Scratch This: Happy ending is an ongoing one for abused puppy

When a video went viral on April 21 of a man abusing a puppy around 8 months old, local and national news outlets picked up the story immediately. Long Beach’s pet community, known for its activism and outspokenness, charged into action, spurred by concern for the poor dog and fury that anyone would do such a thing.

If you click the link and watch or rewatch the video, you’ll also be angry and disgusted. It’s a difficult watch. The video is from a surveillance camera near 12^th Street and Long Beach Boulevard. Thanks to immediate action by Long Beach animal advocates and the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD), the abuser, 28-year-old Westminster resident Alexander Cueva, was identified and arrested the following evening.

On May 7 in the Los Angeles County Court, Cuevas received a sentence of three years in prison and a 10-year ban on him owning any animals.

Yes, I agree with you, it’s not enough. But it’s more than enough of that skeevy coward. Before the arrest and up to now, the foremost question has been “Is the dog OK?”

Spoiler alert: she’s doing great, and she’s just been adopted! Rue, as she was renamed by the Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) staff, was rushed to the emergency vet. When the veterinarians stabilized her, she went to stay with trusted fosters who had great expertise in canine care and behavior. Later, for long-term care and support, LBACS transferred Rue to K9 Kismet Dog Rescue, one of the shelter’s rescue partners.

“Due to the severity of the situation, we believe that sending Rue to a trusted rescue partner was in her best interest,” said Melanie Wagner, LBACS’ director. “It is of the utmost importance to us, and to the community, that Rue finds her way into the perfect home, one that fully understands her needs and trauma, and a rescue is best equipped to handle that, with the proper vetting and extreme care needed for such a sensitive situation.”

Because of the ongoing investigation, Rue’s exact whereabouts were not disclosed. She also wasn’t adoptable at the time, not that the public didn’t flood LBACS with them.

When the restrictions on Rue’s adoption were lifted and she did go home forever, K9 Kismet’s Nici Daniels made a joyful announcement.

“An incredible family we know and trust expressed interest in adding another dog to their pack,” Daniels said. “They had previously adopted and rehabilitated a dog who had experienced similar trauma, so we knew they would understand Rue’s needs, honor the time she’d need to adjust, and love her unconditionally. They took her into their care as fosters-to-adopt, and after [Rue got] a clean bill of health, we are overjoyed to share the good news: Rue is officially adopted! This is the story we’ve been waiting to tell. The story of Rue. The story of home.”

Daniels expressed gratitude to everyone who showed up for Rue — the LBPD, LBACS, feeders, exercisers and, of course, the area’s animal advocates.

“Surrounded by steady care and compassion, Rue has blossomed,” Daniels said. “Her spirit, once shaken, now shines brightly. To everyone who followed her story and held out hope for her healing, you were part of this story, too.”

Daniels reminded that Rue is just one of the countless animals who have been abandoned or treated badly and wait in shelters or rescues for someone to love them.

“They need us to be their voice,” she said. “You can help by reporting cruelty when you see it; opening your home, and heart to an animal in need as a foster or adopter; or supporting shelters and rescues on the front lines by volunteering your time or donating what you can.”

“We have over 100 dogs available at LBACS, many who have come from trauma themselves but without a video to prove it,” Wagner said.

If you live in Long Beach or a nearby city and are interested in fostering a shelter dog or any pet in need of rescue, visit K9 Kismet and read about their programs. Visit www.k9kismet.org or one of the rescues on the resource link at the end of the column, or check out LBACS’ foster program. To donate to LBACS or K9 Kismet, click the links on the organizations’ links and access the donation pages. It’s tax deductible. Every dollar will help.

YOURS DROOLY

Scratch This! was going to feature dogs today, but LBACS just announced its 2-fur-1 kitten adoption, which is going on indefinitely — or until every stray adult cat is spayed or neutered and until the shelter runs out of kittens. Two kittens for the cost of one adoption fee is a win for the cats, who’ll have a buddy for company; the shelter, which will have more kennel space; and you, who’ll have ceaseless entertainment. See it first-paw in this video of the new LBACS Kittenry.

The Kittenry is also a new development for LBACS. It houses the healthiest feline population in the shelter. Kittens enter the Kittenry after their time with their fosters is up. They will have been spayed or neutered and vaccinated and so can safely play with the other kittens. They can play with you, too.

Up to 10 kittens can be in the Kittenry at one time. Depending on how soon they’re fixed and vaxxed and how many go home forever, you can see seven kittens on one day, three on the next day, and six the day after. In the video, I said that there were five kittens in the Kittenry, but they were jumping around everywhere and I counted one twice.

Have a private kitten party during shelter hours, which are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. LBACS is located at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors.) Adoption information is available here.

TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS

Long Beach TNR and Community Cat Coalition August meeting

Do you conduct TNR (trap/spay-neuter-vaccinate-microchip-release of stray cats) with a passion and want to share resources with and get support from an equally engaged community? Are momcats having kittens in your neighborhood, and are dadcats yowling at them to make more? Are you on your last shred of yarn trying to figure out what you can do? Join with this grassroots meeting, the first in Long Beach to focus on combining forces to humanely stop the birthing of unwanted kittens in the urban wild. Includes demonstrations from rescues, experienced trappers, and announcements and tips from LBACS cat coordinator (yay!) Lindsie Merrick.

The Coalition meeting takes place Saturday, Aug. 9, 12:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, at the entrance to El Dorado Park. No parking fee for shelter guests.

Zazzy Cats Kitty Rescue fundraiser

Fun and funds to benefit a great cat rescue and their cat sanctuary project! See flyer for information!

Benny’s Birthday and Love Your Pet Party

Benny the Cat is turning 8 years old this year, and that’s reason to celebrate! After the abuse he received at just a few months old, at the hands of a heartless owner, it was doubtful that he’d see even his first birthday. But his now-mom Bev, the staff at the shelter, and Helen Sanders CatPAWS provided the care he needed, and he made it. Read his story here.

To celebrate Benny and all the little lives he’s had an impact on, CatPAWS throws a party for him every year! Read the little flyer above for information, including ticket sales, and join Helen Sanders CatPAWS for fun, games, prizes and celebrating Benny’s survival of abuse and leading his best life!

Benny’s Birthday takes place Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Seal Beach Marina Community Center, 151 Marina Dr., Seal Beach. See flyer and visit this link for all information.

Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer, rescues and shelters to adopt from — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.