Langley Advance
A dog exemplifies paying it forward
Roxanne Hooper, Langley Advance
Published: Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Langley City's Jessie Perri possibly saved Mack's life by adopting him from Langley Animal Protection Society last July. But this canine companion has been paying it forward ever since.
Mack the Knight, as he's since been ordained in the Perri household, is a four-year-old purebred soft-coated Wheaton terrier that came into Perri's life by fluke or purpose - depending on who you ask.
Two years previous, Perri was forced to put down her 16-year-old poodle-cross Madonna, and was still missing her terribly.
Mack the Knight.
Knowing she could never replace Madonna, Perri decided to look at adopting a different breed of dog. Maybe because of her Irish heritage, she considered adopting the rather rare Wheaton.
She spent eight months conversing with a breeder in Saskatchewan, and was preparing to buy a purebred puppy but still struggling with the high cost ($900 included the dog's airfare).
"I finally said a little prayer out loud, while at my ironing board," Perri said. A few days later her prayers were answered when she received a pamphlet from Langley Animal Protection Society.
She called immediately, only to learn the shelter had just picked up a Wheaton, found running alongside the freeway.
Perri was at the Aldergrove animal shelter within minutes.
"I saw him, and I knew he was mine," Perri said.
"Mack the Knight has paid it forward to me. He makes me walk and stay healthy," but it's more than just that.
"He has chased away some young men throwing rocks at my house at 3 a.m. He barreled out on the deck barking, and they fled. He knew when a B&E was being attempted at my neighbours and he ran through the house barking. He even knew when I left my purse at the front door, and he kept barking and running to the front door 'til I opened it. He even accompanies me to Starbucks and gives a reason to talk to many new friends - young and old - thanks to his beauty and friendliness toward them. He pays it forward every day."