The San Matean

Issue date: 11/14/05 Section: Features

Media Credit: Hayley Sharpe Winston the dog

e animals that had been abandoned due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we knew we had to do something to help.

We wanted to rescue a dog from the areas of the gulf coast so deeply affected by the two hurricanes.

Since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf coast 60 animals from that area have been transported to the Peninsula Humane Society, 53 of which were dogs.

Two months after Katrina my family welcomed a new dog into our home.

On Thursday Oct. 27, my family went to the Penisula Humane Society and met a beautiful 10-month-old, male, black and tan English Cocker Spaniel.
The dog, which had been there since Sept. 27 was being kept in the back lot of the Penninsula Humane Society.

There were about about twenty other dogs there, two to a cage.

When we met the dog he was very energetic.
All he wanted to do was play catch.
The Humane Society didn't know much about the dog, they didn't even know his name.

We decided to name him Winston because it's a good name for an English dog.

My family spent an hour-and-a-half playing catch, and getting to know Winston, or Winnie for short, before the People at the Peninsla Humane Society decided we could take him home.

Before we left the Humane Society, we had to fill out some paper work saying that if the owner comes back to claim Winston, we would have to give him back.

The worker also told us that we have to remember that Winston is not our dog.
We are simply taking care of him until his owner can be found.

The Humane Society gave us a cage for him to sleep in at night, a collar and leash as well as a bag of food. We were so happy when we finally got to leave with Winston.

As soon as we left we went to Pet Club, and bought our new dog two new toys, a tag for his collar, and some treats.

The second we gave Winston his new toys he chewed them to bits, and we had to take them away.
Winston is an energetic dog, and will chew on anything, so we always need to watch him.
Winston had been living with us now for two weeks.
Its hard having a big puppy in the house, especially because we are not use to big dogs.
Our other dog has not made up her mind about Winston.

He does not eat her food or steal her treats, so we can only assume she does not mind. My family has grown much attached to Winston. We know that we might have to give him back at any time, but for now we will love him as if he is our dog.
There are always dogs at the Humane Society that need a loving home, and people to take care of them.

If you would like to help contact the humane society at www.peninsulahumanesociety.org

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