Dogs Need Homes - Atlanta, GA - Page 1

Samoyed Dogs Need Homes

Lady with cancer needs to find homes for her purebred Samoyed dogs. This was sent to me from an HSMC member. There are 7 pure-bred female Samoyeds who need a  forever home because their owner, Cathy Pendleton, is losing her battle with breast cancer. She can no longer care for her dogs and has been moved to Hospice after being in the hospital for a week. The dogs are in the Atlanta, GA area, but they will allow them to be adopted out of state. All the owner/breeder wants is for all of these girls to get good homes. Currently, they are not wanting to place any of the dogs in foster care because they are trying to move the dogs only once. My understanding is that the older animals have been spayed. Because she is a breeder, the younger dogs are not spayed however, the new family would need to have the dog spayed if she is less than seven years.

The dogs range in age from 1.5 years to more senior dogs. One look at their picture shows how extraordinarily beautiful these dogs are.  All are healthy and well cared for, up to date on shots, heartworm, flea treatment, etc. The new forever  home will need to have a fenced yard with sufficient space for an active dog. The folks who are placing the Samoyeds for the owner may do a home visit either before, after, or both to ensure that the dog and their new family are a good fit. If you think you might be interested, Velvet's email is v.a.simmons@att.net

Contact:
Kirk Carver
kirk.d.carver@bp.com; v.a.simmons@att.net
770 641-0833

Updated story from 11alive website...seems all of the dogs have been placed.  Ms. Pendleton passed away on 2/21/09

 http://www.11alive.com/life/pets/story.aspx?storyid=127834

ATLANTA -- The story of a dying Atlanta cancer patient and her eight purebred dogs has raced through the internet and around the country.

One of Cathy Pendleton's acquaintances put out a plea for people to come forward and adopt her dogs. That was the last anyone heard -- until now.

"Even when she was sick," said friend and fellow dog lover Carl Vitner. "That was her therapy, to work on the dogs and to show them."

When Cathy Pendleton was diagnosed with breast cancer and began chemotherapy, she could no longer show horses, so she started showing dogs -- Samoyeds.

"I have the one picture of her showing Dixie," Vitner said. "I have that on my screen saver."

Dixie is now eight and a half years old. Her owner, Carl Vitner, is a past president of the Atlanta Samoyed Club.

"She basically was my right hand. And many times," Vitner said proudly, "my left hand."

Cathy Pendleton was devoted to her beloved Samoyeds. She would not let her disease come between them.

"Going through chemo treatments on a Tuesday," Vitner said. "And being at a dog show on a Saturday and Sunday showing her dogs herself was that fighting spirit."

After 12 years, Cathy Pendleton's cancer spread to her liver and then to her brain.

"We talked to her and asked her basically what she wanted," said Vitner."What she did want with her dogs."

What she wanted was to have her eight Samoyeds placed in homes where they would be loved as she loved them. And they were.

"I was there Saturday morning," Vitner said, "Probably 45 minutes before she passed. My wife and I sat with her on both sides of the bed, holding her hand."

The Atlanta Kennel Club holds its annual dog show in Perry, Ga., in April. There will be a tribute to Cathy Pendleton.

Those who never met Cathy Pendleton should know that her dogs will be well cared for. Those who knew her will remember her as someone who was a great friend, who would not bow to cancer, and who loved her dogs with everything she had.

Beautiful picture and may she rip knowing they are placed and safe, most of all loved by thier new owners.

And there is another on the Bridge, playing with our faithful companions, keeping them company as they wait for their Special Someone. She seemed like the type to want to go with the Animals, & wait for her Companions there, as I hope I will as well, when my time comes. jh