Date: Fri 11-Dec-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Pet-Connection-Dijon-puppies

Full Text:

A Dog Tale That Wags In The End

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Cute and cuddly, five tiny puppies have spent the first three weeks of their

life snuggling together in a small basket at Pet Connection in the Sand Hill

Plaza.

Three weeks ago, the lovable little shepherd-mixes were brought to pet store

owner Lisa Dijon by dog warden George Mattegat. They had been left on the

doorstep of New England Canine Academy on Simm Lane that same day. Far too

young to be put in the pound, Mr Mattegat turned to Mrs Dijon for help.

"He called to ask if we'd help out. We said, `sure,'" recalled Ms Dijon

earlier this week.

Originally there were seven dogs, however, two of them didn't live past the

first couple of days. Veterinarians from the Newtown Animal Clinic suspect the

two males died because they lacked the nutrients normally provided in their

mother's milk. Five others survived, however, and appear to be out danger. The

litter includes four females and a male.

Since the day-old pups were brought in November 16, they have been bottle-fed

every four hours.

"The heaviest puppy was three-quarters of a pound. The smallest was a half

pound. You could literally hold them in the palm of your hand," Mrs Dijon

explained. "Now, they've tripled in size and they're doing really well. They

all appear to be fat, happy, and healthy."

The dogs will be available for adoption by the end of December. For now, Mrs

Dijon said it is important for them to stay together.

"We'll be placing them, and they will be vaccinated," Mrs Dijon said. "They're

not quite ready for Christmas. They really need to stay with their litter

mates for awhile."

Pet Connection will charge a small fee for the dogs, just enough to cover the

cost of the vaccinations and the trips to the veterinarian.

So far this year, Newtown Animal Control has placed 23 homeless dogs,

according to Mr Mattegat. He said abandoning the puppies constitutes cruelty

to animals and would warrant the arrest of whoever left the puppies to fend

for themselves.