News

Take Your Dog To Work Day raises awareness of need to adopt pets and support shelters

By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

WILKES-BARRE – Times Leader employees participated in the 10th annual national Take Your Dog To Work Day on Friday to help raise awareness about the thousands of stray dogs looking for a good home.

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Times Leader employee Nick Delorenzo walks with his dog Nika, a Chihuahua/Boston terrier mix, through the newspaper's advertising department on Friday.

Pete G. Wilcox/the times leader

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Two employees from the circulation department, customer service manager Jim McCabe and customer service representative Jan Staricha, believe all dogs deserve a second chance.

McCabe rescued two of his boxers, Liberty and Jasmine, from Boxer Angels Rescue after joining the organization two years ago.

When McCabe picked Liberty from an animal shelter in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was malnourished.

“These are dogs that desperately need homes and good homes from people. Rather than buy them from puppy mills, you are better off to go to the Society for the Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals and get these animals,” McCabe said.

Staricha’s docile greyhound, Jaws, was just one of thousands of greyhounds that had raced.. Her family rescued Jaws three months ago after his previous owner died.

Greyhounds compete in three races after turning 18 months old, and if they don’t win they are killed or put up for adoption, Staricha explained.

These events are vitally important to educating people on the benefits of adopting an animal, whether it be from a shelter or rescue organization, according to Vince Sweeney, executive director of the Luzerne County SPCA

“It underscores and emphasizes just how important companion animals are to the vast majority of people, not only in this community, but all communities. People love their animals. They truly do,” Sweeney said.

These events also help support SPCAs because it is the only organization in the county that investigates animal welfare while operating a shelter to find homes for strays or unwanted animals.

Times Leader Publisher/Editor Richard Connor brings his DeCoverly English Setter, Chester, to work daily.

Connor, an animal lover, authorized the company to participate in the Take Your Dog To Work Day because he figured if he could bring his nearly 3-year old dog to work, everyone else should be able to as well.

“The reason we wanted to promote this at work is because pets make people happy. A lot of people spend as much or maybe more time at work than they do at home. So why not bring your pets in and let everyone see your pets. See that you have a real life outside of work. They bring lots of enjoyment. People see a dog or another animal at work they start smiling,” he said.

More than 20 employees joined in the fun bringing their furry or scaly friends to work. The animals were judged during a contest early Friday afternoon by Sweeney, veterinarian Dr. Brock Phillips of the Back Mountain Veterinary Hospital and Diane McCabe of Four Star McCabe Realty.

Employees who brought their pet dogs included: Gus Baloga, Don Bolton, Terry Borger, Rebecca Bria, Andrea Bowman, Erica Calvert, Connor, Nick Delorenzo, Tammy Holena, Jackie Hoover, Bernice Kachmar, Nicole Konopki, Irene Kovaleski, McCabe, Kerry Miscavage, Terrie Morgan-Besecker, Steve Morris, Dave Nieman, Lisa Pretko, Angela Rackleff, Trish Roe, Staricha, Susan Shotwell and Justin Wisnowsky, who all brought their dogs.

Mary Ondrako brought her turtles, Lori Palmentera brought her lizard, Anne Marie Stowinski brought her ferret and Martha Hassel brought her cat.

The newspaper gave a $155 donation and several bags of dog, cat food, treats and toys to the SPCA.

INSIDE

TL Contest winners

Rescue clubs

• Gus Baloga’s pointer mix, Sammy, “Best Behaved”

• Don Bolton’s Shih Tzu/Bichon mix, Charlie, won “Coolest”

• Terry Borger’s Chihuahua, Skipper, won “Smallest”

• Rebecca Bria’s cairn terrier, Roxy, won “Best Tail Wagger”

• Erica Calvert’s Boston terrier, Rocco, won “Most Rugged”

• Rich Connor’s DeCoverly English setter, Chester, won “Future TL Editor”

• Martha Hassel’s mixed breed cat, Sugar, won “Bravest”

• Tammy Holena’s Pekinese, Yoshi won “Most Loveable”

• Jackie Hoover’s Shih Tzu/pug mix, Elvis, won “Best Name”

• Bernice Kachmar’s two Yorkies, Sassy and Twinky, won “Sassiest Sisters”

• Nicole Konopki’s dog, Sasha, won “Fluffiest”

• Irene Kovaleski’s dachshund, Haley, won “Most Gentle”

• Jim McCabe’s boxer, Rockne, won “Most Buff”

• Kerry Miscavage’s Goldendoodle, Stella, won “Most Resembles Owner”

• Terrie Morgan-Besecker’s Bichon/Maltese mix, Lilly, won “Most Talented”

• Steve Morris’ Maltese, Mickey, won “Most Handsome”

• Mary Ondrako’s two turtles, Baxter and Zhu-Zhu, won “Snappiest Pair”

• Lori Palmentera’s anole lizard, TL Daily, won “Most Unusual”

• Lisa Pretko’s Pomeranian, Harley, won “Best Dresses”

• Angela Rackleff’s Pomeranian, Tucker, won “Most Obedient”

• Trish Roe’s Weimaraner, Jasmine Roe, won “Shiniest Coat”

• Jan Staricha’s greyhound, Jaws, “Biggest”

• Susan Shotwell’s toy poodle, Nelly Girl, won “Classiest”

• Anne Marie Stowinski’s ferret, Milo, won “Most Exotic”

• Justin Wisnowsky’s Labrador, Lily won “Party Animal”

• Andrea Bowman’s Pembroke Welsh, Corgi Opus, Dave Nieman’s Black Labrador mix, Alex, Nick Delorenzo’s Chihuahua/ Boston terrier mix, Nika, were not entered into the contest.

Greyhound rescues:

Rainbow’s End Greyhound Rescue

5521 Main Road

Sweet Valley, PA 18656

570-477-3646

http://reghr0.tripod.com/

Boxer rescues:

Boxer Angels

1-877-598-7751

www.boxerangelsrescue.com

Email: boxerangelsdirectors@yahoo.com