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Friday, August 26, 2016

Nigel, the Best Dog in the World

When my son, Max, was in first grade he asked almost daily, “Is this the day that we are getting a dog?”  My answer remained the same,   “No, not until I find the right dog.”   After all, adopting a dog might be precipitated by a boy’s love for dogs, but ultimately it is the MOM's task to care for the dog.  

And then on December 2, 2004 we adopted not just the right dog, but the perfect dog.  Nigel, the best dog in the world, 

Dog years go by much too fast.  Recently, it had become difficult for Nigel to stand – his back legs often gave out. He was falling all of the time – he fell in yard, on walks and in the house.  He fell in the night when he tried to get up from the bed in my room to go to the bed in Max’s room.  He no longer got up for breakfast. 

On August 13, 2016,  Max and I made the difficult decision to ask the veterinarian to come to our home to humanely euthanize Nigel. 
  
Max left for college  three days later.  My house is now sadly silent.  Not because Max is gone – I hear his text message chirps often in response to my many questions.  But there are no Nigel sounds.  No tags jingling, no nails scraping, no old bones creaking while attempting to stand when I come home. 

I have many, many wonderful Nigel memories.  And pictures – I have lots and lots of pictures. But what I don’t have is time.  I don’t get to spend any more time with Nigel, the best dog in world.


Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Special Guest and his Special People Visit Caring Kids Camp -- You Can Make a Difference

When Pony and his people, Alejandro and Doug, walked into our Caring Kids -- You Can Make a Difference -- Camp the campers were struck by the alum's beauty.  But, when they learned that Pony is deaf, and that he responds to more signs than a lot of hearing animals do words, they were spellbound.   And, while Pony is super bright, it is the commitment of his adopters that struck me as extraordinary.  
According to the ASPCA -- 
The majority of pets are obtained from acquaintances and family members. 28% of dogs are purchased from breeders, and 29% of cats and dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues.
Therefore, 70% of animals living in homes are NOT adopted from shelters.  Potential adopters considering adopting a "special needs" animal account for an infinitesimal minority of folks who walk through the shelters' doors.  Obviously, Alejandro and Doug saw that Pony is indeed special.   And shelters need more adopters like Alejandro and Doug.