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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 2, 2015)
A8 Wildfires Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, September 2, 2015 Pet and livestock supplies donated Ior ¿ re victiPs Everything from food to food bowls is available at the pavilion By Nancy McCarthy Blue Mountain Eagle The Eagle/Sean Ellis Those who brought donations from Sandy on Saturday to the Grant County Fairgrounds talk to firefighters who are camping out at the fairgrounds. The donations were a surprise for the firefighters. SANDY Continued from Page A1 The Sandy Fire Depart- ment, which has firefight- ers fighting the Canyon Creek Complex fire, do- nated $500 and escorted the convoy to the county line in the department’s fire trucks. Botts estimated the value of all the donations at about $15,000. Weems said ¿ re¿ ghters were À oored by the dona- tions. “This is actually a little overwhelming; it’s fantas- tic,” she said. “They drove all the way from Sandy, and it took them ¿ ve hours to get here and they said they just wanted to help the commu- nity.” Donations have poured in from many groups and plac- es, and it means a lot to the ¿ re¿ ghters both in practical terms and on an emotional level, Weems said. “When there’s such an outpouring of caring and giving, it makes a big dif- ference to them,” she said. “I think it helps boost the ¿ re¿ ghters’ morale.” JOHN DAY — Pets that have been affected by the Canyon Creek Complex ¿ re aren’t being forgotten. An estimated $35,000 in monetary donations and pet supplies have been given to New Hope for Eastern Ore- gon Animals, a local animal rescue organization. “It’s incredible and re- markable how much has been donated,” said Lisa Weigum, chairwoman of the Grant County chapter. Weigum and the organi- zation’s board members and volunteers are stationed at the Grant County Fairgrounds Pavilion to help distribute the goods to those who have lost their homes or who have been displaced or otherwise were affected by the ¿ re. At least 124 animals are listed as needing assistance, but, Weigum said, “We think it’s considerably higher.” In addition to dogs and cats, there are horses, cows, chickens and other animals that need help. Contributed photo Elaine Mezzo, above, board member for New Hope for Eastern Oregon Animals, was instrumental in obtaining donations to help local pets and livestock affected by the Canyon Creek Complex fire. “We wouldn’t have been able to do this without her commitment to ensuring every displaced animal receives care,” said Lisa Weigum, chairwoman of the organization’s Grant County chapter. Donations are coming from throughout Oregon and Washington from individ- uals and companies. Big R and Pioneer Feed and Farm Supply are among the local businesses that have provided livestock supplies; Petco gave a $5,000 grant and PetSmart, $2,000. “People in the animal wel- fare community are very giv- ing,” Weigum said. In addition to money and food, collars, toys, treats, pet the ¿ re-affected residents are welcome, she said. The group also will deliver items. Supplies will be provided as long as they’re needed. “If there’s anything we can do to alleviate stress, we want to,” Weigum said. “At a time like this, people get comfort from their companion ani- mals.” Those who want to donate supplies should visit the pavil- ion to ¿ nd out what is needed ¿ rst, Weigum said. ‘Dozer,’ the kitten, becomes ¿ re¿ ghters’ mascot Hermiston firefighter Harry Moffitt holds a small gray kitten he found Saturday hiding in the engine bay of a dozer. The kitten has become an unofficial mascot at the Canyon Creek Complex fire base camp in John Day. By Sean Ellis Blue Mountain Eagle Contributed photo by Traci Weaver MARCIEL Well Drilling & Pumps Call for a FREE Estimate! John Marciel 541-932-4334 We want to thank the ODF firefighters for saving our home at 23208 Corral Gulch Rd. Words fail to express the gratitude of our hearts. May God bless and protect you. carriers, beds and pet bowls also were donated. “We could open a pet shop without the pets,” she said. Weigum and her crew ask those who come to the pavil- ion for personal supplies if they need anything for their animals. “We’ve been in touch with most of the folks,” Weigum said, but, she added, some people are reluctant to ask for help. “Advocates,” who want to speak on behalf of JOHN DAY — The Can- yon Creek Complex ¿ re base camp in John Day now has a mascot. A small gray kitten that was discovered hiding in the en- gine bay of a dozer truck trans- port Saturday is capturing the hearts of ¿ re¿ ghters. “Everybody loves her,” said ¿ re public information of¿ cer Traci Weaver, who has unof¿ cially adopted the kitten. The kitten, which appears to be about 4 months old, was found by ¿ re¿ ghter Harry Mof¿ tt of Hermiston as he and other ¿ re¿ ghters were report- ing to duty at a drop point on Marysville Road south of John Day where they left their dozer and transport truck overnight. “The dozer was parked there and she just climbed up in it,” Weaver said. “It was probably trying to get warm or hiding.” The ¿ re¿ ghters fed the cat part of their lunch and let her curl up in their truck to sleep. They later called base camp, and that’s when Weaver got involved. She said naming the cat was easy. Because the kitten was found in a dozer transport, µDozer’ was the ¿ rst name that came to mind,” she said. The kitten has a hurt right leg and was checked out by a local veterinarian. She’s be- ing doted on by ¿ re¿ ghters at base camp and hangs out at the work tent that houses public information of¿ cers. Weaver, who is from west- ern Wyoming, said her daugh- ter, whose 7-year-old cat re- cently disappeared, is excited about the prospects of caring for Dozer. “She’s seen pictures of Dozer, and she’s pretty ex- cited but now she’s worried that with all the attention Dozer’s getting, maybe the owners will show up,” Weaver said. Roy and Joan Trosclair WWC#1606 • CCB#156965 • CPI#101 02633 02516 B e au f ul l D ow n t o wn aut ti ifu wn P r a ir ie C ity Cit y Blue Mountain G rant County’s Most U nique S hop • H om e decor & gifts • S p orting goods • H unting licens e • Vis itor Inform a tion • Fine w ine • Full line of H a rdwa re • H a ndcra fted Beer • Europ ea n Chocola tes Open Mon-Sat 8am-6pm 541-820-3739 3 3¨3¦33¡£3¤3£ဘ Dr. Norm DeJong, DDS MPH PC Melanie DeJong RDH Family Dentistry 541.820.4369 888.820.4369 New Patients and Emergencies Welcome Prairie City Huffman’s MARKETS Prairie City • 541-280-3588 EAGLE Grant County’s Newspaper since 1868 MyEagleNews.com EARLY DEADLINE for September 9th Edition Ad, Classified & Legal Deadline: Thursday, September 3rd at Noon To Submit Your Ad: Call (541) 575-0710 • Email office@bmeagle.com Or place your ad online at MyEagleNews.com