Another (this is the last time, promise) addendum to last week’s I, Anonymous column: Most of the time, when someone submits an I, Anonymous, they are using a one-time fake email address, or they post anonymously onto the I, Anonymous forum. It is a sheer coincidence that the author of the post (if you have not read it, his elderly dog’s wheelchair was stolen) happened to include a legitimate email address, and I was able to contact them when reader starting calling and writing in wanting to donate money to replace the stolen wheelchair. This is their response:
Thank you to all the kind hearted Portlanders who responded to my I Anonymous post re: the Stolen Dog Stroller with offers of money to buy a new one. Being as I submitted that in E-mail form the Mercury contacted me and notified me of the tremendous response. It does a person’s heart good to know that there are so many who care so deeply. It definitely turned something creepy into something great and uplifting. Though both dog and I appreciate the outpouring of generosity, my intention was not to solicit donations but to use the I Anonymous forum as the Vox Populi soapbox it was always intended to be. I was mad and wanted to get it off my chest. So I cannot and will not take any contributions. I may not have been able to grab a new stroller right away, but having to be budget conscious is far from being impoverished (plus there’s always Craig’s List). So believe me, my dog will not unduly suffer. There are those more needy than I or my dog. He is well taken care of. We will manage. If this has spurred you to want to do something charitable then by all means donate that money as you see fit (though you’re all so cool you obviously do anyway). But not to me, thank you. And I do mean THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart. And to whoever stole my dog’s wheelchair in the first place – you’re still a dick.
I had the trust Merc intern do some investigation, and Pet Aid looks like a good bet if you’d like to help out animals with special medical needs. One of their programs offers financial assistance to pet owners who have trouble paying their pets’ medical expenses, in the form of no-interest loans.
“It is a sheer coincidence that the author of the post (if you have not read it, his elderly dog’s wheelchair was stolen) happened to include a legitimate email address, and I was able to contact them when reader starting calling and writing in wanting to donate money to replace the stolen wheelchair.”
It’s somewhat scary that the anonymous part of that column isn’t so anonymous. Duly Noted.
It’s also amusing how much love dogs get in Portland. Don’t ever cross a dog in this town.