More than a million dogs end up in shelters across the U.S. each year, and some remain there for weeks, or even months. But for one dog who was the star of a recent Newsweek article, at least one of her puppies has been saved from that fate.
Maple was taken in by Robin Morrison, owner of nonprofit Pawsitively Posh Pet Resort & Spa, after she spotted the dog at animal control, and realized she was pregnant.
Sure enough, days later she welcomed nine healthy puppies—and Maple and her new family went on to be the stars of a Newsweek article in September.
Winner
That’s where Renee’ and Kurt Stahl read about her, and realized they had already signed up to adopt one of her puppies, named Aspen. And so it was only fitting they submitted her to be our pet of the week.
The Stahl’s live in Saco, Maine, with their four adult children and three dogs, a one-year-old Jack Russel and Corgi mix, named Cecelia, and two litter mate Morkies, who are 18-months-old, named Dug and Mandy.
Stahl told Newsweek: “We saw your article regarding a rescue of a dog named Maple, that gave birth to 9 puppies.”
Stahl told Newsweek they will be renaming her Aspen, adding: “Her new name will be Mabel (we chose that name before we knew her Mom’s name).
“We currently have three other dogs and we are so excited to get Mabel. Our family is so [happy] that her mom was rescued and was able to give birth to healthy puppies.
“My husband and I agreed we have more love to give and found our new puppy to be and Positively Posh-Pet Rescue. We are 100% excited!”
Finalists
Pets leave their mark on our lives long after they’re gone, and we were so moved by one dog owner’s memory of their beloved short-haired dachshund, she made it into this week’s finalists.
Roger Taylor, 45, lost Jia, nicknamed Gi-Gi, to cancer four years ago. “She passed away a few years ago and took my heart with her,” he told Newsweek.
Taylor, who now lives in Ontario, Canada, told Newsweek: “My wife and I adopted Gi-Gi as a puppy when we lived in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“As all dachshund parents know, the breed is known for its unique personality, sense of humor and empathic nature—Jia was no exception.
“We had just lost our other 3 babies in a horrible accident, and were beyond devastated. Jia was found and adopted in memory of the 3 we lost. Her name is an acronym for Jinglebelle, Isabelle, and Annabelle.
“She meant the world to us and was our salvation and rock.”
Fast-forward to today, Taylor said: “When she passed, we acquired a Cockapoo rescue from a puppy mill in Aylmer, Ontario. Abby is amazing, she is adorably cute, and again, brought comfort when we most needed it.”
Our pet of the week line-up wouldn’t be complete without a cat, and this week we present the well-dressed Tigger.
Owner Laraine Salindo has had Tigger since he was a tiny kitten, and now a senior, he’s both “adorable and trained.”
She told Newsweek: “I adopted my Tigger when he was a baby kitten approximately 1 month old. He is now about 12 years old.”
After their first decade together, situations changed. “He has been away from me for almost 2 1/2 years because of watching my parents.
“My dad died 2 years ago. And my mom is going through kidney dialysis. Me, my sister and brother is caretaking her [sic]. She is highly allergic to animals with fur. So Tigger has been staying with a good friend at his house.”
Salindo says she visits Tigger at least once a week when she can, and hopefully plans to get a place where they can be together again.
And while our furry friends reign supreme, our last finalist is of the feathered variety. We couldn’t resist Susann Flowers’ photo of her avian sporting some unusual footwear.
Flowers told Newsweek: “I’d like to present for consideration as Pet of the Week: Zorro, my house rooster. Zorro has the biggest feet I’ve ever seen on a chicken.
“Seriously, this is his favorite place to spend the night.”
If you think your pet could be next week’s Newsweek “Pet of the Week,” send us your funny and heartwarming videos and pictures of your pet, along with a bit about them to life@newsweek.com, and they could appear in our “Pet of the Week” lineup.
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