Last Sunday a woman named Deb came out of church and started driving home.  She saw a white and black dog jogging down the street and she pulled over to see if he had a collar.  That dog was Shamus, and he jumped right into her car, happy that someone took notice of him.  She took him to the nearest vet to see if he had a microchip, which he didn't.  Deb listed him on numerous lost dog websites.  No one responded.  Her apartment complex only allows one pet per apartment, and she now had two.  She did the unthinkable. . . she turned him over to animal control.  Feeling guilty, she continued to search for his owner or someone that would take him in.  That someone was Judy!

Shamus is a very nice dog who wants some special attention.  He walks great on a leash and in our busy, noisy shelter has hardly made a peep!

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, according to the most credible hypothesis, the Pointer was developed two centuries ago by crossing among the Italian Pointer, the Foxhound, the Bloodhound, the Greyhound, the Newfoundland, the Setter, and the Bulldog. This is an almost unbelievable mix, but it certainly has produced an outstanding result. The modern Pointer has existed for about eighty years. The Pointer is named for the motionless stance the dog assumes once he has found game. The direction of the point tells the hunter where the game is hiding. The first recorded mentions of the Pointer in England date from around 1650, when the Pointer was used to find hare for the Greyhound to hunt. By the early 1700's the Pointer became the dog of choice. The Pointer is renowned for his scenting prowess. He works very quickly, covering a lot of ground. The Pointer is particularly good on upland birds, but adapts well to other game. The breed has excellent endurance in warm weather, but is not suited to very cold conditions. Working best on land he is not very comfortable in water. He has a legendary tracking and pointing skills, but is not usually expected to retrieve game. The English Pointer is full of energy and go-power. Loyal and devoted he is a true friend. Kind and patient with children, he is a dashing gentleman. The Pointer is affectionate, intelligent and clean. An energetic and enthusiastic hunter, yet calm at home. Wise and adaptable to every situation. Socialize well at an early age to combat a tendency for timidity. Some can be high-strung. They tend to be a bit willful, distractible and reserved with strangers. It will bark at suspicious noises, but it is not a watchdog. Show lines tend to produce better pets. Field lines are often too active and hunt-oriented to make good pets. Hunting instincts develop early. Puppies, even at eight weeks old, often display pointing behavior. These fairly independent dogs are generally good with other pets and are not usually dog-aggressive. They have a life expectancy of 13-14 years.