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Author Topic:   Dog Still Seeking a Home After Eight Years in the Shelter
Dee
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posted September 20, 2013 10:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dee     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
By Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell | Pet360.com

Dan, the fictional redbone coonhound sent many of us into tears in the classic, "Where the Red Fern Grows," and a real redbone coonhound named Dan, which was named for the fictional Dan, also has a bittersweet tale.

Dan, the one in Ohio was a stray on death row when a kind animal control officer sought refuge for him at the county's no-kill shelter.

Dan may have well found his "forever" home, but it is in that same humane society rather than in a home with a family.

Whether Dan likes it this way is anyone's guess, but humane society workers who have cared for Dan for nine years doesn't think he is unhappy.

That's right, Dan has been at the Highland County Humane Society since September 2004 and while he is still listed for adoption, his slim chances of being adopted have grown ever slimmer with each new gray hair on his somewhat cantankerous muzzle.

Dan had issues right from the start. In addition to being a full grown adult when he entered the shelter, it was found that although he is very good at keeping his kennel clean, Dan doesn't play well with other dogs, children and sometimes adults.

According to a story in USA Today, Dan was adopted four times by different people and brought back three times either because he got a little growly with other dogs or people. He was confiscated once by a humane society worker who stopped to check on his welfare when it was found he was taken home and put in the backyard on a chain.

Like many dogs of hunting lineage, Dan still also has a pretty intense hunting sense and has escaped the shelter twice. The first time he was hit by a car, the second time, he could be heard baying for two nights in the woods surrounding the shelter. Like his namesake, most likely treeing raccoons and squirrels. He came "home" on the third morning, exhausted and wanting his bed back.

Melanie Dodson, the shelter's director, sometimes takes Dan home, although it's tricky as he cannot be with her own dogs and she also takes him for occasional rides in the car because he likes to ride. His favorite rides are near Rocky Fork Lake, where he was initially picked up by animal control so long ago. Maybe he still remembers his former life with a family.

Some people feel Dan might be better off now staying around the people he has come to know and who have cared for him at the shelter. He doesn't seem to be suffering from kennel stress, he has a bed and access to the outdoors. Experts agree that as long as he's happy, he has a quality of life.

Unlike Dan in the novel, this Dan's ending hasn't been written just yet and Dodson still hopes Dan could still find a forever home. A home with a skilled dog person who can gently handle Dan's "moods" and who doesn't have kids or other pets and who has a backyard where Dan might lie in the sun and enjoy his remaining warm afternoons, or even chase a squirrel or two.



http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/dog-still-seeking-home-eight-years-shelter-202700783.html

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Dee
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posted September 20, 2013 10:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dee     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
He looks so much like my Esta who passed away three years ago at the age of sixteen.

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libraschoice77
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posted September 21, 2013 12:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for libraschoice77     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Oh wow, 8 years is a long time! But at least he has a home and food, hope he someday finds an owner and house to call his own

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Dee
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posted September 21, 2013 01:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dee     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
He looks so sweet i wish i could take him myself. He seems to like where he is but i still find it sad that he once had a home and someone gave him up.

Lost of shelters seem to have a "Home " dog who seem to like where it is, at this point he might be sad to leave. I'm glad he's getting love and attention

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Randall
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posted September 22, 2013 04:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
He could be their mascot.

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Randall
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posted September 23, 2013 01:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I want to rub him under his chin!

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Dee
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posted September 24, 2013 06:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dee     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I want to give him a great big kiss, i dont care if he growls. I just Love this dog by his picture.

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Randall
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posted September 24, 2013 11:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
He wouldn't growl. Just licks.

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libraschoice77
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posted September 24, 2013 06:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for libraschoice77     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
He steals your heart just the way he looks at the camera

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Randall
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posted September 25, 2013 12:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
He has a home.

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Dee
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posted September 25, 2013 02:52 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dee     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I thought i would add this link

SAVING COONHOUNDS AND BLOODHOUNDS ACROSS AMERICA

http://www.coonhoundrescue.com/

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Randall
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posted December 03, 2013 03:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Randall     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I meant he has a home there. But I wonder if he was adopted yet?

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Dee
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posted December 04, 2013 08:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dee     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I looked around but can't find any updates.

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