Animal Hall of Fame (cont'd)
2004—MERCEDES THE HORSE
Extraordinary Educator and Wonderful Companion,
Mercedes Brought Glory of Black Army Regiments to Life
Written and televised history makes much ado about the courage and bravery demonstrated by the fighting, stabilizing units of the 19th Century U.S. Army. Yet, little regard is given to an often forgotten but critical aspect of that protecting force: the Buffalo Soldiers, fearless fighters of hostile groups who worked in virtually every other aspect of protection and service for more than 80 years.
Highly revered by the Cheyenne who admired their strength, agility, fighting skills and compassion, they were dubbed the Buffalo Soldiers in honor of their culture's staple, which was critical to their survival, and because of their similar revered traits. Refusing to forget their contributions and determined to generate awareness today, one man with a beloved horse vowed in 1998 to make sure the people he reaches are told about the Soldiers.
Ulysses Davis of El Paso, Texas, spends much of his free time dedicating his talents and personal resources to the history of the Buffalo Soldier. In the first years of reenactments, Davis rode his mare, Mercedes, and captured hearts everywhere they went. For more than three years, Davis, his family and the palomino quarter horse/thoroughbred caravaned nationwide to schools, rodeos, parades, fairs and special events sharing their living history presentation. From the Billy the Kid Days' parade in Lincoln, New Mexico and El Paso's 200-year-old cemetery Concordia for the "Walk Through History," to the six-day-long "Last Great Cattle Drive of the Millennium," Davis and Mercedes performed dozens of times annually.
These events gave them a chance to explain about the Soldiers and demonstrate their extensive contributions. Together they posed for historical statues, helped dedicate the new main facility of El Paso's U.S. Post office, performed complex cavalry maneuvers and rode with the Governor of New Mexico.
"It's so important for people to understand the past," said Davis. "Mercedes was an extraordinary educator, faithful companion and a tireless performer. She made an impact wherever we went. Many people will now remember who the Buffalo Soldiers were because of their exposure to Mercedes. It's important to our culture, our heritage and to the real history of America."
After succumbing to colic in 2000, Mercedes was honored by horse lovers and the community who raised and donated hundreds of dollars for Mercedes' vet bills. Today Davis and the thoroughbred Lincoln continue Mercedes' legacy to spread the word about the American Buffalo Soldiers.
2005—PUFFY LITTLE CLOUD
Internationally Renowned Weather Dog Sparkled Rain or Shine
Sweet, precious and platinum with a wardrobe housing hundreds of hats and weather-oriented outfits, Puffy Little Cloud spent the late 1970s and early 1980s televising outdoor conditions for all of west Texas, southern New Mexico and northern Mexico. A Lhasa Apso puppy adopted at the Humane Society, Puffy soared into the national spotlight when she was the bridesmaid at the wedding ceremony of Howell Eurich and Gail Gordon, all of them part of KDBC-TV 4's award-winning weather trio. The pampered weather pooch instantly became the subject of a National Enquirer feature with a four-color photo spread. Subsequently, a San Francisco news service sent out 2000 press releases to radio and TV stations nationwide, catapulting Puffy to celebrity status as El Paso's own weather dog.
Every evening, KDBC-TV viewers raced to their TVs to watch Howell, Gail and Puffy do weather reports like no other station in the country. Donning everything from raincoats and slickers to stylish shades and snowsuits, Puffy and the forecasts garnered fame and fans around the world. Puffy received more than 50 pieces of mail daily, including a letter from international TV and movie star Benji, and a marriage proposal from Ernie, a love-lorn Shitzsu from England. The National Humane Society even nominated Puffy for a Patsy Award, the animal kingdom's equivalent of the Oscar. Countless viewers created darling costumes tailored especially for Puffy in hopes of seeing their forecasting canine in the spiffy threads.
When Howell and Gail had to leave town on business or vacation, Puffy would stay with Frank Jordan, the station's director of engineering. Frank and Jean Jordan cared for Puffy as their own, but like all fame and fortune, it wasn't going to last. Howell and Gail made the difficult decision to separate and eventually Gail left the Sun City. After Howell died tragically, Puffy was orphaned. However, with the permission of Howell's kids and the Humane Society, the Jordans officially adopted Puffy, who began her leisure years as a house-hold family member, relinquishing the bright lights of stardom and tedious grooming for the appeal of warm beds, blankets, doggie doors and her new "brother" Bhutan, the Jordan's other Lhasa Apso.
Puffy lived out the rest of her life basking in the love of the Jordans in her new Upper Valley home, leaving a happy trail of meteorological memories and stellar forecasts in her wake. From pampered pooch and toast of the town to retired grand duchess and former sophisticate, Puffy served as a priceless goodwill mascot for El Paso's hundreds of thousands of residents as well as a beacon of joy for all of her families.
2006—HUMPY THE ALLIGATOR
Desert Denizen and San Jacinto Plaza's Witness to History
Transported in 1883 from Louisiana to Texas via the Texas & Pacific Railway, Humpy and five other alligators comprised a zoological gift to El Paso Mayor C.R. Morehead. The unusual desert denizens arrived in a cigar box, living in a whiskey barrel at the old Vault Saloon pending the construction of a special alligator pond in downtown's San Jacinto Plaza. Humpy witnessed history, staring into the eyes of people from all walks of life including gunslingers, several American Presidents, Mexican Revolutionary Pancho Villa and U.S. General Blackjack Pershing.
Several stories detail adventures of the aquatic reptilian cohorts. One narrative describes a weight-guessing contest with the winner receiving a whopping $100 and a trip to Mexico. In 1952, a 54-year-old female gator laid an egg in the pond. To the amusement of downtown spectators, the recumbent, protective mother-to-be sprang to life and rushed toward city employees who were trying to clean the fountain and pond. Also in '52, someone smuggled one of the gators to Texas Western College (now UTEP), placing him in a professor's office as a prank. Another time, people spotted one of the alligators swimming in the college pool before an intramural swim meet.
After vandals blinded his left eye in 1965, Humpy moved to the safety and protection of the El Paso Zoo. His imposing size at 9 1/2 feet, 425 pounds and 100+ years of age made him one of the region's most popular attractions until his quiet passing after cancer surgery in 1992. Humpy received a fitting burial next to another alligator pond at a local wildlife rehabilitation facility in Northeast El Paso, where a new generation of gators now finds peaceful refuge in El Paso's desert Southwest. A memorial sculpture stands in the Plaza today as homage to the world.
2007—BARNABY JONES
Officer K-9-1 — El Paso Police Department's First Commissioned Canine
Since time eternal, man's success relies on the assistance of animals, especially dogs. One of the most outstanding police canines, Barnaby Jones served six years as the first commissioned canine officer of the El Paso Police Department (EPPD), and another year after retiring from the force. His 1976 commission followed 16 weeks of intensive training and exceptional reviews in Baltimore to prep him for El Paso Officer K-9-1. Carefully selected for his supreme temperament, physical condition and breeding, Barnaby proved to be an excellent tracker. Named after the famous television detective portrayed by Buddy Ebsen, he received recognition from the actor himself, who acknowledged Barnaby's efforts by sending him a collar and dish with his name.
The El Paso K-9 pioneer could be as fierce as needed, persuading prisoners and suspects to surrender and comply with police orders with his daunting presence. His intelligence and advanced obedience training taught him to carefully subdue and hold prisoners, not to injure. Often, just the sight of a large, potentially threatening animal is enough to make force unnecessary. Together with handler, patrol partner and trainer Richard Edens, Barnaby Jones helped flush out burglars, sniff out stolen property and aided in narcotics/bomb searches. Canine units thrive across the nation based on early successes like Barnaby's. They're invaluable, economical, efficient assets in crowd control, emergency situations, officer protection, patrol back-up and arms/explosive/narcotics detection, among others. Called excellent deterrents, canine officers help maintain situations while saving wear and tear on police personnel.
An astounding performer, Barnaby Jones and his subsequent canine comrades can do more than a human and in less time, according to Edens, who wrote a research paper on K-9 effectiveness that helped convince the EPPD to incorporate the units. "Dogs do not rationalize like a person, and that makes people afraid of them. In most cases, a criminal will be more afraid of a dog than he would a policeman. A dog can do a job in 15 minutes that would take 100 men an entire day."
Living together with Edens as constant companions, Barnaby Jones was all business on the job, but enjoyed family life like any other loved pet at home-enjoying attention and playing with children. Barnaby passed away in 1981 from arthritis complications and age-related ailments. He was nine years old, but his early legacy lives on in the El Paso Police Department's indispensable K-9 Unit that now totals more than 15 canine teams.
