Misfit pets get a second chance at love

BY NOUR HABIB World Scene Writer
Saturday, March 16, 2013
3/16/13 at 5:10 AM

Gail Dodson only ever intended to have one dog. She now has three.

Her 7-year-old Dachshund, Mr. Bean, has been with her two years. Lola, a 5-year-old black Lab mix, came to Dodson as a puppy. And Sugar, the 2-year-old Great Pyrenees, joined the family a year ago.

Dodson said her dogs are her family. Her grown children and 2-year-old daughter also like dogs, and her granddaughter loves to make her dogs "sit" for a treat.

"I have to admit, I also like having them line up in a row like a circus act to shake hands one after another for a treat," Dodson said. "Except for Mr. Bean; he refuses to lower himself to doing tricks."

Dodson started off with one dog, Max, a Saluki-Lab mix she took in because she knew how difficult it was for black dogs to find a home.

"Max was a wonderful dog and the best friend, human or canine, I will ever have," Dodson said. "He watched over me during a very difficult time. Cancer took him from me, and as anyone who has ever had to say goodbye to their dog and let them go humanely will tell you, it is heart-wrenching."

Here, Dodson tells us more about her pet family.

1. Tell me a bit about each of your dogs.

Their personalities are unique, and each is very different from the other.

Mr. Bean is the first small dog I have had. He is a big dog in a little body and definitely the pack leader after myself. Mr. Bean is very outgoing, fearless and fiercely loyal. Mr. Bean never leaves my side. Friends jokingly call him the "Velcro dog" and few are brave enough to attempt to extract him from my lap.

Lola is quiet, docile and a pack follower. She is quiet and polite and always waits her turn. My son found Lola and her mother near the Turner Turnpike in a rural area where they had been abandoned. He put up posters and went door to door but was told the dogs would be shot if they returned so he brought them home to me. Lola was just a two-month-old puppy. I found a home for her mother and kept Lola. It was obvious from their behavior they had been abused.

Sugar is a giant, white, bear of a dog. It is hard to believe a dog that large is so graceful and dainty, but she is. Her size and Husky mix-masked face and intense eyes may make her look intimidating but she is the most laid-back, easygoing, sweet dog you could imagine. She is protective and will put her big body in front of me if another dog or stranger approaches, but her tail never stops wagging.

2. Why did you choose to go the rescue route?

I have always chosen to rescue because it just seemed to be a logical solution. Find a dog who needs a home and give it one that has enough love to welcome one more into the pack. Three dogs are all I can take care of responsibly, but I still try to help whenever I can by donating or volunteering.

3. Do you take all your dogs out on walks together?

I alternate walks. Sugar has a natural ability to heel, walking when I walk, stopping when I stop. Lola pulls like a freight train and I have to manage her enthusiasm. Mr. Bean, oh Mr. Bean! I took him for a walk at LaFortune and ended up carrying him. He prefers the comfort of the sofa, thank you.

4. You've referred to your dogs as the "Island of Misfit Toys." What did you mean?

My three dogs are as diverse as it is possible to be in size, color and temperament. Each of them was someone else's throwaway. I often think of us, our little pack, as The Island of Misfit Toys from the holiday movie. The misfits were the toys no one wanted, that children had tired of; toys who still wanted to be loved and to be useful if only someone would give them the chance. Dogs are not toys, but they too want to be loved and useful. They just need a second chance with the right person.

If you'd like to have your pets featured in Animal House, email animalhouse@tulsaworld.com. Include a high-quality digital photo along with information about the types of pets you have. Original Print Headline: 'Misfits' get a second chance at love

Nour Habib 918-581-8369
nour.habib@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Mr. Beans, Dodson's 7-year-old Dachshund, is the fearless and loyal pack leader. Lola, the 5-year-old black Lab mix, is quiet and docile. Owner Gail Dodson said Mr. Bean (left), a 7-year-old Dachshund, is the fearless and loyal pack leader. Lola, her 5-year-old black Lab mix, is quiet and docile. Courtesy

Sugar, a 2-year-old Great Pyrenees, is easygoing and sweet. Courtesy