He arrived at the shelter through the hands of our humane officer. He was pulled from a home for abuse and neglect. They had several dogs but left Mr. Wiggles (now known as Perry) at the front of their property like trash tied to a log with no food, water or shelter.

He was 8 years old and hairless except for a few small strips of fur on his back, had a severe ear infection was infested with worms and tested positive for heartworm. He was one of the first heartbreaking cases the Tuscarawas County Humane Society had dealt with at their new shelter. He made the front page of the paper and the community chipped-in to pay for his heartworm treatment.

I worked at the shelter a few days a week and could not understand how anyone could treat an animal this way. He loved kids, cats, and dogs; walked well on a leash, never jumped and was house-trained. Perry became my next foster dog after he finished his last heartworm treatment and never left.

This mild mannered old man follows me everywhere, loves hiking and enjoys spending his summers swimming at the lake. After living with me for three years we still visit the vet frequently as he has food allergies, reoccurring ear infections and joint pain. But he can always be seen with a smile on his face.

He loves to come to work with me on days he does not sleep-in. I work at the local cat shelter and Perry is the best dog for the cats to be introduced too. He minds his own business and many cats have been adopted into homes with dogs thanks to him.

Tuscarawas County Humane Society, New Philadelphia, OH USA