I met Al Dechen and his grandaughter Keelyn at the Sayville Pet Parade back in July, where they had brought their family’s two labradoodles to watch the fun. As we chatted, I learned that siblings Midas and Jack were puppy mill dogs, adopted several years ago when they were 6 months old from one of those pet stores that sell puppies en mass.
Most people want younger puppies, so, as they grew up, ( and got bigger) Midas and Jake were overlooked and languished in the shop. Al’s family would visit often, and, each time, one of the dogs would gently lock his mouth around their wrist, as if to say, “please give me a loving home,” Al and his wife felt so sorry for them, that they finally decided to take not just one, but both of the puppies.
It was not an easy decision, nor one they took lightly. It was apparent that both dogs had emotional issues from having been in that environment for so long. They also had medical problems which needed to be addressed immediately. Both dogs were initially very frightened, and needed to learn all the basics, including housebreaking. They had to learn to drink from a bowl, because they had only known water bottles. Cracks in the sidewalk frightened Jake, and he gradually learned to walk on pavement after Al patiently trained him to step over sticks.
It was a long, often difficult process, but in the end, Midas and Jake are happy and well adjusted. Al told me that they are very loveable, and it was obvious how attached they are to their family.
Thanks to compassionate, caring people, these two dogs truly have a happy ending. Its a sad reality that the older dogs and cats get, the less likely they are to be adopted. Fortunately, the Dechen’s saw Midas and Jack’s potential, and stuck out the tough times to be rewarded with happy healthy canine companions they have today.
