Parker

Photo Submission is…
In Memory Of

Dog's City, State
Manchester, NH

Tell us why your dog supports the ARLNH!
Parker was a 1 and a 1/2 year old pure bred English cocker spaniel relinquished to ARL in Jamaica Plain, MA by his family that included 3 teenage boys - the dog was deemed too aggressive.

He wasn't in the best shape when he showed up at the shelter. For example, his coat was so incredibly matted they had to anesthetize him to shave down to his skin.

He wasn't available for adoption when we first met as he had failed both the food and stranger behavior tests. Fortunately, at the time, I was a professor at Tuft's vet school so shelter staff supported my request to foster him.

I took him with stipulations- no children and when food was involved, no other dogs. Soon after taking him home, he bit two people (did not break skin) over food related issues.

After 5 months of love and tenderness, my 6 year old niece was using him as a pillow. He was safe! He knew he had been rescued. They know it- you can see it in their eyes and behavior!

That's why places like ARL are so incredibly important to our non human companions that deserve the best of care and love.

The shelter called me at the end of the year and asked if I still had Parker as they were going through their files. Yes, I got to share 12 beautiful years with my velcro dog! Gotta love those Foster failures!

Ps - Shelter staff assumed I was a veterinarian with dog experience. Hey, I rolled with it - never correcting them. Dog behavior???? What did I know - I'm a wildlife biologist who studies gorillas in Africa :)

Tell us what makes your dog better than all the rest!
Parker only knew fear as that is what learned during his first year and half of his life..

Regardless, over time, he was able to open his heart and learned to love and accept love back.

He was a wonderful friend to his stepbrother and stepsister - going to school for show and tell, playing in the snow, and bringing that unconditional love.

We were all blessed to have him in our lives!