True Pet Tails
and Phuzzy Photos

JOEY
The Story of How We Found Joey
By Tommy Giardino

March 18, 2001, Winter

Hi, my name is Tommy Giardino; I am 11 years old. I have two good sisters named Andrea and Karla. One winter day we went out to go sledding on a big hill at my friend's house. They weren't home, and they said, even if we're gone you can still go sledding. They were gone and so we were there having fun, when I saw a shadow keep moving trying to get down the hill to us. I told my sisters: "What's that?!" They said they didn't know, they couldn't see it because the sun was in their eyes.

So we got closer and then Karla saw it. It was a very skinny small dog with spots. Karla called him: "Here boy!" He came sliding down the hill like he was on a sled. He stopped right next to Karla. We said good dog. Karla started to pet him, and he didn't even bite her. Karla said that he probably belongs over near the big barn. But I said there's no collar on him. We also noticed that he was carrying his leg. I said they only usually carry their leg if it's broken. Andrea asked, what if he was lost.

Karla said we better bring him to the animal hospital. So we stopped at our house to get a leash to hold him if we were going across the road. Our mom and dad were both at work. So we brought him there. They fed him some food and he was still hungry. They took him for the night to your place, the HSCC, so you could check him out. After 4 weeks total we got to keep him. It was really like God helped him as a miracle for him to be living. If he was out one more night in that high cold wind and snow, he probably wouldn't have survived.

He actually is doing very well right now. We named him Joey, and we think He's the best new addition to the family. When it's time to go to the bathroom, we make sure it's a long enough time for him. Also, when we say the words, "Do you wanna go outside?", he wags his tail with happiness. Joey likes Iams. We give Joey 2 to 3 treats a day. We are trying to slow down with his treats, it's just he's being the best he can. Joey knows lots of tricks. He knows 'paw', 'sit', 'lay down', and 'roll over'.

We constantly look in the dog book on how to take care of your dog. Joey is not chasing cars anymore. We have bushes just so he knows his boundaries. Joey has a lot of toys, like bones, ropes, balls, etc. We are always playing fetch when he's off the leash. Also, when he's off the leash he never runs away. But we are still with him always to make sure of that. We also took him camping with us; he kind of liked it when we went on the 4-mile walk. But I think he loves where he is living now - at home with us.

JOEY IS THE BEST DOG TO LOVE AND CARE FOR-EVER!

Another Tale
Little One Finds A Home

Back To True Tails

If you have a furry tail and phuzzy photo you want to share, e-mail them to us (bestfriends@chittendenhumane.org), or send them by mail to:
Humane Society of Chittenden County
142 Kindness Court
South Burlington, VT 05403