Lucy and the Hay Bale Gang

       In early November 2004, (on a Buffalo and hay farm in Southeast Ohio) a Farmer and his wife noticed a small brown abandoned or stray dog hanging around their farm and on the highway.  The dog was very frightened and always on the move.  The Farmer’s wife would occasionally throw some food out for the dog, but she never saw it eat, and she could never get close enough to see if the dog was male or female. 

       Two weeks before Christmas, they began to see the dog almost daily around a large pile of hay bales.  They thought that she obviously had babies, but they couldn’t find any evidence of them.  It was bitter cold.  They thought that there was no way that her babies could have survived the extremely cold weather.  But, a week before Christmas, the Farmer and his wife saw six little heads peeping out of the hay!  The mother dog, Lucy (as they came to call her) had created an elaborate series of tunnels and holes within the bales, a warm safe haven for her babies.  What a good Mom!  The pups appeared to be about 8 weeks old and healthy, so they gave Lucy and her brood puppy food mixed with milk daily until it was time to find them some good homes.  The kind Farmer and his wife even typed up this story, and included some photos of Lucy and the Gang for the puppies’ adoptive parents.  We’re not exactly sure how “the Gang” made their way to PWP, but we’re sure glad they did!  [Shelter Note: the gang made it to PWY byway of a rescue group with whom the shelter networks with often.]

      My husband and I had wanted to get a dog for some time, and last fall/winter we decided that it was time to begin looking for one.  We checked out different shelters and postings on-line, without much luck.  Then in early January, I came across the PWP website.  Seeing that they were located in our area, we ran over (just before closing time) to see the dogs they had available for adoption.  They had a lot of great dogs and puppies, but the Hay Bale Gang simply stole our hearts.  We had a very tough time picking just one puppy.  We had to go back two other times just so that I could decide!

      Once we finally picked the one that would be ours, we went through the adoption process and brought her (Sophie) home.  During the first few months, we read several books, and talked to our Vet and our friends to learn how to take care of the newest member of our family.  We even completed an obedience course in the spring.  Many times the Instructor commented on how smart Sophie is.  She even out performed many of the pure bred dogs in our class!  She must take after her Mom, don’t you think?  : ) 

      We have had a great time over the past year watching Sophie learn and grow.    She has changed our lives in so many positive ways.  We have fun playing with her and her toys, working with her on tricks and commands, going for walks, and just hanging out at home.  Sophie is a happy, healthy girl, who has brightened our world.  She is everything we wanted in a dog and more.  Thank you Pets Without Parents for our wonderful dog, we absolutely love her!

Tonya and John