by Alexandra Edwards

Every year thousands of household pets across the nation are euthanized either because they lost their way home and were not claimed in time, lost their owner due to illness or death, or were just heartlessly abandoned. Many of these pets often end up in the local animal shelter where although they are fed and in most cases well taken care of, only have a limited time to be reclaimed or adopted.

Two years ago, this column featured a story titled 'Second Chance for Larry," which highlighted the work of a group of volunteers who's aim it was to help, treat and care for wayward animals. This group of compassionate animal lovers got together and formed a non-profit organization called The Ark of Cleveland. Members of The Ark each take into their homes at their own expense, stray cats, dogs, kittens and puppies. These pets are given tender loving care and attention until they are ready to be adopted and hopefully given a "second chance."

Every Saturday, come rain or shine, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m; The Ark set up their tent outside PetCo on Paul Huff Parkway, with the sole aim of adopting every stray animal they had come to know and love over the past several weeks or even months. Working closely with the Cleveland Police Department's Animal Control center, The Ark include a large selection of pets taken from the animal shelter for their Saturday adoptions.

Dogs have always been a part of my family and all were adopted either from animal shelters or dog owners offering puppies to a good home. One even came free with the house we bought here in Cleveland. All have been mixed breeds, each with their own special characters.  After spending the past eleven years with two of our most loyal canine friends, it was decided a couple of years ago,  that as they will soon be coming to the end of their lives, it may be a good idea to adopt a couple of puppies to ease the pain when they depart. During one of the few Saturday morning Ark pet adoptions we attended, we found that perfect puppy whom our grandkids named "Larry."  The tiny mix puppy of who knows what breeds, was among one of the fortunate puppies collected from the animal shelter that morning by one of The Ark members in the hope of adoption. It was only minutes after watching and holding this playful little black puppy with a white chest and paws, that we knew he was the one. As the cost for necessary puppy shots (about $90) and the promise of spaying and neutering, if not done already, is all that is asked by The Ark adoptions, Larry was considered a real bargain. Now two years old, he is one of the smartest dogs we have had. Although not as big as we had hoped he would grow, Larry is a very strong and healthy farm dog. Ever since he was a little puppy he has given so much pleasure, greeting all the family with a stick or a leaf in his mouth. He loves to carry things around in his mouth, large or small objects, they all seem to give him pleasure. He is, for the most part, very obedient and is one of those dogs that look you right in the eye and seem to know exactly what you are saying. In fact, he has a character very reminiscent of a past beloved family pet named Chester who lived to the ripe old age of 16.

Since adopting Larry, we have adopted three other adorable puppies, two were well cared for puppies that after being weaned by their mothers, were being given away by caring dog owners at the Dalton Flea Market. These people would rather bear the heat of a long day in the sun than have their puppies euthanized.

The other was a tiny puppy our son had found abandoned. Today, all are real treasures in

their own way, with Larry, the smallest, keeping them all in line. When one of the older dogs did sadly pass away, Larry and the other puppies not only helped the family recover from the loss but they also gave a new lease of life to the other older dog left behind, and who because of them, is still living today at the age of 13 years.

Hopefully, more and more people will choose to adopt pets from organizations such as The Ark, or the animal shelter. Not only is adopting a pet far less costly than purchasing a pedigree puppy in a pet store or from a breeder, but by adopting a pet you have saved one more life, and are more than often rewarded with a lovable, loyal, lifetime companion who will love you and happily greet you with a wag and a lick no matter what your mood.

If you can possibly give over a small part of your life to caring for a pet you will not only be saving a precious life you can be guaranteed pleasure only a furry companion can give.

For more information about adopting animals in Cleveland call the Animal Shelter at 479-2122 or The Ark of Cleveland 559-0890 or visit www.arkofclevelandinc.org.
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