Feed and Care for the Mare Island Community Dog

Dear Friends, Users and Lovers of our Mare Island Wildlands, each of you Members of our Wildlands Community.

Friday night, February 24, 2023 late in the evening as I checked the parking lot preparing to lock the gate for the San Pablo Bay Trail, I was approached by a young man dressed in suit and tie, driving a nice car and expressing fear of dogs, who alerted me to the presence of a dog with no person. He said he had stayed with the dog who just sat by his car. I parked and got out and walked towards the lot. Sure enough, with the light from his headlights, I saw a big gray dog pacing along the fence. Although the Trailhead gate was open and it could have darted off down the Trail, it stayed closeby. Soon it lodged itself in the corner of the fence. I talked to it and asked its name. All the usual ways we try to make contact with those we find there, including pet rabbits, a hen, roosters and dogs and kitties. She let me come closer. Wary and scared. With all the courage and bravery she could muster, she let me put a harness on her and reluctantly walked with me to the car. The young man hugged me, took a quick photo and was gone. I tied Nitro in the back of my car. The new one in the passenger seat. We went off to lock the gate and run Nite, then to the grocery store for some dinner for her. So, she spent the night in my car, got a bath. Thank you Nikole at Rub-A-Dub Dog Grooming in American Canyon for the no-cost bath. A collar at Powell Brothers Feed and has spent the last few days since in a temporary foster home which ends today. She has no chip. She has highly worn nails that according to the groomer, means she has run a lot. She is in excellent condition. Someone loves her. I am not willing to “give her away”. Here is what I am willing to do for her, for now.

Nitro and I will take her into our home. She will be officially designated as the Mare Island Wildlands Community’s “Island Dog”. We together, will adopt her and care for her, as we did for Linus, our beautiful orange tabby kitty who lived in the Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve Visitor Center, the hen, roosters, and other kitties.

I am creating this Gofundme fund only for “our” Island Dog’s food, supplements and Vet and other care. Rather than donating in this account, You may also send a check specifically for her food and care to Mare Island Heritage Trust. 816 Branciforte St. Vallejo, CA 94590. If you wish, you can also make a donation in her name: “the Mare Island Dog” with Hanson Family Farms at the Vallejo Farmer’s Market or by calling

them at [phone redacted].

Any of the Fab Four supplements can be purchased at https://peterdobias.com/

As she gets comfortable with her new life, and the weather gets nicer, She will be available for walks, like all of my Mare Island Preserve dogs before her. If you are up for this great calling, I and she and her people, whoever and wherever they are, will be most grateful. Expect regular Updates, here. Will you help me crowdfund “our” dog’s care? This is also a great way to continue to keep her story out there. Myrna Hayes and Nitro