Bob and Sheila Eckenrode have always liked dogs but never had one.

Finally their lives were such that a canine addition to the family was possible. For years they had read The Newtown Bee and sometimes checked the Adopt Me column. It was there that they saw the write up about Carson, a young collie-shepherd mix with a happy face.

They went to the Newtown Pound and Carolee Mason introduced them to Carson and it was love at first sight. This seemed to be the dog for them. However, Carson was being treated for heartworm and could not be released to them right away. With a little patience and some further treatment, Carson came home to his new family.

The family consists of not only Bob and Sheila but also their two children, Kaelyn and Robert, Jr., and two cats. The children welcomed him enthusiastically and even the cats accepted him right away. Although Carson (renamed Bear) was a bit shy at first, he had no problem adjusting to this new home.

The last of his heartworm treatments and some tender loving care have left him fit and healthy, with a shining coat and a sweet disposition. He greets visitors warmly and obviously loves his new surroundings as well as his new family. Bob, who is usually home, is his special buddy. Together they go for long walks and car rides or just hang out together at home. 

Bear has charmed other members of the family as well. The Eckenrodes often take him to visit Sheila’s mother who loves his company. And, sometimes Bear has visited Sheila’s aunt in a nursing home where he delights her as well as many of the other residents.

With that smiling, happy face of his, Bear could easily be the poster dog for pound animals. Now, that is something to smile about!

– written by Mary Gaudet-Wilson, member of Canine Advocates of Newtown, a group which provides daily walks for the dogs at the Newtown Pound, finances for shots and neutering, publicity for adoptions, and the raising of funds for a new pound facility.