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 Sharon Dorr, of Le Mars, rescued Parker, a golden labrador, from the streets of Brunsville in January. Now the 163-pound dog has a new home and family. [Click to enlarge] |
Gone are the days of stopping at the beauty shop to get his toenails painted or begging a treat from the butcher or stopping by a friendly family for a bite to eat in their garage.
Parker, a 163-pound golden labrador, has a full-time home now.
He was rescued during a bitterly cold day in January by Sharon Dorr, of Le Mars, who was in Brunsville that day.
"It was a Thursday morning, 22-below zero," Dorr said. "His ears were frozen and his feet bleeding."
For Dorr, who already owned three labradors, Parker's condition was heart-wrenching.
"When you own a dog, there's responsibility," she said.
So she took Parker to the veterinarian where he was treated for frostbite and his shots updated. He also needed a bath as his fur was matted and he was almost frozen. Because of his size all of the above proved difficult.
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Four months later the nearly 8-year-old Parker, the size of a miniature horse, is healthy although being older he does have some arthritis so is on a special diet to "slim down."
"When I first got him, he would go to the window and look out and I thought 'he's unhappy,'" Dorr said. "He's used to roaming outside."
But now watching Parker show off his tricks to "sit" and "speak" before receiving a treat, he seems content. He also gets along with Dorr's other labradors, Jessie, Pee Wee and Dakota.
"He's so much smarter than my other dogs," Dorr said. "He's just a gentle giant."
She has yet to let Parker loose in the yard because she doesn't know if he will stick around, Dorr said. That is a project she plans to take on this summer.
And because Parker has so many friends in Brunsville, Dorr takes him with her to see his friends while she gets her hair cut.
"A lot of people have missed him," she said. "I always said anyone can come and visit."
In addition to rescuing Parker, Dorr has worked with local veterinarians to place seven abandoned dogs and someday she would like to build a boarding house for larger pets.
But at this point that's still a dream as she has to get husband, Dennis, to go for it.
Initially he wasn't too sure about Parker or needing another pet, but that soon changed.
"I said 'that's not a dog it's a horse,'" Dennis said. "(Now) they follow me around when I'm outside."
Dorr said both she and Dennis have always loved animals which is why it was easy to give Parker a home.
"We're softies and my husband's worse than I am," Dorr laughed.
I don't resent you sharon and I live in the community. I'm not on either side but I have a lab myself. And if he weighed over a 100lbs I would be worried cause thats OVERWEIGHT. So obviously the people that catered to this animal are in the wrong. Why would you keep giving this dog crap food to eat?
Also who was giving this dog the medication he needed? I guess you all catered to him to much and didn't give him what he needed.
Another thing, if you loved this dog so much why did he have frost bit ears and bleeding feet?
All I'm saying is yes you loved him and yes you catered to him but is that really want he needed? NO If I have a child that was 5 years old and everyone in the community feed him candy and he weighed over 100lbs is that ok cause the community loved him? No thats called abuse. So why is it ok for this animal that you all supposely LOVED??? I know you don't want to look at it that way but its the truth. He wasn't your dog either. He had owners that should have not let him out of there yard or farm or where ever they lived. I don't let my dog roam around. And last thing this is completely between Sharon and the owners. If they wanted him back bad enough they could get him back. So why don't you guys aim your insult towards the owners, cause they are the ones that look bad right now not Sharon.
That dog...was a great dog. He did what he was told and he would never hurt a fly. Ya...dogs should not be allowed to roam where ever they please, or be neglected but put yourself in their shoes and see how it feels. He was apart of Brunsville and everyone loved him. It's nice to no he has a home but Brunsville will be his home forever.
Dogs should not be allowed to roam the streets under any circumstances. Most towns have leash laws. It is dangerous to both the dog and others. Sharon did a good thing by taking in this dog, taking care of him, giving him the proper food that he needs (eating people food is not healthy for a dog). Good for you Sharon. I would have done the same thing.
One final word...to those of you who say,Get over it"....you simply don't understand what happened here. Everyone loved and catered to Parker which contributed to it being hard to keep him home. Labs love peole and he saught out the large circle of friends and family that loved him. He had a heated shed and a bottomless dish of food at home but Labs love to eat and he had a banquet of food and a warm place to stay no matter where he went. The reason this story created such a stir is because Sharon made herself out to be a hero to justify taking a dog that she had previously said she wanted and was told NO by the owners. She did this knowing he belonged to one of her customers. What kind of good business person would do that? She knew everyone loved this dog and wanted it for herself. In one of her comments she states the vet and herself notified the family twice that she had the dog. Later in one of her comments she says she asked the vet to wait ad see how long it would take for them to come looking for him. So which one of these statements are we to believe? In another of her comments she says she didn't reveal the name of the family because she didn't want to hurt anyone. So later when she did mention their name she must have wanted to hurt them as if taking their dog wasn't enough. It seemed like Sharon was angry that Parkers freedom was getting so much support and she just wanted to lash out because she was feeling trapped. How big of her to offer anyone visits as if she is a jail warden. She admits he is a prisoner in her story when says that she hasn't let Parker loose in the yard because she doesn't know if he'll stick around. Duh! He truely is a prisoner of her own selfishness. No, if Parker could talk he would not say,"Thank you Sharon" but instead would say,"Please,let me go". Some animal lovers become obsessive compulsive and don't know when to stop taking in animals. I would have to wonder who the other 7 dogs that she placed belonged to. Look out Brusville pet owners...whose dog will she take next? Do the right thing Sharon. None of what you've done is going to gain you the respect of the community. Don't expect your currant business or your dream boarding house to prosper either with so much resentment from your community. The only thing you can do to gain that respect back is to do the RIGHT thing and return the dog to the owners. If you choose to keep him you'll have to live in a community that resents you for what you've done and the way that you've gone about doing it. You took this dog for your own selfish reasons and it wasn't in your place to do anything at all. If you want to save dogs then go to a Humane Society where they are put down if no one adopts them. A large part of the Brunsville Community are waiting for you to do the right thing. All we can do now is to see how long it will take for you to do that.
I have read all the comments generated from the newspaper article regarding Parker, the "wandering" dog. It is unfortunate this article has stirred up such a hornet's nest. Emotions are running wild!
I do not know all the particulars surrounding that cold January day, but I know this to be true: Sharon has a heart, size "huge", for animals. Anyone that knows her knows this is true. My guess is that if Parker could speak, he would say, "Thank you, Sharon."
To everyone involved- take a deep breath-move on.
Its sounds like the people of Brunsville and Le Mars need a life... I cant believe you are arguing this much about a dog.
I will tell you all first hand that Sharon is not a person that acts out of selfishness. She does a lot for others both people and animals that is left unmentioned.
We need to keep in mind that this story was not wrote by Sharon, rather by a reporter for the Sentinel. Having worked with the media in the past I can attest that it is often difficult not to take a slant on a story, even with the best intentions.
We should be giving people that try to help praise, not publicly lashing out at them.
As a dog owner I will say that if one of my dogs gets away I treat them no less than one of my children and I am searching until they are found.
Kudos to you Sharon for the rescue, kidnap, relocation (or whatever angle you look at it from) of this dog that needed a great home. Those that know your family know that it has one of the best homes a dog could want.
Also kudos to you for your handling of this ridiculous public outcry and lashing from people that do not realize that the subjects of the Sentinel's stories are not also the writers!
You negative Brunsville people are such hypocrites...the owners didn't even want the dog back! They wouldn't even return the vets or Sharon's phone calls! And throwing Parker a scrap of food here and there and petting him every once in awhile does NOT qualify as "caring" for him. Parker had not been to a vet in over 4 years, and he was gone 3 weeks before the "caring" owners even thought to wonder where he was at. Anyone who is a true pet owner and lover like Sharon and truly cares for their pet knows they're like part of the family...just like a child almost. You don't let them wander around, not knowing if they got hit by a car, you give them a warm place to rest and shelter, you give them proper medical attention and take care of their health, and if they go missing...YOU LOOK FOR THEM! And if someone calls and says, "Hey, we found your child" or "pet", YOU COME AND GET THEM! You don't say, "Aw, just keep 'em." Do you?
This would have never came about if all would have been left alone. The owners would have let Sharon keep Parker and never said a word about it. But then this article is printed making it sound like no one cared for Parker. Its the furtherest thing from the truth. I know what really happened. I have said my piece. Guess a person is able to make their own decisions on what they read. But all of us that know and love Parker know the real truth. And if Parker is ever able to come home I'm positive that everyone around here would make sure that NO ONE would ever STEAL him again. And to all the "get over ITs" I don't think you would if it happened to something you loved and cared about. I will surely know where to go if I want one side of a story printed though.
I agree with Justice1. What if Parker got hit by a car, laid in the ditch in terrible pain and then finally died. I too live on a farm but DO NOT let my Lab run. She is only let loose when we can keep an eye on her. She is NEVER allowed to "roam". Good grief, why try crucifying a person who only wants to do what is best for an animal. (according to a vet) I also agree with Cuerdo, if my dog were missing for even 1 hour, I would be searching high and low for her. Not go three weeks..... It's over and done, get over it!!
As you can see Parker is loved by so many that's why this is such a sensitive story to all who know Parker. Sounds like a custody battle to me. Who know what is best for Parker but Parker. Unfortunataly no one can speak for him or read his mind so how can you say he is where he should be???
I thought you weren't going to name any names - then how did Sargisson's name appear? So what if it is in the comments - you are so respectful??? Then no names should have been mentioned. You obvisiosly didn't realize how well liked Parker was otherwise you would have never done this article. You say you did this article to... 'I just thought maybe your town people would be interested in how he actually is.' Well I guess you found out how the 'town people' actually feel!
I know Sharon, and if anyone else does, they know that this woman has a huge heart for dogs. Come on she has 3 other besides Parker in the house too! This dog was a great dog and yes liked alot but there was some who did not like him and would haul him to the pound. We all miss him and yet is getting old and needs a loving nuturing home. Not that the previous owners were not good but not available to give the attention he demanded. Sharon does have the time to put him on a diet and give him his medicine that he needs. Do people know that he has arthritis which requires a pill a day? If Sharon has the time and the love to give- why not? I do know the story of Parker and its not a sad story, but a great one that will live on Brunsville. Parkers now in retirement
After reading the article on this dog dog "Parker", I'd have to agree with what Sharon did for this dog. I have three dogs myself and live on a farm, they do not roam from town to town. Im fully aware of where they are. If im not home they are put in my barn or in the garage so they don't leave the farm. Parker could have been hit by a car and been killed. Brunsville people sound like they are very nice but this dog needed a home. Where im from if your dog is out roaming without a coller or leash, they are taken away and the owner is fined..... if they come get em. This dog may not have had abuse people say but it sounds like it had owner NEGLECT! The owner needed to be taken care of this dog, not the people of Brunsville. Good for you Mrs. Dorr!!!
Sharon you say you wanted the people of Brunsville to know how Parker is doing now. Well we all wouldn't be wondering if well enough had been left alone. Parker would have been around us so we wouldn't have to wonder. And this whole turn of events would never have came about if Parker was left alone to be with his family and his friends. As for the names being brought into any of this I don't believe I mentioned any except for yours and that was thanks to the article. If it wasn't your idea then why did you except the invitation for the interview. And if you actually believe that Parker has been forgotten about since he was taken, your wrong. He has been missed and the topic has been discussed numerous times. I'm positive that if the shoe was on the other foot things wouldn't be the way they are now. I truly believe you know that the article is inaccurate. When do the people who really know what is TRUE get to speak. I will NOT get over it until Parker is returned to his rightful home. Thank you!
People have tried to take Parker in when it is cold, he just starts panting and wants back out and will not stop bothering you till he is let out!! We have been talking about Parker and his new home since he has left, not just since this story came out. I ,for one, am just glad that Parker is safe/sound. He is still at a place where he can be visited according to Sharon. I've done both business and delivered goods to Sharon at her house(s), one thing I can say, is that her animals seemed to well cared for and loved. Let the folklore stories procede on and let the big 'ol dog retire in peace and comfort!!
First of all "Cuerudo" you don't live out here and had no idea what he was all fed. Did you know that I set out just plain old dog food for him and fed him raw hide treats when he would meet me at my truck every morning. Numerous times he was given rides home by myself , the mayor, fellow neighbors, etc... He would generally find his way back into town. For those worried about frost bite, ever lived on a farm and had a farm cat or dog? Frostbite happens no matter what kind of shelter is provided unless you keep them locked up in a heated shed. Parker locked up? I think not. He probably would have picked the lock...lol!! We citizens of Brunsville cared quite a bit about Parker: from leaving food out, to leaving garage doors open for him, to just plain old stopping by him when he was playing his favorite trick of "dead dog" in the middle of the road to just give a gold old fashion belly rub. The kids all knew him and he knew all the kids. Did you also know that he rescued a little kitten? I believe that cat is now called "Pepper". Just stop by the bank out here for the true story on that. I always thought he could have been a little meaner with the girls at the beauty shop (running around with red toenails wasn't the most macho thing to do)!! I also know from having been a cop before that there are 3 sides to every story, his current owners, his previous owners, and what really happened!! I for one will miss giving the rides home and hearing him bark when I'm about there to his previous owners house. I also plan on stopping by and saying hi to the ol' big dog!! I am also not afraid to put my real name on this- Robert Von Hagel - Brunsville.
ok people im just read the article and the people from brunsville just start to talk after three months that is really love for the dog, yes the peole say that parker was really happy on the streets waiting for a treat from the butcher o something like that but the people doesnt know what they have after they losed like in this case parker, so this is the point if everybody love parker in brunsville why no body take him home the day that was 20 below? people thanks good parker is not dead and thanks good sharon dorr was there that day if parker can speak he shuold be say thanks shaorn for give a home!!!!
Grandma, This dog what you say was stolen happen on a Thursday and your family didn't go looking for him until Saturday noon. I asked the vets to see how long it would take for them to go looking for him. HMMMM... after all these comments I have still not yet heard from the Sarggisson's. They were told what to do to get their dog back and that's been 3 months ago.
klara, maybe you should call me in person. I was trying not to mention any names in this article and keep face of these people. I have nothing against them. In fact, they are one of my customers. I didn't want anyone hurt when this lady did the article and you can call her and ask her. I made sure no names were mentioned. I just thought maybe your town people would be interested in how he actually is. They had a chance to come and get him and they chose not too. sorry. get over it
I am Parkers Grandma, or at least I was until he was kidnapped. Yes, Parker has a real family and also had many people he considered family in Brunsville. I think everyone should know that this woman,who thinks she is a dog lover,called the owners several months before she took him and said that she would like to have him. The owners told her no because he was a gift to the husband and the daughter would be very lost without him. Although it was difficult to keep Parker from going to town, he always returned home. What dog,especially a lab,could pass up all of the food he was offered. If this dog snatcher was a true dog lover she would be quick to understand the attachment of a dog to his owner and of the owner to the dog. The owners did call the vet to see if they had seen Parker but the girl that they spoke to on the phone wasn't working the day this woman brought Parker in for his grooming and shots so she knew nothing about it. It is also interesting that although Parker had been cared for at this vets office previously,some of his care was at another vets office. So she may have had immunizations done that had already been given by another vet. When the vets office heard the owner had called they called them right away and explained that he had NOT been kept there overnight but had been taken home by this woman. This woman failed to mention in her broadcast to the community that she and the owners also had a business connection. That put the owners of the dog in a sticky situation.
The dog snatcher finally called the owners and bragged about how she had rescued him from the cold and got him groomed and had taken him home. She repeatedly bragged about how much she had spent at the vets office to get him caught up on his care. If this "dog lover" has any kind of genuine heart for animals, and thinks he is so happy with her, then she should walk him to the gate and open it up and see which way he would go.....will he stay with her or run home eagerly to his real family.
Maybe all sides of the story should be known and maybe all sides would be known if the whole story would be covered and that is all I'm asking for. I have worked with the dogs owners for many years now and I feel that everything should be brought into light. Not just how mistreated this dog supposedly was. He was not I know this for fact. SHAME on everyone else for taking a dog out of his environment. He was very well taken care of by his owners and by the people of Brunsville. He had food water shelter and access to a heated garage and heated shed. He wander to Brunsville and found many friends there too. Since when is it so right to take a animal from his environment? Maybe all the FACTS should be heard before everyone blows it all out of proportion. And you would think after all the comments on this article that someone would be willing to find out all the facts rather than wasting their time reading the one sided story that is covered here.
well, I know Sharon for many years and she is an animal lover, this dog needed a "home" NOT a town! He is an overweight dog and because of this he has bad hips now, because of weight he gets pills for it everyday. He gets fed daily. She didn't want to see in him in a cage again so she brought him home. You would think after 3 weeks the owner would of came to get him. I would of gone and got my animal with in hours if missing. Your animal control would of picked him up again away?, The owners had a change to get him and pay for the vet bills and they didn't show. So don't blame Sharon. He is better off where he is. He is just an icon to you. Shame on all of you. Would you like your animal at the legion getting drunk too? Who knows what he ate? garbage.... Sure you all think you did good in feeding him but it was all the wrong foods. Get over it. He is a happy dog with 3 females. Thank You Sharon for taking him in. No more animal abuse
I have lived in Brunsville for many years now. I walk with my children and dog on a regular basis. It was always a treat when Parker joined us. He was friendly toward myself, kids and dog. Never once did I fear Parker. Parker walked to Brunsville whenever he wanted and returned home (or hitched a ride home) whenever he wanted. I was very saddened to hear that Parker was taken away from his farm and family. My young son still asks where Parker is. It is a shame, some dogs just aren't meant to be cooped up and Parker was one of them.
I can't say that I ever saw Parker in pain or with frostbite because we saw him everyday. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't but what I do know is that he will be missed and I am sure he misses us. The Brunsville family really did take care of him.
Well excuse me but it seems as if Parker had frostbite to the point of having his paws bleed, ears frozen and in need of shots.... Brunsville wasn't taking very good care of "their" dog. It is form of animal abuse and SHOULD have been taken away. Thank you Sharon for caring enough to take this dog to a better life!!
To clarify the story a little bit, it was the end of January and it was 22 degrees below zero the day I picked him up, his paws were bleeding and his ears were frost bitten. He was also limping, I thought he was hit by a car. To this day his ears are scared and very sensitive to touch. His family was notified twice by the veterinarian and twice by myself to come and pick Parker up, and is still here. He has two and half acres of a fenced in area to roam as he pleases, and has access to a dog door which allows him to come in and out of the house as well. If you recall there were times that Parker was taken to the vet by Brunsville official's, where he would stay for weeks at a time. I even stopped in to see him and take him out of the small kennel where he was kept. Currently he has been updated with all his shots, and is being well cared for. You are more than welcome to visit him, bring him treats and play with him. This story was initiated by the veterinarian, not me, I am not asking for any award, or praise, I would have done this for any animal that needed care. If you have a better ending to the story I would certainly entertain it.
I was under the misconception that both sides of a story should be covered. That must not be true today. Mrs. Dorr makes it sound like Parker was homeless with no where to go. He has a home and two children at that home that miss and love him very much. Parker is the mascot of Brunsville. Even though all of his needs were met at home, what dog wouldn't want to go to town and get end cuts off of a prime rib, bones at the butcher, nails painted at the salon, and breakfast of bacon and eggs hand fed to you on Sunday mornings? I have two dogs here that would love that kind of life. Parker was not FOUND.He was never LOST. He knew his way to Brunsville by following the creek and he knew his way home. I guess when I see my neighbors dog in our yard I don't rush right out and take him in as being a lost or unwanted dog. Everyone in Brunsville knows the truth about this dog and where his real home is and so does Mrs. Dorr and if she wanted to do the right thing she would have put Parker in her vehicle and taken him to his real home, rather than trying to glorify herself and her business by making it look like she is such a concerned citizen. I have known and loved Parker for about 6 yrs now and I know for a fact that he was never mistreated or neglected. Parker is very social and wants to share his love with everyone. Parker should have never been TAKEN from Brunsville and he NEEDS to be returned.
First of all you should know Parker is a farm dog that belongs to a local farmer. He had a place to go for shelter when the weather was bad outside and was never mistreated by his owner. Parker makes his way to town 3-4 times a day getting about 8 miles of exercise a day. Now he is confined to the limits of a few feet inside a house. The kids of Brunsville were greeted every day at the bus stop in town by Parker. Parker is like "Clifford the Big Red Dog" except he is OUR "Parker the Big Yellow Dog". He is like a family member of the citizens of Brunsville that was Stolen from our home.
This is a very one-sided article that makes Sharon Dorr out to be a hero for "rescuing" Parker. In actuality, she "took" Parker away from a town that loves him and misses him. I know that if Parker could talk, he would say he misses Brunsville, too. He used to wait for the bus with the town kids and would look so sad when they left. He was waiting to greet them when they returned in the afternoon, tail wagging and a huge grin on his big, goofy face. Even though he did not actually "live" in Brunsville, he thought of it as his home and was familiar with all the people who lived there. He didn't cause any problems and all of us were happy to see him trotting around town, visiting with anyone he would meet. We all have a soft spot in our hearts for Parker and miss him. If Sharon ever lets him out of her house, I'm sure he'll find his way back to the people he loves in Brunsville!
Parker doesn't look very happy in the picture. I think he misses the nail polish,begging the butcher for a treat and all the Brunsville people, even the chili feeds at the Legion. We miss you Parker
I and many others are just appalled at this article. Parker has been a part of Brunsville and everyone in it and in the area and not once did we ever notice any negligance with him. He is a wonderful dog and friendly with everybody. Everybody catered to him, he hurt no-one. I even took him home a few times. And nobody remembers having a morning that was 20 below zero. There are not many people happy with the statements made in this article. We love you Parker and we do miss you, to bad you were taken from us all.