HOWLIN’ MORNING IN LEESBURG

posted by blair on 19th, 2009

A rare treat happened at this morning’s Leesburg Chamber Breakfast, courtesy of the staff members of the Chamber and LAKE Magazine. Our popular contest, Pooch Perfect, had a few of the participants attend the breakfast, including the winner Zoe. Zoe was named number one pooch for the contest because of her “doggie” ability to sense when her owner was going to have a crippling migraine or if someone had a fracture of some sort.

Besides Zoe, participants Fred and Toby (along with their owners) made the trip in the early morning to nosh on breakfast and interact with members. I was thrilled to see all of the dogs but especially Fred as he is a rescue dog and my childhood was spent loving on a rescue dog as well.

Fred was found by his current owners on their property, beaten and scarred at the hands of someone who should never have a dog or child for that matter.

My rescue dog, Goldie, was a Yellow Labrador who hated water. The reason was because the previous owner before my family punished her (for not being a purebred of all reasons) by dumping buckets of water on her. Until the day she passed away, she was always in fear of our swimming pool, bathtub and water hose. She was the best dog ever though and I miss her to this day.

Just as with my rescue dog Goldie, Fred made a miraculous recovery and is now a happy, healthy dog that loves people and naps, according to his owners Frank and Roberta.

Toby was one of the other participants to take part in the breakfast and he had an amazing story of survival as well. He was diagnosed with cancer but made a full recovery with no relapse. He is also a therapy dog, bringing joy to others as well as to his owners each day. I plan to help my first dog (on my own) become a therapy dog so I can make trips to nursing homes and childrens’ hospitals to help others forget their problems if just for a little bit.

It was an amazing morning to see these extraordinary dogs in our own town and they are just a few of the many stories and pooches we covered in our October magazine. Thanks to all who submitted their dogs and showed why life can be so much better with a furry pet.