For Pete's Sake

Remembering Pete - our mascot, our inspiration and companion for the first 7 years - he was head and shoulders above the rest!

By Janna Hage

In December 2000, a couple boating on the Columbia River saw a bedraggled, yellow mop of fur clinging to the rocks along the river bank. As they passed by, the mop lifted it's head and whined. They had found Pete.

He was wet, cold and very thin. He was also depressed and not overly crazy about people at that point. After a successful search for his owners, the good samaritans found out that he wasn't wanted any more. Pete was on his own.

The couple gave him to an elderly gentleman for a companion - he promptly ran away. Strike 1.

A lady at a local supermarket found him and took him home - he snapped at her five year old son who had jumped on him. Strike 2.

When Pete finally made it to Home at Last he was on strike 3.

I took him home, cleaned him up, fattened him up and completely fell in love. This scraggly, downtrodden dog expected nothing from you. He was very independent and was used to being on his own. He didn't know what to do with toys or chew sticks. His new soft bed was rejected at first - he was used to sleeping outside in the dirt. But he was greatful for anything you gave him. Any scrap was appreciated and eventually he learned to not only appreciate the good life, but how to demand more.

When I look at Pete and remember how he was when we first saw him, and see him now shiny and happy, visiting patients on his weekly rounds at The Oregon Veterans Home or greeting visitors at his very own pet supply store named in his honor- "Pete's Pet Place" I am inspired. He had the courage to keep going no matter what. No more "strikes" just seven amazing years of love and companionship, and hundreds of hands that have reached out to pet the shaggy three legged dog that just wouldn't give up.

He is my motivation and he is here to remind me every morning why I started Home at Last and why we need to continue. For Pete's sake and for the sake of all the others like him still out there that need us to rescue them too.




		For Pete's Sake Remembering Pete - our mascot, our inspiration and companion for the first 7 years - he was head and shoulders above the rest! *By Janna Hage* In December 2000, a couple boating on the Columbia River saw a bedraggled, yellow mop of fur clinging to the rocks along the river bank. As they passed by, the mop lifted it's head and whined. They had found Pete. He was wet, cold and very thin. He was also depressed and not overly crazy about people at that point. After a successful search for his owners, the good samaritans found out that he wasn't wanted any more. Pete was on his own. The couple gave him to an elderly gentleman for a companion - he promptly ran away. Strike 1. A lady at a local supermarket found him and took him home - he snapped at her five year old son who had jumped on him. Strike 2. When Pete finally made it to Home at Last he was on strike 3. I took him home, cleaned him up, fattened him up and completely fell in love. This scraggly, downtrodden dog expected nothing from you. He was very independent and was used to being on his own. He didn't know what to do with toys or chew sticks. His new soft bed was rejected at first - he was used to sleeping outside in the dirt. But he was greatful for anything you gave him. Any scrap was appreciated and eventually he learned to not only appreciate the good life, but how to demand more. When I look at Pete and remember how he was when we first saw him, and see him now shiny and happy, visiting patients on his weekly rounds at The Oregon Veterans Home or greeting visitors at his very own pet supply store named in his honor- "Pete's Pet Place" I am inspired. He had the courage to keep going no matter what. No more "strikes" just seven amazing years of love and companionship, and hundreds of hands that have reached out to pet the shaggy three legged dog that just wouldn't give up. He is my motivation and he is here to remind me every morning why I started Home at Last and why we need to continue. For Pete's sake and for the sake of all the others like him still out there that need us to rescue them too.