DDR: How did you find out about Petey’s situation?
LISA MARIE: I received an urgent phone call from a woman in Canada who had been referred to me. She told me on the phone that she had no place else to turn, and that she had a dog she had boarded at Marc De Luna’s kennels, and she thought she recognized the dog on a movie clip of the South Gate Raid. Someone had told her Petey was dead, but if there was a chance he survived, I felt obligated to help get him out. I needed to know how he got in there, and where he originally came from: She told me she originally pulled him from death row in a Reno, Nevada shelter. After she had rescued him, she had no place to keep him – he was free without a place to be. She asked for advice from her LA rescue connections, where she was given Marc’s kennels as a good boarding facility so this is where Petey was checked into, but he was never checked out. Bark Avenue offered to temporarily care for some of the dogs to help Seaaca Downey shelter, where most of the dogs were taken who survived, and the owner of Bark confirmed Petey was not at her facility. So I went to Downey, after the lady from Canada agreed to send me everything I needed to go and officially free him, and have him in my care.

DDR: What has been the most frustrating and the most rewarding about taking on Petey’s care and rehabilitation?
LISA MARIE: Most frustrating were the stages where Petey was infected and contagious and I had to keep him in separate quarters away from other animals, and to protect myself as well. It was frustrating because no matter how hard you tried to prevent him from touching your clothing and some part of your body, he always had to be touching you, in more places than one. He’s a very loving physical dog and he strives to get hugs and kisses from his humans and pack.
Most rewarding:
Petey is probably the most loving and appreciative dog I have ever had the opportunity to save. He is so funny, and the more he can make you smile, the happier he becomes. His tail is always wagging, and a day doesn’t go by that he’s not truly thanking you for feeding him and giving him a warm safe place to stay. I believe he ever forgets where he came from, and it makes him appreciate life that much more.

DDR: A favorite story about Petey?
Petey never ceases to amaze me: Recently our pack acquired a dog whose throat had been slashed and his barking mechanisms had breen removed. According to this new shelter dog’s personality, he had never been up close and personal with another dog. The new dog panicked with anxiety when he saw the dogs, and he went into a frenzy, circling in the vehicle, almost going into a panic attack. Later, once the new dog was inside the home and crated, Petey was the first to greet him and sniff his nose through the crate. I watched while the new dog calmed down and they started kissing each other. Petey has a loving, caring energy about him which makes others feel safe.

DDR: If someone is interested in adopting Petey, what do they need to do?
LISA MARIE: Please send an email to SweetHD@aol.com and tell us something about yourselves so we can send you an adoption questionnaire. Blessings to anyone who is considering Petey in their lives. He brings light and brightness to any dark or dull situation.