|
|
|
Browning promotes responsible pet adoptions
| Source: |
Toronto Sun |
| Date: |
February 20, 2009 |
| Author: |
Ian Robertson |
OSHAWA - Figure skating star Kurt Browning liked going to the dogs so
much today – he'll do it again here tomorrow night.
Soon after arriving at the Humane Society of Durham Region's temporary
home to promote responsible pet adoptions, Browning found himself on
an unusual footing.
Taking over a leashed dog from one of the staff at the Taunton
Rd.-Simcoe St. s helter, he was soon struggling to hold Sparky, a
frisky fire survivor.
Laughing and eventually clamping his legs around the mutt as the
loveable tail-wagger tried to touch noses with a low-down new arrival
wasn't easy, on two counts, he said. Sparky, a pony-size black
Lab-Great Dane cross, weighs 105 pound, "and he's really strong,"
Browning admitted.
"We're doing the Sparky dance," he laughed.
As spokesman for the Pedigree Adoption Drive, he was here on a
cross-Canada campaign to raise awareness of animal shelters.
The bigger problem, however, was leaving empty-handed.
Attracted first to a friendly small black-and-white cat – one of 25 in
the shelter's cages – Browning said "it looks like the one I had as a
kid."
Though often tempted, he travels a great deal and there is no room at
home for more pets.
His two children help, but his wife is still busy with the National
Ballet of Canada, "and it wouldn't be fair to take home a dog," he
said.
Being responsible both before and after adopting a pet is one of
Browning's strongest, constant messages.
"People should visit a shelter first, look at all the animals first
and ask a lot of questions before making a decision," he said.
But for some people, who either lack the time or a large enough home,
there is another rewarding option at such shelters, Browning
said. "You can always volunteer to take one of the dogs for
walks.
"It will make you feel good and the dog, too," Browning said. "And who
knows, you might end up deciding to take one home after all."
Starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, he will do a 20-minute, on-ice
performance at the Legends Centre on Harmony Rd., north of Taunton
Rd. Visitors, who will be asked for donations to the Humane Society of
Durham Region, can then skate until 9 p.m.
Manager Ruby Richards said an offer for a piece of industrial land in
Whitby was accepted Thursday, but the town must approve new
zoning.
"It could take six months, we're told, but we don't have that long,"
she said. with time running out at the temporary shelter and some of
the 2,400 volunteers likely to be tied up with other building projects
after the winter, "we need to get started soon.
"Hopefully we will," Richards said.
Finally, after Browning was on the CBC's Canada AM program this
morning, the shelter had several inquiries about Sparky -- who was
down to 60 pounds after a fire on his owner's farm six months ago, she
said. "We got him, but then our shelter burned down on Dec. 17, so
he's come through a lot.
"Luckily he's come back and is in great shape," Richards said. "We're
hoping he'll go to another farm family ... He's a big boy and needs a
lot of exercise and room."
|
|
|
|
|
