Next door neighboring was something one could always count on in our small town. It hasn’t changed. it may be practiced a bit differently, respecting all of the restrictions that previously were imposed by the recent health crisis. Sometimes these efforts may appear to have vanished, yet most everyone continues to reach out and find ways to sincerely help people.
Just take a look sometime at some of the messages that pop up on a popular social media sites. These provide digital space for posts to all of the neighbors in a specific location so they can become aware of lost animals or items for sale. It is not only handy and convenient, it works extremely well. It often provides a solution to solving this pesky pet problem. Missing domestic animals crop up daily and the tried-and-true old methods of word of mouth or the community bulletin boards remain. These remain helpful, as well, to solve this daily problem. However, as digital communication has become an essential part of daily life, it increases the chances of finding escapees from the yards and homes
Turning to digital devices to solve daily problems isn’t brand new to those who work or study from home. Relying on cell phones has become a habit, as well as a go-to problem solving tool. Before the pandemic, so many community residents didn’t have access to electronic devices. As it got more difficult to have neighbors or extended family help during the pandemic, the family computer or cell phones became all important.
Now the present definition of neighboring has expanded in new ways, stretching far and wide across the county. That could explain the popularity of the website, Lost and Found Animals of Rio Blanco County.
During the years when the reports of lost or missing animals were called into the town dispatcher as were turned over to the animal control officer, it could take days or weeks to find Fido or Leo. Yet there were numerous times that law enforcement officers would find them wandering in their own neighborhood before the owners were even aware their beloved pet was missing.
A recent request for help on the Lost and Found Animals of Rio Blanco County page demonstrated how using the computer to find another type of domestic pet might be equally helpful with the owner’s description of this particular animal…a rabbit.
“Oh, he comes and goes on his own. He can’t be contained.” Can any of us, really?
By DOLLY VISCARDI
Special to the Herald Times
