By JOHN HOWELL Some people don't even notice that Howdy is missing a front leg. Others do and call him disabled." Michael Cross takes issue with that adjective. He points out that Howdy is not only capable of getting around on three legs but actually a"
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Some people don’t even notice that Howdy is missing a front leg. Others do and call him “disabled.”
Michael Cross takes issue with that adjective. He points out that Howdy is not only capable of getting around on three legs but actually a registered service dog. With that designation, Cross is able to keep Howdy in what would otherwise be a dog-free apartment.
Cross calls Howdy his “emotional support dog.” Howdy is good at that.
As witnessed Saturday at the East Greenwich Animal Protection League located at 205 Hallene Road in Warwick, Howdy made quick friends with anyone who likes dogs. Of course, he’s not capable of extending a paw, but he makes up for that with lots of tail wagging and licks.
EGAPL has a long history with Howdy and now, because of the dog, their building fund has received a $3,500 boost.
When Howdy arrived at the league he had four legs, said EGAPL President Tammy Flanagan. The left front leg, however, was bent up almost as if the dog was raising a leg to say hello – hence the name Howdy. As a result, the dog did a lot of circling. The league consulted with their vet and the recommendation was to amputate.
Finding Howdy the right home has also been a challenge. He wasn’t a good mix with the dog owned by the first family to adopt him. He returned to the EGAPL. His second family had him for a year, but their dog wouldn’t tolerate him.
It was when he returned to the league that Doctor Christian “Xian” O’Brien and her partner, Cross, met Howdy. O’Brien picked him out and adopted him.
Then tragedy struck.
O’Brien died of a heart condition in November. She was 42. Cross kept Howdy and, in memory of O’Brien, he set up a GoFundMe drive to benefit EGAPL and Hasbro Children’s Hospital in her name. The drive raised enough to give $3,500 to each non-profit.
Flanagan said the funds would assist with the league’s move to their own building in Cranston. She said the move should happen close to the first of next month.
Long-time volunteer at EGAPL Karen Kalunian suggested a room be dedicated in O’Brien’s name. Howdy and Cross seemed to be good with that. After all, Howdy will stop in to visit the new digs when they’re ready and he’ll be at home as long as Tammy and Karen are there.
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