News
Waylon: Spokesdog
April 16, 2008, 8:51AM MT
By Stacy Rogers
Once abandoned at a shelter by his owner facing certain euthanasia, now Waylon is happy, healthy, and serving as a spokesdog for Indiana-PAW.
Once abandoned at a shelter by his owner facing certain euthanasia, now Waylon is happy, healthy, and serving as a spokesdog for Indiana-PAW.
Waylon's story begins in July of 2007 when he is found wandering the streets of Rushville, Indiana. It seemed that his story might have a happy ending when his owner was found, but his owner did not reclaim him at the shelter and Waylon was likely to be euthanized. However, a guardian angel was watching over Waylon and before his story ended sadly he was rescued from the Rushville Animal Shelter by Indiana-PAW.
Through the help of an anonymous donor Indiana-PAW was visiting the Rushville Animal Shelter with the intention of rescuing several animals when its Director, Amy VanOstrand, spotted Waylon. Waylon was rescued from the shelter along with 16 other pets and began his journey from unwanted stray to well-loved ambassador of Indiana-PAW and bully breeds in general.
Waylon and each of the other pets rescued that day by Indiana-PAW were taken from Rushville to be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and then transported across the state into foster homes. Waylon was placed with a foster family who could give him the much needed TLC he needed and who introduced him to a dog trainer specializing in bully breeds. Not only did Waylon pass his behavioral testing with flying colors, he was deemed a "poster dog for good dog behavior."
Waylon's good luck continued when on August 31 he was adopted by his new family Gretchen and Jon and joined their family including two sisters of the canine and feline variety. In less than two months Waylon's luck dramatically changed as he went from wandering stray with an almost certain death sentence to loving family dog.
In April of 2008 Waylon became one of two special ambassadors for Indiana-PAW. He was selected not only because of his wonderful personality but also to draw attention to bully breeds which are one of the most at-risk groups of dogs in our state. He has completed an in-depth obedience course, has been evaluated by a professional trainer who specializes in Pit Bull behavior and was then deemed an excellent ambassador candidate.
Waylon and his fellow ambassador a fellow Rushville survivor named Lexi will now be appearing throughout the state as Ambassadors for Indiana-PAW.
What Can You Do To Help?
Visit the Indiana-PAW website to learn more about the organization. Also, check out the calendar to find out when Waylon will be in your area.
www.indiana-paw.com
Follow Waylon and his fellow ambassador, Lexi's progress on the web.
http://www.indiana-paw.com/kidscorner.htm