Announcing Dog of the Year!!

Farmer -- Adopted in December, 2008

DOY 2009:

Farmer was adopted December 2008

Rep was Catherine Fox
ARPH number is 10128

Owned by Debbie and Tom King

Farmer came into ARPH in May of 2008.

His name at the time was Bugsy Malone, and he was a nine in half year old
dog, who came in was a pathetic 16 pounds under weight with a dull coat and
a chronic toe infection, due to his lack of nutrition and poor overall
health, the toe almost had to amputated.

With vet care, good food, and exercise he began putting on some weight, his
coat started to shine, and his energy level began to fly.

A very high energy dog emerged who just loved life on the farm.

It proved very difficult to find an adopter willing and able to provide a
home for an old dog with an energy level at the very upper end of the scale.

So at the age of ten Bugsy was renamed Farmer and his foster family became
his forever home.

Farmer quickly learned to herd sheep, cattle, and goats and became the
protector of the family goats.

Farmer didn't know how to play when he came to his foster home, now after
his farm chores are done he is always bringing a toy to his people and is
playing wild and crazy games with the younger aussies.

He also loves going to the nursing home to visit with the elderly.

Now at ten in a half Farmer has another important job as the star of ARPH
educational events in Maine. He demonstrates to the public what adopting an
older dog can be about. He loves everyone he meets and people can not
believe with his energy level that he is over ten years of age.

Farmer is a dog who has shown people that no matter how bad a past you have
you can teach an old dog new tricks. For a dog as full of love and energy as
Farmer, life begins at the age of ten.

Written By: Cheryl Henry
Date Posted: 7/11/2008
Number of Views: 12646