This weekend is part of one of my favorite holidays. In many places, Memorial Day weekend has been hijacked to celebrate the kickoff of summer. Memorial Day should not be celebrated, but rather commemorated. Memorial Day can represent so much of the American small-town spirit.Several communities where I used to live in Michigan had Memorial Day parades. The largest parade was filled with floats and politicians and clowns (sometimes disguised as politicians). The smaller communities respected the nature of the holiday: Only veterans were permitted to march, accompanied by the local high school band. In one community, as the parade passed, the townsfolk applauded and fell in step behind the veterans to witness a somber ceremony in the local cemetery. A picnic was then hosted by the local government. Those events, in my mind, highlight what is great in our small towns — a strong sense of community spirit and national service.I went through basic training in 1982 as part of an Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Fort Knox, Ky. I enjoyed the physical and mental challenges, but due to some logistical issues, I was not able to make a commitment to the Army at that time. Five years later, when I decided to pursue a graduate degree, I wondered what it would have been like to continue with the Army. I began my formal ROTC training as a graduate student in 1987.I received my commission as a second lieutenant in the infantry in December 1989. My entire family at some point had worked for the defense industry, but I was the first one to actually serve in the military. After obtaining my master’s degree in April 1990 and getting married in June 1990, I was called to active duty one month earlier than anticipated due to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. My wife and I headed south to Fort Benning, Ga., in September.Due to the increased possibility of war in the Gulf, the training took on an increased intensity. At the time, a likely scenario contemplated house-to-house fighting in Kuwait City. Urban fighting typically incurs more casualties, especially for second lieutenants. We trained through the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. I still vividly recall sitting in the kitchen eating dinner and hearing Tom Brokaw announce that the air war had begun. It was a difficult night.Fortunately, the First Gulf War began and ended before I completed my training in February. I completed some additional instruction in Georgia before I was deployed to Schweinfurt, Germany. I had many interesting challenges while in Europe, but I also had many wonderful opportunities. I left the service and returned to the United States on June 7, 1994.I was now a veteran, which, at that time, was somewhat rare for someone of my generation. I have been a member of the American Legion for 12 years. I have shared military memories with naval veterans in Lexington, Mich. (my first municipal job), with fellow Army soldiers in Linden, Air Force veterans in Davison, and now, some Marines here in Winchester. Veterans are most everywhere, proud — and typically humble — of their service.I look forward to my first Memorial Day here in Winchester, especially with the community’s rich Civil War experiences. A dedicated group of volunteers continues to work to acquire funds to properly restore the town’s magnificent Civil War monument. I am sure that a quiet walk through one of the area cemeteries would reveal the graves of veterans from all of our nation’s conflicts.A recent memory of mine is a trip to Washington, D.C., and Arlington National Cemetery over Veterans Day a few years ago. It was a moving experience just to walk the grounds of Arlington. Please remember and honor those interred at Arlington and at cemeteries here and abroad that died in service to this country. Finally, like changing the batteries in your smoke detectors when adjusting your clocks, do something small, but respectful, each Memorial Day: Replace your worn flag with a crisp new star-spangled banner. Then you can enjoy every remaining day of your summer — something those we are to remember can’t do. Dale Martin is the town manager of Winsted.
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Marsala is eager to go home with you.
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
The Little Guild is an animal shelter at 285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike in West Cornwall. Founded in 1957, the organization rescues animals from local surrenders and under-resourced shelters. When a rescue animal arrives at The Little Guild, staff begins a careful intake and transition process to ensure the animal is safe, healthy and ready for adoption.
New arrivals are quarantined in-house. Vaccinations are verified as up to date, and staff assesses each animal’s medical, behavioral and placement needs. Rescues receive medical care, daily support and behavioral training to ease shelter stress. Once a dog has finished quarantine and is ready for a home, its profile is published at littleguild.org.
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Prospective adopters fill out an online application with information about their household and veterinary and personal references.
The next step is for the prospective adopter and family members to meet the dog. If there is already a dog in the household, a meet-and-greet is scheduled so the dogs can get acquainted.
The animal care staff offers guidance based on its knowledge of each animal’s personality, needs and quirks to help families find the best fit.
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Once a match is made, the adoption contract outlines aftercare. Adopters agree to return the animal to The Little Guild if the adoption doesn’t work out. The organization’s commitment continues after adoption, with six months of free training and follow-up from staff to answer questions or address concerns.
“Please don’t pass Marsala by,” Lemelin said. “He loves people and other dogs. He’s a lap dog who lives for snuggles, cuddles and face kisses. Marsala deserves a family, a soft bed and a lifetime of being chosen.”
To find out about Marsala and other rescue dogs and cats, visit littleguild.org
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Sampson, a playful and independent blind hound mix, explores the rescue’s large yard.
Though she takes in dogs of all ages, including some with disabilities — and one resident cat — the rescue’s motto is “Giving old dogs new lives.”
Sadie, center, a Carolina dog, plays with her friend Negra, a terrier mix. Bella Linda, the small poodle, has since been adopted.L. Tomaino
Sadie, a sweet Carolina dog, was the first to greet visitors.
“She could really use a home,” Meade said.
Then came Bonnie and Clyde, rat terriers; Negra, a small terrier mix; Sampson, a blind hound mix; and Jay Z, a terrier mix who was emaciated when Meade took him in and has since filled out, with fur regrowing over previously bald patches. Wesley, a young, shaggy mix whom Meade calls “a very good boy,” is also in need of a home.
Wesley, a young, exuberant mix, is looking for an active home.L. Tomaino
Meade began rescuing dogs after going to Waterbury to adopt one and learning that, by the end of the three-day weekend, the dogs she was looking at would be euthanized to make room for others.
She went home and started her rescue in New Preston, Connecticut. After five years there, she moved to California, where she rescued dogs from overcrowded pounds for 13 years.
Meade, a busload of dogs and her cat moved back to the Northeast a little more than a year ago.
Ninety-nine percent of the dogs at the rescue come from pounds, both locally and in California and New York City.
“We are more than happy to place dogs with older people, and we are also willing to give support after the adoption,” Meade said, noting that some rescues will not adopt to people over 60.
Bonnie and Clyde, an affectionate terrier pair.L. Tomaino
For those who cannot adopt, the rescue needs donations of old blankets, dog and cat food, cleaning supplies, puppy pads and dog treats. Monetary donations are also welcome and can be made through the rescue’s website. Meade also welcomes volunteers to help with the dogs.
Contact Meade at 805-239-4004, 860-866-7986 or 4dots@att.net to arrange a visit or drop off donations. For available dogs and more information, visit meadecaninerescue.org.
Newtown Veterinary Specialists
For Berkshire County residents, VCA All Caring Animal Hospital, 440 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington, can be a nearby first call. The full-service hospital offers diagnostics and hospitalization and asks clients with an emergency or a pet requiring immediate attention to call rather than use its online contact form. It is not a 24-hour emergency hospital, however. Current hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. Call 413-528-8020.
Poughkeepsie also has several options for urgent care. Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, 64 Pine St., is a full-service veterinary hospital offering emergency and critical care during regular business hours. The hospital treats dogs and cats as well as birds, reptiles and other exotic pets. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. For after-hours emergencies involving dogs and cats, the hospital refers patients to regional emergency facilities. Call 845-625-2474.
Community Animal Care, 269 Titusville Road, offers urgent and emergency care during operating hours and asks pet owners to call ahead. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Urgent care is available daily by calling ahead, with extended hours until 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The practice also offers after-hours veterinary triage by video to help owners determine whether a pet can safely wait or should be taken to a 24-hour facility. Call 845-471-7459.
When an animal needs care in the middle of the night, on a holiday or for a potentially life-threatening condition, the options become more limited.
Guardian Veterinary Specialists, 4 Hardscrabble Heights in Brewster, is a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital, open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Its emergency department is staffed around the clock, with on-site imaging and laboratory services. No appointment is necessary for an emergency, although calling ahead is encouraged when possible. Call 914-704-3400.
Provided
Newtown Veterinary Specialists, 52 Church Hill Road in Newtown, Connecticut, also provides emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. No appointment is required for emergency care, although the hospital recommends calling ahead when possible. Call 203-270-8387.
Pet owners should remember that emergency veterinary hospitals operate much like human emergency rooms in that patients are triaged according to the severity of their condition, so animals with less critical problems may have to wait.
The best preparation is simple. Keep the number of your regular veterinarian and at least one 24-hour emergency hospital in your phone, and know roughly how long it will take to get there. If circumstances allow, call before leaving home to confirm where your pet should be seen.
When something goes wrong at 10 p.m. on a Sunday, knowing where you’re headed can make a frightening situation a little less overwhelming.
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