Dog's best friend
Sean HarkinsBy SEAN HARKINS
News Staff Writer
With the Huron Humane Society dealing with overcrowding in their kennels, Randy MacArthur decided to do something that could help the group and the dogs they take in.
MacArthur, a long-time dog trainer, is taking in dogs that have been at the shelter for over six months, training them and getting them acclimated to life outside the shelter. It is all part of a goal to make the dogs more adoptable.
He has had Max, a terrier-mix, for about a month. When he first got the dog, he was afraid of people and would snarl at them.
"It's not attractive to adopting whatsoever, and now he has none of that," MacArthur said.
He uses techniques made famous by Cesar Millan in his television show "Dog Whisperer". The techniques stress psychology over commands.
Taking Max from the shelter was a major step in his rehabilitation, MacArthur said.
"He was just really, really afraid, and part of it maybe just the circumstance of being out at the shelter," he said.
He said the shelter is actually owned by Alpena Community College, which lets the humane society use it. Because of that situation, it is difficult to put money into it for repairs and upgrades.
Huron Humane Society employee Angie Haskins said the organization has 35 dogs at their facility and 32 being cared for by foster families.
"We're way over our (normal) numbers," Haskins said, adding that having about 15 dogs at the facility would be ideal.
MacArthur said he is working on raising money to build a new shelter, but until then he'll continue to take in dogs to make them more adoptable.
"Normally there's never a bad dog, just dogs that have had some bad circumstances," he said.
He said he has absolutely no qualms with Max being adopted, saying he is well behaved and eager to please his owner. He said Max has been around small kids and does well with them.
MacArthur said as soon as Max is adopted he'll be bringing another dog into his home.
Anyone interested in adopting Max should call the Huron Humane Society at 356-4794. There is a $100 adoption fee.
Sean Harkins can be reached via e-mail at sharkins@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.
