Lucky Dogs

Booboo, a white mixed breed with brown spots was brought to the SPCA by his owners when they were forced to move to a less expensive place that doesn't take pets.

Cocoa, a chocolate lab mix was dropped of there by her owners couldn't because they couldn't afford her anymore.

And then there is Maggie, a Thai Ridgeback, who was simply abandoned.

Financial problems forced her owners to leave their Dade City home to go back to California where they used to live.

A neighbor, Marijeanne Davila, knew the family was leaving but was suspicious when they told her they had found a home for the dog.

"I had a bad feeling," said Davila. "They left on Wednesday, this was Friday night. We pulled up and there was Maggie. She had been left there."

Davila couldn't keep her. "I have three dogs of my own and a few cats and birds." After a fruitless effort to find a home for Maggie, Davila took her to the SPCA where Maggie was adopted. Cocoa has also found a new home. Booboo is not as lucky but at least he's got a space at a no-kill shelter. So many other pets will end up as Maggie would have if Davila had not come along - abandoned and alone.

For more information on finding a pet contact the following agencies:

Hernando County Animal Services (HCAS) is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and closed Saturday and Sunday. Call them at 796-5062, they are located at 19450 Oliver St., Brooksville. Visit their Web site at www.hernandocounty.us/code/animal/index.asp.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is a no-kill shelter located at 9075 Grant St., Brooksville. The shelter is open seven days a week, except holidays, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The SPCA is in dire need of volunteers, consider making time in your schedule to help. For more information, call 596-7000. Visit their Web site at www.spcahernando.org.

The Humane Society of the Nature Coast (HSNC) is located at Wiscon and Mobley Roads in Brooksville. They are open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. For more information on donating or volunteering, call 796-2711. Visit their Web site at www.naturecoasthumanesociety.org.

Virginia Diaz writes regularly for the Hernando Today Health Today section. She lives in Brooksville and can be contacted at virginia.diaz61@gmail.com.