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NEW YORK CITY — We've already learned
that some heroes of the World Trade Center walk on four legs. How
about one of the survivors?
Pictured is Marshall and his rescuer Jamie Smith (Photo: Miles B.
Norman / Star-Gazette)
Like
any stray, "Marshall" has a story that can only be read
through his eyes. The circumstances are vague: he was found wandering
the streets of lower Manhattan, homeless and nameless, several days
after the September 11 terrorist attacks that leveled the Twin Towers.
But recent findings have led to the
theory that, unlike other strays picked up in the area, Marshall may
have directly survived the tragedy at the site of the World Trade
Center.
The Star-Gazette reports that he was first taken in by the Manhattan Center for Animal
Care and Control. Because of his sweet nature, the shelter
contacted a Dalmatian rescue group that finds homes for dogs in
need. This group, Willing
Hearts Dalmatian Rescue of Royersford, PA, contacted Jamie
Smith, a teacher in Corning. She already had her hands full with
three other Dalmatians and a rescued Greyhound, but at least
temporarily, there was found room for one more.
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About that time, some strange symptoms
began to surface. Marshall's new foster family began to notice him
having persistent nosebleeds, something rather uncommon in dogs
according to Ms. Smith. In addition, there was considerable
congestion in his lungs.
Marshall was taken to the vet, where it
was discovered that his nasal passages were badly scraped and that he
had developed a respiratory infection, presumably after inhaling
quantities of hazardous particles and airborne irritants.
Ms. Smith says that with this
surprising evidence, the pieces began to fit; the belief is that he was
close enough to the World Trade Center towers during the collapse that
he inhaled a large amount of debris and harmful materials.
Whatever the truth is, Marshall prefers
to keep it to himself. With the worst behind him, he and his
rescuers are focusing on a brighter future.
Admittedly, Ms. Smith can only keep him
temporarily while a suitable permanent home can be found. Marshall
is her 18th foster dog since she began rescuing dogs in 1999, and more
are bound to come.
Willing Hearts Dalmatian Rescue, who
graciously picked up Marshall's $600 vet bill, is confident that the dog
will be placed in a loving home. The group has an extensive
network of members scattered throughout the mid-Atlantic states.
Says Ms. Smith: "The
hardest part is letting them go."
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