Animal Talk/News

You might recall, a few weeks ago when I made an appeal for someone to adopt two older dogs, Big Lady and Devin, whose owner had recently passed away. That appeal was quickly answered and Big Lady and Devin now have the best possible home any dog could ever want. The two dogs are now members of the Gosnell family; Ed, Shannon and their three daughters; Austin who is 13, Kaitlyn 10 and Amanda 20.

Ed was pretty apprehensive about adopting two more dogs, especially older ones. Nonetheless, he agreed to take Shannon up to at least look at Big Lady and Devin. Well, it was love at first sight and both dogs went home with the Gosnells. It turns out that this definitely was a match made in heaven.

Immediately upon entering the house, Shannon told me that after sniffing the place out, they acted as if they’d spent their entire lives with the Gosnells. The children were besides themselves. The Gosnells had well prepared for their new family members and had beds ready on the floor … or so it was planned. Well, in keeping with the “Best laid plans….” axiom, things initially turned out differently. When Shannon went to check on the kids that evening, Kaitlyn was in Big Lady’s bed on the floor and Big Lady was lying on her back on the bed with her feet up in the air, loudly snoring away!

Well, things evened out and both Big Lady and Kaitlyn now occupy the same bed together. Oh, and remember how Ed was initially apprehensive. That didn’t last long as Devin now sleeps on the floor right next to Ed’s side of the bed! Shannon continued that Devin impatiently awaits for the kids to come home from school and when they arrive, it is a true love fest.

The only little fly in the ointment was one of the Gosnell’s three cats, a Siamese. While their other two cats and the dogs quickly bonded, the Siamese kept trying to sneak across the table to launch an airborne attack on the dogs. Shannon several times scooped him off the table just before he was ready to pounce. Even that didn’t last long however as now the two dogs and the Siamese take naps together on one of the beds.

This is truly a wonderful ending and proves my point that often older animals are the best ones to adopt. We thank the Shannons so very much for opening their home and their hearts to these two precious older dogs.

A wonderful gift

Our city and county elementary classes are forever making wonderful gifts of food, toys, blankets, etc. to our animals. The other day we received from the Freewill Baptist Church Preschool Class, tons of food and treats for our animals. Accompanying this wonderful donation was a note thanking the Humane Society for “taking care of all of God’s creatures.” What a wonderful gift at such an appropriate time of the year.

Speaking of the time of the year, the Board of Directors and members of your Humane Society accompanied by yours truly, Fran, Weaver, Winston, Oliver, Jennifer the Precious and Felix the terrorist wish you and yours a truly joyous Easter. As is written, “He is Risen. He is Risen indeed!”