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3-pawed pup finds a home
By MARY ANN KOSLASKY, Times Staff Writer
INVERNESS -- The future had begun to look about as bleak as the recent weather for Petey, a disabled, 4-month-old mixed breed bullterrier. Turned in by his owner, Petey had lived all but the first four weeks of his life at the Citrus County Animal Control Shelter. Born with only three paws, Petey wears a prosthesis on his left front leg. The device was devised by Dr. K.C. Nayfield of Midway Animal Hospital. Prospective owners had to meet several criteria. Some people applied, but for various reasons, didn't fit the bill. Time was running out for Petey. Then fate stepped in, and in a convoluted series of events, sealed his salvation. On Jan. 11, the Citrus Times published an article about the plight of this energetic, lovable pup. On Jan. 24, a story in the Metro & State section of the Times focused on Handy, another mixed breed bullterrier who had been born with only two legs, but a lot of heart. St. Petersburg resident Steve Foss rushed to the Hillsborough County shelter and applied to adopt Handy. On Feb. 5, the Times ran a followup story reporting that Handy had indeed been adopted by Foss. That story was the key that unlocked the door to Petey's new home. Dominick Cianciotta of Inverness is Foss' father-in-law. After Foss adopted Handy, Cianciotta suggested Foss come up to meet Petey. Three other Citrus Times readers had the same idea and also called Foss. After meeting Petey, Foss filled out adoption papers and went home to plan for Petey's arrival. On Tuesday, a neutered Petey was bathed and brushed and ready to go. He wriggled and gave sloppy kisses to anyone in slurping range. It was as if Petey understood that he was going home. Home to Brutus, another bullterrier; Fred the turtle; two iguanas; and, of course, Handy, who had come along to welcome Petey into the family. His caretakers will include Foss and his wife, Mary, and their 14-year-old daughter, Tabitha. Tabitha quickly assumed charge of Petey's leash after meeting him. She enjoys caring for the dogs. "I'm an only child, so it's like having a new brother or sister," she said. Mary Foss loves the animals, but she has some concerns. "That's about enough or we'll have to get a bigger house," she said. Besides that, "I have to worry about (wagging) tails and my knickknacks. I may have to move everything up higher." Petey's new home was even inspected by Pinellas County Animal Control when he adopted Handy. "They did a home study, better than DCF (the Department of Children and Families)," said Foss who was busy rubbing Petey's tummy and in general fussing over him. For animal control kennel worker Marian Rogers, Tuesday was bittersweet. She virtually raised Petey, but she knew life in a cage was not for him. "I recommended euthanasia last week," said Rogers. "But (animal control director Xan Rawls) wasn't ready to leave him go." "When one door closes, another opens," said Rogers, tearing up. "I'm glad to see him going," but she admits she will miss him. Integrating Petey into the family shouldn't be a problem, according to Foss. In fact, a call to Cianciotta's house, where the family stopped after leaving the shelter, found Petey and Handy out in the fenced back yard, playing and "getting dirty . . . and getting spoiled," Mrs. Foss said. For Rawls, her faith paid off. "I wasn't ready to sign off on him. We are absolutely thrilled that Petey has been adopted into a lifetime home," she said. "There were so many benefactors that took special interest in him. "Thank God all the pieces just fell into place."
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