Simon
DOB: 1994
DOH: 4/14/00
Favorite Food: Liver treats
Dislikes: Big male dogs

In 1995, Kathy had lost Luna, her l3 year old Lab mix. She had raised Luna since she was 3 months old. One evening in March, Kathy was walking her dogs in Central Park when one of her neighbors approached her, telling her this Lab mix that she “must” take now that she had room in her household after the passing of Luna. Kathy agreed sight unseen and went over to the shelter to pick up Simon the following day.

Simon was being boarded in a doggie day care camp. He promptly came out to the sitting area, sat up in one of the chairs to give Kathy a better view and a paw handshake. She immediately fell in love and took him home.

The “story” of Simon was that a woman was bringing him in to the ASPCA and crying as she climbed the front stairs. Another woman who rescues dogs asked the woman what was wrong. The woman explained that her husband had recently died and left her with three dogs but not enough money to care for them. So she was turning the youngest dog in to the ASPCA.

The rescuer explained that the dogs at this shelter were regularly killed and Simon would not have much of a chance for a new home. She convinced the woman to let her take him and board him until she found a home. He was being walked in the neighborhood when Kathy’s neighbor saw him, fell in love and knew he would fit in with Kathy’s brood.

Kathy brought Simon home and he promptly ate every book in the house (yes, book!) – hard covers and all - as well as the white pages and yellow pages. His coverage included a $165 Dodd and Graham book on Securities Analysis. He was very apologetic but kept this habit up for months. He was very friendly with people but wanted to show the neighborhood male dogs that he was indeed the “top dog”. He became the leader of the pack.

Today, Simon is at least 13 years old. And while Kathy had a scare in December 2005 when he was partially paralyzed, he is in good shape. A bit arthritic but still quite spry and goes for his daily walks with the rest of the pack. Until winter 2005, he regularly went for runs in addition to lots of long walks in the woods. He happily plays with all the other dogs and still wrestles with Sadie. He can no longer jump up on the bed beside Kathy so he lays down beside her on his doggie beds.

He happily goes to work, greets the clients and insists on attention from the staff, going so far as to climb up in the guest chairs to get a better angle for petting and complaining (loudly!) when the petting stops. He’s quite lovable and maintains his “top dog” position in the pack.