Paw Prints —

Santos, The High Rock Shepherd

By Adria Henderson

For more than a year, Carolee Mason, Newtown’s Animal Control Officer, was updated on the adventures of a German Shepherd that had been roaming High Rock Road, Sandy Hook. He had eluded capture until about six months ago when he finally gave up, tired and hungry, and allowed himself to be transported to the Newtown Pound.

About that same time, Debbie Ormsby, a professional photographer who grew up in Newtown but had moved out of state for a while, decided to return to her roots in Newtown. Ormsby was looking for a dog to share her new life.  

She visited the Newtown Pound frequently looking for that special companion. As fate would have it, it was during this time that Santos, as he was named, arrived at the Pound. When she saw him Ormsby was immediately smitten. She continued to visit the pound to spend time with Santos before making the decision that would change her life and his. When he began appearing in her dreams, she knew that he was definitely the one. 

And so they began their new lives together.  

Much more willing to just lie in his bed than run around, he took to his new home without a glance back at the life he left behind. Ormsby says he is extremely, bright, sensitive and rarely makes a sound unless he feels the need to protect his new home and guardian.

Ormsby also found that Santos, who was about four to five years old, could heel and respond to basic commands. Since all her dogs were always completely obedience trained, the first order of business was to enroll Santos in obedience classes. 

It became clear at the first class that Santos had not been a nomad his whole life. He knew all his basic commands. That same night he was immediately moved up from Level 1 Obedience to Level 2. He subsequently graduated from Level 2 obedience and recently received his AKC Canine Good Citizenship Certificate. 

For Ormsby and Santos, it’s now definitely nicer in Newtown.

Adria Henderson is the owner of the Newtown-based pet-sitting company, Safe at Home, and has handled and trained more than 1,000 dogs over her 30-year professional career. She may be reached at petfocus@aol.com.