Kong toy saves senior dog at Mississippi animal shelter

Posted on Mar 25, 2008 By Julia Szabo Comments (1)

The Humane Society of South Mississippi made history as the animal shelter where director Joe Camp ended his nationwide search for a mutt to star in the 2004 sequel to his 1970s classic of canine cinema, Benji. Now the shelter is making headlines again as the location of a Hollywood-style happy ending for a senior dog previously feared unadoptable.

A mixed-breed named Easy Boy was feeling dejected, and wouldn't lift his head when potential adopters stopped by the door of his run. Shelter staffers worried about his dwindling chances of finding a home. Then they discovered what makes him come alive: a durable, rubber Kong toy.

By the time Bryan Ladnier and his wife saw the dog, "He was alert and active," Ladnier recalls, "and as soon as he caught my eye, he grabbed the toy lying in front of him and brought it to the gate." Wagging his tail hopefully, Easy Boy made eye contact with Ladnier, and resistance was futile. "We took him for a short walk," Ladnier says, "and the decision was sealed."

Easy Boy now shares his new home with six other rescued dogs and one little girl. "My daughter is always happy to keep him chasing after his Kong," Ladnier says. "It's the same toy he carried in his mouth the day we found him." 

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