Pat Koester could leave as early as the end of May on a three-to-six month assignment to set up a playground for displaced children in a tsunami-struck village
Mission of mercy will separate pets, owner
By Patty Brant
Caption: Ruff, recognizable by his white, spotted nose, takes the initiative, while his brother Scooter (who has more white on his neck) serves as goalie in their impromptu ball games with owner Pat Koester. She is looking for a good home for the 50-pound Border Collies while she heads to Thailand to help victims of December's massive tsunami. Staff photo/Patty Brant
It takes a lot to separate an animal lover from their dog - especially if they've been together for 14 years. Sometimes, however, something so big happens that an owner feels no recourse but to give up their beloved pets.
After much soul-searching, Pat Koester has come to that painful conclusion. A former Peace Corps volunteer, Pat feels the pull once again; this time to help the tsunami victims in Thailand.
From 1966-68, Pat taught English there with the Peace Corps. After returning to the States briefly, she returned to Thailand in 1969 to manage a USO rec facility (snack bar, pool tables, gift shop, etc.) at the U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base. At that time, from 1969-74, the base was utilized by US airmen to stage B-52 bombing raids into Viet Nam. That same base was used by the US military to coordinate assistance to the tsunami victims last December.
At 60, Pat has decided she should return to Thailand through the Peace Corps Crisis Corps. This organization brings back former Peace Corps volunteers to serve during times of disaster. She could leave as early as the end of May on a three-to-six month assignment to set up a playground for displaced children in a tsunami-struck village. She would assess the needs, write a grant and even supervise construction.
She could leave in June to assist in small business development, marketing village handicrafts to help bring prosperity to the suffering residents.
There is also a possibility that she could go through a joint National Association of Realtors/Habitat for Humanity-sponsored program to build homes there. Whichever opportunity works out for her, Pat has decided that it is something she must do. She knows it won't be "a picnic," but she's confident she can handle whatever happens.
Which brings us to her beloved border collies.
Scooter and Ruff are 14-year-old neutered male Border Collies. They are littermates and, like others of their breed, are intelligent and mellow, but very active.
Pat and "the boys" have lived at the RV park at The Glades (formerly Hendry Isles) for the past four years. Using the phone and internet, she makes her living as a freelance writer for real estate magazines, covering mainly the northeast part of the country, from Virginia north. She does news items on legislation and other factors affecting real estate.
Scooter and Ruff require lots of attention, Pat points out, and "mental stimulation" to keep them healthy and happy. Pat has been easing their arthritis with condroiten and glucosamine and they take pills for incontinence.
In spite of their medical needs, Scooter and Ruff are still active. They need space to romp with a good owner who will spend time with them. These are not the kind of dogs that can be left alone for hours at a time, Pat says. They crave interaction with their "person," but they are not used to children.
Pat is looking for a good home for her two best friends. They need lots of love and care and can be a handful sometimes. They want to be with you every minute.
She would prefer to keep the two together if possible, but would consider separating them if she must. She is confident that "the boys" will let her know when she has found the right match for them.
If you have the space, the time and the heart to take in two loving creatures, please call the Caloosa Belle at 675-2541 and leave your name and phone number.
