The Tale that Wags the Dog
You've seen blond labs, black labs.... but now meet a red lab.
At the animal shelter , every dog and cat has a story to tell, perhaps the strays most of all. Sometimes it's an open book -- neglect, benign or otherwise. You meet many a diamond in the rough, or one who has had it rough. Big and little guys and girls who need a gentle but firm hand to guide them back or into civilization.
But sometimes the only story is a mystery.
Meet Big Red, or Gentle Ben, or Ferdinand the Bull. Of good size and proportions, you can wrap your arms around this fellow and feel the beat of a faithful heart. A lab mix with a noble head; polite, intelligent, true. He looks and acts like the canine hero in a children’s book.
Someone loved this dog, probably loved him all his life.
When offered a bone, Big Red will not jump, grab, or bark. He’ll delicately, oh so carefully, take it from your hand. And Big Red sits on command -- calmly, confidently -- no bribe required.
Big Red minds his manners, and knows the importance of tidy habits. He’ll practically explode rather than relieve himself in his cage.
A stray? How did that happen? Did he travel across miles, across states, to end up in Arcadia, and then the Pasadena Humane Society? This tale has all the elements of a Lassie Come Home. And he waits patiently, expectantly, for someone to take him home. You can tell he is puzzled by how things have worked out, the twists and turns of life and fate which brought him here.
Microchip your dogs and cats and all the animals you hold dear, folks, because you just never know. And if you lose your buddy, it’s not only your heart that will break.
Big Red doesn’t beg, but I will. If you’re looking for a perfect companion, one who is solid and beautiful, visit the Pasadena Humane Society and shake hands with this gentle man. The sign on his cage makes a guess that he’s eight years old; personally, I’d estimate something closer to 6 years old.
This dog has done all the right things in life, not a doubt in my mind; everything that would make him a lifelong friend. Nice as the PHS is, he deserves more, much more. He deserves – you?
(I’m in love with Big Red, but that’s just my name for him; a placeholder until he has something permanent. Something with more promise and comfort than # 282214 at the Pasadena Humane Society. And he has been awarded the shelter’s coveted “blue dot,” which means he’s top of the line in the behavior department. But I knew that without even looking. )
“We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made.”
M. Facklam
Jean Spitzer
6:25 am on Thursday, January 27, 2011
What a beautiful dog. I hope the next chapter in his life starts with his finding a loving home.
Ron Rosen
6:57 am on Thursday, January 27, 2011
Big Red's mom never let him play after-school sports or be in the school play, but he sits on command, plays classical piano, and gets straight A's.
Lisa Hastings
7:31 am on Thursday, January 27, 2011
I just adopted another dog. I want this one too but oh my, I just can't right now. I wish.
Susan Campisi
7:55 am on Thursday, January 27, 2011
This made me teary. I hate the thought of broken-hearted Big Red in his cage waiting to find a home. He's beautiful, with perfect manners. He's going to make someone very happy.
Barbara Ellis
8:19 am on Thursday, January 27, 2011
Gosh, Karin, you've made me tear up as well - Big Red must be wondering when his owner's coming back for him. But just look at that face - he'll give all his loyalty his next owners as well. Big Red with the Big Blue Dot, here's hoping you soon go to another loving home.
Leslie Aitken
8:28 am on Thursday, January 27, 2011
Awww....I hope he finds a home! We still have the female Schnauzer who showed up in my yard. She is probably about 7 or 8 as she has a cataract in one eye. She is a perfect lady, housetrained, obedient, mannerly. My daughter manages a pet store that does a lot of rescues, so they have a chip reader. She checked her and she was microchipped at Altadena Animal Hospital, but the owners never registered her micro chip. She was thin when she arrived, but not now. We are trying not to name her....but my grand daughter calls her "Puppy from the back yard." One of many dogs who have ended up in my yard over the years!!
Karin Bugge
2:44 pm on Thursday, January 27, 2011
I won't be an entirely happy camper until Big Red finds a home. I'd go for dog #3, because Red is the dog I've always wanted, and would just be a quiet and wonderful addition. Unfortunately, my current lab would never go for it. If someone on this site does adopt him, please let me know. I'd love to do a follow-up.
Susan Campisi
10:22 am on Monday, January 31, 2011
Karin, I can see why you feel that way about Big Red. I'm going to visit him at PHS this week. The guy deserves some love.
dan watson
6:14 pm on Monday, January 31, 2011
Keep us posted, Karen. This boy's a wonder and I suspect (and hope) he'll be adopted soon.
Petrea Burchard
9:02 pm on Monday, January 31, 2011
My heart skipped. I might might might know something. I can find out tomorrow. Cross all fingers and toes.
Petrea Burchard
7:56 am on Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Okay, well--yes and no. I had thought this might be a dog reported missing at Foothill Vet when I was there several days ago. I called this morning; that dog was found, but this dog answers the description of another missing dog. The woman I spoke to at Foothill says they don't keep all the missing dog notices they receive (an average of 70/day, she said). But if this is the dog in the notice they got yesterday, I hope the people looking will have the sense to check at the PHS.
Kathy
10:09 pm on Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Ideally, I hope that Big Red's first family finds him and reunites with him...that is...if it's a good family! Otherwise, I certainly do pray that he finds a wonderful and loving new home...
Susan Campisi
5:32 pm on Friday, February 11, 2011
I visited PHS today. Unfortunately Big Red is still there, looking forlorn in his cage, waiting for someone to take him home. He perked up when I pet him and when I started to walk away he placed his paw through the cage. He's such a sweetheart. I wish I knew someone who could take this guy in. Anybody? He would be such a mellow, loyal companion.