This puppy will be available for adoption this weekend at the pet show. Animals Also Available For Adoption At Pet Show Animal Control Booth Features Four “Special Needs” Pets By Mike Shands Some special Watauga County animals need some special homes. Volunteers with Watauga County Animal Control hope to help those animals find loving homes this weekend by bringing them to the 15th Annual Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Pet Show. The animals will be available at an animal control information booth Saturday, Sept. 27 in the town’s Memorial Park. The pet show begins about 11 a.m., but the animals available for adoption will be in the park from about 10 a.m. to about 1 p.m. Those available for adoption include four “special needs” animals – two cats, a puppy and a dog. There will also probably be some other pets from animal control available for adoption. Debra Grosswald, an animal control volunteer and emergency rescue foster parent for animals, said all four of the special needs animals are neutered, up to date on their shots and have been wormed. Two Of A Kind Grosswald said the two adult male cats’ only special need is that she wants them to be adopted together. “I would really like them to go together to a loving, affectionate home,” she said. “I’ve been really holding out to get them adopted together.” The cats’ owner, a woman of about 40 years old, died of cancer, leaving a 15-year-old daughter, a 3-year-old boy, two dogs and the two cats. “The dogs got adopted, the children went off to different family members and there was nobody to take the cats,” Grosswald said. Animal control volunteers hope someone will adopt these two cats together. Someone who knew of Grosswald’s animal rescue work notified her of the cats’ dilemma. She went to pick them up, but could find only one that day. She returned a few days later, found the second one and brought him home to reunite the pair. “When they saw each other they ran towards each other, embraced and rolled around,” Grosswald said. “They’re just really close with each other. They’ve been through a lot, and they love each other. They’re really a set.” That’s why Grosswald doesn’t want to separate the orange tabby and gray tabby. “They are the sweetest, most loving, wonderful cats,” she said. “They’re fabulous pets. They are very affectionate. They’re very well socialized. They like other cats, they like dogs and they like people.” One of the cats was in a car accident two years ago and suffered an eye injury, but a veterinarian was able to save the eye. “You can tell something happened to the eye, but it doesn’t get in the way of his life or the quality of his life,” Grosswald said. “The person who owned them took really good care of these animals. She went the extra mile to take care of her pets.” Puppy Love The 5- to 6-month-old puppy was hit by a car and possibly attacked by another dog, Grosswald said. “It had quite a bit of trauma,” she said. “When it came in to the veterinarian’s office it was blind, but they brought him around. He’s fine now, physically, and he’s even got his eyesight back.” Because of that trauma at such a young age the puppy is shy. “He is a very sweet dog, but his special need is that he was traumatized so he is a little shy and nervous,” Grosswald said. “He needs a home where he can get some tender loving care.” She said the Border collie mix is housebroken and enjoys being around other dogs and cats. Still Having Fun The fourth of the special needs animals is a dog that was hit by a car. “He was brought to a veterinarian and had to have a leg amputated,” Grosswald said. “He has no emotional needs, but he’s got three legs and needs a home. “He’s beautiful, is extremely affectionate and would make a fabulous family pet. He has no idea he has only three legs.” Those who can’t attend Saturday’s pet show will still have a chance to meet all of the animals who aren’t adopted. Animal control volunteers will bring the animals to Lowe’s Hardware in Boone Sunday from about 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone interested in seeing them before or after this weekend can also call (828) 264-6797 for more information. Grosswald reminded pet owners to have their animals spayed or neutered. She also said pets, especially ones that go outside, should wear up-to-date identification tags.