Rescues and Blessings
It is the most enduring- and endearing- image of last week’s rain storms: Friday’s sight of an L.A.F.D. firefighter, suspended by rope from a helicopter, dangling and twisting in the wind, grabbing onto a frightened, trapped German shepherd in the raging L.A.River. Then the firefighter, 50 year old Joe St. Georges, and the dog dangled in the air for several minutes until the chopper pilot was able to deposit them on a nearby road. It was all caught on camera.
The dog had been trapped in the water for nearly two hours. At least 50 firefighters responded to the call.
St. Georges was sent to County USC hospital to be treated for numerous dog bites to his hand and arm. The animal was being tested for rabies and then will be quarantined for the next ten days.
The poor dog, named “Vernon” by the vets who treated him, after the city in which he was rescued, is doing just fine. It was funny watching the exhausted Vernon appear live on every newscast throughout the afternoon and evening, sitting patiently next to so many TV reporters, looking like he just wanted to sleep for the next day and a half. I’m sure Vernon, St. Georges, and the ace chopper pilot will all be making the morning talk show rounds this week.
The message the rescue sent around the world is simple yet powerful- if these brave souls would go to such great lengths to save a dog, imagine what they would do to save a human being. And that’s what makes this story and the video so special.
This wasn’t the first dramatic animal rescue caught on camera in our area. I remember in the late ‘90’s, the L.A.F.D. rescuing a horse stuck in the mud in the north end of the Valley. A chopper also lifted that animal to safety.
The only other time I can think of when animals are treated with such dignity is on the Saturday before Easter on Olvera Street. It’s where the annual blessing of the animals takes place. Cardinal Mahony himself presides over the ceremony. As hundreds of people walk their pets past the podium, the Cardinal blesses each animal and sprays it with holy water. In the past, all kinds of pets, from snakes to peacocks have been blessed. By tradition, the first animal in the procession is a cow decorated with flowers. The cow is chosen because it is the animal that gives the most to humanity.
The Cardinal then recites the following benediction: “Almighty Father, we bless these animals for all they have done in supplying our food, in carrying our burdens, providing us with clothing and companionship and tendering a service to the human race since the world began.”
I think “Vernon” can skip the ceremony this year. He’s already been blessed.
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