A Tail-Wagging End to Sick Puppies’ Tale

Eight Pomeranian puppies at a San Clemente animal shelter celebrated a different kind of homecoming on Thursday.

The pups were among 39 confiscated Jan. 27 from what authorities say was an illegal kennel at a Dana Point home. They spent weeks at the shelter recuperating from respiratory infections and parasitic problems.

The first eight adoptees snuggled into the arms of their eager new owners and prepared to head for homes as far away as Northridge, Chula Vista and Lancaster. The new owners were chosen from among more than 750 people who faxed, mailed or personally delivered their adoption applications to the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter.

Shelter officials narrowed the applicants to the best potential owners and then held a lottery to determine who would get the 35 available dogs. Of the 39 confiscated, one died of pneumonia, two personal pets were returned to the kennel owners and a fourth is being held for a family who had already bought it from the kennel.

John and Terumi Fletcher of Costa Mesa, owners of two Pomeranians, were sixth in line to choose from among the available puppies.

“They were all just really cute,” said John Fletcher as he cuddled and stroked Keith, a fluffy white, black and brown pup. “I could have taken any of them.”

Seven more puppies will be released to new homes Saturday.

The puppies were confiscated from the home of Mark Bock, 36, and Jeffrey Worley, 37, who have pleaded not guilty to 50 misdemeanor counts of animal abuse and neglect each. The pair relinquished ownership of the dogs on Feb. 14. Bock and Worley are scheduled to appear Monday for a pretrial hearing at South Justice Center in Laguna Niguel. If convicted, they could face county jail sentences and fines, said Orange County Dist. Atty. spokeswoman Susan Kang Schroeder.

But the more immediate concern Thursday was sending the pups on their way.

“I love the look on the adopters’ faces,” said Valerie Treaster, chairman of the Pet Project Foundation, a volunteer organization that assists at the shelter.

“It’s a thrill to see [the puppies] go from such a bad first start to wonderful homes.”