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Spotlight: Man’s Best Friend out to play

Huntsville’s Premier Dog Park

Local dogs find a home

The Sunday Pack holds a fundraiser

Every dog has it’s day, and that is just what Jan Beech has given Simon and Lucy.

As a volunteer at the North Alabama Humane Society, Beech was used to seeing dogs come and go as they found their new families. It wasn’t until Beech spotted Simon and Lucy, two abandoned dogs found in a small box on the side of I-565, that she knew that she needed friends at home as well as work.

“They were so cute when they were brought in,” said Beech. “I love working with dogs, but never wanted to take them home until these two wild pups came in.”

Simon and Lucy love to visit Dog Spot three times a week. They are able to run around with other dogs and play fetch to their hearts desire. They have multiple Frisbees and tennis balls they bring with them because neither is to fond of sharing with the other.

“I always get asked where I got these two, they have such pretty coats that people want to know if I am showing them,” said Beech. “They are generally very shocked to find out that these guys were abandoned

when they were puppies.”

Growing up going to the dog park, Simon and Lucy are well known at the park.

“We love seeing Simon and Lucy when they come down,” said Michael Black. “They are always so playful, and they keep Max [his German Sheppard] on his toes. I think they would play all day if they had the chance.” Simon and Lucy can be seen running around every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. They will greet anyone who walks through the gate and show their furry friends all the attention they could want.

Local Dogs find a Home

Man’s Best Friend Out to Play For five years now, Marty Baxter has been living in Hearth Stone, an assisted living facility for the elderly. Baxter’s doctor told him that it would be greatly beneficial if he got more exercise than he was.

Last May, Baxter adopted Sam. Sam is approximately 8 years old and is blind in one eye. He was left at Hearth Stone after his previous owner passed away. Baxter was hesitant at first to take Sam, but after encouragement from his family, he adopted Sam with the assistance of the facility.

Every Saturday, Baxter and Sam, along with Baxter’s daughter and granddaughter make their way to Dog Spot.

“This has been great for my father,” said Rachel Tersely, Baxter’s daughter. “He is able to play with Sam and get the exercise he needs at the same time. You can see how much happier it has made him to have Sam.”

Sam doesn’t just stay with Baxter while at Hearth Stone, though. He visits many of the residents and gets to take trips to Dog Spot three other times during the week with the others.

The Sunday Pack’s Fundraiser Sunday is a day of rest for most people, but not this group of dog owners. This is the day of the week they all come together at Dog Spot. The group mainly consists of large dogs and their owners, but there are a few small dogs in the pack as well.

This group has petitioned the Dog Spot organization to create an agility course for the dogs. This has been approved; however, the cost to create the course is too high for Dog Spot.

The Sunday Pack is holding a fundraising event Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 at Dog Spot. There will be booths

set up from Petsmart, Petco, Doggie Doodles and other organizations in the area that supports Dog Spot. Admission will be $5 per person and free for dogs. All proceeds will benefit a new agility course for dog spot as well as maintenance that will need to be put in place to maintain the course.

Come out for a day of enjoyment and refreshments for humans and dogs alike.

“A dog has one aim in life...to bestow his heart.”

~JR Ackerley