Dogs are often called man’s best friend. The unconditional love and companionship that a beloved pet provides forms a lasting bond with their owner that isn’t soon forgotten. Bob Landry, of Elkin, knows exactly how deeply one can be affected by a very special canine friend.

Landry and his wife, Virginia, have been married for 57 years and have always enjoyed having pets in their home.

“I get too attached to my animals,” said Landry.

The Landry’s form such a close bond with their pets that, when they had to put their 13-year-old dog, Lady, down four years ago because she had cancer, Mr. Landry didn’t think that he would ever be able to own another dog…until fate intervened and he came upon Aspen.

Information, along with a photograph about Aspen, a five-year-old Australian Sheepdog, was displayed one day by the Yadkin County Humane Society (YCHS) at Starmount Crossing Cinema V in Jonesville, where Mr. Landry works part-time.

She was featured as one of the animals available for adoption through a partnership between the YCHS and Surry Animal Rescue.

Aspen was in foster care at the time with Regina Edwards of Surry Animal Rescue in Mount Airy.

Adopting a pet that is in need of a good home is a wonderful thing, but Aspen’s story is special.

She suffered a terrible accident when she was younger and has since had titanium rods put into both of her front legs to help her function.

Edwards tried twice, before meeting the Landry’s, to place Aspen into an adoptive home, but neither time worked out because she needs lots of time and attention.

“They told me I might not want her because of the damage done to her,” said Landry of when he first expressed interest in adopting Aspen.

Thrilled upon hearing that her father could possibly want another dog, Landry’s daughter, Kathy, immediately called to try to get Aspen for him.

Pet adoption agencies are often leery of giving animals to senior citizens with concerns for who will take care of the animal if something should happen to their owner.

Having fostered Aspen for eight months, Edwards was hesitant to give Aspen to the Landry’s, but they say the first time she visited their home, Edwards felt comfortable with them.

Kathy Landry also assured Edwards that there was no question she would take care of Aspen if her parents were unable to do so.

Mrs. Landry, who has been in a wheelchair for the past six years, says her husband never let Aspen’s special needs keep him from wanting to adopt her.

“Look what he’s lived with,” she said with a smile, “He’s handled me, so why not her,” adding that Aspen is a great companion to her when no one else is home.

Aspen has been a part of the Landry home since Oct. 18, and they have proven to be the ideal home for the exceptional dog, never being ones to fence or leash their animals.

“I like my animals free, like I am,” said Landry.

Aspen is an active and loving dog, who doesn’t let anything get in her way of having a good time and bonding with her new family.

She enjoys playing with a tennis ball, riding in the car, and running around so much that the Landry’s have to carefully monitor her activities so she doesn’t hurt herself. Aspen even enjoys riding in Landry’s Cessna 182 airplane that he flies out of Elkin Municipal Airport.

Mr. Landry would like to express his gratitude to the ladies of the YCHS, and recently took Aspen to the theater during one of their events so that they could meet her. Edwards stresses the importance of adopting pets and would love to be able to place more animals into qualified homes. To find out more, call the Yadkin County Humane Society at 463-4990, email yadkinhumane@gmail.com, or visit www.yadkinhumane.org.

The next Foster Care Fundraiser at Starmount Crossing Cinema in Jonesville will be on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 2 - 4:30 p.m. The YCHS will have a table set up inside the theater with bios/photos of animals currently in foster care.

You can reach Surry Animal Rescue by mail at 112 Quail Run Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030 or by emailing surryanimalrescue@hotmail.com.