Goodbye Casey: 1997-Jan. 9, 2008

By Pat Wiggins

Carson City Animal Services Manager

Casey's story is the same as most homeless dogs, except where tragedy and death usually come, Casey was loved and cared for by an entire community.

The first time I saw Casey she narrowly missed being hit by a 1980s Buick. We (animal services) received a call that a black dog was running in traffic and needed our help. I responded to the area to see if I could catch her.

When I arrived, I saw a long-haired black dog running down the street at what seemed to be the speed of light. I immediately jumped into action with dog biscuits, soft words and cowering to show my submissiveness.

If a dog can laugh, Casey proved it that day. She told me in no uncertain terms that I was not her equal. This black dog turned out to be very smart, dodging and eluding me for over an hour. It seemed that she was taunting me, daring me to try and catch her.

She would escape my efforts to catch her, then stop not far away and enjoy a nice rest, always watching me huff and puff my way back to her.

After many attempts and a lot of suggestions from amused observers, Casey lost interest in this game and quickly ditched me in a close-by neighborhood. I figured that was it and I would never see that clever black dog again.

Three weeks later I was called out to Carson High School to help an injured dog. When I arrived, I was surprised to see the same black dog I had chased weeks earlier, limp and suffering under a school bus. The dog I chased that was so fast and clever couldn't use her back legs and was very, very scared.

After several attempts and many near misses from Casey's choppers, I was able to carry her to our van and take her to Sierra Veterinarian Hospital for treatment.

Dr. Ailes immediately made himself available to treat her and found that a rattlesnake had bitten her. Casey had a 50/50 chance of surviving. After three long weeks of care, Casey was able to start using her rear legs and was on her way to a full recovery.

Animal services made her available for adoption hoping for a good home she could call her own. Unfortunately, like so many of our adult dogs, no one wanted her. She had too much baggage. She ate out of the garbage, relieved herself wherever she wanted, wouldn't tolerate other dogs, and absolutely hated having her picture taken.

So after two months this clever, fast, infuriating, black dog became Carson City Animal Services' first mascot. There was a short power struggle between Casey and animal services' staff, and after the battles Casey claimed victory and quickly made herself the queen of the shelter.

Her staff was taxed a portion of their lunch on a regular basis. The building maintenance staff spoiled her rotten, feeding her bones and other goodies (thanks guys) and customers would dote on her saying how she must be the luckiest dog ever.

In 2006, Casey retired from mascoting and made her home under my desk, waiting for me to throw my lunch in the trash can so that later when all was quite she could pull it out and shred it all over my office, telling me in her own clever way that she loved me.

In Casey's last days she didn't suffer, didn't even show us that her time was close, just wandered over to the horse corral (her favorite place) and laid down.

I will miss you Casey.