Jill Painter: May 2008 Archives

The U.S. Olympic men's water polo team played Croatia tonight at Oaks Christian, and what an atmosphere. There were about 2,000 people sandwiched in the swimming pool stands and outside the pool on the grass. It looked like a concert in the park.
These are the guys you'll see on NBC in August in Beijing for the Olympics.
The U.S. beat Croatia - the No. 1-ranked team in the world - 8-5. It's not the Olympics, but that's a big deal for the Americans.

What do John Wooden and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz have in common? It's not java. It's the new John Wooden Global Leadership Award.
Wooden was scheduled to present the John Wooden Global Leadership Award to Schultz Wednesday night at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. This is part of the UCLA Anderson School of Management leadership program.
The event will include a conversation between Wooden and Schultz, which will be moderated by. Fortune magazine's managing editor, Andy Serwer.
This is Wooden's second public appearance in as many weeks following a February fall in his Encino home.
"John Wooden is an illustrious leader, and we are thrilled to present the first John Wooden Global Leadership Award to one of the most influential business leaders of today," said Judy Olian, dean of UCLA Anderson School of Management. "Howard Schultz embodies the leadership ideals and values underlying Coach Wooden's leadership philosophy and is an inspiring choice for the award."

I was driving home from the Lakers game last night when I saw from a distance that a man was in the middle of Shoup to pick something up from the street. I figured something must have fallen out of his car. As I was driving by, I noticed he had scooped up a dog. I don't know about you, but nothing tugs at my heart more than a lost dog or dog in need. I turned around and went to see if I could help. Jackie, a small white dog with a few black spots, was breathing. What a relief. The man, probably a college-aged student, laid her on the grass and was petting her.
The man that stopped to pick her up was the one that hit her with his truck. She darted out in the street, and though he tried to avoid her, he couldn't, he said. His hands were shaking as he pet her and called the number on her tag. I called my vet's office to get the number of an emergency animal hospital. The one I called put me on hold, then said the hospital was full. I couldn't think of an animal more in need than one that was just hit by a car. I wasn't happy, but I asked them for another number, and thankfully the lady gave me one. But by this time, Jackie was starting to bleed.
I started to cry but quickly composed myself. This poor little dog didn't need a stranger blubbering all over her. She needed calm and comfort and help at an animal hospital. The dog's owner and her daughter (who was probably about 6 or 7) finally arrived. And guess what? Though Jackie was unable to move her body, her little tail started wagging mightily. I've never been happier to see a dog wag her tail in my life.
Jackie was finally comforted by her owners. I gave them directions to the pet hospital. The owner got a blanket from her car, and the man put the dog on the blanket and in the little girl's lap so she could pet her as they drove to the animal hospital. I hope Jackie made it. But all I know is if she didn't, she was with the people who she loved most and loved her most.
So the next time you see a lost dog or one that needs help, please take a few minutes out of your day. I know you're going to be late for the tv show/workout/dinner/time with your kids, but your boss/loved ones will understand if you're late for helping an animal.
I felt so bad for the guy who hit the dog, and I could tell he felt bad, too. But he did the right thing by stopping to help the dog, and I applaud him for that. He even said he was glad that he got her out of the street in time before another car hit the dog and so that she could be comforted by her owners.
I wanted to call the hospital to see how Jackie was doing, but I didn't want to know if something bad happened to her. So, I'll just remember that little tail wagging and know that whatever the outcome, she was OK.