Adopted April 29, 2001

Boyd is one of the dearest and most gentle souls we've ever had come into our rescue. He is an adorable buff male American Cocker Spaniel, approximately eight years old. 

Sadly, Boyd has been the victim of gross neglect. His former family allowed him to get terribly overweight; he was clearly overfed all the wrong kinds of foods and was evidently never walked one day in his life. The poor guy came to us in bad shape. Every breath was a struggle. His ears were massively infected, too. I will never understand how people can allow these things to happen to an innocent animal. We were all sickened to see what was done to poor Boyd. 

I'm pleased to report that Boyd was adopted by a fantastic couple from Pennsylvania. They saw his story on the web page and just had to have him. They drove three hours to meet him at an adoption show. We were concerned that they would see a cute little buff female and lose interest in our big boy, but that couldn't have been farther from the truth. Their eyes immediately fell on Boyd, and they knew instantly he was meant to be their dog. They sent us the following letter.

Boyd has adapted very well to Betty and me. We thoroughly enjoy his company. We are quickly adapting to him. We know now to place in high places paper towels and tissues, unless we need shredded tissues for gift wrapping purposes. 

If either of us is out of Boyd's sight, and he does not know where we are, Boyd barks to summon us back. Boyd enjoys his walks when we take him out in the morning before we go to work, when we return home, and before we retire for the night. When he decides to break the routine, Boyd perches himself in front of us and barks. He is doing a great job of training us. 

When we take him out, Boyd walks to the car, waiting for us to open the door and take him for a ride, even if it is around the block. Never had we a dog that likes to ride in a car as much as Boyd.  

He is doing fine on his diet of Fit and Trim, and his ears appear to be well. I know that for the first several days he was looking for [his foster parents]. The care and attention you gave him shows. 

I have to sign off now. Boyd is barking to go outside. I think I
better take my scooper and bag with me! Will email you more about this great dog later.

And so they did. . . The adventure continues, with great humor and a lot of love.

Boyd continues to adjust well with us, or, more appropriately, we have
adjusted well to Boyd. We have learned to remove food products from the bottom cabinet shelves, such as powdered milk, to avoid the doors' snouted opening and the contents' speedy consumption, including parts of the paper envelops housing the powdered milk. We have further learned to obey Boyd's urgent gaze an hour or two following the powdered milk's disappearance for a quick retreat to the great outdoors, which then becomes not so great.

Additionally we have learned of Boyd's obsessive fascination with purses and their contents. There have been occasions when we found Boyd rifling, or should we say snooting, through purses within his reach. Since Boyd has lost nine pounds on his Fit 'N Trim diet, he has become more agile, able to position himself on his hind feet while he rises up to explore the surfaces of tables.

Not only have purses found their way mysteriously on the floor with
contents scattered and partially devoured -- if there happened to be chewing gum or candy among their former contents -- but also fruit from bowls atop tables have found their way on to floors with all but pits devoured. 

Boyd never ceases to amaze us with his display of intelligence and cunning. Having lost weight, Boyd has started to run after cats and squirrels that he spots on our walks. Restraining him from their pursuit is the leash. Still, the fact that he starts to run when he wants is an indication of the weight he has lost and the energy he has found.

What a dog! We will keep you posted on Boyd and his continuing adventures.