Puppy love: Annual reunion brings shelter litter together with mom
Wayne County Dog Shelter puppy adopters Sandi Kiser, Jeff Carley, Chuck and Patti Rudy, Landre McCloud, Kirby Kiser, Rhonda Purstine, and Patrick and Linda Herron reunite their canine family at their annual doggie reunion.
Dan Starcher
A unique tradition takes place each year when a group of people who adopted a litter of puppies from the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center comes together for an afternoon to reunite sibling pups with their mother.
The reunion started several years ago after each person adopted one of the puppies born to Winnie, a dog who wandered into the shelter just days before giving birth.
The dedicated group of owners keeps their connection to each other alive by gathering each year to share stories, catch up on the dogs’ lives and make a donation to the shelter that brought them together.
Wayne County Administrator Patrick Herron and his wife Linda couldn't pass up the opportunity to adopt one of the newborn pups.
“Linda always had Poodles, and I always had large dog breeds,” Patrick Herron said. “So when we saw Winnie come into the shelter, we tried to adopt her. But then we found out she was pregnant and already had a foster mother who wanted to adopt her, so we applied to adopt one of the pups before they were even born.”
After giving birth to 10 puppies, one died, leaving six females and three males looking for new homes.
“All the puppy parents really appreciate Sandi and Kirby Kiser opening their home and their heart to Winnie and the pups and being their foster parents,” Herron said.
Since its establishment the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center has helped numerous animals find forever homes while also providing veterinary services to dogs and hosting community programs. The annual reunion of the puppy families highlights the shelter’s ongoing role in bringing people and pets together.
“I urge anyone who is looking for a dog to check out the shelter first,” Herron said. “It should be the first place people look, even when looking for a particular breed. Chances are they will have one, or one will be in soon. Shelter dogs make great pets, and owners can feel good about giving their dog a new home and a new life.”
For more information on adoption, services or volunteering, visit www.waynedogshelter.org.
Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.
