Featured Pet

"My name is Katherine and I have two wonderful dogs both adopted from the Bangor Humane Society. I adopted Piper, a lab mix in 2008. She is now 8 years old. I adopted Luke, a shepherd/lab mix in April 2011. He is at least 11 as best my vet can tell. Piper and Luke are best friends. They spend their days together vigilantly guarding the house from squirrels and they spend their nights curled up on my bed which doesn't always leave much room for me!

About a month ago Luke began to have seizures. He is a senior dog and I adopted him knowing that I would be his retirement home and one day his hospice. Luke and I visited the vet who diagnosed him with what is likely a brain tumor on his occipital lobe. At this point you might be thinking this doesn't sound like a very "Happy Tail" but it is...Luke's tumor isn't cancerous and is slow growing. He is now on a course of medication that has proved very effective at controlling his seizures. Luke is otherwise healthy and happy.

Luke has been in my life just a few months and I don't know how much longer he will be with me so I cherish every moment I have with him. In just a few short months he has brought so much joy to not only me but my family and friends. He is goofy and serious, sleepy and wired all at the same time. He talks in his sleep and sometimes barks at himself in the mirror. Whenever he meets a cat he licks it (they generally don't like this). Since he has come to live with me Luke has gone on lots of walks, dug an impressive hole in the back yard, watched many movies curled up on the couch, met some of my students, taken numerous car rides, attended a church picnic where he was the center of attention, and he even went kayaking a few times (no small feat for a 90 lb. dog).

Piper, who is picky about which dogs and humans she socializes with, loves Luke. He is the only dog she ever chased around the yard. When we meet new people she looks to him in deciding whether or not to approach. She is now even helping him
with that hole he started digging.

Luke loves people, dogs, cats, Piper and me. We love him back and even though Piper and I may not have him for as long as we would like he has brought us more happiness than I can begin to describe. Older dogs can bring so much life and love to any home. They may require a bit more care but what you will get in return is priceless.

Thank you for your hard work and continued efforts to help senior dogs. I am attaching a few pictures of Luke and Piper."

Sincerely
Katherine

Thank you O'Flaherty family for sharing your story! If you have a "Happy Tale" you'd like to share, please send your story and pet photo to stacey@bangorhumane.org