For Sam, a 14-year-old cocker spaniel whose lifetime human companion died and left him homeless on the Outer Cape, Provincetown’s only Animal Control Officer was his lifeline. In close collaboration with Sam’s veterinarian, Dr. Sadie Hutchings of Herring Cove Animal Hospital, RuthAnn Cowing launched a campaign to find a new home for Sam.
RuthAnn made calls, asked a friend to post Sam’s photo and profile on her Facebook page, and deflected inappropriate adoption inquiries. Along with Dr. Hutchings, they contacted everyone they trusted, searching for someone who could adopt little Sam. Ultimately, Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England (CSRNE) was called in when it looked like all options had been exhausted and Sam’s future was hanging in the balance.
Polly Marmaduke, a CSRNE volunteer, her husband, and their two rescued cockers, Winnie and Ted, reside in Truro. They welcomed Sam into their home, thereby solving his immediate problem, and the search for a permanent solution continued with CSRNE’s added capabilities.
In this age of social networking, “old school” methods can still be effective. In this instance, two neighbors, Paul LaFrance and Polly, in the course of running their usual Saturday errands in the center of town, stopped at the PO to chat and catch up with each other. Sam patiently waited as they talked, not realizing he was being interviewed for a new life with Paul. Information was shared, the pieces came together, and a bond between Paul and Sam began to form. Over the next couple of weeks, Paul formally applied to adopt Sam from CSRNE and the match was made.
Working together, CSRNE, a dedicated Animal Control Officer, and a caring veterinarian altered the trajectory of Sam’s life. Thanks to Paul, Sam has a new forever home and another chance to be happy. When Paul told friends that he was adopting an old dog, a common response was, “Are you CRAZY?” For Paul, a senior himself, the choice wasn’t about whether to adopt a senior dog; it was all about adopting this dog and making a promise to give him the best life possible for however long it lasts.
For more information on Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England, visit their website csrne.org or email Polly at pmarmaduke@aol.com .