A one-eyed dog found by rescue workers in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina became University Recreation’s unofficial mascot.
University Recreation student workers said Captain Jack, the 4-year-old labrador retriever -rottweiler mix, attends all intramural games and serves as a reminder of the veterinarians and other rescue workers who stayed at the Student Recreational Sports Complex during the days following the disaster.
“We had all those people here, all helping out,” said Candice Tucker, mass communication senior and University Recreation student worker. “To have the vets here was great. We just decided to make a long-term commitment [to adopt Jack].”
Tamara Jarrett, University Recreation director, said Jack, who came to the animal shelter at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales without any records, may always have been homeless.
“[Jack] came in with a huge group of animals and was roaming free when he was found,” said Dr. Sal Jepson, a veterinarian from Portland, Ore., who came to Louisiana on Sept. 1 and slept at the complex.
Jack appears to be missing an eye, but Jepson said it is probably a condition called microphthalmia, where an animal is born with an undeveloped eye. Jepson said Jack’s eye may be under a pink layer of tissue, and it is probably a birth defect rather than an injury he incurred during the hurricane.
Jarrett said she contacted a company that produces eye patches, and the owner designed purple-and-gold and tiger-print eye patches for the dog.
Jepson said Jarrett is one of many volunteers who offered to temporarily foster rescued animals to give evacuees a chance to reclaim their pets.
“Local people fostered them so they didn’t have to be in a constant shelter situation,” Jepson said.
Jarrett said the University Recreation staff was surprised when she brought the “skinny, dirty” dog back to the complex, but Jack was a “special case.”
“It was rewarding at such a desperate time to see the strength and positive relationship among [Federal Emergency Management Agency] workers, staff and student workers,” Jarrett said. “Mike the Tiger is a symbol of LSU pride and strength, and Captain Jack is a symbol of compassion and pride. We were fortunate to be in a position to help [rescue workers]. Captain Jack is a lasting reminder of how good it feels to help people.”
Contact Leslie Ziober at [email protected]