Dog thriving after his second chance at life

Credit: Bruce Matlock photo

By: Donna Swicegood | Statesville Record & Landmark
Published: July 24, 2010

Seven months ago, Teddy, a Corgi mix, faced spending the rest of his life in a kennel at a no-kill animal shelter.
Now, thanks to training to help conquer the little dog's extreme shyness and four months in a foster home learning how to be a proper dog, Teddy is a treasured member of a new family that includes seven cats.
Teddy was recently adopted by Clyde and Jan Swedenberg of Mooresville, and the Swedenbergs are thrilled with the new member of their family.
"He is a great dog," Jan Swedenberg said.
Teddy was surrendered to the Catawba County Humane Society in December 2007. He was 2 ½-years-old and and had spent his life tied to a doghouse in the backyard.
As a result of little human interaction during those years, Teddy was beyond shy. He was terrified of people.
He didn't greet people coming to look for a new pet; instead he cowered in the back of the kennel. As time went on, Teddy stood little chance of adoption.
However, his fortunes began to change in November 2009, when some animal lovers from Iredell County spotted him at the Catawba Humane Society and noted the fact he'd been there nearly two years.
Deciding he deserved a second chance, several people sprung into action.
Jason Purgason and his staff at Highland Canine, a training facility in Harmony, agreed to work with Teddy to socialize him and increase his chances for adoption.
Others contributed money to buy dog food for him until he was adopted.
Teddy spent the next two months in "doggie boot camp" at Highland Canine.
Trainer Jared Komar said it took two weeks of hand-feeding Teddy to get him to come around, but after that, he proved to be a quick study.
With doggie boot camp behind him, Teddy moved to a foster home and began the process of looking for a forever home.
That process included going to adoption fairs in Hickory and a posting on a website called Petfinder.
The Swedenbergs, or at least Jan, found him on Petfinder.
They were looking for a dog to join their family after losing their beloved dalmatian, Daisy.
While in Houston visiting her daughter, Jan began looking at Petfinder.
Scrolling through the list of dogs available for adoption, Jan spotted Teddy and knew he was the one.
"I knew he was our dog," she said. "I didn't look at any others."
Jan said she was attracted by Teddy's cute face and biography, which included the facts that he was housebroken and did well with cats.
At 5 years old, he was a little older than she wanted, but everything else about him was perfect.
After returning home to Mooresville, she talked to Clyde and within a few days, Teddy became their dog.
Having served as a foster for cats through the Humane Society of Iredell, Jan was familiar with the adjustment period some animals take in their new homes, so she and Clyde gave Teddy the time to become acclimated.
But it didn't take long. Soon after he arrived at the Swedenbergs, he jumped into Clyde's lap.
Now, he cuddles with them on the couch and watches television.
"We bought him a 'Rin Tin Tin' movie, but he wasn't interested," Clyde said.
The Swedenbergs said they are thankful for the people who stepped in to give Teddy this second chance.
"We are really happy to have him," she said.

Dog thriving after his second chance at life

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