Dogs

5 THOUGHTS ON ADOPTING A PET

FIVE THOUGHTS ON ADOPTING A PET (Adopting a pet. This is an updated version of a post I wrote on Facebook a few years ago, after a few unhappy events.  Two adopted dogs were hit and killed by cars within a period of six weeks.  The reason – they were timid animals who ran out from their new homes in blind panic and into the street.  In one of those instances, the adopters were told not to let the animal off leash at all during the first few weeks – advice they ignored.  So this post came from a place of sorrow and frustration.) You've decided to adopt a furry companion - that's wonderful! Many companion animals are euthanized every year.  Choosing to save one is a marvelous thing. A couple of notes about adoption counselors/shelter workers - from one who has been both employee and volunteer for many years. 1. LET THEM HELP YOU CHOOSE A shelter counselor is NEVER trying to talk you out of an animal - they're trying to talk you INTO the right animal. Yes, that…

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3 AMAZING ANIMAL WAR HEROES

It wasn’t only humans who served the military in wartime – there were also a few outstanding animal heroes.  Here are three: SERGEANT STUBBY – WORLD WAR I Sergeant Stubby (1916 – March 16, 1926) was the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment (United States) during World War I. He served for 18 months and participated in seventeen battles on the Western Front. He was either an American Pit Bull Terrier, or a mix.  As befits this page, he was a stray, discovered at Yale University by troops who were training to go into combat. One of the soldiers, Corporal Robert Conroy, hid him on the troop ship when the regiment shipped out.  He then hid him in his overcoat to avoid detection.  When he was discovered, he ingratiated himself by saluting the commanding officer.  The office, of course, let him stay. Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry Regiment in France for 8 months and participated in 17 battles. He was wounded in the leg by a hand grenade. When he recovered from his wounds, Stubby returned to the trenches. In his first year of battle Stubby…

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