Since boyhood I have owned pets. I have never met a dog who would not approach me if I kneel down and extend my hand while gently saying, "Hey, come say hello to me." When I take our dog Sadie to the Huntington Dog Park, I sit in the grass, and many dogs will come to me. They seem to sense my caring demeanor, and "big guy with gentle hands" style. I, also, walk Sadie at our city's Huntington Ritter Park. We meet many owner's and their dogs, and I am often complimented for teaching Sadie how to gently interact with people and their dogs. I tell them that I rescued Sadie when she was about five months old. Someone dropped her on one of our city streets. She lives inside, but she loves going to the dog park and running with the big dogs!