Pet Hero for 2006

John Morscher has a job that focuses on kids, but animals seem to benefit most from his kind nature.  The Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society (KWHS) would like to extend our gratitude to John for the assistance and humanity he as shown the animals of our community.

On Halloween night 2006 John returned home from work to prepare for the trick-or-treaters. He glanced out of his window to the end of his street where he saw that an animal had been hit by a car.  The traffic was just passing by so, at first, he did not think much of it.  But then, he saw some movement – the bundle of fur moved.  Was this animal still alive?  Upon investigation he found a cat had been hit by a car but was still very much alive. There was no question in his mind that something had to be done; not only was the pet in pain, but he did not want any trick-or-treaters to happen across the scene.

He called the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society for advice.  “They were very helpful,” John said.  “They advised me on which vet clinics would be open and able to take an emergency.”  He bundled the cat in a blanket and proceeded to the vet clinic.  The cat was conscious and, unbelievably, of good temperament.  It was as if the cat knew he was there to help.

The vet clinic gave the cat pain killers to stabilize him and did some X-rays.  At first it was thought the cat had a reasonable chance of making it and even tried to stand up.  The clinic confirmed however that the cat had very serious injuries including a concussion, a broken jaw, back legs and pelvis.  He was going to have to be euthanized.  John understood that it was a far more compassionate ending than to die a slow, painful death in the middle of the street.  If this were his pet, John hoped someone would show the same empathy.  John paid the vet clinic for the treatment and left knowing he had done his best.

KWHS found the owner of the cat, a neighbour of John’s, and let her know what had happened.  She was very grateful that someone cared so much about her cat and insisted on reimbursing John for the vet bill.  John was not concerned about the money but found her sense of responsibility and gratitude reaffirming.  “Too many pet owners don’t care when a pet goes missing.”

John decided that the money he received from the owner should go to helping other injured animals and he donated it to the K-W Humane Society’s “Wilf Fund”.  John feels this is what anyone would have done in this situation, but KWHS knows that too many people look away when they see an animal that has been hit by a car.  They think that there is nothing they can do. John proved that there is a great deal people can do to ease the suffering of animals.  He made a real difference to one animal and to the owner.

This situation, John says, has restored his faith in pet owners.  We hear about the bad owners, the hoarders, and the animal abusers, but we also need to hear about the individuals who care and the owners who are glad when people do care.

This is not the end of John’s story however…
Two weeks later John was driving down Homer Watson Boulevard when he noticed a Rotweiller heading up the exit ramp of the expressway.  This dog was in great danger of being hit by a car.  John looked for a place to stop his car, but there wasn’t much opportunity.  Finally he found a place in an apartment building parking lot and had to jump a fence to get back to the road.  By now the dog was on the expressway.

In the meantime others stopped to help John including one of the Board Members of the KWHS, Arlene Shousterman.  Arlene called the Centre to dispatch a by-law control officer to help.

By the time the group had caught up to the dog it had crossed over to the median.  This was the worst place to be – anyway he turned the dog was in peril.  The group cautiously surrounded the dog, as they did not want him to bolt into traffic, and one of them was able to grab the dog by the collar.  Traffic had stopped on the road and a police cruiser was now on site to assist as well as the KWHS by-law officer.  The dog was led to safety and was transported to KWHS where an owner was located.

John was impressed by the efforts of the group, “It was something we all felt was important to do.  It was as if we all came together for the benefit of the dog.”  No one had to stop to help that dog, but yet, this group was compelled to assist.  Even cars on the expressway stopped to ensure this dog made it through safely.

There are times in every person’s life when they can choose to help an animal in need or look away.  “It is something each of us can do,” John says.  “Regardless of the outcome, you know you tried.”

John is a longtime friend of KWHS as a past adopter.  Six years ago John adopted a very large St. Bernard – Hound cross named Ben that was already 11 and ½ years old and needed some dental work.  He was hoping to give the old guy a few good years in comfort.  Ben surprised everyone and lived to the very old age of 17!  Surely this is a testament to the excellent care and attention he received living with John.

John said he learned a great life lesson from this old guy, “He grew old with dignity.”  As more of his body failed him, he just accepted it.  “He could no longer climb the stairs,” John explained, “His world got smaller and he just took it in stride.”  No matter what life threw at Ben he learned to live with it.

We are always very happy to hear that an animal has enriched someone’s life.  Clearly John is grateful for his relationship with Ben and because of it is able to give back to the animal community.  KWHS would like to extend our sincerest thanks to John.  Our job would be a lot easier if we had more Pet Hero’s like him!

John has been nominated for the Wally Koegler Award that recognizes the achievements of a person, group or organization, who go above and beyond “the norm” to help animals, our community and the goals of the Humane Society.  Recipients of the Wally Koegler Award show a deep love of animals and willingness to give their time, and resources to aid those animals most in need.  This award is one way that KWHS recognizes those members of the community who give unselfishly of themselves to further the cause of animal welfare.

We invite others to share their stories of animal kindness with us.  We need to hear more about the humane way humans and animals live together.  Thank you to John for agreeing to share his story!