This week’s featured shelter pet is Jack, beautiful Pekingese mix currently up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. Approximately 2 years old, Jack arrived at the shelter on Oct. 24.
Jack loves to sit in laps and get attention and is very endearing andsweet. He is young, active and healthy but does have some quirks that a potential home will have to manage. When he likes someone, he adores them. However, until he likes them, he will growl, bark and bite at ankles. He prefers women and has some minor resource guarding that may be an issue with other dogs. He was found with a small female and they scuffled often, but did not cause injury to one another. He can also not be around children.
If you would like to meet Jack, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in a domestic setting.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.
Welcome to the 12th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home!
Herman and Lily
Meet Herman and Lily
Influential and successful in their own right, meet Little Shelter’s newest power couple, Herman and Lily! This five year old Yorkie mix and this eight year old Lhasa apso complement each other perfectly, making the case for why a double adoption is an excellent idea! Doing everything in sync, whether a walk, enjoying a pet or sharing secrets, these two are always seen side by side; their bond unmistakable. Herman is considerate and protective of his best friend, while Lily usually allows him to have control of the TV remote! Ready to enlarge their circle and welcome in a family, they are looking forward to meeting you…we suggest that you don’t keep them waiting! Call 631-368-8770.
Jack
Meet Jack
Jack is a senior Jack Russell Terrier at Brookhaven Animal Shelter in need of a hospice home. He is probably about 14 years old, is good with dogs and cats and is full of spunk. This poor sweetheart has chronic kidney disease and is on a special diet. He needs a home that will give him the extra TLC he deserves, maybe some nice home cooking too! If you are interested, please submit a matchmaker application, www.brookhavenny.gov/animalshelter. For more information, call 631-451-6950.
Linx
Meet Linx
Linx was taken to Smithtown Animal Shelter as a stray and was never claimed. This young boy is around 3 to 4 years old. He is well mannered and housebroken. Linx is beyond a typical German Shepherd and needs a GSD experienced owner. He is ball and stick obsessed and loves to play. Linx is a good natured dog that needs a strong Alpha leader to follow. He requires a very active home that will meet his mental and physical stimulation needs. Linx does not want to snuggle, he only wants to play. If you would like to meet this beautiful boy, please schedule an appointment by calling 631-360-7575.
Sebastian Miguel
Meet Sebastian Miguel – ADOPTED! HAPPY LIFE SWEET BOY!
Though only ten months old, this young charmer at Little Shelter already has the suave, debonair thing down pat! Meet Chihuahua mix and certified heart throb, Sebastian Miguel! Full of excitement and zest for life, this Passage to Freedom traveler has passed inspection with flying colors and is ready to be adopted into his forever home, eager to become part of a real family. Fun loving and busy, Chihuahuas like nothing more than being with their people and make wonderful go-everywhere companions. Stop by Little Shelter soon to meet the “man” of your dreams. Call 631-368-8770.
Krispy Kreme
Meet Krispy Kreme
This is Krispy Kreme, a handsome orange tabby available for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. Krispy Kreme is a young adult male who has been a very good boy this year. Heloves to play, be picked up, and all he wants is to be someone’s buddy for the holidays. Will that be you? Call 631-368-8770.
Home for the Holidays
The Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center is celebrating the holiday season with its “Home for the Holidays” promotion, featuring free pet adoptions now through the month of December. Each adoption includes free neuter or spay, vaccinations, microchip, heartworm test, flea and other tests. The normal adoption fees are $137 for a dog and $140 for a cat. All adoptable pets are looking for a forever home this holiday season. If you are interested in adopting a dog or cat, visit the Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. For more information, visit www.BrookhavenNY.gov or call 631-451-6950.
Check out the next Paw Prints inthe issue of Jan. 12, 2023
Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq.
My five-year-old neighbor Jack keeps me and his parents on our toes, and for that, I am grateful.
In this strange and challenging year, Jack offers a refreshing, clear-eyed and honest assessment of everything he sees. He speaks directly, asks questions and expects people to treat him the way his kind, caring and supportive parents do.
During the spring, at the start of longer walks around the neighborhood with my dog, I started the pattern of wearing sweatpants and sweatshirts during cooler weather. After all, with nowhere else to go, I didn’t feel compelled to put on a collared shirt, to change my outerwear or to put on my dress shoes. Speaking of which, I don’t think I’ve even looked for my shoes in months. The search for those shoes, and the black socks at the bottom of a drawer somewhere, will be a welcome return to a more normal routine some day.
Anyway, back in the first stages of an endless homebound existence, Jack saw me one morning, greeted my dog , who is 30 pounds heavier than he, and asked me one of the many five-year-old questions that he shares.
“Why are you wearing the same clothes as yesterday?” he asked, as if I were somehow on a walk of shame after an evening that stretched into morning in a college dorm.
“Oh, honey, he’s just wearing the same sweatshirt as yesterday. You do that, too,” his mother gently offered.
Then again, Jack was right. I was wearing the same sweatshirt and sweatpants.
Later, when a nephew who tested negative for the virus came to visit and took a walk with me, Jack listened to his mother chat with us. As we were walking away, Jack watched my nephew and me head to my house.
“Dan,” he shouted, “Don’t forget about six feet.”
Again, Jack was right. Comfortable as I was, even outside with my nephew, Jack learned the rules and was encouraging me to follow them.
Recently, Jack delved into the minefield of politics. Without any hesitation, he asked my wife and daughter about their votes for the presidential election.
His mother, once again, tried to provide a filter, suggesting that such a conversation might not be necessary or comfortable.
Our daughter, who has had extensive experience babysitting children of all ages, had no trouble answering the question in a way that wouldn’t upset Jack, regardless of his or, more likely, his parents’ thoughts on the subject.
Cliche as it seems, it occurred to me, listening to my wife recount this conversation, that Jack, and the need to meet his earnestness and honesty, offered a reminder about public discourse.
Five-year-olds may not know everything, but they know when an adult is being condescending or is belittling them. They need the same kind of honesty they give.
At the same time, they need answers that don’t insult them. Even if they, or their parents, have different views, they need to know that others respect them.
Therein, it occurred to me, lies the lesson. We don’t need to avoid conversations with each other about topics on which we disagree. We are guaranteed the freedom to disagree with everyone, from our siblings, to our parents, to the president.
We also might do well to think of others who are speaking to us as Jack. We don’t need to picture others as five-year-olds. We can, and will, engage in more satisfying discourse if we follow some of the same principles when speaking with anyone. With so many challenges ahead, we will accomplish more together, and respectfully, than if we take each other down.
Poor poor Jack … This handsome boy used to have a home, until his owner was diagnosed with cancer. No longer being able to care for him, she had no other choice but to bring him to Kent Animal Shelter. Jack is a 5-year-old lab mix. He’s friendly, energetic and would love to be your new best friend. And guess what, Jack is already crate trained and is house trained to boot! You really can’t go wrong with this goofy guy. Jack would love to have all of your attention, so it would be best if he were an only pet. He comes neutered, microchipped and is up to date on all his vaccines.
Kent Animal Shelter is located at 2259 River Road in Calverton. For more information on Jack and other adoptable pets at Kent, call 631-727-5731 or visit www.kentanimalshelter.com.
Welcome to the 12th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home!
