April 20th 2010 9:03 am
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Abraham Lincoln once said “that some achieve great success is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.”

Who would have thought that a small beagle pup whose days were numbered would go on to affect so many lives. Mike was found at three months old wandering the streets of a large New Jersey city. Picked up by dog control and taken to the Newark Humane Society shelter, Mike (then called Happy by the shelter) sat for days. It seemed that no one in the large city was interested in a small three colored pup, but rather in larger, more intimidating dogs that could help them protect their homes and property.

With only a few days left for Mike, the shelter personnel, taken by his “happy” personality, worked hard to get him transferred to a suburban shelter where perhaps his odds of finding a furever home would be increased.

It was there that we found him, quite by chance. Our guess was that he was a Christmas present that turned out to be more work than the family bargained for. It was love at first sight for us and his soon to be fur sister. Mike lit up our lives and those of our neighbors from the very beginning.

So when we learned that at age five, Mike had a cancerous tumor in his leg, we were devastated. After traveling to three different specialists, the decision was made to amputate the leg to save him. Mike overcame this obstacle, with the same tenacity and sweet disposition with which he approached life. In fact it was a turning point.

We quickly learned that Mike’s unquenchable spirit was an inspiration to all around him. There is not a single person in our town that doesn’t know him and call out his name when he walks by.

Today at age 12, Mike works as a therapy dog with people in wheelchairs, those who have lost limbs and the many elderly who live in our town. He shows young children that being different is okay.

The fact is, this young pup, who was almost sentenced to death, makes a difference in the lives of all he meets. That’s the difference adoption CAN make.