In my last column I referred to the concept of Separation Anxiety. That is an expression used to describe dogs that need to be with owners all the time. Loneliness is a frightening thing for people but can be terrifying for dogs. This brings me to the story of Sierra, a part lab mix, who hangs out during the day at ATI auto parts store in Pine Grove.
Roger Fugere, an employee of the store shares his life with Sierra. He adopted Sierra from the animal shelter in Martell 2 years ago. Roger had lost his previous dog of 14 years in a tragic accident on the American River in 2009 and was devastated. One day Roger was drowning his sorrow eating pie at Humble pies restaurant in Volcano missing the love of his dog . It was then he came across an ad in the local paper of a dog available for adoption at the animal shelter. Sierra was featured and something about her story and picture touched his heart. He drove down to the shelter where staff introduced him and Sierra to see if it was a match. It took around 40 minutes for Sierra to warm up to Roger. That day she entered Roger’s heart filling the hole left by the loss of his previous dog. Roger brought Sierra home to Volcano where she slept with him that night.
The next day Sierra went with Roger, who volunteers with the Volcano theater group, to work on the lighting for a production. Roger and Sierra were bonding.
The first morning Roger prepared to go to his regular job, he tethered Sierra to a clothesline where she would be safe until he returned. Sierra however had other plans. She had a new friend in life and was not willing to stay home alone while her new friend was at work.
Sierra managed to free herself from her tether (Separation Anxiety) and once free was searching Volcano to find Roger. A friend of Rogers spotted Sierra running loose and brought her to the auto parts store where Roger works. To ease the separation anxiety Roger decided that he would take Sierra to work with him. Thus began the journey that brought Sierra where every day she can be found sunning herself inside the doors at ATI auto parts. Presently she greets all customers who enter through the doors. In return for the loving greeting she asks only for a pat on the head as a thank you. She does however receive treats from regulars like the UPS delivery person.
As Roger learned later, the separation anxiety had not started with him. Her previous family, who Roger met at the theater, mentioned that Sierra once climbed a tree to be with them. She somehow managed to get to the highest limb in the tree just to be with her family.
Today a person would never know that when Roger took Sierra home she had aggression problems with other dogs. Roger stated that a dog training specialist from West Point worked with Sierra until she became passive.
Dogs are creatures of routine. Disrupt this routine and dogs become anxious. Each day Sierra looks forward to going to work with Roger. Each morning she watches Roger closely to see if he is putting on his work clothes. Once she realizes that the day is a workday she eagerly waits for Roger to finish getting ready off to work they go. On days Roger doesn’t go to work she gets depressed but quickly recovers when she realizes that she will still get to spend the day with Roger.
Anyone seeking to add a little love in their day needs only to drop by ATI auto parts and Sierra will make sure you are greeted with a warm welcome. After all the Beatles in the 60’s sung the words “Love is all you need” and Sierra is determined to make sure that happens in everyone’s life she touches.
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