Alistar

Hello, everyone, my name is Alistair. I am a handsome buff male cocker spaniel, about 10 years old. I have lived a fairly long life as dog years go. I guess my family thought I'd lived long enough, because one day I found myself wandering the streets of Queens, having been thrown out to fend for myself. What a way to treat a senior! It's certainly not what I expected after years of loyal service to those I loved. Anyway, eventually a woman in Flushing found me and kept me in her home for a while, before finding a local cocker rescue called Abandoned Angels. She called Abandoned Angels and asked if they would take me, but AA was overrun with lots of cockers in just my predicament, and asked if she could keep me until they had more space. I guess the lady couldn't hold me, because one day she put me in her car and drove me to Animal Control in Manhattan. Boy was that ever a terrible place … I suppose by now I've seen it all. Although the experience made me wiser, frankly, I could really have done without it. I did my best to win potential adopters over with my great big smile and happy wiggle, but no one wanted to adopt a senior boy like me. Eventually, Animal Control called Abandoned Angels once again, and this time AA took me in. I was driven back to Flushing, almost where I'd started, and taken to a vet. I was rather relieved to receive medical care, as my ears have been hurting me for what seems like forever. The vet soon diagnosed not just a terrible infection, but severe calcification of my ear canals, which requires ear ablation surgery. Given how expensive the surgery is, I was rather worried that I might be turned out into the street again, but Abandoned Angels told me not to worry. I have already had surgery on one of my ears and am doing just great! The first morning after surgery, I woke up, ate a big breakfast, and wandered around the clinic a bit wagging my tail. In a few weeks, my other ear will be operated on, and once I recover, I will be ready for a new home. I will be rather hard of hearing after the surgeries are over, but at least I will no longer be in pain.

I have learned now to expect the unexpected … so although it may be hoping for a lot to expect that a wonderful family will want to adopt an older boy like me, perhaps you will unexpectedly appear to take me home. I sure hope so. I have a FABULOUS TEMPERAMENT and will be GREAT WITH KIDS, as well as OTHER PETS. In fact, I am such a loving boy, that I am sure to be great with everyone. Don't pass me by just because I am an older dog. I have been through a lot, but my spirit is intact.