In memory of Louise Echols, we present this written portrait from the February 14, 1997 issue of Dolphin Talk…
While most people in Port O’Connor are kind to animals, there are few who would “go the extra mile” (11 miles each way, to be exact) to care for abandoned animals as Louise Echols does. Three times each week Louise drives out Highway 1289, past Coloma Creek bridge, to the scrap metal pile where “Puppy Dog” and “Kitty Cat” make their home.
Louise first noticed the dog, a female chow, a few weeks before Christmas, 1995.It was about half-grown and so wild no one could get close to it. Others also noticed the dog and would stop with food for it as they went by.
Shortly after the dog appeared, a cat was spotted living there. The female cat is also leery of strangers, especially since one kind-hearted Port O’Connor lady attempted to secure it in a cardboard box to transport it and give it a good home.
There are several people who still bring food to the dog. One Port O’Connor resident brings food every weekday on his way to work. Louise realized that the dog would not allow the cat to share its food and began placing food high on top of cable spools for the cat.
Louise brings special treats for the cat and carries a bag of dog food in her truck, just in case none is left there.
She brings fresh water for each. “I suppose it could be a little dangerous, climbing around in a junk pile, but I need to do it. A force drives me to take care of animals that can’t take care of themselves,” says Louise.
When she drives up in her red truck, “Puppy Dog” comes running, tail wagging. The cat, sleeping in the cab of a dragline, meanders down to greet Louise. While others still cannot approach these two, they trust Louise and enjoy her gentle touch and kind words.
As she drives away, the dog follows for a short distance, then stops and returns to her place amongst the scrap metal. “Every trip is heartbreaking,” says Louise, “but it would be so much worse if they didn’t have someone to feed and care for them and to love them once in a while.”
Louise has been a Port O’Connor resident for most of her life. She was born in Rockport; spent her first year of life on Matagorda Island and then moved to Port O’Connor. Her parents are Tessie, who passed away in 1974, and Champ Echols, a commercial fisherman, who died in 1956.
Louise rented a house in Port Lavaca and worked for GTE for ten years, the last three as chief operator. In 1967 she went to work for Gemco, Inc., a die-plate manufacturing company, in the accounting department. She retired in 1992.
She had her home in Port O’Connor built in 1956. It was rebuilt after being partially destroyed by Hurricane Carla.
In 1963 she had a washateria built at 11th and Adams. After working her job in Port Lavavca, she would work at the washateria each night. Running the washateria demanded her time every weekend also. In 1970 she sold the washateria.
Since her retirement, Louise has done some traveling around the country, but has taken no long trips since she began caring for the dog and cat. She enjoys fishing and has her own 16 foot aluminum boat with 30hp motor. She has a birdbath in her yard and bird feeder, always filled with sunflower seeds and hen scratch. She enjoys watching all the birds that come around. Even Port O’Connor’s parrot* comes down to eat at her feeder.
A family of squirrels lives in her yard. She keeps plenty of pecans on hand for them, even cracking and shelling some for them. Her neighbor, John Barringer, recently gave her sixty quarts of pecans for the squirrels.
Although she has no pets to call her own, there are many wild creatures around Port O’Connor who look to Louise as their provider and protector. And Louise Echols is more than happy to care for them.
* Does anyone know what happened to the Port O’Connor parrot?
What Happened to Puppy Dog and Kitty Kat?
Some time after the article about Louise Echols was written, the fellow (Ryon Preslar) who put out feed for the dog and cat daily took a job that would not require a daily drive down Hwy. 1289. Ryon’s mother, Sharon, also an animal lover, adopted the dog, which she named “Peek-A-Boo”. The cat had disappeared, or she would have tried to take it home also.
Sharon Preslar took excellent care of the dog, having her spayed, treated for heartworms, a tooth pulled, and eye surgery. In return, Peek-A-Boo became a most loving, gentle and loyal pet. After five years, Peek-A-Boo was stolen from the Preslar’s driveway, where she often held watch over the family. “I still miss her,” Sharon says.
Louise and Sharon were acquaintances, but after Sharon adopted “Peek-A-Boo”, they became good friends. Louise would come to visit Sharon and “Peek-A’Boo” every Monday at 4:00 p.m.
Dolphin Talk, February 14, 1997
Thank you, Advertisers!
While looking through our February 14, 1997 issue, – it didn’t take long – only 8 pages – we noticed two advertisers in that issue who are still advertising with us and are, in fact, in this current issue.
Thank you, Chuck Carter (Coastal Boat Services, Unltd.) and Chris Mapp (Coastal Bend Marine) for your continued support!
