When retired couple Norma and Harold Van Houten lost their 12-year-old Bearded Collie mix Mugsy, Harold recalls that he resolved, No more dogs! The pain of losing Mugsy was just too great for the Bartonville, Ill., residents. But Norma says, I wasn't used to being depressed all the time, and so she set out to find a dog to adopt.

Among the people Norma contacted was Barb Cathey of Pets for Seniors, in Edwards, Ill. Cathey suggested they adopt a 7-year-old Pomeranian mix named Teddy. Norma says she wasn't convinced that she would be happy with a dog that old. She now reveals, I'm so grateful to Barb for holding onto Teddy for me; she could have given him to someone else when I hesitated.

Pick up this month's issue of Dog Fancy for the full story.

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