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One Life Saved Two

UPDATE: On Tuesday, with his terminally ill dog's suffering too much for him to bear, Scott Seymore had his heroic dog Brittney euthanized by his veterinarian in Grand Rapids, Mich. Keep reading to find out what made Brittney such a hero.

Scott Seymore has his bulldog, Brittney, to thank for his life. Brittney has Seymore to thank for extending hers.

Two weeks ago, Seymore, who lives in Grand Rapids, Mich., learned that his 9-year-old American bulldog has several cancerous tumors. Seymore's veterinarian didn't think Brittney would survive surgery and Seyore thought chemotherapy would be too hard on her.

Seymore chose medication to ease Brittney's pain instead of putting her down. The vet expected Brittney to die within a few weeks.

Early Saturday, a barking Brittney woke Seymore in time for both of them to escape from Seymour's burning house. Firefighters told The Grand Rapids Press the house might be a total loss.

Just like "It's a Wonderful Life," it's amazing to see how one life - or, in this case, one humane decision - can affect so many other lives.

Godspeed, Brittney. May your owner truly appreciate what you gave him.

The First Words Michael Vick Should Say

Michael Vick, the former NFL star quarterback and the convicted dog killer, left a federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan., early today. The first chance he has to say something into a microphone or to a reporter, his words should go something like this:

"I am sorry. I'm sorry I killed dogs. I'm sorry I had people kill dogs. I'm sorry I abused dogs or had them abused. I'm sorry I paid for dogs to be used in fighting rings. I'm sorry I encouraged dogfighting and attended dogfights.

"All of it was wrong, and I am profoundly sorry for the pain and suffering I and my associates inflicted on all of those dogs."

That would be a start.

Vick left prison this morning to begin the home confinement portion of his 23-month federal sentence for financing a dogfighting ring and participating in the executions of pit bulls who performed poorly in the ring.

Already there is word from the Humane Society of the United States that Vick wants to work with the animal-rights group to speak out against dogfighting among urban teens. Society president Wayne Pacelle told The Associated Press that he met with Vick at the prison after Vick's legal team approached him.

That's another good sign.

After all of those "I'm sorry's" are said and work is done by Vick to speak out against dogfighting, then maybe it will be time to think once again about football. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said as much Tuesday: "Michael's going to have to demonstrate to myself and the general public and to a lot of people, did he learn anything from this experience? Does he regret what happened? Does he feel that he can be a positive influence going forward?"

Goodell will have the only vote that matters on Vick's reinstatement to the NFL. And that won't happen before Vick's time in federal custody ends July 20.

PAWS for People's Boo Radley Dies

Boo Radley, the golden retriever with soft, red fur and a gentle way with people, died Thursday at the PAWS for People office, surrounded by the people who loved him. He was the original PAWS for People and PAWS for Reading dog.

The 11-year-old dog, owned by Lynne Robinson, executive director of PAWS for People in Hockessin, was diagnosed last fall with coetaneous lymphoma.

Boo retired April 26 after six years of service and 3,000 visits to nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and to libraries, where children polished their reading skills by reading to him, often as they petted his soft fur.

"Boo was a gentle, faithful and loving companion with an unmatched intuition that made him a remarkable therapy dog," The PAWS staff said. "He will be missed by everyone he has touched."

Boo and Lynne started pet therapy visits in 2003, two years before Lynne founded PAWS.

If you would like to pay tribute to Boo, PAWS for People has set up a fund to memorialize him and to continue the therapy work he was famous for. Send checks to: PAWS for People, Box 1353, Hockessin, DE 19707.

If you would like to send a personal condolence to Lynn, send it to PAWS for People, 14 S. Parkway, Elkton, MD 21921.

Name Your Best Dog Parks in Delaware

We're compiling a list of the best dog parks in Delaware - sorry, nearby Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey, we'll catch you next time - and I would love to hear what you think.

Besides the park closest to your house, where do you love to go with your dogs? Is there a bark park you favor? A park that is a little less crowded? A place where your dog can dip a paw into the water? A park that you enjoy as much as your dog?

Please include the park, why you an dog enjoy it, and your name and daytime phone number, and e-mail your information to pets@delawareonline.com. I'll include your best suggestions in the list.

The Best at The Weekend's Dog Shows

It was a warm weekend for thousands of dogs to perform for the judges and animal lovers at the campgrounds at Lums Pond State Park, but one of the event's organizers pronounced the whole thing a success.

The Best in Show winners for the Wilmington Kennel Club's shows on Friday and Saturday, and the Penn Treaty Kennel Club's show on Sunday were:

Friday: A Doberman - Ch. Allure Blazing Star Allisaton, owned by Julie Porter, Carmen Pitts and Nancy Bosley of Cary, N.C.

Saturday: A smooth fox terrier - Ch. Foxlorr Double Dare, owned by Jane Gardner and Lorraine Gyenge of Newtown Square, Pa.

Sunday: A boxer. The name and owners were not immediately available.

"It was awfully hot, but we managed," said Martha Doerner, co-chairman of the shows and treasurer for the kennel club. "The three days were just a real success and all the exhibitors were thrilled."

On Saturday, a 160-pound Irish wolfhound named Rebel that I met, had just had a couple of water ices to keep cool as he rested in the shade. He is a former competitor, but was at the shows this weekend as a Canine Good Citizen. The 6-year-old pooch from southern Virginia is a therapy dog to people undergoing rehab. (They don't have to bend down at all to pet this gentle dog.)

And I watched the Portuguese water dogs in action. They are beautiful dogs, who are attentive to their handlers and seem filled with energy.

Walk for the Animals Saturday in Rehoboth

Talk some water and a portable or not-so-portable dish if you're participating in Saturday's Walk for the Animals at the Beach.

The two-mile walk - a fundraiser for the Delaware Humane Association - begins with registration at 11 a.m. and the walk at noon at the north end of the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk. On-site sign-ups are welcome. Registration is $25.

For every $10,000 raised, the humane association's spay/neuter team gives a day of free spay/neuter surgeries. That's a win-win for animals and the people who love them.

Sandy Leigh from the humane association says about 200-300 people and their dogs are expected. "And it's going to be such a nice day," she added.

Nice - and warm. The forecast calls for sunshine and clouds mixed, with a high of 83 and southwesterly winds at 5-10 mph. That's especially hot for this time of year, so, if you're walking, you and your dog will need to keep hydrated. Pack a dish and get him or her a drink or two along the way.

A Warning About Lawn Mowers and Hiding Cats

What happened to Mia (right) is a painful and shocking reminder for all cat owners, especially during this time of the year.

Lorraine passed along her sad story in hopes that her pain might not be repeated by another cat owner. Her husband pulled out the lawn mower last weekend and went back into the shed. Their cat Mia crawled under the lawn mower and up into the grass catcher.

When her husband John returned, he had no idea that Mia was in the grass catcher and he started the mower. He heard a thumping.

"He stopped the mower and lifted the bottom and Mia ran out before the blades stopped," Lorraine wrote to me. "It took us an hour to catch her because she was in shock."

As you might imagine, Mia's injuries are many. Her left paw is broken and she had to have her toes amputated. Her right foot is fractured and twisted, and her bottom lip was torn from her jaw.

Lorraine said Mia underwent surgery and is recovering, but it all will take time.

To avoid the kind of horror that Lorraine and John went through, please remember to check under your lawn mower for cats and other small animals - just as it's important to pop your car hood and check the engine since cats love to curl up there, especially if the engine is still warm from running. It's a curiosity that many of them just cannot resist.

Lorraine's pain is apparent, but her concern for others to avoid something similar is abundant: "[It's] a horrifying and expensive lesson learned that maybe another family (or cat) won't have to go through."