Baxter Again

I'm more comfortable writing news and analysis than I am being featured in a news story myself. But I'm about to gain a measure of temporary (and very local) fame / notoriety, thanks to Baxter. Baxter is the Saint Bernard killed by my local SPCA. The SPCA decided that putting down the dog was preferable to allowing him to come live with me and my family.

The Bangor Daily News is working on a stoy about the affair, so it's fair to say that Baxter is gone but not forgotten. I'll post a link if and when the piece hits the web.

Oh: I found out today that the Hancock County SPCA, the place where Baxter's fate was decided, is a no-kill shelter. Curiouser and curiouser. I'd wager that the people who donate to the local SPCA based on the perception that no pets are put to death there, would love to know what 'no-kill' really means. Apparently, there's wiggle room in that term (kinda like "I did not have sex with that woman," I guess.) Who knew?

The other news is that I'm about to have a meeting with Jim Nobil, the president of the SPCA, and Kenneth Hill, the organization's VP. I hear they're good guys so my hopes are raised that I'll be able to get my point across and force some changes at the shelter. More soon.

Comments

[James]

Rogier, have you met with Jim Nobil yet? I'm curious as to what he had to say about this whole thing.

[Adam]

I followed a link over from MSNBC's Clicked and read your story. The way the SPCA behaved is beyond the pale. Perhaps they're so used to the stories of people abandoning and mistreating animals, that they forgot that many families are responsible, loving dog owners. I hope the Bangor News story makes it to press. With the whole Ellen story hitting the news, I'm sure people will pay attention to it.