Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 11, 2007 issue
For Local Man, Move to Japan Means Losing Dogs
Story by Celeste von Mangan
Gabe Thomas has sat with his two canine companions for the last four Saturdays outside Lowe’s Home Improvement Center in Boone trying to find new homes for his dogs. He has successfully placed his dog Rupert with a family, but his other dog Kere hasn’t found a home yet. Eyes brimming with unshed tears, Thomas stroked Kere’s shiny coat, knowing that in a few short weeks he will never see her again.
Lowe’s has served as a venue for the local rescue and foster group High Country Friends For Life to showcase the homeless cats and dogs from the local pound. Typically, volunteers set up an area with portable kennels and cages every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until dark. Thomas joined them when it became apparent that he would have to adopt out Rupert and Kere (rhymes with “here”).
“I accepted a teaching position in Japan for the next two years,” said Thomas. “It is the opportunity of a lifetime but this is the hardest thing I have ever done. I love this dog. Kere is the best dog I’ve ever owned. She will keep strangers out of the home when you are not there. She is better than a pistol, better than an alarm system. Kere is sweet, warm and personable. She loves to ride in cars and she will ride for 700 miles without a pee. She is perfectly house trained.”
The 8-year-old, 55-pound German Shepherd/Doberman Pinscher mix is healthy, spayed and up to date on all her shots, is on heartworm medication, flea and tick medicine, and is well mannered and clean, according to Thomas.
“If I find a really good home for her, she will be OK,” said Thomas. “Her minimum requirements would be a decent sized fenced backyard, or ideally, a little bit of property which she would be able to run on. The perfect owner, I think, would be a woman living alone in the country.”
Though Kere is friendly towards people and other dogs, she is not compatible with cats. Thomas said she bonds quickly with women, is fine with children, can easily patrol a 500-foot radius and would make a great dog to backpack and hike with. Kere has been with Thomas for the past six years; he adopted her from an owner who beat her.
“She greets my car by grabbing a bone, stick or stuffed animal in her mouth,” said Thomas, eyes brimming once again. “She runs alongside the vehicle then drops whatever is in her mouth and drags her belly on the ground. She’s perfect, to me. A true dog lover will see what an asset she is. This dog has a lot of soul.”
Time is running out for Thomas to find a home for his beloved friend, as he must leave Boone by the end of January. For more information or to adopt Kere, call Gabe Thomas at 828-963-8939 or write to him at gabelthomas@hotmail.com. Kere is also posted on the Internet. Click to www.petfinder.com.
Auddy Needs A Home Too
Another local man has to relinquish his dog Auddy, a 3-year-old female pit bull mix. She is great with people, including children, is housebroken and weighs 75 pounds. Auddy would do best as an only pet, as she does not like cats and does not always care for other dogs.
“I can’t have her where I live,” said Jackson, Auddy’s owner. “I just want to find a good home for her with someone who will be able to love her like I do.”
She is available for adoption through Watauga County Animal Control. For more information, call 828-262-1672 or contact Jackson at 828-963-2375 or 828-406-2441.