Life has a beautiful way of surprising us, and sometimes, those surprises come in the form of a furry, four-legged companion. Meet Johanna Carrington, a remarkable centenarian who, despite a life filled with challenges, has always carried a deep love for dogs.
Johanna’s journey began in war-torn Germany, where owning a dog was a distant dream. She and her late husband once shared their home with eight Pekingese dogs, a testament to their shared love for these loyal creatures. However, when her beloved dog Rocky passed away, Johanna was left feeling alone in her house, yearning for a furry friend.
One might think that, at the age of 100, adopting another dog could be a challenge. Johanna was uncertain if the shelter would allow someone of her age to adopt. Fortunately, a caring neighbor who supports Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco suggested that this organization might have the perfect solution.
Muttville Senior Dog Rescue recognized that Johanna Carrington and a senior dog would be an ideal match. After careful consideration, Johanna adopted Gnocchi, a charming 11-year-old Chihuahua, whom she lovingly renamed Gucci.
Gucci’s life had a rocky start; he was rescued from a hoarding situation where his previous owner had 22 dogs. Being the only pampered pooch in his new home brought him immense joy. Johanna’s caregiver, Eddie Martinez, and her daughter, Debbie Carrington, made a heartfelt commitment to ensure that Gucci’s golden years would be filled with love and care.
The moment Gucci entered his new home, he seemed to recognize that he belonged there. Johanna recalled the heartwarming first encounter, saying, “He approached the home as though he’d been here before. It was incredible. When he spotted me seated in my chair, he leapt up and perched on my lap. He made himself extremely at ease. Right away, he was just our kid.”
Now, Gucci enjoys a life fit for a pampered pup. He has “oodles and oodles” of toys to play fetch with, daily back massages while watching TV with his new mom, and even the privilege of burrowing under the covers in bed for extra comfort.
Debbie Carrington, Johanna’s daughter, shared how Gucci’s arrival transformed their home, saying, “It was sort of sad here after she lost her other dog. It was silent and melancholy until Gucci came in and brought excitement into the house. Laughing at him running around and doing silly things, and then him resting on her lap with her when she’s in her chair or bed, it’s just making her very happy.”
The heartwarming bond between Johanna and Gucci is a testament to the joy and companionship that animals bring into our lives, regardless of age. In fact, scientific research supports the positive impact of pet ownership on emotional and social well-being, particularly in older individuals.
As Johanna approaches her 101st birthday in December, she and Gucci plan to celebrate this special milestone together. For Johanna, dogs have played a significant role in her long and healthy life, proving that the love between a human and their furry friend knows no age limits.
In a world that often seems fast-paced and hectic, the story of Johanna and Gucci reminds us of the simple yet profound happiness that animals can bring into our homes and hearts.
51 DOGS RESCUED FROM THE DOG MEAT TRADE IN VIETNAM
Dr. Katherine Polak, Head of Stray Animal Care Southeast Asia for FOUR PAWS
The dog meat trade is big business in Vietnam and threatens the lives of millions of dogs every year, many of them pets. Every day, pets are violently snatched off the streets, from yards, and even while out on a walk with their owners. These unlucky dogs make a brutal journey to slaughterhouses, markets, and restaurants, where a gruesome death awaits them. But times are changing, and the brutality and illegality of pet theft is no longer being tolerated by Vietnamese authorities.
In a landmark case, police in Thanh Hoa Province received a tip off regarding a gang of dog thieves believed to have stolen thousands of dogs since the beginning of the year. On September 15, 2019 the police successfully carried out the largest ever bust of a dog theft ring in Vietnam, resulting in the seizure of 51 dogs. According to the police, the gang carried stun guns and other sharp weapons, and rode motorbikes through residential areas late at night shooting dogs roaming outside. Police arrested a total of 16 suspected gang members and questioned more than 40 suspects. The gang not only brutalized neighborhood dogs, but also caused outrage among local people, particularly pet owners.
Following the interception, Police struggled to properly care for the confiscated dogs given their limited capacity for animal care, so the Asia Canine Protection Alliance (ACPA), of which FOUR PAWS is a member, stepped in to offer assistance. There were 13 dogs in need of immediate medical care due to severe wounds sustained during capture. Dogs with painful open wounds were anaesthetised, treated, provided pain medication and antibiotics, and housed in a temporary shelter for ongoing treatment.
The Asia Canine Protection Alliance is an international alliance of four animal protection organizations committed to ending the illegal trade of dogs in Vietnam: FOUR PAWS, Animals Asia, Humane Society International, and Change for Animals Foundation. ACPA is working to build collaborative relationships with the governments throughout Southeast Asia where the dog meat trade is prevalent, and has already secured a moratorium on the trade in dogs between Thailand and Vietnam.
Following the confiscation, the police publicised the bust throughout the province using local media so that stolen dogs could be reunited with their families.
Over the course of 2 weeks, all 51 dogs were successful reunited with their owners, who were devastated by their pets’ disappearance.
This bust pets a major precedent as dog theft is rarely treated as a criminal offense in Vietnam unless the canines are valued at more than VND2 million ($86).
“These arrests will hopefully go a long way in deterring future dog theft in Thanh Hoa Province, and potentially throughout all of Vietnam. While the dog meat trade is often defended as ‘culture’ or ‘tradition’, the reality is that there are significant health and societal impacts associated with the trade and these are becoming of ever-growing concern within Vietnam and internationally.”
Earlier in the week, the Food Safety Management Board of Ho Chi Minh City urged locals to stop eating dog meat in an effort to improve Vietnam’s national image with tourists. They also warned the local community of the health risks posed by consuming the unregulated meat. This followed a similar call by the Hanoi People’s Committee last year.
In addition to membership in ACPA, FOUR PAWS also runs a ‘Cats Matter Too program‘ in Central Vietnam with local charities PAWS for Compassion and Vietnam Cat Welfare to improve veterinary training, animal welfare education, and provide free spay/neuter services.
Leave a Reply