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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 http://community.webtv.net/k9apple/Howloweenies |
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