my house and pulled her into my bathroom. she seemed to be a little frantic so i made a bed for her in my bathtub and put some water and some more cat food in there and closed the shower doors. i spent a few hours with her petting her and talking to her in soothing tones. she let me touch her instantly and wasn’t afraid.

i slept for a few hours and the next morning let her out of the bathtub to have free range of the bathroom (which is actually pretty big). she started chewing on my towels so i gave her an old shoe to chew on instead. i had to go out for a rehearsal at noon, but before i left i arranged for a pet taxi to pick her up in the afternoon to take her to animal control - but during my rehearsal i got katie’s boyfriend matt to drive us the next day, which not only meant i would have time to find a no-kill shelter, but also research possible permanent home options among friends.

on the way home from rehearsal i bought a leash (in the morning i walked her by fastening a belt to her collar). i took her out when i got home and ran into a neighbor who had dogs and told me she was about 6 or 7 months old, probably a pit bull/lab mix. last night, he brought me some dog food and a chew toy to keep her occupied. she spent the night with me cuddled up in my bed and only woke me up once at 4am for a violent face-licking.

this morning i was supposed to meet with a couple that was interested in taking her, but they were unavailable to. i also only found one no-kill shelter that only possibly had an opening. upon discussion with my neighbor, lindsay, who also has a dog, i decided that i would keep her until i could put her in a permanent home (as she said she would help me take care of her until then).

as i write, toni (as i’ve named her) is sleeping peacefully on my white shag rug. i’ve actually grown quite fond of her, but cannot keep her as i do not have the appropriate time to dedicate to her (not to mention my cat, who is thankfully still in new jersey, might not be so into it). she is a puppy and needs someone who can devote adequate time to training her. her previous owner was irresponsible enough to abandon her in a park in the dead of winter, and also didn’t seem to teach her any commands or how to walk with a leash.

however, i can attest, and i’m no dog expert, that she is capable of being obedient. i, even with me minimal experience with dogs, have taught her to sit, and can easily control her when she gets too excited.

she also needs to go to a vet. i don’t know how long she was out there in the park, and i don’t know how she was treated before that. i don’t know if she’s spayed or if she has a microchip in her. unfortunately i do not have the time or money to take her to one.

basically, i need to find her a permanent home with someone who is willing to invest the time and money needed to take care of her properly. toni is a beautiful, affectionate, and potentially-obedient dog and i can’t possibly understand how anyone could abandon her. it literally brings tears to my eyes to think what would have happened to her if i didn’t find her or if she were simply set free to fend for herself.

time is of the essence. i am entering an extremely busy few weeks and need to find her a home immediately. but i also want to make sure that this home will be appropriate for her needs and that she meets the needs of her prospective owner as well. i don’t want her to be abandoned again.

please contact me if you or someone you know is interested in toni. you can call me and meet with her tomorrow (monday) morning to see if she’s a right match.

my number is 201.906.9730.

thanks for reading and i’ll keep you updated on her status.

xo - chris