Sparky is a Lehigh Valley Celebrity

I work for the local paper in the Lehigh Valley. i was talking to one of the artists and she happened to be the one that does the Pet of the Day which is free. She offered it up to me for any of our dogs that we would like to put in. Sparky is the first!

Check him out in the attached ad!

--Lisa Vaughan

Sparky Update

Hi, just to let you know things are going wonderfully. My "gem in the rough" has become my shining 20 carat diamond. Sparky still isn't sure this is "home" but with time I think he will become even more confident. I peeked at the pictures on the site that showed him when he first arrived into the system and it near breaks my heart, but he is safely at home with me.

I can't thank either of you enough for setting the basics up for me to work from. He's walking off leash at heel outside and comes on command AND pays attention to me, not other people or dogs. He knows all the hand signals without voice commands. He has some ear allergies, but am working with vet to keep them clean and not itchy.

He thinks he's pretty hot stuff at the dog park & is 2nd in line in the 6 dog hierarchy he participates in. (pit bull takes #1 spot) but #2 isn't so bad as he is the smallest dog by far. He loves having his own home, toys, bed, crate, and person, not necessarily in that order. Sparky still tests me from time to time, but I attribute that to his strong personality and I nip that sucker in the bud immediately. But I give him points for trying.

Take care, and ever so grateful to you all.

ps. picture is w/mylar balloon, which got him so excited that it was near impossible to calm him down. he spent a few hours in the crate and no more mylar balloons for us. however, he was hysterical playing with it untl it popped.

Corinne

Sparky's Success Follow Up

Here's a recent letter from Sparky's forever Mom:

"Hi Robin;

I was on the NEBTR website and checked out Sparky's "adoption" site and for the first time saw his original pics when he was at the shelter. he looks so scared it nearbreaks my heart, BUT he is safely at home with me now.

We would very much like to be on your successful adoption site. I think it is important that people see that a Boston with a strong personality as sparky can have a successful relationship and life with a new owner.

Sparky has and is going through extensive training & is a sweet, loving & obedient dog. contrary to his writeup, (and with a lot of hard work on both our parts) he is very social with dogs, cats, kids & people, loving and loyal. 99% of the time he is obedient; but Sparky being Sparky with his very strong personality, he does continue to test me the other 1% of the time as he would just love to be pack leader, but he submits to me without a problem any more. I don't think a novice with dogs would have been able to handle him, but after years of owning Bostons (& I've had otherBbostons with strong personalities) I know how to handle him and have not hesitated to get help from a dog trainer also. I expect Sparky and me to have a long and loving relationship. After only two months, he is still not sure this is "it" for him, but time will show him this is home for good. He loves to hang out in the sun with me, ride in the car on errands (dunkin donuts drive thru gives him a munchkin), and he loves to run in the dog park with his "buddies" twice a week.

He dances on his hind legs, gives me a bark when he needs to go out, heels off leash and comes on command outdoors; he responds to all hand signals now without voice.

I can't thank you all enough for matching Sparky with me; I am looking forward to many years of loving companionship with Sparky.

I would also love to do any volunteer work; unfortunately I can only have one dog where I live, but am available for other avenues.

I have attached a few pictures that I don't think I have sent to you. I feel so blessed to have him in my life. He has filled a large void in my heart and home after losing my two elderly Bostons the fall of 2008.

Greatfully, Corinne Freaney