Patch Pet of the Month: Jumpin’ JohnnyJack Flash

It is with disbelief that I find myself still at the shelter after all this time. 

Here I have provided non-stop company to so many incoming dogs, sharing my kennel, food and good humor. I have bravely ventured out with various volunteers to places far and wide to strut my particular stuff to strangers, unfamiliar dogs and little kids that have their way with me. 

My ears have been pulled. My tail has been grabbed and I face it all with an unflagging hope that one of these visitors, one of these days, will take me home forever.

When I first arrived I was one of many “Jacks” and everyone got us mixed up, so I offered to be “Johnny” and now they all call me JohnnyJack. If you’re up on your beagle info, you know that we are very social and want to be with our people. We are especially fond of kids and will cuddle right in with just about anyone. 

We do not want to be alone for 10 hours a day, or cast out in a yard and told to exercise ourselves. Yes, it’s true that we let our noses provide most of the outdoor entertainment which is why we need a securely fenced yard or a person on the other end of the leash to be truly safe. It may seem like we cannot hear people when we are on scent, but we love food and treats an awful lot and offering a reward for following commands is the fastest way for us to learn to pay better attention!

More on the pro side of beagles like myself is the fact that we are not very big and shed very little. I’m about 25 pounds—still young and healthy—a typical tri-color, with big brown eyes and a heart of gold. 

The people that know me well have a hard time explaining to passers-by that the barking and whining I do in my kennel is not what defines me. It is my only means of getting attention and letting them know how miserable I am to be captive for so many hours a day. It’s boring and loud and I have no one to comfort me, stroke my head or scratch my rump.

Quite a few beagles here have come and gone, but I can’t seem to break through the glass ceiling, so I am asking you—all of you—to please give me a chance. I’m not talking about a 30-second shot of you staring at me flipping out in my kennel. That’s me blinded by seeing a person who could unlatch my gate, clip a leash to my collar, whisk me off my feet, put me in their car and take me away from all this. 

I’m talking about a proper interview—a 30-minute, one-on-one without interruption (and some treats of course)—so that I can truly show you what a nice, friendly, gentle dog I am. Only then will you be able to judge whether this beagle is ready for prime time in your home.

For more information about JohnnyJack and to meet him, contact Geneva at 412-651-6843 or contact Cindy at 412-576-3445, cindy.coupe@verizon.net.

Angel Ridge Animal Rescue
724-229-7053
390 Old Hickory Ridge Road
Washington, PA 15301 www.angelridgeanimalrescue.orgHours: Tues.-Sun. 12-5 p.m.