Please Note: The dog in the accompanying photograph is the subject of the story, but any persons shown are probably not those in the story.
The week after the fires, Ziggy and I spent a Saturday at a relief station for the victims in Altadena. Everyone we greeted was so happy to spend a few minutes scratching Ziggy’s head or tossing him treats. Many of the victims didn’t have pets of their own, but were grateful for the time that they were able to stop thinking about the hardships ahead and just enjoy the moment. More touching, however, were the pet owners, many of whose animals were still missing after the fires or had to be relocated until their owners find a new living situation. They would talk lovingly about their own fur babies, and everyone showed each other their pet pictures from their phones. Even the FEMA representatives, all of whom are on long-term assignment in Los Angeles from their homes in other states, joyfully played with Ziggy as they talked about missing their families and their pets. No one’s problems were permanently fixed with our visit that day, but I’m grateful that we could bring some of those affected by the fires a brief respite from ache of this tragedy.
