Simon Says...

I wish every unwanted dog or cat could be as fortunate as Simon, the little deaf puppy whose story I'm about to share. Sadly the majority of precious creatures do not end up on Doris Day's doorstep, or even in the most modest loving home. Simon's journey to paradise began with the name "Spike". Purchased from a breeder as a pure-bred Boston Terrier by his first owners-- serial puppy buyers-- who eventually discovered that he was deaf and dumped him on their kindly country veterinarian. Kind hearted, well intentioned and known for giving homes to many unwanted animals, the young ladies of the office each wanted to keep little Spike and gave him the opportunity to become a member of their homes. However it is more challenging to train a deaf dog and their full-time jobs made it difficult to devote the countless hours it takes to assist a little guy like Simon to acclimate to a household with other animals. One of the challenges Simon faces is that warning growls and snarls of other dogs are not heard when his puppy exuberance and playfulness surpasses their limit. Unfortunately Spike was not a good fit in the homes of the veterinary technician's and his board in the office proved to be unfair to this puppy with so much energy. Wanting to see him in a good "forever home" one of the veterinary technicians sought the assistance of a fabulous one-women rescue society, Flora's Pet Project. Flora is a woman whose devotion to homeless animals makes me ashamed for not participating to a fraction of the degree that Flora does in her tireless quest to help all animals lucky enough to find their way to her doorstep. Please have a look for yourself if you're interested in adoption and share her link liberally with anyone you may know who has a suitable home for animals: flora@floraspetproject.org . Spike was reluctantly handed over to Flora, hoping that he would soon land in a good home with his forever family. This is where I come in to Spike's life-- for a brief moment. After overhearing an office mate talk about this deaf puppy on the phone, my friend Bill mentioned that he had a friend-- me-- who was a dog lover and had a Boston Terrier puppy. Not only did I have a Boston Terrier, I had the good fortune of having several dance through my life. After Bill called to inform me about the puppy needing a home, I contacted Flora to arrange a meeting. Tug-- our Boston Terrier in residence for the past three years-- did not have the reaction I had hoped for. However we took Spike home for a trial period hoping that eventually the two boys would become loving brothers. That didn't happen and "Spike" was on the move yet again-- to his permanent forever home at my brother Kevin's house. Kevin and his partner Manny had met Spike the day of our initial meeting and fell in love with him immediately. Perhaps secretly hoping that he would somehow end-up under their roof? Now named Simon, he has successfully acclimated to his wonderful new home on six bucolic fenced acres in pristine Bridgewater, Connecticut. After a brief period of adjustment with his new brothers & sisters, Simon is often found asleep curled up with Gidget-- a crazy Pomeranian and longtime favorite doggie of a famous neighbor, actor Richard Widmark, Whoopie-- a domineering, in-charge but lovable dachshund-and-something mix, Miguel, a wonderfully kind-hearted and patient Portuguese breed fellow and last but not least, my favorite cat of all-time, Abner Kravetz, the largest orange cat I've ever seen. Manny and Kevin are completely and thoroughly devoted to their animal children and have the assistance of a wonderful housekeeper who is on scene when their busy schedules keep them from home. The final twist to Simon's long journey to his forever home? The kindly vet's office from where Simon originated his trip happens to be my family's long-time, trusted and beloved veterinarian Gerry Schect in Hopewell Junction, New York. A recent visit there with Tug and a brief mention of my brother's new deaf puppy became an almost unbelievable coincidence to myself and the clinic staff, with tearful acknowledgements that Simon indeed not only arrived in his forever home, but the perfect forever home.