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When you're old and grey



 
 
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Old October 15th 03, 03:25 AM
Chris Williams
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Default When you're old and grey

Thought you might enjoy Hershey.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3 D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=

The Tuesday, October 14, Washington Post has an article, by Susan Lennon
headed: "Adoption: For Old Dogs, A New Leash on Life." (Pg C10)

Lennon opens with the story of Hershey:
"Hershey, a chocolate Labrador retriever, spent the first six years of
his life outdoors, chained by a three-foot tether to a
tipped-on-its-side washing machine. This was his 'doghouse.' Untrained,
unsocialized and unloved, he almost became a statistic. Instead, he was
saved by a rescue group and then adopted by Bonnie Anthony, a
psychiatrist in Bethesda. A year later, he earned his first competitive
obedience title, proving that you can teach an old dog new tricks. He's
13 now, still winning obedience competitions -- and still bringing joy
to his new family.

"Hershey was lucky -- and unusual. He could have become one of the
millions of dogs euthanized at shelters every year. Most prospective dog
owners want puppies or young dogs; dogs over the age of 4 are considered
unadoptable by many humane organizations. Their chances of leaving a
shelter alive are slim. But if more people knew about the unexpected
joys these "secondhand" dogs bring, and how readily they adapt, bond and
learn, more would choose an older dog over a puppy -- and more of
yesterday's puppies would still be alive today."

=A0The article discusses the special bond between people and adopted
older dogs: "Dogs who wind up in shelters have 'seen the other side,'
and earning their trust, seeing that gratitude in their eyes, is
incredibly rewarding."

On the advantages:
"Most of these dogs have spent their entire lives in the company of
humans and are housebroken, trained and mature. Puppies and younger dogs
require intensive work to reach this stage; only constant vigilance,
obedience classes and the patience of a saint can turn an adorable
bundle of squirming fur into a civilized canine companion. Even then,
there are no guarantees."

You can read the whole article on line at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2003Oct13.html






















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