Peninsular Thinking

The Kitsap Humane Society has been digging out from a public relations meltdown in the wake of former Executive Director Sean Compton’s largely unexplained departure in January, followed by the exit of three key staff members over the next couple of months.

Humane Society officials are eager to move forward, but an independent audit due out and available for public consumption within the next couple of months will answer some lingering questions about how the agency got in such a pickle.

The board has been criticized for leaving donors, volunteers and staff out of the loop. According to new board President Rosemary Shaw and Interim Executive Eric Stevens, the board and management are making efforts to mend fences and reconnect with all of those groups.

KHS is recruiting new board members (and three on the board with the greatest longevity will be stepping down in June), positioning itself to search for a permanent ED, getting its records up to date and recruiting additional volunteers.

KHS will host an information session for prospective volunteers from 6-7 p.m. Thursday in the Training Center. Topics to be covered include what each department does, what the current volunteer opportunities are and how to get started. Volunteers must be at least 13 years old and should be able to commit to at least eight hours per month for six months. KHS is located at 9167 Dickey RD NW in Silverdale (98383). For information, call (360) 692-6977.

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“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary … No, this is not about a raven, but a parakeet who decided to explore the other side of my condo.”

So begins a letter the Kitsap Sun recently received from bird lover Ellen Bankus of Port Orchard. Bankus, who owns a number of birds, went on to describe the mishap of one “no name” parakeet who got out of his cage in the bedroom, made a beeline for the laundry room and somehow got stuck on the floor behind the water heater. The space behind the appliance was so confined, that even the tiny bird could not find a way out.

Bankus called the Port Orchard Police Department. Kind officers came out to her apartment and spent considerable time “exhausting every know way to get him out to no avail,” Bankus wrote. “I finally accepted the verdict that my parakeet was going to ‘rest in peace’ behind the tank.”

If this were one of those old time serial movies, this is where we’d fade to black, leaving Tweety tied to the railroad tracks.

But look, up in the sky. It’s a bird; it’s a plane. No, it’s Port Orchard City Councilman Fred Olin to the rescue.

Bankus called Olin, remembering his militant advocacy for the city’s Quaker parrots in 2005. This was before my time on the South Kitsap beat, but apparently Olin’s involvement in city government sprang from his interest in a group of parrots that had escaped during transport to a local pet store in 2002 and taken up residence in a cell phone tower near South Kitsap High School.

(The photo here is courtesy of BrooklynParrots.com, a blog where Steve Baldwin chronicles the life of urban parrots in New York City.)

The council in 2005 OK’d the extension of the tower, but on the advice of the state Department of Fish & Wildlife, required that the tower owner remove the large nest of sticks and trap the birds. The DFW said the birds could cause problems for native wildlife and there were concerns about fire in the tower.

Olin began researching Quaker parrots and found the gregarious birds have a penchant for inhabiting man-man structures. “I know more about parrots than anyone should know,” Olin said, in a recent phone interview. “They come from the highlands of Argentina, which is a moderate climate, so there’s no surprise they can survive here.”

Survive and thrive. Olin estimates at one time there were up to 30 parrots cavorting and entertaining residents in a wide vicinity of the tower. He took it on himself to circulate a petition to save the parrots and allow them to remain free, eventually gathering 1,800 signatures.

“I am not a bird person. I am not a parrot person. I’m just going, ‘It’s not right to do that,’” Olin said.

The outcry about the parrots gathered media attention, with signatures on the online petition coming from 18 foreign countries, 45 states and 61 Washington state communities. The council asked the DFW to reconsider requiring that the parrots be removed.

The DFW pressed its case, however, and attempts to trap and remove the birds went forward in July 2005 … not without resistance from Olin. When sticks from the nest were removed from the tower, they just happened to show up in the back of Olin’s pickup truck, which he planned to park in the area in hopes of providing the birds a new accommodation. None of the birds were captured on the first day.

What wasn’t reported at the time, and what Olin divulged to me is that on the evening of the first capture attempt, he went to the local hardware store and got pounds of millet, which he distributed on rooftops far and wide in the dark of night.

“The next day the trapper came back, there wasn’t a bird in sight. They were all over town,” Olin said, with an audible smirk. Don’t think a smirk can be audible? Trust me, Olin was pleased as punch with himself.

Later, when Clearwire applied to put antennae up on another tower, the council ditched a proposed condition that any nesting birds be removed. Olin was inspired by his civic success to run for city council in 2007. He served 2008 through 2011.

Now back to the parakeet in peril at Bankus’ apartment. Olin sprang into action, making a net out of a mesh orange sack that he fished into the wedge of space behind the water heater. But he was unable to snare the frightened bird. Then Olin got the bright idea to drain the water tank, which he accomplished with a water hose directed off Bankus’ upstairs apartment. The tank empty, Olin was able to move it an inch or so to the side, and “No Name” walked out from behind it as if to say, “What the heck took you so long?”

Bankus now has christened the little, feathery fugitive after his rescuer, “Fred Olin.”

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Every day hundreds of emails pour into our general email inbox. Some are clearly sketchy … “dear sir or madame – I offering splendid item, to receive your reward, link to me …” I think not.

We hear of many unusual products and services. Today for example, we got emails touting “dog flags” and do-it-yourself funerals.

Sacred Crossings of Los Angeles (wouldn’t expect them to locate in Omaha) offers to guide families interested in bypassing the funeral home.

“Sacred Crossings educates families in the ancient ritual of after death care — bathing, anointing and dressing the body; creating sacred space in the home for viewing; delivery of a simple pine box or cardboard cremation casket, which can be decorated by family members,” a press release says.

The owner, Olivia Bareham, is an ordained minister and a member of the National Home Funeral Alliance, an organization dedicated to educating people about the “intrinsic value” of in-home funerals. Bareham offers help “completing the legal paperwork and making arrangements with the cemetery or crematory for final disposition. Spiritual ministerial services include near-death prayer/meditation vigils, grief support and funeral celebrant services.”

An interesting concept. If anyone in Kitsap County has done this or considered it, run, don’t walk to your computer and contact me at chenry@kitsapsun.com.

The second email of interest, touted the benefits of Dog Flags, colored flags that “slide easily over your pets leash.” Each color has phrase that signifies the temperament of the animal. Red, Ask Before Approaching; Green, Friendly; Yellow; I’m Shy; Blue, In Training; Orange, Special Needs.

“With over 80 million owned dogs as pets in the United States alone, being able to know at a glance which canines you can approach and which ones you should leave alone goes a long way to avoiding unwanted incidents,” a press release for the product says.

“Another advantage to Dog Flags is to help remove the stigma from certain dogs,” the advertisement goes on. “’Passing a pit bull or Rottweiler and seeing a Green ‘Friendly’ flag is going to help make people a lot more comfortable,’, says Kristin Valgardson, owner of Dog Flags LLC.”

This email raises several questions.
Do people really stigmatize dogs based on their breed?
Do these flags cover pretty much all temperaments or is there something missing? At the risk of offending readers, I won’t go into detail, I can think of one behavior — starts with “h” — that should definitely be red-flagged.
And is it really fair to try to describe your beloved pet with a single generic phrase, lumping it in with all other “friendly” or “shy” individuals?
How would you describe your four-legged friend in a short, easy to understand phrase?
Is this a good idea? If so, why did nobody think of it before?

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A benevolent fund has been established for a Central Kitsap family of eight displaced in a fire New Year’s Day.
None of the two adults and six children was home when the fire broke out about 1:30 a.m. at the home on the 12000 block of Dogwood Avenue, but three adult dogs and a litter of five puppies died in the fire.
Firefighters found the single-wide manufactured home engulfed in smoke and flames. The home was uninhabitable after the fire.
The family has received aid from the Red Cross.
“We have had a lot of people give clothes, food, etc. and others wanting to give financially,” said Regina McRay, the children’s grandmother.
McRay set up an account at Kitsap Credit Union. Donations may be made at any branch, specified for “McRay Donations.”

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In September, I wrote about Isabel Powell, 11, of Port Orchard, whose lower leg was amputated when she was 2 due to a vascular malformation.

Isabel has worn a prosthesis since then, and very little slows her down. She’s taken up karate and loves to swim.

Through the clinic in Bremerton where she has the prosthesis checked, Isabel met Kevin Carroll the famous prosthetist who designed an artificial tail for Winter the dolphin. Winter got tangled in a fishing net and lost her own tail. She now lives at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and stars as herself in a recently released movie. That’s Winter on the right being nuzzled by a friend.

Carroll used his connections to send Powell and her mother to Florida for an expense-paid visit to Winter and participation in Camp No Limits, for children with prostheses. Isabel, who got back from the trip last Sunday, felt a “connection” with the dolphin, said her mother. “She was really excited.”

Through the camp, Isabel took part in a range of activities including swimming at the beach, yoga and a high ropes course. But her favorite part of the trip was meeting Winter.

Through no particular plan, I, too, happened to be in Clearwater recently, since my sister lives there. We visited the aquarium, and my sister described how it has blossomed from this quiet and slightly run-down roadside attraction to a bustling tourist destination. We saw a large new wing under construction, thanks no doubt to whatever cut the aquarium gets from the movie, plus revenue from increased traffic and gift shop sales of Winter paraphrenalia.

The aquarium remains focused on its first mission, animal rescue, rehabilitation and (if possible) release. We saw sea turtles, otters and other dolphins who had been found injured and nursed back to health.

The newest addition is Hope, a baby dolphin who was found trying to nurse on her dead mother. Staff members are working with Hope to train and socialize her as they have Winter. Like Winter, Hope would not survive in the wild and so will remain at the aquarium. Here’s Hope during a training session.

Winter’s story of misfortune and inspiring adaptation, and the movie that resulted from it, have been a tremendous boon the the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, according to staff, who have quickly learned how to manage the crowds of curious visitors. Although is seemed a bit hectic, especially in the gift shop, I can testify that nobody is complaining about the extra work.

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We got a recent email from Heather Martin of Silverdale, who said she had rescued a potbellied pig named Leonard from a series of owners who were unable to keep him.

According to Martin, Leonard suffered injuries under the care of the most recent owner, including a dislocated hip that needs surgery estimated to cost more than $3,000. Martin has already sunk a considerable amount of her own funds into having Leonard evaluated at All Creatures Animal Hospital. She is now hoping people will donate toward Leonard’s care through any of the three pig rescue organizations listed below, or by direct donations to All Creatures.

In discussing Leonard’s plight in the newsroom, we concluded that it did not rise to the level of a news story. We receive many contacts from people hoping to raise funds for their (human and animal) loved ones with illnesses or disabilities. Sadly, there are simply too many to call attention to each one. Those fundraisers we do cover typically have an additional element of reader interest.

I found it interesting, however, from the angle of how the pressure of the recession could impact a family’s ability to provide care to their pets, especially expensive care like a hip surgery. I wonder how and if people’s attitudes towards their pets or plans for their pets have changed because of a job loss or home foreclosure. Are pets the first item crossed off people’s discretionary spending lists, or the last quality-of-life item they’re willing to part with?

I was also curious as to whether potbellied pigs are considered exotic pets. Veterinary assistant Melissa Zamzow of All Creatures said they’re quite common in Kitsap County.

“We technically consider them an exotic breed,” she said. “I suppose you could call them a farm animal, but most people keep them indoors.”

Zamzow said potbellied pigs are not more prone to injury or illness than the average dog and are no more expensive to feed.

As for Heather’s request for funds for Leonard, I include this disclaimer as always: if you’re inclined to support the cause, do your homework on the recipient organization (s).

Chris Henry, reporter

This is from Heather’s email:

“In memory of Magic @ IMOM.org- open for donations. They have a great forum to keep donors updated on the progress of the pets being helped. The volunteers are so supportive and they deserve more advertising and help.
The Onyx & Breezy Foundation @ www.onyxandbreezy.org (application pending)
help-a-pet.org (application pending)

Donations can also be sent directly to:
All Creatures Animal Hospital
4241 Sate Highway 3 W
Bremerton, WA 98312
www.allcreatures24hr.com ”

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Jack Kienholz of Seabeck is offering a $200 cash reward for the return of his driftwood sea serpent.

This is not just any chunk of wood magically transformed through an overactive imagination. It’s a family heirloom.

Jack’s mother-in-law, Faye, found it while strolling on the Pacific Coast more than 20 years ago. The sea serpent stayed at their little bungalow at the ocean for many years, said Jack’s friend Tara Tulp, who notified the Kitsap Sun of the disappearance on his behalf.

“When Faye passed away, Jack and his wife Dianne brought it home and placed it on their private beach in memory of Dianne’s mother,” Tara said. “Dianne loved that sea serpent very much, a memory of wonderful times spent with family at the ocean. Dianne passed about two years ago and Jack is now a widower. So, I’m sure you can imagine the sentimental value that it holds for him.”

The accidental artwork went missing about Aug. 22 from the beach on Jack’s property on the 14000 block of Seabeck Highway. A week before the disappearance, a woman walking on the beach offered Jack $500 for the sea serpent.

“I said, ‘If you give me $5,000, I still wouldn’t sell it,’” said Jack.

So if you’re driving around and happen to see the sea serpent — not to be confused with the the driftwood dragon that’s been on Chico Way for years — give Jack a call at (360) 830-0239.

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Tracy Delp, the 46-year-old Port Orchard woman riding across the country to raise awareness and funding for cancer, is at a temporary standstill.

Delp and her riding partner Dan Shanafelt, 23, set out from the Pacific Coast with a team of horses (and one mule) on Mother’s Day, appropriate since Delp lost her mom to cancer. The team traveled on highways, back roads and trails, through small towns, mountains, forests and desert land.

They found people who opened their doors to them, fed them and pointed them down the trail. Much of it was glorious. Much of it — especially as they traveled through the desert of Eastern Washington — was pure hell.

One day they expected to find water, but had none. How hot was it? Ursa, Delp’s dog along for the journey, had to wear boots to keep from burning her feet. One of the horses was bitten by a snake, thankfully not a rattler.

After that they carried water, but the stress took a toll on everyone, Delp said.

Shanfelt and Delp made it to the Idaho border in mid-July. There they parted ways.

In her blog and in a telephone interview, Delp said simply, “Dan has decided that he will no longer be riding across the country.”

Shanfelt did not call me back to explain his side of the story.

“This decision has required that I rethink the initial route, as at this point I will be the only human to continue coast 2 coast,” Delp wrote in her blog.

Delp has cut about 800 miles off her route, and she will avoid wilderness areas.

“I can be a whole lot of dumb, but I’m not stupid,” she said. “Going through the wilderness by yourself is not a good idea.”

One other small detail to be worked out: Who will drive the support trailer along the way. Family and friends were available early in the route. Later, Dan drove along stretches where Delp’s unsinkable faith didn’t provide angels along the way.

Delp, now back at home, is working furiously on this and other logistical details. When she gets it together, she’ll head out, picking up where she left off.

It seems everyone is doing some kind of marathon these days. I wonder why you never hear about the people who don’t finish the race.

I asked Delp what about just saying, “I got this far and called it good?”

Aside from consideration of everyone who’s donated money, goods or services to make the trip possible, Delp said, she doesn’t feel pressured to continue. But she also feels no pressure to quit.

“For me, I set my sights on Delaware. I don’t have a reason to stop,” Delp said. “Yeah, there were things that really sucked, but overall, this has been amazing.”

Delp recently got a bit of good news. Her project is in the running for a Pepsi Refresh grant. The company is awarding money to people whose ideas for improving their communities receive the most votes on the Pepsi Refresh website. Currently ranked 52nd in this round of voting, she stands to earn $25,000 if online voters help her make the cut.

This round of voting in the Pepsi Refresh contest ends Aug. 23.

Delp’s journey also has me thinking about how, in this very virtual world, we all seem to be craving adventure. Maybe that explains the popularity of shows like “Deadliest Catch” and “Man vs Wild.”

Maybe that explains why everyone these days has a bucket list that includes far more than sitting on the back porch rocking away the sunset years.

What’s on my list? I’d like to be one of the people who sets off fireworks at a professional show. I’d like to learn the hula and how to play piano. I’d like to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef. And that’s just for starters.

So what’s on your list?

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Brynn writes:

I was off all last week, so am late getting this up, but in case you missed it the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Karelian Bear Dog program was featured on Good Morning America last week. The videographer was there when we did our video/photography of three bear cubs being released into the Central Cascades.

Here’s the link to the video on abc.com.

If you look close during a shot of the release of the three bears, you can see me standing in the back of the truck holding a video camera (I’m wearing a black jacket). I used the footage I shot for the story I wrote for the June 19 edition of the paper. That story, and the video, can be found by clicking here.

It’s great to see the dogs and their officers recognized for the work they do to minimize the number of black bears that have to be killed because they won’t leave populated areas. Using the dogs allows them to scare the bears back into the woods, with the intent they’ll never want to come back to civilization.

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Brynn writes:

Thanks to Doug Miller and his quick shutter finger, we have proof that the elusive Port Orchard bear was trying to escape Port Orchard for better digs on Bainbridge Island.

Miller sent the email this afternoon and unless there’s another bear walking around out there with a dart in its hindquarters, I’m guessing this is the same bear that was hiding out in the greenbelt off Mile Hill Drive earlier this week. I have to say, it looks a lot bigger here than it did when it was running at me on Monday…what do they put in those darts, steroids?!

Miller spotted the bear this morning swimming across Rich Passage, headed for Bainbridge off Point Glover. Here’s what he said in an email:

We saw him swimming out in the middle of the channel. A boat stopped to check him out and he got spooked and decided to swim back to our side I guess.

Pretty cool.

Last I heard from wildlife Sgt. Ted Jackson was that the bear still hasn’t been captured, but that it is being spotted all over. The hype over the bear has hopefully gone down now that its not running across Mile Hill Drive and bounding over the fences of the nearby Orchard Heights Elementary and Discovery Alternative High School.

I’m guessing Jackson and the other wildlife officials are also hoping the bear quietly fades into the woods, so they don’t have to try and relocate it.

Without further ado, here’s the photos. (Look close in this first one, you can see the dart sticking out his right hind leg).

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