Golden retrieval: Workers adopt abandoned pups
By William Kibler, bkibler@altoonamirror.comArticle Photos
As the agency that turns off the water if customers don't pay the bills, the Altoona City Authority doesn't enjoy a reputation for softheartedness.
But as for the individuals who work there, that's a different story.
On Tuesday afternoon, six workers in the water maintenance department adopted abandoned puppies a hunter plucked off Blue Knob mountain during a sleet storm a few hours earlier.
All of them had been ''in a huddle out in the woods, basically about half froze to death,'' said worker Eric Johnson, relaying what the hunter had said.
Workers who just punched out for the day crowded around the puppies, which were about 11 weeks old, saying ''I'll take this one, I'll take that one,'' calling their wives on cell phones to ask permission, clerk Mary Longacre said.
The hunter planned to leave them at the former city dog pound near the Westerly Sewer Treatment Plant, but a worker intercepted him and told him the city no longer used the pound.
The worker agreed to take the pups from the hunter to the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, but they never made it that far once the generous spirit of the City Authority workers shined through.
Johnson hadn't planned to take one, but after fellow workers stepped forward, there was only one left.
''I didn't have the heart to send the one away,'' he said.
Crew member Craig Strong had three dogs at home already, plus two horses, a cat, fish and a parrot. Johnson already had a golden retriever, who's with him all the time on his Sinking Valley property.
Dan Baker has a two cats and a dog that he walks all the time with his 13-year-old daughter.
All have wives who love animals.
''I didn't have to twist her arm,'' Strong said of his wife when he recalled the cell phone conversation he had with her about the new addition.
There were four full-blooded golden retrievers, two of each gender, and two full-blooded black Labrador females, the workers said, based on the opinion of a veterinarian.
The hunter told worker Mike Clair he would have taken the pups himself, but he couldn't because he lives in a trailer.
''It's great they found homes right away,'' Humane Society spokeswoman Debbie Pierce said. ''Very caring and sweet.''
The society, however, encourages the adoptive families to get the animals spayed and neutered in keeping with the society's policy - a requirement of state law for all shelter-adopted pets.
Breeding animals can multiply rapidly: One cat can become ancestor to 420,000 in seven years, Pierce said.
Business is busy at the humane society, which took in 1,664 dogs last year, down a little from the year before. It took in 3,234 cats, up a little.
There's normally a holiday lull, but not this year, as intake and adoptions continued strong for dogs and cats, Pierce said.
An increasing number of families said they have had to give up their pets because they can't afford them, and it's reflected on the cards affixed to cages in the shelter, she said.
Other families give up their pets because they're moving into a place that doesn't allow them, and that also may reflect the economic difficulties, she said.
The society formerly required payment from owners surrendering pets, but Pierce said that no longer is the case.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 949-7038.
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01-10-09 10:58 PM
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Look at the precious face on that puppy. How can any human being just set them outside to die? Blessings to the Hunter and the Water Workers and their wives for saving these dear sweet precious pups. The City Workers jobs must be very stressful. It would not be an easy thing to turn someones water off, however, someone has to do it and this is their job. I Know the puppies will bring you hours of stressless fun and love. Great Job. !!!!!!! God Bless !!!!!!!
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Reddog
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01-10-09 9:25 PM
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The men and families who rescued these pups are very thoughtful and kind. The world needs more people just like you. This new family member will be your reward and faithful companion for years to come. My wife and I sleep with our Golden every night. He came to us under somewhat similar circumstances. I hope your's never sees a doghouse or chain. Our's never will. Good luck and enjoy your new best friend.
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lambs1
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01-10-09 5:16 PM
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Wow, the Altoona City Authority gets more respect than the Altoona Police Dept.! But at any rate great job, that was so sweet!
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PapaGeorgio
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01-10-09 3:52 PM
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Congratulations to those saving these animals. If any of the workers cannot keep their pup, please email me. I will take it.
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gordon65
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01-10-09 1:52 PM
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I especially like the part of grown men gushing over puppies and racing to call their wives for permission! Adorable puppies CAN revert most men back to that little boy that pleads with his parents...can I keep him????? Thank goodness these men weren't too macho to succumb to their plight!!
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Melycat
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01-10-09 11:32 AM
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What a touching story! Another Kudos to the workers for taking the puppies.There are still good people in the world.
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gordon65
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01-10-09 10:26 AM
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What a wonderful story!! Kudos to the workers for not letting them get to the Humane Society. Great way to start the New Year! I agree with caringmom...what kind of person abandons puppies in the cold?!?! It is so easy to give puppies away if you don't want them...here's an idea...spay & nueter your pets!!!!
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RobFan530
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01-10-09 10:23 AM
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ok, I reread the story, sorry for blaming the hunter, I read it wrong the first time. I was just so hot-blooded about the story because I am so tired of people treating animals like a piece of trash. So, there, vioce of reason & hard luck, I REread the story and I can admit to my mistake. However, someone did leave them out there, so that makes them scum.
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voiceofreason
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01-10-09 8:57 AM
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One requirement for posting on this blog should be to read the article in full prior to posting comments. It is obvious that there are no educational or common sense requirements. Let's see what we can do about that Rude Dog. lol. Great story Mirror.
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hardluck
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01-10-09 8:51 AM
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RobFan530 Hey PLease read before you start name calling ....the story said the hunter was taking the dogs to the pound to save them....but the water people took them home instead.
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RobFan530
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01-10-09 8:24 AM
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What scum that hunter is for leaving them all to die. Thank you water workers for having the heart to adopt these dogs! Please give them all loving , warm, INDOOR homes. They will give you more love than you know! "Don't breed or buy while those in shelters die."
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caringmom
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01-10-09 7:51 AM
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shame on the person who left these loving animals. you can put in a free ad in the altoona mirror giveaway,these are a wonderful,well behaved breed,and they did not deserve to be left alone to die. hey johnson, if you change your mind about keeping the pup,please contact me. i have a 11 year old golden, who's health is failing, and she has been my best friend all these years........ to the person who did this, happy new year to all the pups, there much better off.
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katthebeach
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01-10-09 7:31 AM
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What a great story. Kudos to those Authority workers.
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kathymcburn
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01-10-09 2:20 AM
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No but you pay and arm and a leg to adopt from you!!
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