He wasn’t in their family for very long but the indelible mark he left on their hearts inspired them to help other needy animals.
Stanley, an 11-year old German Shepherd from Cheshire, Massachusetts who died in April, inspired his owners Debbie and Jim Wojtaszek, to create “Cans For Stans,” a can and bottle drive to benefit two local animal shelters.
The Wojtaszeks adopted the dog last September from the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
According to Debbie, they knew that Stanley wasn’t going to be around for a long time, but nonetheless the dog instantly became a member of the family.
“We fell head-over-heels in love with him,” she said.
The “old-timer” was gentle and loving, she said. And, despite his age, was full of life.
“Nobody told him he was old,” said Debbie. “He was so energetic. He’d chase a ball until your arm would fall off.”
Stanley’s death left a “gaping emptiness” in the family.”
“I needed to do something,” said Debbie. And she did.
Saturday, Debbie and Jim were out in front of their local Petco in Pittsfield, Massachusetts collecting cans, bottles and donations.
Around 50 people, many of whom they didn’t know, donated either money or dropped off cans and bottles, she said. In the end, they received around $200 in donations.
The items they collected will be recycled with all the proceeds going to sponsor older pet adoptions at two animal shelters in Pittsfield, Massachusetts — the Berkshire Humane Society and the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter.
The money will help provide the animals medical care so that they will be more adoptable, she said.
The Wojtaszeks, who are planning to adopt another older dog at some point, will be continuing to do can and bottle pick-ups for the next few weeks as they consider their next step, which may include monthly pick-ups.
“I think Stanley would approve,” Debbie said.
For further information, call the Wojtaszeks at (413) 743-3836.
this is wonderful to give this dog of a packfeeling in is old age ,so he can die in peace and feel loved as he passes i love this familie for doing this thank u!!!
We took in an old, abused, deaf and partially blind black lab and gave him the best six months of his life!! He was a blessing for us, and we will never forget what a sweet, lovable dog Jake was. God bless these people who took in Stanley and made his last days the best!! And it is a wonderful thing they are doing for their local shelters.
with all the meanness and hate filled things you hear about on tv and the inter-net…. it is such a breath of fresh air to hear about this great family and what they did for Stan and are doing to help older dogs have a good life. I hope anyone who can will open their heart and home for these wonderful lonely scared dogs and cats too….. our parents didn’t get rid of us after we out grew being a cute little toddler
I was sitting in my vets office when some jack#$%# said, “I am putting this dog to sleep unless someone adopts her now. She doesn’t hunt squirrels anymore.” I told him I would take her. I gave Lucy the best 6 months of her life before she developed cancer and died on the operating table. She was a real sweetheart.