Oklahoma Pet Tales: Second chance, sweet success

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Published: May 14, 2009

Almost three years ago, I visited the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter to adopt a dog. Before I left home, my wife instructed me, "Do not bring home a dog that is hyperactive.” Of all the animals in the shelter, I picked a chocolate Lab mix named Susie. She appeared to be about 10 to 12 months old. While processing the papers, I decided to ask about the dog’s background. The computer record revealed that another family adopted her but returned her within 10 days because she was hyperactive and barked all the time. I knew I could not take a hyperactive dog home and decided not to go through with the adoption.

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Two weeks later, I still wanted that particular dog, so I asked my wife to accompany me to the shelter; if she thought the dog was hyperactive, we would forget about getting a dog. Upon seeing Susie, my wife agreed that she was not hyperactive and we would take her home.

The first thing I did after arriving home was to put Susie in the backyard so she could relieve herself. I watched her for a while and then went into the house to prepare a water dish for her. As soon as I went into the house, Susie came to the door wanting in. She will not stay outside unless someone is with her. Evidently, the people who adopted her first must have wanted a "backyard dog,” and Susie will not stay outside by herself. We got a dog that already is housebroken and used to being inside. She has been a perfect little dog, and that told me that whoever had her for the first 10 months must have given her a lot of love with good training.

Susie is the sweetest dog we have ever owned. We are thankful to have Susie, and we know that she is happy with us. We would really like to know what her breeding mix is.

— Charles D. Harris, Oklahoma City

Do you have a cute, unusual or just plain weird pet? To submit a pet story and photo for the Pet Tales contest, go online to knowit.newsok.com/pets, mail stories and photos to Pet Tales, The Oklahoman, P.O. Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125 or e-mail hwarlick@opubco.com. Include your name and daytime phone number. Photos cannot be returned.