My Dogs...

"Apollo"

DOB: Unknown

Adoption Day: March 1, 2007

Breed: Labrador Retriever

Color: Black

Sire: Unknown

Dam: "Ellie Mae"

Shelter: Spalding County Animal Shelter, Griffin, Georgia

Events:

• June 5, 2010    Seacost Dockdogs Fun Jump    Junior Class, 3rd Place    BA 11'6"    
• June 27, 2010   Kennel Shop Dock Dogs    Junior Class, 3rd Place    BA 13'1"
• August 22, 2010    Seacoast Dockdogs    Senior Class, n/a    *NEW* Personal Best BA 16'
• October 10, 2010    Topsfield Fair    Junior Class, 3rd Place    BA 14'5"
• May 14, 2011    Canine Good Citizen Test    PASS
• June 26, 2011    Pet Life Dock Dogs    Junior Class, 3rd Place    BA 13'7"
• August 27, 2011    LLBean Dock Dogs    Junior Class, 1st & 3rd Place    BA 13'11"
  

  
  

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  Before

  

  After

  

  "Saving one dog will not change the world, -Unknown
  

  but for that one dog the world will surely change."

  
  

  I always knew the Labrador Retriever was my favorite breed. Specifically, the black Lab. My previous Labrador, "Pepper" sealed the deal for me. When she passed, sadly, from cancer, I thought I could never open my heart to another Labrador. Boy, was I wrong. black dog syndrome". So, I took a chance, without meeting Apollo, and said, "Yes, I want that dog."
  

  Approximately three years went by after Pepper's passing. I moved out of my parents house, and thought it would be a good time to adopt a dog. I wanted to adopt, rather than buy from a breeder, because I wanted to give a needy dog a home and a chance at a great life.

  I began researching shelters, rescues, and dogs pounds. Upon my research I discovered Southern shelters are overflowing with needy animals compared to the rest of the United States. These shelters often also have the highest euthanasia rates. So, I knew I had to get a dog from a Southern shelter.

  I saw an add for a shelter in Georgia online claiming that they had 4 black Labradors that needed homes, ASAP. I looked into it and decided I would adopt one of those dogs. The dog I wanted was an older, black, female, named "Ellie Mae". I wanted an adult dog rather than a puppy because I just didn't want to deal with the "puppy stage" at this point in my life. The shelter was the Spalding County Animal Shelter located in Griffin, Georgia. I filled out an adoption application and faxed it in, since I was in Boston, Massachusetts. I planned to arrange for transport through UShip.com.

  The adoption director called me within minutes of sending my fax, stating they got my fax, however, there was someone already interested in "Ellie Mae" and they were physically at the shelter ready to adopt her...but, they had her son, "Apollo". They stated Apollo was a large, unaltered male, he was friendly and needed a home. The statistics on large, black, male, unaltered dogs, getting adopted isn't a good one due to "

  
  

  Three days later Apollo and his transport driver (a very kind man named Simon) met me at Petsmart in Braintree, MA. Apollo came right over to me. I looked at him, right in his eyes and he looked right back in mine, and knew he was my dog, he would never have to worry about anything ever again.

  The next few months were more than a challenge. Apollo had terrible separation anxiety. He would cry and howl when I left. He also tore up the carpet, the front door knob, the door frame, and all the mini blinds and curtains...Oh, he also chewed up my 5 month old laptop- great! It didn't matter how much exercise he got, he just didn't want to be left alone. We crated him, and he broke though the crate! So, we just started taking him everywhere with us. We planned our schedules around him. If we had to leave him, we left him with my parents. I also changed jobs for him and became a dog walker (how's that for devotion?!). It took about six months for him to get over his separation anxiety. He picked up basic manners very quicky, maybe a month. And he was housebroken within days of owning him.

  Today,  Apollo is my "heart" dog. We're practically inseperable- and not because he can't be left alone! We began beginners obedience classes and he is excelling. He also has a group of doggie friends he meets up with at the park everyday. He has truely blossomed into a terrific companion.

  We recently (June 5, 2010) joined the Seacoast Dockdogs out of Berwick Maine. Apollo loves it, especially catching some 'big air'! 

  
  

  "Patty"

  "Molson"

  

  DOB: October 12, 2004
  

  Breed: American Cocker Spaniel

  Color: Black

  Sire: Sam the Man I Am

  Dam: Paula Lee Mr

  Future Goals: CGC

  

  DOB: December 10, 2005
  

  Breed: American Cocker Spaniel

  Color: Buff

  Sire: KSK Stevie Dew

  Dam: Michelle's Misty Darlin

  Future Goals: CGC

  Patty is definitely our little princess. She loves to snuggle and be babied. Matter of fact, she sleeps in between Jeremy and I every night with her head on the pillows- how's that for spoiled?! She loves to hike in the woods too, she especially loves to track wildlife.
  

  I recently started biking with Patty and she really enjoys it!

  Molson is our "mini retriever". He likes to play with the big dogs! He enjoys swimming and retrieving- don't let this little guy fool ya, he's tough! He loves to go hiking and find something "fun" to roll in, haha! Molson is very much still a puppy at heart and I hope he always stays that way.
  

  We recently started training Molson for dock diving!