For a long time, 10-year-old Sarah Bergeron had been pleading with her mom and dad to get her a dog. “No,” they insisted, “we already have cats, there’s no room for a dog.”
Secretly, however, Tanya and Don Bergeron felt that Sarah was now old enough to take on the responsibility of caring for a puppy. Tanya had been speaking with Amanda van Kralingen, founder of an animal rescue in Cayuga, Ontario, about a special Rottweiler/German shepherd puppy. Along with the intelligence and athleticism that comes with both breeds, the pup has a sweet temperament – just right for the Bergeron’s busy household in Port Colborne, Ontario.
So on the Saturday of National Adoption Weekend, Tanya and Don made a trip to Ancaster, Ontario, leaving Sarah with family, saying they had errands to do. The PetSmart in the Meadowlands shopping centre was hosting Amanda’s rescue and the Rottweiler cross puppy was one of the dogs up for adoption.
“We decided to come on Saturday because we know that both Sarah and the puppy will probably stay up late tonight getting acquainted,” said Don, beaming with anticipation.
“Sarah will be so excited,” said Tanya, hugging the little puppy in her arms. “I can’t wait to see her reaction!”
Well, not surprisingly, Sarah was thrilled to meet her new pet that evening. The two of them are getting along famously and Sarah has named the puppy Nora.
“Sarah was really shocked,” said Tanya. “She keeps asking us, ‘when does the puppy have to go back?’ and we keep reassuring her that this is Nora’s forever home.”
Amanda’s rescue specializes in finding homes for herding dogs and other working dogs. She is on Facebook at BlueCollaredCanines.
