July 21, 2021 - Pittsburgh City Paper

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JULY 21-28, 2021

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JULY 21-28, 2021 VOLUME 30 + ISSUE 29

FIRSTSHOT

BY LISA CUNNINGHAM

A scarf-covered dog statue watches over the North Side’s Mexican War Streets during the pandemic.

Editor-In-Chief LISA CUNNINGHAM Director of Advertising JASMINE HUGHES Director of Operations KEVIN SHEPHERD Managing Editor RYAN DETO A&E Editor AMANDA WALTZ Staff Writers DANI JANAE, KIMBERLY ROONEY 냖㵸蔻 Photographer/Videographer JARED WICKERHAM Graphic Designer JEFF SCHRECKENGOST Digital Marketing Coordinator DARYA KHARABI Sales Representatives ZACK DURKIN, OWEN GABBEY, HANNAH MORAN-FUNWELA Circulation Manager JEFF ENGBARTH Featured Contributors REGE BEHE, MIKE CANTON, LYNN CULLEN, TERENEH IDIA, CHARLES ROSENBLUM Interns LAURYN NANIA, KAYCEE ORWIG National Advertising Representative VMG ADVERTISING 1.888.278.9866 OR 1.212.475.2529 Publisher EAGLE MEDIA CORP.

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PGHCITYPAPER.COM Adoptable animals at Animal Friends and Humane Animal Rescue (bottom left)

CP PHOTOS: KAYCEE ORWIG

Kids make dog treats for the rescue dogs at an Animal Friends Summer Camp.

THE ANIMAL ISSUE

GIMME SHELTER

How Pittsburgh animal shelters weathered the pandemic

BY RYAN DETO // RYANDETO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

T

HE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC shifted

so much of the world, and for many places, brought things to a grinding halt. But not animal shelters, where things went into overdrive. Thanks to spiking demand for adoptions and fostering, animal shelters in cities across America — including Pittsburgh — saw very busy times while complying with gathering restrictions and social distancing standards.

Animal shelters in Pennsylvania being deemed essential by Gov. Tom Wolf meant keeping up all the same services, but making some adjustments to how things were run. Dan Rossi, CEO of Humane Animal Rescue, says that meant major changes in operations, while still making sure the animals were put first.

“A year-plus ago, we went into a very quick shutdown, and we weren’t sure how to adjust to

things. We had to pivot how we served people,” says Rossi. “They were still picking up strays off the street, so we kept all those key services up and running.”

Weathering the pandemic meant large, Pittsburgh-area animal shelters like Humane Animal Rescue and Animal Friends had to work extra hard to keep workers safe and make sure animals were finding suitable homes. But it also led to some silver linings. Animal Friends says shelter animals were visibly less stressed with the buildings being calmer and quieter during the pandemic. And Humane Animal Rescue saw an increase in dog adoptions throughout the pandemic. Both large Pittsburgh shelters also say that surrenders, when people return adopted pets, have not happened on a large scale in Pittsburgh.

Now, Rossi says Humane Animal Rescue, which has shelters in the North Side and Homewood, is

back to normal operations and the shelter has a surplus of kittens. He hopes the post-pandemic adoption trend to hit Pittsburgh will be to adopt a cat or kitten.

Rossi says Humane Animal Rescue sees a lot of cats each summer, but this summer coming out of the pandemic has been especially dramatic.

“We are seeing a lot of pregnant moms coming in with kittens, which is typical of most summers, but it seems to be heavier this year,” says Rossi.

He adds that cat adoptions aren’t limited to house cats, noting how Humane Animal Rescue socializes and matches cats to barns and warehouses, where they can help with rodent control.

“Adopt a cat,” says Rossi. “This is a great time to adopt a cat, especially kittens.”

In comparison to now, the height of the pandemic last year brought different challenges than a surplus of kittens.

CONTINUES ON PG. 6

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER JULY 21-28, 2021

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GIMME SHELTER, CONTINUED FROM PG. 5

Humane Animal Rescue customer care associate Michaela Yonto with rescue dog, Cinderella

Rossi says that Humane Animal Rescue saw a 31% increase in animals brought into the shelter in 2020 compared to 2019. He also says that the shelter’s Ellie’s pantry program — which provides pet food to people struggling to afford it — had a huge increase in use during the pandemic.

In 2019, the pantry doled out about 14,000 pounds of pet food, but in 2020, that amount more than tripled to nearly 50,000 pounds.

The staff at Humane Animal Rescue also had to shift to a curbside model, which included veterinarian technicians and other staff members adjusting how

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they worked.

“Our vet techs were all car side and would take the animal in from the car and into the shelter,” says Rossi. “It was a pretty tedious setup. They had to do that in hail and 85-degree weather. Our staff really stepped up.”

Animal Friends, which runs a shelter in Ohio Township, also changed how they took in and adopted animals.

Animal Friends spokesperson Cody Hoellerman says there were many challenges the Animal Friends team faced, from staffing to maintaining programs to fundraising.

But like Humane Animal Rescue,

Volunteer Erin Butkovic pets one of the adoptable cats at Animal Friends.

having fewer people in the physical shelter had a calming effect on the animals.

“Although a shelter can be an incredibly stressful environment for an animal, the shutdown actually had some silver linings for them because the building was much calmer and quieter, which visibly decreased stress in many of our animal residents,” says Hoellerman.

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Hoellerman says the pandemic also brought a renewed interest in people fostering pets as a way to bring in temporary companions during the shutdowns. Eventually, many of those foster pet parents decided to adopt their new furry friend.

“Since people were working from home and cancelling vacations, it was a great chance to give our residents a chance to get out of their kennels and spend some time in a home setting with a family,” says Hoellerman. “And, we weren’t surprised when many of those fosters turned into adopters

and gave permanent homes to their foster pets.”

Both shelters are looking forward to a return to something resembling pre-pandemic. Humane Animal Rescue is hosting its annual gala this year onsite in Homewood, and hoping for a big turnout to make up for the lower fundraising totals they saw in 2020.

Rossi says they typically host the gala at a convention center or hotel, but having it in Homewood means people can tour the facility and enjoy the outdoors under a tent. People can also attend virtually.

“We are really excited to have a hybrid gala,” says Rossi. “We will have tours of the facility and a big tent so people can feel comfortable about attending in person.”

Hoellerman reminds potential adopters that 2021 is much different than 2020 and that routines have likely changed, and to keep that in mind when bringing in a new animal into the family.

“The most important thing for a family who was considering adopting a pet during the pandemic was to keep their ‘normal’ routine in mind,” says Hoellerman. “Although most people were spending more time at home during the pandemic, it was critical to remember what their regular routine would be once the pandemic ends.”

•

Follow managing editor Ryan Deto on Twitter @RyanDeto PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER JULY 21-28, 2021

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CP PHOTO: AMANDA WALTZ

Amanda’s husband and their dog, Villanelle

.PANDEMIC PET.

DOG DAYS

BY AMANDA WALTZ // AWALTZ@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

“W

E THINK she may have eaten a person.”

This is usually how I introduce Villanelle, the dog my husband and I adopted in January 2020. She swept into our lives as mysterious as her namesake: the deadly, yet magnetic assassin in the TV show Killing Eve. An overseas rescue from Kuwait, her papers divulged little in the way of age (one veterinary report estimates 5 years old, another says anywhere from 3 to 7 years old) or breed (a Chihuahua/Corgi mix, maybe Japanese Spitz, maybe terrier).

One thing we knew for sure was this dog had issues, mostly related to her being stuck in an apartment for a week with her deceased former owner (this is where the possible person-eating comes in). A photo from her initial rescue shows a filthy, terrified dog cowering in the corner. The foster, who got Villanelle through a group called Two Ladies Four Paws, warned that she had “little dog syndrome,” that she was prone to snapping and biting. Her behavior was

so bad that, initially, her rescuers didn’t think that she could be re-homed.

The first night she was home with us, I had a full-on anxiety attack as she slept peacefully in my lap, her belly exposed. Even as a farm girl who grew up with dogs, mostly Australian Shepherds, I wondered if I was up to the challenge.

I never had a little dog before, and never had a dog in the city. My childhood dogs were what you would now call “free range.” I was supposed to get a pit bull, and even put in applications with local rescues. How did this happen?

But Villanelle was perfect for our lifestyle. She ignored cats, which suited our surly Maine Coon, who had not lived with another animal for 10 years. She was not an active dog, preferring to doze on the couch. She was not food motivated, meaning we didn’t have to monitor her kibble or treat intake.

Early on, we were ready to socialize her, introduce her to other dogs and people, show her that the world was not nearly as scary and traumatic as

she assumed.

Then, less than three months after we brought her home, everything shut down. We were stuck indoors indefinitely with a dog we had pretty much just met.

There would be no dog-friendly brewery visits, no play dates with friends’ dogs, no get-togethers to gauge how well she could handle a group. Just us and a weird, little mutt who we thought had possibly tasted human flesh.

While not an ideal situation, we made the best of it. As the months dragged on, we got to know her, and she got to know us. We corrected her when she tried to bite, mostly by banning her from the couch, which proved surprisingly effective. We learned her boundaries, how she loved to wear clothes as long as they didn’t have sleeves, how she would flip out if you tried to clean her face off with a towel or tissue. We spoiled her with countless squeaky toys, removing the tags before bringing them into the house so she could rummage through the shopping bag and find them herself.

Follow a&e editor Amanda Waltz on Twitter @AWaltzCP

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Over time, what started as distress and reluctance (for me anyway, my husband was smitten from the beginning) turned to devotion. Looking back, I realize that, had circumstances been different, had my husband and I gone into work every day, bonding with this goofy little dog would have been more difficult, more stressful. I saw us rushing home to let her out, only spending a handful of hours with her each day.

More importantly, she made even the most dire stretches of the pandemic bearable, and joyful at times.

Now that we’re vaccinated and ready to mingle, new problems arise. We’re presented with figuring out the logistics of taking Villanelle into the office versus hiring a dog walker to let her out, with trying to make sure strangers don’t pet her without asking first. We have plenty more work to do in terms of making her less terrified of strangers, but I feel a lot better knowing that she trusts me, and that I love my little (possible) man-eater.

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.VETS.

DOCTOR VISITS

BY KIMBERLY ROONEY 냖㵸蔻 // KIMROONEY@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

D

EMAND FOR PETS shot up during the pandemic as many people found themselves at home with more time and fewer activities. But with new furry, scaly, and feathered friends in people’s homes, veterinarians were hit with increased demand for services, all while trying to navigate shifting CDC safety guidelines over the course of the last year and a half.

At Greenfield Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Sean Winnie and his staff shifted to curbside service in March 2020. Since then, they’ve adjusted technologically and logistically to keep up with spiking demand while trying to prioritize the safety and emotions of the animals, pet owners, and staff of the neighborhood clinic. “[My staff] are pet owners themselves and have, in some cases, I suspect, even possibly more compassion for the owners’ position, sitting out there in the car wondering what is going on inside that locked building, than the owners sitting in that car might have suspected,” Dr. Winnie says. “I could not have gotten through the pandemic as an

operation without them.”

The hospital underwent many changes in its operations, starting with curbside service, which required purchasing a mobile payment service and increasing the number of phone lines to keep up with “somewhere between 75 and 125 phone calls a day.”

GREENFIELD VETERINARY HOSPITAL greenfieldvethospital.net

Taking into account Pittsburgh’s weather, they transformed the waiting room into a changing room to keep the staff clean and dry. They purchased a cover that clients could stand under during rain or snow, and provided water to waiting pets and humans during hotter summer months.

The most challenging part, however, was navigating euthanasias in a time when there were limits on how many people could gather. During warmer

months and better weather, hospital staff performed euthanasias on gurneys outside behind the hospital, and during inclement weather, they invited no more than five people into their large basement room,which was usually used for X-rays.

“It was heartbreaking to see families go through that change and to not be able to meet our ideals in terms of how we like to see that happen under normal circumstances,” Dr. Winnie says.

Parking also became a challenge with curbside service, which often required staff members to walk farther and farther distances to pick up animals and bring them inside. The increased demand for services also led to increased wait times, jumping from a two-to-fiveday wait time for a routine appointment to up to two-to-three months.

With an increased demand for appointments also came an increased need for staff, which was compounded by two staff members taking maternity leave during the pandemic. Some veterinary hospitals chose to pause taking

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Greenfield Veterinary Hospital

new clients, but Greenfield Veterinary Hospital continued to do so. They tried to squeeze clients in and allowed day observations, where people could drop off their pets for several hours so doctors could look at them between other appointments. At times, they had to refer people to urgent care-oriented practices.

While Dr. Winnie says most clients remained understanding during the difficulties of the pandemic, “there was a simultaneous decrease in tolerance,” especially concerning wait times, which Dr. Winnie attributes to a culture of instant gratification from apps such as DoorDash and Uber Eats. Staff also faced brusqueness from clients over safety measures put into place, as well as small mistakes that slipped through due to longer, more stressful work weeks.

“I’ve seen nurses get burned out over this pandemic. I’ve seen personalities breakdown in bad days. I personally overheard and witnessed my staff being dressed down by clients over the littlest of slights,” says Dr. Winnie, who notes that the staff remained sympathetic to what pet owners were going through and doted on the pets brought to them.

Still, the negative interactions took a mental and emotional toll. One of the Greenfield Veterinary Hospital nurses left the field due to self-described burnout and no longer liking the work environment.

“That was heartbreaking to see. You know, there’s support, there’s a hazard pay, there’s a personal reaching out, there’s being available with an open door policy … Yet, there’s only so much we can do to help people go through that,”

Dr. Winnie says.

As the pandemic stretches on, the hospital has seen a slight slowdown in demand. It also moved locations to a newer building at 701 Hazelwood Ave. — still in Greenfield, so they don’t have to change their name. While CDC guidelines have relaxed, particularly for those who are vaccinated, the hospital still offers curbside service and adheres to safety guidelines.

“I’VE SEEN NURSES GET BURNED OUT OVER THIS PANDEMIC.” “We were doing that to try and stay ahead of the guidelines, because there was some belief in our staff — and I share this belief — that the CDC jumped the gun a little bit in going right to an honor system for a population, a significant percentage of which doesn’t honorably believe in science,” says Dr. Winnie.

Moving forward, Dr. Winnie says he feels better equipped to handle another emergency like COVID, although he hopes that will not have to be the case.

“It’s my favorite thing, to walk into an appointment with another pet owner, and to say, ‘I’m glad to see you in person and to do this the right way. Let’s hope this continues,’” Dr. Winnie says.

•

Follow staff writer Kimberly Rooney 냖㵸蔻 on Twitter @kimlypso PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER JULY 21-28, 2021

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CP PHOTOS: KAYCEE ORWIG

Kimberly Garrett and her pet pigeon, Cooper

.PETS.

THE PIGEON WHISPERER

BY DANI JANAE // DANIJANAE@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

I

F YOU LIVE or work in Downtown Pittsburgh, chances are you’ve become familiar with pigeons.

Often seen strutting alongside humans crossing busy streets, Downtown pigeons are charismatic and funny. Commonly derided as “rats with wings” and “dirty,” pigeons are sometimes subjected to cruel treatment by the humans they live among.

But Kim Garrett wants to challenge your perceptions of these city birds.

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Garrett, a PhD candidate at the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, has two pet pigeons named Cooper and Lady.

Some might find that odd, but she says they do wonders for her mental health.

Lady and Cooper are kept in an extra large dog crate in their own room, with newspaper lining the bottom section of the crate. They have a container for bird seed, one for water, and one for “grit,” which Garrett says is made up of oyster

shells or extra little rocks for the birds to “grind things up” and provide the birds with a source of calcium.

“That’s why pigeons on the street look like they are eating asphalt or rocks and it’s like, ‘Why are they doing that?,’” she says. “It’s because they need to have rocks in their system to grind up the whole bird seed.”

Garrett says because of misconceptions about pigeons, she often gets asked silly questions about how she keeps

them, like if she will get bird flu, or if they poop all over her house. She says people of younger generations tend to be more curious and inquisitive. There is a misconception that she just took Cooper and Lady off the street, but there are pigeon rescues.

Cooper, a beautiful bronze and cream colored pigeon, was rescued from a breeder for “fancy pigeons” that are bred for their looks. Lady was rescued from a dove release. Popular at funerals and

Drug & Alcohol Addiction Treatment Cooper flies free through Garrett’s dining room.

weddings, dove releases often leave birds confused and susceptible to predators like hawks.

Garrett says she first developed an interest in pigeons at a young age watching Sesame Street. Burt, one of the characters on the show, liked pigeons and often collected items like paper clips. He also had a pigeon friend named Bernice. Garrett grew up in New Wilmington, Pa., and she didn’t really see pigeons around in real life.

many know the history of them as carrier animals. When carrier pigeons went out of fashion due to the development of telephones and a postal system, pigeons were still very comfortable in the city atmosphere, and stayed.

“So they fell out of fashion and they were so widespread and people just kind of let them go,” says Garrett. “And so they found their own kind of safe spots in urban areas. And when they found those safe spots, they just had families

“OH MY GOSH, IT’S JUST LIKE IN SESAME STREET, THIS IS A BIG CITY, THERE ARE PIGEONS HERE.” “Growing up, I didn’t really see pigeons in my small rural town, but I associated that with the big city,” she says. “And so, I remember in ninth grade we took a trip to Pittsburgh to see a show and stuff for school, and there were pigeons all over and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s just like in Sesame Street, this is a big city, there are pigeons here.’”

Since then, Garrett has become a bit of an expert on pigeons and loves to share interesting facts about the birds.

She says they were the first domesticated bird, even before chickens. Pigeons were also used briefly for food and, of course,

and hung out there. That’s why we have them all over. They’re on every continent except for Antarctica.”

Garrett also says pigeons mate for life, and even though they may leave the nest and mate with other pigeons, they always come back to their nest and their partner pigeon.

If you don’t have an interest in owning a pigeon, there are still ways to be a friend to those you encounter on the streets. Feeding pigeons is OK, but stay away from bread. Garrett says cut-up fruits, vegetables, and bird seed are the best meals for our feathered friends.

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A

FTER OVER A YEAR of remote work,

many pet owners are finding it difficult returning to the office and leaving their animal companion home alone, especially if they were adopted during the pandemic. Pittsburgh City Paper staff understands this issue as keepers of dogs, cats, and even a tarantula.

We put together a list of tips based on personal experience and expert advice to help make the process easier for you and your pet.

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Dogs: Dogs are probably the most worrisome of any pet, when it comes to returning to in-office work, as they can have issues with separation anxiety that manifest in anything from destructive behavior, like ripping up throw pillows or shoes, to urinating or defecating indoors, even when they are thoroughly house trained.

If you adopted a dog over pandemic, you

probably have not been able to gauge yet just how they will react to being left behind.

If you know ahead of time when you are returning to work, try easing your dog into being separated from you by going out for longer and longer periods of time.

This could include shopping trips, visits with friends, or going for a night out. This will help you see how severe their reaction is and how much time away they are willing to tolerate before tearing up the couch or leaving a puddle on the floor.

For those with the resources to afford it, investing in a dog-walker or doggie daycare service might be the way to go.

There are plenty of reputable, professional businesses in the Pittsburgh area able to send someone over to let the dog out and give them a little exercise. If your dog is especially social and plays well with others, a daycare might be the best option for you.

For those with fewer resources, there

are still ways to keep your dog from stressing out. Dog behavioral expert Cesar Milan addresses this issue directly with “I Adopted a Dog, Now What? Tips For Returning to the Office!”

“Dogs, like humans, are diurnal, so taking walks in the morning is ideal,” says Milan. “I recommend setting aside thirty minutes to a full hour. Once your walk is complete, reward your dog by feeding them when you return home.

By providing a meal after the walk, you have allowed your dog to ‘work’ for food and water.”

There are also alternative methods and products, including vests you can wrap your dog in to make them feel secure. It might be worth looking into canine-safe CBD oil, as many pet lovers claim that the cannabis-derived product has a calming effect on their critters. You may find the latter dubious, so be sure to do your research and speak to your veterinarian before investing in anything.

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For cats: If your feline friend is anything like my cat, they are very relieved to finally get some “me time” after months of being stuck at home with their human companions. Because they don’t require walking or regular exercise, and because they sleep most of the day, it’s easy to assume that cats will be unfazed by your return to the office.

But many cats suffer from anxiety, and, like any other pet, rely on an everyday routine to stay calm and healthy. There are plenty of ways to help your cat deal with the transition and maybe even enjoy their solitude.

If your cat doesn’t graze and eats on a set schedule, buying a timed feeder that dispenses food throughout the day is one way to make them feel like everything is normal. Making sure their litter box is clean before heading off to work could also help prevent your cat from having any accidents — or “spite poops,” as I like to call them — while you’re away.

Other, less costly options for homealone cats include supplying ample catnip toys or curating a space just for them with hideaway beds, scratching posts, and elevated roosts where they can lounge. Streaming services like YouTube also have specially filmed videos of birds, squirrels, and other creatures that some cats find irresistible, and can provide them with hours of entertainment.

For more extreme situations, many dog-walking and doggie daycare services also offer options for cats. This could

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be helpful if you, for example, have a cat with special needs that requires medication throughout the day.

For reptiles, birds, and other pets: Because dogs and cats are the most common pets in the U.S., people with birds, reptiles, and other non-furry companions might be at a loss when it comes to finding information about leaving them alone. Still, there are resources available to help keep your feathered or scaly friend happy during work hours.

Events like the Pittsburgh Mega Reptile Expo (megareptileexpo.com), set to take place at the Monroeville Convention Center from Sept. 25-26, offer a wide range of products, services, and information aimed specifically at helping lovers of reptiles and other “exotic animals.”

Similarly, the Pittsburgh Reptile Show & Sale (pareptile.com) hosts monthly events in Cheswick.

Groups like PEARL, a Pittsburgh group dedicated to rescuing and rehoming exotic birds, have a number of classes and other resources covering best practices when it comes to caring for cockatoos, parrots, parakeets, and other breeds.

Whether you have questions about feeding, enclosures, or just overall care related to your pet, the above options provide great opportunities to meet and speak with others who are most likely struggling with the same issues as you.

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15

PHOTO: COURTESY OF LAUREN GIRVIN

Malvo the leopard gecko

.PETS.

STARTER LIZARD

BY KIMBERLY ROONEY 냖㵸蔻 // KIMROONEY@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

A

S PEOPLE spent increasing amounts of time at home during the pandemic, cuddly and furry friends became common additions to families and homes. But for Laura Girvin, the pandemic brought a chance to introduce her partner to a new kind of pet: lizards.

After Girvin and her partner’s hamster passed away early in the pandemic, they decided they wanted another living thing around the apartment. Her partner never had a lizard before, but Girvin used to work for a reptile breeder, which gave her some experience with the nonmammalian creatures. Thus, Malvo the leopard gecko entered their life.

“Leopard geckos are a great introductory lizard for anybody who wants to get into the reptile world,” says Girvin. “They’re really docile and tame, and they’re pretty hardy.”

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Malvo was only three or four weeks old when Girvin and her partner got him from The Enclosure in Plum. Named for the season one antagonist of Fargo — Girvin has never seen the show, but she trusts her partner’s description of the character as “reptilian-like” — Malvo is now about a year old and may live for another 15-20 years, or more.

Girvin was unemployed for part of the pandemic, freeing up more time to put towards Malvo’s care. Because she and her partner weren’t spending as much money going out, they could also invest it in Malvo.

Girvin did research and built upon the knowledge she gained while working for Tom Kelly, the chief reptile expert of Steel City Reptile Expo. When a cricket shortage during the pandemic — due to shipping delays and an increased demand for reptiles — threatened Malvo’s food

supply, Girvin was prepared and went back to The Enclosure, which breeds their own crickets.

“IF THERE’S EVER GOING TO BE ANOTHER PANDEMIC, MY ADVICE IS TO GET A LIZARD.” Other than feeding time, however, Girvin and her partner had limited interactions with Malvo, since, according to Girvin, reptiles don’t typically form bonds with their owners like mammals do. Since Malvo is nocturnal and Girvin and her partner are diurnal, the hours where everyone is awake are slim. But

when they do hold or play with Malvo, they are careful to remember how different he is than other pets.

“What I think is really interesting about lizards, and not furry animals, is that they move and act so different.

And I think a lot of times we anthropomorphize,” Girvin says. “But with lizards, you really shouldn’t do that because they are so different than us.”

Girvin understands why some people are hesitant to get lizards as pets, or are scared of them, and enjoys teaching people about the creatures’ habits and preferences, which she thinks can help people better appreciate them.

“If there’s ever going to be another pandemic, my advice is to get a lizard,” Girvin says. “Because you shouldn’t socialize them like with other lizards, and they don’t really like people all that much. So it’s kind of the ideal pet.”

•

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17

PHOTO: MIGUEL ORTIZ

Sebastian Foltz and his current foster dog Echo and rescue dog Logan

.FIRST PERSON ESSAY.

FURRY FOSTERS

BY SEBASTIAN FOLTZ // INFO@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

C

LOSING THE DOOR to my bedroom

was kind of an afterthought. It’ll be quieter. He’s in a dog crate. He’ll be fine.

His name was Diesel. He was 3. His previous owner must have named him to be ironic. You see, he wasn’t a rottweiler, or a doberman, or some other bear of a dog. He was a long-haired “wooly” husky, more fit for the Westminster Dog Show than the back of a pickup truck.

When I got home, it was quiet on the other side of the door. I opened the door to find the crate still closed, but no Diesel.

Instead, he was relaxing on my bed, and under my feet was a bathmat sized hole in my carpet (Diesel’s handiwork). Leave the door open. Got it.

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PGHCITYPAPER.COM

That was my introduction to fostering a dog.

It was August 2020, and it had been a month since I had to watch my husky of 12 years, Ike, take his last breath. With pandemic uncertainty, I didn’t plan to dive right into fostering. But Husky PAWS rescue — an independent group I’d been in contact with — couldn’t find a foster for the dainty fur ball. I think his owners may have fallen on hard times.

It turned out it was just the crate that caused the anxiety. After that, I could leave him in the house by himself, he wouldn’t touch a thing. Even though he did escape a reinforced crate one more time. I’m still not sure how he did it.

That’s the thing about foster dogs.

They all have a history. They’re all different. All a challenge. It’s not easy, but making progress and finding that forever home makes it worth it.

For his part, Diesel was well trained — escapism notwithstanding. Usually the folks that quit on dogs aren’t the best trainers.

I still had Diesel when another husky, Max, came into my life through fostering.

Max is barely a year old and less trained than Diesel.

Max’s owners gave him up because he ran away too much, and would get covered in burs. They’d given him a “summer haircut,” a no-no for huskies.

(Their double coat insulates in the summer, too.) He was also shaved bald in two

LTZ STIAN FO S: SEBA ht) PHOTO Max (rig

s Diesel ster dog Foltz’s fo

(top) and

spots, it was said that the grandkids got gum stuck in his fur. A vet buddy of mine said one of the spots — near his butt — could have been flea related. On top of that, he came across an unending case of diarrhea. Still, he bounced around like a happy ball of energy.

A worm treatment, a better diet, exercise, some structure, and he was a new dog. Never once did he try to escape my yard. I swear he smiled when he played.

IT’S NOT EASY, BUT MAKING PROGRESS AND FINDING THAT FOREVER HOME MAKES IT WORTH IT. That’s the thing about huskies, maybe puppies in general — people get them because they’re cute. Then they give up on them because they’re “too wild” or tend to escape. Both an easy fix if you exercise them and put the time into training. They aren’t all easy fixes, though.

People ask me, “How do you do it?

How do you give the rescues up?”

Polly Bray from Husky PAWS rescue gave me words to live by: “Pick a quality you don’t like. Dwell on that. It’ll make it easier.”

For Diesel, that was easy. I’m an outdoor guy. I just pictured the dreadlocks he’d come back with after a camping trip.

And I wasn’t ready to commit yet after

losing my guy Ike. Max was tougher. I almost kept him, or “foster failed” as they say. But we found a family of four that was too good not to let him go. I’ll never forget how the kids — a teenage girl and a younger boy — took to him immediately.

I won’t say that my eyes stayed dry on the way home. But the thought of those kids having a dog to grow up with also put a smile on my face — still does.

Fostering is not without challenges.

But would I recommend it? Absolutely.

Just be ready for some impromptu renovations. Me, I’m getting laminate floors.

There’s a definite need for fosters moving forward into the post pandemic world. Rescues and rescue groups are already seeing more and more dogs surrendered. As people return to work, they find out they “just didn’t have enough time after all,” or that puppies are cute, but dogs take work.

If you want to get involved, there’s plenty of outlets to do it. Look beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar rescues.

There are Facebook groups and independent rescues of all kinds. They all need help. If not fostering, maybe just dog walking.

Who knows, you might just fosterfail into your next forever buddy. But be ready for that remodel, just in case.

It helps to have support. I couldn’t have done it without some friends chipping in with walks and playtime.

Since those two, I’ve adopted a husky puppy and taken on another foster.

We’ll see if he turns into a “fail.”

Socially-distancing herself but still broadcasting LIVE Every Monday thru Thursday at 10 a.m.

Listen in at lynncullen.pghcitypaper.com

•

Sebastian Foltz is a photojournalist with the Butler Eagle. He lives in the South Side.

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER JULY 21-28, 2021

19

SEVEN DAYS IN PITTSBURGH

PHOTO: NICK PARADISE/KENNYWOOD PARK

^ Kidsfest at Kennywood

THU., JULY 22 KIDS • IRL It isn’t a Pittsburgh summer without a family trip to Kennywood. The iconic Pittsburgh amusement park is hosting Kidsfest, a thrilling weekend-long event for the little ones. Besides riding on roller coasters in Kiddieland, Kidsfest includes meet-and-greets with famous costumed superheroes, princes and princesses, furry friends, and more. Continues through Sat., July 24. 4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin. $24.99-54.99. kennywood.com/events

EVENT • IRL This season is a great time to enjoy Pittsburgh city parks and green spaces.

Enjoy the greenery of nature and a whole host of fun activities at the Summer at the Square block party in Mellon Square.

There will be live music, games, and food

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PGHCITYPAPER.COM

and drink specials provided by Talia, a Downtown restaurant specializing in rustic Italian cuisine, wine, and classic cocktails.

5-8 p.m. Mellon Square at Sixth Avenue, Downtown. Free. pittsburghparks.org/event

FRI., JULY 23 DANCE • VIRTUAL Classic cars and dance meet during Maria Caruso’s Ornamental Ecstasy, a contemporary ballet performance inspired

by The Frick Pittsburgh’s art exhibition Cast in Chrome: The Art of Hood Ornaments.

Caruso, a local dancer and choreographer, joins her Bodiography dancers in the world premiere of this dance film, which also features an original score from composer and multi-instrumentalist Gala Aranaga.

The event will take place on City of Asylum’s virtual platform, City of Asylum @ Home. A live Q&A will follow. 6:30 p.m.

Free. alphabetcity.org/events

SAT., JULY 24 MARKET • IRL One of the city’s most popular pop-up markets I Made It! heads to Bakery Square this summer with area vendors selling a wide variety of goods. Support local artists and makers as you shop for family-owned wine, hand-crafted candles, and homemade treats, as well as self-care items, unique gifts, and more. 2-7 p.m. 6424 Penn Ave., Larimer.

Free. imadeitmarket.com

DRAG • IRL Who says you have to wait until October to get spooky? If you love the macabre and the freaky, you’ll love this night of drag hosted by P-Town Bar in Oakland.

The Funeral Parlour: Midsommar SCREAM will feature Violencia!, Miss Ter, May May Graves, and Maddelynn Hatter. Funeral Parlour is described as a “queer party for

the macabre and demonic.” So get ready to be thrilled and maybe a little scared.

10 p.m. 4740 Baum Blvd., Oakland. $25. ptownbarpgh.com

SUN., JULY 25 FUNDRAISER • IRL Bobby Lamonde was a beloved presence in the Pittsburgh music scene, stretching back to his days in glam-rock bands Trash Vegas and The Science Fiction Idols. Lamonde died in May at the age of 53, leaving many fans mourning. Remember the local rocker during Life on Mars with Bobby: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Bobby Lamonde, a memorial fundraiser at Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall. The event features performances by nine bands and musicians, including Gary Martin of The Science Fiction Idols. 5 p.m. 4023 Butler St., Lawrenceville. $12 advance, $15 at the door. thunderbirdmusichall.com

PHOTO: ADRENALINE PR

^ Gemini Syndrome

MON., JULY 26 LIT • IRL Author Russell Shorto travels to Riverstone Bookstore for a signing and discussion of his latest novel, Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob. The novel delves into Shorto’s family history, including the fascinating, seedy exploits of his Sicillian grandfather, who built a small gambling empire in the suburbs of Johnstown, Pa. 7-8:30 p.m. 8850 Covenant Ave., McCandless. Free with registration. riverstonebook store.com/events PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST

> Kenia

TUE., JULY 27 MUSIC • IRL Brazilian musical artist Kenia visits Pittsburgh for a BNY Mellon Presents JazzLive performance at Allegheny Overlook. With a singular style described

on the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust website as “deep and sultry, richly diverse, unexpectedly explosive,” Kenia will sing everything from ballads to upbeat Brazilian forro to jazz. She has also displayed her talents at other local events, including the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. 5 p.m. Seventh Street and Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Downtown. Free. trustarts.org

WED., JULY 28 MUSIC • IRL LA-based alternative metal band Gemini Syndrome stops in Pittsburgh during their summer tour for a show at Crafthouse Stage & Grill. Look forward to hearing the band’s newly released single “Die with Me,” as well as tracks from their albums Lux and Memento Mori. The show will also feature performances by special guests A Killer’s Confession, Pushing Veronica, and Eva Under Fire. 6 p.m. 5024 Curry Road, Whitehall. $20-25. crafthousepgh.com • IRL = IN REAL LIFE EVENT HYBRID = MIX OF IN REAL LIFE AND ONLINE EVENT

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER JULY 21-28, 2021

21

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FRESH CONTENT Every Day. pghcitypaper.com

ENERGY SHIFT

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ACROSS 1. Prefix meaning “both” 5. Hitman played

by Reeves 9. Reddish brown horse 13. He killed one quarter of the Earth’s population 14. Fruit also known as a Jamaican tangelo 15. L.A.’s Walt Disney Concert Hall architect Frank 16. Nos. after phone nos.

17. Shaggy, famously 18. Memphis’ location 19. Speculative fiction, e.g.

22. Saving Fish From Drowning author 23. Attends, as a party 26. 1965 hit that begins “People try to put us down” 30. Today’s graduates, tomorrow’s CEOs 32. Cancels out 33. Heart of a Dell 34. Sampled part of a song 35. “___ in a sentence” 36. Breaks in the day 37. Maze’s goal 38. Swamp creatures 39. Stretches between

ice ages 40. Only NHL player to score 200 points in a season 43. The hots 44. Treater’s phrase 48. Piece of music that includes 8-Down 52. Winter jacket 54. Phillies third baseman Bohm 55. Church period?

56. Curl up one’s lips 57. Half of 50?

58. Radiation units 59. Toy that you can rock the cradle with 60. Bands on the radio 61. Old Gaelic

DOWN 1. Train in the Northeast Corridor 2. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” for one 3. Smaller than small 4. Alaska setting, often 5. The Genius’ Clan 6. Stereotypical assistant to a mad scientist 7. Oversatisfy 8. “In the Hall of the Mountain ___” 9. Second thoughts 10. [Rolls up sleeves] “Just watch me!”

11. Scrutant l’horizon sculptor 12. Newspaper with a Spelling Bee game: Abbr.

15. Some racing yacht sails 20. Blasts from a UFO 21. Wading bird with a S-shaped neck 24. Card company 25. Heavy burden 27. Painter James of the Les XX movement 28. Meena Harris, to Kamala Harris 29. Are 30. R&B auteur Janelle 31. Axe product 34. Kind of blue 35. Pushy person

36. Unthinking comeback 38. Breakfast eaten with a spoon 39. Heart monitoring tests: Abbr.

41. Knuckleballer Phil 42. Disney+ offering for teenagers 45. Countdown figure 46. Stuff in one’s cart 47. Edgy 49. Strip in the Middle East 50. Theoretical primordial ooze 51. Soft ball company 52. Subj. where you’ll watch the “Stamford Prison Experiment” video 53. Agosto is part of it LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

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FINANCIAL

SERVICES

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Bill Gordon & Associates, a nationwide practice, represents clients before the Social Security Administration. Member of the TX & NM Bar Associations. Mail: 1420 NW St Washington D.C. Office: Broward County Florida. Services may be provided by associated attorneys licensed in other states.

North Shore - 127 Anderson Street - Suite 101 Timber Court Building, PIttsburgh, PA 15212 Phone: (412) 322-4151 washington, pa - 95 Leonard Avenue Suite 203, Washington PA 15301 Phone: (724) 249-2517 beaver county - 2360 hospital drive Suite 1, aliquippa, pa 15001 Phone: (724)707-1155 Erie - 3104 State Street, Erie, PA 16508 PHONE: (814) 619-4009

PITTSBURGH CITY PAPER JULY 21-28, 2021

23

Pittsburgh’s Cutest Pet Photo Contest PRESENTS

Pittsburghers love their pets - fur, scales, and beaks alike!

ENTER YOUR FAVORITE PET PHOTO AT

pghcitypaper.com

PHOTO SUBMISSION: NOW THRU AUGUST 8

VOTING PERIOD: AUGUST 11 THR U AUGUST 25

WINNERS ANNOUNCED: SEPTEMBER 1