5

The Wonderdog turned 5 yesterday, but the date doesn't really mark his birthday although that's the way we think of it.

Five years ago yesterday:

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To: Recipient List Suppressed
From: doyle
Re Wish us luck!
Date: July 17, 2000

Earlier this year we gave Lucky, our 17-year-old black Lab, his freedom. That left Tank, Lucky's 8-year-old yellow son, alone (without another dog) for the first time in his life. Knowing Tank's not built that way, months before I'd asked Doc — our dog vet — to keep an eye out *after* Lucky was gone for a Lab that needed a good home.

A week after we buried Lucky, the phone rang. Another one of Doc's regular customers had found a Lab-mix lying on the side of the interstate. Perhaps 18-months old, he had numerous, severe lacerations and both of his front legs were broken.

With no collar, there was no way to find his owner. Animal Control and the Humane Society would, of course, be contacted to see if anyone reported a missing dog but if no one had *or* no one came forward . . . were we interested in him.

To make a long story as short as possible, Starbuck — he was given that name by hospital staff because of the small, misshapen star on his chocolate chest — will be in his new home full-time starting this afternoon. His new home, of course, is ours.