American novelist William Gaddis once wrote, "Justice? You get justice in the next world, in this world you have the law." Few people understand this thought better than Lauren Ward, a nurse from Cupertino, California, who lost her puppy to random, senseless fate but found some comfort in her state's legislature.

Angus

At the time Lauren didn't know Angus had lapped up antifreeze. She had no idea what was causing her young animal to suffer. The veterinarian couldn't figure it out either. In fact, it wasn't until after visiting three different veterinarians that tests revealed Angus was poisoned by antifreeze.

By this point, however, the pooch's kidneys were failing, and he had to be put on dialysis. With Angus's body quickly deteriorating, he went blind; Lauren and her family were left with no choice but to euthanize their beloved family pet. Angus died within a week after ingesting the antifreeze.

"It was not your classic antifreeze poisoning case," Lauren says.

Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, an extremely toxic chemical that has a sweet taste that attracts animals and children. Classic symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, unconsciousness, drooling, panting, and seizures, with initial symptoms often appearing within one hour of ingestion. Most animal encounters with antifreeze end in death, especially when the antifreeze has entered the animal's bloodstream. By some estimates, nearly 10,000 dogs and cats a year are poisoned by antifreeze, in amounts as small as a quarter of an ounce.

"It was hard; he was this little six-month old puppy," Lauren reflects. "We had to leave the kids at home (during all the medical procedures). It was their first puppy. My two kids were five-and-a-half and eight-and-a-half when they had to go through this. To them, Angus went away and basically never came back. They knew Angus got sick, but we kept them away from most of the medical procedures. It was the first animal I've ever had to euthanize. To explain it to my family was very difficult, especially when the whole thing could have been prevented." The Wards' grief still fresh, Lauren researched the dangers of antifreeze to animals and was stunned to learn there were no laws in California to protect them from the deadly substance. Lauren got the legislative ball rolling in California after being selected one of three winners in Palo Alto Assemblyman Joe Simitian's "There Oughta Be a Law" contest last year. The victory gave Ward entree into the legislative process, and with the help of a sympathetic ally at the Doris Day Animal League, she saw her antifreeze bill signed into law in September 2002.

The new law requires that antifreeze containing more than 10% ethylene glycol must contain a bittering agent to make it unpalatable to animals and children. Originally, Lauren wanted to have a bittering agent and an odor added to antifreeze—the odor would alert people when their car leaked the coolant. She also wanted the bittering agent added to all containers of antifreeze, not just what's sold on store shelves. As passed, however, the current bill exempts wholesale containers containing 55 gallons or more of antifreeze. These containers are commonly used at garages and other car repair shops.

"It wasn't fully what I wanted, but as they say in the government, 'If you don't try, you don't get anywhere'," Lauren admits.

Not one to rest on her laurels, Lauren says that she'll soon be back in the halls of the California legislature, fighting to strengthen the laws protecting animals and children against the dangers of antifreeze.

"Lauren's activism and dedication is a shining example that the power one person can have in effecting change," says Julie Janovsky, The HSUS's senior state legislative specialist. "Unfortunately, it often takes tragedy for citizens to realize the weaknesses or lack in current law. Anyone who suffers a tragedy such as this is encouraged to look into current laws and take action. Any citizen can work to improve or create animal protection laws, and they are encouraged to get in touch with their elected officials as Lauren did, or contact us for help."

Janovsky also says that Lauren's work on antifreeze is starting to peak interest in other states. She says a delegate in Maryland wants to introduce a bill concerning the dangers of antifreeze, and Nevada also has an antifreeze bill pending.

"If you sit back and don't do anything, then nothing will change," Lauren advises. "To make change happen you have to be really active and persistent. I would encourage people to get out there and battle to make changes. You're either part of the problem or part of the solution. You have to decide which side you want to be on."