Date of Adoption: May 8, 1998
Date of Birth: Summer 1996
Nicknames: Joey, Joe Cool, Crazy
Joe Whitesocks
Favorites: Snuggle Time, people, his den, tug of war,
dogs, lemon poppy seed
muffins, meat, snow, winter, the color brown, the
blues
Height: 24" Weight: 55 lbs.
Dislikes: Thunder,
guns, dogs with bad manners
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On February 14, 1998, I met my canine valentine; the Concord SPCA was having it's Valentine's Day open house and I had gone to bring dog toys and treats. Joe, a foxhound, looked into my eyes, and it was love at first sight. I inquired about him at the desk, but he was already spoken for with a waiting list of interested people. I kept his picture from the newspaper on my desk and looked at it daily, I dreamed about him. On May 8, I became Joe's Mom, he had been returned to the shelter repeatedly because he kept running off and could not be housebroken. Once again, our trainer Nancy Fantom gave great advice about housebreaking and he was trustworthy 2 days later. Within 2 weeks, he passed his preliminary evaluation for Therapy Pet, which is a variation of a canine good citizen test. A few months later Joe received his certification through Love on a Leash. I want to thank the hunter who turned Joe in to the shelter for being gun shy when hunting coyotes, and the families who gave up on Joe and gave us the opportunity to share our lives with a truly remarkable dog. How sad for you that you gave up this opportunity. A special thank you to the shelter staff for giving him "one more chance" against a lot of pressure, and to John, my human valentine, who saw me pining for a dog he never met and made sure Joe joined our family. In September of 2005, poor Joe learned why Rex was originally named 'Wrecker'. He is such a sweet and gentle dog, but he is built like a tank. Joe and Rex were running out of the gate into the pasture, and Rex broadsided him. Joe flew into the air and landed on his side across the arms of an Adirondack chair. He is showing mild neurological problems, including dragging the nails of one of his rear legs at times and trouble righting his foot when turned over. He has been having weekly visits for acupuncture with Dr. Kathy Evans and chiropractic care with Dr. Alison Davis, and shows significant improvement afterward. Joe is also developing cataracts in both eyes, but he is not showing any symptoms of vision loss. He did not have any gray until the past year, and it seems he went from being in his prime to being a senior very quickly. Although he is clearly a senior at nine and his body is showing signs of aging, you would not know it by watching him. Joe is happier and sillier now than he has ever been, and he is a joy to watch! |
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Joe came down with a sudden and severe case of SMD (Small Mouth Disease) while we were having Halloween fun. Symptoms of SMD include loss of any self-control or obedience and a major case of the sillies. It may be recognized by the mouth looking like the canine subject will start howling at any minute (see photo). |
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Joe at a class reunion, the 2000
Concord SPCA Walk for the Animals. Photo by Geoff
Hansen, used with permission. |
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Joe is a Therapy Pet with Love on a Leash. The friends he meets while working are very happy to see him. |
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Joe pounces on his prey, the elusive
tennis ball. |
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Ahh, it's good to be
a dog! |
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Joe surveys the property. He can never let his guard down, in case of vicious attack cats! |
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Joe often looks like he's lost deep in thought...translated the look means, 'You gonna eat that?' |
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